Post by Scott Fraser on Feb 16, 2015 15:35:36 GMT -5
Here I will present some images showing the differences between early production models of the T-34. Consider it a continuation of this thread posted in the general group build thread.
The lead factory for the T-34 was the Kharkov "Komintern" Steam-locomotive Works (Харьковский паровозостроительный завод им. Коминтерна, завод № 183), commonly known as KhPZ or Zavod No.183. Their main claim to fame was the BT series, which had been very successful and led directly to the T-34. Production began in July 1940, although only a handful of tanks were delivered each month until November, when series production began in earnest. A total of 108 tanks were delivered in 1940, all but ten in the last two months of the year. Another 1460 T-34s were delivered in 1941, approximately 800 before June 22, 1941.
The first plan shows the T-34 as delivered from Kharkov at the end of 1940, with welded turret, first version of the driver's hatch and the L-11 gun.
The second plan shows a T-34 with cast turret from the spring of 1941, after the F-34 gun had become available (March).
Spotting features include the louvered air intakes on the engine deck, rounded front fenders, four bolts on the removable rear turret plate, pop-up periscope in the turret hatch and stowage of four supplementary fuel cans along the hull sides. Stowage was changed several times during 1941. Eventually KhPZ T-34s had eight fuel tanks along the sides of the same type as used on the BT-7. This could be considered the baseline T-34.
In modelling terms, 6092 represents a T-34 with welded turret, rounded fenders and L-11 gun, typical for the period November 1940 to March 1941, when the F-34 began to appear. The most challenging aspect of building the model are the louvers. ABER has a photoetch set (35136) that reproduces these extremely well, although they are fiddly and require some skill at soldering. Alternatively, Eelke Warrink has produced these using stereolithography. There is more information in this thread. Other aftermarket items I recommend are the barrel and mantlet from ArmorScale and tracks from MasterClub (resin) or AFV Club (styrene). Note that there were also T-34s with cast turrets delivered throughout this period. The turret from 6418 cam be modified to accept the earlier mantlet from 6092.
There were a number of changes made between July to October, when production ceased. The most obvious of these are the intake louvers, which were eliminated in favour of the horizontal grille that became standard on T-34s from September 1941. Other changes include the introduction of tow cleats to replace the brackets, elimination of the rounded front fenders, elimination of the loader's periscope in the turret, revised stowage, and probably the introduction of the simplified driver's hatch. Among the last changes was the introduction of new tracks, 500mm wide "chevron" tracks originally intended for the stillborn T-34M. Finally, in the last days before evacuation, KhPZ installed a dozen 57mm ZiS-4 guns to create the so-called "tank-istrebitel'" or "tank-destroyer" T-34-57, ten of which saw service in October with the 21st Tank Brigade on the Kalinin Front.
KhPZ T-34 from the summer of 1941:
KhPZ T-34 from September 1941. Note that the periscope in the turret hatch has been eliminated, sometimes replaced by a simple plug and later by a new stamping that eliminated it entirely. Other changes include the elimination of the second periscope atop the turret and often, the absence of a radio.
KhPZ from October 1941. The second turret periscope is back, one headlight is removed, new tow hooks are introduced, simplified air intake grilles, transfer of the jack block from the rear fenders to the right rear hull.
Here is a walkaround of a T-34 from KhPZ:
legion-afv.narod.ru/T-34-76_Minsk.html
It is a reconstruction, not completely original, but has been finished with a high degree of accuracy. I'm always skeptical about restored tanks. Most of the time they are mongrels, a combination of parts from different tanks that do not truly represent the prototype, but I like this one.
That's a summary of T-34s from Kharkov. After I catch my breath, I will post information on T-34s from Stalingrad.
Regards
Scott Fraser
The lead factory for the T-34 was the Kharkov "Komintern" Steam-locomotive Works (Харьковский паровозостроительный завод им. Коминтерна, завод № 183), commonly known as KhPZ or Zavod No.183. Their main claim to fame was the BT series, which had been very successful and led directly to the T-34. Production began in July 1940, although only a handful of tanks were delivered each month until November, when series production began in earnest. A total of 108 tanks were delivered in 1940, all but ten in the last two months of the year. Another 1460 T-34s were delivered in 1941, approximately 800 before June 22, 1941.
The first plan shows the T-34 as delivered from Kharkov at the end of 1940, with welded turret, first version of the driver's hatch and the L-11 gun.
The second plan shows a T-34 with cast turret from the spring of 1941, after the F-34 gun had become available (March).
Spotting features include the louvered air intakes on the engine deck, rounded front fenders, four bolts on the removable rear turret plate, pop-up periscope in the turret hatch and stowage of four supplementary fuel cans along the hull sides. Stowage was changed several times during 1941. Eventually KhPZ T-34s had eight fuel tanks along the sides of the same type as used on the BT-7. This could be considered the baseline T-34.
In modelling terms, 6092 represents a T-34 with welded turret, rounded fenders and L-11 gun, typical for the period November 1940 to March 1941, when the F-34 began to appear. The most challenging aspect of building the model are the louvers. ABER has a photoetch set (35136) that reproduces these extremely well, although they are fiddly and require some skill at soldering. Alternatively, Eelke Warrink has produced these using stereolithography. There is more information in this thread. Other aftermarket items I recommend are the barrel and mantlet from ArmorScale and tracks from MasterClub (resin) or AFV Club (styrene). Note that there were also T-34s with cast turrets delivered throughout this period. The turret from 6418 cam be modified to accept the earlier mantlet from 6092.
There were a number of changes made between July to October, when production ceased. The most obvious of these are the intake louvers, which were eliminated in favour of the horizontal grille that became standard on T-34s from September 1941. Other changes include the introduction of tow cleats to replace the brackets, elimination of the rounded front fenders, elimination of the loader's periscope in the turret, revised stowage, and probably the introduction of the simplified driver's hatch. Among the last changes was the introduction of new tracks, 500mm wide "chevron" tracks originally intended for the stillborn T-34M. Finally, in the last days before evacuation, KhPZ installed a dozen 57mm ZiS-4 guns to create the so-called "tank-istrebitel'" or "tank-destroyer" T-34-57, ten of which saw service in October with the 21st Tank Brigade on the Kalinin Front.
KhPZ T-34 from the summer of 1941:
KhPZ T-34 from September 1941. Note that the periscope in the turret hatch has been eliminated, sometimes replaced by a simple plug and later by a new stamping that eliminated it entirely. Other changes include the elimination of the second periscope atop the turret and often, the absence of a radio.
KhPZ from October 1941. The second turret periscope is back, one headlight is removed, new tow hooks are introduced, simplified air intake grilles, transfer of the jack block from the rear fenders to the right rear hull.
Here is a walkaround of a T-34 from KhPZ:
legion-afv.narod.ru/T-34-76_Minsk.html
It is a reconstruction, not completely original, but has been finished with a high degree of accuracy. I'm always skeptical about restored tanks. Most of the time they are mongrels, a combination of parts from different tanks that do not truly represent the prototype, but I like this one.
That's a summary of T-34s from Kharkov. After I catch my breath, I will post information on T-34s from Stalingrad.
Regards
Scott Fraser
