Paper or Plastic?
While doing research for my SU-100 project (posted here on iModeler), I ran across an advertisement for a paper kit version of the Russian T-34 tank in the same scale as my plastic SU-100, so I thought I'd give building one a try...
The kit comes packaged as multiple pages of parts printed on poster paper. A lot of the construction is an internal framework to give the model strength. Interestingly, a lot of attention is given to providing backing for the air vents in the turret and air ducts for the engine compartment - but no possibility of opening up the crew hatches. The suspension is fully detailed, with lengths of wire provided to give strength to the axels. The wheels are constructed of 28 pieces of paper for each set - multiplied by ten wheels! The tracks are composed of some 140 some pieces multiplied by top and bottom panels for each segment.
While the parts are printed in the proper green color, I decided the printed colors were not realistic enough, so went ahead and painted the tank Vallejo Air Russian Green 4BO, then weathered it up with rust, oil stains, and mud stains. A lot of printed detail is lost going this route, but I think the overall effect is better when painted. Mud covers a multitude of sins, as well!
The only parts not paper are the tow cable made of electrical wire, antenna made of plastic rod, machine gun made of aluminum tubing, and hand hold made of plastic-covered wire.
The diorama base was built with plywood covered with air dry clay and molded to shape, then painted to look like mud and snow. I think it is not bad result overall, but it was a lot of work compared to a plastic kit, so I will likely not do any more of these! It occurred to me that this paper kit would make a great pattern to build a plastic version from sheet styrene - a big project for another time, perhaps...
I usually bypass the armor builds as I'm a one-trick pony builder (aircraft only), but you sucked me in to see what one could do with paper. Pretty amazing!
@gkittinger Thanks for the comment, Greg!
That’s really amazing. Thanks for sharing the in progress pics. I’ve been tempted to try a paper ship model.
@j-healy Thanks for the comment, John!
Pretty cool. One would hope a paper model would be ‘less’ work than a plastic one. The painting is the real selling point on the this one. Nice.
@coondog Thanks, Matt. I worked on this off and on for three months, plastic kits usually take up a week or two.
Nicely accomplished, Robert. The couple of times I've stepped into the paper world I found them to be a whole different animal. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to try again. Again, well done.
@gwskat Thanks, Gary. I used an entire bottle of Evergreen Canopy Glue, but much of that was wasted as the small amounts I would deposit on a work surface would dry out before I could use it all. One advantage is that once you stick to pieces of paper together with white glue, they don't come apart again!
Excellent result, Robert! I am too not brave enough to tackle a paper model.
Well done!
@fiveten Thank you, Spiros!
Very interesting to see how this is done. Really nice result.
@tcinla Thanks, Tom!
Amazing result out of paper, Robert @robgenev665
I can imagine that getting paper in the correct shape is more challenging than with plastic.
Well done.
@johnb Thank, John! Getting the correct shape is one of the particular aspects of paper models. Getting narrow strips of card stock to roll smoothly without folding is a trick. If I was going to do a lot of this kind of work, I would also want to invest in a tool that would cut circles evenly.
Wow that is amazing! Thanks for sharing your work!
@dbutlr Thank you very much, David!
That's a great build Robert. Excellent result. I would have thought the paper would have absorbed the paints without giving you that excellent finish. Nice one 👍
@thom Thanks, Guy. I didn't mention in the text above that I did a gray primer coat from a rattle can first. The trick, I think, is putting on light coats so the paper doesn't become soggy. Once primed with an oil base paint, the water base paints have less chance to be absorbed.
Fantastic result, Robert, maybe it’s “greener” than using plastic.
@chinesegeorge Thanks, George! I would imagine there is far fewer petro-chemicals in paper than in plastic!
Very impressive work. Love this!
@bapowellphys Thanks, Brian!
Excellent results on your build Robert! In the past 40 years I have seen a handfull of modelers who have built paper kits with mixed results. They're harder to build but like yours, there are still some pretty nice looking builds. Thank you for sharing your build.
@v1pro Thanks, Bob! Prior to this I've only built a couple of 1/48 biplanes, which turned out well - after 2 or 3 attempts. This one was definitely a challenge.