Fuel trouble on Kermit's way to Berlin....

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hi everyone.

I have some more woes to add to my woe heavy list on my woeful build of Maquettes T-34/85.

Despite an excellent level of overall detail, I have found that the kits fuel tanks and smoke cannisters are awfulish. They don’t fit together well at all, (they consist of 4 parts) and don’t seem to look right either. Fixing them up is requiring a lot of filling and sanding, which is demolishing what detail they had.
I wanted to add damage to them, but they still have to look like fuel tanks.

I have had a search around on the net, and found these aftermarket goodies:

These are from Mig Productions

And this is from Aber, it includes both the smoke and fuel canisters, and their mounts.

My other options are to peservere with the kit parts, or scratchbuild new ones.
I generally only like to use AM parts if they are needed, but I feel if I don’t get these right the whole model will suffer.

My concerns are, that I have never used PE, and Aber scares me. Could I dent the completed drums to simulate damage? Is this a bit above a PE beginner? I know not many people will have used this particular set, but may made similar pieces. Are Mig Productions good suff? I have used Verlinden resin bits before, and found them easy to clean up, and well detailed. Both AM sets are very similar in price.

I’d love to here any thoughts to help me make a decision onthis, as it is bugging me. Philosophical rants most welcome.

Help a puppet frog defeat the evil fascists.[:p]

(Kermit will be in the MG position, out of sight, BTW)

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Your Amphibious Bolshevik will get what his little green heart deserves! Make sure he’s buttoned up tight in that T-34 on the Road to Berlin (was that Hope and Crosby?) so he can’t see that 88 about to give him the 86.

My guess is the Aber drums will dent nicely whether you want them to or not.

3

Phroosh,

I think Ausf is right - With that Aber set, I could see those denting on their own.
Other thing is - if you dent it somewhere in the middle the straight edge that meets the end - will be a little short and create a gap

I’d go for the mig

For a hundred percent accuracy - don’t forget that last barrel on the right is if you are trying to represent a T-34 with a woman tank driver

4

Hey build22 what color would you use to accurately color in those yellow parking lot pole scratchs that they always seem to put in our cars. p.s. If I havnt posted again by tommorow its because my wife read this!!!

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Go Mig!

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phroosh:
save urself a lot of time & aggravation & go w/ the Mig Prod. fuel tanx…
the frustration factor of Aber p/e is legendary !

cplchilly & Build22:
hey, i resemble that remark !
here’s a pic of my last attempt at backing into the garage…[;)][:D]

frosty[:)]

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frosty that is priceless.

joe

8

Phroosh: If the kit tanks are unsavable I would go with the Mig set. The only way I can see the Aber tanks denting sucessfully is if you solder them together and then dent them.

Frosty: ROTFL!

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OOPS, sorry Frosty [:I][:I]

Just speaking in general. I hope you don’t drive like that !

cplchilly - good point -

The one’s my wife hits usually have a little bit of black on them as well - the secret is to get the black streak thru the yellow - creating a smeared black-yellow color

I’ve seen it many times on my own vehicles

Claymore - I think you nailed it

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That was hilarious Frosty! I had to show some guys at work!

I am going to fix up one of the kit fuel tanks completely to see if it’s worth it. I may even post a pic. There was an FSM article recently where the guy used the Aber set, but he used a styrene tube support, i.e. no denting.
The Migs are nice, but sort of impersonal. Someone elses dents if you follow. I am leaning that way though…

Sigh…

11

Matt: The tube support sounds great. form around the tube and solder then remove the tube and solder on the ends and dent? Just might work.

I know exactly what you mean about “someone else’s dents”.

12

Phroosh,
I don’t know what size these drums are in 1/35 but using the kit piece as a guide, couldn’t you fine a brass tube (K&S) the right diameter or If I remember correctly, you work in the trades, some conduit that’s similiar? If you had the drum sides, the kit ends could be used and your on your way to some scratchbuilt beauties.