Here we go again!

:-)

Seems like Verlinden will be out with a 1/16 russian tank commander in december according to PMMS, too bad he looks like ..... well bad IMO !

I currently making a "small" dio for my T34 for an upcomming modelcontest in DK.

Hi, MrMox: figures would be a really neat addition to this kit, but they would have to be good ones in order to match the quality of the kit vehicle. Along with some tools and personal weapons in 1/16 scale would be really nice. A 'small' dorama. Now this would be interesting. Good luck and look forward to seeing your work here.

colo_artist: Going to take some time to go through all the information you posted on the other section. I kind of figured that these batteries were all hooked up together, but I don't hink I can get in there to add the wiring in the back to connect them together, although that rear bulkhead isn't put in permanent yet, so am going to try to do so.

I picked up some real small brass or copper tubing at the local hobby shop the other day to make those 'lines' that go from the steering units back under the ammo boxes and found that it can be bent quite easily by hand, so I bent a piece of this to add that 'tube' in the rear there that has a wire that goes over to the trans. and it came out really nice.

For the wiring I'm using some wires taken out of some telephone lines. Cutting these apart gives you several different colored wires that work real well. Now I'm on the look out for some old discarded phones in the neighborhood to 'steal' the wiring out of . Ha, ha! I have a phone out in the garage that has a really long extension cord on that I've been eyeing this quite ravenously the last day or so too. Ha, ha!

Take care all, Larry

It's good to see someone's working on a tank crew for us, but this one is kind of a grumpy guy...



http://pmms.webace.com.au/newkitnews/newf.htm (near the bottom of the page)

These guys are much friendlier, but unfortunately they're also 1/35...



My favorite crew is from Tristar...if only they were twice the size...



http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/figures/tristar/tri35012.htm

So what does the female soldier have behind her back? Maybe the keys to the tank?

Speaking of which there's the cute one, 1/35 still, from Junior Town Model. Here's a pic of her on a great T-34 done by Steve Palffy...



http://hsfeatures.com/t3476sp_1.htm

Larry, take a look at that one...it has added armor on the hull, turret and even around the barrel. I was going to do a 76 in winter camo, but looking at this model, it would be interesting to do one with the added plates. Geez...I'm hooked.

HI. I got around to adding some new photos of the hull of the /42, so far. The white of the interior sort of over-powers things at the moment, and hopefully the weathering will 'cut' this to some extent as it did on the other kit. But on the /85 it's going to be a light grey primer coloring instead of the white.

Yes, those armor plates do stand out really well on the model there. If I would have to do it over again, I would have mixed up a much lighter coloring of the base color so the washes would stand out better. Hopefully I can do something to the darker green base to lighten some things up to some extent so the details will stand out better, or not. Live and learn.

I came across a really nice model posted on an old issue of Tamiya's model magazine here a while back that is really great with the weathering effects on it, but the base coloring is really light to start with, so his weathering effects stand out really well.

Take care, Larry

Actually as fun as the T-34s are, what I'd like to see is Trumpeter go head to head with Tamiya and produce a 1/16 early Tiger, but with complete interior rather than R/C.

I have an Academy 1/35 Tiger 1 with interior in the chute to build, but I'd much rather do it in 1/16.

There are two things which sparked my interest in a Tiger with interior. First a website which details the restoring of a Tiger. It's great reading and there's over 50 pages with probably over a hundred photos of the tank. I think every bolt and nut have been identified. Follow the "Journal" link...

http://www.tiger-tank.com/

Secondly, AFV Modeller #15 features pictures of the hull of an Academy kit done by Lee Lloyd. He spent 4 months just researching the project. The model model is so detailed it's hard to believe it's 1/35 scale. It's completely wired...he's even added the springs to the seat cushions.

Here's the issue with his Tiger on the cover. There's 10 pages of incredible color photos...


http://pmms.webace.com.au/reviews/books/avfmod/afvm15.htm

If that doesn't interest you, maybe the article right behind it will. It's Ulf Andersson's "Mistreated." A destroyed T-34. Hey it would be a great way of displaying the interior.

