T-34/76

Hunter Cummins
How is the revell kit?

Fabian D.
To be honest, I was surprised. Reviews for the almost identical ICM kit were deverstating (mainly accurracy issues), but apart from all that it´s actually a fine kit. Apart from some minor fit issues, it would probabl be not a bad idea to replace tracks and add some PE.
I would recoment it, at least if you don´t care about details and got some Mr. Surfacer ready😉

Hunter Cummins
Hhaah, ok well mabey dragon is the way to go the.

Fabian D.
Well, you can buy two of those and be still cheaper than a single Dragon T-34.😉
To make things shure: Details are fine, construction is easy there is nothing really wrong, apart from details only a real T-34 Experts would spot.

Hunter Cummins
And those are?lol

Fabian D.
Taken from the T-34 Interrest group on Facebook:
"ICM T-34 kit review on Russian site: karopka.ru/community..mp;PAGEN_1=3#cmtlist
Short summary: not correct general dimensions which leads to narrow upper engine deck, almost all hull plate joints need in additional work, too small front hull MG housing, oversized (for 1,9 mm in diameter) idler wheels, undersized exhaust pipes and oversized armour covers for them, wrong shaped torsion arms, post-war gun ZIP box on left fender, some of small parts are wrong in shape and size but some other are excellent. Advantages: basic interior, spare parts, narrow BT-type road wheels (some hot heads started dreaming about A-20 or A-32 projects from ICM in future) and kit price which is 3 times cheaper than any DML kit in Moscow model shops."

Fabian D.
Construction almost completed. Still debating if I should add some casting texture on the lower part of the turret...
After all, the kit akes a nice weekend build, if you can get along with the tracks and ignore the errors mentioned above.
A word concerning all the white marks: I´ve spend just a small amount of Mr. Surfacer, but used Tamiya Extra Thin to smooth it out. Most of that adjustments could probably been avoided by using a "thicker" glue (like Revell Contacta) in the first place.

Kim Branders
Nice start, I am in.

Fabian D.
Alright, off to the last bit. Used Ak´s 4Bo modulation set and masked the brown spots with Panzer Putty. Although the deacls (now from Portugal) are inferior in print quality (compared to Revells usual decals from Italy), they are absolutely flat and seem to adhere well (with a little decal softener) to the rugh surface.

Hunter Cummins
Love the camp scheme!!! Never tried modulation with csmo colors, but you have done a great job

M.Julian Marles
It should also be noted Dragon's T 34's are not the cat's pajamas either - many are mixed Italeri/Gunze/DML parts and suffer from detail and accuracy issues in order to press out different versions. In some cases the version advertised is not even buildable with the supplied parts!

Fabian D.
Well, manufacuring a correct T-34 seems to be harder than a Tiger I sometimes😉

Hunter Cummins
Hey Fabian, the T-34 is looking great! The decals really add color!

Fabian D.
Thanks, did some detail work, but it´s almost done now.
As no ice cleats are provided I found an alternative use for their storage area. In contrast Revell tells you to just place every pice of extra stowage on the fenders.

M.Julian Marles
I am going to copy your straps for the cleats for my T 34 Pak 40 Marder! 🙂 Looking great!

Roberto Rocat
Very good work, bravo!