Hi Everyone,

this is my first post on Armorama so please make allowances for a virgin contributor.

I've just finished building an example of the very old Tamiya Chtz T34/76. This is only my sixth build since "returning to the fold" after a break of about oooh, let's think, 40 years! Things have moved on a bit, back then, we didn't have all the wonderful products that are available today. I took the basic kit, added some spare tracks from a Dragon kit, some photo-etch and a lick of paint.

I build models to help me relax so don't get too hung up on angles, dimensions and numbers of rivets, just so long as the finished article approximates to the original and looks about "right".








Please give me feedback, I welcome all (constructive) criticism.

Thanks.

Jon

Jon, you nailed that one!
Welcome to armorama, it is the place for input on any modeling related questions...and unrelated
Keep those post coming and don`t be afraid to start a build log I would be pleased to see in progres pics.

Cheers
Phil.

Now that is nice...

Welcome back. I really like the stance in the first and third photos. You've make an old kit look really good, especially by adding the engine grill.

Congratulations Jon, you nailed this Chtz T-34! The worn finish is great, and I especially like the candid, saggy tracks and how the crew just tossed the saw aboard the tank any old place rather than in its proper mounting. Touches like that really make models pop!

By the way, did you see the films in the news this morning of a large meteor entering the atmosphere above Chelyabinsk (i.e., Chtz, your T-34's birthplace)? AWESOME...

Really like how she turned out you should do a Start to finish build

Oh my God! Nice shot, congratulations Jon!

Several red army figures may be added, whether ride on the tank or walk beside it, also with a medium snowy groundwork. I'm very sure that your T-34 monster tank will provide greater fantastic imagination for anyone who visit this topic!



Best regards from Indonesia


Garry

Obviously not your first build. This thing looks great! It is hard to believe this is a veteran kit. I really like how you mixed up the wheels. It may be a matter of personal opinion, but I would think the tracks would have some rust on them. I judge this by the amount of weathering, specifically by the worn whitewash.

Hi everyone,

thank you very much for your encouraging words. You're right Matt, the tracks could do with a bit of rust but getting the "right" look on the tracks is something that I struggle with. Mud especially is my bête noire, I don't seem to be able to get its distribution to look realistic. I think I might have another go at weathering them but am conscious that it's easy to overdo a model.

I'm planning to start an Accurate Armour resin T44 soon - and am very excited!

Jon

Everything above the tracks looks very nice. But....the roadwheels look brand new. Unless he just came in for a pitstop and had them replaced they should be weathered worse than the hull, they are the closest to the ground and take the brunt of the wear and tear. just my humble opinion.

Well done mate - it looks fantastic. I too am just getting back into the hobby after about 25 years - amazing how far it has come hey ? I will be getting something up myself over the next few weeks. Can't wait to see you upcoming work.

Noooooooo!
Tracks in use do not rust! In fact sand and dirt pretty much polishes them to a dullish grey. Dry snow can leave them down right shiny.
This is an error that way too many of us make. Your tracks look fine as they are.

Speaking of rust, your finish is fine, I really like it. But remember that a T-34 on the battlefield lasted only days before being KO'd (I seem to recall a Soviet study that claimed just three days once deployed to the front).
Given that, you just aren't going to see much rust on the things.
If I had just one criticism of your model it's the rust streaks are, well, overdone given that reality (that and 4BO green was a corrosion resistant paint all on its own).

Keep up the fine work! Looking forward to seeing your T-44.

Mark

Jon.

Welcome back to a great hobby!

I agree, rusted tracks don't look right, especially since these tanks had such short lives, just my 2 cents of course.

But, I really like the model.....nice weathering there!

Paul

so, if I'm right you did this one,after 40 years, and without the instant magic stuff?

VERY VERY WELL DONE !!

shows one DOESN'T need aftermarket magic and the latest kit with 7000 extra tiny parts too make a very good T34

congrats!

Most impressive! Congrats on a great job there!

Outstanding,time to go throw my stuff away.

I have not even made it to your level of over all weathering. And, for me it is just the opposite. I find tracks much easier to weather. I use Testors/MM rust, for the base. I then add a mix of rust brown and rust red, for the recesses. Then, fresh rust to highlight the cleats. And, I finish by dry brushing steel over the fresh rust. From there, it is just adding some dirt, mud or snow. If you want to cheat, and I'm not sure if it is available in England, I use Rust-o-Leum stone effects brown spray paint. It takes a little practice, but is very simple. Looks like a mix of wet, dark earth and mud.

Really nice build up! I have an earlier 1941 T34 by Tamiya I have kept since the 70's. Thanks for the inspiration!