ResinMaster T-34 Detail and Conversion Sets

Resin Master has used theold ESCI T-34 turrets as the basis for several conversionturrets. They have taken the old turrets, and modified them,sometimes significantly, to produce new versions. For the mostpart, the resin casting is fairly decent, although there are asmall amount of air bubbles and flash needing cleaning up. Theyahve also produced a small number of additional detail sets, suchas wheels and tracks. Anybody who has the few sets which aremissing from this review, please send in a scan of the parts, andI will add them to the list.

T-34/76Model 1940 Turret

Kit # 2R1

This set is designed toconvert to the Model 1940 tank. The turret exhibits someadditional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports andperiscopes. Also included in the set is the early L-11 gun, theearly style driver's hatch, early rectangular engine accesshatch, early style tow shackles, a hull machinegun w/o mantle,and two headlights. They used a piece of metal rod to keep thegun barrel from warping, which is nice, but some of it issticking out the end of the barrel, so it will be difficult todrill the end of the barrel open.

T-34/76Model 1941 Cast Turret

Kit # 2R2

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1941 tank with a cast turret. The turretexhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports,pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34gun, the early style driver's hatch, early rectangular engineaccess hatch, early style tow shackles and a hull machinegun w/omantle.

T-34/76Model 1943 Hard-edge Turret w/o Cupola

Kit # 2R3

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1943 tank with a hard-edge turret and nocupola. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as sidevision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in theset is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. My main complaintabout this turret is that the roof ventilator cover has no vents.Not real effective that way.

T-34/76Model 1943 Hard-edge Turret w/Cupola

Kit # 2R4

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1943 tank with a hard-edge turret and with thecommander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details,such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Alsoincluded in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. Mymain complaint about this turret is that the roof ventilatorcover has no vents.

T-34"Spider" Wheels

Kit # 2R5

This set of wheels is theonly source of the late-war style of pierced, rubber-rimmedwheels. For the most part, the resin casting is fairly decent,although there are a small amount of air bubbles and flashneeding cleaning up. Two new wheel axles are included, along witha spacing template to allow for the relocation of the wheels intotheir proper alignment.

This is a scan from anearly set of these wheels. Dave Showell has provided a review of these. Later sets have solidrubber tires, instead of perforated like these. Also, each pairof wheels is molded as one, with a groove cut down the centerlinefor the track guide teeth. I used this later style of wheels formy own T-34 review . I think that the older wheelstyle pictured here looks better.

T-34 EarlyStyle Wheels

Kit # 2R6

Copies of the ESCI T-34/76Model 1942 kit wheels. For the most part, the resin casting isfairly decent, although there is a small amount of flash needingcleaning up. Two new wheel axles are included, along with aspacing template to allow for the relocation of the wheels intotheir proper alignment on the AER kit.

T-34/SU-100Detail Set

Kit # 2R7

This set was designed forthe AER T-34/85 and SU-100 kits, because these parts, which havebeen copied from the ESCI kit, are far better than the partsincluded in the AER kits. Includes engine deck screen, mufflers,tool boxes, ammo boxes, siren and antenna mount. But in copyingthe ESCI kit parts, Resin Master also copied the flaws in thoseparts, sush as the sinkmarks in the fender storage bins, and thesprue nubs which were not cleaned off of the 76mm cannonammunition boxes.

T-34 EarlyTracks

Kit # 2R8

These are early,plate-style tracks. As you can see in the scan, there is onlydetail on the outer surface, with nothing on the inside. They aremolded in one-piece belts. I guess the best plan is to cut themso they can lay flat, and then sand the back so that they're verythin. Then take some hard plastic tracks from one of the T-34kits, and sand the front detail off of them, and bond the twostrips together. Or I guess I could just scratch build my own,and duplicate them in resin ... Either way, these tracks herearen't much use.

T-34/76Model 1941/42 STZ Turret

Kit # 2R9

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1941/42 STZ tank with applique armor. Theturret exhibits some additional details, such as side visionports, pistol ports, periscopes and applique armor. Also includedin the set is the F-34 gun, applique armor for the hull front andturret hatch.

T-34/76Model 1941/42 STZ Turret

Kit # 2R10

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1941/42 STZ tank with the Barrikady gunmantlet (as seen in Stalingrad). The turret exhibits someadditional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports,periscopes and the squared-off back plate. Also included in theset is the F-34 gun, turret hatch and the rectangular engineaccess hatch.

T-34/76Model 1943 ChTZ Turret w/o Cupola

Kit # 2R11

<> - Same as the following scan (2R12) but withoutthe cupola.

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1943 tank with a ChTZ turret and without thecommander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details,such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Alsoincluded in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. In myopinion, the turret doesn't really look anything like the roundedChTZ turret, but rather it looks more like a"soft-edge" turret. I would scrape off the small lipsprotruding from the lower edge of the turret, and use it as asoft-edge turret. My other complaint about this turret is thatthe roof ventilator cover has no vents.

T-34/76Model 1943 ChTZ Turret w/Cupola

Kit # 2R12

This set is designed toconvert to a Model 1943 tank with a ChTZ turret and with thecommander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details,such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Alsoincluded in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. In myopinion, the turret doesn't really look anything like the roundedChTZ turret, but rather it looks more like a"soft-edge" turret. I would scrape off the small lipsprotruding from the lower edge of the turret, and use it as asoft-edge turret. My other complaint about this turret is thatthe roof ventilator cover has no vents.