Work in Progress

Huibs T34 tank project

Posted by Peter on 17 Oct 2021, 12:49

You made a fantastic base Huib! Love those cobbles! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22507
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51


Posted by huib on 20 Oct 2021, 22:20

Thanks Peter!

Final Pictures
T34-76 model 1943
Summer 1943
Italeri (Esci) 1/72

Image

Image

Please have a look in the Gallery for more pics.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 22 Oct 2021, 17:36

SU-85
Strictly spoken a SU-85 is not a T34. But from a tactical point of view, the SU-85 in my opinion belongs to the line-up of T34 development. This is why:
The T34 and the KV1 were more than able to deal with the generation of tanks with which Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the Panzer III and IV. Even after several updates of these tank types with more powerful guns and improved armour this remained the case. The situation started to change hower with appearance of the Tiger tank on the battlefield in late 1942. Although the number of Tigers always remained low during the war, the Soviets realised they had to counter this threat. This became even more urgent when intelligence started to reach the Soviet leadership about the development of a new German tank, the Panther. The Soviets were inspired by the German 88mm Flak gun, and looked at their own Anti-Aircraft guns for a suitabele weapon. Their 85mm AA gun had a suitable calibre, high velocity and a flat trajectory. This gun howver was much too large to fit in the existing T34 and KV1 turrets, so a whole new tank had to be developed, the T44. As this would take time a temporary stopgap measure was chosen, to be able to succesfully counter the new generation of German tanks: The 85mm gun was installed in the hull of the SU-122 mechanized howitzer, itsself built on the chassis of the T34.

Image
The SU-122 assault gun consisted of a 122mm howitzer mounted in a fixed casemate on top of a T34 chassis.

Image
This new combination named SU-85, proved to be an effective and fearsome tank hunter, able to destroy a Tiger tank at 1000m combat distance. Production started in the middle of 1943, and in august the first SU-85's reached the frontline units. More than 2600 were built and deployed succesfully, both by the Soviets and the Germans, who liked to incorporate captured vehicles into their own ranks.

Image
SU-85 in Minsk, summer1944.

In the end an improved version was built, the SU-85M (of Modernized), distinguishing itsself from it's predecessor mainly by the addition of a proper commanders cupola. But when during 1944 the T34-85, sporting the same gun, reached mass production, the SU-85 became obsolete. Production was continued by installing a bigger 100mm gun, resulting in the SU-100. But that's another vehicle.

I will build a mid-production of the SU-85 based on the old Fujimi kit:
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 22 Oct 2021, 17:45

Fujimi 1/76 SU-85

To build the SU-85 I am in the posession of a nice old Fujimi kit from 1974.

Image
Lovely old box with great boxart

Image
The box includes a sprue which is identical to Fujimi's T34-85 kit, containing the lower hull and the wheels.

Image
A second sprue is specific for the SU-85, containing mainly the upper hull and the gun. The figure is quite bad unfortunately, but for the rest detail is quite good and accurate.

Image
And some awful looking tracks. I'm afraid I will need a lot mud to cover them up.

Image
And a small decal sheet for three different versions.
That's all. Let's start.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 23 Oct 2021, 22:46

Start of the build

A beginning is made.

Image
The different hull parts. Some flash and extractor pin marks had to be removed.

Image
Some detail was sanded away (mainly handgrips and pistolports) to be improved in the next steps.

Image
As the hull will be closed early in the build, the cooling grill is drilled and filed open, and fine mesh from a teabag is glued on the inside.

Next step will be adding small parts and additional detail to the hull.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by steve_pickstock on 24 Oct 2021, 12:56

The Russian SPGs illustrate perfectly the idea that if it looks right, it is right.

Brutal, boxy but effective.

I am sure you will do justice to this one as you do to all of your models.
User avatar
steve_pickstock  England
 
Posts: 1311
Member since:
20 Jun 2010, 19:56

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by huib on 25 Oct 2021, 18:45

Thanks Steve!

Detailing the hull
Last few days I managed to finish the hull.

Image
Started replacing the casted handrails by ones from iron wire. The perisciopes were opened using a hot screwdriver. The surface of the cast steel observation cupola was roughened using liquid glue.

Image
The external fuel tanks from the kit are a bit course and have an ugly seam after glueing the halves together.

Image
So I sanded them flat and built some new detail.

Image
Three fuel tanks installed, as I managed to destroy one with my electric drill.

Image
The parts lay-out of gun and mantlet.

Image
The cast steel parts roughened, lifting eues added, barrel drilled open and constructed.

Image
Hatches detailed on the inside.

Image
All parts in place including some tools and pistol ports.

Image
From behind.

Image
Ready for paint.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 28 Oct 2021, 21:33

Looks like a really nice tank. Will follow it again with great interest! ;-)

And thank you for the historical information! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22507
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by huib on 03 Nov 2021, 15:34

Paintjob

Well people, this is a small step for humanity, but a huge step for Huib: This is the first model I will paint using acrylics instead of the enamel I used until now. Better for your health. I've chosen for Vallejo, to start with. So I am experimenting a bit at the moment.