Here's some pics of the tank. The magazine includes construction pictures and details...



http://www.plasticwarfare.com/gallerypages/mistreated/index.asp?img=1PWJulkort.jpg

There's more of Ulf's incredible work at this page...about halfway down is a bunch of T34's...

http://www.plasticwarfare.com/galleri.asp

Larry: Great looking armor.

You reminded me to add to my gallery. There are now some pics of my scratchbuilding the backs of the fuel and oil tanks. I'm working on added the missing third pair of fuel tanks.



https://armorama.kitmaker.net/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5296 or click on "my photos" below.

Speaking of SUs, Tanxheaven just posted some new pictures of one...
[urlhttp://tanxheaven.com/ludob/su100/su100lb.htm[/url]

They also have a new page with a VT-34 recovery vehicle...
http://tanxheaven.com/ludob/vt34/vt34lb.htm

There was already a page with over 100 pics of a VT-34...
http://tanxheaven.com/vt34/vt34.htm

Anyone dying to do a crane? Here's some good pics...
http://tanxheaven.com/jt34/jt34.htm

Even if you're not interested, that last one is worth a visit. In the bottom row of pictures are some ice cleats mounted on the treads.

Hi, colo_artist: Thanks for the link that showed the ice cleats on the tracks there. I was wondering what I wanted to do with these parts in the kit, as I really didn't want to put them on the fender again, and this would be a perfect way to use them, as they were used, when they were used that is. Just need to get some plastic hex rod to make a representation of bolt head that I think would have held them onto the track. Or could then have been welded on instead? Curious.

Did you check out the engine/trans. deal over on tranxheaven? Talk about some stunning workmanship!!!!!!! Absolutely great! Printed off several pictures to put into the /85's box for reference, just to see if I'm capable of re-created just a little of this detail. Man, that is some real modeling there!

Thanks and take care, Larry

Hey Larry,

Looks like they're bolted. The Short Service Manual says...

TRACKS
Each track consists of 74 steel track links (Plate 43). Every other track link has a guide horn which serve to mesh with the sprocket wheel and hold the track in position. The track links are hinged to one another by 148 pins. The pins are prevented from falling out by keepers. Each track has holes for fastening additional spuds. The spuds (Plate 44) are fixed by two bolts to the track.

Plate 43 - Track link

Plate 44 - Spud


It's about halfway down on this page...
http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/t34-service-4.html

I did go over to the Missing-Lynx forum to check out the build you mentioned. Here's a link for folks...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=110741&messageid=1098308466

Thanks for finding it. It's great to see such fine work. In the comments, Ian mentions the way Trumpeter incorrectly rendered the fuel tanks,,,they should be rounded rather than squared off. He also mentions the missing pair behind the firewall. When I decided to add the missing tanks, the first thing I had to decide was to go with the proper rounded shape, or make them match Trumpeter's squared-off tanks. Squared-off won out. It matches the existing tanks and looked to be much easier to build.

Oh, thinking of Ian's message, he refers to a page showing the fuel tanks, but I found his directions a bit hard to follow. I think I found the page...it's a T-34-122. if you're interested here's the link...
http://www66.tok2.com/home2/tankguy/postww2/t122.html

On the same site, he has some good pictures of a T-34-85 (iincluding 11 interior shots)...
http://www66.tok2.com/home2/tankguy/ww2/t3485.html

FYI...I think the weld mark on the hull above the model's front shock is actually glue from where the shock came loose. At least that's what it looks like to me since the other front shock is in the normal position.

Karl

HI, I see on one of the photos of the /85 those 'nuts' on the side of the spring towers you added to your model. (Another note on the instructions instructions added.) Need some plastic hex rod anyway.

Been spending some of the morning going over those photos from the tanxheaven site on that engine and trans. set up. Since I've doen one or two scratch-building things on this model it has given me the desire to try my hand at some of these items as well, if not on the current /42, at least trying to added some of them on the /85 later on. Although I see I'm going to have to upgrade my modeling tools here and there in order to make some of these more delicate details successfully. But I guess this is just part of the hobby as a whole. And keep a closer eye on the model railroad department at the local hobby shop as well. This 'disease' seems to be spreading. Ha, ha!

