Hi Guys

I am looking for a T34/85 kit in 1/35. I normaly go for Tamiya but they no longer do one in 1/35. Dragon do three that I can get for quite a good price, DRA6266, DRA6319 & DRA6066 which one is the best kit to get. I have also found AFV Club do one but is about 50% dearer than the Dragon Kits are they that much better.

Thanks for any help guys

Paul

Avoid Tamiya's T-34-85 kit like the plague--it's awful.
The Dragon kits are fine, at least for the T-34-85 (their mid-production T-34-76 models have issues, though). All depict a Factory 183
"flattened" style turret, while the AFV Club kit depicts a Factory 174 turret, which was wider at the mid section (I believe they are also going to do a Factory 112 version, which differs in minor details like the engine access hinges). All of these types could be seen through the last year of the war. Dragon offers kits with either the early, two-hatch cupola and rounded front fenders (typical of late 1944) or the later, larger, one-hatch cupola and squared-off front fenders (more common in 1945). They also offer this variant with "bedstead" style standoff armor to protect the tank against German antitank rockets, a common modification in the fighting around Berlin.
Dragon offers non-workable link to link "Magic" track and some photoetch parts. AFV Club's kit has soft plastic track, but offers a set of workable link to link track as an accessory kit (which can also be used on Dragon's kit). The AFV Club kits also offers interior detail, if you want to open the hatches (some versions come with transparent hull and turret parts, to show off the interior, though I find that a bit gimmicky).

Dragon's 6266 "Bedspring Armor" version is a nice kit. Not too difficult a built but still nicely detailed.

You also get an aluminium barrel, plus photo-etch for things like the engine grilles, louvers, fuel tank brackets and of course the (optional) bedspring standoff armour.

- Steve

Id also go with the 6266 kit. Loads of stuff in the box to dress it up nicely. See review on PMMS. Having the bedspring armor offers extra diorama/weathering possibilities as well.

Thanks for the help guys

Hi Guys

6266 orded.

Thanks for you help

Paul

i agree too with the Dragon choice.

But the AFV could be a good choice with the full interior.

I did the Tamyia kit a few yrs ago,,, it was cheap and a good choice for trying some new techniques..

had the same question, bought the 112 factory dragon kit after some research online. here's a review for the model with some items pointed out for construction which people may want to check out if they are considering this version.

look forward to seeing your build. cheers, bd.