T-34/76 STZ Model 1941

[pwranta193]

Okay,

Rather than keep hijacking Rick's string, I thought I'd toss up some of my build. I'm using this tank as inspiration, as I've done a slightly different job of stowage and used the good front right mud flap. as I plan on mounting the tow cable to it.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/T-34earlySTZ.jpg

These shots are pretty rudimentary... but I've done little outside the straight step by step build. It is a nice little kit - and other than the cannon mount being about a degree out of plumb, it has really gone together nicely. There is the tiniest bit of gap on the rear panels, but that is more likely the fault of the builder. I've screwed up the screen covers, but we won't go into that here :)
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2101.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2106.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2102.jpg

Love the turret, needs a few seams filled and I've done a spot of welding. Now I'll have to fill it with crew or try and spruce it up, now that Rick has raised the bar :D Oh and I'm assuming that grimy white is the standard for these? Hatch interior is green?
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2104.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2104.jpg

Next up will be detailed shots of the damaged front end... broken light, thrashed mud guard, wheel damage, etc.

I've picked a VERY light shade of green - very earthy and much like the dun colored Soviet uniforms Model Master SAC Bomber Tan. I'm going to try something completely different for me and work from very light to dark with oil washes. I'll add some color shots tonight.

This has been a really great build so far - love this kit - while having some frustrations with the eye wrecking brass bits, after taking a breather, it has flown together. I've got another on the shelf that is going to become a Finn version after some research.

[RickLawler]

Well, well, well...let me be the first and break the champange bottle across the bow of your new thread.

...spruce it up, now that Rick has raised the bar... hey, I'm just sitting here minding my own business! You are the one with all the fancy welds and banged-up fenders!!!

I've picked a VERY light shade of green - very earthy and much like the dun colored Soviet uniforms Model Masters SAC Green. I'm going to try something completely different for me and work from very light to dark with oil washes. I'll add some color shots tonight.

....as I said on your shots on my thread, she's looking pretty spiffy. I'm really liking the idea you have for painting.

....while having some frustrations with the eye wrecking brass bits...
...ouch, I hear you pal. I just got new perscriptioins before Christmas...what a difference! Getting old is a Bitch!

talk to you soon,
Rick

[pwranta193]

Thank Rick - you guys keeping warm over on your side of the river? I wish it would just snow and quit frikkin' around :)

Okay a little color - which always shows the things to work on:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2111.jpg

I've tried to do a little battle damage to the wheel - and I'll ding up the idler as well. Not sure how the tires would take an HE (mortar or sIG)... peel away or just come off in tatters. All I have found is burned off rims, so suggestions are welcome.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2108.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2110.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2109.jpg
Okay - back to the family :)

[sharkmouth]

Hi Paul,

The idlers you chose have rubber tires too. For the damaged road wheels, use strips to simulate the ridges on the wheel used to keep the tire.

See here what Voyager Models did to their 'burnt out' wheels:
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k247/sharkmouth/Voyager%20Models/T34/EarlySolidDamaged.jpg

I really like that beat up fender!

Regards,

[Stuke Sowle]

What's this? Another model?? Ranta, I see you're applying lean manufacturing techniques to the hobby table. Before I know it I'll see a photo of an assembly line on a desktop!

Firing a PM off to you and Rick, I need to get in on some of this action!

Oh, and very very nice work on this one Paul. The roadwheel is ace!

[lquah]

Paul

I'm liking it especially the mangled fenders and weld beads. :thumb: You may want to fill the gaps between the weld beads and the gun housing.

LQ

[pwranta193]

Thanks boyz!

Stuke - let's make it happen. Saul, thanks for the wheel examples; I think that the lengths are short enough that I'll use stretched sprue to make the raised bits along the bare metal portions. I don't think that I can use the metal idler on one meant for Fall 1941, so I tore up the rubber on the existing one this AM.

Laz - yes on the seems - a couple of folks dinged me on those :) The real screw up is the air intake screen covers... I mounted them to the inside of the cover :(

[RickLawler]

Paul, what did you use for the headlinght lenz? I stopped by B-town yesterday afternoon...they just got in some Grief lenses that looked pretty ok. I've never really done a vehicle which I've had to worry about the lights so I'm starting to pay attention to stuff like that.



