I've found this picture right here in this forum:



It is a T-34/85 w/ Bedspring in Berlin. I'd like to know what version of T-34 is, for the turret I'd say it is a UTZ, but who knows? Thanks in advance. Best regards.

José.

Hi José

Yes, I'd agree that looks like a UTZ turret. The stamped wheels are a bit different for a UTZ tank, but stranger things certainly happened. That's about all that can be concluded from a photo from this angle.

Cheers

Scott Fraser

i have a few more pics of this tank on my build log for the dragon kit. Let me just find them...

This is the same tank from a different angle

This is a different tank but in the same place at the same time. (note the Brandenburger Tor in the background of all of those 3 pics)

Now look at this one. Although it is a different tank, it is taken by the same photogrpher probably, look at the holes in the ground.

Here are a few other pics of bedspring T34's

top right on this one

These are the only photos i was able to find when i was researching for my build. Note that if you wish to use the Dragon kit, the wheels are wrong for the one in your picture, even though decals are provided for this tank.
Hope this helps!
Luke

Excellent selection, Luke. You're right about the wheels. There were three types in use in 1945, which is how this discussion began. They were making cast wheels at UTZ and the other two factories were using stamped wheels (and different turrets). The wheels in the DML T-34-85 with the screening (6266) has the earlier type of cast wheel. The kit labelled 'UTZ 1944' (6319) has the type introduced at the end of 1944, as shown in the photo of K-209. The others are an interesting mix of UTZ turrets and stamped wheels.

It's possible that the wheels came from UZTM, not far away. T-34s were made there until late 1943 and they were still making SU-100s there in quantity in 1945. Wheels were one item often shipped back and forth, so if there was a surplus of wheels at UZTM, they could have sent a bunch up the river to UTZ.

There's a question of tires, too. In 1941, the solid rubber tires were made and mounted at only one place, which posed a supply problem that partly led to introduction of the cast STZ-style wheels. I don't know where that work was done in 1944-45, but that may also have a bearing on what wheels were used where. There are still many questions about this tank.

Thanks for the photos.

Scott Fraser

Another question: Did all Berlin T-34 had the bedspring armor? Best regards.

José.