In Box Review of Dragon 1/35th Scale
Soviet T-34/76 Mod. 1941 Tank
’39-’45 Series
Kit no. 6205
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2004
Price was $32.99 back then at Hobby Lobby. I paid 40% of that price with a coupon.
Available at Mega Hobby for $62.96 or at Kit Linx for $55.95 and at two locations overseas on the web.
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) high-velocity tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries while its 60 degree sloped armor provided good protection against anti-tank weapons.
The sloped armor and Christie suspension were inherited from the design of American J. Walter Christies' 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 its armor 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 armored 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-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armored 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
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 30 mm, 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) high-velocity tank gun was more powerful than its contemporaries while its 60 degree sloped armor provided good protection against anti-tank weapons.
The sloped armor and Christie suspension were inherited from the design of American J. Walter Christies' 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 its armor 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 armored 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-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armored 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
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 30 mm, 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. Since -2005, they changed their name slightly to DML Dragon.
This kit comes in a large blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 3 ½” too long and 2” too wide, creating a letter “L” void around the parts.
The color art is an illustration by Jameson. It shows a T-34/76 on a snow-covered road in a forest. It is overall dark green with a worn white-wash coating. Areas of the white wash are left in wide bands of jet-black, with thin white lines that are creating a checkerboard pattern on them.
One corner of the box art says the kit holds an unassembled model kit. It contains 419 parts. Kit is intended for modelers over the age of 10. Box contains a model of one tank.
One side panel of the box begins with an illustration of the decal sheet that holds 11 turret slogan markings by Cartograf, followed by a CAUTION that when you use cement or paint do not be near a flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers over 10 is repeated. It is not suitable for children under 3, because of sharp parts, in the 6 languages again.
Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China are provided and the copyright for the kit is 2004.
Dragon is an old prolific model company based in Hong Kong, China. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. Since -2005, they changed their name slightly to DML Dragon.
This kit comes in a large blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 3 ½” too long and 2” too wide, creating a letter “L” void around the parts.
The color art is an illustration by Jameson. It shows a T-34/76 on a snow-covered road in a forest. It is overall dark green with a worn white-wash coating. Areas of the white wash are left in wide bands of jet-black, with thin white lines that are creating a checkerboard pattern on them.
One corner of the box art says the kit holds an unassembled model kit. It contains 419 parts. Kit is intended for modelers over the age of 10. Box contains a model of one tank.
One side panel of the box begins with an illustration of the decal sheet that holds 11 turret slogan markings by Cartograf, followed by a CAUTION that when you use cement or paint do not be near a flame and be in a well ventilated room, in 6 languages, including English. Kit is for modelers over 10 is repeated. It is not suitable for children under 3, because of sharp parts, in the 6 languages again.
Dragon’s street and web addresses in Hong Kong, China are provided and the copyright for the kit is 2004.
The other side shows 3 photos of the completed kit in the winter camouflage scheme with the checkerboard decals and a photo of the etched brass and wire for the tow cables.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 17 medium-grey parts trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub part, 2 decal sheets, a brass PE fret and a length of wire in 6 clear cello bags. Unfortunately, the wire is missing in the kit. I lost it over the years I’ve had this kit and will have to buy some wire someplace to replace it.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, 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. A few parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos Corp. and Model Master brands of hobby paints, in the 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 two 4-views of the T-34/76.
The first 4-view is of the box art scheme (already described above). It was with the 1st Guards' Tank Brigade, near Moscow, March 1942.
The second 4-view shows a T-34/76 in a wave pattern of mahogany and dark green. It has 2 white slogans and a red star on the sides of its turret. It was with the 21st Tank Corps. 130th Tank Brigade, Southern Front, April 1942.
Bottom of the page has the decal application instructions on it in the 6 languages.
A small sheet is in the box showing the 11 slogans on one side of it.
Trees are alphabetized.
This kit holds 17 medium-grey parts trees, a loose medium-grey hull tub part, 2 decal sheets, a brass PE fret and a length of wire in 6 clear cello bags. Unfortunately, the wire is missing in the kit. I lost it over the years I’ve had this kit and will have to buy some wire someplace to replace it.
The instructions consist of a single sheet, 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. A few parts are shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION about the kit, over international assembly symbol explanations and a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos Corp. and Model Master brands of hobby paints, in the 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 two 4-views of the T-34/76.
