A Definition:

(From Webster's New English Dictionary) Mythical Adj. Imaginary, Unreal, Untrue, Having to do with myths...

Obviously people can draw their own definitions. However, there ARE some assumptions in this book which may not sit too comfortably with researchers, modellers or Military Historians. It is worth bearing in mind this choice of words due to the very-opinionated nature of the author's conclusions...

Introduction:

The T-34, for many people, is the definitive AFV of both WWII and a considerable number of years following. Used from the Russian Steppes to Angola and from the Middle-East to the Balkans, few vehicles have been seen in so many conflicts for such an extende period of time. However, this was a vehicle plagued by political intereference, built under abominable wartime conditions, and deployed in the most wasteful manner possible. On the positive side, in my opinion, it was designed to be used after a minimal amount of technical instruction, it was rugged and technically, much more reliable than many of its contemporaries - the KV series, the much-vaunted and (truly) mythical Panther. What is indiscutible is the total disregard in which the Soviet regime used it's Armed Forces - thrown into the meat-grinder of some of the most horrific battles in history, being barely trained, poorly supported by logistics and minimally equipped.

What however remains, historical hindsight apart, is the huge potential in the T-34 as a modelling subject - only the Sherman can compete by offering so many variations in variants, in slight detail differences or in the enormous number of countries which used it - once again, many years after it first appeared. The essential difference between the two systems is in documentation. The Sherman was produced in vast numbers as was the T-34, post WWII, production, development and updating continued in both vehicles. Unfortunately, for the T-34 modeller, documentation is scattered, sometimes confusing and frequently incomplete. While a modeller can access the plans, the offical documentation and examine many preserved examples throughout Europe or the United States. In its country of inception however, the T-34 seems to still be blanketed in official secrecy - making the work of the researcher difficult not to say impossible. Therefore, any attempt to expand the knowledge-base of the vehicle and its variants has to be welcome...

About this Review:

Due to the sheer size of this book and the enormous amount of data within its pages, i've decided to review it according to the various sub-divisions within the book.

The Vital Statistics:

T-34 Mythical Weapon is published by AirConnection of Canada in cooperation with Armagedon Publishing of Poland. The authors of the book are Robert Michulec and Mroslaw Zientarzewski. The book is printed as a large-format hardback and has 520 pages. Within its pages are 880 black and white photos, 58 pages of 1/35th scale plans, detail drawings of various components, twenty pages are in full color, six pages of full-color CAD illustrations and 36 color photos of the vehicle's interior. The book cariies the ISBN 0-9781091-0-4

In Detail

Part 1 - Historical overview. A large part the book is taken up with the author's (very) personal view of the history of the development of the vehicle with an anaysis of the political machinations behind its conception. The initial part of this is demonstrated through a case study of the battle for Mcensk which initiated 'Operation Taifun'. This DOES appear to confirm the author's conclusions about the operational doctrine (or lack of it) which was so emblematic of the Soviet Union. At no point in these 44 pages, does the author deviate from his personal beliefs about a rampant incompetence at all levels - from the 'Aparatchniks' to the designers to the Political leaders and including in his condemnation the Commanders. This section is useful as a 'stage-setter' and much as I (personally) enjoy an 'Academic dog-fight' some of the assumptions do seem a little over the top. For the modeller, there are some VERY well chosen images within this section of a variety of early variants - all with varying degrees of battle damage.

Part 2 - Development. Once again, taking a very personalized view of the decision making process the author takes a very detailed overview of the birth of the Soviet Tank Industry and, the process which led to the beginning of the T-34. Some very controversial views are expressed - one of which is that the T-34M was a FAR superior vehicle to the T-34 series. Some coverage is given to the T-43 - again with some very forceful opinions attached. This section, although 'wordy' does have some incredibly useful drawings and photos of prototype and trials vehicles. Although some of the arguments are compelling (others less so) the remit of this review is undoubtedly to concentrate on the book for its value to the modeller, I will leave the historical/doctrinal arguments for another occasion, and move onto:

Part 3 - 'Circumstances and the First Cut' this considerable section begins the process of describing, through text, photos and line-drawings the evolution of the T-34. Once again, some controversial arguments although the clear emphasis is on the factual. The evolution is well-illustrated through some excellent drawings which clearly indicate the changes made to hull and turret. Although much of this particular section falls under the 'Historical' category, the modeller will find a great deal to interest them.

