ChTZ T-34 Stalingrad

[Rich H]

So the idea is that this was in the ChTZ Tractor Factory at Stalingrad for repair but the encroaching Germans forced them to mobilize everything that would move

This example was in for engine work and the engine deck and transmission cover are off so I suspect it's a wobbly mess but it won't last long enough for that to be a problem... The hatches were cannibalized for a previous repair.

It's already been repaired once as the turret is off a tank from a different factory. 

I still need to sort the fuel tanks and some pipes and wiring.

It'll be in every shade of green I can muster and the engine is a good mix of colours too.  Hopefully will look the part

[Rich H]

Printing the fuel tanks now

[Ballardian]

Lovely job on the T-34 & engine

[alcal]

Great idea  something different on the table.

[Rich H]

Thanks chaps.

One thing I realised is how tiny the fighting compartment really is, especially for 4 men!

Fuel tanks printed and in.  They aren't particularly accurate but I've not found any decent references (I will now find the perfect detailed drawings obviously) however they do fill the gap and look the part.

Now did the political officer daub slogans on the side..?

[Tim Haslam]

Superb, as usual.
Have you got the engine running yet?

[Rich H]

LoL
Sick of tiny holes and wires now...

[fred]

A great looking build - and now with even more detailing!

One thing I realised is how tiny the fighting compartment really is, especially for 4 men!

Me too, with the engine exposed it really brings home how small the fighting compartment is

[Rich H]

It's obvious really when you think about it but laid bare it really makes it plain.  It's a tiny space. 

[fred]

I think when you look, you probably mentally draw a line somewhere around the back of the turret overhang. But actually the engine goes that far along. And considering there was ammo and and weapons to fit in the fighting compartment as well!

[Gunner Dunbar]

That’s a pretty good idea, might steal that for my own Stalingrad Russians.

[Rich H]

Paint WIP. It's not really this shiny!

[Rich H]

Done I think. 
I'm always nervous about screwing up weathering so I tend to keep it simple.

[Rich H]

The next one will get a "short track" and missing road wheel plus a missing back deck again (with a Soviet flag over maybe)

These are test pieces not the final version.  I might try and swap the rubber rimmed front and rear wheels in too...

The engine file has been tweaked to make it into a single drop in block with fuel tanks attached. 

[has.been]

One thing I realised is how tiny the fighting compartment really is, especially for 4 men!

Very much yes to that. On my first visit to Bovington Tank Museum,
I & a mate prized ourselves into the (thankfully) cut-away turret of
their Pz III.   I was in the commander's position. I would have said,
'sat' but that would imply some degree of comfort. The guns recoil
would have come very close to my stomach, honest I'm not that fat.

As an aside, I asked my mate to have a look out of the vision block
next to him, & tell me what he could see. His reply was, 'If I didn't
know we're parked next to a Jagdpanther, I would not be able to
tell you there is a Jagdpanther parked beside us!'.
Wargamers please note this level of visability.