T34/85

Awarded: Silver

By: Jason Boulter

Manufacturer(s): Dragon

Modifications: I replaced the lifting lugs on the turret sides with parts made from styrene sheet. The turret texture was made by softening the plastic with liquid glue and stippling the surface with a stiff brush.

After-market parts: None

Description: This represents a tank of the 4th guards tank army at end of the 1944/45 winter. I have given it a winter white wash (I've seen no pictures to confirm this paint scheme, it is purely from my imagination). I have used the hairspray technique to make the whitewash effect over a base coat of Tamiya acrylics. It has been weathered with MIG pigments, artists oils & Vallejo acrylics.

Judge 1: Extremely well done! Parts are clean with no seams. Weathering is gritty but to scale - only minor thing would have been to add a bit more mud to the top surfaces given the amount on the running gear, and some more grit to the engine deck. The mud is nicely done but just needs a bit more mud concentrated on the rear fenders rather than random splattering. This type of winter cam is difficult to do in scale, but has been accomplished with very good results.
Judge 2: Well built with a fantastic finish. The rich variety of tones and effects is superbly done and very realistic. Well done!
Judge 3: Very good and clean construction. Also parts addedd and scratchbuilded are ok. I like the general look of decoration. Withewash is realistic and very good is the rear part of tank. Decals is well positioned. Truly interesting the textured turret. Very good the weathering and dirty on the upper side of tank while on the lower (tracks and wheels) I would have make some differentiation about dirty. Let me explain. Probably making dry and fresh mud using different tones of color would have improve the general look of this part. Also tracks could be light different; some parts can receive a metallic paint and dry and fresh mud. Paolo Capitanio