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Modeller Build Logs
Building the Soviet T-35 |
| By Daniel LeClair | | Started: | Jan 30, 2006 | | Updated: | Feb 23, 2007 |
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Tanks have always fascinated me, and the more exotic the better. So, when I saw the ICM "Battle of Moscow, 1941" kit, which features the multi-turreted T-35, in a hobby shop recently, it was a no-brainer to buy it. Despite the fact that I knew nothing about the manufacturer, or hadn't done an armor model for nearly 25 years!
As it turns out this is an excellent kit, loads of nicely-cast parts with very little flashing. And, since I'm a glutton for punishment, I thought I'd blog my efforts at building it. Although it looks like it would finish nicely straight out of the box, I intend to detail it with some of the aftermarket parts that are available:
- Friulmodel ATL-75 metal tracks (the kit comes with separately-molded track links)
- Eduard 35316 photo-etched detail set
- Replacement barrels - Armo, Jordi Rubio, and Model Point all make them
As reference, I will be ordering Militaria 159 - T-35 (book). If anyone knows of other references for this unusual vehicle, please let me know.
I expect this project will take some time, so bear with me. Meanwhile, since this is my first project here on Track-Net, feel free to check out my website for a little info about me. |
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| Chapter 8 - The Main Turret | May 12, 2006 |
One of the reasons it has been a while since I've updated the blog is, well, I had an "oh-snap" moment. The Eduard PE set arrived, and while it is pretty impressive, I had already build some of the subassemblies beyond the point where the PE parts should go. Like the secondary turrets and main gun breech assembly.
Decision time. What to rework, and what to forget? To be honest, many of the pieces included in the PE set are not required. You may never see all the breech parts, for example, but there are some good pieces for the upper hull and main turret. In the end, I decided not to backtrack too much.
This photo shows the main turret with just a few of the PE parts added, such as the loader's hatch and the raised star in the turret top (a detail I'm surprised the kit manufacturer forgot). It took a couple tries to get the star in place; the white residue you see in the photo is superglue debonder. I've never worked with PE before, as you can see.
There are a couple nice PE details for the machine guns, but again, if they are mounted, you'd never see them.
The main gun shells are a challenge to assemble. There is a little star-shaped retainer that the projectiles glue on to, but nothing to ensure the shells stand up properly. Don't try to glue these in place if you've had a couple glasses of wine. |
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