I'm trying to collect information to create a dio of the Soviet advance Westward following the Battle of Kursk. I'm don't know a lot about Soviet armor, or the Red Army in general, so here's my question: what model of T-34 was used at Kursk & shortly there after? If you had to pick a 1/35 kit, which one would you pick? Aftermarket recommendations are also welcome. See told you I didn't know a lot about Soviet armor!
Thanks,
Jim
Hosted by Jacques Duquette
T-34 at Kursk
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Armorama: 238 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 06:49 AM UTC
Finch
Joined: August 03, 2005
KitMaker: 411 posts
Armorama: 273 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 03:24 PM UTC
The short answer is, every T-34 version that had been produced up till then was in use at Kursk.
But the most common version, by far, would be the hexagonal-turret versions. Tamiya did a kit in the 1970s called the "Model 43" although nowadays that same tank will also be called a "Model 42" in many newer references. Best way to build an accurate one is to get a DML T-34-85 "UTZ" and add a Tamiya hexagonal turret to it, making a few minor modifications to the upper hull along the way.
But the most common version, by far, would be the hexagonal-turret versions. Tamiya did a kit in the 1970s called the "Model 43" although nowadays that same tank will also be called a "Model 42" in many newer references. Best way to build an accurate one is to get a DML T-34-85 "UTZ" and add a Tamiya hexagonal turret to it, making a few minor modifications to the upper hull along the way.
m4sherman
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 04:33 PM UTC
The only thing I can add to the last post is to Google T34 to have a look at the variants, and try to get a reference book or two. There is a prolific amount of aftermarket for the T34 series. I really can't be more specific as I make my own conversions. Check out some of the vendors listed.
Yoni_Lev
Joined: September 20, 2007
KitMaker: 861 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 05:25 PM UTC
jjumbo
Joined: August 27, 2006
KitMaker: 2,012 posts
Armorama: 1,949 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 05:39 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm trying to collect information to create a dio of the Soviet advance Westward following the Battle of Kursk. I'm don't know a lot about Soviet armor, or the Red Army in general, so here's my question: what model of T-34 was used at Kursk & shortly there after? If you had to pick a 1/35 kit, which one would you pick? Aftermarket recommendations are also welcome. See told you I didn't know a lot about Soviet armor!
Thanks,
Jim
Tank Workshop/Tank Maker has a number of AM resin turrets:
http://www.tankworkshop.com/Shop/agora.cgi?cart_id=%%CArt_id%%&product=Tank%20Maker&xm=on
Cheers
jjumbo
GeraldOwens
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Friday, December 14, 2007 - 07:45 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The short answer is, every T-34 version that had been produced up till then was in use at Kursk.
But the most common version, by far, would be the hexagonal-turret versions. Tamiya did a kit in the 1970s called the "Model 43" although nowadays that same tank will also be called a "Model 42" in many newer references. Best way to build an accurate one is to get a DML T-34-85 "UTZ" and add a Tamiya hexagonal turret to it, making a few minor modifications to the upper hull along the way.
If I were going to kitbash, I'd use the Zvezda Model 43 turret, as Tamiya's is poorly proportioned. If money were no object, the aftermarket resin turrets are also nice. If time is not an issue, Dragon will no doubt work its way up to the mid-war models.
sgtreef
Joined: March 01, 2002
KitMaker: 6,043 posts
Armorama: 4,347 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 01:18 AM UTC
Would have to agree with any T/34 that was around.
Good luck on the model.
I would do a 1943 version myself.
Good luck on the model.
I would do a 1943 version myself.
hogarth
Joined: June 02, 2006
KitMaker: 672 posts
Armorama: 592 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 01:33 AM UTC
Definitely as Danny Egan said, the Hex turret type would have been by FAR the most common type.
I just built the Italeri/Zvezda/Revell one, mostly OOTB, and found it quite good. MUCH better proportioned than the old Tamiya ones.
Or, as Danny said, you can go with a Dragon hull and then put either an aftermarket or other turret (I'd go with Zvezda over Tamiya due to the shape/proportions).
Mine is in my gallery, if you have access and want to check it out.
I have 2 more still to build. When done, DML will no doubt come out with 5 variants.
Oh, one other option is to use the Zvezda or the DML hull but use the Tamiya one from their CHTz kit....just for a different look.
Rob
I just built the Italeri/Zvezda/Revell one, mostly OOTB, and found it quite good. MUCH better proportioned than the old Tamiya ones.
Or, as Danny said, you can go with a Dragon hull and then put either an aftermarket or other turret (I'd go with Zvezda over Tamiya due to the shape/proportions).
Mine is in my gallery, if you have access and want to check it out.
I have 2 more still to build. When done, DML will no doubt come out with 5 variants.
Oh, one other option is to use the Zvezda or the DML hull but use the Tamiya one from their CHTz kit....just for a different look.
Rob
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Armorama: 238 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 08:47 AM UTC
Thanks for the info, guys. I appreciate it.
Jim
Jim
m4sherman
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 16, 2007 - 05:47 AM UTC
Zvezda 1943 turrets are better shaped than the old Tamiya. I stumbled across a 1942 variant with the welded turret with the chin cut outs by Zvezda for $12.00 at a swap meet. The details are soft, but I plan on using it on a DML hull and adding new welds etc. The kits are hard to come by out here where I am, so I had to mail order the 2 1943 tanks I wanted. Again, I already have hulls waiting.
