1:35 Russian ASU-85 airborne self-propell gun Mod.1956 Value Package

Extended photo-etched set for the ASU-85 in 1:35 scale

This set from E.T. Model adds parts of thin photo-etched sheet to a model of the airborne self-propelled gun, parts that cannot be produced in a matching thickness in plastic. Typically these are the fenders, the covers, the grilles, the brackets, the lifting eyes and the small equipment on the hull. The designation for the extended package means that the set is conceived as a more comprehensive whole than a basic single-fret set, so it also covers parts that are usually added separately.

The real subject

The ASU-85 is a Soviet tracked self-propelled gun intended for airborne units. It has a low enclosed superstructure with the gun in the front plate, a light structure allowing it to be carried by air and a chassis derived from light tracked vehicles. Its low silhouette and limited weight came from the requirement that it be transportable, not from a requirement for armor protection.

Fitting and painting tips

Separate the photo-etched parts with a sharp scalpel on a hard surface, not with pliers. Make the folds in a bender or between two blades, so that the edge is sharp and straight. They are glued with cyanoacrylate applied on a pin; on larger areas a thicker version of the glue with a longer setting time helps. A base coat is essential before painting, ideally one meant for metal surfaces, otherwise the paint holds badly on smooth brass sheet. The fenders and the thin covers can be bent slightly before gluing to suggest service damage.

Who the set is for

• Advanced modelers who build Soviet tracked vehicles.
• Builders of contest models who need a realistic thickness of sheet-metal parts.
• Modelers who want to cover most of the detail of the vehicle with a single package.

An accessory photo-etched set, not a complete kit. The base model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.