I kind of wonder if maybe the modeler on the T-34 on Missing Lynx may have left this spring support loose on purpose as that one photo seems to concentrate on that particular detail. The result of running over a mine? Seems that this could be logical, as the force of the explosion could have broke this support loose and he wants to show this detail on the inside. That area where the support is borken off from looks to have been weathered to make it sort of stand out. Interesting....

Am definitely going to add the cleats to the track as I've been thinking of muddying this model up to some degree once it's done anyway. Would also like to add some winter white was as well, but that's in the future, as I have to get the whole thing together first.

Take care, Larry

The spring towers don't have nuts for the shocks, instead they have reinforcement rings for the shock bolts coming from the spring side. Oh man, I just saw a picture of a closeup of one, but I can't remember where.

Anyway, it's a welded-on ring and has a split pin going sideways through it. I used a bit of plastic tubing for it. It was hard to make them thin enough, so I cut them kinda fat, glued them on, and then sanded them down until they looked right. Needless to say, I skipped trying to replicate the split pins.

Oh yeah, I've seen them not only on the towers in the engine compartment, but also the tower in front of the fuel tanks in the fighting compartment.

I was surprised to see the oddly angled shock on the reviewed model. I was thinking it had popped loose, but maybe it's intentional. Anyway, it'll be interesting to see where they go with it.

Update: I just remembered where I saw a good picture of the reinforcement rings on the tower. Here they are on a old, striped out tank, shown on the left front shock tower...



Which is on this page with lots of other excellent pics...http://tanxheaven.com/ludob/t34-85/t34-85.htm

Well, I probably shouldn't show these together, but if anyone is curious what the fuel and oil tanks look like in a T-34-85, here's a good picture (although it is actually a pic of a SU-100). A T-34-76 wouldn't have the little fuel tanks right behind the firewall...



[ulr]http://www.thetankmaster.com/IMAGES/AFV/AMUR/SU100_020.jpg[/url] fullsized image

On this page...http://www.thetankmaster.com/english/afv/su100_2r.asp

Here's what I've done with mine thus far...

HI. The extra tank on the /85 is something to remember for the /85. The pictures on the tanxheaven site show some really good details. You've done some really outstanding work on you model so far. Like the idea of the different colors on the tanks. Looks very good.

Take care, Larry

Hi, Added another photo to the gallery of what I did yesterday in trying to copy just a tad bit of the detail work posted by the modeler on tanxheaven. Not bad....but not that good either. See several mistakes and screw ups in it, but then it was the first time I had ever tried it, so maybe it's not so bad. Anyway, a good 90% of it isn't going to show anyway, and it does give me some practice on trying something like this. We all have to start someplace or other. The scale may be a little big on the copper, or brass, pipes I used for the linkages, or maybe it's just their different color on the white backround that tends to make them look bigger than they really are. I'll tell you, but the time I finished just this little bit of bending, fitting, Super gluing, re-gluing, cutting, etc., my nerves were shot. Ha, ha! Hopefully the washes and other weathering effects will blend this all together better in the end, at least what will be seen of it.

Think I am going to use this same 'pipe' to run the linkages out from under the ammo boxes and into those little plastic ends in the steering levers. Not to sure about those other 3 lines that dead end into the motor mounts. These may, or may not, continue up into the driver's area to dead end into the shifter unit. I imagine at least one of these lines do anwyay.

Hope to be able to spend some time today working on the upper hull. Adding some 'spot welds' wtih Milliput on to the additional frontal armor plates and bullet splash rails around the turret area, and the new grab handles that went on this particlar vehicle, that are very much different from the ones supplied in the kit.

Take care, Larry

Hey Larry...lookin' real good man.

