The Zvezda-Italeri T-34 is much more accurate than the Tamiya kit, although without the crisp detail. It is not comparable to the DML kits, which have their own qurks, but are much better than the earlier kits from either manufacturer.
I would suggest leaving the Zvezda kit in the box, and just using it for parts. The turret is actuapretty good, and with the Armorscale mantlet and some minor detail improvements will yield a very nice 'hardedge' turret for use on any of the later DML kits. The driver's hatch can be used to upgrade the DML STZ '41 kit (#6355) to a more common variant with the revised hatch introduced in the autumn of 1941.
The Zvezda kit has a number of shortcomings that would reinforce this opinion. To build it, the tracks and roadwheels need to be replaced. The tracks are junk. The roadwheels, like those in the Tamiya kit, are far too wide. Moreover, apart from tanks built at STZ in 1942 (which used a different style of roadwheel) T-34s with a complete set of Ural-style all-metal roadwheels are exceedingly rare, if they existed at all (there is no conclusive photographic evidence). Tanks were delivered with rubber-tired wheels on the first and last stations, and as availability improved, the third station was also so equipped, and them the all-metal roadwheels were dispensed with, replaced with cast rubber-tired "half-spider" wheels. Some factories, notably Krasnoe Sormovo and some tanks from Zavod No.174 in Omsk used the stamped "dish" wheels now available (sorta) in the most recent DML Zavod No.112 ("late Krasnoe Sormovo") kit, (The later stamped wheels lacked the central retaining ring found on earlier wheels, as included in the majority of DML '41 kits).
Moving along, if you are intent on building the Zvezda kit, suitable "half-spider" roadwheels are available frm a number of manufacturers, including Azimut, Armo, Tank Workshop, CMD, and in DML's T-34-85 kit #6203 or #6266. You can find good photos of the DML parts on the PMMS website. For tracks, the Magic Tacks from any DML T-34-85 kit can be used, or MasterClub, ModelKaten, and Fruil all offer replacements. Useable photoetch sets can be found in the catalogues of Aber, LionRoar, Voyager, and probably also Eduard and PART. I have the first three, and any of them will do the job. Fenders are available separately.
But I have to ask, why? By the time you replace the tracks and roadwheels, you're looking at investing at least $60 in a $20 kit, plus another $15 for photoetch. Were you to start from DML's #6266, the tracks and roadwheels are in the kit, as well as a much crisper hull, and the hex turret is a comfortable fit. There are a few differences that have to be addressed, namely the rounded front fenders and rounded front beam on the hull, but these are relatively easy to fix. You end up with a better model for less work and a lower cost.
Finally, I have to point out that in the last half of 1943 there were as many as five factories building hex-turret T-34s. Each factory introduced their own unique modifications, and these serve to distinguish one from the other. These range from things as obvious to the style of roadwheels to the style of hinges on the rear plate and even the number of rivets there. Regrettably, these differences are pretty much undocumented in English. If you're interested, I can point you at a number of Russian websites where these are discussed, but your best bet, as always, is to work from photos.
Find a tank you want to build, Post the image, or give a reference to a published source, and we can probably identify the originating factory and then list differences fom whatever stock kit you choose to start from. I have most of what has been published on the T-34, and a many photos to refer to. I also know more than a couple of T-34 gurus to call upon for help.
Cheers
Scott Fraser
Canada
