Hi

These are older 1:35-scale T-34-85 kits, but which one is the best?

Tamiya (35138) T-34-85

Maquette (3502) T-34-85

Zvezda (3533) T-34-85

Are the Dragon (6203) T-34-85 UTZ Mod. 1944 kit hull backplate bolts correct in their size? They look guite small.

Cheers,

EggMan

Eggman,

As someone who built some of those kits when they first came out...

I would say the Tamiya kit, if you are looking for fit and finish. The Marquette kits I have experienced don't fit well, and the Zvezda, same issue. At least the ones I've experienced.

The main issue with the Tamiya kits is they were designed for being motorized. They have included the correct hull panels for non-motorized construction, but have several holes in the hull for switches, contacts and the like. So depending what kind of modeler you are, you can either fill them in or just leave them (they are usually underneath the body.)

Also, the tracks are the rubber band kind. But I think AFV Club sells seperate links from their clear-hull type models which would work. Or you can use Fruilmodel or Modelkasten.

What I really like about the Tamiya kits is the bogies and tracks roll! I can't see why Dragon didn't do this. I have a late-model Tiger tank that actually has a recoiling barrel, but the damn tracks don't roll! Not that I sit there and play with them, but it's really cool to roll it when you are setting it up and see it work. Just my opinion...

Hope this helps!

Bill B.

I found the Zvezda kit very good actually. Pretty basic, but the T34 was basic, so it works. Again, the Dragon T34 kits are very nice - I love them and have about 8 of them, mostly 76's, but are nice kits, with photo-etched engine grill and individual track links. In the UK, the Italeri/Zvezda kits are around £18, but you definately will need a track set, whether it's Fruils or Modelkasten, but they are expensive, so I'd say buy some of the AFV club ones which are very nice and can be bought for about £10-£12.The Dragon kits sell for around £30-£40, but have everything in one box. At model shows, you can pick up some of the T34 kits for about £20 these days. I would say go for Dragon. The Tamiya kits are ok, but old and you would need tracks. The Macquette kits are okay, but are definately much harder work.

In my humble opinion the T34 kit which has the best quality price ratio is the AFV one

It costs less than the Dragon kit but it has the full interior depicted.
The only issue in AFV model are the vinyl tracks

Anyway

tamiya T34 review
http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/builds/tam/build_tam_35138.shtml

zvezda
http://www.kitreview.com/reviews/t3485reviewbg_1.htm

maquette
http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/t3485mod43reviewsp_1.htm

dragon
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6203.htm

http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/t3485utz1944reviewcs_1.htm

http://misc.kitreview.com/armourreviews/t3485chinesereviewcs_1.htm

I hope that can help you

cheers

Hi Eggman,

First question: I go for the zvesda kit. i use them for spare parts. The tamiya second.

Second question: I had a look in my T-34 bible, and the bolds are a tiny bit to small. You can make the correct one with the hex punch and die set. Also you can paint the bolts to make them look ''thickker'' with thick paint or Mr. Surfacer 1000 or 500.

Enjoy

Remco

Best at what?

Tamiya's is the easiest to put together but has major accuracy issues in both the hull and turret.

Zvezda's is much more accurate but more difficult to put together (but still a pretty simple kit to put together).

Maquette's is the best in giving you a major headach. Unless you want one of those leave it alone.

Overall Zvezda's is the best in terms of accuracy but still falls short when compared to Dragon's kit. If you can get your hands on a Dragon kit go that route.

Roy

[/quote]

Best at what?
.

Roy[/quote]

Hi!

I meant that which of these models is the most accurate and now i know.

Thank you for your responses guys.

Cheers,

EggMan