The tube for the cables going to the starter looks just right. I'd agree the tubing on the deck looks a might big. Maybe this will help sort things out. Here's a diagram from the Short Service manual...



You want to look at the full-sized image at...
http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/img/service-plate56-l.gif

Which is on this page...
http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/t34-service-7.html

Starting at the top are the three shafts for the shifter, which go all of the way from shifter to the tranny.

Then a rod for the steering lever, then the brake, which both go back to the right brake.

The next one goes from the "gas" pedal, straight back to the front of the engine, where it connects to the linkage going straight up and back to the injector manifold.

Then there's another rod for the brake and one for the streering lever. The bottom one is the clutch, which goes all the way back.

Here's the linkage for the steering levers and brake pedal...



Full-sized image...http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/img/service-plate36-l.gif

On this page with a description...http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/t34-service-3.html

On the same page is the clutch linkage...



Full-sized...http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/img/service-plate26-l.gif

...and the throttle linkage...



Full-sized...http://www.gjames.com.au/chris/t34/img/service-plate15-l.gif

Lastly...here's a photo...



Which you'll find here with lots of other good interior and exterior pictures of a T-34-85...

http://www66.tok2.com/home2/tankguy/ww2/t3485.html

Hi Colo_artist: Yes, after looking over those pictures you were nice enough to provide, I see what you mean about a 'tad' too big there, comparing these with all those lines going up to the front end there. Don't know at the moment if I will remove what is in there or not. After setting in the motor, radiators, fan, bulkheads, etc., about the only part of these lines that is showing is if you look real good down beside the fan unit. Everything else is covered. So it may not be worth the mess of taking them up. Have to think on this a while.

I believe though, that it would be best to do some real good head scratching on the wire diam. for trying to add these lines up front, as this is going to show to some extent. I think that when I make my trip up to the local hobby store this week end, I will take along the shifter unit--F13-14-15, and compare wire diameters to the boot of this sub-assembly. Since your photo shows 3 lines running out of this, I will need to fine a diam. that matches this part, and that should be a good indication of the size I will need for the other linkages up front. What do you think?

If this does work out, I may take those other lines up in the back, and do the same thing there as well, depanding on just how much patience I have left. Ha, ha! This model is most definitely going to end the T-34s till next spring. I badly need to do a couple models simply OOTB. Ha, ha!


Good luck and take care, Larry

I worked for the phone company, so I do have an affinity for usng phone wire, but my favorites are the brass wires from my local hobby store.

However, I've found a great variety of wire at crafts stores. For stiff wire there's a bunch for floral arangement...the come in many different guages. There's some which is wrapped that I want to try for a bit of wiring trying to represent cables in a wiring loom.

For something more flexible, there's an astounding array of wire in the bracelet and necklace area.

Oh yeah, there's also braided cord for hanging pictures. When I looked at the photos of the batteries I thought their cables looked like giant picture hanging wire.

Well you've certainly been cranking out those T's. I'm going to miss seeing what you do to the kits. So if not T-34's then what?

Well maybe the book "T-34 Mythical Weapon" will be out by Spring...have you heard anything about its release date?

Oh, another question. I believe you mentioned using some weathering paints as one of your "firsts" with these models. I think you said they were MIG. Anyway, what were they and what did you think of them? This first T is going to be factory fresh, but the next one is gonna get the works.

I am going to a local modelshow/contest in a few weeks, and I want to bring my T34 but also to show off the interior in a natural way.

This is my solution, a field repair shop that allows me to take the tank apart.

The tools incl. the torch is homemade.

MrMox: Man-oh-man, what an incredible job you've done. That's gotta be a prize winner. Best of luck with the show.

Hi, MrMox: Let me add my comments to your sensational diorama for your model. This work area set up is just the ticket to show off all of your very fine efforts on the inside and outside of your vehicle, not to mention all the additions you have added to make the diorama itself. I call it a winner all the way around!

