...Just One More Thing! 1/100 KV-1.

Yes, I did say that I had completed the construction on my 1/100 KV-1S tanks... But... I hadn't! 😂

While the main feature of this projects is the conversion process of making a couple of KV-1S tanks my tinkering left me with a couple of KV-1 variant turrets. It seemed a pity to waste these parts and even though I don't foresee me wanting to play an Operation Barbarossa scenario (the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941) you never know! 😏

And so...

Having converted the KV-1 model's turret rings to accommodate the 3D printed turret's larger 10mm 'plug' attachment I would now have to modify the original Zvesda turrets - with their little pin attachment post - so that they would work with the new 'socket' mods.

The principal of this upgrade is pretty straight forward. I now have to make two 10mm x 3.5mm cylindrical 'plugs' which I will glue onto the bottom of the KV-1 (Model 1940) turrets. However, I will also magnetising these turrets in a similar way to the way I did with my KV-1S turrets and hence the need for cylindrical 'plugs'. The magnet will be glued inside the tubular plugs.

I had to order in the 10mm diameter styrene tubes as my local craft store have a very limited range of styrene pieces. It took me a while to find exactly what I wanted online but I eventually tracked down the items to Dorsping Models of Cornwall, UK. Unfortunately, to keep costs down I opted for 2nd Class postage and so a annoyingly long wait ensued...

(I should add that I tested the uncut tube for size before I started sawing off 3.5mm rings. I was most satisfied when it slipped nicely into the hole in the hull I had cut for my turret plugs. I love it when a plan comes together!)

Anyway,  having created my new KV-1 attachment plugs I then had to stick a couple of the little button magnets I had into them. I did think about just super-gluing the magnets inside the cylinders but, in the end, I opted to secure the magnets to the turret floor and the plug ring by means of a nest of Milliput putty...

Now the annoying wait until the putty dries... 😫

And then...! Taa-daaaaah!

The new (old) KV-1 turrets snapped into place perfectly. I now have the ability to field a pair of KV heavy tank for scenarios fro 1940 to 1941 and another pair o KV variants to suit operations from late 1942 to mid-1943!

Job done... Now let's get 'em painted.

Featured work - Zvezda's new 1/72 IS-2 tank

Zvezda's new 1/72 IS-2, made and painted by Denis Kurov.

I do like Soviet heavy armour - though I can't say exactly why (maybe it's because there's something malevolent, course and almost robotic about them, like they are an alien iron species). Anyhoo, flights of fantasy aside, they are superbly monstrous mountains of metal.

Zvezda is gaining a really impressive reputation for display quality kits - I bought their T-34 and it was very nice indeed, if a little expensive - and this series of publicity photos really does show off their IS-2 very well. It was made by Denis Kurov.

Link to Zvezda website (English): www.zvezda.org.ru

Link to Zvezda on Facebook

German Squad B - Detailing Part 2

When do you stop detailing? I suppose you can go on and on, luckily I did have a plan and I stuck to it. My main concern was the completion of the insignias - I stopped short of rank badges - and the toning down of the helmet camo.

I'll admit - and I wouldn't normally say this - that I'm quite pleased with what I've done here, small jobs that they were. I kind of feel that I'm starting to get somewhere. Though I'm really glad I didn't have to do lot more helmet insignia, I wouldn't like to have to do a full army of these!

I've said this before and I will say it again, however, you have to give Zvesda a lot of the credit here by producing such a beautifully crafted German officer figure - it made my job easier.

Next: Basing.

1/72 'Finnish infantry' - second attempt

I have received a batch of 1/72 soldiers which I hope to use to make the soldiers for my Finnish army project. My first attempt at making suitable figures for this project was a bit of a flop, so I am hoping these new figures will be more suitable this time.

As said elsewhere I have decided to compromise for practical reasons and sacrifice a bit of authenticity for speed of construction. To achieve this I have given in and decided to simply use WW2 German infantry figures for my Finns. The uniform is actually very similar, and by the late war most first line Finnish infantry seem to have been issued with the German M35 steel helmet.

Left: An example of mid-war Finnish infantry dress. Source: SA-kuva.

