|
|
Forums - Modelling / Construction |
The construction forum is for the discussion of techniques on the construction phase of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used. |
| Topics | 1894 |
| Messages | 8735 |
|
|
| Subject: | Re: T-34 (1941) Interior kits |  |
| Date: | Mar 1, 2005 |
| From: | Mark Rethoret | |
"BTW the Russians always gave their tanks the coming year rather than the present year as a model number, so the 1942 model first appeared in 1941 :-)"
I'm not sure about the '41 production date, as far as I can tell from all sources (with the exception of the AJaKS books) the Model '42 chassis didn't begin production until the first part of 1942.
Do you have a source that contradicts this? I'd be interested in adding it to my library.
Also, I hadn't heard that the engine deck on the Tamiya kit was too high before so I broke out the Tamiya (one of their Model '43s) and DML (the Model '41) kits and measured both from the top of the raised portion of the deck to the area just behind the turret ring.
The results were as follows:
DML 3.65mm (aprox)
Tamiya 3.75mm (aprox)
According to detailed and dimensioned drawings in M-Hobby 4' 2000 the deck should be 125mm tall. So dividing that number by 35 we get about 3.57mm.
The DML dimension is indeed more correct but Tamiya is still only 0.18mm too high. That's only 6.3mm in real life (slightly more than 1/4"). In my opinion, not too significant really especially when considering the vagaries of T-34 production.
The Tamiya upper hull really falls down in three major areas.
First, the hull sides are set at about 43 degrees off of vertical. They should be 40 degrees. You can take or leave this but it causes the fender to fender measurement to be wide by something like four scale inches. It also makes it look too squat when compared with the real thing (though in fact the overall height is pretty close).
Second, the driver’s hatch is about 0.040” (1.016mm) too “long” as is the machinegun bulge. It doesn’t sound like much but in this case it’s a matter of proportions.
Lastly, the transmission/fan cover is about 0.10” (2.54mm) too “deep” with the other features of the engine deck squashed in to compensate (or maybe it’s the other way around?).
Still, many have found these issues unnecessary to fix and live with them quite happily. The Tamiya Model ’42 has been built into some really hansom models.
Mark
(KIA,SA) |
| |
|
|
|
