In Box Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
Soviet T-34/76 Tank Mod. 1940
Kit no. 6092
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2003
I paid $28.60 at a local shop that went out of business back then,
It is available from Megahobby for $62.86 or from Kit Linx for $55.99 in the 2004 boxing, kit no. 6205 and 2 locations oversea.
There are many more repeats in later years available at shops here and overseas
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2003
I paid $28.60 at a local shop that went out of business back then,
It is available from Megahobby for $62.86 or from Kit Linx for $55.99 in the 2004 boxing, kit no. 6205 and 2 locations oversea.
There are many more repeats in later years available at shops here and overseas
HISTORY:
The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940, famously deployed during World War II against Operation Barbarossa.
Its 76.2 mm (3 in) tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries[5] while its 60 degree sloped armour provided good protection against anti-tank weapons. The Christie suspension was inherited from the design of American J. Walter Christie M1928 tank, versions of which were sold turret-less to the Red Army and documented as "farm tractors", after being rejected by the U.S. Army.
The T-34 had a profound effect on the conflict on the Eastern Front in the Second World War, and had a lasting impact on tank design. After the Germans encountered the tank in 1941, German general Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist called it "the finest tank in the world" and Heinz Guderian affirmed the T-34's "vast superiority" over German tanks.
As early as July 1941, OKW chief Alfred Jodl noted in his war diary the surprise at this new and thus unknown wunder-armament being unleashed against the German assault divisions. Although it's armour and armament were surpassed later in the war, it has been described as the most influential tank design of the war.
The T-34 was the mainstay of Soviet armoured forces throughout the war. Its general specifications remained nearly unchanged until late 1944, when it received a firepower upgrade with the introduction of the greatly improved T-34/85 variant.
Its production method was continuously refined and rationalized to meet the needs of the Eastern Front, making the T-34 quicker and cheaper to produce. The Soviets ultimately built over 80,000 T-34s of all variants, allowing steadily greater numbers to be fielded despite the loss of tens of thousands in combat against the German Wehrmacht.
Replacing many light and medium tanks in Red Army service, it was the most-produced tank of the war, as well as the second most-produced tank of all time (after its successor, the T-54/T-55 series). With 44,900 lost during the war, it also suffered the most tank losses ever.
Its development led directly to the T-44, then the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured core of many modern armies. T-34 variants were widely exported after World War II, and as recently as 2018 more than 130 were still in service.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: 1940–1960s (Soviet Union), 1950s–present (by other states)
Used by: Soviet Union and 39 others
Wars: World War II, and many others
Designer: KhMDB
Designed: 1937–1940
Produced: 1940–45 (USSR), 1951–55 (Poland), 1951–58 (Czechoslovakia)
No. built: 84,070, 35,120 T-34, 48,950 T-34-85[1]
Specifications (T-34 Model 1941
Mass: 26.5 tonnes (29.2 short tons; 26.1 long tons)
Length: 6.68 m (21 ft 11 in)
Width: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew: 4 (T-34), 5 (T-34-85)
Armour: Hull front 47mm /60° (upper part), 45 mm (1.8")/60° (lower part), Hull side 40 mm[3]/41°(upper part), Hull rear 45 mm, Hull top 20 mm, Hull bottom 15 mm, Turret front 60 mm (2.4"), Turret side 52mm/30°, Turret rear 30mm,Turret top 16 mm
Main armament: 76.2 mm (3.00 in) F-34 tank gun, (T-34-85: 85 mm ZiS-S-53 or D-5T gun)
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.62 mm (0.3 in) DT machine guns
Engine: Model V-2-34 38.8 L V12 Diesel engine of 500 hp (370 kW)
Power/weight: 18.9 hp (14 kW) / tonne (T-34) 15.6 hp (11.6 KW) / tonne (T-34-85)
Suspension: Christie
Ground clearance: 0.4 m (16 in)
Operational range: 250–330 km (T-34) (250 mi), 250–300 km (T-34-85) (150 mi)
Maximum speed: 53 km/h (33 mph)
The T-34 is a Soviet medium tank introduced in 1940, famously deployed during World War II against Operation Barbarossa.
