I'm working on my T-34/85, it has three marking options, but in the instructions sheet only says "Soviet Army - Winter 1944" and shows a tank with the number "183" on the turret sides... I have the Italeri boxing of the Zvezda T-34/85, I'll post my progress later. I'm looking for another options, but it's kind of difficult, as you know, Zvezda's T-34/85 is a UTZ model 1944 (or 1945?), wheels are plain dish type with solid tires (no perforations) so the markings must be for such a tank, if possible. This is the decal sheet:



Apart from the two "183" at the left there are two "☆П-87" and two little "4" inside triangular outlines
I'd like to have at least some info for the other marking options other than "Winter 1944", I think I've seen a tank with the last option (number 4), but I think it had air recognition bands on the turret roof and the tank has spider wheels with perforated tires, though. Thanks in advance. Best regards.

José.

Hello José.

ARMO released this decal sheet recently, from Jadar in Poland.

http://www.jadarhobby.pl/armo-35424-t3485-vol1-decal-p-12441.html

I like it very much. There are twelve options, and they are well-researched and well-printed. Quite a few are UTZ T-34-85s, however it is not typical for UTZ tanks to have stamped wheels — they were more common with tanks from Zavods No.112 and No.174.

1.) T-34/85 with “flattened” (UTZ) turret. 95th Tank Brigade, 9th Tank Corps. Berlin, May 1945.
2.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 4 Guard “Minsk” Tank Brigade, 2nd Guard Tank Corps. Minsk, July 1944.
3.) T-34/85 with “angle-jointed” turret. 164th Tank Brigade, 16th Tank Corps. Warka - Magnuszew, Summer 1944.
4.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 4th Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Corps . Germany, April 1945.
5.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 41st Guard Armoured Brigade, 7th Mechanized Corps.Hungary, February 1945.
6.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 2nd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Corps. Germany, April 1945.
7.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. Unit unknown. Russia, summer of 1944.
8.) T-34/85 (D-5T) with model 1943 late production turret. Unit unknown. Russia, summer of 1944.
9.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 4th Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Corps. Germany, April 1945.
10.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret and improvised anti-Panzerfaust armor. 36th Tank Brigade, 11th Tank Corps. Berlin, 30 April 1945.
11.) T-34/85 with “composite” model 1945 turret. 4th Guard Tank Corps. November 1945.
12.) T-34/85 with “flattened” turret. 2nd Motorcycle Battalion, 1st Armoured Corps. Czechoslovakia, May 1945.

If you see one you like, I have images of some of these.

Cheers
Scott Fraser

I see, I see... Right now, I'm detailing my Zvezda so the time is perfect for convert it into a 112 or 174 version... Any special feature? I already tried the AFV Club tracks on it, they have a good fit. I'll post the progress shortly. Thanks a lot for the info. Best regards.

José.

If you want to take a DML T-34-85 and build it as a tank...
from Zavod No. 174, replace the turret and hinges on the rear plate, and use stamped roadwheels.

from Zavod No.112, replace the turret and the upper and lower rear plate, including hinges, and use stamped roadwheels.

Either way, the turrets are quite different, and you need wheels from #6479 or an SU-100. The recent AFV Club kit is an easier kit to start from for these versions, or resin turrets are available.

Cheers
Scott Fraser

I have the Zvezda T-34/85, and I don't want to spend more money on it so I'll build it as it is, some modifications and detailing here and there, new tracks from AFV Club and nothing more. Thanks a lot for your input. Best regards.

José.

Nine of the schemes on the ARMO sheet are for UTZ tanks. It's a good place to start.

Cheers

Those markings with the 183 and the triangles (the first one) look good, I think I've seen it before (a finished kit), but I remember that the numbers and triangles seemed to have been brush-painted... Maybe I can try it. Thanks a lot again. Best regards.

José.