Hi all,

I am modelling a Tamiya T-34/76 Model E - (1 commander Cupola).

I have added the additional armor in front of the hull (common in T-34/76 1942 version)....

Do T-34/76 Model E have additional armor in the front, better if anyone has a reference picture with relevant markings...

Much Thanks

Lester Yeo

I can’t recall ever seeing a photo of a T-34-76 late “Model 1943” with the cupola that was also fitted with extra armor on the glacis. However, the Soviets had a program of factory rebuilding tanks and as such it isn’t too uncommon to see all sorts of interesting combinations.
For instance, in Poland there are a pair of tanks with later production STZ Model ’41 hulls with the large hexagonal turret. I’ve also seen a couple of photos of “mid” production hulls from Factory 183 or 174, etc. with an STZ welded turret.
With that said, you should note that the extra armor plate provided by Tamiya for their kits is of a type one would only see on Factory 112 made hulls. Tamiya’s hull is of the kind made by Factory 183 and so the plate is not really appropriate.

Hope this helps,

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the detailed info. :-)

Problem is , I have already glued Factory 112 on the glacis....but now I intend to replace the Hexa turret...since it may not be historically accurate.

a) Will it be better if I actually make it a recovery vehicle with a wooden cover over the turret...yet sporting hte extra Factory 112 armor on the glacis?

b) Or is it more appropriate to swap the hull with additional armor altogether with a T34/76- 1941 edition (as in the Tamiya kit with white winter camou)????

Thanks in advance
Musicwerks

"Problem is , I have already glued Factory 112 on the glacis....but now I intend to replace the Hexa turret...since it may not be historically accurate."

You’re right Tamiya’s turret isn’t really all that good.

"a) Will it be better if I actually make it a recovery vehicle with a wooden cover over the turret...yet sporting hte extra Factory 112 armor on the glacis?"

Here’s the real problem if you are looking to be completely accurate; it’s not just the glacis appliqué armor that makes the tank a Factory 112 vehicle. That manufacturer also used interlocking glacis and side plates as well as a different design for the rear plates where the upper plate with the transmission cover overlapped the lower plate rather than butting up against it. They also used two large hinges rather than three smaller ones like Factory 183 had. So you have to do a little scratch building to do it up right (but the work would be fairly easy).
If you would like to go this way I can share some illustrations I have that show the differences in the rear area that may be of help.

"b) Or is it more appropriate to swap the hull with additional armor altogether with a T34/76- 1941 edition (as in the Tamiya kit with white winter camou)????"

This would be the easiest rout to a more correct T-34 I think.
BTW, what Tamiya provides is a Model ’42 hull for all four of their versions. It is my understanding based on Russian and Eastern references (with the exception of the AJaKs books which are not really all that good or trustworthy) that to be a “Model ‘41” the tank would need the rounded rear section as you find on the DML ’40 and ’41 kits.
The point being that Tamiya’s “Model 1942” with the small turret really is a Model ’42 not a ’41.


Mark

Hi Mark,

Thanks man for the great reply!

a) ....So you have to do a little scratch building to do it up right (but the work would be fairly easy).....If you would like to go this way I can share some illustrations I have that show the differences in the rear area that may be of help.

I wld really be grateful if you could send me the links or pictures....

[email protected]

Thanks!

Musicwerks

:-)