Small Scale Military Headquarters

Looks like the T-34 won (19 to 18 over the Deuce and a Half) in the poll, so now I’m looking for version and some input on an idea with the production. This poll will run until Tuesday October 3rd. As always you opinions are greatly appreciated and anything you think I left out that is important just let me know.

Reference link to the Poll thread about this topic

First up is version. Here are the four main versions minus all the little differences from one factory to the other and etc. I listed some points of interest on the version and posted pictures.

T-34/76 Model 1940
76.2mm L-11 L/30.3 gun
possible rear turret MG
rubber tires around disc wheels


T-34/76 Model 1941
76.2mm F-34 L/40 gun
steel wheels


T-34/76 Model 1942/43
hexagonal turret
wider mantlet
76.2mm F-34 L/40 gun
hull MG ball mantlet
external jettisonable fuel tanks


T-34/85 Model 1944
larger redesigned turret
85mm ZIS S-53 L/51.5 gun


Second are your thoughts on a production idea. I have been doing much research on the T-34 and I think I could pull off a customizable version. How about I do a base hull with interchangeable turrets and other parts to make two version or more? It would probably bump the price up, but you could have hexagonal turret with 85 turret and you choice which one you want to have by just swapping the turrets and other parts. Model 1940 is kind of off on it’s own, but the other three might be a possibility with this idea. This idea might not appeal to everyone and I haven’t figured out how I want to package the tank yet, via window box or whatnot, so this is really just testing the waters to see if this would sell or not. Any thoughts on this would be great. Thank you guys again for all the help and I just hope I can make the tank as you guys want and deserve .
momaw nadon

I'm sorry I won't be any help on the "production" aspect "mamaw",... but I'm shooting for the T-34/76 "42-43" type w/ [hex-turret].

IMHO, the early T34/76 is the "classic" T34, and deservedly should be the first one offered.

OTOH, it will not take much for the manufacturer to get more mileage out of their T34 hull by simply crafting new turrets and selling the later versions. Plus the repaints.

And there are the hull-top mods to come up with the SU85, 100, 122 versions.

A T34 would be a smart business move by some 1/18th manufacturer. I KNOW there are some raving T34 fanatics out here in plastic scale-modeling land, and they would surely grab up some 1/18th examples.

MG-42,
Would you want a tank that you have the choice of what version used? It would be like a model kit as that some give the builder the choice of say street rod or stock versions with different parts that are used when building it and just like them you would have all the parts to do that on the T-34 with this idea? Or you don't have an opinion on that? Thanks
momaw nadon

Im thinking either model 41 or 44... not sure which

I didnt realise you were making your own company, best of luck!

One thing I would like is, the tank to be sold as a turret-less base only, you would then have to buy the turret you want.

What I want the most is engine access, id pay a lot more if the T-34 had it

Also, please make the extra fuel tanks removable

Here is a very good site, it is in Russian, but it has very good photos.

T-34/76
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/T34/

T-34/85
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/T34_85/

Later Concept T-44
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/T44/

Again, the best of luck to you

I'd be in favor of the 85 (1944) variant - that's the version of my FOV T-34 and I like it best, but I'd be happy to see any 1:18 T-34 variant on the market, period.

Best of luck to your endevour, Momaw Nadon

"momaw" ..... I'd go with choice. Between the 40'and 44' models. The turrets and mantlets are similar with the latter 2 being completely re-designed. I'm good with that,.. and I would be willing too pay X-tra $$ ,.. as long as I would still have the "option" of a [hex-turret]. Then still,..better yet ,.. change it later to a different type ,... if I want to. .. ... Thanks again "momaw". .. >>>> and as far as your packaging being a "window-box" or not ,... it'd be nice but I would'nt be too concerned about that. >>>> IT'LL SELL ! ..

The idea of a separatly sold turret is interesting. Personally, I am not that much of an armor guy. Though, I would say I like the hexagonal turret the best.

I voted T-34/85 because it offers the most flexibility for WW2, Korean War, and Viet Nam scenarios. I also need something that has a chance of knocking out a Tiger or a Panther tank.

Mark

Great project for a great tank.

Instead of interchangable turrets (which is a good idea) why not spend a little more and have interchangable bodies on the T-34 chasis?

The other versions of tanks and assault guns built on the T-34 chasis are crying for attention as much as the T-34.

I would think that is a great idea, building multiple tank versions using the same chasis, like:
The different versions using the T-34 chasis.
The M3/M5 Stuart and the M-5 class of High Speed Tractors used the Stuart chasis.
The M-24 Chaffee used the same chasis for the M-19 Duster (Twin 40mm).
The M-41 Walker Bulldog used the same chasis for the M-42 Duster.

How many other tanks used the same chasis for a tank and various anti-tank gun versions, not to mention versions like the wrecker versions and even personnel carriers (Canadian Grizly using the Sherman chasis).

Even if somebody made "kits", supplying an intact chasis with road wheels and tracks (customizers...what is more hard to fabricate than tracks???) and basic kits for the various versions? Even fat fingered guys like me would be interested in making one??

It's too much to handle, I've gotta go take a nap.....

TTT

That is interesting that you guys want the chassis base by itself. I was thinking of having say the chassis base and two turrets and parts to make two different tanks in one package.

TTT, that idea is always a possibility. I have always thought 21st C would have done that with some of they vehicles, like Panther into Jagdpanther among others. This would be something I’ll look into, but might be for down the road.

