TurretMeanwhile, the turret is also ready.
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.
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.
The turret constructed. Some filler was needed around the turret roof.
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.
The kit turret hatch. It has to be conversed to a simpler type of hatch.
Sanded flat.
And rebuilt again.
Some detail on the inside of the hatch.
And in the end the barrel. First the barrel was cut from the mantlet. A small chunk of plastic was glued to the mantlet.
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.
A simple gunbreech, to suggest something of an interior.
Turret constructed.
The turret hatch is temporarily attached with a piece of blue tac, so you have to imagine the blue tac not to be there.
Ready for paint!