Part 4 - the 'Real' T-34: In this the vehicle in service and in combat is overviewed. Inevitably, many of the images show T-34s knocked-out during Barbarossa. This is one of the strongest sections in the book for contemporary photos. Those considering portraying K.O'ed or damaged vehicles will be completely overwhelmed by the quality and breadth of the images. Another 'bonus' within these images are vehicles in winter settings with (even in black and white) good indicators as to the application of winter whitewash. This section deals with the T-34/76 within four chapters and has some extraordinarily useful technical data within its pages.

Part 5 - The T-34/85: The emphasis on this, one of the best edited sections, has some (for the modeller) vitally useful material on the evolution of the -85 turret, mantlet differences, cupolas, armament etc. Within the photos are some extraordinary 'in-service' images showing a wide-variety of markings. Those planning dioramas will also find much of use within this section.

Part 6 - Production, Special Versions, Production of the Tank and an Appraisal are somewhat self-explanatory. However, there is a shortage of images of one of the more fascinating versions - the Mine-Roller attachment, there are a few (but, IMO, not enough). Also lacking is much on the ARV version. There are interesting (and well-compiled) sections within these chapters - once again dealing with historical and technical development. This brings us on to the next sections:

Part 7 - The T-34 in the Polish Army: Now this is perhaps seen as of limited interest, HOWEVER, due to the difficulties in research within Russia, Poland, would be a logical choice to do research. As the Polish Army (serving with the Soviets) was equipped with many versions of the T-34 there is real value in using these (available) archives. This is a mixture of the technical and historical once again, with some excellent images reprinted. The Post-War period comes into this (rough) category. This is also of some significance as many vehicles were re-engineered. The documentation here is also much stronger than the Russian statistics. Quality of the images is, once again, excellent and extremely varied with a variety of those images which modellers love to have. The last sections are:

Part 8 - Hulls, Suspension, Armament, Interiors, Turret, Engine, Serial Numbers, Scale Plans and Color Section, occupy almost 150 pages, this is the area (apart from the many contemporary images( which modellers will use most. The detail in these sections, is, in a word, staggering. Each of the first six are done in 'Walk-Round' format with a multitude of different variants being shown to demonstrate the differences. The scale plans (all in 1/35th scale) occupy 58 pages and finish with a page of scale illustrations of applique armor. Each is carefully captioned. The full-color CAD drawings which constitute the next section are particularly useful. All 23 road-wheels are done along with the 6 varieties of Idlers and the 9 variations of Drive-wheels. Sections such as interior arrangement of the 'Large' turret produced by Factory 112 are shown over five pages with a multitude of useful perspectives.The fillowing 11 pages are color images of a variety of vehicles including the engine, internal wiring and driver's compatment. The final section of the book are a series of 12 color 'profiles' showing a variety of color schemes and markings.

On the Plus side

There has been a growing demand in the last few years for this book to be re-edited, expanded and published in English. Now it has arrived, it IS a massive resources for the T-34 enthusiast - particularly in the attempt by the author to document the myriad of variations which epitomises the T-34. The acquisition, re-scanning and choice of the contemporary images of the vehicle is first-class. The 1/35th scale plans are very well-executed and of huge practical value. The author is undoubtedly enthusiastic about the subject also. Some mention should also be made of the detail in the captions - other publishers take note!

On the Debit Side

The book is frequently chaotic in its editing. It really takes time to succesfully 'navigate' through the book. The lack of an index (for a book of this size) is also a failing in the editing process. Although covered, there are one or two variants which really should have a higher profile - the T-34 ARV, the T-34 Mine Roller and. in particular, a shortage of information on the STZ-produced vehicles are, in my opinion, serious shortcomings. The highly 'subjective' historical viewpoint of the author does, after a while, tend to 'grate' also. The CAD drawings are extremely well done although (personal prejudice here again), I do wonder about the choice of vehicle...

Conclusions

If you are really serious about the T-34, it's simple. Buy it. If you are content to build OOB or add a few simple improvements, then perhaps look to cheaper alternatives. However, in a year's time, I would fully expect this book to be fetching 3-4 times it's cover price. It is a VERY useful book, which although NOT the last word on the subject, gets damned close to what T-34 builders are looking for. It isn't cheap, however, this cannot compare with a $20 softcover book with images and a few vague captions. Nor, is it likely that 2% of this information will ever make it onto the 'net. It's a book written with the modeller in mind although the author does tend to ride his particular 'Hobby-Horses' a little too often. Perhaps what we were expecting was a modeller's guide to the T-34. We got it but not EXACTLY what we were looking for although both the Military History buffs and the modeller will find an extraordinary amount of data within its pages - some of it controversial, some of it excellent but NEVER boring...