The T-34 series, notable for its sloped armor, revolutionized tank design during World War II. This innovative layout increased effective armor thickness and deflected a higher proportion of incoming shells away from penetration. The introduction of the T-34 prompted German tank design to adopt similar angled armor, seen in tanks like the Panther and King Tiger. As German tanks advanced, the Soviet war effort responded with the formidable T-34/85.
The T-34/85, emblematic of Soviet military prowess in WWII, featured a new turret housing the more potent 85mm ZiS gun. Renowned for its durability and reliability, the T-34/85 excelled off-road, particularly in the Eastern Front's marshlands and snow. It was also praised for its ease of operation and maintenance by its crew.
The T-34/85's strength lay in its evolution from the earlier T-34/76 design, ensuring a streamlined and rapid production process compared to developing an entirely new tank. This simplicity allowed Soviet factories to churn out T-34/85s at an unprecedented rate; by mid-1944, they were producing more T-34/85s per month than the Germans had Panther tanks on the entire Eastern Front!
Of the 57,000 T-34s built during WWII, over 21,000 were T-34/85s, underscoring the Soviet strategy of quantity over quality, though underestimating its combat effectiveness was unwise for any Panzer commander.
Post-war, the T-34/85 served in numerous armies worldwide. Notably, 120 were deployed during the initial stages of the South Korean invasion in 1950, proving highly effective until newer NATO tanks arrived in theater.
Box contains 1 plastic tank, Bolt Action stat card, damage markers, leaflet and decal sheet.
This vehicle can also be used in games of Achtung Panzer!, the game of close-quarters tank-on-tank combat, its rules can be found in the Achtung Panzer! rulebook.
Models supplied unassembled and unpainted
