|
|
|
Introduction The quest for the perfect T-34 kit continues! Let's start with the vehicle name and break it down.
The Kit Contents To do this subject justice Dragon will have to include the features specific to an OT-34 and they will have to include the features specific to a Factory 112 vehicle. How can you tell a T-34 standard gun tank from an OT-34? The external differences are very small.
Identifying a Factory No. 112 T-34? It is actually a lot more complicated to make the T-34 represent a Factory number 112. Factory 112¡¦s will require bullet splash strips around the top of the hull, a rear hull plate unique to Gorki manufactured tanks, a towing lug on the rear lower hull and infantry grab handles that are bent 90 degrees at the ends rather than welded to spacer blocks. Dragon found most of these features. They missed the 112 style grab bars. The box art, the instructions and the photo-etched brass parts will have you mounting the grab bars Factory 183 style if you aren¡¦t careful. Check out the attached sprue shots for the parts you want. Beyond that Dragon included small rear fuel canisters, casting numbers for the turret, and the late style stamped roadwheels. Strangely
the Dragon T-34/76 No. 112 Factory Krasnoye Sormovo Late Production
(Kit #6479) does a really good job of showing the proper arrangement
of the grab bars and the bullet splash strips around the top of the
hull. If you can borrow a set of these instructions you should. So for me Dragon has met the basic criteria, the kit builds up into a OT-34 and represents the features of a Factory No. 112.
What¡¦s in the box? Like most of Dragons kits this one has an absolute plethora of parts.
1 lower hull tub 1 sprue of clear parts 1 photo-etched fret 2 bags of Magic Tracks (84 of each type. I usually use 72 of each. Save yourself some clean-up time). 1 piece of twisted wire Markings for one vehicle The instructions
A little History: Flame throwing T-34¡¦s During WWII the Russians manufactured 1170 OT-34/76¡¦s and 190 OT-34/85¡¦s (flame tanks based on the T-34/85). In the second half of 1945 a further 210 OT-34/85¡¦s were produced, too late to participate in the war. The flame gun had a range of 130 meters.
Conclusion Two types of people will build this kit. The first type is looking for everything he/she needs to build a reasonably accurate OT-34/76 from Factory 112 right out of the box. This person will be pleased.
The second type is a long time fan of the T-34. This person has already built a few of Dragons T-34¡¦s and has the heaping spares box that comes with the territory. This person will be looking to see if Dragon has earned the price of the kit in new parts. This person may have a hard time justifying the price of this kit. Though Dragon describes this kit as having an improved OT-34 mantlet, one has been available since Dragons first T-34. (T-34/85 kit # 6066). The Factory 112 parts are spares in many kits. With some thought you could build nearly the same vehicle from the Dragon T-34/76 Model 1943 with cupola (Factory No. 183). (kit #6564).
For both groups, the late type stamped wheels have previously only been available in the T-34/76 No. 112 Factory Krasnoye Sormovo Late Production ( kit # 6479). It is nice to finally have the option of getting these wheels and a hex turret in the same box.
Bottom line - even with new company's getting into the T-34 game Dragon continues to make what is arguably the best T-34 around. This kit represents the next step as Dragon continues to work their way toward producing a kit of every T-34 type.
