T34/76 1942 with 75mm S54 Gun with winter Camo

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 5:27 am

I'll be building a T34/76 1942 with 75mm S54 Gun with winter Camo over single tone Russian green from Dragon's Kit 6564 T-34/76 Mod.1943 w/Commander Cupola.

I've only been picking away at it over the last two days and I've already had a major issue.
All the wheels are the wrong type.
The kit comes with the open spoked studded wheels and I needed the solid disk riveted wheels.
I wasn't sure what the hell I was going to do, as I had decided that i wasn't going to use any aftermarket on the kit. Just what's in the box and what I have in my spares bin.
I had to make an exception... but I didn't go after market... I raided my stash and my SU-85M. It had the correct wheels in the kit. So I swapped them out.
All made fix!
So I slapped them together and build the suspension so far.
Here's a few shots... I did a video of the build but it's more intended to be a how to for construction so I won't post it here.

Oops... problem with the wheels.

I make fix

Post by **Lee** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:50 am

Definitely more than a one shot deal model builder now then Coen.....lol

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:13 am

Great work so far I'm interested on how much Ill need to change on mine.

I want to be as game accurate as possible which is a new thing for me lol.

Keep it up.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:27 am

thats one hell of a full box..looking forward to seeing that camo colour it will look superb...thats the thing with this build having to down detail for the in game look

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:45 am

Nice start coen, I so want that isu 85 kit you have there too

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:47 am

Lee wrote:Definitely more than a one shot deal model builder now then Coen.....lol

Tell me about it. I just have to try not to glue pieces of the Falcons to the T34.
Busy busy busy.
Right... I'm off to work on the Barkmann Panther.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:51 am

T3hGuppy wrote:Great work so far I'm interested on how much Ill need to change on mine.

I want to be as game accurate as possible which is a new thing for me lol.

Keep it up.

It's not much different than working from normal references. In fact it's a bit better since I can go look at the actual subject anytime that I want in 3D.
That's helpful.
However. They aren't the most accurate video game tanks and the kits are accurate... not the best mix. Means a bit of a hack job to get it working.
Other vehicles and kits might be harder or easier. I'm curious as to which.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:09 pm

Paul wrote:Nice start coen, I so want that isu 85 kit you have there too

Thanks Paul,

It's kinda missing it's wheels at the moment.
Kit bashing is a horrible thing.

McLeod · Post by **McLeod** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:48 pm

Hi Coen good vid as usual matey.
I know what you mean by the tyres, I actually picked the kit I'm using because it had the correct wheels - not the spider type, I was a bit concerned with the tyres too but then I noticed this:

You can just see the the colour difference of the thick tread in the tyres, so I'm just going with those ones.

Also I found this Tamiya Cememnt whilst doing an online shopping list of bits. May be of use to you.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 12:55 pm

Hey thanks McLeod.
I've been looking for that stuff for ages.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:05 am

Last night I did a bit more work.
I got the vent cover with the PE grill and frame to work out on the back deck... and then I spent the rest of the time talking to a camera.
I did however remember to take pictures... Unlike a certain other moderator that will remain (GAV) nameless... hehehe.

Oh yeah I also got the stern plate done with the towing clevets.

McLeod · Post by **McLeod** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:39 am

Nice work, watching the vids now.
Ahhh so that's what the PE parts should look like, mine was a twisted mess reminiscent of a mad max film lol.

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:39 pm

Nicely done

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:39 pm

looking superb

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 4:35 pm

Thanks Dudes.
It's slow going. I think that I'll have it done by Halloween.

spruecutter · Post by **spruecutter** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 6:11 pm

Looking good.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:41 am

Not a huge amount of progress this morning, but after a 5 hour build on the Barkmann panther last night I'm a wee bit pooped.

I finished the bow plate. Tomorrow or the next day I'll be removing the excess detail (that just sounds wrong) from the upper hull sides and installing the in game details.

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 12:08 pm

Yeah strange having too much detail on a kit lol.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:58 am

So this morning I built the driver's side tool box and attached the headlight.
I replaced all the hinge detail on the tool box with the PE in the kit.
I also thinned the rear mud guards with the rotary tool, I haven't decided if I want to use the PE ones yet at I won't be adding much battle damage to them.