Colo_artist: Thanks for those suggestions about the craft store wiring possibilities. I have to make a stop at the local craft store tonight to get some rails for a picture frame, so I will most definitely take a look around for some of the various wires they have here and there. I do occasionally look around that store for different things that may be of use, but haven't taken a real 'look-see' in their artificial flower department. Thanks. Going to take that shifter unit with me so I can compare any sizes I find that may fit the bill.

No, I haven't heard any release date on the "T-34- Mythical Weapon" book from the Air Connection people. Although I did call them up here a month or two ago and placed my name on the pre-order status for it. That way I got their $10 off on the price of it. Like you, I don't look for it any time soon. That's another reason I'm going to save the /85 for a while.

I really like the MIG pigments. But being the only ones I've used I really can't compare them to anything else. They do a great job of going on and are really quite hard to get off once you've ground them into the vehicle. Never have tried any sealer on them, so I can't say if they will fade with anything over them or not. But you really don't have to worry about them coming off if you handle the model any, like pastel chalks. In fact I have one of Tamiya's Pershings here that I worked on with them and I really added too much, as the tank looks like it has just crashed through a house. Maybe that will be a good one to try a shot of Dullcote on to see just how much the pigments fade into the finish.

As for something to replace the T-34s, which is going to be some time in coming I think, I have on order at the local hobby store one of the new Trumpeter Karl Morser R.R. gun units. And I picked up the other day one of Dragon's very new 3-in-1 half track kits they just released. And after taking a little look-see into the box this week I must say that this is really a very fine kit in it's own right.

But it's so d------ small! Ha, ha!

Take care, Larry

Hi. colo_artist: Just posted a picture of the new lines I added for the shifter. These are a lot smaller than the ones I put in the rear and they do look a lot better and more accurate or 'to scale.' They seem to 'fit' in the space better. This will also allow a simpler set up for the other 'lines' behind the driver's area as well.

Have you checked into the tanxheaven site for the latest on this build? Really nice! Lot to learn here.

Take care, Larry

Larry, those shifter rods look just right to me. Great job. You mention the model over on Tanxheaven, but I think you mean the one over on Missing-Lynx...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=110741&messageid=1098308466

That's the one with the broken, or intentionally damaged, shock mount. The images aren't loading for me right now. Hopefully that's temporary and the owner hasn't pulled them.

One thing leads to another...

Maybe you saw this one too. The first one is something, but this one blew my mind...
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=110741&messageid=1098445985

It's two T-34s done by David Parker. Not only the quality of the build, but also the quality of the photos caught my eye. Turns out they are for the next issue #19 of AFV Modeller. More on that in a bit...

Lately I've been working on trying to sort out what it would take to turn the Trumpeter "generic" T-34-85 hull into what would be more correct for the T-34-76s. I started to notice bits and pieces in these photos which indicated 76s to me.

Larry, you've backdated your T's hull with the flattened bulkhead plates. Check them out in the first photo. Also, take a look at where the vent lever is...that's where I've seen them in drawings of early T-34's.

In the second photo there's some incredible stuff in there, but notice where the canteen is. That's were I've seen it in photos (more about that later too).

What really got my attention was the firewall. I've moved along in my build about 1/4". I've gone up from adding the "missing fuel tanks" to the firewall. In studying photos, I've found quite a number of variations, and have mostly sorted out what's there. Unfortunately the more I learned about the firewall, the more I found odd about how Trumpeter interpreted it....

The wingnuts, although nice, are simply humungo. The center panel shouldn't be raised at all. The lower right panel is so small no battery could possibly make it in or out. The molded handle in the corner of the center panel is upside down. The vent levers are way too high. Anyway, the world won't end because of these oddities, but I started thinking I might attempt to scratchbuild it. Studying David's, I became convinced that's what he did (I found out later I was correct).

...which leads to another and another...

I mentioned David Parker's two T's would be in AVF Modeller #19. I went over to the AFV site to see when it will be published...soon. Good news, but it gets better...

I've been picking up AFV copies on eBay for $12-$16, but thought I'd see how much it would be to subscribe. On that page, there were lots of of other things offered...including some downloadable PDFs of some articles. I checked and issue 19 is in there. Could it be?...YES! Not only is the article with David's Ts there, but also three "inside the T-34" articles. Each article is just under $2.