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Armorama: 238 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 03:42 PM UTC
I've seen this kit pop up on eBay recently "Soviet Medium Tank T-34/76 Model 1943 Revell 03064". Is is a decent kit? Not getting into to much "rivet counting", what should be replaced to make a decent T-34/76? Are the tracks any good? Is the Eduard PE set worth the investment?
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
t34-85
Joined: August 16, 2006
KitMaker: 232 posts
Armorama: 230 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 04:14 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I've seen this kit pop up on eBay recently "Soviet Medium Tank T-34/76 Model 1943 Revell 03064". Is is a decent kit? Not getting into to much "rivet counting", what should be replaced to make a decent T-34/76? Are the tracks any good? Is the Eduard PE set worth the investment?
Thanks,
Jim
I'm pretty sure it's the Zvezda kit, also released by Italeri. It's decent, reasonably accurate but soft on detail and the overall fit is marginal. Your best bet, as far as details and accuracy go, would be a combination of a Dragon model 1942 kit with a Miniarm 1943 turret (several types were present at Kursk.) Like this one: http://www.miniarm.com/miniarm/t34n.php
Needless to say, if you opt for the above, you'll have to do some research to determine the exact fit. Unlike the Zvezda kit (which comes with awful rubber tracks), all Dragon T-34/76 produced after 2007 come with Magic Tracks and older kits still have link-to-link tracks, although you'd need to spend a little more time cutting them off the sprues and cleaning them up.
PBR_Streetgang
Joined: February 10, 2008
KitMaker: 62 posts
Armorama: 48 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 12:36 PM UTC
Jim,
Sounds like you have alot of good advice here, and there are many out there that know Soviet tanks better than me, but don't make a T-34/85! I do know that variant wasn't released until Winter 1943 and it was the battle of Kursk that prompted it, as most Soviet AFV had 76mm guns up to that point. When the Germans marched in with the Tiger and the few Panthers that made it, they picked the T-34's and KV-1's off at long range.
I want to do a similar diorama in the future. I've purchased soem og the Aber super-detail kits, from Poland. I think they are quite nice! Also, the LionRoar kits are good. There is nothing wrong at all with Eduard, but I do have some older Tamiya kits and want to use them, the Aber kits give you everything, and more.
Post photos of your dio when started, I'll do the same.
BB
Sounds like you have alot of good advice here, and there are many out there that know Soviet tanks better than me, but don't make a T-34/85! I do know that variant wasn't released until Winter 1943 and it was the battle of Kursk that prompted it, as most Soviet AFV had 76mm guns up to that point. When the Germans marched in with the Tiger and the few Panthers that made it, they picked the T-34's and KV-1's off at long range.
I want to do a similar diorama in the future. I've purchased soem og the Aber super-detail kits, from Poland. I think they are quite nice! Also, the LionRoar kits are good. There is nothing wrong at all with Eduard, but I do have some older Tamiya kits and want to use them, the Aber kits give you everything, and more.
Post photos of your dio when started, I'll do the same.
BB
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Armorama: 238 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 01:43 PM UTC
If this dio everr gets past the planning stages, the tank will be a T-34/76 1943. Not sure what else. Maybe a Studebaker US6, some marching infanry, and a knocked out Italian L-6/40. We'll see. Pretty ambitious considering I've never done a dio before.
The title will be "На Запад!" (To the West!) Sort of the opposite of the 20mm dio someone did of the Germans going East.
The title will be "На Запад!" (To the West!) Sort of the opposite of the 20mm dio someone did of the Germans going East.
t34-85
Joined: August 16, 2006
KitMaker: 232 posts
Armorama: 230 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 07:47 PM UTC
Quoted Text
If this dio everr gets past the planning stages, the tank will be a T-34/76 1943. Not sure what else. Maybe a Studebaker US6, some marching infanry, and a knocked out Italian L-6/40. We'll see. Pretty ambitious considering I've never done a dio before.
The title will be "На Запад!" (To the West!) Sort of the opposite of the 20mm dio someone did of the Germans going East.
Just FYI, there were no Studebakers or L6's at Kursk... Deliveries for that type of truck began in late 1943/early 1944. As for the Italian light tank, at the time of the pivotal battle, all Italian divisions had already been annihilated and the survivors withdrawn to Italy. Anyhow, the Italians never ventured that far north (they were attached to Army Group South and only served in the Stalino/Crimea/Stalingrad area), so not even the chance of finding a wreck left from the year before...
jimb
Joined: August 25, 2006
KitMaker: 2,539 posts
Armorama: 238 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 01:54 AM UTC
I guess I was just using Kursk as a timeframe. The idea has sort of grown, changed, ideas have come & gone. I might end up replacing the Studebaker US6 with a different Russian truck. I saw that a truck is going to be released eventually, but of course now I cannot find the link.
The L-6/40 might dissapear from the idea-board if Italeri doesn't release thier's. I saw that Model Victora has one, but it's like $100.
The L-6/40 might dissapear from the idea-board if Italeri doesn't release thier's. I saw that Model Victora has one, but it's like $100.
 |
WEB HOSTING BY
Copyright ©2021 Armorama and Kitmaker Network, a subsidiary of Silver Star Enterprises
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.