Zvezda 1/35th T.34 1941/42 "Ekhranami".

[Richard48]

Hi guys.
Well lets say todays progress on this one was challenging and thats being polite.The hull was built up in sections and i got everything square.When it was time to mate the upper hull to lower hull well a nice gap on glacis plate that needed a shim of plasticard.But wow the tracks.Absolute bstards to do.Ive done a few vinyl tracks in past and these had 2 joins on each run of tracks.Heated them together and the pins were tiny and yes when i mated them on to the wheels yes they broke.I was pd offf bigggg time.So thought bugger it stapler out and superglued the tracks on the roadwheels to get some slag.It nearly got thrown across the room but i calmed down.Put some Fleetwood Mac on and thought nope ive done the turret armour and the front glacis armour plate.
Glad its together and just about sane.Rather do the old Tamiya T34 kits.Old but i like them.
Rich.

[scottie3158]

Richard,
Despite your woes that looks very good mate.

[Richard48]

Richard,
Despite your woes that looks very good mate.

Thanks Paul.Just dont get tooo close to it mate.Certainly havent got your skill or patience with your M3.Appreciate your kind words.
Rich

[David Lovell]

Hi guys.
Well lets say todays progress on this one was challenging and thats being polite.The hull was built up in sections and i got everything square.When it was time to mate the upper hull to lower hull well a nice gap on glacis plate that needed a shim of plasticard.But wow the tracks.Absolute bstards to do.Ive done a few vinyl tracks in past and these had 2 joins on each run of tracks.Heated them together and the pins were tiny and yes when i mated them on to the wheels yes they broke.I was pd offf bigggg time.So thought bugger it stapler out and superglued the tracks on the roadwheels to get some slag.It nearly got thrown across the room but i calmed down.Put some Fleetwood Mac on and thought nope ive done the turret armour and the front glacis armour plate.
Glad its together and just about sane.Rather do the old Tamiya T34 kits.Old but i like them.
Rich.

Well done Richard ,now you've had chance to sit back bet your thinking "What was all the fuss about" look how next time any like problem's your just breez it not stress over it ,plus much more satisfying than flash free no brainer stuff ,give yourself a pat on the back. Dave

[Richard48]

Well done Richard ,now you've had chance to sit back bet your thinking "What was all the fuss about" look how next time any like problem's your just breez it not stress over it ,plus much more satisfying than flash free no brainer stuff ,give yourself a pat on the back. Dave

Ah thanks Dave.Glad i didnt bin it.Always a way round problems most of the time.Just be great to get some paint on the beast soon.Pretty sure its a whitewash for this one.Appreciate your encouragement,Means a lot.
Cheers pal.
Richard

[JR]

Regardless of those tracks Rich (which I'm glad you didn't hurl the model ) the work you've done on the additional armour to the turret is great. Bring on the white wash.

[Scratchbuilder]

Richard,
Just had a read through your build so far. You claim your scratchbuilding skills are not up to much, but you tackled this project which has come out fine. If the add on armour has some rough edges, so what, take a look at the real one, bet that is not all pretty and ready for the ball. Finished up with a gap on the glacis plate, was that you or the kit? I have heard some horror stories about this manufacturers products, so I would not put yourself down too much.
Tracks are tracks, under a coat of mud and dirt, who will see the join, thankfully I am a registerred coward and steer well away from vynil tracks or the link and length.
Now looking forward to the paint...
Mike.

[Richard48]

Regardless of those tracks Rich (which I'm glad you didn't hurl the model ) the work you've done on the additional armour to the turret is great. Bring on the white wash.

Thanks my friend.Determined to get some paint on the 34.Never ever done a whitewash so should be fun.Might try some of the "Washable white" ive seen.Or maybe hairspray thingy.
Rich

[Richard48]

Richard,
Just had a read through your build so far. You claim your scratchbuilding skills are not up to much, but you tackled this project which has come out fine. If the add on armour has some rough edges, so what, take a look at the real one, bet that is not all pretty and ready for the ball. Finished up with a gap on the glacis plate, was that you or the kit? I have heard some horror stories about this manufacturers products, so I would not put yourself down too much.
Tracks are tracks, under a coat of mud and dirt, who will see the join, thankfully I am a registerred coward and steer well away from vynil tracks or the link and length.
Now looking forward to the paint...
Mike.

Howdy Mike.
Thanks for dropping in mate.Think the gap was Zvezdas doing as the hull tub was all square and lined up.Like you said some mud or suitably placed snow on a base will hide a multitude of sins.
Appreciate the encouragement.
Rich

[JR]

Rich the white wash is a great method, the countless photos on the web give plenty of thought.That WASHABLE WHITE is good, as your able to play with it once dry. Definitely stick to that.

[Richard48]

Rich the white wash is a great method, the countless photos on the web give plenty of thought.That WASHABLE WHITE is good, as your able to play with it once dry. Definitely stick to that.

Thanks John.I shall definately get some washable white mate.Ive got to get some practice with my new cordless trigger airbrush wife boughr me last Christmas.

[JR]

You cant really go wrong with white wash winter camo Rich , just decide if its in the middle of winter or in the spring when there's more rain to wash much of it off, plus the amount of marks left by crew getting in and out.

Most of all have fun .