WIP - 1/16 scale T-34/85 - Update April 16

looking good yann! can't wait to see it completed. what paint did you use on the motor? the silverish color, looks great. and isn't the apoxie-sculpt awesome? i love the stuff

rooster

I made some good progress lately.  I've glued both hull halves together, I just hope I didn't make any mistake cause I can't reopen it now.

As mentioned earlier, the hinges on the rear plate are for a model factory no. 183 and my model is supposed to be from factory no. 174 which has big wide hinges at the rear.  That is a mistake from Trumpeter and I had to change it since it is quite noticeable.  The welding is made with Aves Apoxie Scult, thanks to Jeff, it works wuite well.

I still have to do the weathering but that will come later.

I had some time to work the turret also.  I have no pics but both gun barrel halves are now glued together and sanded.  I'm happy with the result even though it took 3 evening to complete.

One major disapointment with this kit is the number of ejection mark.  It's insane.  Some located in very hard to reach area.  On the turret lower ring, there was a EPM between every bolt heads.  There was no way I could putty and sand these marks in that area.  So I scraped all the bolts and flat bars off the ring and sanded the whole thing.  Then I've been able to rebuilt the details.  Here is the result.  I have no "before" photos ... sorry.

The gun is almost completed and I'm still working on the interior of the turret.

Many, many thanks guys.  It is greatly appreciated.  I think you see that build way better than it really is, but I know we are all much more critics with ourselves than others are so.

Just wait before it is finished as I can still goof up.  I know there is some parts I scratchbuilt that are not very accurate but most of them will remain unseen or partially hidden so it doesn't botter me much.  I'm really happy with the result of the rusted steel texture though.

Many thanks again guys.

T-rex wrote:

....that that is the greatest, best and most fambulest tank I have ever seen....

I think T-rex sums it up pretty well.  Your work is beyond mind-boggling Yann.  You have an iron will and unstoppable determination to be able generate and maintain the incredible amount of focus required to pull this build off the way you are. 

Larry

Holy @#$^&^^*&*(&*(&! that's wicked ausume!, sorry about my langue that's in ridiculisly imprest form, I met that that is the greatest, best and most fambulest tank I have ever seen, just as good as the stealth bomber in the Dec issue.

I would give anything to be that good, except my soul, no matter how much it means I just can give that away. I've never seen such a large scale, I thought 1/35 was the biggest in tanks, and you're even doing the wirering, wow! thats so precise and such great detail that its like if there one little mistake, the model ruines and trow away.  

I was thinking of doing a T-34 for a city diorama too, but not for a while and probaly not a 1/16 scale. Trumpeters have some cheap models like my 1/35 T-72 was only 20$ other companies like tamiya would sell is about 50$. Speaking of T-72, mine has also mine rollers that appear like your designs, but probaly not the same type, is it a KMT-5? 

Interear paint and weather looks great on you model and so is the plan for the mine rollers, all that from srach build, Great job, Keep up the good work!

Oh Yann, this is some real sweet lookin' work you have here. I'm literally marvellin' at your rust effects, they look so real. The fightin' compartment is beautifully weathered too! Stunnin'.

1/16, way to go man!

Many thanks to all of you for your knid words.

Biffa: That's a good one.  Thanks.

 looking nice Yann!-- tread

Fantastic work Yann!  The interior detailing is just amazing!  You, Treadwell and Terry35 are doing bang-up jobs on these 1/16 T34s!  I can't wait to see the completed builds!!

  Wow, that kit is unbelieveable. Fantastic job so far, the engine looks amazing.

  I would love to have one of the Trumpeter 1/16 kits, but I guess it's more important for me to spend what little money I have on school.

Oh God...... you're gonna' glue the hull together, what a loss! Well....... at least you've got the pictures.

Steve 

I agree with you, Trumpeter T34 is amazing and if you come from other planet could think it was done from tamiya.

Now, I have built very seriously Tamiya 1/16 RC, Pershing, Sherman...etc, adding lots of details.... The price is high comparing with Trumpeter, of course, but we should see that the Tamiya aim to other market...R/C

I hope to see this one built very soon, enjoy it!

Mario Covalski
Editor Modeler Site
http://www.modelersite.com

although we are talking about a 1/16 model here. but i feel what you are saying about always looking for things. right now i use some telephone wire that electricians use. i get plenty at my workplace and it seems to fit pretty well with the 1/35 scale. i would send you some pics, but i'm not gonna hijack your thread, you deserve this. job well done yann. please keep the pics coming as i am sure we are all looking forward to some more.

chris

Thanks for the kind words Chris.  You are right about the handles on the pictures but that was before the weathering process.  I have drybrushed some "worn metal" color on it since and it looks quite good.  I'll post some pictures before gluing both hull halves together.

For the wiring and plumbing, I use whatever I find in stores.  I'm always searching for new materials.  The green wires I used for that tank are floral wires.  It's available in different sizes in art stores or floral stores.  They are usually used to attach flowers together.  But copper wire is smoother and looks better than these stiff wires.  I have access to all the electric wires I want where I work so I take the left overs and use them in my models.  Go to an eletric supplier and you'll see alot of different sizes of electrical copper wire.

Thanks guys.  Nice suggestion Steve.  I will add some metallic grey to the theeth and also some greasy spots and oil spills here and there.  Thanks.

Oh, and I still have to add the wires and plumbing.

Absolutely Brilliant! Totally untouched by anything else I've seen here.

.... maybe just a touch more shine on the flywheel gear contact points. 

Steve 

looks beautiful yann. i wish i could be as creative and good as you are. as i look at my interior and engines, i find me asking myself "where to start, and how?"

looks wonderful

Another update on my HUGE T-34/85.  I've been able to complete the transmission and brakes compartment, all painted and weathered.   Please comment:

Ok, here's another update:
I've been working on the engine lately and I think I can show you where I am right now.  For those who have the AirConnection book, you can compare this with the image on page 514.  There are still alot of wiring and plumbing to do but the most difficult part is done. (I know I have to reglue some of the blue wiring at the front)

The weathering is done with artist oil for the engine dirty/greasy look and the exhausts are rusted and dusted with MIG pigments.  I still have some work to do but I like the way it turned out so far.  I also weathered the radiator with MIG pigments. 

Any comments are more than welcome.

Thanks everybody.

Tread: Don't worry, there is still alot of work to do.

Rudd: It would be really cool to drive that beast home.

AWESOME job there Yann.  The instruments look great as well as the rest.  Looks like once you get finished you'll be able to drive it to town.

Ron