Soviet Armoured Aerosan NKL-26
This is Trumpeter's 1/35 armoured aerosan. The original was made of plywood with a 10mm armour plate to the front only. It had a ring-mounted 7.62 DT machine gun, and was powered by an M11G aircraft engine.
It had a crew of two, and often worked with ski battalions, where ski troops could ride on the vehicle's four skis or be towed behind.
The kit is wonderfully engineered, with around 140 parts including two small etch frets. The engine alone has about 60 parts and really looks the part.
There's some basic interior detail, but probably not much more than would have been seen on the actual vehicle. I added a few decal dial faces rather than paint the kit panel; all else is OOB.
This is part of a new diorama I'm working on, and I wasn't going to post it as an individual Headline project in its own right, but I was amazed at the quality of this little kit and decided to photograph and post the result.
5 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Robert Royes said on July 24, 2016
Very unusual, excellent build.
Rob Pollock said on July 24, 2016
Thanks, Robert.
Craig Abrahamson said on July 24, 2016
Don't think I've ever seen one on those before...sorta puts me in mind of something outta Star Wars.
Rob Pollock said on July 24, 2016
Plywood cavalry on skis. Still, a great little kit.
California Steve said on July 24, 2016
Great job Rob! I can't imagine how cold it must have been inside this ice box. Or to be on a trailer being towed. OK, I'll just hold on to the railing standing in front of the prop as you scurry us along. Geeze! I think the extra prop is for the guy who let go.
These little snow scooters have always interested me and you did a great job on this kit.
California Steve
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
Cheers. Steve.
bob mack said on July 25, 2016
love it...that is so neat
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
Thanks, Bob.
Terry Schuler said on July 25, 2016
Really nice Rob, I saw one of these for the first time about a year ago when a friend of mine built one on a diorama. At first I thought he did some sort of sci-fi thing, until he filled me in. I wonder what kind of speed they could crank out of this ?
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
The M11 cranked up to 125 HP so probably an 'interesting' ride.
P.k said on July 25, 2016
I like this build!
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
Thanks, P.k.
Greg Kittinger said on July 25, 2016
Very nice Rob! Can wait to see the finished dio!
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
Thanks, Greg. Big project, so may be awhile, but thanks for the comment.
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on July 25, 2016
Rob, great job on something really different. Good grief! Imagine going to war in one of these. Or have the KGB folks in back of you to "encourage" you to do so.
Rob Pollock said on July 25, 2016
Tough nuts, those Russians.
George Williams said on July 25, 2016
You seem to have a knack of finding something a little unusual and making then making it just that bit different again, I'm sure your diorama will be up to your usual standards. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Rob Pollock said on July 26, 2016
Thanks, George.