Keith Middleton provides an in-box review of the T34/76 Model 1942 Formochka by Dragon, in 1/35.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi Keith , good review but I have found several problems with the kit , there are several missing instructions for parts used , the wrong photo etch for the rear engine cover it should have square edges not rounded.
The hull is shown with only one bump stop and it has two from the old kits .
The turret base stands proud when it should be under the turret lip . Which is not sharp but blunted.
The wrong retaining lugs to the towing hooks .
No mention of using the round fuel tanks which are not complete parts missing .
Good enough as a start but needs research to bring it up to a good standard.
Mine is nearly ready for primer . cheers ian

Could you clarify this a bit, Ian? I'm not quite a 100% on what you are trying to describe.

Mark

Doesn't look to bad.

On the tracks friuls are the only way to go on a T/34.

Armo has or made a Turret correct?

I think I used one about 14 years ago to put on my Tamiya T/34,or am I way off and just a blabbering fool early in the AM.

Hi Keith , it is difficult to explain I will try to find a photo to illustrate the point cheers ian

Hi Keith go the the link and scroll down left hand side till you come to the section you want . Then study the lower edge to the turret you will see what i mean . cheers ian
http://legion-afv.narod.ru/new.html

Hi Ian,

I understand your point regarding the edges clearly - true indeed. And thanks for that splendid Russian link you've just included - it has provided much much closeup shots on the T-34s and other Russian AFVs that's quite lacking on the internet these days. Would help me detail my hex-turreted T-34, KVs, JS-2/3s, and all modern types.

Mark, to use a loose analogy - just imaging placing a cloth over a table. The hanging edges towards the bottom should produce a straight down edge, instead of curving towards the insides. That's how I envisioned this version of the (actual) T-34 turret to be.

Cheers,

Lawrence

OK, I think I'm following you.
One thing to note is that there seems to be a lot of variation in how the forged upper turret shell was cut along the lower edge, not in general form but in detail if you follow me. You can see this in the hand full of examples that are still around.
On some (most that I have good photos for really) there is a pronounced "lip", most notably along the front edge, where the lower casting/turret ring sits down from the upper forging.
This does not seem to be the case for the rear of the turret.

One detail that DML missed on the turret (and it would have been tough to replicate) is the "wrinklyness" of the lower sides of the forging.
I haven't bought the kit yet (I'm still waiting for a good sale price) but I'm looking forward to trying my hand at reproducing that look.

Mark