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cjs65's 1/35 T-34/76 Model 1943; Carl's Mickey Mouse T-34
Topic Started: Jan 28 2013, 08:46 PM (1,956 Views)
cjs65
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I wasn't originally going to join this build, but I've changed my mind following a new purchase.

I'll be building the 1/35 T-34 Model 1943. The T-34 had the second highest production run of any tank (second only to one of its successors, the T-55) and the Model 1943 was known by the Germans as the 'Mickey Mouse' due to the appearance of the turret with both of the round hatches open.

This looks like a fairly quick build assuming no major construction issues. Lots of paint schemes available, and I'm not yet sure which one I'll go for. Maybe a first crack at winter camo..?

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cjs65
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You've seen the box, now here are the contents:
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Still not decided on the camo scheme though... :unsure:
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Molly-new
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Nice choice, I am looking forward to this one. :pop:

If it was a vote, I would go for winter camo.
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cjs65
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Molly-new
Feb 1 2013, 10:49 AM
Nice choice, I am looking forward to this one.  :pop:

If it was a vote, I would go for winter camo.

The kit contains decals for this vehicle from the 30th Guards Tank Brigade (Leningrad, Jan '44):
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I think that's the one I'll go for.

[Edit]: Just noticed it's the one in the box art... Duh... :rolleyes:
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cjs65
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Well, at least I've made a start, though I've not got too much done.

The lower hull is assembled; no major problems, and the fit is quite good. The plastic does have a bit of an odd feel to it though, and seems to be quite brittle.
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The upper hull has been cleaned up and now I have to do a bit of surgery to remove the track guards at the front, as the vehicle I've chosen to make doesn't have them. Out with the little-used razor saw then...
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I'm off on a business trip for a few days, so probably no more progress before Wednesday/Thursday.
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CPNGROATS
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Nice choice, winter cammo is cool...

T-34 Cheers,

ggc
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cjs65
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Slow going at the moment! Business trip for half the week, kids' 7th birthday Friday and their party tomorrow all equals very little modelling time! :woo:

Some more assembly done anyway. Track guard sections were removed and the upper and lower hulls joined. Also did a bit more assembly, including the main turret parts.
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The kit itself is OK but not the best quality. A bit of flash and some prominent mould seams and ejector pin marks all needed treatment. Once it's together and painted it should look fairly good, I hope.
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cjs65
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Well, so much for the anticipated quick build... :wall:

Just about every part is requiring more cleanup than expected (compared with, say, a similar Tamiya kit) and the plastic is fighting against me all the way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's a bad kit, it's just different, and more demanding of attention!

I'm getting there though:
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At the moment I'm working on every tank-builder's favourite job - Cleaning up the wheels. :sleep:
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peebeep
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It could be worse:

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Tristar Brummbar. Twenty wheels, each in six pieces, each wheel disc with three attachment points, 198 track links, each with three attachment points. :mental:

Funnily enough it was such a beautiful kit, I'd do another one.

peebeep
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cjs65
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Just about ready for painting now. Here are most of the bits:
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The tracks are probably one of the weakest parts of the kit, silver vinyl with each track loop coming in 2 sections, so 2 joins per track:
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Now one of my two attempts at improvement; replacement of the tow cable with some copper braid from a tow cable pack I picked up at a show last year. Just need to remove the ends from the poor plastic cable and reattach to the copper:
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The only other small change I'm making is the replacement of the opaque headlight lens with a clear one from Little-Cars.
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Molly-new
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Looking good. I agree with replacing the tow cables. The plastic ones never seem to look right on tanks. May have to get one to add to my growing collection of 1/35 tanks.
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cjs65
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It's now primed and the dark green coat sprayed. Now thinking about a liberal application of hairspray before putting on the winter camo. I don't want it too poorly covered but I'd like to show some wear in key locations, I think. :hmm:

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cjs65
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I managed to get the winter camo on last night. Sprayed a patchy coat of Vallejo Ivory over a layer of hairspray, and then did some fairly restrained removal of some of the ivory; I didn't want to go too mad, as the reference pic I'm using shows the camouflage coat to be quite intact.

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Decals on next (all eight of them!), followed by tools and stuff, before the weathering really starts.
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CPNGROATS
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Your T-34 is looking good...!!

Regards,
ggc
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Tonkameister
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I like the winter camo effect. Looking forward to the next update. :pop:
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Molly-new
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Coming along nicely. I have read about the hairspray technique but never tried it. What are your views on it?
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cjs65
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Molly-new
Feb 25 2013, 03:30 PM
Coming along nicely. I have read about the hairspray technique but never tried it. What are your views on it?

It has its uses, especially for heavy weathering such as worn winter or desert camo where you need to remove a lot of the top colour. To be honest, I didn't do much with it here as I only wanted light scuffing of the winter coat, but I have tried it on a fuel drum and the chipped/peeling paint effect you can achieve is rather good. This is the first time I've actually used it on a 'live' subject.

Anyway, the decals are now on, along with the tools, spare track links, tow cable etc.
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Next I need to finish the exhausts and paint the bare steel rims of the wheels.
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CPNGROATS
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Your winter commo looks very good...

Motherland Cheers,

ggc
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Tonkameister
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The camo and detail are making for a really eye catching model :thumb:
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cjs65
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Finished. The only replacements for kit parts were the tow cable and the headlight lens, which is a 4.5mm Little-Lens from Little-Cars. The radio antenna is just stretched sprue. The kit doesn't stand up to close inspection but I think it looks OK at a glance. The wheels and tracks let it down a bit - I blame the wheels on my lack of patience and the tracks are at least partially down to poor quality parts. Overall a nice kit, though.

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