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This is my next attempt at finishing a kit in this group build.

I really looked forward to this kit when it was released in 2018, but what turned up was pretty underwhelming. A reasonable parts count, clear instructions, link and length tracks, but the detail is a bit soft. Considering in the real vehicle the whole “turret” opens up to stop the crew dying of fumes from firing the 122mm cannon that doesn’t have a bore extractor, it could have done with a basic turret interior.
In the end it’s probably what I need as I can focus on paint and weathering.

Hi Adam
Good choice and an unusual subject
Just right for painting and weathering as you say.
There should be some good references out there, as there have been a few built on the You Tube
Have fun, again!
Regards
Steve H

Good choice Adam. A quick build to get to the painting stage makes a fun build I think.

Vincent

Lower hull complete and length and link tracks assembled. Builds up pretty quick, similar parts layout and breakdown as my Academy T34/85. The D30 cannon is a small kit in itself, built the whole thing up to then hide it in the turret…at least I know it’s there! I may have cast shade on this kit at the start, but so far the build has been pretty uneventful and the fit pretty good, though there is a fair amount of flash to tidy up.

Haven't seen many of these being build before...nice start Adam! Definitely one of the more bizarre T-34 variants out there!

Philipp

…and I’m done, The build was very cathartic, it goes very quickly and so far no filler necessary. Some points for anyone else building the kit;
-There is a hole behind the turret hatch. Later steps show this as a convoy light however no step shows the addition of this part. After scouring the sprues I found it, it’s part E6
- The PE platform on the side of the turret has a support frame under it according to my reference pics, and the colour profiles show one. I was going to scratch build something, until I found part E16, which I presume is it!
- The rubber mantlet cover is hard to work with, I warmed it up with a hairdryer to make it more malleable and superglued it on in sections. The PE frame has to be managed in the same way.
- My upper hull was warped so I had to glue in stages and clamp the hell out of it.

The wheels are nice, the tyres are separate which is going to make painting easy.

The PE is just enough, very nice and easy to manage once annealed.

I’m going to redo a few of the welds and the cast texture on what remains of the original turret then primer.

Interesting "conversion" Adam. I can't see where the turret is open for the crew sake.

Well done Adam
There doesn't seem to be of the original turret left?
Just the front quarters?
As Olivier said, where is the door?
I guess your climate is getting better for AB work, its the start of autumn here and down to single figures, 9C!
Have fun with the paints
Regards
Steve H

Olivier Carneau wrote: ↑15 Oct 2022, 18:09 Interesting "conversion" Adam. I can't see where the turret is open for the crew sake.

There’s a big double hatch in the roof and most of the walls are designed to fold open when firing so that the crew aren’t overcome by combustion fumes.

Steve Hutchinson wrote: ↑16 Oct 2022, 13:40 Well done Adam
There doesn't seem to be of the original turret left?
Just the front quarters?
As Olivier said, where is the door?
I guess your climate is getting better for AB work, its the start of autumn here and down to single figures, 9C!
Have fun with the paints
Regards
Steve H

Weather here is mixed, getting warmer but still a bit wet. Just got back from Fiji, 29deg and sunny!
All that’s left of the turret is the turret ring and a bit of the lower rear section. The turret is actually backwards when the gun is facing forward.