I've also updated the video log on my youtube channel.
It's not part of the group build though. I wanted to stick to photos. I tend to babble too much in video for me to want to include it here.

McLeod · Post by **McLeod** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:28 pm

Coming along nicely fella

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 12:50 pm

Coming together nicely.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:04 pm

Slowly. But surely.
I hope to get some proper work done this weekend.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 1:14 pm

My God Coen ! Do you have all those Tanks in your Garage ? for real !
How much money did you sink in that game so far ? if you don't mind me asking ...

I have 2 ! a Panther / M10 and a Stewart !
30 or 50 $ I spent so far... and I think its enough ! as the game novelty might wear off !

What will you do about the T-34 Gun ? it looks so Long in the Screen Grab !!!

Question ... that white piece of styrene rod you have going along the Idelers ! is it to let you adjust the tracks tension ? if so... you might want to cut it in the middle and add a small TUBE over the joint ! so you can adjust the tracks tension independently ??? Neat mod ! I do the exact same thing when ever I can !

Later buddy !

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:13 pm

schweinhund227 wrote:My God Coen ! Do you have all those Tanks in your Garage ? for real !
How much money did you sink in that game so far ? if you don't mind me asking ...

I have 2 ! a Panther / M10 and a Stewart !
30 or 50 $ I spent so far... and I think its enough ! as the game novelty might wear off !

What will you do about the T-34 Gun ? it looks so Long in the Screen Grab !!!

Question ... that white piece of styrene rod you have going along the Idelers ! is it to let you adjust the tracks tension ? if so... you might want to cut it in the middle and add a small TUBE over the joint ! so you can adjust the tracks tension independently ??? Neat mod ! I do the exact same thing when ever I can !

Later buddy !

I actually don't know how much I've spent on WOT Norm. a about a hundred bucks I guess.
For the longest time I was a beta tester so I got a lot of free crap as a thank you from them.
Then I was spending about $25 a month for a few months for a premium account.
I don't even know how many tanks I have in my garage... I only sell the paper panzers. I keep everything else.
I just played a lot... a lot!!!

I have a barrel that looks to be close to the in-game one but I haven't mounted it yet. If it doesn't work I'll make one from styrene tube and taper it myself.
I've done it before... tedious but not hard.

The piece of styrene is, in fact, so I can adjust the track tension. As you had guessed.
I also do it to all of my builds.
The middle will have a small half round glued over it then it will be cut in half and the ends of the styrene rod will be crimped to keep them in position but allow movement.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:51 pm

Most excellent Coen!

Maybe as a " how to" movie you could show that Tension modification ?

Would be good for your channel!

Take care buddy!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:24 pm

Done...
I'll see about doing it tonight or tomorrow morning.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 10:43 pm

Nice progress mate

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:03 pm

No rush! Just a suggestion mate!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:25 am

Ok Norm... your wish was my command.
Check out

[youtube]wXyYpskeW8E[/youtube]

Here's some pictures of my latest progress.
It's slowly coming together.
Now that the Barkmann Panther is done I should be able to pour some steam on things.

So I finished off the rear engine plate, I bored out the exhaust pipes to make them scale thickness and then ruffed them up with some sand paper.

I finished off the last tool box too...

Then I added the dummy antenna. The command T34s had the full antenna but the game T34 has just the bucket.

Then the armoured hulltop ports.

I debated about whether or not to use the PE offerings for the ice cleat straps or the styrene ones.
I ended up using the styrene only because the PE was too one dimensional. I also had to raid my SU85M for ice cleats as this kit had none.

I located a set of large rivet heads that were part of the "Not to be used" sprue ... so I used them to create the studs that appear on the side of the game T34.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:59 am

Thank you Coen for the Video!

This should be kept Pinned at the top in the how to section

My methods is similar and I will do a video to complement yours! When times allows?

did you call me Old Fart? LOL.

Did I hear you say you teach ppl how to build tanks? That sounds awesome?

Also nice to hear you talk about your experiences with various Tracks manufacturers!
I like Fruil tracks to but. Man! They are not cheap!

I'll do a general video about my Built Collecion and I have nothing to show for! Nothing
Like your Man Cave! and lots of WWII ain't in my line up anymore....