Thank Rick - you guys keeping warm over on your side of the river? I wish it would just snow and quit frikkin' around
...no, as a matter of fact it's quite chilly.....plus we have the East winds over here rattling the windows.

Rick

[pwranta193]

Paul, what did you use for the headlinght lenz? I stopped by B-town yesterday afternoon...they just got in some Grief lenses that looked pretty ok. I've never really done a vehicle which I've had to worry about the lights so I'm starting to pay attention to stuff like that.

The ever useful wine bottle foil... as this one is going to be a bit dinged, it works fine - or if you slide it behind the lense (I thought the DML lens for these were quite nice). I'm going to spead a little clear silicate or crystal in and around the lamp as broken glass.

[Uruk-Hai]

Its coming out fine.

But dont you start painting a little bit early, or do you allways do it that way?

Cheers

[pwranta193]

but I wanted to test out this color - and look for areas needing fixes (like the gun mantlet, etc.). The color isn't what I wanted - after a little more research, I found that the ochre based shade that I wanted wouldn't have been likely until later in the war as original 4B0 ingredients ran short. So, it is a bit of a playground on this paint job.

I'm actually going to do the tracks as component sets - so I am not too far ahead of myself.

Added some wheel ribs per Saul's idea and built some wrecked tracks... photos this evening.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Improvedroadwheel.jpg

A little trackage will be jammed up at the front of the hull...
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Trackwreck.jpg

New paint - Tamiya Cockpit Green (JN), darkened with a little Tamiya Dark Green, Windex and the Iwata... the base color is Model Master SAC Bomber Tan out of the can (I had called it SAC Bomber Green in an earlier post). Wheels in Tamiya German Grey and side walls in Sky Grey.
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Greenovertan.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Newpaint.jpg

Next is the Clear coat... which should make everything much darker...

[pwranta193]

Pre wash coat... a little darker:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2121.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2120.jpg

[RickLawler]

...the base color is Model Master SAC Bomber Tan out of the can

....you know Paul, that our "friend" Randy Leonard, the High Commisioner of The Peoples Republic of Portland has all but banned the purchase of spray cans. It's taggers like you who have made it difficult for us legitimate hobbists! :eek::rolleyes: Ok, enough Politics! ;)

T34 is looking good Mr. Paul. I like the "trackage"...does this mean that a base is also forthcoming from the Workshops of Ranta? Also, good stuff portraying the ribbing on the wheels...looks the deal.

later
Rick

[Panzergrenadier]

I am not really a fan of light green paint, but in this case I believe it will work out well. I guess tonal variation will be the key word.
Wheels look great as well. Looking on for more.:)

[pwranta193]

Still a little lighter than I thought it would be, but...

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Finalstretchleftside.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSCN2149.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/Finalstretchtopdeck.jpg

Interior of the turret and the tracks need to be completed, cable added and on board track color fixed. A little more oily residue around the wheel hubs (thanks Sammy and Sheeds) and some grass and trash, and this puppy is almost done. I've got a nice looking Warriors figure I think I'll set up with it, if I can get Rick to do some diorama base coaching.

[schlichtr]

Looking very good Paul. Keep it up. I should have an update on mine tonight.

Roy

[MikkoH]

Looks good so far Paul!

[skeletondude]

Getting better and better with every time, Paul! :thumb:

Marek

[RickLawler]

if I can get Rick to do some diorama base coaching.

You've got my number big guy!!!!!

[Panzergrenadier]

Very cool looking! I don't mean to sound weird, but the numbers are really catching my eye. They fit oh so well to the vehicle.
I am really looking forward to seeing this one finished and on some base.:cool::thumb:

[pwranta193]

This evening I'm running up some new pics for a couple of my blogs - all taken over at the Lawler Fabirk. He is trying to impart knowledge to me and I'm getting some great shots to try and emulate (his shots still, not mine :) ). This is down to the machine gun, and a base... the components of which are coming from our pA Puerto Rican Bund - more after they arrive :thumb:
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSC_0022copy.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSC_0026copy.jpg

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o234/pwranta193/T-34%20STZ/DSC_0019copy.jpg
This last one may be one of my favorite shots of one of my efforts - I just plain dig this angle :D :D :D

[Phillip1944]

Its great ! I like it !