This kit is a bit basic in some areas – the plastic is soft and spongy and I had to ream out all the road wheels to get them to fit on the running gear. But, overall, nothing drastic and I like some aspects of it a lot – the instruction booklet is better than most, with well researched marking options. Anyway, in my part of the world it comes for about a third of the price of a Dragon T-34 and that is before you consider the included figures, which was one of the reasons for me getting it.

To improve it further I am slowly adding the Eduard photoetch set – so, back soon …

The vehicle

“This production model was built from May 1942 to 1944, with a cast or pressed hexagonal turret… A commander’s cupola was added during the model 1942 production run to improve all-round vision. This variant was known as T-34 Model 1943.” [1]

The kit

ICM 1/35 kit [3].

References

1. http://www.wikiwand.com/en/T-34_variants
2. http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/soviet_T34-76.php
3. http://www.detailscaleview.com/2017/11/icm-t-34-with-tank-riders-35368-review.html

Unknown unit, Soviet Union, 1941.

T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 1:Introduction
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 2:Assembly
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 3:Painting
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 4:Weathering (rust and chipping)
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 5:Weathering (wash)
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 6:Weathering (streaks)
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 7:Weathering (dust and rain marks)
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 8:Tracks
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 9:Weathering (dirt and mud)
T-34/76 (model 1940) build – Part 10:Weathering (oil and fuel stains, final effects)

• Various items of stowage and spare track were attached at this point.
• Dilute mixtures of Abteilung 502 “Engine Grease” (ABT160) and “Bitumen” (ABT004) oil paint in enamel thinners were either painted in small patches or flicked from a brush onto the surfaces of the hull and running gear, to represent the subtlest stains or patches.
• “Engine Grease” oil paint – dissolved in enamel thinners to a much higher concentration – was added to parts of the running gear, certain wheels (to represent leakage from a seal) and parts of the engine deck to represent older oil stains. Once dry, Humbrol “Gloss Cote” was added to it, to represent newer, glossier oil stains.
• A dilute mixture of “Bitumen” oil paint and Humbrol “Gloss Cote” in enamel thinners was added to the extra fuel drums and surrounding areas to present diesel stains. Later, neat Humbrol “Gloss Cote” was applied over the top of some of these stains, to represent fresher spills.
• The machine guns and gun barrel end were lightly brushed with AK Interactive “Dark Steel” (AK086) pigment.
• Tamiya “Soot” weathering powder was added to the end of the exhausts.

• Medium colour pigments were brushed onto the wheels, running gear, lower hull, upper hull and turret top and fixed with a 1:1 mixture of AMMO “Pigment Fixer” (A.MIG-3000) and enamel thinners, added by brush.
• I did not added too much dried mud, preferring a less muddy appearance for this vehicle.