.... well, final for now. There may (i.e will) be more later on.
These two are also Zvezda 1/100 scale models. On the right is the later T-34/85, which entered service in 1944. The version here is the M1944 model with the ZiS-S-53 85mm gun.
Around 84,000 T-34 tanks were built during WW2, with 49,000 being armed with the 85mm gun.
The other, larger tank on the left is the IS-2 with the powerful D25-T 122mm. Derived from the earlier KV series tanks, nearly 4,000 of these monsters were built during WW2. The D25-T gun was adapted from the 122mm A-19 M1931/37 and its AP munitions could penetrate the frontal armour of a Panther at 2,500m range and could knock out a Tiger I at around 1,000m. Demonstrating its origins as a heavy artillery piece, the HE shells fired by the D25-T were devastating against infantry and could also knock enemy tanks out because of the massive explosive force generated.
I've chosen to paint these two tanks in a battlefield condition, with plenty of mud. I've also given them the white aircraft recognition stripes on the turrets, again looking a bit irregular and hand-painted as with the one I did on my earlier T-34/76. Looking at various photos of Soviet tanks in action, these stripes always look a bit scrappy and temporary.
What you describe as 'mud' I thought was rust - and was impressed accordingly as just about the finest look of weathering as I've ever seen. Scoured, withal, by windblown dust, dirt and ice particles. Rust or mud, these two look as though they have seen many a battlefield!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have a range of beaten-up old brushes of various sizes, which are excellent for dry-brushing. They are responsible for the finished article here.
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