Work in Progress

Huibs T34 tank project

Posted by huib on 21 Apr 2021, 15:14

Esci/Revell/Italeri 1/72 T34-76

My starting point is this kit:

Image
An old Esci kit from 1976 in a re-release in cooperation with Revell from the same year.In the '70's and 80's these kits counted as the best in their scale.

Image
In the box you'll find a sprue containing the hull and lot's of small parts....

Image
.....and a sprue containing the characteristic steel wheels and the turret. But this turret is of the wrong type, namely of a model 1943. So I'm not going to use it.

Image
And further some old style rubber band tracks, that will no doubt be challenging. And a quite nice decalsheet. I'll see what to use of that.

So, the turret is an issue. But I decided to take another turret from this kit:

Image
The Italeri 1/72 T34-76 model 1943. Huh? Yes, in fact this is the same kit as the one above, but in a recent release from Italeri. But Italeri added an extra sprue to enable different wheel combinations. And this sprue also contains another turret. Very convenient!

Image
This the sprue, in green plastic, with the extra wheels and turret.

So now, let's build!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57


Posted by huib on 21 Apr 2021, 15:21

Made a start!

I made a start with the Esci T34:

Image
Extractor marks on the lower hbull sides. Although you might not see them because of the wheels, I decided to fill them to be sure.

Image
The upper hull, nicely detailed.

Image
But I started with removing some of that detail and the front and rear parts of the fenders. And filled some gaps that I won't use.

Image
The enormous gaps between the upper and lower hull are filled using strips of plastic.

Image
The air vent grille is a separate part in this kit.

Image
I cut out the mesh, later to be replaced by real mesh.
And now for some building!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Michael Robert on 21 Apr 2021, 19:47

Wow Huib, what a lesson in tank history and admiring your meticulous work. Finescale mechanics, I'ld say.
Otlichna, posmotrim kak budet sleduchtchij
.. and, of course, nekokova schaga nazad!

Michael
User avatar
Michael Robert  France

Supporting Member (Bronze) Supporting Member (Bronze)
 
Posts: 825
Member since:
14 Oct 2009, 19:22

Posted by Peter on 21 Apr 2021, 20:03

This going to be nice again! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by huib on 21 Apr 2021, 21:01

Spasiba, Mikhail and Petr!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Bluefalchion on 21 Apr 2021, 23:21

How did you manage to cut out the solid mesh portions without causing the remaining frame to warp from the pressure of the removal?
User avatar
Bluefalchion  United States of America
 
Posts: 3575
Member since:
23 Dec 2010, 07:57

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by huib on 28 Apr 2021, 14:48

Yes, that was not easy as the plastic of this part was quite thin, soft and flexible. First I drilled 6 holes in every rectangle, and then carefully cut from hole to hole using a sharp exacto knife. The edges were carefully sanded to shape using a very small file.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 28 Apr 2021, 14:53

Finishing the hull

The next steps were quite easy:

Image
The upper and lower hull glued together. The front and rear end of the fenders was cut off. This caused some ugly scars that I had to restore using small pieces of plastic, sanded into shape.

Image
The reduction gear boxes at the back of the hull needed a lot of filler.

Image
Then the small parts were attached: exhausts, towing hooks, bow machine gun, etc. The driver hatch and engine ventilation cover are left off until after painting.

Now to continue with the turret.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 29 Apr 2021, 11:16

The Russians must be very happy that you make so many tanks for them! :mrgreen:

Looks nice so far Huib! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by huib on 29 Apr 2021, 15:28

Thanks Peter! :-D

Wheels

Although I continued working on the turret, I had some delays caused by curing glue and filler. So in the meantime I worked on the wheels.

Image
The pressed steel roadwheels, so characteristic for this type of T34, could use some improvement by drilling the holes larger, from 0,7 to 1,2 mm. On the picture the left two rows of wheels have been drilled. Only 120 more holes to go! :shock:

Image
The sprocket- and tension wheels were missing the rounded wheelhubs.

Image
All wheels ready for paint.
Now on with the turret.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by tullo on 30 Apr 2021, 15:37

hello
chalk paint also has a very good matt and rough effect also holds very well on plastic
greetings
User avatar
tullo  Germany
 
Posts: 360
Member since:
06 Jun 2020, 01:56

Posted by Wiking on 01 May 2021, 05:41

Huib wrote:
Only 120 more holes to go!

Huib, the PROXXIONATOR !
User avatar
Wiking  Germany
 
Posts: 2825
Member since:
14 Sep 2015, 10:03

Posted by Peter on 01 May 2021, 08:35

Wiking wrote:Huib wrote:
Only 120 more holes to go!

Huib, the PROXXIONATOR !

Well everyone needs a hobby! :mrgreen:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by MABO on 02 May 2021, 06:58

I have missed the start of the new project until now. Thanks for the interesting background story and I continue to follow this masterly next wip, of course
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9127
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Posted by huib on 02 May 2021, 13:01

Wiking wrote:Huib, the PROXXIONATOR !

:-D :-D
No no, all by hand!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 02 May 2021, 13:22

Turret
Meanwhile, the turret is also ready.

Image
These are the kitparts for the turret. The green parts are from the Italeri kit. The barrel is from the Esci kit. The turret halves very nicely have a rough structure, representing the cast iron. As I am afraid it will not show after painting anymore I want to strengthen this effect. Also some shallow sinkmarks on the turret sides.

Image
The left turret halve was covered with Tamiya Extra Thin glue and roughed up using an old brush. I carefully tried not to damage the nice welding detail around the periscope slit.

Image
The turret constructed. Some filler was needed around the turret roof.

Image
The the turret back plate was filed away, representing the cast turret type from STZ, the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. Also three lifting eyes were attached.

Image
The kit turret hatch. It has to be conversed to a simpler type of hatch.

Image
Sanded flat.

Image
And rebuilt again.

Image
Some detail on the inside of the hatch.

Image
And in the end the barrel. First the barrel was cut from the mantlet. A small chunk of plastic was glued to the mantlet.

Image
Then the mantlet was sanded into the specific STZ type with the oblique front. Then the barrel was glued back, using a piece of iron wire inside for strength.

Image
A simple gunbreech, to suggest something of an interior.

Image
Turret constructed.

Image
The turret hatch is temporarily attached with a piece of blue tac, so you have to imagine the blue tac not to be there.

Image
Ready for paint!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by Peter on 02 May 2021, 15:02

After all this builts and you still can show us new things! Nice work with that glue! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by huib on 04 May 2021, 16:07

Thanks, Peter!

Paintjob
Well, painting and weathering is a bit of an integrated process in my present plan: to make a battleworn muddy T34.

Image
First the tank was painted white, using a cheap spraycan of primer.

Image
Then some conspicious decals and an air recognition sign on the turret.

Image
Almost immediately all this conspiciousness is undone by dappling green paint all over using a piece of sponge. When the green paint had dried I misted everything over using the white spraycan again.

Image
The bottom was painted mud brown all over.

Image
And a lot of mud colour on the upper side already as a preparation for more.

And now the real weathering has only to start yet!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 04 May 2021, 17:04

You really know how to destroy those nice tanks and make them look ugly! :mrgreen:

Always good to see the step by step painting. It's a good guide for those who want to paint their own tanks! Like me! ;-) :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22501
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by MABO on 09 May 2021, 19:11

Looks fantastic again. :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9127
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Previous pageNext page

Return to Work in Progress