T-34/85

AER Kit # 7209; Toga Kit #251; Cooperativa/Eastern Express Kit # 720009

For a while, this was theonly T-34 kit available, until the recent release of the EasternExpress T-34/76. It is still the only T-34/85 kit available inplastic, although several resin companies produce 85mm conversionturrets for the other T-34 kits.

While the molding qualityof this kit isn't quite as sharp as the other T-34 kits, it isstill a fairly decent model. The hull in particular, is prettywell done. There is good bolt detail on the rear hull plate, andaround the hull machinegun mount. The rear transmission accesshatch is molded in good relief, as is the welded hinge for thedriver's hatch, although the hatch itself can only be posed inthe open position without major work. The screening hatch overthe engine fans is molded as a separate piece, as is the small,rectangular engine access hatch in the center of the engine deck,but there is no interior or engine detail.

The turret is not quite asfine as the hull. The loader's hatch and commander's cupola areseparate pieces, but both hatches are molded shut. It will beeasy to open the loader's hatch, but not the commander's. Theperiscopes are a little too flat, but the separate ventilationcovers are a nice touch. The gun barrel is far too large, andlooks more like a 100mm gun than 85mm.

These two scans show bothsides of the sprue, but only one is included with each kit.

The wheel axles are moldedonto the hull sides, like all T-34 kits, and are a little flat.Also, the spacing between the axles is incorrect. The kit has thefront three wheels on each side very close to one another, whenin fact, it should be the rear three wheels which are close. Itprobably wouldn't be too difficult to cut off an axle or two tocorrect the problem.

The wheels are flat andpoorly detailed. Also, there are too few lightening holes inthem. The spare fuel drums are fair, molded in halves, which maypresent a problem forming a clean join. The screening over theengine fans is not as good as the other T-34 kits, and lacksdetail. The storage bins are simple blocks of plastic without anysort of hinges or lid detail whatsoever. Only one smoke barrel isincluded with the kit, and the instructions indicate it should beattached on the hull side, which I believe is incorrect. Thereshould be two of them, and they should be located on the rearhull. Also there is no bolt detail around the rims of the mufflerguards.

The tracks are the hardplastic, link and length style. While these are not quite as niceas the newest tracks from Eastern Express, or the ESCI hardplastic tracks, they are still light years ahead of vinyl tracks.The waffle pattern on the outside of the track is pretty good,and the inside surface of the track is fairly well representedalso, although the track guide teeth could have been taller, andmore pronounced (although limitations in molding technology mayhave prevented this). The tracks are very thick, but very easy towork with.

The decals sheet is very comprehensive, with two dozen different marking options. They areprinted in single colors, so registration is not a problem, andalthough the carrier film is spread over most of the sheet, it isvery thin and with a matte surface texture. They look like theyshould be pretty decent decals, although I haven't tried themyet.

All in all, this is nottoo bad of a kit, although I'd recommend replacing the wheelswith either resin after-market items, or plastic items from otherT-34 kits. Also, the gun needs replacing, and perhaps it would bebetter to use a completely resin turret, although with care, andespecially with the photo-etched brass after-market detail setsavailable for this kit, it should build into a decent model.

I have used the hull ofthis kit for a conversion project, and reviewed it here .