The links there look a bit weird to copy, so let's go the long way. Here's the main page...
http://shop.afvmodeller.com/customer/home.php

Over on the right side, click on "Article Archive (PDF)". Then go on down to "Issue 19." Here's a description of what's there...

• T-Time (Issue 19) - We get inside the new Trumpeter large scale T34 kits
  
• Inside the T34/76 1942 (Issue 19) - Interior reference for the Trumpeter kits
  
• Inside the T34/85 (Issue 19) - More interior reference for the Trumpeter kits
  
• Inside the T34/76 1943 (Issue 19) - Alexandr Mosin takes Inside and outside a recovered 1943 Model
  

You might also enjoy this diorama with a T-34-85 with bedsprings...

• Red Tide Rising Part 2 (Issue 19) - Adam Wilder demostrates the techniques behind his spectacular diorama built in conjunction with Carlos Elias and Abilio Piñeiro Grajera
  

When I saw those you can bet I started spending my virtual $'s as fast as possible. On man, talk about instant gratification.

T-Time is great, Great, GREAT! Super models and all of the detail which went into building them.

The reference articles are great too. A couple of tips, it looks like the publisher made a mistake and put the T-34-85 photos at the end of the T-34-76 1942 pictures...hey, a 2 for 1 sale...so don't bother getting the 85 if you get the 1942 one. By the way, the photos for the 1942 T has some shots which include the canteen. There's also one of the radio and its wiring...a must see.

The reference photos for the T-34-76 1943 are for the "Sniper" one, which can be found on the internet at TheTankMaster site here...
http://www.thetankmaster.com/ENGLISH/AFV/t34-76_1r.asp

However, I'd say get it too...the brief descriptions are worth $2.

While you're at the AFV site, you might want to buy some additional articles. I enjoyed these in the real magazine (Larry, there are two just for you...ones about the Karl)...

• Issue 7 (Naked Desperation Part 1) - Adam Wilder begins his in depth coverage of the techniques behind his latest model
  
• Issue 8 (Naked Despiration Part 2) - Part 2 of Adam Wilder's in depth coverage of the techniques behind his latest model
  
• Issue 9 (Naked Desperarion Part 3) - Adam Wilder concludes his step by step account with how he built the base
  
• Issue 11 (T34/85) - Adam Wilder shows how to build an accurate 1944 production model
  

(A couple for Larry)

• Issue 12 (Karl My Bluff) - We build Dragon’s huge new Karl-Geraet mortar
  
• Issue 12 (A Mortar Called Karl) - Thomas Anderson looks at the development of the Karl and provides detailed photos of the only remaining example
  
  
• Issue 13 (Red Death, White Fields) - Mig Jiminez describes the building of his winter diorama
  
• Issue 13 (Panzer!) - Russian armour breaking through German lines in Hyung Tae Kim’s late war diorama
  
• Issue 15 (Inside Job) - We lift the lid on Lee Lloyd’s incredibly detailed Tiger interior
  
• Issue 15 (Mistreated) - Ulf Andersson blows up more soviet armour, this time it’s a T34 that gets the treatment
  

Take care all.

Hi, Thanks for all of that information there colo_artist. I will most definitely be checking into the AFV site for issue 19, if nothing else. But like you, it's something like a kid in a candy store there. Ha, ha!

Yes, the second T-34 you mentioned on the Missing Lynx site is a real stunner! And I see that somewhere in the comments section with that post that maybe some of those scratch-built shell holders for the Huzzar ammuition will be made to sell to the public in the future. So when I installed the ready rounds on the inside of this model I just snapped them in instead of gluing them. I need to get some of that ammunition, if for nothing else, just to put in the box of the /85.

Switched that vent lever on the forward side panel last night. I cut apart the one in the kit and used lever itself and that little half-moon rail to put up front there behind the driver. Now I just have to get some appropriate sized plastc rod and scratch-build that long rod going back through the fire wall.

