Huibs T34 tank project

[huib]

Thanks, Peter!

Figures
There are two figures included in the Esci tank kit: a tank commander and an infantry man, sitting Soviet style on the engine deck of the tank.


I took the sitting figures from both of my Esci kits, and did some modifications to their arms and legs to give them a better fit and create two different poses. The tank commander also needed some modification to let him have a good grip on the turret hatch.


In the end I added a fourth figure: a soviet infantry men from an Esci set. The tank commander received a lower abdomen from greenstuff. All figures in black primer.


Painted and shadowed.


A dark brown wash all over. The excess wash was later removed with a cotton tip.


After some highlighting, the figures are finished using matte varnish.


All separate parts combined: tank, base and figures. I splashed quite some wet mud on the back of the tank as a result of the misssing mud guards.


Dirty, isn't it?

Final pictures, soon!

[Peter]

It is dirty indeed!

But it is a fantastic final result!

[Wiking]

If a also simple SOLDIER rise his arms in the air: "How dirty is that tank" !
So it is time to / for ...

[huib]

Hmm yes, maybe too dirty. Then it is time for washing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLY-JBeOLY0

[Peter]

Hmm yes, maybe too dirty. Then it is time for washing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLY-JBeOLY0

Very funny Huib!

[Bluefalchion]

I thought they were going to wash the tank WITH their undergarments. That would have been a very different video.

And much better.

[huib]

I thought they were going to wash the tank WITH their undergarments. That would have been a very different video.

I'm afraid then our mod would have interfered.

[huib]

Final pictures





More pics in the Gallery

[C M Dodson]

Super stuff.

Nice and filthy, the proper campaign look.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Kekso]

I always enjoy your WIP pictures.

[huib]

T34-76 model 1943

And next one! I'm workin' on it for a while already, but didn't post yet.
When during the summer of 1942 the translocation of the Soviet war industry to the Ural region was finished and production swiftly increased there was room again for technical innovation


In the autumn of 1942, for the first time since the German invasion, an improved model of the T34 was produced. The improvement mainly consisted of a newly designed turret with more internal space and separate hatches for the gunner and the commander. When opened both these hatches looked like ears, so this model of the T34 was nicknamed Mickey Mouse by the Germans.


As it became soon clear that the full metal roadwheels caused quick wear on the tracks, many Soviet tanks of this period have a mixed set of roadwheels, with the ones with rubber tires on the first and last positions.


Several factories started to produce this type of T34, each including its own peculiarities. This model with a more rounded turret with characteristic bulb on the lower rim was only built by the Chelyabinsk Tractor Factory.


During 1943 the new turrets wre equipped with a commanders cupola. This innovation was inspired by German tank design, and enabled the tank commander to keep an overview of the battlefield, while staying safely under armour.
It is this model of T34-76 model 1943 I am building now.


These girls look forward to my results already. (I feel shy already)

[huib]

Italeri T34-76 Model 1943

For this model I use the Italeri T34-76 model 1943. In fact it is just the Esci kit in a new box with new decals.


I showed it before.


This kit differs from the Esci kit in so far that it contains two sprues with different wheelsets and turrets, so it is a combination of the Esci model 1942 en model 1943 T34 kits. This enables you to make different combinations of roadwheels.


The sprue containing the hull parts is identical for both kits.


Ah, much better! Contrary to the oldest Esci kits, this kit contains link & length tracks of good looking quality.


And a colourful decalsheet for some surprising variants:


A Czech, a Polish, a German and two Soviet versions.

So, let's start!

[huib]

Building the hull


The nicely detailed upper hull. Of course some improvements can be made.


A few holes were filled that are not used, and one front fender was cut of for a more lively model. The towing eyes on the hull front are also removed.


Some work on extractor marks.


Lower hull constructed.


Lower and upper hull glued together. The big gaps above the tracks filled with plastic card. A bit of filler for the reduction boxes.


Then some detail was added. Most conspicious and fiddly are the hand rails for hitchhiking infantry.


The rest of the parts added, including some leftovers from the Matchbox and Esci kits I built earlier, like a toolbox and spare track links. Headlight and machinegun were drilled. The characteristic big saw was scratchbuilt.


From behind. Most conspicious are the long range additional fuel tanks in mid-war style on the glacis. Also the exhaust pipes are drilled open.

Now on with the turret.

[Peter]

Can't we skip this part and go on to the girls on the tank?

Great start on this model Huib! And thank you for the historical information!

[huib]

Turret

To continue with the turret.


The kit parts.


On the underside of the turret is an ugly seam. Although there was a casting seam in this position in reality, it didn't look good, so I started filling it.


The surface of the turret was roughened using liquid glue to imitate the cast iron. Periscope slits were melted using a hot screwdriver of the right size. Grab rails and pistol ports were added.


The turret roof out of the box.


First some detail was removed (periscopes and lifting eyes).


And then reconstructed again. The most difficult was to melt in the four slits in the ventilation dome. The commanders cupola received vision slits. New lifting eyes were made from thin iron wire and the periscopes rebuilt with a bit more detail. Hatches glued in place, although they might probably fall off again during painting. (Especially drybrushing is tough for small and fiddly parts.)


The gun constructed.


Turret constructed.


From the other side.
A few odd things and then painting!

[Peter]

Lovely next episode in this story of Russian tanks!

[huib]

Thanks, Peter!

Ventilation cover

Some work to do on the ventilation vover:


Straight from the box. The detail is quite nice in fact.


Full of holes.


Cut out using a sharp knife.


Carefully filed to shape. Together with the drivers hatch on the picture.

And now on with the wheels.

[Peter]

Three weeks for a new post? You have been lazy I think? And I missed you Huib! My favorite Russian tank commander!

[huib]

Thanks, Peter!

Wheels
The last construction phase before painting.


This T34 receives two different types of road wheels. On the left the all wetal wheels. The round holes in them were all drilled wider. The left row has been done, the other row still has to. The inside of the rubber rimmed wheels shows ugly extractor pin marks, but as no one will ever see them, I'll leave them as they are.


The sprocket wheels and the tension wheels are equipped with hub covers.


The wheels are finished. Now for some painting.

[Peter]

Looking forward to the paint phase!