I still have a few Old Fav. That I keep and want to finish one day!
JagdPanther, JagdTiger, King Tiger and BergePanther, Dragon Wagon! But I veered off
The Path and went Modern! Diversity is key! You'll see!

Take care buddy!

Norm
Out!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:07 am

No problem Norm.
I don't remember calling you an Old Fart.
If I did I wonder what that makes me?
I think that I'm a wee bit older than you... at least you look much more well preserved than I in your videos.

I actually had to go back and watch the video again to see what you meant by "teaching how to build tanks"
In the video I was talking about... making the videos. And now that I think about it I don't like that I said that.
I don't want to teach that, I would rather just show how to do different methods of modelling, using armour as a platform.
I'm glad that you pointed that out Norm, I may mention it in one of my next vids.
Thanks buddy.

And I'll be looking forward to your idler adjuster trick vid.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 6:49 pm

It's not much of an update, but it's not my fault... you see there's this little black and silver thing that sits on my desk... and I talk to it... a lot.
...
Anyway. I finished the ice cleat stowage and the cupola as well. As usual... there's a video... but not for here.

schweinhund227 · Post by **schweinhund227** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:57 pm

Krazy MOFO ! that is AWESOME Dude !!! DROOL !!!

love photo etch !!! but Hate it to ! LOL

Keep up the good work !!!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 8:10 pm

Haha... You're a riot Norm.
Thanks Buddy!
That keeps me going.
I love/hate PE too.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:18 pm

Coen wrote:Haha... You're a riot Norm.
Thanks Buddy!
That keeps me going.
I love/hate PE too.

I firkin hate pe

Nah it's good just a ball ache.

Great work coen look forward to seeing more

McLeod · Post by **McLeod** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:19 pm

Cool progress fella, should get some more of mine done soon hopefully.
I've managed to find an aftermarket set of ice cleats by Voyager which has is designed to be fitted to the tracks so will give me plenty of spares for future builds, I as going to use spare trackliks but they just don't look right.
Also found a set of tow cables, the kit I have has about 3 different types of tow cable eyelets, 1 of which is pretty damn close to the game ones.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:01 am

Those ice cleats will come in handy with future builds. It seems that I went on the hunt for some on one of my previous T34 builds... not enough to go around.
Building up a good collection of spare parts and assorted odds and ends are really important in the hobby McLeod. Modelling with Dragon kits is good for that... they always over stuff their kits with parts that you don't need.
Just not ice cleats.
haha.
Or tow rope eyelets.

Tiger131 · Post by **Tiger131** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:11 pm

like the ice cleats now that i now what they are keep up the good work bud

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:13 pm

This mornings work.

A lot of pain in my ass it all that I can say.
The barrel was some annoying fiddly business and so was the tow cable, but both are done and proper to the game.

McLeod · Post by **McLeod** » Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:33 pm

Nice work, certainly coming along nicely

Prumus99 · Post by **Prumus99** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:56 am

Great work so far! I can't wait to see how you do the winter camo.

Alan

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 11:50 am

Me too.
Haha

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:30 pm

Looks like its going to be yet another great build Coen fantastic work

T3hGuppy · Post by **T3hGuppy** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:32 pm

Great job on the build so far dude

Make sure you do a vid on whitewash something I really want to try soon .

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 12:47 pm

I was planning on it. I'll post a link to it when I get to that stage certainly. Might be s bit yet though.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:06 pm

Nige201980 wrote:Looks like its going to be yet another great build Coen fantastic work

Hey thanks Nige, it's not finished yet... so it could all end in tears. hahaha!
I could suddenly lose my mind and paint her pink.

spruecutter · Post by **spruecutter** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:48 pm

Good stuff

russ2471 · Post by **russ2471** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 9:08 pm

Now your making me wanna do old Russian armour Mate my wallet is shaking like a shaky thing that's got the shakes

. Great building so far bud

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:46 pm

Thanks Russ, you're a life saver........

Haha.

Sorry dude, I've been waiting to say that for ages.
I'm done now.

Seriously.. Tanks though.

Snicker.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:48 pm

Coen wrote:Thanks Russ, you're a life saver........

Haha.
Sorry dude, I've been waiting to say that for ages.
I'm done now.

Seriously.. Tanks though.

Snicker.

Boooooooooooo