Image
I started using grey primer from Vallejo, But it turns out that light, it could work as a winter whitewash.

Image
On the bottom of the model I started with paint straight from the bottle, but that was much too thick, so I continued diluting the paint with water. I needed four layers of camo green to cover the almost white primer. But the result is good and lively.

Image
Then all details were painted, including the white recognition bands on the hull sides. They are included as decals, but because of the pistol ports, painting them on works better.

Image
After some gloss varnish two decals were applied: the vehicle numbers 802. And then a few track links that are partly covering one of the numbers.

Image
Two tarps on the back, made from paper tissue soaked in white glue.

Image
In this late stage I suffered from progressive insight: I cut of the front mudguards and replaced them with thin aluminium sheet.

Image
Crashed and bended. This has to do with a small vignette I'm working on.
And now for some weathering.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 04 Nov 2021, 13:26

I've changed from enamel paint to acrylic years ago, and I'm happy and my family too. It is better for your health indeed. :thumbup:

Real nice progress. :-)

Is that gloss varnish also on waterbase? :eh:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22507
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by Wiking on 04 Nov 2021, 18:05

Huib wrote:
Crashed and bended.

Image
(And this is the driver )

Any questions why ?
User avatar
Wiking  Germany
 
Posts: 2825
Member since:
14 Sep 2015, 10:03

Posted by Kekso on 04 Nov 2021, 19:31

Awesome project :thumbup:
User avatar
Kekso  Croatia

Moderator Moderator
Supporting Member (Bronze) Supporting Member (Bronze)
 
Posts: 6839
Member since:
19 Oct 2011, 18:32

Posted by huib on 09 Nov 2021, 22:37

Wiking wrote:Huib wrote:
Crashed and bended.

Image
(And this is the driver )

Any questions why ?


I'm sorry, Erik, the test driver of my SU-85 got intermingled in your car race by accident. I've him sent to Siberia immediately, so it wil not happen again.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 09 Nov 2021, 22:38

Peter wrote:Is that gloss varnish also on waterbase?

Yes it is an acrylic floor polish, called Parket Plus.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 09 Nov 2021, 22:43

Weathering

After painting it is time for some weathering.

Image
A wash of diluted dark brown oil paint is used to create shadows in the nooks and crevices of the model.

Image
Then a drybrush with a light green creates highlights. Paintchips are added using light green paint and a soft graphite pencil.

Image
As a finishing touch I added some dirt, rust and grime, using different colours of oil paint.

Image
Ready for wheels and tracks!
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 12 Nov 2021, 21:57

Looks fantastic Huib! :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22507
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Help keep the forum online!
or become a supporting member

Posted by huib on 12 Nov 2021, 23:07

Thanks, Peter!

Wheels and tracks
The old fashioned rubberband tracks are the most difficult part of these old tank kits.

Image
Wheels after painting and weathering.

Image
The ancient and ugly tracks from 1974.

Image
The tracks after painting, sloshing and drybrushing five different colors of paint.

Image
Bluntly stapled together, as the original connectors weren't worth a penny. Now the challenge will be to hide these in the final presentation.

Image
The tracks in position. The staples were positioned in the bigger gap between the second and third roadwheels.

Image
Then four stretches of straigthened iron wire were drilled through the hull to force the tracks in shape.

Image
Unvoluntary gravity on the tracks

Image
Almost ready. On to the last additions.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by huib on 13 Nov 2021, 22:57

The last details
Only a few additions and the SU-85 is finished.

Image
Towing cables made from fuse wire, iron wire and tape.

Image
Painted.

Image
I enlarged the two figures from Hät a bit, otherwise it can be seen the have no lower legs or no body from the chest down. But I did not do a great effort as the added bodyparts are sunken in the vehicles hull.

Image
Painted.

Image
Figures, towing cables and an antenna added.

Image
And now for a small base.
User avatar
huib  Netherlands
 
Posts: 962
Member since:
12 Dec 2015, 15:57

Posted by Peter on 13 Nov 2021, 23:13

Fantastic final result on that tank! Can't wait to see it on a base! ;-) :thumbup:
User avatar
Peter  Belgium

Moderator Moderator
 
Posts: 22507
Member since:
25 Mar 2008, 18:51

Posted by MABO on 14 Nov 2021, 09:25

I have missed this fantastic project until now. Was a great adventure to read all the historical background and the making.

I also changed 16 years ago -when my son was born - from enamel to acrylics. And it was a good decision.

So now I am ready for the base with a kind of obstacle? Let's wait and see...
User avatar
MABO  Europe
Supporting Member (Gold) Supporting Member (Gold)
 
Posts: 9143
Member since:
12 May 2008, 18:01

Previous pageNext page

Return to Work in Progress