Dear Soviet Armor folks,
I have never built a Soviet WWII tank before and don't know anything about T-34's since I mainly do the modern U.S. subjects. After reading that T-34 tanks were the best tanks during the WWII, I want to build one.

I found out that there are many different types (34/76 40, 41, 42, 43 and 34/85 44, etc, etc). Which one do you recommend to buy as a good build, regardless what version it is? DML? Tamiya? Zvezda? Thanks for your comments in advance.

I love questions like this . Simple really, DML. They have the best range imaginable with overwhelmingly the best quality.

Here are some possibles:

6092 - T-34/76 Mod. 1940 Eastern Front, 1941

# 6205 - T-34/76 Mod. 1941

# 6066 - T-34/85 Mod. 1944E

6185 - T-34/76 German Army

6203 - T-34/85 UTZ Mod. 1944

I'd strongly suggest DML as they are the most modern/ less pain-causing thatn the others on the market...

It also depends what scale you're wanting to build in as well... The Tamiya T34s (in 1/48th) get an excellent reputation, fast simple and relatively cheap. If you want to go for 1/72nd scale, take a look at the DML ones. I've just built one for a review, reviewed another (in-box) and have more on the way - superb little kits!!..Jim

I'd highly recommend one of DML's T-34's. I'm just finishing up their T-34/76 and it's been a real enjoyable build, good detail and everythings fit great.

i also recommend the DML T34..
I've build the UTZ version and i can say it worth it

If its 1/35 go for a DML, wich type really doesn´t matter, just pick the one you think looks best.

If you want to go all the way down T34-lane, take a Trumpeter 1/16 - when you are done with it, you pretty much knows how it was made and how it worked ... :-)

This will make it 5 out of 5. I would suggest DML's T34 as well. I have built the kit 6066 which is much better than those Tamiya's aging offerings. The latest version such as kit 6205 comes with PE too.

You should be able to find something in Armorama about the kits that Jim listed. Alternatively, you may try this link

Go on James,get the BIGGIE :-) :-) :-)
have a look in my gallery for some pics of it

Having built the Tamiya, Zvezda and Dragon T-34 kits, I will echo the sentiment that Dragon is the way to go. I've got the NVA T-34/85 and the early T-34/76 Model 1940 and 1941. Great kits all around.

The DML T-34/76 model 1941 is the best amongs the good IMHO.

It includes a PE engine screen and is an updated kit of their excellent model 1940 kit.

That kit also has large accuracy issues. For example, the engine deck is too wide, details on the kit were only aded after the war (i.e. towing points added at Aberdeen) it also has motorization holes, open sponsons, and some details tend to be a bit "soft".

The DML kits are the way to go. They cost just about the same as a Tamiya kit, and are lightyears ahead in terms of detail. Even if you wanted to build a 43 version, I'd recommend using the DML hull. You could buy the Tamiya kits for some details though, like a cast turret in place of a welded one for the 40 through to the 42 versions. I think I will be trying this conversion next, maybe for a model 41....

OK, sounds good, folks! I will be getting the DML T-34/76 1941 from Hobby Lobby later.