Obviously equipment and weapons is a different matter. The Finns primary weapons were a version of the Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle and the famous Soumi KP/31 submachinegun, which happens to look a little like the Russian PPsh, hence my original attempt to merge - or convert - Soviet and German infantry to make more authentic looking Finns. Anyway, it didn't work.

The famous Finnish Soumi SMG.

So, my second attempt - as said - will be far more simpler. I will be using some nice Zvezda and Ceasar hard plastic figures (I prefer hard plastic figures). I chose these ones after examining some of the figures on the market and comparing their relative sizes. I wanted figures that were on the smaller-mid end of the 1/72 figure spectrum to fit in with the vehicles I am using (some are 1/76 scale).

The Zvezda sets were chosen because of the specialist poses included in these little sets. The sets only contain a hand full (4 or 5) of hard plastic figures, but I like the sculpting and detail. The Caesar set was chosen because it is one of their 'Assembly Series' multi-pose hard plastic figure sets.

I *think* the scale of these figures is a better choice than my first attempt...

Above: On the back row we have Strelet's 1939-42 Finns, Zvezda's German Infantry and Valiant's German infantry (all in 1/72)! At the front is the good old 1/76 Airfix Germans.

Originally I tried Valiant's hard plastic figures (Soviet and German) but found that they were very large for 1/72 (I likewise found Plastic Soldier Company figures a little big for the scale). Zvezda and Caesar seem to be middle of the road when it comes to the height of their figures and so should fit in with my vehicles better.

By the way, the Strelet's figures are the only 1/72 Finish infantry available, but unfortunately they are from the wrong period, are in winter uniforms, are soft plastic and are - frankly - a bit naff!

The Zvezda sets, though only containing a few figures, have some quite exciting and dynamic poses that should liven up my collection of figures...

One of the 'specialist' sets that Zvezda produce to accompany their own
'Art of Tactic' war game. A nice as these are I may find it hard to incorporate
these chaps into my Rapid Fire! inspired army!

Their regular infantry set, on the other hand, is very useful and the officer is
a terrific figure who is crying out for a Finnish officer's cap and a Soumi SMG!

The Caesar figure set will be very useful because of it's multi-pose configuration. All additional equipment, gear and weapons come as separate items making it far easier to do simple conversions to Finnish troops...

In particular, I like the separate heads and hats. There are a variety of German headgear including M35 helmet, field caps and even a forage cap! All great for mimicking Finnish troops.

The fact that the weapons are separate items too is a very welcome bonus as I can slip in a few 1/72 PPsh SMGs to make my troops look even more like Finns (carrying Soumis).

All it remains for me to do now is to make up a few of these soldiers into a 'test' platoon and we shall see. Hopefully they will look far better than my first attempt and suit the scale better...And be quicker and easier to make and modify (where I have to or want to)!

Rust bucket!

Well, I've finished my weathering guinea pig - the little Zvesda 1/100 T-34 1941. Rather ironic as it was only suppose to be a test bed for techniques I am using elsewhere. But anyway, it turned out to be a nice little model in it's own right...

I've learned several new techniques and it's amazing to think that such a small model has turned out to be so very useful. Rather like my 1/144 scale aircraft projects I've been surprised at just how much I have enjoyed making and painting such a small model, I may have to get some more 1/100 kits.

...And so, now I have completed the guinea pig it's on to put everything I've learned to good use!

Pin-washing my guinea pig!

I'm quite enjoying painting my little 1/100 Zvesda T-34/41 weathering guinea pig. There's no pressure, if I make a mistake it's a 'learning experience'. But, actually, it's turning out quite well (for me).

It's very interesting doing a diddy 1/100 model, but one thing I notice is the scale effect of paining - for example, although I know my airbrush isn't the very best it's moderately fine spray, which looks OK on a 1/72 model, does start to look a bit 'spluttery' on a 1/100 model.

Likewise, my ham-fisted pin-washing - which I can get away with at 1/72 - looks a little slap-dash at the smaller scale. Of course, finer brushes would help in this instance.

I don't know how modellers who do even smaller scale stuff - like 1/600 - manage. My eye-sight simply wouldn't allow me to do that sort of thing.