Its 76.2 mm (3 in) tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries[5] while its 60 degree sloped armour provided good protection against anti-tank weapons. The Christie suspension was inherited from the design of American J. Walter Christie M1928 tank, versions of which were sold turret-less to the Red Army and documented as "farm tractors", after being rejected by the U.S. Army.
The T-34 had a profound effect on the conflict on the Eastern Front in the Second World War, and had a lasting impact on tank design. After the Germans encountered the tank in 1941, German general Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist called it "the finest tank in the world" and Heinz Guderian affirmed the T-34's "vast superiority" over German tanks.
As early as July 1941, OKW chief Alfred Jodl noted in his war diary the surprise at this new and thus unknown wunder-armament being unleashed against the German assault divisions. Although it's armour and armament were surpassed later in the war, it has been described as the most influential tank design of the war.
The T-34 was the mainstay of Soviet armoured forces throughout the war. Its general specifications remained nearly unchanged until late 1944, when it received a firepower upgrade with the introduction of the greatly improved T-34/85 variant.
Its production method was continuously refined and rationalized to meet the needs of the Eastern Front, making the T-34 quicker and cheaper to produce. The Soviets ultimately built over 80,000 T-34s of all variants, allowing steadily greater numbers to be fielded despite the loss of tens of thousands in combat against the German Wehrmacht.
Replacing many light and medium tanks in Red Army service, it was the most-produced tank of the war, as well as the second most-produced tank of all time (after its successor, the T-54/T-55 series). With 44,900 lost during the war, it also suffered the most tank losses ever.
Its development led directly to the T-44, then the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured core of many modern armies. T-34 variants were widely exported after World War II, and as recently as 2018 more than 130 were still in service.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: Soviet Union
In service: 1940–1960s (Soviet Union), 1950s–present (by other states)
Used by: Soviet Union and 39 others
Wars: World War II, and many others
Designer: KhMDB
Designed: 1937–1940
Produced: 1940–45 (USSR), 1951–55 (Poland), 1951–58 (Czechoslovakia)
No. built: 84,070, 35,120 T-34, 48,950 T-34-85[1]
Specifications (T-34 Model 1941
Mass: 26.5 tonnes (29.2 short tons; 26.1 long tons)
Length: 6.68 m (21 ft 11 in)
Width: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.45 m (8 ft 0 in)
Crew: 4 (T-34), 5 (T-34-85)
Armour: Hull front 47mm /60° (upper part), 45 mm (1.8")/60° (lower part), Hull side 40 mm[3]/41°(upper part), Hull rear 45 mm, Hull top 20 mm, Hull bottom 15 mm, Turret front 60 mm (2.4"), Turret side 52mm/30°, Turret rear 30mm,Turret top 16 mm
Main armament: 76.2 mm (3.00 in) F-34 tank gun, (T-34-85: 85 mm ZiS-S-53 or D-5T gun)
Secondary armament: 2 × 7.62 mm (0.3 in) DT machine guns
Engine: Model V-2-34 38.8 L V12 Diesel engine of 500 hp (370 kW)
Power/weight: 18.9 hp (14 kW) / tonne (T-34) 15.6 hp (11.6 KW) / tonne (T-34-85)
Suspension: Christie
Ground clearance: 0.4 m (16 in)
Operational range: 250–330 km (T-34) (250 mi), 250–300 km (T-34-85) (150 mi)
Maximum speed: 53 km/h (33 mph)
THE KIT:
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of two T-34/76’s moving across a grassy plane with forests in the background.
Both tanks are overall dark green with no markings. Crewmen are looking out the tops of their turrets. They wear khaki uniforms and tanker’s helmets.
One corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. The kit contains 410 parts. For modelers ae 10 and over. Box contains model of one tank.
One side panel of the box begins with a color illustration of the box art of Dragon’s kit no. 6187, a German Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. G. Followed by a CAUTION that when you use paint or cement don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English and for modelers 10 and over repeated. Kit is not suitable for children under 2 because of small parts. in multiple languages, including English
Copyright of the kit is 2003 above Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China, there telephone and FAX number there and kit was made in China.
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The cover art shows a color illustration of two T-34/76’s moving across a grassy plane with forests in the background.
