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I'm sure the chipping would have worked fine if I'd attempted it the day after I painted, but after more than five weeks the acrylic has had enough time to cure into a bulletproof finish. A lesson learned for next time, I think; better to work in smaller sections than layers over the whole tank.

Not much accomplished this week, I've been mucking about practicing making stencils for the markings. I tried using a laser printer to print the patriotic slogans and unit markings onto masking tape, then applied the masking tape to 0.3 mm PLA sheet and used a very sharp blade to cut the letters out. It works alright, but I don't know how to temporarily attach the PLA stencil to the tank close enough and still enough to get a nice sharp paintwork.

I didn't want to get too hung up on it though, so I've been putting on a clear coat in preparation for the pinwash and pigments. Once I've got two thin coats of varnish over everything, I should be able to reassemble everything for the last time and get some action videos up.

After spending too long wasting time with practicing with stencils and pigments and washes and layering, my wife showed me this:

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It's a long weekend so I've tried to get my arse into gear and make some progress for a change. It's better to finish this and move on to the next tank, it's unrealistic to expect that I'm going to match the skills of the guys I look up to on my first try. I can always come back and revisit it when I get better and more confident.

I want this to be a fresh reinforcement arriving at Prokhorovka with the 2nd Guards Tank Corps, so I'm mostly focusing on dust from the road march and light surface rust on the unpainted metal bits. It was too hot and dry for mud, which simplifies things in terms of dirtying the tank up.

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Strangely enough, although I think I got carried away and overdid it, the effect is much less noticeable in photos. I'm going to work on toning the dust down a little on the turret, and layering it heavier on the running gear. This is the kind of look I'm going for:

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  011 - T_34_76.jpg (76.02 KiB) Viewed 4383 times

Next up will be some splashes and spills, then figuring out what to do with the tracks.

I like the methodical, problem-solving, approach you adopted throughout. That, mixed with obvious practical skills and enthusiasm, have helped to create an A1 quality tank. Having just run through the entire project, I'd also like to compliment you on the way you presented it too. Very neat and tidy My workbench (currently an oilcloth covered dining table , or a Bosch 'workmate' outside when the weather permits al fresco sessions)....suggests the house has been recently burgled; or, the crazed Mrs Rochester has just reorganised her lunch there... For this reason, I always applaud- and envy -neat workspaces!

Cheers for the kind words guys, I'm pleased you've enjoyed following along.

43rdRecceReg wrote:I'd also like to compliment you on the way you presented it too. Very neat and tidy

I usually take photos at the end of a session in front of the workbench, after I've had a chance to sweep all the tools and detritus off to one side; it looks like a bird's nest while I'm actually working. It's also interesting to see the abuse the cutting mat and benchtop have suffered over the course of the project!

A little more dusting and blending today, and tried my hand at some oil leaks and fuel spills. I also applied some soot stains from the muzzle blast and exhaust fumes.

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I'll get a matte clear coat on during the week, and see about getting some heavy-duty paint stripper to get the gloss black off the tracks in preparation for weathering.

Been very busy with work for the last few weeks (and weekends), so I've only made slow progress in the occasional evening. Finally getting somewhere, though! Photos during the daytime are a bit of a novelty, hopefully the colour reproduction is a bit better.

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Sorted some light stowage; a spare roadwheel chained to the handrail, a rolled-up tarp, some assorted track links (ice grousers probably aren't much use in summer when you don't expect the tank to last until winter) and the tow rope snaked in between them.

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I gave the tracks a good coat of X-10 gunmetal tinted with a little bit of XF-64 red brown for an oxidising cast iron colour. A wash of pigments to get into the shoes, pigments for rust and dust, then ran the tracks over sandpaper to brighten the contact points.

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Except for the turret markings, I think I'm just about finished. There are a bunch of things I'd do differently if I were starting again, but all in all I'm pretty happy with how I've done; this is my first tank in close to twenty years, and I like the way it looks. Hopefully the weather will improve soon so I can grab a video of it in action outdoors.

On to the next one!

Cracking job on the T-34/76 you've done yourself proud on this one mate. Top job

That, right there, is a dead-set winner.
Track slack is spot on, just enough dust, just enough weather.........................really nice '76 model T34.

Very nice job Raminator, this tank is a credit to your hard work and skills

Cheers, Lee.

Fantastic work there, excellent paint job! You've provided me with some real inspiration for mine.

Thanks for the kind words everyone, it's very flattering. A few loose ends to tie up (like the markings), and then it'll be ready for the Show Off forum. Video soon!