WWII Soviet Tanks.

First look at my BT-7 kit from Eastern Express. The model is just about done and I have a crew figure and AA gun to add. I snapped these pics really quickly with a flash and the focus is a bit off. Technical reason for that is that I have to set the camera to f4 for the flash. Normally I use the highest f-stop I can for models (higher f-stop = smaller aperture). This increases the depth of field which means I can have all of the model in focus even though the camera is only a couple of inches away!

The finished model. This would be classed as an "early" model BT-7 with the straight-sided turret, though this is fitted with an anti-aircraft gun which was usually a later addition. I decided against markings as most photos did not show any. I must comment on the figure. It is the hardest thing to get a rigid plastic figure to interact with a gun (or other part) in a realistic manner. If you have tried it then you know what I mean. Lots of dry-fitting and adjusting required. However, the result is a little more "action" than just a sitting tank commander figure. I used to build "just tanks" for quite a while, but then I found out that a figure or 2 really brings a model to life. Actually this pose was suggested by the box art. Approximate year of construction: 2004

On the workbench! Russian T40 amphibious tank with a first coat of paint. Tracks not yet painted. I think I'm going to do a winter camoflage on this one and add crew from Zeveda.

What a difference a paint job makes! This was mainly based on a photo of a group of winter-finish T40 vehicles rather than one specific vehicle. This kind of finish really captures the "used and dirty' feel of a real vehicle and helps brings some life to suggest a "real" tank and not just a model. Note the red and white colored signaling flags held by the commander. I like the officiousness of the officer with his plans and demanding manner. Apologies if that sounds like a Russian stereotype! (Shades of Kafka!) The poor tank guy looks like he has had an earful! Approximate year of construction: 2004.

JS III. Airfix 1/76 with re-built turret. Another early model but it does capture the heaviness of the vehicle. I have given up waiting for Airfix to reissue this kit - and maybe they won't since it's pretty dated! I purchased 2 models off eBay dating from 1963-5. These were packaged for the US market. I have scanned the box top for ya! They are very early, so I suspect the tracks are the type to cause "track rot", which is a shame since that is why I bought them, to repair my damaged original! I am being careful though. One tip I picked up from the web is to coat the road wheels in liquid super-glue (CA) before painting to provide a non-reactive barrier. I will also wash the tracks in mineral spirits and then detergent, and make sure they are thoroughly painted before I add them to the model. For this restoration, I am only keeping the turret. The tank body will be an all new build. (Or is that an all-old build? I mean, a sixties model!) Approximate year of construction: 1968.

The finished model. Turret is the original enhanced version I built around 1970. The AA gun has been enhanced from the skinny kit gun. The rest is a new build. The Airfix Stalin is rather plain so I added detailing to jazz it up and now I have a model to be proud of! Restoration/rebuild 2004.

KV 1, scratch built using wheels and tracks from an Airfix JS III. Constructed almost entirely from plastic sheet. What we had to go through! Track melt was evident here too so this vehicle underwent restoration! Running gear and tracks were replaced. Rather tricky to do and not perfect, but it rescues this unique model. Approximate year of construction: 1971.

First look at my KV II. Quick shots with flash - with focus problems. (See my explanation on the BT-7) The foliage on the side was actually cribbed from a picture of a KV I. I used it on this KV II. Actually I am being sneaky! It hides the solid fender brackets which I didn't feel like replacing! This is a very simple kit, but then again the original was not exactly sophisticated! A nice paint job (well I think so!) and the foliage detail make this kit "mine". The tracks are fronm the kit, but I'm not 100% happy with them. I really think this would benefit from Fruill (At about 5 times the price of the kit!) I am including the GAZ staff car here since I am going to put these two models together in a little diorama. Approximate year of construction: 2001.

Brand new T34_76 1941 model, from the Airfix kit. I was renovating my old conversions based on the Airfix kit (SU-85 and T34_76 1943 model) so I decided to order 2 more to make up the early 76 and 85 models. The last picture shows the model under construction and the changes that are neccesary from the 1942 model depicted by Airfix. The rear round hatch is changed to rectangular; the rear is rounded off; the machine gun mount has no mantle; twin vision slits on the front hatch changed to a single; front towing eyes changed; different side stowage and boxes added; new headlights added; front mudguards rounded off; main gun replaced. The guns in the Airfix kit were undersized to start with, and now we are dealing with old moulds the guns are very skinny. Replace! I put lead weights in this one but it STILL won't sit on those overly thick tracks! Approximate year of construction: 2003.

T34/76 1943 model with the hexagonal turret. This is a late version with raised cupola on the turret. A conversion from the Airfix kit, in whitewash snow camouflage. This is an old model that has just undergone renovation including replacing the wheels and tracks which were badly damaged by track melt. See the last picture!. Track melt occurs on these old Airfix tanks because of an incompatibility between the model and track plastics. I also replaced the main gun as part of the renovation as the kit part was under-sized. This became apparent as I was building the T34_76 1941 model. Approximate year of construction: 1968.

Tamiya 1/35 early T34/76 1943 model, early version with the twin round "Mickey Mouse" hatches and box-like fuel containers on the rear. Supporting Russian infantry by Zvezda round out this diorama. Approximate year of construction: 1999.

T34 85 To combat the panzerfaust weapons, no external fuel tanks are carried and the turret and hull have welded on bed frames. This is based on a vehicle pictured in Berlin. (T34 In Action, Profile Publications) Model Airfix, Figures AB. Bed frames and patch of Berlin street by me! Approximate year of construction: 2003.

SU85 - 85mm anti-tank gun mounted on a T34 chassis. This is a conversion I did years ago on an Airfix T34, from an Airfix magazine article right when the model was first released. This vehicle has been restored using a new kit since the old was suffering from severe track-melt. The only problem is the darn tracks are so thick! It hard to even get the model to sit on the tracks. Approximate year of construction: 1967. Restored 2003.

Another Airfix M3 converted to the T48 armed with 57 mm M1 gun. This was supplied by lead-lease and used mainly used by the Soviets. (Hence the 2 converted Soviet Airfix troops as crew.) This conversion was also detailed in Airfix magazine and was done years ago in my youth. Approximate year of construction: 1968.