Product Specifications.

6266, T-34/85 with Bedspring Armor, Premium Edition. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 239 styrene parts (including one clear), two etched brass frets, one turned aluminum gun tube, one piece of metal rod, one piece of braided metal wire, four decal/markings schemes (with variations) and eight pages of instructions in 23 steps.

Introduction.

As a follow-up to their recently-released T-34 Model 1944 "Premium Edition" kit, DML has added several new features as well as more etched brass parts to construct a replica of the unique T-34/85 with the so-called "Bedspring Armor" as seen in and around Berlin during the final battles in 1945. Along with such do-dads as a turned aluminum gun tube, re-worked styrene parts and extensive etched brass parts for the Bedspring Armor, DML has also included three parts that when used will allow the modeler to build an OT-34 flame-throwing tank.

So, this kit has quite a bit in the way of choices for the modeler right in the box; I am rather surprised that DML has not touted this product as a "3-in-1" kit. But trust me, it's all in there, and then some!

Tracks.

This model provides a new set of individual-link "Magic Tracks" first seen in the recent release of the Model 1944 Premium Edition. These duplicate those in the previous T-34/85 kits in that they are the 550mm "waffle" plate style. They come packed loose in two bags and fit together quite easily, but will not stay together without glue. Each link has a pair of ejector pin marks on their inner faces; they are subtle but the more fastidious modeler will wish to remove them. Since they are above the surface, a swipe with a sanding device will suffice; no filler will be needed.

Suspension System.

The road-wheels feature the half-webbed style (six full webs and six "half" webs) with perforated rubber rims and two sets of holes (six small and 12 larger) on the faces of the wheel disks. The idler wheel is of the all-steel type with ten perforations and ten ribs. There are two styles of outer drive sprockets halves included, but only one type (parts F-1) are called out for use in the instructions. All wheels, except the drive sprocket, have separate hub caps.

Separate swing arms and Christie spring housings are provided for the road-wheels, while a separate final drive housing and adjustable idler wheel axle is also provided. Don't fix the idler wheel axle in place until you have fitted the tracks. The final separate item related to the suspension is the track pin retainer plate.

Hull.

The hull pan is from a slide mold; its sides feature molded-on bump stops, bolt patterns and the various openings for the suspension swing arms, etc. The belly plate has panel line details, access plates, drain plugs and separate panel parts. The lower bow plate is a separate part with fine weld detail, and the nose plate is the sharp-edge style featuring excellent weld bead details. The rear panel/transmission final drive housing also features weld details, as well as separate "Hammerhead"-style tow hooks; the final touches are separate "keepers" to hold the tow cables in place on the hooks.

Superstructure.

The main superstructure part has excellent molded-on surface detail to include panel lines, recessed and raised bolt patterns, filler ports and engine deck. The engine deck features a separate access hatch lid, separate side and top air cooling grills (in styrene or etched brass), and a separate grill door panel. This last item is provided with an etched brass frame and screen, but the part itself (B-15) has grill-work already molded in place. This must be removed by the modeler in order for the etched parts to be used. This reviewer is STILL surprised that DML did not provide a pre-opened part as they had done on their more recent early-model T-34 kits. If using the etched screen and frame, the inner engine deck is visible; DML has now thoughtfully provided the movable baffles that will be easily seen beneath the screen as etched brass parts.

This was an issue I noted in the review of the Model 1944 Premium Edition kit (see review here at "Time on Target"); I am glad to see that this area has been improved in this kit. DML continues to be one of a minute number of manufacturers that is responsive to constructive criticism, as demonstrated with this release.

Other details seen on the superstructure part include various deflector strips around the turret ring and driver's hatch lid, weld seams, tie-down loops and the complete fender assembly. As given, the fenders are the later type with the hinged front sections, which have a sharp bend between them and the remainder of the fenders. However, separate rounded front fenders are provided to model this variant. This means that the molded-on front sections must be carefully removed if building certain versions of this kit. In essence, in this regard, DML provides the modeler with "conversion" parts.

Regardless of fender type, they are dressed up with etched brass details, since the molded-on tie-down loops along the sides can be shaved off and replaced with etched brass parts. The driver's hatch lid is a separate part with interior detail, to include etched brass items. The bow machine-gun blister is a nicely-textured cast item, complete with fine bolt and weld seam details. It is complimented by a new DT machine-gun that has complete internal detail, including a two-part drum magazine. The muzzle end of the weapon is pre-opened using a slide mold; it is capped by an external mantlet, complete with sight aperture. As mentioned, a nice little option is the armored nozzle for the TO-34 flame projector, which will allow the construction of the OT-34 flame-throwing tank. Spare track links, tow shackles with their keepers and splash board mounts complete this end.

The separate superstructure rear plate features a separate transmission access hatch lid, with details on the inner rim of the opening. New slide-molded exhaust pipe stubs are given, with the original set still provided. Various tools and other OVM is included, such as the two-handed saw, a shovel, tow clevises, horn, head-lamp (with clear lens and optional etched brass mount) and various tool boxes (also with optional etched brass detail parts). Wound metal wire and styrene end loops are provided for the tow cable.

The characteristic external fuel drums are also provided; all are "distressed" in some way and include strap and filler cap details molded on. New etched brass and metal rod straps and mounts are given as are flat handles for the ends of the drums; a set of mounts is also provided for the smoke-screen drums seen on the rear plate, but the drums themselves are not provided. New ice cleats and their attendant etched tie-down loops and straps are provided as are the usual grab-handles for the convenience of any mounted "Desant" troops.