The first 4-view is of the box art scheme (already described above). It was with the 1st Guards' Tank Brigade, near Moscow, March 1942.
The second 4-view shows a T-34/76 in a wave pattern of mahogany and dark green. It has 2 white slogans and a red star on the sides of its turret. It was with the 21st Tank Corps. 130th Tank Brigade, Southern Front, April 1942.
Bottom of the page has the decal application instructions on it in the 6 languages.
A small sheet is in the box showing the 11 slogans on one side of it.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: turret top, exhaust etc. (21 parts) 3 parts excess.
Medium-grey letter C tree holds: the hull top etc. (18 parts) 1 part excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter D trees. They hold the road wheels (15 parts ea.)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter F trees that are co-joined to letter D tree. They hold: tow cable ends, muffler shields, drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (22 parts ea.)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter F trees that are co-joined to letter D tree. They hold: tow cable ends, muffler shields, drive sprockets, idler wheels etc. (22 parts ea.)
Medium-grey letter E tree holds letter “U” tow rings etc. (17 parts)
Medium-grey letter G tree holds: the hull nose plates, engine air intake, turret sides, a machine gun mantle etc. (25 parts)
Medium-grey letter H holds the main gun mantle, turret front, etc. (14 parts)
Medium-grey Letter K tree is co-joined to tree H. It holds the main gun barrel and breech (13 parts)
Medium-grey Letter K tree is co-joined to tree H. It holds the main gun barrel and breech (13 parts)
Medium-grey letter I is the lone hull tub part.
Letter J tree is the clear headlight lenses (2 parts)
There are 3 identical medium-grey letter L trees. They hold individual track links (64 parts ea.)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letters A & M trees. They hold (23 parts ea.) 4 parts are excess.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter N trees. They hold springs in box housings (4 parts ea.)
Letter S is the two lengths of metal cable that have disappeared.
Letter MA is the brass PE fret. It holds the engine air intake screen etc. (20 parts) 1 part excess.
There is no hull interior detail. However, the turret contains the main gun breech and the gunner’s seat. There are no crew figures included.
The decal sheets complete the kits' contents.
One sheet has the green bands with the white line checkerboard on them. The other sheet has all the 11 white slogans on it.
The 1st turret slogan is a stenciled white outline of a diamond with a horizontal line across its center. Above the line is a white number 2. Below the line is white no. 046, followed by a white slogan in Russian.
The 2nd turret slogan is also a stenciled white outline of a diamond with a horizontal line across its center. Above the line is a white number 2. Below the line is white no. 045, followed by a white slogan in Russian,
The 3rd turret slogan is several white words in Russian.
The 4th, 5th and 6th turrets have a white circle with the numbers 1, 2 & 3 on them
The 7th turret slogan is again the white diamond. Above the horizontal line is number 1 over 045 below.
The 8th turret slogan is a white image of a bird in flight.
The 9th turret slogan is a white image of a bear.
The 10th turret slogan is a white image of a elk.
The 11th turret slogan is a white image of a dog.
The decal sheets complete the kits' contents.
One sheet has the green bands with the white line checkerboard on them. The other sheet has all the 11 white slogans on it.
The 1st turret slogan is a stenciled white outline of a diamond with a horizontal line across its center. Above the line is a white number 2. Below the line is white no. 046, followed by a white slogan in Russian.
The 2nd turret slogan is also a stenciled white outline of a diamond with a horizontal line across its center. Above the line is a white number 2. Below the line is white no. 045, followed by a white slogan in Russian,
The 3rd turret slogan is several white words in Russian.
The 4th, 5th and 6th turrets have a white circle with the numbers 1, 2 & 3 on them
The 7th turret slogan is again the white diamond. Above the horizontal line is number 1 over 045 below.
The 8th turret slogan is a white image of a bird in flight.
The 9th turret slogan is a white image of a bear.
The 10th turret slogan is a white image of a elk.
The 11th turret slogan is a white image of a dog.
I also purchased a sheet of Viking Decals No. 7 for a T-34/76 in the Finnish Army 1941-1944 in 1/35th scale.
There is a sheet with the illustrations of all 11 slogans and a painting guide.
This is a neat kit of the T-34/76 Mod. 1941.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.