Dragon 1/35 scale T-34/76 Mod. 1940

Kit: No. 6092
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon, imported by Dragon Models USA, 1315 John Reed Court, City of Industry, CA 91745, 866-365-8721, www.dragonmodelsusa.com
Price: $30.95
Comments: Injection-molded, 418 parts, decals
Pros: First accurate kit of the initial model of the T-34, excellent detail, excellent fit
Cons: No hull interior detail, no figures

The Soviet Army developed the T-34 in such secrecy that it took the German Army completely by surprise upon Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. The T-34 Model 1940 was by far the most advanced tank design at that time, with excellent armor protection, firepower, and mobility.

The new Dragon T-34 Model 1940 is the long-awaited follow-on to Dragon's T-34/85. The wait was worth it. Nearly everything in the box is new; only the bottom hull and suspension spring units were carry-overs from Dragon's earlier T-34/85.

The parts are beautifully molded in flash-free gray plastic. It features the early T-34's rectangular external fuel tanks, early-style wheels and tracks, initial engine-deck configuration, and the unique cast gun mantlet. The only interior parts are the gun breach and gunner's and loader's seats.

The instructions include color pictures of the kit parts with arrows and part numbers. This is great, as all the parts look exactly as shown in the assembly steps.

I started with the drive, idler, and bogie wheels. Dragon has modeled rubber-tire detail on the drive and idler wheels, another feature of the early T-34 models. Next, the lower hull was tackled by installing the boxed-in suspension springs and the suspension arms. All these steps were trouble-free.

I decided early on to have the lower hull, wheels, and tracks completely assembled and painted before going on to the upper hull to have better access at installing the tracks. The excellent individual-link tracks are of the initial pattern found on early T-34s. There are ejector-pin marks on the inside surfaces but they're difficult to see after assembly.

The links are attached to the sprue at their ends, so I spent some time cleaning them up. I built the tracks into four units per side and painted them before installing them on the wheels.

Next came the upper hull. The unique exterior features of the Model 1940 - the early style driver's hatch, early periscope configuration, and rectangular transmission-access hatch, are well-captured. The clear headlight lenses allowed me to add adhesive-foil reflectors.

The turret is a multi-piece assembly and will benefit from a few dry runs to determine how the parts fit together. You have the option to eliminate the commander's periscope and replace it with a round cover.

I painted my T-34 with Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby Colors. The paint guide shows one tank in overall green and another in three-tone camouflage. Simple white ID numbers are provided on the small decal sheet but aren't necessary for these two tanks.

My primary reference was the New Vanguard T-34/76 Medium Tank 1941-1945 by Steve Zaloga and Peter Sarson. I also found The Tankograd Gazette Number 15 useful. The completed model looks dead-on to the photos, but I couldn't verify the extended front fenders found on the kit.

I completed my T-34 in 20 hours. As modern armor kits go, this one is practically viceless. The only problem beginners may have is handling the individual-link tracks. The excellent moldings, precise fit, and the interesting subject provided an ideal modeling experience.

- Jim Zeske