AFV Modeller - Issue 19 - 2 - T-time

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

14

18/10/04

1:18 pm

Page 14

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome all

to engineer a complete interior. These are

have taken the trouble to replicate surface

the way from China, some of the most

elements that are by no means

textures where appropriate and everything

exciting injection moulded kits you could

commonplace in the average 1:35th kit

fits together well which is quite an

hope to see. There is no getting away from

and when you compare these with the

achievement given the complexity of the

the sheer schoolboy excitement induced

likes of the Tamiya 1:16th scale Tank kits

kits. The inclusion of things like the etched

by the arrival of these two kits on my desk.

you have to turn to the aftermarket

brass very much means that these can be

I had already seen the test shot pictures

companies for these parts.

build straight from the box into some very

and the T34/85 display models but these

Tamiya have designed their kits primarily

complete kits.

really didn’t prepare me for the real thing.

for the RC market and this shows in the

They are in my opinion the most

lack of finesse in some components, but

Trumpeter have released 4 versions of the

spectacular injection moulded kits to have

Trumpeter have approached these kits as

T34 - the 1942 T34/76, the 1943

been released and they mark out

purely static models and they are all the

hardedged ‘Mickey Mouse’ T34/76 and 2

Trumpeter as a new key player.

better for it. Perhaps the best example of

versions of the T34/85. It appears that

this is the highly detailed turret ring which

Trumpeter have used the 85 as the basis

What you have here are complete

is of course completely hidden when you

for all the kits which, given their prevalence

packages including etched brass, sprung

install the turret but they have taken the

is understandable, but in their efforts to

suspension with rubber tires, individual

trouble to reproduce it - always handy if

keep as much commonality between

track links and even braided metal tow

you want to blow the turret off! The quality

sprues they have introduced some

ropes and to top it all they have managed

of the moulding is good and Trumpeter

inaccuracies into the earlier 76 versions.

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

1:18 pm

Page 15

Come on in! It’s Trumpeter’s 1:16th T34 with full interior by David Parker

The turret ring is the bigger version for the

which go to form the inside hull walls. The

under the seat - unfortunately they are

85 making the earlier turrets necessarily

side walls for the fighting compartment

rather more complicated and this will be

inaccurate and likewise the kit supplies the

have the distinctive cut out scoops to

visible. I began by making the 2 springs

85 firewall and 85 engine oil filters. Both 76

accommodate the bigger turret ring of the

which run from the steering levers to the

kits lack the power transfer for the turret

T34/85 so these must be filled and I

floor along with small heel rest which sits in

and are short of the correct amount of

thought the easiest method was to plate

front of the right hand lever. The steering

ready ammunition and also short one of

them over using 10 thou card. The

controls feed back to a crossbar under the

the floor ammo bins.

locations for most of the fixtures and

drivers seat which I made from plastic rod

Given this, the 85 is most certainly the

fittings on the side walls is incorrect for the

along with the control rods which run back

easy option but to my mind also the least

earlier versions and is best ignored. Before

along the floor to the firewall. Most of this

exciting. It seemed the ‘42 with its big

installing the inner walls it is best to fill the

area will be covered when the ammunition

turret hatch would offer the best

large release pin marks on the hull floor.

stowage boxes are installed.

decided to build a complete fighting

Trumpeter have done a good job in

The compressed air cylinders must be

compartment in this and build the ‘43

providing a convincing representation of

plumbed in along with the hand pump for

buttoned up.

the fighting compartment and especially

the fuel system which is positioned

the drivers controls but there is still plenty

between the drivers pedals and this was

Construction begins with the assembly of

of room for improvement. Trumpeter have

done using differing gauges of wire. The

the sprung suspension inside the towers

run the rods from the drivers controls

driver and co drivers seats are very flat

opportunity to show off the interior so I

15

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

1:18 pm

Page 16

‘42 hull interior

Bottle is relocated and detailed

The power transfer for the turret is not included in the kit so this was scratchbuilt.

The radio equipment was detailed with cabling and a scratchbuilt stowage bag.

New ammunition trays were built using the kit tray and copies made. The excellent HUSSAR Ammunition was used to fill the trays.

The crew seats needed to be ‘reupholstered’ with MAGIC SCULPT for a more realistic padded look.

The Driver’s controls were improved with additional control rods and springs.

Moulded straps on the ammunition bins were removed and replaced with new ones made from pewter strip. The centrally positioned MG ammunition stowage is taken from the ‘43 kit and modified to fit.

The controls for the engine louvres are repositioned next to the driver.

16

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

1:19 pm

Page 17

Head padding and weld beads are made from MAGIC SCULPT

MR SURFACER 500 was applied to give an appropiate texture to the armour plate.

The pivot control for the antenna is scratchbuilt

The dashboard is missing the small light fitting.

