RC Tank Warfare community hobby forum

Had the good fortune to be given an almost new 2.4G H/L T34/85 as an exchange for ongoing repairs, modifications & painting of a guys other tanks.
Now I have no specific need for a T34, but as its come in via the "gratuity supply line" I've decided to do a bit with it & see how it ends up.
First I cut all the mudguards off (ya just cant give me anything good), took it apart & removed the engine deck rear hatch. Then the lowering of the suspension sit using short bits of 5mm tube(toob to you left-hand-drivers) superglued into the travel slots to lower the suspension arms & give the tank a better poise.
Plan is to only use spare bits or creative alternatives to buying anything. No metal upgrades at all, a keep it simple stupid and run it caper.
I see it ending up as a whitewashed roughy from the winter before the start of Operation Bagration era.
Heavy on the mucky lower hull, real rough on the whitewash, unwashed & unloved.
The engine deck cover is a painful yet necessary mini-project to get rid of the all plastic mesh that isnt mesh, and replace it with actual mesh inside actual open sections of deck cover.
On my Bedspring version, I use this access to lube the gear boxes. This one will be the same, although I wont go as far as making the louvers that should be under the cover.
Pictures when I can..............

Pictures

Ok, camera now back.
I did decide to add the louvers under the engine cover.
Mainly so the gear boxes can be lubricated.
Even though this is going to be a simple & cheap/free build, I need to predict the future.
I went through my boxes and boxes of 'snot' parts & found some metal drive sprockets & idlers(no idea where or when they were procured ), so I will put those to use.

Herman!
It is turning out very well. Phil Upton would like that upgrade on his suspension tweak muchly. He may still be here on the forum and can chime in some appreciation. Super neat job on the louvers and grills.
Following along,
Painless

Thanks Mr Painless, the suspension lowering is just a mandatory for these things out of the box.
The engine deck cover mesh is also a must-do. The filled in plastic just does not cut it.
Getting all the infill out is not a quick process, but its well worth the effort.
I will not hinge the cover though, thats a bit unnecessary for this cheap & cheerful version.
Tonight I've added putty on both sides and stippled a stiff brush over it to give a bit of texture, but more importantly to blend the surface together after cutting the mudguard runners off.
The real things were stitch welded to the sides, not bolted like German tanks of a similar size.
Pictures show they were only stitched on the top edge, not underneath as well, so if levered upwards enough, or enough times, they do break off.
Once the putty is dry I will hit it with Mr Surfacer 500 to further add to the texture of the armour.
Downside of removing all the mudguard runners is now I have to simulate weld along the entire hull where the sides meet the sponsons !

Got some welds on.
Used my melt-method to get the rough look of welded joints in the relevant spots.
Its very liberating to know that rough-enough is good-enough !
Just like the real ones.
I can feel myself sinking into the abyss that is "do it properly,load it with metal parts,get the details right"
But I'm trying to resist !!

Herman!
Good morning. Both Heaven and Hel are in the details. All of us 'detail' Tankers are there already and saving you a seat at the table. ;o) The Sov Armor is really coming along nicely, Doc.
regards,
Painless

Awesome details

Thanks lads. Been delving into this unit to get a feel for how they looked at various times and they were a very well used bunch!
Turret markings were optional it seems, or, the rate of losses was so high that replacement machines were not even bothered to be marked.
I think the white wash will be brush painted this time, still over hairspray, but added in a scale rough way,
I might try a slogan on the barrel too, as was done on occasion.

I think this machine one will be one of the elements of the 5th Guards in this epic.................Zhurzintsy–Hill 239

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of ... ssy_Pocket