T-34/76 STZ Mod. 1941 2-in-1 kitReviewed by Cookie Sewell
|
Stock Number and Description | cyber-hobby.com 1/35 scale Kit No. 16 (Dragon Models Limited 1/35 scale ‘39-‘45 series Kit No. 6355; T-34/76 STZ Mod. 1941 2-in-1 |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 401 in grey styrene, 180 "Magic Link" tracks, 178 etched brass, 3 twisted steel wires, 2 clear styrene, 1 turned aluminum |
Price: | price estimated at US $45.00. Will be available online from Mission Models |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | Very complete kit of this vehicle, several options and choices for the modeler |
Disadvantages: | Will not build the version many modelers were hoping for from DML (see text) |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended to all Soviet and "34" fans |
FirstLook
When the Soviets realized war with Germany was inevitable, and the
T-34 began to show a great deal of promise, the Central Committee of
the CPSU approved its production at other factories. The primary
factory was the Kharkov Steam Locomotive Construction Factory or
Factory No. 183 in Kharkov. The first satellite factory was to be
the Stalingrad Tractor Factory in Stalingrad, aided by Factory No.
264, the Stalingrad Barge Works, and Factory No. 221, the "Barrikady"
artillery foundry. The second was Factory No. 112, "Krasnoye Sormovo,"
but they also had the advantage of getting 50 knocked-down T-34
tanks to "learn on".
It took the STZ much longer to get their production started and the
first tanks did not began to roll off the lines until the end of
1940. One of their problems – as with Factory No. 183 – was that the
Leningrad factory complexes were stingy with supplying them with the
short L-11 gun which mounted in the early T-34; in January 1941 they
switched to the superior F-32 design, and cut off the T-34 plants
entirely. Factory No. 183 led the changeover to their new gun, the
longer F-34, and the STZ followed suit.
Originally the STZ tanks were externally no different from the
Factory No. 183 tanks, and it was only over time and due to
exigencies that the design began to deviate due to local problems
and changes to facilitate high rates of production. The base design
remained stable through the fall of 1941. By the spring of 1942, the
design had changed. The wheels were now cast steel wheels with
internal rubber bushings vice the old pressed disks with rubber
tires. The turret was a rolled steel design with a removable plate
that now covered the entire rear of the turret. The hull design had
been changed to accommodate interlocking plates at the front, sides
and rear, which is considered the "classic" STZ hull design.
By summer 1942 the design had again been changed to now use a
"chisel" turret mantelet to speed production (the parts did not
require being pressed into shape as with the original design.)
Later, the Barge Works created newer designs of both cast and welded
turrets with the "chisel" mantelet and "notches" in the lower cheeks
of the turret; this is what most modelers consider the "classic" STZ
turret. By the time production ceased in early 1943, the factory had
built 3,770 tanks, most of which had fought in the legendary battle
of Stalingrad. There is a myth that the tanks rolled off the
production lines and right into combat outside the factory, but
while there is an element of truth to the urgency of production it
was not quite so immediate.
When DML began to release its T-34 series of kits a few years back,
and they were shown to be THE T-34 kits on the market, many T-34
afficionados hoped that an STZ variant would join the family. This
increased when cyber-hobby.com announced that they would do one as a
"boutique" version kit of the vehicle. But...the result was not what
anyone expected.
First off, it has to be said up front that the kit they released is
an STZ-built T-34 Model 1941. But it is a variant from sometime in
the middle to late fall of 1941, with the new turret with the wide
rear plate and the solid cast steel wheels, but the original Factory
No. 183 hull and gun installation designs. It can be built as an
earlier model with the pressed steel disk wheels and with some
sanding and putty work (and a DML T-34 Model 1940/41 cast turret)
the interim cast turret used by STZ without any rear plate at all,
but as for the STZ Model 1942 most modelers were hoping for, the
answer is a solid no. That is a shame, as it would have been a great
kit. (Zvezda makes that turret in styrene, but unfortunately they
put theirs atop a regular T-34 Model 1942 chassis from Factory
No.183.)
Given that disappointment up front, what is provided in the kit is
excellent. It is basically the complete DML T-34 Model 1941 kit with
additional sprues for the new turret parts, new hull details, a
choice of fender tips, and two sets of wheels, idlers and drivers.
New "Magic Track" separate track links are provided, but they are
for one of the regular "waffle" pattern tracks so nothing fancy
there either.
As with most "boutique" kits it comes with a good-sized fret of
etched brass which covers nearly all of the brackets and straps used
on the original vehicle as well as the engine radiator exhaust
grille and deflector louvers.
The model comes with four finishing options: 1st Guards Tank
Brigade, Eastern Front 1942 (brown over 4BO green with red stars);
Unidentified unit, Eastern Front 1942 (4BO green overall with white
85); the usual "captured" German one, Eastern Front 1942-1943 (4BO
green with Balkenkreuze); and Unidentified Unit, Leningrad 1942-1943
(white patches over 4BO green.) A small targeted sheet of Cartograf
decals is provided for these options. Note that the side views show
wheel options for these vehicles which are NOT called out in the
directions.
Overall this is a lovely kit – but it's not what the modelers were
hoping for.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Highly Recommended.
A 13x2 T-34 driver mounts, road
wheel arms
B 21 T-34 40/41 turret roof and hull details
C 18 T-34 40/41 upper hull and details
D 15x2 T-34 40/41 solid disk wheels
E 16 T-34 tie-downs and brackets
F 37x2 T-34 40/41 drivers/idlers, auxiliary fuel tanks
G 24 T-34 40/41 welded turret and hull details
H 6 T-34 engine intake vents, driver's hatch
H 14 T-34 41 turret front and details
I 1 T-34 standard hull pan
J 2 Clear styrene
K 13 T-34 41 F-34 gun assembly
L 12 T-34 ice grousers
M 18x2 T-34 95 liter round auxiliary fuel tanks
N 4x2 T-34 spring towers
Q 37x2 T-34 cast road wheels, drivers and idlers
R 28 T-34 STZ turret, glacis, hull details
S 3 Twisted steel wire
Y 180 "Magic Track" links (90 plain, 90 toothed)
MA 178 Etched brass
MB 1 Turned aluminum barrel
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample