T34 Winter

Time to start my first blog, second build and first "winterised" tank!! Here goes...

I'm using Tamiyas T34/76, a birthday present, one I've requested. I'm like the majority, I've got a soft spot for the T34.

I've not much experience of different kits but the Tamiya seems well put together and easy to follow.

I've already started some research into winter markings, I've enlisted the help of Harvey for decals etc....thanks again Harvey (that guy is a well of information!!) and Nick R. has filled me in about wheelsets

**LINK**

Nicko

Good choice, Tamiya kits are very well engineered and their instructions are second to none. Are you going to be doing the Hairspray method? If so there are a number of good blogs to on the site to get an idea of how to approach it.

cheers

Rossco

Hi Nick looking forward to your adventurous journey into the world of blogging I am sure you'll enjoy it

Craig

Cheers guys,

Yes Rossco, I'm going to attempt the hairspray method. I have to really, the benefits of being married to a hair stylist with access to the salon cupboard - unlimited amounts of cotton buds, nail files, tweezers...and of course hairspray!!

Happy days,

Nick

Thanks for the puff Nick,

I shall certainly be sitting in on this one. It has so far given me the oportunity to look up some Soviet books that were in my Cairo library, purchased at the 1991 Cairo Book Fair and even at the time were as cheap as chips. The narrative is mostly crude in the extreme, but the pix are valuable.

Pip pip!

As I haven't got an airbrush yet (Xmas prezzy please wifey), most of the build will be hand brush with a little help from spraycans.

At the moment, I try to paint items on the sprue before assembly, if nothing else the sprue is a handy jig for intricate stuff, I have also primed all parts, sanding down contact points when needed. I know others do it differently and there are problems doing this, hey-ho I'm here to learn, educate me please oh great and learned ones...

Cast in the role of a learned one......

Certainly some items do lend themselves to being painted on sprue - or at least primed. On my Challenger assembly I tackled the lower hull first, built upwatds with the turret assembly last, before final detailing and weathering.

After priming, I did pre-shading, lower structures more heavily shaded - undersides and inside the wheel assembly that would follow natural shadow areas and exhaust areas. Other forward and upper areas more lightly done, prior to the main coat.

The stowage on the Chally was little - the British differ from our North American cousins in this custom and on the T34 pix in my book there seems to have been almost zero by way of Soviet stowage - there was a shortage!

When I am back in Q8 I MUST bite the bullet and invest in a compressor as my aircraft camo projects will not happen any other way.

Of course there as many approaches to modelling as there are people.......

Cheers

Harvey

Hi Nick. I too started painting on the sprue but soon moved on to use toothpicks as a far more controlable way for painting. Generally I use blue tack to hold a piece in place though often I will drill a fine hole in an area that wont be seen and the toothpick either slots right in or can be tacked on with a dab of CA (superglue) Stick around the MM forum and you'll pick up a ton of tips on ways to do things and then its a case of trying them out to see what works for you.

If this is just your second build I would use this as an opportunity for experimentation. With so many great modellers on the site just ask and you will get a load of support and advice.

Look forward to seeing the T-34 develop. Who doesn't like em.

Pete