Italeri’s 1/35 scale T-34/76

[mel.]

On the bench Italeri’s 1/35 scale T-34/76. The kit itself is fairly basic, not that great when compared to the newer Dragon and AFV kits now on the market, but since I had this one in my stash for quite a while (your classic Bench Queen) I decided to give it a go – after all I was looking for a quick, fun build. There was a bit of a gap that I covered with styrene. But the fit was generally good.












Well, it all started innocently enough as an OOB build. Then something happened! I just couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to just make a “couple” of improvements/modifications…..i.e. wiring for the light, a little damage to the front fenders, a bit reworking the provided engine cover and grill for later replacement with PE parts (I already had them in my stash, so why not use them).

[panzerjager.]

Oh, the old Italeri beauty! Not a bad kit and if you add some P.E. parts, it will looks great!

Darío

[Deleted]

he he! that's how it starts, OOB then the additions begin! nice start and like the damage to the fenders

[TRM]

Nice one Mel!! Off and running!! LOL...with the 76's I see being built you guys are making me want to break out that shelf queen I got going on!!!

[pt109]

welcome Mel....

Haven't seen you before, nothing wrong with a mostly OOTB build.

Looks kinda like a re-boxed Tamiya? If so, a good basic kit and with a little PE goodies should look great!

Paul

[wbill76]

Nice project Mel! It can still qualify as a 'mostly' OOB build even if you enhance it a bit here and there...we won't set the model-police on you! But it will cost you for us to keep silent...please speak to Mr. Gary Boggs about the necessary arrangements.

[Leon]

A little bribery never hurts .Nice start on this one mel.

[bbd468]

Hiya Mel, ive not seen the Italeri T-34 built before so im in for this one.

Gary

[mel.]

Darío: Thanks for the feedback fellows!

Paul: The details on this one a actually a little better than Tamiya, however, the fi not nearly as good. I'm hoping to improve it a bit (within my limited skills) with some PE and scratch built odds and ends. As a matter of fact I have a punch and drill set that I put to good use (first time I use it) to make a bolt heads.

Bill: There's nothing wrong with a little bribery now and then; after all if caught I can always say "I didn't know."

Snipersmudge: Thanks, the damaged fenders were an experiment – not sure how I feel about them?

[mel.]

Here's a quick update:

Preparatory work for PE - cutting all that out was a pain the butt!



A little clamp action around the gun mantlet. The fit not as good as Tamiya, but as mentioned earlier some of the details are quite a lot better.




I added a bit of putty in a couple of spots to resemble weld marks

[mel.]

Here are some updates:

I decided to add a bit of texture to a couple of areas on the tank, particularly the turret. The kit's turret had a light texture already present but I wanted a stronger effect.








As far as far as PE I found in my stash a On the Mark set for T-34's. The set was originally designed for Tamiya but most parts will fit this kit. Didn't come out perfect but it will do and is a vast improvement over the original kit part. I also added some battle damage to screen.







The road wheels are a mix of the original kit (the steel ones) and some from my spare box - in this case a set from a previous built (Tamiya). Reference photos show the wheels in this configuration:



Road wheels ready for priming

[bbd468]

Nice update Mel, the texture will look great under the paint.

[wbill76]

Nice work on the texture, PE, and mix/match on the wheels. Will definitely add some character to the build.

[Deleted]

nice work indeed love it

[pt109]

Nice details there Mel...this is the "Hard Edge" turret.

I like your cast affect.

I agree the details look better than Tamiya especially on the turret top and the mantlet weld...

Are you gonna use the kit barrel?

Paul

[mel.]

Thanks fellows! I have a couple of after market barrels that I may use. The kit barrel seems OK, not much clean-up necessary. The details are generally better than Tamiya (still love the way Tamiya kits fit together). I have a set AFV Club individual link tracks that I'm also planning on using. I will hopefully post an update tomorrow.

[mel.]

After market barrel



Installed barrel



Replaced tow cable with a wire (kept the original eyelids).



Scratchbuilt brackets for fuel tank. I copied these ones from an Armorscale PE/resin set that I have.



The PE is done and on the tank! it sure does a lot better now.





I can almost smell that Primer!!!

[Leon]

Nice texture and PE work Mel.Waiting to see some primer.

[wbill76]

Looking forward to seeing this old gal painted up and looking pretty! Well as pretty as a cast-steel Russian can look that is.

[Teabone]

Mel

Nice work on improving the OOB kit, often the little fixes here and there make all the difference in the world.  I am not familiar with the PE tie downs you have along the right glacis.  They are very neatly placed something I always fight in my builds.  I too have a love hate realtionship with heating fenders to get the bent look, ther is a very fine ilne when heating that you cant cross.

Bones

[pt109]

It's starting to look like a T-34!

Nice work...

Paul

[deafpanzer]

You are making great process on the T34!

[mel.]

Thanks! I hope to have it ready for June's MOM contest.

[mel.]

The final touches prior to priming.

I used Armorscale PE set for large fuel tank as a guide to scratch-built the support for the fuel tanks.









Finally some priming and painting tomorrow!

[TRM]

Marvelous improvements to this Mel!! Making some really nice progress!!

[Leon]

Looking good Mel.Keep up the good work.

[mel.]

Primer!!! I used Mr. Surfacer 1200 (the one from the jar) with an airbrush - diluted it 3:1 with Gunze thinner. I think the spray can be a little faster and less messy. Still debating whether to add the grab handles on the turret and whether to scratch-built those or not (I know is a little bit late for that)!









Did the wheels too

[Deleted]

What a difference the srface texture makes!

[pt109]

Looking really nice Mel.....always looks better with primer!

Paul

[mel.]

Amazing what a little paint can do! I will be posting more pics later today.