Up next from MiniArt is a T-34/85 kit that will come with interior details.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Before anyone says there are other T-34/85 kits...

None are of this variant. Never been kitted before except in a better left forgotten Maquette kit.

Miniart is smart.

Even in their brochures MiniArt has found a way to change things up a bit - unique way to display the PE parts included in the kit! Never seen it done like that.

This is welcome and a smart choice, but the winter 43/44 production might have been even more so. Some minor mods needed here to do a "Dmitri Donskoi" which is sure to be a popular subject. Given the Miniart way, a kit sporting the earlier production details might be a reasonable expectiation.

Must have!

Ya must have. Notice they include the full engine bay including transmission in this one were we have had kits of it for years, but the T44 and T54 kits never had anything for the whole back of the vehicle, radiator, transmission, oil cooler. Sigh. Bitter.

Yeah..noobody is hailing this as just another T34/85 lol.
This would be a perfect Bagration or Kurland T34/85. It looks great. Thanks for the news!

Very welcome release, though I'll probably wait for the exterior kit version. I don't do maintenance dioramas, and the view through a T-34 crew hatch is very limited. Other than Zvezda's recent Factory 183 kit (which needs a bit of tough love to complete accurately), nobody else has offered an early 1944 T-34-85. The Dragon and AFV Club kits are all from the last six months of the war.

If I wanted to be a real curmudgeon, I'd note that the distinctive track pattern used at Factory 112 is not included, but nobody else offers it, either (other than ICM, in crappy vinyl). I imagine I'll survive without it.

im buying this. i cant wait for its release

Gerald,

do you know the earliest combat use of the T-34/85, and where? I have a book on second tank army and there are some pics of T-34/85 allegedly from early '44, but I'm not sure. The strength returns in the book don't call out separate T-34/85s, but I'm not sure that means much.

Thanks,
Phil

Personally I'm thrilled to have a T-34/85 with a full interior and I don't really care which variant; I already built the AFV T34/76 and was looking forward to someone offering this version.

Does anyone know when this will realistically be available to buy. Is it like a couple of months. I mean typically from announcement to sale is typically how long?

Couldn't tell you off hand, but so far I don't think MiniArt's ever abandoned a kit after announcement. Might be able to order from overseas to get a couple weeks head start though.

I've added this kit to my wishlist, haven't built a T-34 yet so it's about time. Does anyone have any reference book recommendations on the T-34?

There's of course "T-34 Mythical Weapon" by Michulec and Zientarzewski, published by Airconnection, though I can't tell you if it's still available. Two months ago it still was, when I ordered the KV book via the Hussar Productions website.

@Gerald: I don't know the distinctive features of Factory 112 tracks, but MasterClub offers a wide range of T-34 tracks. Is that type of track not included?

Look through the past Miniart news releases like for their M3 Lee/Grant kits. Gauge how long it is from announcements until it was released. (Both often have their own news item)

I would say we'll see this kit before the end of 2020 if the M3 are anything to judge by. Might take longer because of social distancing though. Makes it harder to get all the parts into one box.

You could try these:
T-34 in Action (Squadron/Signal Publications)
T-34 vs StuG III: Finland 1944 (Osprey Publishing)
T-34-85 Medium Tank 1944-1994 (Osprey Publishing)
T-34: The Red Army’s Legendary Medium Tank (Images of War Special) (Pen & Sword)
The T-34 Tank (Osprey Publishing)
T-34 Stalin's War-Horse (Ajaks)

I would add the excellent Haynes owners workshop manual by Mark Healy. According to it the T-34/85 first saw action in March/April 1944.

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I'll be sure to check them out

The new pics on their site of the build up are very enticing. I can't wait!

This book mentions the Miniart kit as being from March-April 1944.


Dimitri Donskoy is from an earlier production. (January-February)
Def models makes a turret and decal set for this one:
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/defmodel-dm35046-t-34-85-d-5t-turret-conversion-set-early--945906