I'm getting ready to start a HobbyBoss 1/48 T34/85 and have a couple of questions;

1) What Testor's Model Master color(s) would be best for the base green? (Model Master is all I can find around here)

2) What kind of stowage would be on it? Most of the pictures I've seen show very little, a couple boxes, spare track, maybe a road-wheel, ..... Very unlike the masses of stuff you see on US, German and British tanks.

Thanks

Hey UncaBret,
Model Master makes an enamel Russian Armor Green, #2129
Soviet tank crews don't seem to have carried much in the way of external stowage.
I've seen photos of the odd tarp, roll or crate on the engine decks and a few sacks hanging off of the handrails of a variety of AFV's.
Look at the photo of T-34/85 in Berlin halfway down the page:

http://www.battlefield.ru/content/view/85/50/lang,en/

Or the various bits of gear on these IS-2's:

http://www.battlefield.ru/content/view/85/50/lang,en/

Cheers

jjumbo

Personally, I don't care for Testors Model Master Russian Armor Green, as it was quite blue in tone (at least when I bought it a few years ago--they never announce when they have reformulated something). Russian armor historians have said that FS 34102 is very close to the original color card for Soviet Protective Green. It's a USAF camouflage color available in many paint lines, including Model Master. Bear in mind that paints would have varied a lot due to the harsh production situation during the war, so it isn't necessary to sweat exact shades too much. In any event, tanks are rarely clean enough for the original color to show.

John--those are great website, nice photos.
DJ

2) What kind of stowage would be on it? Most of the pictures I've seen show very little, a couple boxes, spare track, maybe a road-wheel, ..... Very unlike the masses of stuff you see on US, German and British tanks.


Lots of "PEOPLE STOWAGE" on the backs of these tanks

Yeah, guess they couldn't carry much that would get in the way of their passengers. Although I would rather sit on a rolled up tarp than on just metal, especially in the winter!

I couldnt get them to work.

I'll look for the FS34102.

A couple more questions;

1)Where can I get replacement tow cables? Preferably the nylon type Tamiya suppies.

2)How do the scopes on the drivers hatch work ie: how far would the covers open when the driver had the hatch closed? All I can find are pictures of the hatch open, or museum pieces all closed up.

Thanks.

I must say that I am not really very impressed with this kit so far. There is a LOT of flash, half of the locating holes need to be drilled out, the 'innovative' engine grill is badly warped, the tow cable is an unraveled mess, and the instructions are poorly "written".

Maybe I've just been spoiled by Tamiya.

This may be the only HobbyBoss kit I ever get. I just spent 15+ minutes putting the 2 front idlers together. The lower hull has a 10-15 degree warp. The turret halves do not fit well. I've allready spent more time removing flash on this kit than I have on the 9 previous Tamiya kits put together.

I'm about ready to put this one away and get something else.

Hello,
Maybe you can just build the HB turret and place it on top of the Tamiya hull (as a conversion)? The tracks on the HB kits are hard too - I've thought of mix and matching KV's as well. My Hobby Boss KV wheels fit well on the Tamiya hull (see su-152 pic)
HTH, Greg

Also check the Track48.com Gallery for finished T34/85 to see the drivers hatches to get ideas,
Greg

Thanks, Greg.

Welllll, I decided to go ahead and finish this b..., er, beast. I'm just doing it a bit at a time, like spending 45 minutes fitting the gun mantlet (it will have to be glued in, no movement).

That is the WORST part! The halves don't fit at all, and I can't fill/sand/file the gaps and flash without losing a lot of the details. It's back in the box for now. Maybe I can use the tracks and stuff as extras on some good Tamiya kits