Hello,

I am working on Esci's old Pz35t for the K.O. campaign.
This is my first K.O. vehicle and it's a good opportunity to try some new painting and weathering methods.

I rushed through construction almost out of the box with the exception of the engine bay doors which I cut out and replaced with sterene sheet to simulate an engine explosion of some kind.

Unfortunately the tracks that came with the model are beyond salvage point and will not be used but that;s ok it not uncommon for abandoned vehicles to miss their tracks.
Keep in mind that there is a replacement kit for the tracks I think from Attack?? but it costs more than the Esci kit so I passed.

Anyway here is where I am at.






P.A.

Nice, Alexander. On the tracks, just a suggestion, if you're putting it on a scenic base, maybe you could work it so that the tracks (or maybe one of them) are broken off and lying on the ground and mostly buried either in soft ground or under water. Maybe scratch one or two links to scatter.

nice job! looking forward to it's completion...

gonna be part of diorama?

Looks promising indeed!
Where did you get such a rarity?

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

@ Matthew : Take a look at the tracks.

Do you think they are usable? More opinions are welcome.

@ Sonny : This is for the K.O. campaign that is currently running so I'll just make the tank. Eventually I'll use it on a dio (some day I hope )

@ Dmitry : I got this model from a local shop that has a number of older kits in stock. I did not realize it's rare.

P.A.

Ah. A haha haha. No. I see what you mean.

Maybe just about any other tracks from any other model, don't think I've ever seen anything quite like that before!

Ha ha, told ya!

Anyway, I found the time to make some progress on the model.

I'll be showing a badly charred and rusty vehicle.
Preety much done with the burned section and have started working on the front part.

Some pics :









More soon, P.A.

Did some weathering on the unburned part.





It's turning out much better that I expected.

P.A.

Alexander,

This unusual tank (Pz 35t) is turning out very well. However, it brings the question to mind, what was it that caused the calamity or where was it hit! (did I miss a shell entry hole or something?)

Cheers,
Jan

Hey Jan,

I moved some things on my photobucket account and some pics were erased from this post so I'll just repost them.





I've place the entry point on the sido of the engine (visible on the second pic).

Still, I beleive that such a condition could very well occur also after a flamethrower attack or a molotov coctail that would cause fire to the engine fuel etc.

P.A.

Those are the worst tracks I've ever seen.

Nice weathering on the KO tank !

Hi Alexander

those tracks are definitively the worst ESCI tracks ever made.

I knew about the tracks as I have 2 of these old 35t that I made more than 30 years ago. Coincidentally, I removed the old tracks and paint stripped my pair about a month ago, with the idea of repainting them, possibly also as destroyed wrecks. I haven't moved beyond a new base coat, while thinking about what best to do with them.

Yours looks quite excellent, the burnt rear looks convincing as fire damage.

Best replacement track is UM brand T-26 link and length polystyrene track. It looks quite similar to 35t track, and being link and length you can construct (and deconstruct) it anyway you like.

Later UM T-26 kits also include the link and length track. Some of the older UM T-26 kits have rubber band tracks which are not properly detailed on the inside, so don't buy any T-26 kits without being able to check whats inside first.

UM sell the tracks separately for $4 (U.S) on some online retail websites.

Having made a UM T-26 with link and length, the track is very delicate and easy to damage, and just getting it off the sprues without damage takes a lot of care, but is worth the effort, and I doubt you will have any problems with it


cheers
Neil

Always nice to see another Pz 35t build. Nice work on the busted open engine hatches and the weathering is superb! Thanks for sharing Alexander.

Nate

Thanks everyone for the positive comments!

Neil, haven't seen you post here for some time (I hope you are not getting lazy , good to see you're back.

Can you post a link to any site selling the tracks at the price you mention?

I also saw that Part makes a PE set for T-26 tracks have you checked it out?

P.A.

Hello Alexander

below link has the track set for $3.90 (plus postage)

http://hobbyterra.com/product_info.php?products_id=1207

I have used the seller many times for some years and have never had any problems

I haven't seen the Part PE set. If you wanted to put a complete set of tracks on each side etched tracks are OK, though not everybody's cup of tea.

If you wanted to model heavily sagging, or broken bunched up tracks, the link and length might be better, you get some straight sections of varying lengths and some individual links, which gives you lots of options for placing the tracks in a realistic looking damaged way.

I posted a series of progress shots of a T-26 build here 2 years ago, if you want to check out how they look, these are the same link and length tracks.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/167474&page=1

I queried around what the best substitute for the 35t tracks were, and the answer was T-26 tracks, and I agree they are a fairly close match, not exact, but close enough to do the job.

I posted as I had a suggestion for tracks, and I liked what you did with the 35t and due to the coincidence as I was thinking of doing something similar.

I have been a long time without posting here, perhaps I should participate a little more often.

cheers
Neil

Thanks Neil, you've provided great help.

P.A.

I've ordered the tracks Neil has suggested but they will take some time to get here so I added some effects on the vehicle and almost call it finished.




P.A.

Hi Alexander,

Lovely job on the wreck, looks very convincing. I have to mention that Ace do a very good set of photo-etch T-26 tracks, I have used them myself and can recommend them. I know it is too late as you have already ordered the tracks, but it is perhaps good to know for the future.

All the best,

Paul

Ditto! Awesome painting and effects! Watching this thread closely now.
-Sean H.

For this small scale you did a great work on KO effects...congrats!

Brilliant. A very convincing thin battered metal look nicely in scale.

@PanzerAlexander -

Man, you have created a right mess! It looks fabulously authentic but perhaps the markings seem a bit too "fresh" compared to the rest of the vehicle. Other than that it is as I said, fantastic. This really reminds me of those YouTube videos where they pull some old tank out of a swamp, river or bog. I could see a diorama with this hooked up to a modern ARV as it sees the light of day for the first time in 60 years.

Cheers,
Jan