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7270,
T-34/85 Mod. 1944 Late Production. 1/72nd-scale styrene/multimedia kit
containing 95 styrene parts, one etched brass fret, two DS-100 track
lengths, one length of wound metal wire, six water-slide decal marking
schemes and six pages of instructions in seven steps.
DML continues to maximize mold mileage when it comes to the more widely-produced
types, such as the Pz.Kpfw.IV, Sd.Kfz.251 and in this case, the T-34.
This latest kit will allow the modeler to construct a T-34/85 Model
1944 as seen towards the end of the war. It includes a few later features,
as well as the unique "bed spring" stand-off armor seen during
the Battle for Berlin and can be built (with reservations) to represent
a tank of Factory 183 produced during the winter of 1944.
The tracks are one of several patterns in the standard 550mm size seen
on many later T-34 and derivatives. The road-wheels are the partially-webbed,
perforated, rubber-rimmed types. Each pair is molded as one piece using
slide molds. This eases final assembly as each pair will be parallel,
but since none of the perforations pass clear through the wheels, they
will have to tediously be drilled out. Or, the modeler can simulate
depth with paint. Curiously, there are two extra road-wheels, which
can go directly into the spares box. The steel idler wheel and drive
sprockets are molded in the same fashion and will also need the perforations
drilled out. The belly pan is a single part with suspension arms molded
in place; this aids in keeping the wheels properly aligned, but will
make it very hard to place the finished model on a diorama base that
may need articulated suspension units. The lower rear plate is separate
and also features separate "hammer-head" tow shackles, as
well as minute "keepers" that combine etched brass and styrene
for excellent detail.
The superstructure is a single main part with a separate rear plate;
there are several options where this part is concerned. The rear plate
features a separate transmission access hatch lid, with a properly detailed
hatch opening. There are separate exhaust stubs with pre-bored openings,
which are integral with their armored cowls. The engine deck features
optional air intake grill parts; one has the screen molded on, while
the other is opened and can receive the supplied etched brass screen
and frames. Beneath this is a new etched part that has the air-flow
regulation flaps and inner deck detail; the flaps can be positioned
opened or closed. Tiny etched parts are provided for the tail marker
light and its shroud. There are also etched parts for the superstructure
side and engine deck grills. Three external fuel drums are provided
with nicely-detailed separate racks, while grab handles for the often-carried
"Desant" infantry are also included. The front plate features
a separate driver's hatch lid as well as separate machine-gun blister
and shielded weapon. "Hammer-head" shackles are given as are
the etched brass and styrene cable "keepers". The fenders
are of the rounded style, while the front edge of the glacis plate is
the rounded style; a pointed type is included, but is marked as "not
for use". Spare track lengths, bundles of ice cleats, a shovel
and saw, two tool boxes (one with etched brass mounting brackets), two-part
horn and two part head-lamp and several other parts complete the small
details. The latter includes an etched brass mounting bracket. Finally,
there are styrene end parts and wound wire for the tow cables.
The turret is molded in several parts including the use of a slide-mold
for the main part; this allows view slit and pistol port detail to be
included. When the upper and lower halves are joined, the resulting
joint should be left intact and be refined to represent a casting seam;
this is not a weld bead. The roof plate is separate and includes separate
loader's hatch lid, and commander's cupola with separate hatch lid.
There are separate periscope head covers and the 'scope on the commander's
cupola has an internal periscope with an etched brass handle. There
are two gun mantlets, one of which is marked as not for use; there is
an etched brass rain guard to fit over it, while the 85mm gun tube has
an opened bore thanks to a slide mold. Handles for the "Desant"
infantry are also provided as are separate cheek inserts and double
dome vents; the turret lift hooks have been revised to include separate
etched brass parts. There is an antenna mount, but the characteristic
Soviet base for the aerial is not provided. The commander's cupola is
molded in such a way as to preclude slits on the view ports seen around
its circumference. The modeler will have to scribe them, but their size
will make it a tricky operation; etched brass faces or separate styrene
parts would have been useful here.
The main feature of this kit is the "bed-spring" stand-off
armor seen on some T-34s during the final battles in Germany. These
were fitted to detonate German shaped-charge anti-tank warheads from
such weapons as the Panzerfaust and Panzerschrek. Several sizes and
styles are given and these can be mounted as suggested in the instructions,
or as indicated by references. Naturally, they can be left off if desired.
The water-slide decals are printed in Italy by Cartograf; this translates
into crisp edges, excellent registration and fine color saturation.
Markings for six tanks are provided with a painting guide in full color
showing each subject in four views, keyed to Gunze and Testors paints.
Within the cited references, I could confirm four of the schemes, but
it is quite probable that the details of each particular tank may not
match what parts are provided in the kit. This may include the road-wheels,
fender and cupola styles; consult your references if total accuracy
in this regard is your goal. The instructions are the usual drawn style
and can be followed with confidence; this is a simple kit.
While this all bodes well for the modeler, there are some significant
kinks in this kit. The cited references show that when the commander's
cupola appeared with the single-piece hatch lid, the tank had the angled
folding front fender/mud guards; the kit provides the earlier curved
style. I know¡KNEVER say never! The cupola itself has a major issue regarding
the hatch lid. It and the forward non-opening section of the lid are
the same size, in other words they each cover half of the opening. In
fact the hatch lid should be larger than half of the opening, with the
forward section being correspondingly smaller. The track lengths are
slightly deformed where the sprue connection meets them. And since these
are rather large plates they should not curve when passing around the
idler wheel or drive sprocket; if ever a small scale kit demanded link-and-length
tracks, the T-34 series is one of them!
So, while this is overall a fine kit and a very desirable addition to
the growing stable of T-34 kits, there are pitfalls that the modeler
must be aware of before "going in". That's the purpose of
reviews: they give you an idea of what you can expect before making
your purchase.
Recommended with reservations.
-
Frank De Sisto
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