Dear modelling pals,
I have completed Zvezda’s 1/35 M13/40 several months ago. Although it is an old build, it is still one of my favourites.
I wanted to share sth good and sth valuable (for me of course) for the first post of mine in armor section. Enjoy…[:)]
The kit is colored using Lifecolor and Tamiya acrylics and the tracks are lead cast aftermarket parts from Friulmodels. The AA gun at the top of the turret is detailed using PE parts from my unfinished PZL 24 in 1/48 scale and some scratch built parts. The weathering is done with Tamiya weathering set and pastels mainly.
Very nice work,I like the camo job and your work on the tracks.Thanks for posting.
Thank you Anthony…
For the painting and colors I am inspired from the machine, which was in the collection of Bowington Tank Museum.
Nicely done and welcome to the Armor forum! [snWcm]
Yes sir it is nicely done without a doubt.[Y][H]
Tony Lee
That is a nicely done build sir! How was the kit to build? I’ve been contemplating getting this one. You have got to love those Fruil tracks.
Cheers
Dave
I recall my friend back in the day said that then Italeri/Zvezda kit was superior to the Tamiya. I know Tamiya upgraded with a metal barrel and link-and-length tracks, but that builds looks very well done. It’s always nice to see something different for a change of pace.
Weklcome to the armor forum.
Thank you all…
I’ve bought this kit as a second hand item from a well known hobby shop in Ankara. The price was good, even better as it was second hand. In general the kit is typical for Zvezda, for the ones who like to use needle files. However this one has some nicely molded tiny parts that does not exist in Tamiya’s kit, like connections with wing nuts. I cannot say that Tamiya’s 13/40 has errors but it may be representing a later period vehicle. The most problematic part of the kit was the decal sheet and the tracks. The white numbers on it was not white exactly. But these were rather yellowish in color. That was what I was familiar to, from the old kits of course… But when I intended to slide them to their places I met another surprise. Each decal seperated into two or three pieces alhough I’ve did nothing wrong to damage them. I’ve brought them together like a micro-puzzle on their places (thanks god I had not so many of them), and then painted on the cracks between the decal pieces with Revell matt white acrylic paint which has the same yellowish color. The blue-white striped squadron insignia was not provided on the decal sheet. I painted it on the turret by masking. So if you are thinking about getting busy with this one, try to find better decals.
The vinyl tracks are not bending so easily, and so tight that, it stresses the road wheels and return rollers which may easily lead to unwanted things. While trying to fix them to their places, the track bands snapped off from their riveted connections. I used the same type of tracks from Italeri’s Semovente, but they snapped off too. Driven mad, I’ve ordered Friul’s tracks, which were more expensive than the kit. But I can say that Friul’s tracks are the best that I had ever used. Metal, heavy looks and feels like the real thing.
Very nice model indeed. I am currently working on an Italeri M13/40 but sadly ruined one of vinyl tracks with trying to melt it together. So, I am trying to find a replacement or aftermarket set. But, my main question is where is the hobby shop you mention in Ankara? My father just moved there several months ago and I spent some time there and traveled all around Turkey. I am headed back in Jan and Feb and would love to find a hobby shop to get some supplies while hanging out in my Dad’s apartment. I cannot remember the area where his apartment is located but it is pretty close to all the embassies and such. Thanks
Sean
P.S I love Turkey…Everywhere I went from Istanbul-Kizmir-Kusadasi-Erzincan-Ankara everyone was very friendly…I love Turkish airlines:)
I doubt you’ll get a response. The guy has only posted 6 times in 2 years.
Very well done![Y]
From what I understand, the Tamiya kit is closer to a M14/41 than a M13/40, but more of a hybrid between the two subtypes. There are differences on the direction the lourvers face on the rear deck and other small details. It is like telling the differences between the various M4 sherman subtypes.
Friulmodels has a track set, but like all metal tracks, they are pricey.
Mike T.
Thank you all for your comments. I have been really busy with my PhD, then came my obligatory military service period. And I have never noticed how the time passed.
Dear AK47ME, I am really sorry for responding so late. I was not able to use internet during my military service period.
First of all, I should make it clar that I had bought only the kit from the hobby shop in Ankara. For the aftermarket parts I have preferred jadar model.
If you are looking for a hobby shop in Ankara, I recommend Hobbytime. You can obtain their address and some other information from their web site: www.hobbytime.com.tr