John Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 This will be my first entry for the group build. Building armour is a rare thing for me. I built most of the Airfix and Matchbox 1/76th scale kits in the 1970s and a few of the very nice ESCI kits when they became widely available, but in over 40 years of kitbashing I’ve never built a 1/32nd or 1/35th tank! I’ve done a couple of soft-skins and guns, but the largest scale tank I’ve ever put together was the ancient Revell 1/40th T-34 – remember that? I do have a couple of Airfix 1/32 Grants in the pile though! I did build a few of the original Tamiya 1/48th scale motorised tanks years ago and some of the Aurora 1/48th scale kits when Woolworths started stocking them in early 1970s. I also remember building a couple of armoured cars with clockwork motors, Eidai perhaps? So, all in all, I’m not an armour modeller, but I do like the T-34. It’s an iconic design. I prefer the 85 to the 76, because it looks much more imposing, so when I got a look in the box of the HobbyBoss kit at Christmastime last year, I was hooked! Photos and in-box thoughts to follow. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 (edited) There's no doubt that the HobbyBoss T-34s are fantastic kits and incredible value for money. I bought this one at ScotModel 2008 in December 2008 for £8, which has to be the bargain of the year: Inside the box the sprues are all bagged with the hull separately packaged in a cardboard sleeve, HobbyBoss know how to do packaging: There is a colour painting guide for one vehicle: and a small decal sheet which is presumably included in both T-34 boxings: The instructions are clear and well laid out: All in all a superb package. However on examining the instructions it quickly becomes clear that more colour references will be needed for the comprehensive interior, so I bought the Osprey on modelling the T-34/76 for inspiration: and I've accessed numerous websites, particularly builds of the Trumpeter 1/16th kit which are goldmines of information. Roll on the 17th! John Edited October 17, 2009 by John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul A H Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I'll second what you have said; this is a great kit. It's scaled down from the Trumpeter 1/16 version, so those builds should be useful for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 & I'll third it.....These are brilliant kits, they are so good that they almost made me wish I'd chosen 1/48 over 1/72! FWIW & All the best Andy S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hi John certainly an iconic piece of equipment look forward to seeing the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 13, 2009 Author Share Posted October 13, 2009 Hi Johncertainly an iconic piece of equipment look forward to seeing the pics I've been playing with my boy's new Vivitar digital camera today and I'm not too sure of it so far, so I think I'll replace the photos I've already taken with new ones from my trusty Kodak! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 Comrades, the day has dawned and I fell on the kit like a decadent capitalist child on his decadent capitalist Christmas presents. One thing you notice is that the unit represented in the kit's markings is obviously a state secret, since there are no details on the instruction sheet. However the Committee for State Security and the State Commissar for the Production of Small Scale Historical Miniatures has authorised me to say that the vehicle is representative of the 4th Guards Tank Brigade, 2nd Guards Tank Corps in Byelorussia in 1944. I could tell you how I know but I'd have to shoot you. The kit features "link and length" tracks which I've never even seen before, far less built. The running dog Chinese manufacturers have managed to get ejector pin marks in many of the treads, so the first job will be to fill these. Spaceba bolshoi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 ejector pin marks in many of the treads, so the first job will be to fill these. Hope that is not as annoying as it sounds John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share Posted October 17, 2009 Hope that is not as annoying as it sounds John I'll let you know...! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPNGROATS Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 John: Great choice for the GB..! Wouldn't be right w/o a T-34/85. Yes I remeber the Revell T-34/85. Here is a pic of the 1960's box art...somewhat inspiring for the ground attack phase of the Red Star GB. Collective Cheers, ggc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share Posted October 18, 2009 That takes me back! My T-34 came is a box that was more or less square and had the text in Cyrillic and English script. That must have been some time in the very early 1970s. It had a couple of soldiers as well, if my memory isn't letting me down. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share Posted October 18, 2009 The first job of work is to get the hull halves out of their protective cardboard sleeve and give them a good once-over. The standard of moulding is very high with the upper hull in particular showing some nice detail: The inside has some ejector marks that need to be filled or chiseled off: but nothing insurmountable. There are 6 pins which hold the upper and lower hull halves together, so I'm wondering if they can be left as a press fit to show of the interior. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 23, 2009 Author Share Posted October 23, 2009 All the interior surfaces were given a coat of Humbrol 28 to act as a primer, followed by several thin brushed coats of 34 Matt White: The hull parts fit beautifully between the living room radiator panels, ideal for quick-drying the paint! I think one more coat should do it, then it's on to the engine. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 ARRGHHH! please don't do that then forget and turn up the central heating I would NEVER be so careless as to melt plastic when drying the paint Who mentioned the hairdryer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPNGROATS Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 I'ts Sovietski armour...!! It can take the heat-ski.... radiator cheers, ggc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted October 28, 2009 Author Share Posted October 28, 2009 ARRGHHH! please don't do that then forget and turn up the central heating I would NEVER be so careless as to melt plastic when drying the paint Who mentioned the hairdryer It's unlikely that these radiators would ever get hot enough to seriously compromise plastic of this thickness, and it does cure enamel nice and quickly! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted November 7, 2009 Author Share Posted November 7, 2009 My sister sent me an Amazon gift certificate or my birthday at the beginning of last week, so...: http://www.amazon.co.uk/T-34-85-Medium-194.../ref=pd_ys_iyr1 Excellent book and highly recommended. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 nice one John that reminds me i have some book tokens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 Hi John did you get any further please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 I'm still working away doggedly on this remarkable little kit but the amount of detail means there's no way I'll be finishing it by the deadline. I'll open a thread in the armour section to keep a record of the build. It's been fun! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 If you're not going to make it John, just PM me with a link to the thread, and I'll move it for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Posted February 28, 2010 Author Share Posted February 28, 2010 If you're not going to make it John, just PM me with a link to the thread, and I'll move it for you That would probably have been easier than doing the rewriting I've just done! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Yep Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnonymousFO98 Posted February 28, 2010 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Pity it won't be ready in time John, but better still to be happy with a good job well done, than rushing it. look forward to seeing the pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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