I felt that kit #6564 'The Cupola Kit' was a good step forward. In my opinion this is a baby-step rather than a stride. This kit does what it promises, it delivers an OT-34- but the parts already existed to do this. For the hardcore T-34 crowd, what Dragon expended on advertising, computer graphics, and box art would have been better spent on a hard-edged turret, Factory No. 174 specific rear plates, an SU-122, an improved engine deck or something else. - Vinnie Branigan Kit, DML 6614, OT-34/76 Mod.1943 No.112 Factory DRAGON MODELS LIMITED Product Specifications. 6614, OT-34/76 Mod.1943 No.112 Factory Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 421 styrene parts (including three clear), two bags of Magic Tracks, one piece of braided metal wire, one photo-etched brass fret, three pieces of pre-formed metal rod, one water-slide decal markings scheme and six pages of instructions in 10 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, as produced by Factory 112. Also retained from the previous kit (6564), is the OT-34 flame projector, which is specifically for use on this kit. A different set of road-wheels is given specifically for this factory type. Finally, new details are provided for the turret, while a second pair of fuel tanks is included to be fitted on the superstructures rear plate. Although specific parts are called out for use in the instructions to make a factory 112 tank, there are a number of alternate parts, such as: Three
upper rear hull plate configurations. 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. 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 the links 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 are of the dished type that had rubber rims with tread detail and perforations. There are ten of those in the box. Additionally, a pair of extra road-wheels, with ribs and perforated outer rims, but without the smaller inner perforations is included; these are marked as not for use. 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. The OT-34 flame projector, which replaced the bow machine-gun, was included in kit 6564, but is now the star of this kit. 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. The screen and its frame have proper squared-off corners. The superstructure stern plate has the typical factory 112 mounting bolt pattern. The conduits to the (not included) smoke canisters are now provided as formed metal wire parts. The stern plate features a separate circular transmission access hatch lid. 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. New for this area are two more fuel tanks, which are mounted onto brackets made of etched brass and metal rod. 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 only partly indicated in the instructions. Many extra detail parts are provided for the superstructure. A pair of cylindrical fuel cells is also provided for the superstructure sides; these include etched brass and metal rod 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. The kit sprues provide casting numbers that are to be cut off and placed in the appropriate position by the modeler. This is clearly shown in the instructions. It appears to be a typical Factory 112 turret 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 112 type according to references, while the turret also checks out as a late 1943 type, also from factory 112. 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 only some of the mounting bosses for the earlier rectangular fuel cells. The new sub-sections for the turret and the fuel tanks are all properly rendered. Colors are keyed to Gunze and Testors paints. Decals and Markings Information. Water-slide decals are given to mark one vehicle. 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 based on a tank painted overall Dark Green 4BO, with a worn winter white-wash camouflage. Tank Battalion Dmitri Donskoi, on the eastern Front, in 1943. Conclusion. The new fuel tanks and the additional details for the turret, along with many different components (compared to kit 6564) make this kit a worthwhile investment for a modeler who wants to create a replica with specific features. The extras included can be used elsewhere to create a unique T-34, provided proper documentation can be obtained. - Frank V. De Sisto Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale ¡¥39-¡¥45 series Kit No. 6614; OT-34 /76 Mod. 1944 (No. 112 Factory) - Smart Kit; 737 parts (415 in grey stryene, 168 ¡§Magic Track¡¨ links, 142 etched brass, 4 clear styrene, 1 twisted steel wire, 2 pre-formed wire, 1 wire); price estimated at US$52.50
Advantages: First ¡§factory¡¨ kit of this tank; nicely done replica of external flame equipment
Disadvantages: may not meet some modelers¡¦ expectations of ¡§their¡¨ version of the tank
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all Soviet and ¡§34" fans
The Soviets were among the first nations to determine the value of what they called ¡§chemical tanks¡¨ and produce them in quantity. But unlike WW I French attempts with the Renault FT, they took two paths: smoke layers and flamethrower tanks. The former never caught on as the smoke equipment originally took up the entire fighting compartment and left the tank defenseless; the ulitmate solution were two smoke pots at the rear of the hull of normal tanks triggered by the crew.
The flamethrower was another story. The Soviet design of tank-mounted flame weapons was more compact than those of other nations as they took a different approach. Whereas most other nations used compressed air to propel the mixture from the weapon, the Soviets used black power charges to fire a burst of 10 liters of mixture at a time. Range was 60-70 meters with the normal mixture or up to 120 with a thickened mixture introduced during WWII. Normal supply was 100 liters inside the tank with later vehicles carrying another 100 liters in two tanks at the rear of the vehicle.
Initially the flame weapons replaced 45mm guns in T-26 tanks or shared duties with them as in the KV-8 series flamethrower tanks. While the latter could carry a tremendous amount of mixture, it was a waste of chassis, and so in 1942 experiments were made to fit the ATO-41 to the T-34 in place of the bow DT machine gun. These were successful, and the first test series of OT-34 tanks with the ATO-41 flamethrower were produced in February 1942 by the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. Later the installation was used on all other production models of the T-34, and a modified version (the ATO-42) was later fitted to the T-34-85.