Anyway - all this, of course, is in aid of my larger 1/72 Finnish armoured car project as I practice the weathering techniques I wish to use on this T-34 first. So, having done the pin-wash I am nearing the end - I will now be working on some of the fine detail, highlighting and chipping effects.

Zvezda German Reconnaissance Team 1939-1942 review

Part of my Finnish WW2 war game army - under the Rapid Fire! rules - is a two figure OP team for each artillery howitzer. I was wondering how I would modify my PSC figures to make a realistic looking observation team when I happened across a nice little set from Zvezda that seemed to fit the bill.

Zvezda's German Reconnaissance Team 1939-1942  is a four figure set that includes two prone observers, one crouching radio operator and one crouching map reader. The figures are multipart models which allows for some very realistic and interesting poses.

They are made out of a hard plastic which is quite easy to clean up with a fine file, though there is no flash and seams are neat and light. Though I have to say that some of the joins are a little ill-fitting and will have to be filled with putty.

The detail is very nice and the faces are quite expressive, though some detail is missing where Zvezda feels that that detail would escape close examination (for example, on the chest when arms partially cover it). But, as mentioned, it is the quality of the poses that makes these figures stand out.

While you do only get four figures (for £2.99) this group is, of course, modelled in some quite specialist  poses, ones that you won't normally get in some of the larger box sets from the likes of Revell or Airfix. At least not in this level of quality.

Which brings me to the figures stature when compared to other makes. They are, of course, larger than Airfix figures but a good match for Revell. They are smaller (thinner) than the chunky PSC figures though, which is a bit of a problem for me as I want to use these along side my PSC 'Finns'.

This really is a wonderful set, despite some of the vague detail in the uniforms and the badly fitting joints, the realism of the very dynamic poses makes up for this. My particular favourite is the guy making notes on the map, though the radio operator is also excellent.

If, like me, you are on the look out for a forward artillery observation team, or a general reconnaissance set of German figures, then these are well worth the very affordable cost.

Highly recommended.

Above: A nice touch is that Zvezda includes two sets of bases. One large base so you can include all the figures on one mini-diorama and also four individual smaller bases should you wish to use them separately.

Next: Turning these Germans into PSC compatible Finns.

Four T-34 'quick build' models compared - Part 3

QUICK BUILD T-34/85 TURRET COMPARISONS
I thought I would split the comparisons down to major components. In this part I am looking at the quick build T-34/85 turrets - next time I will look at the T-34/76 (Model 1943) versions of the turrets...

ARMOURFAST TURRET:
Number of parts: 6

This seems to be a simplified "Flattened Style" turret, summer 1945* production model (differing from the 1944 pattern - most noticeably -  in the design of the commanders hatch). It has the Zis-S-53 gun mantlet collar and the 'flattened' (roughly triangular) area on the sides which give it it's name. But, part of it's simplification by Armourfast sees the bulge for the electronic traverse on the left side and the slight bulge next to the commander's cupola removed and the roof periscopes are hardly there at all...

* Despite being called the '1945' model this variant first appeared in late 1944, as if things weren't confuing enough!


UPDATE NOTE: I've found some additional references that may identify this turret as being closer to the Spring 1944 'Angled-Joined' style of turret - a good article for T-34/85 turret styles can be found here: Missing-lynx.com - The T-34-85 in WWII: A Closer Look

Pros:
- Nicely done twin roof air vents
- Both hatches can be modelled open
- Passable mantlet and nicely moulded gun (if a little large)
- Crisp moulding

Cons:
- Turret seems to be over-sized (too wide)
- 'Flattened' (triangular) facet is a little exaggerated
- Naturally - as a quick build - all rails and lifting rings and other small detail are missing
- Traverse bulge missing (this is a small square 'bump' on the left side)
- Welding (& casting) detail missing
- Gun about 2mm too long and a little thick (but not hugely so)
- Gun mantlet too wide and gun off-set too much
- Gun barrel is not drilled out

PEGASUS TURRET:
Number of parts: 5 (6 if you count alternative commander's hatch)

Again, this appears to be a 1945 pattern "Flattened" turret but unlike the Armourfast version there is some attempt to replicate the original's welding and casting marks. In particular the fluted 'fillets' are discernible near the turret collar and Pegasus have included the traverse mechanism bulge and commander's cupola bulge on the left side of the turret.

