Italeri’s 1/35 scale T-34/76

[mel.]

Thanks for the kind comments guys! It's been a while since I last posted. A bit of progress on the build. Applied a second coat of whitewash, and a pin wash (not completed). I wanted to post a few pics for your perusal. I'm using winter camo techniques from both Mig Jimenez and Mike Rinaldi on this one.

[deafpanzer]

WOW! I have to say it is looking GREAT!!! Looks pretty realistic now... keep up with the great work!

[bbd468]

Dang Mel, that is very impressive buddy! Great WW and weathering...well done sir!

[Deano]

Luv the white wash dude , looks spot on!

Deano

[Deleted]

great effects with the white wash looks really realistic

[wbill76]

Developing a very nice layered finish here Mel, looking good.

[mel.]

Thanks fellows! it's been difficult getting bench time lately. I was able to spend a bit of time this afternoon on the build and applied the first layer of pigment. I also applied AK winter grime (streaking) in a couple of areas. I'm hoping to complete this one soon.

[bbd468]

Hiya Mel, great to see an update fella. Mud looks fantastic so far. Lookin forward to the next installment of "Mel's "Models"!

[deafpanzer]

Great work with dirt and mud build up!!!

[Deleted]

looks fab, the mud is very effective

[wbill76]

Nice and grungy-looking Mel, any progress is good progress.

[mel.]

Once again thanks for the comments! My better half had me engaged in chores around the house most of the weekend and hardly any bench time was had.....Ah, the good ol' days of single life.... I was able to get a little bit done this evening and so here's a small update:

Mud:

I added a second layer of mud utilizing MIG pigments and AK products.











Exhaust:

I painted the exhausts using the Lifecolor Dust and Rust set.










Lastly, I picked up this set of tracks on eBay - it looks promising. Has anyone used it before?

[Deano]

Great weathering dude , really is looking the business!

Deano

[DeafStuG]

Wow, so unbelievable - Great improvement !

[Leon]

Sorry i'm late on this one Mel.The white wash and mud effects look awesome buddy.

[mel.]

Thanks guys. I'll try to push ahead this weekend and finish the weathering - then the tracks......

[Deleted]

great mud effects the different tones and textures look superb. Not seen those tracks before but they look good

[mel.]

Thanks Snipersmudge! I couldn't resist another (final?) layer of pigment....















I weathered the engine cowling area and the rear hull.



I test fitted the road wheels again - they are a mix of the kit originals (steel) with some from a Tamiya kit. I also wanted to ensure the weathering and coloring were compatible and did not look disparate. I'm still not sure, there may be more pigments coming their way.







The tracks - a bit more fiddly than I expected!







Hoping to get a lot more done this weekend.

[ogrejohn]

Very impressive Mel!

[pt109]

Looking great Mel......nice weathering!

The tracks say workable but are they? They look like Modelkasten non-workables....??

Should look great with the tracks on,

Paul

[mel.]

Sept 7, 2013 16:53:25 GMT -5 @dickyf said:

WOW!! Great progress there mel the 34 us lookin' superb fella, the white wash, streaking and mud are all first class. It's always difficult to build a model of such an iconic and heavily represented tank as the T34 but you've managed to produce an eye-catching example here sir - very impressive!

Thanks Nemo! I appreciate your kind words.

Paul, the tracks are workable and made of plastic (styrene?)and are put together sort of like Friulmodels. Great concept but a bit of fiddly to assemble (at least for me). Here's a close picture of the box:

[beast]

Cracking job your doing here buddy, very impressed!

[mel.]

Thanks! I'm keeping up with your build also. Awesome job.

[wbill76]

Looking very nice, workable tracks always add so much to a build IMHO. Looking forward to more.

[mel.]

This one has been on hiatus for way too long! Frankly, between been busy at work and the f------ tracks! The tracks have been less than easy or simple to put together - I'm probably not the most dexterous (I think that's a word) individual in the world, but these tracks were a real pain! Also encountered a wheel alignment and fit issue (thought that had been addressed) that sent this project right into the "i'll deal with it later" category. I decided to use emery boards to sort of help me align the wheels (italeri and Tamiya). It's sort of field expedient if you know what I mean. A picture of the culprit (tracks) is included. Has anyone used these before?

[bbd468]

Hiya Mel, I reckon tracks arent anyone's favorite part of a build, but when their a complete pain in tha A$$....it can sure throw a monkey wrench into tha MOJO. 
Aside from that, Your T-34 is a thing of filthy - beauty! Your weathering is splendid indeed.

[bullardino]

I've never used those tracks, I did a set of modelkasten and they were a little fragile but really nice, not too difficult to use even for my sausage fingers.

Really nice looking beast, T-34s are one of my fav tanks

[wbill76]

They aren't a brand I'm familiar with so no help there mel! That aside, those wheels look right at home with the rest of the vehicle.

[pt109]

Lookin great Mel, which ones were the Tamiya wheels? Are the axles the same length?

Nice fix on the wheel alignment...

Paul

[mel.]

Thanks for all the comments fellows. I must admit, the tracks really threw me off with this one (no pun intended)!

Paul: the "rubber" wheels are Tamiya's - I had a bunch in my spares box. The axle on the Italeri were a bit longer and thicker - a lot of filing and grinding with my Dremel.

I plan to regroup and attack this build very soon! I working on a couple of things i.e. tow cable and turret handle bars that I've been wanting too add. I should hopefully post something soon.