Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Completed GBs => Group and Themed Builds => The Floaty GB June 1 - Aug 31 => Topic started by: Dr. YoKai on April 08, 2013, 05:51:09 AM

Title: TH-34
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 08, 2013, 05:51:09 AM
 After a winter of discontent, this glorious son of York ( Pearl and Morton ) has gotten back to work with a hover
version of the venerable Fujimi T-34/85.

(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/537386_10200787205632020_1820494120_n.jpg)

That's  the basic build sans primer. Its the kit with a bit of styrene stretch at the midriff ( Where many of us are a bit plastic
these days ) and a pair of fans from an old Gundam transport plane. I gave it a bit more glass than you'd see on an
ordinary tracklayer on the assumption that if you're going that fast, a little more vision might do.

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/485170_10200787205232010_15221655_n.jpg)

and here she is with a coat of primer. The grill is a bit more sheet/card styrene, real thin slats glued into a thicker strip with
razor saw cuts every 2 mm to line up 'em up...sorta.

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555699_10200787205192009_38956172_n.jpg)

aaaand a view of the works. She needs a bit more putty, some fiddly bits, and then a coat of something like that standard
Red Army Green, and I'll call it done.

Almost forgot to mention the skirt - thats a slab of insulation styrene foam, shaped around the edges with a sanding form
( also made from foam ) sealed with heavy paint, and then hit with a spray-on rubber compound called FlexSeal here in the
States. It would probably be a bit more effective in a larger scale, but it does a fair job even on a a tiny build like this.

 In other news, my HMS Brontes ( a torpedo ram built by the RN to counter the threat of the Science Pirate Syndicate ) is
well underweigh, but I won't post a thread until I'm certain I can finish it by the dead line. Likewise, the long-delayed
SPS Polyandrous is almost complete, after suffering a damaging fall in January. I almost called it done this past weekend,
but decided the hull just had to have some portholes. If I don't screw 'em up, I should have the completed images next
weekend.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: tanktastic43 on April 08, 2013, 07:29:27 AM
Good idea!

I like the idea of the commanders cockpit.

tt43.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Cliffy B on April 08, 2013, 07:36:11 AM
Awesome!!!  I was wondering when we'd see your hovercraft  8)

An extension is highly likely so factor that into your plans for the torpedo ram  ;)
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 08, 2013, 04:41:47 PM
Wow!!!
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: finsrin on April 08, 2013, 05:31:09 PM
Cool  8)
Whole new approach for AFV kitbashing.
Very astute of you to figure out center extension design and build it in so well.  :)
I am impressed-inspired.  Got to try that on some AFV.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Diavel on April 08, 2013, 10:56:11 PM
Marvelous.  :-*
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Frank3k on April 09, 2013, 01:06:02 AM
Great idea to use foam for the skirt - it looks the part! I like the stretched body; it doesn't look like a T-34 at first glance.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: jorel62 on April 09, 2013, 02:39:36 AM
Very cool.......
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 09, 2013, 04:25:32 AM
 Thanks for all the kind words, colleagues and friends! I'll try and post some pictures of the forms and
method I used for shaping the skirt - it occurs to me it might prove useful.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Brian da Basher on April 11, 2013, 04:08:45 AM
Oooooh a floaty tank! How incredibly cool!

Your imagination is off the charts, Doc!

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Buzzbomb on April 11, 2013, 07:46:07 AM
Yes.. this certainly has merit and is looking great so far.

The lines certainly work
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Feldmarschall Zod on April 17, 2013, 08:05:32 AM
That looks great. ;D
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 25, 2013, 11:07:00 AM
 Some progress - The paint is on, just needs a little touching up. Weathering next. The tarps are rolled and stained
 bath tissue, wraped with a very thin gauge steel wire. The second picture is the base aways along. still needs several
 more applications of water effect, and a bit more vegetation.
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644513_10200882687219000_430300657_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/933903_10200882680978844_2112682597_n.jpg)
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Brian da Basher on April 26, 2013, 07:07:26 AM
That last shot on the base is great, Doc! I especially like the rolled tarps which really make it look like the real deal.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: father ennis on April 26, 2013, 07:20:05 AM
I just noticed that you have added "something" to the bow of the tank.  What is it ? It looks like a dozed blade??? 
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Brian da Basher on April 26, 2013, 07:31:16 AM
I just noticed that you have added "something" to the bow of the tank.  What is it ? It looks like a dozed blade???

It's gotta beat a bladed doze. Those are rough on the pillow cases!

I'll get me coat...

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Cliffy B on April 26, 2013, 07:56:41 AM
This thing is turning into all sorts of awesome man!  Can you take a close up of those tarps please?  They look highly effective and I'm sure some of the guys will take notes.  You stain em with reg paint or what?  You sticking with a single color or will there be some more?

The base looks great; nice and swampy!  Needs some gators and a crewman about to hose em with an MG  ;D
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 26, 2013, 09:54:47 PM
 @Brian - sound advice, although there are things to be said for sleeping with a sword swallower...

 @Padre Ennis - Its a brush cutter/dozer blade ( which would be interesting on a hover craft, I grant you,
  but if anybody was going to try it, it's be the Soviets...)

 @ Cliff - Roger Wilco on the tarps - they're just rolled tissue, stained with some brown airbrush paint -
    a bargin brand from a local craft store. I'll take some close-ups by the weekend. Debating whether
    to jsut dirty up the basic green, or to go with the kind of two-tone like on the dust jacket of
    Zaloga's book...everybody's got a copy of Soviet HoverArmor of the Great Patriotic War, right? ;)

 I should be posting the thread on the HMS Brontes by the weekend, too.
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Dr. YoKai on April 29, 2013, 09:30:46 PM
Per Cliff's request, a couple of close-ups of the tarps.
(https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/922766_10200910934085154_1902419091_n.jpg)

(https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/5273_10200910934005152_1056480425_n.jpg)
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: Cliffy B on April 29, 2013, 11:14:40 PM
Thanks man!  Those are highly effective.  Look a lot like burlap; nice  :)
Title: Re: TH-34
Post by: GTX_Admin on April 30, 2013, 02:23:07 AM
 :)