Pros:
- Passable attempt at including the distinctive welding and casting marks.
- Alternative commander's hatch is included in the open position
- Periscopes (Mk. 4s) are correctly modelled
- Turret dimensions appear to be closer to scale
- Gun is correct length and thickness

Cons:
- Secondary hatch is moulded shut
- Air vents are little too dome-like
- Naturally - as a quick build - all rails and lifting rings and other small detail are missing
- Gun is a little bent and badly moulded, includes noticeable seams
- Gun barrel is not drilled out

PLASTIC SOLDIER TURRET:
Number of parts: 5

This is the most simplified of all three quick-build T-34/85 turrets reviewed. It is harder to determine exactly which of the '85 turret variants the PSC model is supposed to be due to the extreme simplification, so it's perhaps kindest to say that the PSC '85 is 'generic'.

Pros:
- Crisply moulded (what detail there is is cleanly defined)
- Like the Armourfast, PS has the shape of the air vents more accurately moulded
- Turret seems vaguely the correct dimension
- Both hatches are separate components and can be modelled in the open position
- A commander's figure is included
- Funnily enough, the PS turret is the only one to include lifting rings (albeit crude ones)

Cons:
- An amazingly bad gun and mantlet - the gun is widely out of scale
- The least detail is included and what there is is highly simplified
- The fit of the top and bottom turret parts is bad and you will have do some shaving to get a good fit
- Naturally - as a quick build - all rails and most other small detail are missing
- There is no attempt whatsoever at weld or casting details
- Gun barrel is not drilled out

CONCLUSION:

Both the Armourfast and Plastic Soldier turrets are made of good quailty plastic of a hard type (good to cut and file), they are clean and sharply moulded. However, they are the most simplified of the three turrets.

The Pegasus turret is made of what seems to be a cheaper and more brittle plastic, but it also includes the most surface detail and texture and has the best implementation of welding and casting marks.

The Plastic Soldier '85 turret is undoubtedly the worst of the three turrets. Aside from it's extreme simplicity and generic layout the dreadful gun and mantlet are no good to anyone - it has been noted by others that the gun itself looks like it is a 120mm gun! This discrepancy is so far out of scale that I doubt if even war gamers would find this turret satisfactory (no disrespect to war gamers intended).

Therefore, I would rank the three turrets as follows - first the Pegasus, then the Armourfast and finally the Plastic Soldier turret.

The Pegasus turret has just enough surface texture and detail to make the actual variant of turret distinguishable and you could further enhance this basic model with some easily applied improvements to make a passably accurate '85 turret. The fact that this seems to be a late war 1945 variant of the turret might be a problem for some, but it would easy enough to modify the 1945 details to retro-grade the turret to the earlier - and similar - 1944 variant (though despite being called the '1945' model turret this variant appeared in late 1944!)

Were I to attempt to 'accuarize' the Pegasus turret I would probably replace the gun with a third-party metal one. Although the Pegasus 85mm gun is the nearest to scale it's very thinness make it prone to bending. And as to the secondary hatch being moulded closed, well most people will be satisfied that you can use the optional 'open' commander's hatch.

(Special note for wargamers - my comments above are based on what I percieve to be 'best accuracy' of the turrets reviewed. For wargaming purposes alone, however, the Armourfast turret is absolutely acceptable, in fact it's lack of superflous detail is probably an advantage if you have to paint a small army of them!)

Four T-34 'quick build' models compared - Part 2

WHAT'S IN THE BOX:-
Right, components, what do you get? Well, they vary quite a lot, here's a run down...

1. ARMOURFAST

Yep, the Armourfast philosophy is less is more!  Turret hatches can be modelled open - no figure included.

Model: T-34/85, seems to be a 1944 composite model with late 'dished' roadwheels with rubber tyers and with rounded front fenders.
Number of tanks in box: 2
Number of parts: 22 (per tank)
Instructions: Printed on back of box
Painting suggestions: None specific, limited to picture on front of box.
Decals: No
Variant options: No

2. PLASTIC SOLDIER

Well, you get a bang for your bucks. Three tanks with the ability to build each in either of two variants! Turret hatches can be modelled open - A Commander half-figure is included on each sprue.

