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28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion 28 Days Later: Part One
A T-34 Battalion
with Chris Townley

A little under five years ago, I painted a Soviet Tankovy Battalion made up of both T34/85 obr 1943s and T-34/76s. Built from Fortress Europe it had two companies with five of each type of tank (so ten of each in total) as well as a Battalion Commander with a T-34/85 obr 1943. I’d just started working for Battlefront so I also went on a mission to find a spare 76mm turret so I could interchange the HQ tank when needed.

Click here to learn about our T-34 Tank Battalion (Plastic)...

As time passed, more and more lists become available that allowed entire companies of T-34/85s to be fielded in Late-war. So I began mulling over the idea of painting up the extra T-34/85 turrets to fill out the army. It was around this time that John-Paul asked for ideas and suggestions for a series of army box sets that we could offer in conjunction with the Bulge series of books, as well as a British set for Market Garden. It was not difficult to convince him to add one more to the schedule; a T-34 box set that included both the 76mm and 85mm turrets. This not only allowed us to fulfill customer’s wishes for such a product but it also gave us the opportunity to create new plastic components for the T-34.

Read part two of 28 Days Later: A T-34 Battalion here... Read part three of 28 Days Later: A T-34 Battalion here...
Read part four of 28 Days Later: A T-34 Battalion here... Read part five of 28 Days Later: A T-34 Battalion here...
Below: The front and back of the new plastic T-34 component sprue. Below: The new plastic T-34 tracks.
28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion 28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion 28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion

Months later, I found myself sitting in front of a massive pile of T-34 hulls and an even larger pile of T-34 turrets and plastic sprues. It seemed like such a good idea at the time when I volunteered to paint the box set. But now faced with the scale of the task I was confronted with, my confidence was suddenly lacking. Casey was quick to point out I should be paint another ten T-34s just in case I wanted to play some Total War games!

Below: The contains Guards Tank Battalion box set complete with the new plastic components.
28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion
My plan was to assemble and paint these over a four week period. Given that I am not a particularly fast painter, this would prove a test of my painting fortitude, especially given that I have a tournament in early March that requires some addition painting in order to complete the force I will be taking. Luckily for me, I have a regular painting session with some gaming friends from University on a Saturday afternoon in addition to our Thursday night hobby sessions here at the office. I am planned to take a page out of Tom Wise’s book and leave the tracks as separate pieces; this will allow me to paint them much faster and minimise any touch-up work that maybe required.
Chris' Weekly Plan
Week One
Assemble the tanks and get them ready for undercoating and base coat.

Week Two
Wash the tanks, finish the basic paint job, paint the tracks and get all of the stowage painted black.
Week Three
Glue the tracks on, paint the stowage and tools.

Week Four

Decals and weathering.

Week Five

Relax and remember I still have to paint some figures for another army for my March tournament!
Next week I’ll have pictures of the army assembled and ready to paint. Assuming everything goes to plan.

~ Chris.


Right: Chris' fully-assemble Dedov with both turret types.
28 Days Later: Part One A T-34 Battalion


Last Updated On Wednesday, September 16, 2020