WIP: Modifications to the Merit 1:16 scale T-34/85

[tmanthegreat]

Nothing really fancy, but I finally got a hankering to open up the commander's hatch on my Merit 1:16 scale T-34/85 and to start adding some other small details. The hatches on this model are all moulded on and cannot be opened or popped off. I finally went at the model with a razor saw and exacto knife to carefully cut out the commander's hatch. I also added a wire radio antenna. With some minor sanding and touch-up, I think it came out looking pretty good

Before:
(Flying Mule product photo)



After:

[B17Fortress]

Very nice!

[maritime96]

Definitely a needed modification. Very good job!!

[pickelhaube]

T-Man The Toy Surgeon !!

[tmanthegreat]

Thanks guys. I don't often cut apart perfectly good models, but it was needed in this case to "liven up" the T-34. It was sort of a gamble as I risked damaging the tank, but it turned out to go a lot easier than I expected... And with a little sanding and minor paint touch-up, came out pretty decent

[cjg476]

What did you use for the hinges? Looks really good?

[B17Fortress]

In addition to Corey's questions, is the inside of the turret hollow, or would it have to be carved out to accommodate a 1:18 figure?

[tmanthegreat]

What did you use for the hinges? Looks really good?

The hinges are the same tooling that was on the model to begin with. There was a definite gap between the two halfs of the hinges that could be cut through without taking off too much of each hinge. The tooling followed a straight line that was easy to cut. You can kind of see what I mean in this picture:



I cut through the hinges very carefully with a razor saw, then after sanding, glued the hatch to the other half of the hinges on the cupola. The little tab on the right hinge served as a guide to ensure proper alignment. Use of a razor saw was very essential in this case as it could be controlled easily. The Dremel would have moved too fast and risked running off track to either damage the hatch or cupola, which would have ruined the model. It did take about 2 hours of carefully sawing bit-by-bit around the hatch to ensure I kept in the proper place, then a few minutes of sanding, but was worth the extra time!

In addition to Corey's questions, is the inside of the turret hollow, or would it have to be carved out to accommodate a 1:18 figure?

The turret inside is hollow, however, the cupola turned out to be a separate piece fixed to the top of the turret and secured by a peg attached to the center of the hatch. The cupola is only .5" deep. I had to cut through the peg to remove the hatch, then remove and sand down what was left of the peg so at least half of a figure could be placed in the hatch. I suppose one could cut through the turret roof to create a hole for a complete figure to fit in the hatch...

Regarding figures, I've ordered a set of 1:16 scale resin WWII Russian Tankers made by Verlinden. The set includes a "whole figure" and a "half figure" that should fit in the cupola (see picture below). I'll have to paint it myself.



In the mean time, I customized a Russian tanker figure using a 21c 1:18 D-Day series US tanker figure with heavy coat and repainted soft helmet from a Star Wars pilot. The tanker figure's legs could be easily popped off at the thigh-level without damaging the figure, allowing it to fit in the shallow cupola space . The 21c figures were always a bit on the large size for 1:18 scale and don't look too tiny in a 1:16 scale vehicle



That's the FOV 1:16 scale diecast M4 Sherman tank and the Dragon 1:6 scale Panzer II with commander and riders in in the background

[normandy]

Nice work on the hatch and the tanker Tman!
I like your Panzer II but thats what keeps me in 1:18....I'd never have enough room for all the 1:6 armor I'd want.

[tmanthegreat]

Here's a new update for the T-34 project... I completed a proper WWII Russian tanker to go in the commander's hatch on my Merit T-34. The figure is a resin kit from Verlinden. I assembled the figure parts in the tank hatch, prior to painting, in order to get the arms placed in the correct positions. When painting, it took me a few tries to make a passable attempt at a realistic-looking face on the figure, but with further practice, I'll get better

Enjoy





Verlinden 1:16 scale WWII Russian Tanker Figure Kit:

[B17Fortress]

Very good!