Hi all, first time posting anything so a bit of a leap in the dark here.Have got interested in making models again after many years and am currently hacking away at the t34.Have noticed the standard of work is exceptional and the models available are so much better than they were in the seventies. Anyway decided to put a few pics up to see if any comments come back, I' m from Scotland so can take it !
I'm really enjoying the build and have learnt tons about t34s. I still work with enamels and only have a two bob mickey mouse airbrush for the big bits tried Tamiya acrylic but they don't brush so gave up with them.

I'm not sure if you are finished with the model or not, but it is looking good.

Regarding the paints, if you want to hand brush then you really should try Vallejo if they are available to you.

Thanks for your reply, no it's not finished yet, still to do some of the exterior fittings and paint the hull and turret. I had read somewhere that you can use Halfords primers as a base so I went for the red lead colour. I am going to use Humbrol matt green 226 same as for lower hull and road wheels, bit nervous about this because this particular green almost goes on semi transparent and may take a couple of coats to lose the primer but I like the shade whether it is accurate or not I'm not sure but looking at some other Russian models it seems quite close. This is the first time I have had deal with etched brass, I did the straps that hold on the exterior fuel tanks today it's bloody fiddly but looks great when done still got the saw to do. This kit seems to have caused a bit of a fuss or rather it's older brother has (t34/76), while I appreciate all the comments about accuracy of wheels etc and the drive for historical integrity, to me this has been a brilliant model and has really stretched my modest skills to do it justice. The big hook was of course the complete interior I'm not so sure about the transparency though, at the start I was thinking of leaving windows but the only areas where detail could reasonably be seen would have been the front glacis plate which I ended up thinking would look daft however I have left the turret roof and the engine deck removable. I am also thinking of putting this one onto a base with some figures and have bought the Tamiya crew set for it, would love to do a night scene with a fire and maybe try lighting the tank interior with fibreoptics, never done a diorama before so this is just an idea at the moment. Has anyone ever tried something similar?

I am in exactly the same boat. My modelling skills are having to grow quickly to do these new kits some justice.

Your T34 looks fantastic. The interior really does make the difference. I have thought about doing one but never liked the clear plastic hull so do not know how best to display it.

Thr idea of a nigth scene is great. But I would have thought very hard. You are not shy of biting off a big project are you! Do you know what lighting these tanks had in them?

Other than the shells being copper instead of brass it is looking very good. The engine is exceptional. If you want to use Tamiya acrylics in your ab, you can thin them with isopropelyne alcohol. I've never had a problem with them. Glad there are so many modellers out there like me. Took a 3 year hiatus and returned to the hobby. Looking forward to building the T34 with interior after I finish my Tiger.

Thanks for your comments, yeah the shells do look a bit rich in colour now you mention it, they were done with Revell enamel no 92 which was displayed in the shop as brass. They don't appear quite as red as I look at them perhaps this is a colour matching issue with digi camera and computers?
If you do the model, the diesel injector pipes were made from 5 amp fuse wire but in retrospect I think it may have been easier to use brass rod I ended up nearly going demented the bloody things were springing all over the place. I havn't done much to it over last couple of days but have put together the crew. I Just fancied a change I have been picking away at this tank for months now.

Help!
Have made a complete botch of paint for exterior, first paint wouldn't cover well too light and streaky, over painted with darker green which looked better, then brushed on future polish, big mistake! it has dried patchy with some parts glossier than others and it looks terrible.

Questions? Would I be better spraying on another coat of future, would this even out the finnish, or two, spraying a coat of Humbrol Matte Cote, would there be a reaction to acrylic polish? Or three; seeing how well it will burn!!!
javascript:PasteSmiley('|:(')

After a bit of bother with exterior paint, think I've finished it. never quite sure when to stop,still considering putting it on a base,German street maybe. Here are some pics again any comments very welcome.