T34 engine trouble #9

The final touches

With the main assembly complete in the previous stage, all that it is left is to add the details.
Not only does this stage help with the detail level, it also adds ”life” to the plastic model.
These steps are probably the most time consuming .. getting all the small details sitting or looking right, but they are also the most rewarding, when complete.

The figure is from MIG Productions … Observing Soviet Tanker (MP 35-119). Nice figure and probably the figure that brought about the whole engine trouble idea. I have also ordered MIG Productions … Russian Tanker At Work (MP 35-118) to be placed at the back end of the T34, and compliment the story line, but it has not arrived yet.

The extra fuel cells are from Armorscale … Soviet Rear Large Fuel Tank for T34/76 (R35-001). As in step #4, I didn’t really enjoy working the Armorscale items. They had large casting blocks that were difficult to remove, and the edges of the fuel cell are very easily damaged. Some of them arrived slightly damaged also, so I’ll have to paint this to complete the damage effect. One big advantage of modelling WW2 armour!!

I test fitted the Dragon magic tracks again to make sure there would be no problems after painting, and found they didn’t join up again easily. Rather than revert to Friul tracks, I cemented them, and will paint them in place. Even though I left these for several days to cure, they still managed to shrink some.

The tools come from Tamiya´s Panzer IV Photo-Etched Detail Set (35183). This is an excellent little set and very useful. The vent hatches can be put in the spare box for Panzer IV projects later. The actual etch is quite thick and the etching has nice details. See for yourself.
The crate is a Jaguar resin item, the snow cleats are from a Dragon T34 premium edition kit, the tarps are sculpted from 2-part putty Magic sculpt, the tow rope is from Aber using the kit tow ends and the straps are from lead foil with Aber buckles.
Now its time to break out the airbrush!!