T34/MG42 WRECK

[HERMAN BIX]

I did a search for crackle paint and came across this, not sure if it'll help, but just in case, here it is.

https://youtu.be/zDHb2JstQeg
Crackle without the crackle (paint)

Mick.

Interesting idea mate. I used to apply the stuff here called 'hammertone" on truck body floors.
I will do a bit of google-surfing to examine possible outcomes for the look I want.
I guess by its pictured us that the wreck had been there for a while and been bypassed by the attacking Germans, then during the return trip(known as a retreat) they've taken the luxury of it as a temporary strongpoint !
An assumption is that the hit caused an ammo explosion pretty well instantly, so the poor crew may have been in a nasty state straight after, I guess that the hulk must have been in a reasonably habitable condition for the MG crew to set up in it like they have.
All simply a footnote to a period picture that shows so many emotive facts of human conflict..............

The subject is a '76 T34 and my version has to be an '85, but the inspiration for the build is the same.
Lets hope the outcome lives up to the pictures aura...............

[HERMAN BIX]

Ive assembled the fuel tanks and cut one set of mounting brackets to use as if the tank near the armour deflection has been dislodged at the time.
Its of course a fraction shorter than the on-board ones, but once its dented and on the ground, it will be impossible to tell.
All the handles & stuff is now on the hull, turret detail next.
Once its all assembled, I will get the strike damage and penetrations done.

As for the burned paint, I had a bit of a go on an old painted section of T34 plastic from my Bed Spring build with my trusty brulee burner..........I figured nothing looks like burnt paint like, um, burnt paint !
Its ok, but hard to control of course.
I dont have a good heat gun but I know someone that does, so I might give that a go & see if I can get the actual burnt effect but retain control of it.

[HERMAN BIX]

Yes, its going to be an iffy thing trying the burn, but I will try it.

The new cupola I had for it just didnt look right.
So I used the heated blade trick to gently melt my way around the WSN hatch to remove it.
The hinge mouldings suffered a bit, but as this is a static with a soldier figure in the hatch, I can secure it in the open position.

Near enough

[HERMAN BIX]

Getting close to winding the build phase up now.
Created the impact damage to the left hull side.
Heated the shank of a drill bit and drove it through the plastic. Yet to dress the wounds & add splash marks.
Also made up some rough support frames for the missing wood saw .
Used brass channel and flat with solder paste, super glued on.
Took the tool box off the guard and razor sawed the lid off. Be a bit strange to have a lid on any cavity on a destroyed tank not opened & gone-through !
I will set the lid back on partially opened.
Added bullet holes through the auxiliary fuel tanks and spalling to the engine deck mesh.

[Jake79]

Hey Herman you might of watched this mate, but it could give you some help for the burnt look. More in the second vid than the first but handy to watch both if you want to get it right

phpBB [video]

phpBB [video]

[HERMAN BIX]

OHHHhhhhhhh good grief !!

Nothing like pressure to bring out the best in a person eh !!
Seriously ?
Mr Jiminez ?
Ok, the guy struggles with swapping the letter 'V' at the beginning of a word he says with a 'B', but thats about it !!
Sure...............not one to let impossible odds beat me, I'm all over doing a half assed job compared to that footage & still feel like I've got close
Might as well be strutting down a street in Speedo's thinking Im still 20
Ah well, stuff you Mr J, maybe I will get my burnt-bits so good that he might say to the thronging crowd that he's using the "Bix method" to create the effect

I got some red primer on it (as its all I have !) and got some weld texture on the turret.
Sliced off the top of one of the tool boxes and hinged it, just to allow a more versatile position and setting.
Come the weekend, green will be on
Then the toasted bits

[Jake79]

lol just an idea! I tried it one Saturday last yr, its not as hard as it looks, but its a chore watching the vids. It was the only thing I could remember seeing that might help.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, Herman!
Wow! This thing is bustling along. I've always thought that your paint jobs stood the test already. Following along.
regards,
Painless

[c.rainford73]

Mr Herman are you planning on placing an actual machine gun team inside the hull?

If so will you be able to add some machine gun light and sounds and possibly a smoker to run and replicate some smoke effect ?

Maybe I'm crazy

[Tiggr]

Mmm.....looks like some 88mm size AP holes in that there Rusky tank Mr B.

I can just imagine it in a diorama with a Tiger driving past as smoke billows out of the T34