I recently bought Italeri's 1/35 T-26 (kit nr 359) (previously Zvezda), very cheap!
Above the gun barrel, on the mantlet, there is a bit of armor plating. I have never seen this plate on the T-26 before. I cannot find it in any photos on the web nor in any of my books.
Does anyone know on what version this plate was attached? What was it for? Is it historically correct at all?

I think that part should be under the gun barrel! Mistake by the artist.

HTH
Andy

Yes that must be it! The kit itself is constructed wrong since there is a little cut away on the turret front next to the upper part of the mantlet to make room for the plate. Odd! Looking at photos again it is clear that someone made an embarrising mistake...
Thank you for solving the mystery!

Note also that unless they have amended the instructions, the boogies are shown reversed.

Apart from that there are a lot of missing rivets, handles, a fender support (which by the way are too thick), rear hooks, etc...

Here's the original Zvezda instructions;

http://www.model-making.eu/products/Soviet-light-tank-T-26-mod.1933.html

HTH
Andy