Model: T-34/85 (model 1944 composite) OR T-34/76 (model 1943), full 'Spider' wheels but holes not drilled through. Rounded fenders.
Number of tanks in box: 3
Number of parts: 30 (per tank)
Instructions: Printed on back of box
Painting suggestions: Basic generic painting suggestions on back of box (not unit specific)
Decals: No
Variant options: yes, two turrets and guns are included. One for the T-34/76 and one for the T-34/85.

3. PEGASUS HOBBIES

Plenty of parts for your money. Only commanders hatch can be modelled open - no figure included.

Model: T-34/85 (model 1944 composite) with full 'Spider' road wheels with holes through. Angled fenders.
Number of tanks in box: 2
Number of parts: 39 (per tank)
Instructions: Printed on seperate sheet in box.
Painting suggestions: None specific, limited to picture on front of box.
Decals: No
Variant options: No.

4. ZVESDA

Whoa! Surely the king of 'easy builds'! Plenty to get your teeth into but due to the snap-together format turret hatches are designed to be closed! No figures included.

Model: T-34/76 (model 1943) with full 'Spider' road wheels with holes through.
Number of tanks in box: 1
Number of parts: 62
Instructions: Printed on seperate sheet in box.
Painting suggestions: Printed in greyscale on back of instructions sheet (colour camo examples on side of box).
Decals: Yes, 2 options.
Variant options: No.

NEXT POST: Components in detail and review of quality.

Four T-34 'quick build' models compared - Part 1

I have built up a collection of four makes of these quick build models, all of which are variants of the Soviet T-34 tank. In this thread I want to illustrate the various qualities of these basic models so that anyone who might be interested - for whatever reason - can get an idea of exactly what they are getting. And so, without further ado let's move on to the first part of my review - the box shots...

QUICK BUILD T-34 BOX SHOTS

1. ARMOURFAST

Armourfast were my introduction to the concept of 'quick build' models. For a beginner like myself the idea of a stripped down, easy to build kit was very attractive proposition as it allowed me to practise - and make mistakes - without worrying about spoiling an expensive kit.

Armourfast have a particular philosophy about making their models, they prefer not to include a particular piece of surface detail rather than to do it badly. This is great if you fancy sprucing up their models into something a bit more accurate because you then do not have to remove the offending detail before re-applying your own improvements. These kits include the bear minimum that is needed to generally represent the subject.

Made in England, you get two models for around £7.50.

2. PLASTIC SOLDIER

Plastic Soldier produce a range of models in 15mm, 28mm and 1:72 to compliment their tabletop war game system called 'Rapid Fire'. However, unlike Armourfast they not only provide 3 models in their box set but also include model variations - in this case the T-34/76 (Model 1943) or the T-34/85.

Plastic Soldier seems to be expanding into the 1/72 quick build arena - they now have two models of tank in this format now, the Panzer IV and this T-34 set. They are certainly the cheapest way to build an armoured formation for war gaming very fast.

Again, Plastic Soldier is an English based company (Hoorah!), and three models cost about £12.50.

3. PEGASUS HOBBIES

I guess you could call Pegusus America's Armourfast, however they do make far more than just 1:72 wargaming models and seem to have a long track record making 'snap together' kits. They also tend to add more surface detail than either Armourfast or the Plastic Soldier Company, with some very nice touches like - in the case of the T-34/85 - the two-handed saw and tow hooks,

Based in California, you get two models for around £8.

4. ZVEZDA

Zvezda have not only been a prolific Russian scale model manufacturer but also has become known for their 1/100 scale vehicles which are intended for use with their tabletop wargame 'Operation Barbarossa 1941'. This 1:72 model is one of a new range of models they are marketing as 'My first model kit'. It has received a certain acclaim for it's innovative easy build construction method.

Made in Russia kit is the most expensive in the review at around £11 for just one model and should perhaps be seen as the 'missing link' between easy build models and conventional display quality kits.

NEXT POST: WHAT'S IN THE BOX.