6564 - T-34 /76 Mod. 43 w/Commander Cupola Factory No. 183

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED

Product Specifications.

6564, T-34/76 Mod.1943 w/Commander Cupola No.183 Factory. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 453 styrene parts (including three clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, one piece of braided metal wire, one photo-etched brass fret, four water-slide decal markings schemes and six pages of instructions in 15 steps.

Introduction.

DMLs latest iteration of the venerable T-34 allows the modeler to construct a replica of the so-called soft-edge, cast, hex-shaped turret with the addition of a commanders cupola. To do so, a number of new parts are provided, including a new turret roof plate and a cupola based on a slide-molded core. In addition, a number of alternate parts are given so with careful research, the modeler can construct a replica of a specific vehicle with particular features. There are also a few nice options included such as parts to make the flame projector (OT-34) and an alternate pair of road-wheels. Finally, some corrections have been made, notably on the etched brass fret; now the corners of the framing for the engine deck screens are properly squared-off.

Although specific parts are called out for use in the instructions to make a factory 183 tank, there are a number of alternate parts, such as:

Three upper rear hull plate configurations.
Three lower rear hull plate configurations.
Three drive sprocket configurations.
Three tow cable end-loop configurations.
Two lower front plate configurations.
Two upper front plate configurations.
Two front fillet configurations.
Two drivers hatch lid configurations.
Two front fender configurations.
Two hull machine-gun blister configurations.
Two idler wheel configurations.
Two sets of exhaust pipes.
Two sets of exhaust pipe armored guards.

Like their contemporaries, the Red Army re-built war-weary tanks with whatever components were at hand. What all this amounts to is this: if the modeler can find a photo to confirm an un-official combination of features on a specific tank, the extra parts in the box will prove to be quite helpful. What could be wrong with that?

Tracks.

The Magic Tracks are supplied as individual links in two bags. These represent a typical 550mm-wide cast type associated with the Gorkiy factory, according to reference 2, below. While no trimming of sprue attachment points is required, these links also have subtle ejector pin marks that the modeler will have to deal with. Although these fit together easily, they must be fixed in place with glue.

Suspension System.

The suspension system features separate road-wheel swing-arms for all stations, as well as Christie-type coil springs and housings for inside the hull. Separate cranked idler wheel axles are also provided; these should not be fixed in place until the track sag and fit has been properly achieved. The road-wheels have six large reinforcing webs, six small webs, an outer set of large perforations and an inner set of small perforations, as well as rubber rims with tread detail and perforations. There are ten of those in the box. Additionally, a pair of extra road-wheels, of a similar type to the main set but without the smaller inner perforations is included. All-steel idler wheels and drive sprockets complete the suspension system.

Hull.

The hull pan is typical for every T-34-based DML/Cyberhobby kit. It comes from a slide mold so all details on the side walls and the belly plate can be easily included. The side plates feature openings for the Christie suspension swing-arms as well as their mounting points and various bump-stops; there is also some nicely-rendered bolt detail around the area of the (separate) final drive housings. Mounted just behind the final drive housings are new track pin retainer plates; although not shown in the instructions, two bolts will have to be removed to mount these new parts. Inside, there are separate boxes to hold the Christie spring units. A separate circular access plate is supplied as is a second smaller plate; both are attached to the belly plate towards the stern. Molded-on drain plugs, panel lines and recessed access plates complete the area.

There is a separate lower bow plate that fits in a recess at the front end; the same applies for the lower stern plate. The latter also features bulges for the final drive housing and tow hooks that are unique to this version.

Superstructure.

This item features a separate glacis plate that is embellished with tow hooks unique to this version. The head-lamp and a horn are mounted on the superstructure side walls; the former assembly has a clear part for the lens and an optional etched brass mounting bracket. A nicely-detailed cast bow MG mount, with separate internal mantle and delicate machine-gun barrel are attached to the starboard side of the glacis plate. It and the external mantle are sourced form DMLs T-34/85 kit series; one advantage is that the DT machine-gun is slide-molded, so its tiny bore is already opened up for the modeler. A bonus is the inclusion of the OT-34 flame projector, which replaced the bow machine-gun; it consists of three parts for maximum detail fidelity. A multi-part hatch lid with some internal detail, clear parts for the vision blocks and separate multi-position covers is provided for the drivers station.

Separate engine compartment cooling vent grills with the horizontal pattern are given, while there is also a separate top-side access hatch lid; it will need trimming to fit snugly. The main engine compartment access lid comes in two configurations. The first is the original all-styrene part, complete with molded on screen detail. The other option features an opened-up styrene part where the screens and framework are replicated with etched brass, and there are panels and louvers as seen beneath the opening, also in that medium. As mentioned in the introduction to this review, the screen and its frame now have proper squared-off corners.