Both tanks are overall dark green with no markings. Crewmen are looking out the tops of their turrets. They wear khaki uniforms and tanker’s helmets.
One corner of the box art says: Unassembled model kit. The kit contains 410 parts. For modelers ae 10 and over. Box contains model of one tank.
One side panel of the box begins with a color illustration of the box art of Dragon’s kit no. 6187, a German Sd.Kfz. 251 Ausf. G. Followed by a CAUTION that when you use paint or cement don’t be near an open flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English and for modelers 10 and over repeated. Kit is not suitable for children under 2 because of small parts. in multiple languages, including English
Copyright of the kit is 2003 above Dragon’s street address in Hong Kong, China, there telephone and FAX number there and kit was made in China.
The other side panel of the box shows 4 color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by a repeat of the address. Phone and FAX number etc. on the other side panel.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 18 medium gray trees, loose medium gray hull tub part, clear tree, decal sheet and length of white string in 7 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that is printed in color on slick-coated paper. It accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a color repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 21 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4-view and a 2-view of the T-34/76.
The 4-view is overall dark green with no markings (the cover art scheme). It is as it appeared on the Eastern Front in 1941.
The 2-view is in a wave pattern of tan and dark green with a mahogany mantle and no markings. It was with the 1st Moscow Motorized Rifle Division, July 1941.
The kit’s decal sheet is illustrated with arrows pointing to the turrets of the two views. The sheet just has white numbers 0 to 9 on it and they want you to choose whatever number you please for turret markings. I would have better liked some slogans.
The trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium gray letter A trees. They hold bogies and a road wheel etc. (12 parts ea.)
This kit contains 18 medium gray trees, loose medium gray hull tub part, clear tree, decal sheet and length of white string in 7 sealed clear cello bags and the instructions.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that is printed in color on slick-coated paper. It accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 8 ¼” x 14” page format.
Page 1 begins with a color repeat of the box art, over the parts trees illustrations.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of Gunze Sangyo and Italeri brands of hobby paints, in 6 languages, including English.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 7 gives a grand total of 21 assembly steps.
Page 8 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4-view and a 2-view of the T-34/76.
The 4-view is overall dark green with no markings (the cover art scheme). It is as it appeared on the Eastern Front in 1941.
The 2-view is in a wave pattern of tan and dark green with a mahogany mantle and no markings. It was with the 1st Moscow Motorized Rifle Division, July 1941.
The kit’s decal sheet is illustrated with arrows pointing to the turrets of the two views. The sheet just has white numbers 0 to 9 on it and they want you to choose whatever number you please for turret markings. I would have better liked some slogans.
The trees are alphabetized.
There are 2 identical medium gray letter A trees. They hold bogies and a road wheel etc. (12 parts ea.)
Medium gray letter B tree holds: turret top, exhaust pipes, hatch lids etc. (21 parts)
Medium gray letter C tree holds the hull top etc.(17 parts)
There are 2 identical medium gray letter D trees. They hold road wheels etc. (15 parts ea.)
Medium gray letter E tree holds box covers, tie down hooks, etc. (18 parts)
There are 2 identical medium gray letter F trees. They hold drive wheels, idler wheels, cable ends, machine gun etc (22 parts ea.)
Medium gray letter G tree holds: hull front, turret sides and front and hatch, engine air-intake grill etc. (24 parts)
Medium gray letter H tree holds: gun breech parts, muzzle, shovel, turret front wall, gun barrel etc. (18 parts)
Letter I is the medium gray hull tub single part.
Clear letter J tree holds the headlight lenses.
There is no letter K tree.
There is no letter K tree.
There are 3 identical medium gray letter L trees. They hold individual track links. (63 parts ea.)
There are 2 identical medium gray letter M trees that hold more tie downs, cover, headlights, etc. (9 parts ea.)
Trees A, M & N are co-joined. Tree D and F also.
There are 2 identical medium gray letter N trees. They hold the spring boxes (4 parts ea.)
The length of white string and the decal sheet completes the kits contents.
There are no crew figures included. The only interior detail is a gunner’s seat and the main gun breech in the turret.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.