A scratchbuilt radio mic is added under the intercom box.

The engine bay was built straight from the box because it would be hidden on the completed model. The only exception was adding cabling to the engine. The front fuel cells are missing from the kit.

A completely new firewall was built from plastic card using the kit part as a template. GRANDT LINE wingnuts were used to replace the overscale kit parts.

The scoops on the hull side wall were blanked off.

Cabling for the compressed air system was added using different guage wire.

17

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

1:19 pm

Page 18

‘42 turret interior

The vision port opening is narrowed and the sides are built up to the correct shape.

The cut back turret edge is filled and a new casting seam is added.

Turret interior is textured using MR SURFACER 500 and then lightly sanded.

Weld beads are added using MAGIC SCULPT.

The rough cast texture at the front of the breech is created with MR SURFACER. The breechblock assembly is carefully filled, sanded and polished and small details are added.

The kit has no stowage bags included so you must make your own. I also added the cable connections for the intercom The kit MG stowage rack is not the correct design so a new one is built around the etched brass kit part.

Chains are added to the pistol ports along with the one dangling from the periscope.

The completed gun minus barrel ready for installation into the turret. Note the shell bag under the recoil guard which was made from GREEN STUFF

18

The machine gun ammunition drums have been detailed with canvas straps and brass rod pull rings.

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

1:19 pm

Page 19

and lack the padding of the the real seats

the racks but fortunately Hussar

so I sculpted new seat backs using Magic

Productions released an excellent set of

Sculpt and I also added the supporting rod

ammunition so I thinned down the tray until

Because most of it would be hidden I built

that holds the seat back in place using

the new Hussar rounds would sit

the engine straight from the box. Once

brass rod.

comfortably in the tray. I then cut away the

again Trumpeter have done a good job

slots on the side of the tray before making

here with the fan and gearbox being

Moving back down the hull the kit is

a new base plate from sheet pewter. The

especially well done, but it is more

missing the power transfer connection

cushioning strips were also made from

appropriate to the ‘85 and I think I am

which takes the electrical power to the

pewter and a master for the clip

correct in saying that the air filters are the

turret via a pivoting conduit. This turns out

mechanism was made from brass rod and

wrong pattern for the earlier vehicles. The

to be one of those frustrating bits that is

pewter with lead sheet for the padding

most obvious addition necessary is to add

cropped out of pictures or simply not

strips. The masters were then sent away

the wiring to the engine as this would be

recorded but I was eventually able to work

for casting.

visible through the engine deck hatch. I did

the required number of boxes.

make a start on this when I still intended to

out what it looked like thanks to Alexandr Mosin’s excellent pictures. Once I had

The kit firewall is for the latter pattern

detail and finish the engine but time got

worked out the centre point of the turret on

T34/85 so I used it as a template to make

the better of me and I did no further work

the hull floor the power transfer was built

a new one from plastic card. The hinges

to the engine.

from plastic card and rod.

on the access panels were made using brass rod and pewter strip and diagonally

The turret for the ‘42 is extremely well

Running down the sides of the hull are 9

cut plastic rod was used to make the lips

detailed internally requiring only minor

trays of ready ammunition, 6 on the right

on the panels. Grandt Line wing nuts were

additions and modifications. I added a cast

side and three on the left. Trumpeter only

used to secure the panels and I was able

texture to the internal turret walls using Mr

provide 5 and they have a cap on the tray

to use the first aid box from the kit. I

Surfacer and fitted chains to the pistol port

which is incorrect. I was left with little

decided to detail the ammunition boxes by

plugs. The MG ammunition racks in the

choice but to built my own tray. I began by

removing the moulded straps and

turret bustle needed some work with a

hollowing out the rear half of the kit tray

replacing them with new ones made from

new case being built around the kit part

using a burr. I had originally planned to use

pewter strip and I also pinched an

and spring clips added on top of the rack.

the spare rounds supplied in the kit to fill

additional box from the ‘43 kit to give me

These modifications meant that the whole

‘43 turret texture The kit provides a very clean, even texture.

To give it a more realistic cast texture the turret a layer of CAST A COAT is applied.

Once dry, this is lightly sanded to remove any high spots.

A base coat of MR SURFACER 500 is then applied.

Quickly followed by another coat which is stippled to enhance the texture and then lightly sanded when dry.

The finished cast effect with its irregular finish.

19

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

12:58 pm

Page 20

‘42 ’43 Exterior

FINEMOULDS turned aluminium gun barrel replaces the kit part.

Cables are added to the headlamp and horn.

Etched engine deck mesh is included in the kit.

The exhausts are comendably delicate but require careful filling to hide the joints.

