by John Sears
1/700 Russian mobile ICBM platforms (PitRoad/Scratchbuilt)
The SS-25 Topol is scratchbuilt from Evergreen sheet and tube plastic. The missile tube comes apart from the 7-axle MAZ TEL (Transporter/Erector/Launcher) and can be placed on jacks that fit under the truck; the missile tube can be placed in an elevated position to simulate a launch profile.
SS-27 Topol-M Battery. The SS-27 Topol-M is the follow-on version of the SS-25. This model is kitbashed from two PitRoad white metal SS-25 trucks. I cut them up and fit them together to account for the –M’s longer 8 axle MAZ TEL. The missile tube is scratchbuilt and fits a scaled SS-27 missile inside. Similar to the SS-25 model, the –M TEL fits on a jack platform and the tube can be removed and placed in the launch position. When preparing for launch, crews unhinge the launch tube cap where it falls and rests on the ground before the launch tube is erected. The MAZ command vehicle is a modified MAZ SCUD TEL from PitRoad.
The smaller launch vehicle is from a research photo I found on the Russian Arms Yahoo group site. It is of an unknown test vehicle for a small ICBM. This model is a modified Pitroad SCUD MAZ TEL.