If anything I can always release the different versions if one of the later three win (41-44) down the road too, because the chassis is about the same just add different turret and other small differences. Thank you guys for all the help and wishes.
momaw nadon

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO, where can I order this T-34 chasis and two turrets?

Just kidding

TTT

The Chassis was used for many different "Assault Guns"

It may be a lot of work, but well worth it, the Su-85, Su-100, and the Su-122 used the T-34 chassis, all of which I would love to have

Momaw nadon, are you making this as a kit or a pre-built model?

Moth wrote:Momaw nadon, are you making this as a kit or a pre-built model?

Which would you perfer? I was think about that also knowing that some might like that, but other might not. I could have it in market faster with a kit over the pre-built. Do those 1/35 scale kits that 21st C make sell well or out sell the pre-built ones? I don't collect that stuff so I have no clue. Thanks again guys.
momaw nadon

I would buy it either as a pre-built model, or as a Pre-Painted snap together model. But Please Not the glue together models!

The pre-painted snap together model would be my first choice, and you could include parts for different turrets too.

My biggest request, please include engine detail.
Maybe even a removeable engine, but that is extra.

What are you making the tank out of? plastic, metal, fiberglass?

Thanks for asking your customers what they want!

I would prefer it to be a pre-painted, pre-built model, but it would also work for me if it was like the 32x kits - prepainted, but dissassembled and easy to put together! I think it woud sell better as a pre-assembled model - at least in mass retail. Is it planed to have a basic interior or just the hatches with tubs?

I'd be happy with any version. Why not follow the time-line of the war and make the early version first. Updates and repaints could come later. I voted for one of the earlier models.
If you had to buy the turret seperately, someone would have an overstock
of parts that would never sell. I'd like it prepainted and ready in the box.

Moth wrote:My biggest request, please include engine detail.
Maybe even a removeable engine, but that is extra.

What are you making the tank out of? plastic, metal, fiberglass?

Thanks for asking your customers what they want!

I have planned some engine detail, but will look into the removable engine.

For starters it will be clay, but when finished it will be plastic. I not sure I want to jump into the die-cast deal right off the bat.

Not a problem, I’m in the same boat as you guys. I like to know and have some say as to what is going to be made and how it will be.

tmanthegreat wrote:Is it planed to have a basic interior or just the hatches with tubs?

I'll going to try my best at the interior, because I like that detail myself. Plus that is why I think the 21st C Tiger is a great piece and there M41 didn't bomb as bad as it would have without one being out of the WWII and Nam loop.

I got 2 okays for pre-painted eazy to put together kit, but perfer pre-built models. I think that this way would bring in more customizers with the eazy of the pre-painted eazy kit too. I know I have had some hard time disassembling some of 21st C and bbi stuff to customize. Thank you again for all the great input and ideas. You guys are great.
momaw nadon

Only a few more days to get your vote in on this. From the last poll there is about 30 people that haven't placed their vote. So any one can win in that time.
momaw nadon

Last day to change the out come of this poll. Many haven't placed there vote yet, so anything is possible. Drop you vote while there is still time.
momaw nadon

Hey Momaw. Sorry if I missed it before, but how were you intending to reproduce the various parts. You've got my head clunking now with some ideas and was wondering what your plan of attack was.

Jay,
If you have some ideas just throw them out. I'm in the planning right now and I hope to have the clay model done by December. I have some books coming and blueprints to work from. I didn't get much feedback on the various customizable version of the T-34, so I don’t really know if that will be a go. I’ll most likely work on some different turrets for the base though, maybe for future releases. I’ll consider any and all ideas if I can. You can pm or e-mail me if you would like also. Thanks
momaw nadon

Momaw, just been thinking about making my own models. Been pondering for awhile different manufacturing techniques on a small scale run. In the past I've used plaster to make moulds, but that was with fibreglass models. Would love to do a model moulded from resin or maybe even polystyrene (buying raw plastic and melting it, then pouring it onto a mould). Resin is kinda expensive so I'm just slowly weighing up the options. Have you tried making moulds from silicone? I thought plaster may be good for major componants while silicone would be better suited to more detailed parts (although the silicone moulds would have a limited reusable life)

Another idea I had was using the liquid steel stuff. I don't know if you guys can get it were you are, but I've used this stuff called "JB Weld". It's like a two part resin, but it sets hard as steel (It's sometimes used as a liquid weld compund). I thought this stuff may be good to use for mould making eg paint JB Weld over your master mould, then once it's dry pour plaster over it to make the mould more stable. That way the inner surface of the moulds would be almost as strong as a mould made from metal.

Hi Momaw Nadon, how is it going?

I just found some photos of the T-34's engine, thought you might need them


http://tanxheaven.com/ludob/t34engine/t34enginelb.htm

Tell me if you need any photos of something on the T-34, I most likely have them

Thanks Moth. Those pictures are awesome. Too bad they don't have anything for size reference. I can still use them though.

It is going a little show right now, still waiting on a few books I order to come in, but over all I have started the hull with shape and size. I hope to have the hull prototype before the new year and I hope to have the turret as well, but I don't know if I'll get that far. I wish I could find a place that has scale blueprints or something like that for sell on the tank. The ones I have are for a 1/35th scale model and they are not that detailed. Thanks again for the help.
momaw nadon