Weld beads are applied to hull joints and fittings using MAGIC SCULPT

installation became quite tight for space

otherwise unmodified but the foot pedal

technique as described in Issue 13 but I

and many dry runs were needed to ensure

trigger controls were reworked with

struggled to use the Miliput he

that it would all still fit once the turret

additional springs and detailed pedals.

recommended and switched to using Magic Sculpt instead which I found worked

halves were joined. The drums themselves

20

which are very visible in the finished turret

The Exterior

were detailed with straps and pull rings.

Trumpeter have given all the external

The elevation hand wheel is the wrong

armour surfaces a textured finish which I

The kits supply separate rubber tires for

design so I built my own and also modified

felt was too pronounced certainly on the

the roadwheels which I found did not fit the

the turret traverse motor with a sheet

hull. I therefore gave all the hull panels a

rims terribly well once they had been

pewter cover for the drive and cabling. The

couple of coats of Mr Surfacer 500 which

stretched over the substantial location rib

gun required some minor additions with

was slightly stippled and then sanded back

on each rim. These would have been

some rebated bolt heads but the biggest

to a fairly smooth finish more in keeping

better moulded as part of the wheel in

job was getting a good finish on the

with the finish seen in the photos. On the

1:35th style but to make the best of the

breech block which is assembled from 5

‘43 turret I wanted to create a far more

situation I cut off the majority of the rib on

parts and has some inevitable gaps. I

pronounced cast texture which I achieved

each wheel so that the tires would be

Spent some time filling and sanding to get

using a combination of Cast A Coat and

stretched as little as possible - a time

a good finish and finally added a coat of

Mr Surfacer - see the picture sequence. I

consuming procedure.

Mr Surfacer 1000 which was polished to a

began the laborious job of adding weld

The remainder of the assembly proceeded

high gloss finish.

beads to all the hull joints and fittings,

without any problems. My only other

The crew seats were given new upholstery

some of which like the tow hooks used

additions were the electrical wiring for the

made using Magic Sculpt but were

multiple welds. I used Lee Lloyd’s weld

headlamp and horn and the improvements

far better.

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

12:58 pm

Page 21

‘42 hull interior

Painting the radio installation inside the hull proved to be very demanding.

The fuse box wiring diagram and dials were drawn on computer and printed onto clear plasric.

21

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

12:58 pm

Page 22

I made to the latch on the turret hatch of the ‘43 version. The kit tracks are snap together and the downside is that on the inner face you can see the open slots into which the track pin clicks, not a big problem in my opinion especially when you can assemble a complete length of track in about ten minutes.

Painting With kits this size you really do have your work cut out and I began by giving them both a coat of Humbrol Olive Drab closely followed by a coat of Vallejo Air Tank Green. I find getting a convincing shade of green can be far from easy but I am happy with this combination. It took me an incredible four hours to mask off the camouflage pattern on the ‘43 kit and the brown pattern was applied using enamels mixed to match Don Greer’s excellent artwork in the Squadron/Signal book. This dried matt against the slight sheen of the Vallejo acrylic so I oversprayed both kits with a coat of 50-50 matt and satin Vallejo varnish. Following this the lower hull and running gear were oversprayed with Humbrol No.72 before being given a wash of the same colour. Once this wash had dried, I painted the scuffs, scratches and finger prints into the dusty areas using tones of the Vallejo Tank Green and an appropriate brown. Some dusting with pastels was applied into recesses and crevices like around the turret ring and on the engine decks. The tracks were airbrushed in brown enamels before getting an application of Humbrol Metalcote on the teeth and treads. This was polished when dry and then coated with diluted pastels.

The final piece to be fixed in place was the delicate foot pedal assembly

The interior was of course painted prior to the final assembly using a mix of Humbrol enamels and Vallejo Acrylics. I took the time to pre-shade all the white areas with a coat of grey to stop the inside looking too pristine. Study of the photos of the interior showed that the paint finishes were satin rather than matt and I replicated this. This gives a convincing finish especially when you have the matt finish canvas stowage bags against the satin walls. The black floor ammunition bins presented a painting challenge to obtain a convincing worn finish. I tried a new approach using tones of brown and grey to pick out old scuffs and

22

AFV/19 Nov/Dec 04

18/10/04

12:58 pm

Page 23

All turret markings were hand painted - this one took a while.

Hand prints in the dust add to the realism.

Metalcote to highlight areas of heavy wear and I was pleased with the result. A similar approached was used on the seats and I also brushed pastels into the crevices of both the seats and ammunition bins.

At the end of this project I feel as if I have been living inside a T34 for the past few months and it is good to come blinking into the daylight and the manageability of 1:35th again. Despite that I love these kits unreservedly. They have incredible presence and delightful detail and offer unbelievable value for money. Well done Trumpeter for giving us something different, something not WWII German and generally breaking the rules - lets have some more please!

23