AER T34/85 : with AB Figure Soviet tanker

AER T34/85 MODEL
At the time I bought this kits and for a good long time after this was the only kit on the block with not many companies interested in small scale. The old Esci and Airfix T34 options wer out of productions so for the time it was good to see it, however by today's standards it doesn't hold up well for starters the detail is very heavy and there was the problem of the incorrect spacing of the wheels as well as the wheels being wrong.

PAINTING AND DETAILING
First off I sorted the wheels out then opened up the turret hatch and applied a coat of mud to hide the wheel detail. The kit was handpainted with various shades of green then washed with black and dry brushed with light grey then I picked out the mud areas with various shades of earth. I handpainted the markings to make the model a vehicle of 25th Guards tank brigade (The figure is from AB's Soviet AFV crew range)

CONCLUSION
At the time I was pretty happy with this one and still have a fondness for it but I am looking forward to working on the new verions of T34 from Eastern Express and Revell. Although out classed nowadays I am still very happy that AER decided to do this kit as for myself and many other people at least there was on T34/85 on the Model shop shelves. (my nephew and friends are also quite happy now as they got the rest of the AER T34's I bought when the Revell one came out)

Many companies such as Eduard and Part produced after market brass sets to spruce up this kit and I did spot a resin set of wheels somewhere, hopefully these could be put to good use with the new kits on offer.

Reference:
The Eastern Front by Steven J. Zaloga and James Grandsen