The recent release of the Revell T-34/85 in 1/72nd was the perfect excuse to get started on this diorama which at the moment is still a work in progress.

Revell's T-34/85 Released in July 2002

This is a good reasonably accurate kit which builds into a good replica. Moulded in mid green plastic it has link and length tracks.

The plastic is rather softer than other Revell kits and care needs to be taken cutting the parts off the sprues. I found getting all those myriad of wheel halves off without cutting flats on them was a problem, I've got one or two that will have a glob of mud carefully positioned to hide a mistake..!

The un-modified grill on the engine deck.

The next one I do will probably be cut out and replaced with bridal veil glued inside- just as soon as I can beg a piece from Kate's work box...

I decided to replace all grab handles with brass wire - the gauge is too large, and will look the same as the original kit ones once sprayed... that will teach me to check before I start making them eh? :-)

I also replaced the fuel tank straps and end handles. They are thin even on the full size beast. But again I think it will need to be even thinner on the next one. Take a look at my T-34 photos here.

The turret has a weld bead of stretched sprue which is fitted into the upper and lower turret halves, and soaked with liquid sprue. I then poke it about with the point of my Swann Morton craft blade, and end up with a reasonable weld bead.
I'm quite pleased with the way it's come out. You do need a hair thin length of sprue and its worth practicing

Two tryouts for the future diorama

The cobble streets are Kibri items and the street lamp is by Viessmann, a German company - the bulb actually works! They are from my local railway modelling shop which is a mine of useful kits and bits for making dioramas. The railway modellers can show us armour modellers the way home with their terrain - with kits like this it's not surprising. Mind you - They aren't cheap. The lamp is a fiver, and the cobble sheet is £2.85 a piece, but with a scatter of rubble and perhaps another vehicle, maybe a Gaz jeep or a wrecked tram car I will be almost there.