Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted December 18, 2013 Started this after finishing my Syrian T-34T build. There are three options on the approach. Maquettes kit, AEF Designs Conversion or complete scratch. Then there is Mark's way. As the Maquette kit is a POS and I have still seen no photographic evidence of a square tubbed version, I believe this is not even a possiblity. It is not often that you will ever here me say this. AEF Designs is a good starting point. The tub is nice and round but too thick. I am using it as a master and attempting my own build. This may take some time as I am also doing lots of review kits as well plus the Holiday Season is upon us. My base kit is the Dragon T-34/85 NVA version. Old but still great as a base and comes with the starfish wheels that I will use most of. Hey...gotta have variety! The actual vehicle..... Making the L angle ring around the removed turret.... Making the sheet metal tub. The tub is composed of thee parts. DO not attempt to do it as I have done. Use a single piece of sheet styrene or brass and simply imitate the rear join. As you can see, it is not round. AEF includes a nice interior. I have heard rumors that this is copied off Jaguar. Either way, it will work nicely. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TimDarrah 11 Report post Posted December 19, 2013 Sweet, as usual my friend Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted December 20, 2013 Thanks man! Thought I was going to get some build time this weekend but Mrs. TreadHead has decided we need some US time at Ocean Shores this weekend!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted December 28, 2013 Latest Progress. Gun platform finished and weld seams added. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister 33 Report post Posted December 28, 2013 Very nice, Mark! Rick L. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
802chrisg 38 Report post Posted December 28, 2013 Looking good so far mark. Chris :Smile_sceptic: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest PetrolGator Report post Posted December 28, 2013 I haven't had the testicular fortitude to tackle any scratch work.. bow to how well you did it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted December 30, 2013 No bowing!!!! I messed it up and have no desire to try and fix it. Would mean attempting to pull it all off and since we all KNOW it would not come off right, lots of sanding in an area where too much detail would get destroyed. So, I accept it and hopefully after the nice ammo cans are mounted inside, it will not be quite so noticeable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Deliduka 306 Report post Posted December 31, 2013 Well, I for one cannot see where you messed it up. It sure looks correct to me. You've managed to hide your mistake very well, at least to these eyes. In that respect, you do deserve a bow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted January 15, 2014 Weekends progress Trumpeter/RB models 122mm gun. There is nothing wrong with the Trumpeter gun other than two points. One, it is two halves (which means gluing and sanding) and two, the attached tow pintle is mounted inside the muzzle break when in reality, it is simply bolted on. Upper Hull Interior (waiting for four cast seats to paint it and close it up) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dmorrissette 83 Report post Posted January 15, 2014 Very cool. Dave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Deliduka 306 Report post Posted January 15, 2014 Great work! That barrel does look impressive. Looks like it's coming along smoothly! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
802chrisg 38 Report post Posted January 15, 2014 Looking good Mark. I don't really see any bowing, but maybe it's the photo. Looks good to me. Chris :Smile_sceptic: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest PetrolGator Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Do you have any advice on how best to get stryene to curve properly? I've got a project I'm mulling that'll require that sort of work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Chris, Used the nothing more than water brought to a boil and then removed and the part wrapped around whatever you want. Coke can, glass cup, anthing that is round and the size you want or close to it and NOT PLASTIC! Wood, metal, glass. Being in the Water Works industry I have access to SCH40 couplings which work great for this. They are not affected by the heat and very smooth surfaced. I usually use clothes pins or rubber bands. Rubber bands are affected by the heat as well so if I use them, there are usually 4-5 around the plastic. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest PetrolGator Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Thanks Mark! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted January 16, 2014 Best of luck on your foray into the world of scratchbuilding!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted January 28, 2014 Weekends progress.....Even with two reviews, I managed to get some stuff done..... Interior finished (for now) and ready to attach to upper hull Buttoned up with the Barrel lock and antenna base attached. Should have used a WWII version but I had these ArmorScale Modern ones handy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted February 14, 2014 Latest progress....Not the best intake cover but the best I can do! Looking to moving forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Thanks to a GREAT resin caster, it is finally starting to look like a D30! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
802chrisg 38 Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Wow that is really looking great Mark! Those casts are beautiful. Chris :Smile_sceptic: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted March 26, 2014 Can you say.....EPIC FAIL????? This is why I rarely scratch build complicated items!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
802chrisg 38 Report post Posted March 26, 2014 Battle Damage!! Chris :Smile_sceptic: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Aldrich 88 Report post Posted March 26, 2014 HaHa!!!!! Chris, the outer supports are angle iron! Don't think they would have gotten THAT damaged no matter how badly the crew misused it!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Deliduka 306 Report post Posted March 27, 2014 Can you say.....EPIC FAIL????? I say it all the time when I build my models. Every one is an epic fail somewhere which keeps it from winning anything at contests. I still keep plugging along, just as I know you will. You can do this; after all, it ain't 1/72 scale! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
