Hi All I was researching the T 34 in particular the STZ builds and I came across this difference in the front plate notches , One version has the smallest notch at the top and the other has it reversed . Also the turrets are different one cast and the other multi welded plates and so are the front tow hooks one set welded no rivets and the other welded and riveted . see page 21 of Polygon 3(11) 2002 anyone care to comment cheers ian

Hmmm, I don't have that issue (darn it!). Are you positive that the one with the short notch at the bottom isn't a Factory 112 produced tank? I know that would fit the pattern form Kranoye Sormovo. (Of course, IIRC, Factory 112 produced components for the T-34 and KV-1 before they switched to full production of completed T-34s so it may be possible that an STZ tank would have a hull made by 112.)

Mark

Hi it would seem that the tank with the largest portion of the notch at the top is early pattern and the reverse is second pattern . Now we have a postitive id for time scales all we need now is date of change over cheers ian

I guess what I'm curious to know is what features you are using to determine that the tanks in question are in fact from STZ and not from 112?
Mark

hi mark , they are infact the protype used to test balistics at Kubinca and are note as such in the Russian article with english captions . it is worth also noting that factories supplied various hulls to others as sub contractors . I am still working on a set of notes and will in the fullness of time publish them . I have noted as part of my research unknoen type of towing hooks . observed by many but not commented on before . It is an Never Ending Story . cheers ian

I'm always a bit leery about taking magazine and book captions at face value unless they're supported by other sources (and then there's still room for doubt 8-).


Mark

Hi Mark i too am reluctant to refer to captions but it is by cross ref with hundreds of photos and not always looking the tank but the background you build up a cat of information . If a know tank is sitting in a field and it has a certain building in the background and that building keeps up cropping up in many more photos then you can at least be certain they are from the same area but not time frame. . It is the same with Factory photographs some times the same person is included in several none related photos and with different tanks also the background helps to fix the site. You keep seeing the same crane or lathe etc .
If you contact me at [email protected] I will serach out a very good factory photograph of the casting moulds of the Hex Turret for you . Title it Hex turret cheers ian

Hi all , an other good reason for posting at this site is the sharing of information . Both Mark and I have been able to help each other and that is what good research is all about . cheers ian