Understand what you mean about the firewall. The new pictures just posted on the tanxheaven site shows a firewall that is most likely, given this builder's abilities, much more correct for the /85. If you haven't seen these, check them out. I'm of the opinion that the one in the kit is a post war style. Like you, those wing nuts look really good, but have yet to see any on any firewalls of the war vehicles. I've been thinking about getting some heavy plastic sheet and cutting out a new firewall, just to see if I can do it, and making some changes here and there, again, as an experiment just to see how it turns out.

Did make it to the craft store last night and gave the flower section a good look over. Found several different colors of wire there, but already have a big role of the small silver wire I picked up from who knows where at the moment. Also have quite a bit of what was called 'move order ticket wire', that we were throwing away up to the shop before I retired, which is of a similar size. I did find a small role of green wire at the store, so I bought it. Too bad they didn't have any in a black. but I'll still search in other parts of the store. (They were having a big sale on all their Halloween stock and people were going crazy buying all kinds of Halloween assorted junk. And I thought I was strange for buying models. Ha, ha!)

Have a phone out in the garage that was left by the previous owner that has to have at least a 20 foot extenion cord on it, and I think that if push comes to shove, it will be sacrificed to the T-34 god here in the near future.

Take care, Larry

Hi Larry,

Please excuse me, I can be so dense sometimes. You've been saying Tanxheaven I've I've been thinking you meant the builds on Missing-Lynx. I just now went over to Tanxheaven and was stunned to see the work you've been talking about. The work of Liejon Schoot is astounding. The engine and tranny are simply jewels and could be complete models on their own. Here's the main link to the gallery...
http://tanxheaven.com/modelgallery.htm

Liejon's work is at the top. Right below it is another fine T-34 build by Rudy Baeten.

Anyway, you're right, the firewall in Liejon's would be for an 85. He's done what I've been hoping to do...make that center panel removable...or, I was thinking just removed and leaning against the hull would be fine. Some way of showing off the front of the engine.

He has done an incredible job. Check out those lower panels. Although I'm thinking the one on the left needs to be the same width as the one on the right, so a battery would fit through. I'm gonna have to check my sources again. What is really astounding is what he did with the valve in the panel. I'm reasonably certain it is used to control the flow of oil from the side tanks to the engine....i.e. shutting off the flow while the engine warms up. Look at how that valve is molded and plumbed in. WOW.

FYI...that protrusion to the left of the main panel, the one which looks like a pushbutton, should have a short lever on it. It's a valve to contol the fuel flow.

Geez...I'm in sensory overload.

Oh here's a pic of Liejon's firewall...


...and the engine...

Hi, Ha, ha! Does kind of make a person look for another hobby doesn't it? Did you notice those 3 little exttensions coming out of the front of the shifter unit? And he also 'wired' the lever on front of the shifter as well. Even at 1/16 scale, that makes my eyes hurt. Yes, that engine is totally fantasic! And the center panel on the firewall has to be off in order to show this amount of detail off, no question about that.

Even if I finally decide to leave the firewall on my /42 as is, I think I will end up cutting this center panel out on it as well, just to show off the detail on my motor. I noticed that the plastic on this kit cuts real easy, not too many swipes with a sharp hobby knife till the part your cutting comes right off. Wonder if this was done on purpose, knowing the amount of changes and other modifications that were going to be made to this vehicle by modelers in advance?

Wonder what that pump there in front of the motor attaches onto? The motor or the firewall? I doubt if it sits on the floor.

I think I'm going to have to do some more looking through the railroad parts catalogs up to the local hobby shop and see just what kind of parts they offer that may work on the detailing of this vehicle here and there. I've already picked up a set of eye-rings (although I think they may be a little small) that I'm going to add to the engine and trans. and have a set nuts with washers in HO scale (1/87) coming in to try to add to those new plastic panels on the front inside. Railroad modelers hae all kinds of neat stuff. The hard part will be coming up for something that is compatable with this large a scale, since most of it is HO scale.

Take care, Larry