Product Specifications.

T-34/85 Mod.1944 Premium Edition. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 232 styrene parts (including one clear), one etched brass fret, one turned aluminum gun tube, two turned aluminum 85mm rounds, one piece of braided metal wire, six decal/markings schemes and eight pages of instructions in 24 steps.

Introduction.

Some years ago, DML began a series of Soviet T-34 Medium Tank kits. For their time they represented a quantum leap in available kits of this revolutionary tank. They initially released three different variations of the T-34/85 as well as an SU-85, SU-85M and SU-100. More recently, they have released several early war T-34s, including a Model 1940, a Model 1941 and a German-modified Model 1941. More are sure to come.

While the latest kits feature more extensive etched brass items as well as turned aluminum gun tubes, the earlier kits were basic (but still accurate and well-done). DML has remedied the situation in recent times by re-issuing older, yet tried-and-true kits, with certain additions as "Premium Edition" releases. The T-34 Model 1944 has now come in for this treatment.

Tracks.

The tracks are the logical place to start when beginning a review; DML also thought they'd be the best place to start with their improvements. Thus, modelers are provided with a new set of individual-link "Magic Tracks". 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 fully-webbed style with rubber rims and two sets of holes (11 small and 12 larger) on the faces of the wheel disks. The tread pattern on the rubber tire is new and consists of raised lines. The drive sprocket and idler wheel are of the all-steel types; the former with six perforations and six ribs, the latter with ten perforations and ten ribs. All wheels, save for 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 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 details. 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 and etched brass), and a separate grill plate. 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 surprised that DML did not provide a pre-opened part as they had done on their more recent early model T-34 kits. In addition, if using the etched screen and frame, the inner engine deck is visible; DML did not provide the movable baffles that will be easily seen. The modeler will need to consult references to finish this area; the items themselves are extremely simple to make from styrene sheet.

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. These are the later type with the hinged front sections, which have a sharp bend between them and the remainder of the fenders. These are dressed up with etched brass details, while the molded-on tie-down loops can be shaved off and replaced with etched brass as well. 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 bore of the weapon is pre-opened using a slide mold; it is capped by an external mantlet, complete with sight aperture. 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 straps and mounts are given as are flat handles for the ends of the drums; a set 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.

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 weld details have been added where the commander's cupola meets the turret roof, while 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.

The turret roof has separate dome vents and there are separate parts for the periscope heads and their covers. These can be complimented by optional etched brass covers. The commander's cupola has separate view ports that must be added around its rim, after the mold seam has been carefully removed. There is also a separate hatch lid, with optional etched brass details; 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 small details such as the bulge on the port side, forward, and the various casting 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 all have ejector pin marks and if left open these will have to be dealt with; they are subtle and should be easily removed.

Accuracy and Details.

The main components match very well against the drawings in reference number 3. The model exhibits hull and turret features that most resemble a Model 1944 from Factory 183, with the road-wheels of a style as seen on later vehicles.

Instructions.

These consist of traditional line drawings and should be easily followed, especially since they contain 24 main steps; 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 two have a winter white-wash applied over the base color. Markings are provided for the following tanks:

" White 36, 55th Guards Tank Brigade, 7th Guards Tank Corps, Berlin 1945.
" White 170, 4th Guards Tank Brigade, 2nd Guards Tank Corps, Byelorussia 1944.
" White 1-13, 63rd Guards Tank Brigade, Eastern Front 1944.
" White 13-2-82, 22nd Guards Tank Brigade, 5th Guards Tank Corps, Prague 1945.
" White diamond B over 23, 3rd Byelorussian Front, East Prussia 1945.
" Red diamond B over 23, 3rd Byelorussian Front, East Prussia 1945.

My references confirmed as accurate all but "White 13-2-82" (I could find nothing on it one way or the other). That's the good news. The bad news is that some of the given schemes do not match up with the model features such as fender styles and road-wheel types. A typographic error on the instructions transposed the unit information for "White 36" and "White 170". I have listed them (properly, I hope!) according to information seen in the cited references.

Conclusion.

Although this kit contains a good mix of the old and new, a couple of small glitches (the markings/features combination and the lack of a pre-opened engine deck grill part) may make this item slightly less desirable to some modelers. It would not have been remiss on the part of DML to also include the smoke-screen dispenser drums. In the final analysis, those with a good T-34 parts collection should be able to get by. Regardless, this is certainly a worthy addition to any T-34 display.

Recommended.

- Frank V. De Sisto