what is the best T-34/76 kit out there
thanks dave

In 1/35th scale, Dragon's Model 1940 and 1941 T-34s are good representation of early production tanks from Kharkov. Dragon's later T-34-76 variants use the upper hull and fenders from these versions, but you have to remove some molded-on fender fittings that disappeared after 1941, which is fiddly. The front plate on the later tanks doesn't have the driver's hatch in quite the correct location, being too far outboard.

Dragon's T-34-85 is pretty decent for a Factory 183 Model 1945 variant. Get the Premium Edition kit, as the new Orange Box version from Cyber Hobby has no photo etch, and no Magic Tracks (it has old school separate link track on a sprue).

Academy's new T-34-85 is a decent representation of a Factory 112 type from 1945-46, and can also be built as a Korean war tank. Some experts complain the the front part of the engine deck has incorrect details, but this area is hidden under the turret bustle, and can be safely ignored.

AFV Club's T-34-76 and T-34-85 kits seem pretty decent, overall, and come with interior detail. They have soft plastic track, but workable indie links are available separately (which are also adaptable to other makers' kits).

ICM's new T-34-76 is average, and needs some photo etch and aftermarket tracks.

Avoid the Zvezda/Italeri/Revell-Germany versions (they're all the ancient Zvezda molds). Also avoid the RPM/Maquette T-34-85 version (it's crude, and the Academy kit produces the same variant with less work). The RPM/Maquette version was later repurposed as a T-34-76, but the adaptation was even cruder, and the Dragon early T-34's are superior.

The Tamiya T-34-76 kits date from 1974, have misproportioned engine decks, and are over scale, to allow space for the electric motors which all Tamiya kits used to have. The hull angles are also off. That said, they are cheap and assemble very easily. Eduard does photo etch that matches the incorrect engine deck. Tamiya's T-34-85 from the 1980's is just embarrassing.

Gerald thanks for the info
dave

Would those reviews be generally the same for the T-34/85 kits out there?

Thanks Gerald, that is a nice, concise review of the field of kits.

ignore my above question...I see you already explained it. Last night was a rough night

I should mention in passing that Revell-Germany will no doubt offer ICM's new T-34-76 in the near future, as the two companies have a marketing agreement, and Revell Germany is reboxing fewer of the older Italeri and Zvezda kits these days.