Hello Gent's! I am in need of some assistance. I need a T-34/85, for my Angola project. What kit would best resemble the ones used in Angola in the 1980's? I know thw colors, but I need the kit closet to that used by the Cubans and FAPLA. any help appreciated. Thanks.

Hey Ray,
I Googled Cuban T-34 and found this:

http://www.geocities.com/sa_bushwar/opsprotea.html

I'm sure if you searched further, you'd find more sites.
Cheers

jjumbo

Dragon offered a 1/35th scale T-34-85 Model 1963, with the relevant postwar rebuilds, including the starfish wheels. As I recall, it was boxed as a Vietnam War tank. It was otherwise similar to their 1945 T-34 kit and Chinese Volunteer (Korean War) boxing from Shanghai Dragon. It has not been rereleased recently, though, and would need some photoetch, as this was not a Premium type kit release. You may find it on E-Bay.
That said, not all Cuban vehicles had the new wheels, and you might get away with using a different kit. The original Dragon kit with the late cupola, dished wheels and squared off fenders might work, if you added the smoke canisters to the tailplate.

Hey Ray,

If you can't find the DML Chinese Volunteer or Vietnam version of the T-34/85, try Chesapeake Model Designs.

http://www.chesapeakemodels.com/

They have a number of AM kits that may help.

CMD-05 Czech T-34/85 turret
CMD-09 T-34/44/55 finned pattern roadwheels
CMD-21 T-55/62 starfish pattern roadwheels

I have the turret and finned road wheels in my stash if you're interested.

Cheers

jjumbo

Thanks guy's! I have had All the SA sights I can find in my favorites for quite some time. I need to know about the kits. I want to get the closest that I can then go with AM stuff to bring it up to snuff.