Here are a few pics of my completed build, minus paint of Tamiya's old T-34/76 1943 Chtz production, converted with a few spares to depict a version captured, modified and re-used by the Germans.

It was a quick break from my Maus build to try and help shrink the stash slightly!



All conversion was done with parts from the spares bin to depict a mythical T-34 based on several different captured T-34's from the excellent Beutepanzer photo archive.

The tamiya kit had fenders removed, several parts thinned, handles and cables replaced with copper wire, inside of hatches detailled etc.

The German tools and lights are from Tamiya's Pz.kpfw.IV equipment set and detailled with spare Eduard PE tool clamps etc. The ends of the tow cable are from the ame set with picture hanging wire used for the cable.

The stowage boxes were modified from some found in the spares bin where the Pz. III cupola also emerged from, and the jerry can rack was modified from the one in the new Cyber Hobby Pz. III Ausf N. kit.

Casting and exhaust texture done with Mr. Surfacer 500, casting numbers from shaved spruce and torch cut marks done with a knife.

The biggest job was replacing the 'moulded over' Tamiya engine grill, which was cut away, engine lourves underneath made from sheet styrene and a grill scratchbuilt from spare PE mesh, PE 'frets' and lead foil rivets.

The kit rubber band tracks will be used as I can't find the cheap Maquette late style tracks anywhere, but a thick coating of Russian mud should help hide their flaws.

Enough typing, here are the pics:









I'll be painting it in a German three tone camo and putting on the base shown with some mud and the DML tank crew and machine gun team depicted.

The MG 42 team are 2 out of a 4 man kit: 'luftwaffe feild division Herman Goring, Anzio '44' A nice kit needing little in the way of modification to build up nicely, although the multi-part great coat lowers didn't sit as nicely as some others I've built.

The drivers are a mish-mash of parts from DML's tank crew 'LAH division Russia '43'. Detail is a bit soft compared to what i'd expect from dragon and some serious flash prevents any use of the kits binoculars. Terry Ashley's PMMS review also made me steer clear of the kit heads and caps which I replaced with some resin offerings.

All comments feedback and questions greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

James

Very nicely done James, have you checked with Jay Barbarisch at the "Parts Depot" for dragon tracks. I'm sure he can hook you up for a decent price.

Thanks, I hadn't checked but just did now, can't find any tracks but there was a spare aber PE engine deck grill! Now that would have been a lot easier!
Thanks for the tip anyway and glad you like the build.

Thanks,

James

James,
Overall, it looks like it's got potential. HOWEVER, there is a glaring error: you didn't do your research! The tow hooks on the very front of the hull were NEVER fitted to any tanks that saw combat. These were added by U.S. Army ordinance at Aberdeen Proving Grounds to allow for U.S. towing equipment to be used with these vehicles (the tow shackles don't fit the "hammerheads"). When Tamiya came to measure the vehicles no one told them of the add-ons (they probably didn't know to ask, either). Take a look at contemporary shots of T-34's in WW2 and you'll see they weren't there. Good luck with the diorama.
Regards,
Georg

PS- If you want a set of DML T-34 track (non-magic) drop me a line in private and I'll ship them out to you.

Thanks for the heads up Georg,
I swear I did research this, but i'm far from being an authority on Russian armour and so completely missed the extra tow hooks, I did think that they looked like a bit of an afterthought when I built the kit though!
I'll remove these and hope I don't damage the paint to much, nothing a bit of mud won't hide anyway! I'd also really appreciate those tracks and will get a PM off to you now.

Thanks again,

James

Very nice conversion. Looks much like the real conversions made by the Germans, but it should since you are basing it on existing pictures.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Jesper,

Yes, every addition and modification to the tank has been observed in reference photos, although no-single pic has quite the same combination of modifications as seen here (at least not on a '43 Chtz production).
The only thing I have added without reference is the Jerry can rack on the rear right of the hull. While no pictures of this particular style of rack are available, there are numberous other 'feild -mod' one's of one type or another, and so I took a liberty with this one!

Cheers,

James

Great work James

Thanks Nick, glad you like her.

A little update:
- Three tone camo is done, along with chipping and transfers.
- Figures painted, just in need of some touch ups and washes.
- Stowage selected and being painted.
- Indy link tracks in the post courtesy of the very generous Georg (zululand66).
- APG Tow shackles removed again thanks to the heads up from Georg.

I'll try and get some photos soon to let you see how i'm doing.

Thanks again for all the comments,

James

Update time (about time!)

So the camouflage has been painted using Tamiya acyrilics and my trusty badger airbrush, details painted with humbrol enamels and washes with oils, dry brushing again with enamels. The roadwheels have been painted seperately (hence their absence).









The panzer crew were painted using humbrol enamels and oil washes:



Balkenkreuz are from the Tamiya kit and numbers are cartograph's from the spares folder.

Also while i'm posting i'd like to give a big thankyou to Georg Eyerman (zululand66) who has sent me some DML indy links from his spares bin, much appreciated Georg, can put those rubber bands away now!

Love to know what you make of her anyway guys!

Cheers,

James