T-34 122 what if

[Tomi]

This is my current build, well one of them anyway It's theoretical subject, T-34 with 122 gun and if I'm correct there wasn't single tank build however there were plans for it. This kit is Dragon 6603 with Wilder resin turret and Friul tracks, no other aftermarket is used (yellow tool box is from Tamiya Hetzer).






Wilder brand turret is very high quality casting, no warping or bubbles and part fit is excellent. Gun elevation is movable after assembly, in this case I glued it solid. It still needs couple of small details, but this is very close for primer.

[Stokesy44]

Brilliant subject, superbly done.

You've got to hand it to the Ruskies, they didn't go for looks with their kit. That thing is dog ugly but boy oh boy, you would not have wanted to face one had they built it.

[privatepete]

Hi you probably know that the Egyptians had a T34/122 that had a D-30 howitzer fitted to it, just a bit of useless information, yes I know I'm full of it

[InitialProduction1]

Cool subject Tomi, I'll agree with Stokesy44, Butt ugly, lol. And I'd have to agree with privatepete, Egyptians made some wild vehicles.

[Tomi]

Yeah, I know Egyptian, pretty cool too. I think I like ugly I'm actually bit late bloomer with these Russian vehicles, I used to build exclusively German stuff but after M Rinaldi's excellent TankArt 2 my eyes opened for other stuff too. Modern stuff is still bit so and so, but I do have some in my stash

[creator]

This is a cool looking machine! Will look great with paint - looks great now

[Tomi]

Thank you. Here's final pics before primer, all details are now done. I changed rear fender material to more malleable stuff, sourced from frozen food container. Tracks are also treated with blackening solution, had to do it twice as degreasing wasn't success at first go Hence they are quite dark, but they are going to receive some pigments and what not so I think they will turn out just fine. Spares/extra armour bits are nicer with slight variation in coloring. There's also projectile hit on turret and wires for light and horn.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Good job so far

[Tomi]

Nothing to do but wait primer to dry... Only this small detail, some mounting fixtures on spare tracks. These come from Grandt Line:



Also in the middle, there's something that looks suspiciously like edge of fingerprint Some weathering will take care of that eventually.

[privatepete]

you've achieved a really great rust effect,well done

[Tomi]

you've achieved a really great rust effect,well done

Can't really take credit for it, AK Interactive's metal burnishing fluid and that is direct result with no weathering whatsoever. I might add some minor effects though, I recently got Lifecolor's Rust Wizard set and I'm dying to try that on something

[Tomi]

Quick update. Tracks after smeared with graphite and tiny touches with rust wizard:

[OneSmallStep1966]

Those tracks look great

[Stokesy44]

Ditto - great looking tracks

[Tomi]

Thanks guys Main color is now on, XF-67 nato green. First sprayed neat, then slightly lightened version as very mild modulation. Single star on the turret roof gives bit of different color.

[PrivateMansoor]

Very nice looking build so far mate

[privatepete]

Hi Tomi now it's in colour it's highlighted the casting texture on the turret & the m/g surround, which gives some feel to it, excellent work

[Tomi]

Weathering starts, and like always I do dry brushing first. Yeah, you heard me, dry brushing I use MIG Abteilung shadow brown for this task and I try to keep effect very subtle. There's also some exhaust stains already done, mainly oil colors and MIG black smoke pigment. Thicker staining in the middle with oils, pigments for smoke effects on sides. Steel road wheels treated with graphite. For bare steel, I hardly use anything else but graphite as in my opinion it gives best scale appearance. This goes for Friul tracks also, I never use sanding to reveal bright metal.

[OneSmallStep1966]

Steel road wheels treated with graphite. For bare steel, I hardly use anything else but graphite as in my opinion it gives best scale appearance.

The results speak for themselves, it looks great but how durable is it, does it come off or smudge if touched?

[Tomi]

The results speak for themselves, it looks great but how durable is it, does it come off or smudge if touched?

It doesn't come off, but it does smudges a bit. That's why I use cotton gloves when handling them, other parts where I use graphite I do last.

[InitialProduction1]

Really great build there Tomi, looking forward to the next update.

[Icemannique]

Looking good so far ! Keep up to good work !

[Tomi]

Some minor chipping done, I try to keep this subtle and not go overboard. Some done with brush, some with sponge.

[Tomi]

Some weathering in progress. I mostly use artists oils for this job, I do have some weathering fluids (mostly MIG and AK Intercative) but I reckon that in this rate they last for a lifetime

[privatepete]

Hi Tomi you are approaching chipping the correct way,little at a time it is easier to add more later ,keep it up

[Tomi]

...little at a time it is easier to add more later...

Thats's so true. My next project will be different story as I'm planning to build abandoned T-62, so I probably get my chipping fix with that one

[Tomi]

Hull weathering almost done, wheels in place.


Then, a little fumble... I managed to spill some Tamiya yellow cap (lacquer thinner) on turret, efforts to remove it didn't quite work and efforts to conceal it with green MIG pigment didn't work either. So all I can do now is to try and paint it, and if that doesn't work I redo whole turret


Edit: Turret fixed, paint patch is barely visible and will disappear completely after some weathering, I'm happy

[InitialProduction1]

Wow that's really great looking Tomi, love that ping mark, you can almost feel the german stug crews hope fade , radio for help NOW , lol. Again awesome build.

[Tomi]

Finish line is so close... Couple of preview shots (bit soft, battery was dying) with tracks, some small touches yet to be done.

[Tomi]

I'm calling this done








Pictures are bit on the dark side, so I'll probably try to take other set for my portfolio.

[RonBurgundy]

Great looking project. Awesome work

[Tomi]

Thanks, I added few pics to portfolio area and they are bit lighter too.