The superstructure stern plate has the typical factory 183 mounting bolt pattern, along with the outer conduit to provide power to the (not included) smoke canisters. It features a separate circular transmission access hatch lid; it will need some tweaking at the hinges to fit into the opening. A separate grab handle for it is now provided, so the instructions tell the modeler to remove the molded-on item so it can be replaced. Slide-molded exhaust pipes are provided, with pre-opened bores. Mounted over these are delicately-rendered armored cowls. There are separate fillets for the areas where the main plates all come together.

The track-guards are molded on to the lower superstructure side plates and feature molded-on tie down loops at their edges (there are optional etched brass replacements in the box). The rear mud-flaps are molded in place and there are optional etched brass replacements for them, too. The front mud-flaps are the type with a rounded end and are also separate styrene parts. Two versions are supplied; one has the reinforcing rib on the edge, the other does not. Many of the tie-downs feature separate etched brass straps to hold ice cleats into place on the fenders, but the latter are not included. Mounting points for the various tool boxes are molded in place, as are some other tie-downs and plate details. The tow cable can be replicated using the provided braided metal wire, styrene end loops (in three styles), and etched brass straps and tie-down loops. The various tool boxes themselves can be enhanced with the included etched brass parts.

The superstructure side plates have mounting points molded in place for the rectangular fuel cells. These must be removed but this is not indicated in the instructions. Many extra detail parts are provided for the superstructure. A pair of cylindrical fuel cells is also provided; these include etched brass mounting brackets and straps, as well as etched brass handles for the end caps.

Turret.

This is of the cast type with the so-called soft edge on the bottom rim; it comes from a slide mold and includes view-port slits and casting details molded in place. It appears to be a typical type as produced in the latter part of 1943 with PT-4-7 and PT-K periscope layout; separate grab handles are provided for the turret sides and rear. The new roof plate is separate and features fine weld bead details as well as the enlarged opening for the commanders cupola on one side. The cupola core is slide-molded with all vision slits in place; some very fine mold seams will need to be eliminated. The hatch-lids are two parts and feature separate periscope parts. Internally, there are vision port details. Surprisingly, especially considering that DML usually provides them, the scopes and vision port interior parts are not clear styrene. A separate dome vent cover, lift rings and a periscope head are also included. The turret front mounts a multi-part external mantle to which can be attached a slide-molded styrene gun tube. Internally, there is a nice multi-part breech assembly.

Molding, Fit and Engineering.

The fit of the parts in this kit is good-to-excellent. I noticed that the rectangular hatch lid for the center of the engine deck needed a bit of trimming at its forward edge. No sink marks are apparent and with the exception of the tracks, no ejector pin marks are visible on any external surface of the complete model, including the interiors of the various hatch lids. Flash was non-existent, while mold seams are quite fine and easily dealt with using traditional modeling skills and tools. When fitting the superstructure part to the hull, some attention in the areas of the track-guards will be needed for a tight fit. Super glue and a few moments of manual clamping will do the trick.

Accuracy and Details.

References show the kit to be quite well-done in this regard, with major components matching published 1/35th-scale plans extremely well. The hull appears to depict a proper Factory 183 type according to reference 17, while the turret also checks out as a late 1943 type, also according to reference 17. It would have been nice if DML had provided the cylindrical smoke generators seen on the rear superstructure plate, especially since they did provide the conduit that lead to them, molded on the part.

Instructions.

These are in the traditional line-drawing style and are, as usual, very busy. I noted several glitches, mostly related to some of the options. For instance: the modeler is not instructed to remove any of the mounting bosses for the earlier rectangular fuel cells; the lower rear hull plate is properly numbered but is incorrectly rendered in the relevant drawing. Colors are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints.

Decals and Markings Information.

Water-slide decals are given to mark a total of four specific vehicles. These high-quality decals are printed by Cartograf in Italy. They are crisp and in excellent registration; carrier film is thin, matte and cut close to the design edges. The markings are all based on tanks painted overall Dark Green 4BO, two of which have worn winter white-wash camouflage. The units are:

109th Armored Brigade, Ukraine 1943.
8th Estonian Rifle Corps, Tallin 1944.
Unidentified unit, Poland 1945.
1st Czech Armored Brigade, Prague 1945.

I cannot find photographic confirmation of any of the markings and color schemes, but two of them are shown as color plates in some of the below-mentioned references.

Conclusion.

While there are a few little glitches, DML continues to improve their kits as they go along, despite some confusion. Regardless, this kit will, according to my references, build up into an accurate replica of what the box says it is.

Highly recommended.

- Frank V. De Sisto