The main attraction in this particular release is the large etched brass fret that includes the so-called "Bedspring Armor" that was reputedly made from locally "acquired" civilian bed frames as the Soviet Red Army closed on Berlin; recently, Steve Zaloga has come upon information that indicates these fittings were actually purpose-manufactured by the Soviets. Regardless, these items provided stand-off protection against the shaped charge warheads on the rockets fired by the Panzerfaust and Panzerschreck man-portable infantry anti-tank weapons. The parts consist of separate mounting brackets to which the screened frames were attached to the superstructure sides, the upper engine deck and the turret sides and roof. They will be easier to work with if the modeler has a dedicated etched brass bending tool, but when finished will provide the proper appearance. Also, these things always looked rather worse for the wear, so the modeler can allow the parts to get bent and distorted during assembly, and still be correct.

Turret.

Some attention has been paid to upgrading the turret. Foremost is a pre-bored, slide-molded 85mm gun tube or an optional turned aluminum replacement. New etched brass tie-down loops and equipment straps are provided for the rear face of the turret. Various grab handles and lift hooks detail the sides, while separate cheek parts are provided for the front end. The final items are separate view ports and pistol port plugs; these last items provide for a very crisp, detailed appearance. Note however that the turret features the square bulge on the port side, aft of the cheek fillet; it may not be appropriate for this sub-variant. Removing it and re-texturing the area is easily done.

The turret roof has separate dome vents and there are separate parts for the periscope heads and their covers. The 'scope heads can also be capped using the included optional etched brass covers. There are two commander's cupolas included in this box; each has separate view ports that must be added around its rim, after the mold seam has been carefully removed. The type meant for this version is the "split hatch lid" type, while all the parts for the single hatch lid type are provided as well. Unlike the Model 1944 Premium Edition kit, the weld bead that attached the cupola to the roof plate is not molded in place; separate lower cupola parts are provided that include the weld bead. Again, depending on the markings and the modeler's references, either cupola could be used. The final items are a separate loader's hatch lid and antenna mast base.

Up front, the mantlet can be assembled so the gun can elevate and depress. Overall, the casting effect of the turret is very well-done, while the seams are also nicely represented. Modelers should remember that these are casting seams, not weld beads. So, don't go crazy "dressing them up".

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

I have built enough of these kits to state with confidence that there are no issues with the fit of any of the styrene parts. The separate hatch lids have had their ejector pin marks smoothed over, but if left open these will be visible; they are subtle and should be easily removed. This is another small improvement over the Model 1944 kit.

Accuracy and Details.

The main components match very well against the drawings in reference number 3, while the model exhibits hull features that most resemble a Model 1944 from Factory 183.

Instructions.

These consist of traditional line drawings and should be easily followed, especially since they contain 23 main steps and the T-34 is not a very complicated vehicle. Like the prototype, construction was "simplified" as time passed in order to increase production! As usual, colors are keyed to Gunze and Model Master paints.

Decals and Markings Information.

The water-slide decals are from Cartograf, and exhibit their usual excellent quality. Markings are provided for a total of six tanks; all are in standard Dark Green 4BO, while one has a disruptive pattern in Yellow Earth 7K applied over the base color. Markings are provided for the following tanks:

" White K220, K230, K231, K235, all of the 36th Tank Brigade, 11th Tank Corps, Berlin 1945.
" White ?318a, 2nd Guards Tank Corps, East Prussia 1944.
" White 257, 3rd Guards Tank Corps, Prague 1945.
" Yellow 2-222, unidentified unit, Eastern Front 1944.

My references confirmed as generally accurate the first three schemes given, but I was never able to find photos of the tanks with these specific markings; I found nothing on the last one, 2-222. I have listed units according to information seen in the cited references, not as given in the instructions.

Conclusion.

Although this kit offers far more options, and therefore more value than the other recent premium Edition T-34/85, there are still a couple of small issues. The markings/features combination and the lack of a pre-opened engine deck grill part are still of concern. As I also previously mentioned, it would not have been remiss on the part of DML to include the smoke-screen dispenser drums. Regardless, this is DML's nicest T-34/85 so far.

Highly recommended.

Frank V. "Curley Stooge" De Sisto

References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:

1. "T-34/85 Medium Tank 1944-1994", Osprey New Vanguard 20, by S. Zaloga & J. Kinnear.
2. "T-34 in Combat", AJaKS Military Press, by Z. Lalek, R. Sawicki & J. Jackiewicz
3. "T-34/85 Bloody Peacemaker", AJaKS Military Press, by P. Skulski & J. Jackiewicz.
4. "T-34 in Action", Squadron Armor 20, by S. Zaloga.
5. "T-34/85 in the Post WWII Era", Darlington Productions, by A. Geibel.
6. "Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of WW 2", Arms and Armour Press, by S. Zaloga & J. Grandsen.
7. "Russian Tanks 1900-1970", by J. Milsom.
8. "Soviet Tanks in Combat 1941-1945", Concord 7011, by S. Zaloga.
9. "Russian T-34", AFV Weapons Profile 47, by J.M. Brereton & Maj. M. Norman, RTR.
10. "Camouflage of the Tanks of the Red Army 1930-1945", Armada, by M. Kolomiyets & I. Moshchanskiy.
11. "May 1945 in the Czech Lands", MBI, by T. Jakl.
12. "Toadman's T-34-76 Model 1943 and T-34-85 Model 1945 Photo Detail CD", Toadman's Tank Pictures, by C. Hughes.

Reviewer's note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.

DML kits are available from retail and on-line shops; for details visit their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.

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- Frank V. "Curley Stooge" De Sisto