With all the discussions about kit prices, scratch building vs. the use of AM sets and what kits would be a good start for some one new to armor I decided to go a little old school. I thought it would fun to do a build using a lower budget kit some scratch building and a little kit bashing.
Here’s the kit I picked up for twelve dollars.
The very first thing I did was cut out the molded engine intake screens. This was done using a Dremel tool to first take out the center. Then using a hobby knife with a#11 blade slowly and carefully trimmed away the rest. The screen is from my parts bin. I also filled in the slots in the hull sides behind the drive sprocket.
The turret and mantel were textured using poly putty and an old paintbrush. If you dip the brush in thinner before the putty I’ve found that the putty goes on easier.
Next I filled in the holes for the external fuel drums and shaved off the molded on tie downs. New tie downs were fashioned from wire and were attached using ca glue.
I got rid of the kit fuel drums and scratched a set of the earlier square rear mounted ones using drawings in Squadrons T34 in action. The fill and vent caps are Verlinden resin pieces from my parts box.
The rear fenders were replaced with ones made from brass.
Two stowage bins were made using sheet styrene and some brass for the lid. A piece was added to the middle to keep it from bowing in. The hinges and clasps were made using left over pe from other kits.
The kit barrel just didn’t cut it. So using Disastermans tip on making your own barrels I gave it a try using my drill and a piece of aluminum tubing. It worked out pretty well imo. Thanks D-man.
I added some detail to the front tow hooks and the headlight using styrene and copper wire.
The kit band tracks are on it now but I’ll be replacing those with some separate link ones from an old Maquette kit.
Steve of course you realize that if everyone went old school like this companies like Dragon and Eduard would go out of business. Not that I ever wnat that to happen but I like the idea of back to basics. Lookin’ good too.
Seriously, you are doing a real good job here. I did the dragon T34 last year and removed/replaced the rear screens over the transmission. That takes some patience and care.
That wrecked headlight is really neat, put some wiring on it too; maybe a busted bulb inside. The small things like that are what can take a build to the next level. Try not to draw the focus to just a “couple” of areas; spread it out all over not only with structural improvements but with the painting as well, that way it keeps viewers dazzled and eyes busy by trying to see everything at once. Looks like you’re already headed that way with this one.
The turret texture is just awesome and looks beautiful.
Also, for future reference, if you place a steel or brass rod in the barrel before turning, it will not flex. Aluminum is pretty soft. Sure looks like it came out very well.
Great work here and thanks for the barrel credit too. If the paint job comes across as well as the rest has; this should be a super build.
On another note; ever notice there are a lot of guys here named Steve building models? I bet’cha you could go in a hobby shop and shout “Steve” and everyone would say “huh”.
Gentlemen thanks for looking in and the great comments it’s much appreciated.
D-man thanks for the info on the steel or brass to keep the barrel from flexing. I didn’t have any trouble with flex on this one but good to know if I decide to use this technique for a T34/85 or Jagdpanzer barrel.
So here’s were I’m at,
The tracks are from a Maquette kit. Spent a few hours scraping off pin marks, two on every link, but worth it. I lined them up using a metal ruler and used the kits band tracks to judge how long they needed to be. Once I got them the same length I added two more links because as a lot of us know these Tamiya tracks are way to tight. I applied liquid cement and after about thirty minutes draped them over the road wheels and let them sit over night. The kit poly cap hubs really need to go and the hubs in the Maquette kit are no better. So I’m going to make new ones. This should be fun.
The handrail’s on the hull and turret are wire that I picked up some were, probably on a jobsite. I drilled out the pistol port and scratched a plug from some stretched sprue and added a pe chain from the parts bin. The molded on hatch latch was shaved off and a new one was made from styrene and copper wire.
The antenna is a piece of piano wire. I used thin copper wire for the spring at the base.
I’ve started the crew figs but when done I plan on adding a few riders on the back.
Awesome work Steve i love builds like these for one they are so relaxing and just fun and secondly it just goes to show that we dont need the latest and greatest kits to build a great model, again super work and look forward to more.
panzerguy: Some pretty sweet work there!!! It’s good to keep those skills honed too! Especially nice grille work[tup], I tried that on a T34/76 a while back…poor results…[|(]
I’m about to start the T34/85 Tamiya (scored it for $10)…it’s almost identical to your 76…I’m thinking strictly OOB though…I want to try a bit of a diffrent green and try some more wash and drybrushing techniques. I’ll be following along to see what you got up your sleeve!
Lovely work all round Panzerguy and looking good with the maquette links, what are the fig’s you’re using?
Question for yourself or Disastermaster…regarding the barrel, I’ve got hold of some ally’ tubing for some odd Sherman and T-34 barrels but I can’t see how I can get a taper as there doesn’t seem to be enough metal, got any dimensions on that tubing you used?
Looks great! Also, it’s getting me motivated to finish a similar kit (Tamiya’s T34/76 with the “hardedge” turret) I’ve had in progress for a while now…
Absolutely amazing. I am in awe with what you have done with such an old kit. I can’t wait to see what you do next. $5.- drop in the bucket compared to the cost of the latest kits. I went over board with my current kit. Now I hardly know where to start and know that with my skills if I can use half the PE I am doing good [#offtopic] sorry about my rant. Once again your T-34 is stunning. keep up the great job.