DML has now introduced a mid-war production variant of the OT-34 on their Model 1943 kit as a Factory No. 112 (Krasnoye Sormovo) model. This is basically their very nice T-34 Model 1943 with cupola (Kit No. 6564) with some swapped sprues ana a new set of parts for the OT-34. This primarily consists of the ATO-41 mount for the forward machine gun mount and two 50 liter spare mixture tanks for the rear of the hull. It should be noted that the bow DT gun and mount are still included in the kit.
The model comes with the post-April 1943 return to ¡§disk¡¨ drivers with perforated tires but also includes two sets of cast road wheels which were more common in the early production variants.
As it is a ¡§mix and match¡¨ kit it combines parts from the DML Model 1940/41 kitss, the T-34 Model 1942 ¡§Soft Edge¡¨ turret kit, and their T-34-85 kits along the Model 1943 cupola . The turret is the generic T-34 Model 1942 but with the molds modified to provide a mounting for the commander¡¦s cupola. While the profile of the cast turret appears closest to that from Uralmashzavod, this time DML has designated it as a ¡§No. 112 Factory" tank. As an aside, at this point in time Aleksandr A. Morozov, chief designer at Factory No. 183, had been ordered by Stalin to take responsibility for all T-34 production regardless of factory. As a result turrets after that point did not vary as much as prior to his taking full control, so modelers following ¡§guides¡¨ should not place as great stock in them as prior to mid 1943.
The kit uses nearly all of the sprues which came with the Model 1943 commander¡¦s cupola turret cited. The shapes and angles match the Russian plans of the tank I have on hand. A new set of 500mm ¡§waffle¡¨ tracks are provided in the form of a new set of ¡§Magic Link¡¨ single link tracks, and DML has added four more flat plate links as spares. Each link does come with two ejection pin marks on the inner face, but these stand proud and while tedious are easily removed. However, the spares were usually one plate and one toothed link bolted together tooth plate up on the rear of the fenders.
As noted many older but well-done parts are used in this kit. The late-model double bump stops on the lower hull molding are still present, as previously noted they can¡¦t really be seen when the model is assembled and is a¡§so what¡¨ correction.
The kit comes with three different stern plates but only the one on the ¡§Gayka¡¨ turret sprue is probably best for this version.
The turret sprue (L) includes a one-piece shell (thanks to ¡§slide molding¡¨) with even the holes for the mantlet bolts and mounting guides in place. The cast-in reinforcements under the turret are present as are some casting marks on the turret. When joining the turret top and bottom do not be too fastidious as the race section and top section were welded together after casting, and the weld bead could be pretty rough; also the cleanup of mold edging was done for speed and not finesse. Casting numbers for this turret are included on the OT-34 sprue, but as they are quite delicate DML has given the modeler eight sets to ensure you can ¡§get it right¡¨ with the use of a chisel blade or single edged razor blade.
Note that for this kit all fuel tank brackets and most of the other brackets HAVE to be made from etched brass; this somewhat defeats the original ¡§Smart Kit¡¨ philosophy of having most items made from styrene with minimal extra brass bits.
The model comes with a standard PT periscopic sight/viewer with the ¡§acorn¡¨ shaped cover found on most T-34s. The modeler has a choice of but one barrel for the F-34 gun: a one-piece item with hollow bore from ¡§slide¡¨ molding and muzzle cap molded in place. A gun breech and partial interior to the turret are provided as with all of the DML T-34 kits.
This project is listed as supervised by Hirohisa Takada, with drawings from Minoru Igarashi and the Dragon design team.
Only a single finishing option is provided: the ¡§Dmitriy Donskoy¡¨ battalion, Eastern Front 1943 (whitewash over 4BO green with red lettering). The lettering is provided on a small Cartograf sheet.
Overall, this is a unique variant, but for many modelers the basic Model 1943 may suffice with its inclusion of the ATO-41 head as well.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell Sprue breakout
A 12x2
T-34 driver mounts, road wheel arms - Cookie Sewell Copyright 1998-2010 Dragon Models Limited. All Rights Reserved |