WOT Italera T34/85

[Oper8or]

Started a new build three weeks ago then left for vacation and I have been playing catch up ever since.

When I first got the kit I was really looking forward to building it. Now that I have tore into it and started the build I have to say.. its not what I expected. Its really simple and there is no complexity to it at all. Granted this is my 5th build and i'm no expert but looking at the molding of the parts I am not impressed. I mean its decent but Tamiya is better in my opinion. The tracks absolutely SUCK but I'm going to use them anyway. The detail on the turret and the upper deck is actually the nicest thing on this tank. There were some fitment issues from deck to hull and where the rear engine plate meets the upper deck. There was also a considerable amount of flashing and the wheels had a lot of extra molding that had to be trimmed from inside them.

Now on to the build. I don't have pics of the build prior to tonight when I primed it. The deck is done and its ready to meet the hull. I primed it in grey this time to see if I can get a darker green on the old Russian tank. Minor damage has been done to the fenders. I'll do a hairspray chip on this one to see how well I can do it. Not sure how dark of a green I should use but i'll research that when I get to it.

Well, here goes!! Wish me luck on the rest of the build!

[Demaclies]

I find the Tamiya line of paints has some good dark greens , but they reference it as o4b green in the Russian military. the closest I found in my area is dark green from Tamyia xf-61 mix with some flat white xf-2 to lighten it slightly and its the best repesntation of o4b green I have found.

[Oper8or]

I find the Tamiya line of paints has some good dark greens , but they reference it as o4b green in the Russian military. the closest I found in my area is dark green from Tamyia xf-61 mix with some flat white xf-2 to lighten it slightly and its the best repesntation of o4b green I have found.

Thank you! I will dig some up and see how it goes. This is the first time I've used a light primer. So it may be a little off in color but I can fix that.

[Demaclies]

Actually the grey wont fade it if you apply it evenly. now I should mention once you get the desired dark green look your looking for, your going to want to look at weathering, a lot of Russian tanks had mud caked on them in particular the suspension and road wheels. I usually reference color photos from the internet, google is a good search engine for that. Above all of this remember its your project you take it as far as you want and what you want to see on it, or in it. If you have further questions , my e-mail address is in my profile. I'm not an expert , but Russian tanks are one of my favourite to build. hence the three Kv-1's sitting on my shelf next my own T-34's and T-55.

[Oper8or]

Actually the grey wont fade it if you apply it evenly. now I should mention once you get the desired dark green look your looking for, your going to want to look at weathering, a lot of Russian tanks had mud caked on them in particular the suspension and road wheels. I usually reference color photos from the internet, google is a good search engine for that. Above all of this remember its your project you take it as far as you want and what you want to see on it, or in it. If you have further questions , my e-mail address is in my profile. I'm not an expert , but Russian tanks are one of my favourite to build. hence the three Kv-1's sitting on my shelf next my own T-34's and T-55.

Thank you sir! I shall attempt what you advised.


I'm sorry there hasn't been an update recently. My dad had a heart attack two weeks ago and is doing well.

Now for the even worse news. My brother that I built one of my other tanks with had a triple stroke Wed of this past week. I've been at the hospital everyday and night with him. I'm not leaving his side except to come home, shower, and change clothes. I will have to go to work this week but I will be back up there every night. So it might be a while before I get this one done. The brother I am talking about (I have two brother) is special. Even though he had a bad memory and was somewhat limited in life he was able to do almost anything he wanted. He could take care of himself and do the most basic functions like hygiene, cleaning around the house and the yard if he wanted, go four wheeling and drive through the mountains. As it stands he will no longer be able to do any of those things. We will not give up. He is fighting it and he is strong. Hes the strongest person I know. To be stricken down like he was, come back from it, and now hit with a triple stroke and doing everything he can to make a comeback. I'm not trying to make this into a sob story, its not. Its a testament to will power, strength, and prayer.

If this model build needs to be archived please do so. I'll update when I can. I just have to wait for things to settle down before I can work on it. My life will be busy for a while. I have to figure out a way to get him back home. They said he will never go home. I'll be damned and he will not give up. I will find a way. Even if I have to sell every piece of hiking, camping, tools, and computer parts I have. I would even sell my Jeep to get him home.

[Diverrob]

Praying for you and your family.

[Sturm]

May the Lord heal your brother. I'll be praying.

[Nev]

Thoughts with you dude!

[Demaclies]

My thoughts are with you and your family. My father passed away in April of this year, with a some luck after his passing I got four 1/16 scale kits at rock bottom prices , kits we had been talking about for years to build together. three German and one American kit. So I know what its like with Family. Again My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Oper8or]

Thank you everyone. It means much to us. He has actually came along!! He's being fussy now. Pulled his feeding tube out twice.. /sigh All in all I've been seeing him as much as I can. He is frustrated and I understand why. He wants to go home. He wants to eat. I cant believe he's doing this well. I'm so proud of him for fighting so hard. I told him a bunch of you were keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. I've been reading and showing him the pictures from the forums on the builds. He loves seeing them. It keeps his spirits up.

I was able to work on my tank a bit to just have some relax time. I actually tried doing fuel tank splash marks and stain. Actually turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. I put some sludge marks on it and a bit of a stain. Got the tools done up and the wood box too. Just need to figure out the tracks. I'll do my best to get some pictures up this week.

Oh!! I forgot to mention that I tried brushing on the clear using Vallejo Matt Finish. It works super great! I love it. Thanks to everyone for mentioning it can be done and how to do it! Its awesome.

[Oper8or]

Well I finally got some more work done. I added the base layer and put a layer of clear on it. Then I did some minor dirt, fuel stains, and added some chipping to the grab rails. Here are the pictures. I know these are the best pictures but the lighting wasn't the best and my phone didn't like the angles.

[Sturm]

Love the idea of taking it outside, great model!
Glad to hear your brother is doing okay.

[Oper8or]

I've finished this model but I don't have the pics uploaded yet. I'll get that done Sunday!! It turned out pretty dang good. I'm very happy with it.

[Stokesy44]

Very nice indeed. Brutally efficient in its design. Love the finish with the subtle depth to the paintwork.