It's Here! ...well, actually only here on Armorama.
I will be the first to build and review this long-awaited new kit from AFV Club.
Yes, I can happily say that one of the most important kit releases of the year will be in your local hobby shop very soon!

Hello Ted
Your a lucky .
That does look to be an impressive item.
Will be watching to see how you finish it.

Ted-
this thing is revolutionary!

From now on a T-34 model will be expected to have an interior.
Amazing!

Steve

I'm starting this build with the engine, as it's a real gem. Below is a restored example.

I don't know if I'd paint the intake manifolds (parts A54) black, as they're stamped sheet steel. Who knows what color they were, really?
As a gear-head mechanic, I can say that every detail one would expect to find under the 'hood' of a real T34 is in the kit...down to the hose clamps!

Hi Ted. Do you know if AFV Club will ever release this engine set seperatly? Ive built the old maquette engine recently .... and its embarassing considering the details that are missed and also how soft the existing details are. Good work on the new kit ... very clean build ... which is so important with the clear parts. Pity there are no backs to the details along the interior .... sort of kills this possibility, IMO.

the separate engine kit is a good one. I wish they'd do a series of big-scale engine kits: the Wright radial, Leopard 2 powerpack, RR merlin/meteor. How many people would build that?!

Hi the photo that shows the engine compartment in the kit is wrong , the round dish air filter is correct for pre 1942 , but the twin air filters in the rear over the gear box are post 1943 , both cannot be fitted at the same time . cheers ian

Well-spotted! This is a case of the T-34 "Mythical Weapon" book coming in handy -I only spotted that after I bought the book. Ian, do you have any pics of a T-34 with the single early air filter?

Hi I wish I was able to help but the photos i do have are copy right to an other person , I do not have his details as he moved house recently , I am still waiting an e mail from him as he had to set up a new server as well . As soon as he gets in touch I will let you know his answer cheers ian

Hey Guys-
couple of things.

MSRP- I understand that MSRP will be $58 US Dollars. I may be wrong and I would appreciate being corrected if anyone knows differently.

Second- Ian IF you can get approval to use the photos there will be a decent size market for the correct air cleaner in resin. Just a thought

Steve

I would just leave the twin Cylone VT aircleaners off, and go with the single central one. Problem easily solved.

Hi it is not as easy as just leave the twin air filters off, as the rear engine plate is different in several details . I am still waiting for his e mail so I will let you know as and when cheers ian

No cause for alarm...stop the presses!

The correct parts for both styles of intake manifold ( for the respective single or twin air cleaner variation) are indeed included in the kit! There is, however, no mention of this option called-out in the instructions. One is expected to use parts A54 (intake manifold) for the single air-cleaner, OR parts A52/53 (which are never shown in the instructions) for the twin VT1 air-cleaners.

I think the "Mythical Weapon" aka, T-34 bible, should be included with the kit. I also think I should open the window while working with CA cement and lacquer aerosols.

As Ian mentions, it isn't quite as easy as that. You would have to replace the engine/transmission firewall (easy enough using the kit part as a guide). But tanks with this earlier feature would also use the four speed transmission rather than the five speed the kit comes with. Cyclone (Tsyklon) air filters were introduced early in 1943 and the five speed transmission appeared mid-year though when they actually began being used at Sormovo specifically is anybody's guess.
To me it appears the kit represents a mid to late '43 production tank (of a type I believe were built into the beginning of 1944) which "suggests" the use of the Pomon filter would be less likely (though Factory 112 continued to produce T-34's with a number of archaic features so I wouldn't say anything is impossible).
However, given the kit's later type exterior details it seems the best bet accuracy wise is to build it with the Cyclone air-filters.

A word of caution on "Mythical Weapon": though generally a fine reference ( I personally like it though it has been panned by many knowledgeable reviewers) it contains many false or otherwise inaccurate statements. Its drawings for the better part suffer from one level or another of inaccuracy and some of the production dates appear to be little more than guesswork. Take what you read in it with a grain of salt.

Mark

Both styles (either single(BOTTOM) or twin air-filter(TOP)) intake manifolds are provided.
Following are some photos showing the twin air-filter configuration:

The above pic clearly shows the twin air-cleaners connected to the intake manifolds. Also, note the fuel injection lines.

Here's the engine bay, complete with twin (VT1) air-cleaners and exhaust pipes. You can just see the batteries.

Ted,
How far were you thinking of taking this in terms of detail and are you thinking of painting the hull or leaving clear to show off the interior?

Mark

I'll suggest some detail enhancements along the way, but build this out-of-box. As for painting, I think I'll use the airbrush to leave a transparent quality to the clear exterior.

Very good.
The reason I ask is that if one were to leave the hull unpainted there would be a lot of extra work to do because you don't get (among other things) the backsides of the fuel cells which would need to be scratch built.

What are your thoughts on the clear parts?

Mark

I would suggest some "selective" painting -covering those areas which have no backside. Even if you painted 90 percent of the rear hull opaque, the engine hatches are still separate. The quality of the clear parts is very good.

Hi Ted send a provate e mail to me at ian.sadler3@ntlworld.com and title it T 34 air filter , I will be able to send you the photo , On the understanding this is not for publication just research only . cheers ian

Thanks, Ian!

Here's the completed engine/transmission. Just needs some plumbing for detail.

Too dark?
The transmission and engine block were both unpainted aluminum and should probably be a lighter silver grey.
Nice otherwise though.

Mark

You're correct, they are aluminum. After recently removing the engine from my car -also all aluminum, I found it was mostly black from all the grime: covered in blackish goo!

Looks good keep us posted

Ah, true but was your engine only three weeks from the factory floor when you had to change it?

Any updates ready yet? Looking forward to seeing how this one builds out.

Mark