1/72 scale (20mm) T-34/85 Variants: OT-34/85 Flamethrower & PT-3 Mine Roller

 

 

T-34/85 with PT-3 Mine Roller Technical Data Card

 

 

When the Germans first encountered the T-34 on the battlefield in 1941, they were shocked by the superiority of the Soviet tank design.  The T-34’s sloped armour maximized the protection of the tank’s thick armour; the wide tracks allowed the tank to maneuver easily in the snow and mud; and the tank’s gun was efficient against German armour.  Moreover, the T-34 was reliable, sturdy and easy to maintain.  The T-34 became the most mass produced tank during the war, with some 84,070 T-34s and T-34 variants built.

 

 

 

OT-34/85 Technical Data Card

 

 

I am the first to admit that my skills at building models still needs a lot of work; I tend to lack the patience when it comes to assembling complex kits.  I purchased a couple of Eastern Express T-34 Variant model kits.  I ran into some challenges as I was assembling the first model kit (this has nothing to do with the Eastern Express; rather, it is a reflect of my skills as a model builder).  In the end, I decided to do a bit of ‘kit-bashing’ by added components from the Eastern Express model kits to a pair of Italeri ‘Fast Assembly’ T-34/85 tanks.

 

 

T-34/85 with PT-3 Mine Roller: front

 

T-34/85 with PT-3 Mine Roller: side 1

 

T-34/85 with PT-3 Mine Roller: side 2

 

 

OT-34/85 Flamethrower Variant: front

 

OT-34/85 Flamethrower Variant: side 1

 

OT-34/85 Flamethrower Variant: side 2

 

 

Eastern Express is a Russian based model company, that produces a wide range of plastic models in the 1/35, the 1/72 and the 1/144 scales.  The components I used to build the T-34/85 Variants shown in this post are the PT-3 mine roller and ATO-42 flamethrower.

 

 

 

 

 

The images below could be found in the Russian Armour I: Medium & Heavy Tanks section (in the T-34/85 gallery) of Citizen Soldiers: A 1/72 scale World War 2 Model Site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citizen Soldiers: A 1/72 scale World War 2 Model Site is devoted to the hobby of painting and collecting World War 2 models/miniatures.  It is my hope, through creating this website, to honour the men and women who served in the Second World War, whose sacrifices and courage have given us the freedom and quality of life we have today.