The Tatra T18 history is here

Building

This model is produced by the Polish firm CHOROSZY MODELBUD. When opening the box, we can be surprised by the large number of parts for such a small model, in fact everything inside is reproduced with superb fineness. This delicacy is also a difficulty because you must be very careful during the assembly. I was particularly amazed by the quality of the Hotchkiss machine guns. My copy was missing a wheel, so I emailed Choroszy praising the quality of their kit and their Hotchkiss and they were very kind to send me not only the missing wheel in duplicate but also another Hotchkiss, thank to them for their professionalism and their kindness. We must therefore be patient and careful during assembly. It does not call for specific comments.

Fortunately, a precise documentation exist

Choroszy being a Polish company and the Tatra T18 has been rather used by the Polish army, it was normal that the proposed version is the Polish version. Nevertheless, reading the literature, I found the Czech camouflage more cool (but probably less effective) than the 1939 Polish camouflage. But the Czech version is different from the Polish version, so we had make the required changes.
– Manufacture the protections for the headlights
– Making a different search light
– There is no coupling ring at the front
– A crowbar located on the side
– The turning device is placed on top at the front
– Make a horn
– Rebuild and reposition the rails brooms
– Manufacture side plates with registration D2 001
– Remove the Polish eagle on the gates (its a shame because this eagle is beautiful)
– Replace the Hotchkiss machine guns by Austrian schwrazloses (ICM box)

The figure is produced by the firm SKP under ref: 202 

the paint: 

This is quite difficult because the painting surface is small with five different colors. Since I’m not very good with brushes, I had to use masks, in this case Tamiya masking tape because the separations between colors are straight ones.Another difficulty comes from the many rivets that raise the ribbon and give not always very clear separations, so I had to work with brush again for clear separations between colors. Painting the interior does not pose any particular problems, the fire extinguisher is not red as regularly believed but green. We can find a plan on the book I have already mentioned. The black and brown stripes were painted first and then masked, a gray band is also added then masked and the background colors (gray, green and yellow) were painted and masked successively one by one. Finally, a slight weathering is applied because this unique machine acquired by the Czech army did not served in operation. Then the railway is also painted. The soldier is added to give the final touch