Dragon T-34/76 Mod.1941 Cast Turret

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T-34/76 Model 1941 Cast Turret
Ref. # 6418
Scale: 1/35
Manufacturer: Dragon
Price: Unknown
Material: Styrene. PE. Metal.

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Introduction

For me, Dragon’s T34 kits are some of the nicest kits on the market today. Each one builds up into an excellent example of this most primitive but successful machine. All are basically the same kit, the hull hardly changed over a period of many years, changes to the running gear being the main difference and of course the different Turrets as larger more powerful guns were fitted.

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The kit

The kit is basically a re-packaging of the earlier T34/76 Mod. 1941 ( 6205) released some time ago but with the addition of a single piece upper turret, much like the original vehicle itself. This new turret has a wonderfully created cast texture, subtle and in no way overstated, the original turret is also supplied but marked up as not required in the usual way. Other new additions are a more comprehensive etched brass fret, the inclusion of a nicely turned aluminium gun barrel, metal tow cables and a decal sheet covering the five marking and finishing options included on the instruction sheet.

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These options are:
An unidentified unit c.1943 in winter whitewash
An unidentified unit again c.1943 in overall green
‘Parchomienko’ 116th Tank Brigade 1942
‘BARS’ Manchuria 1945
Unidentified Unit, German Army 1942 ( for those who can’t resist a T34 with Balkencruz)

The colourful instruction sheet is a mixture of coloured photos and easy to read line drawings and should pose no problems to even the novice modeller.

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There are a few sink marks here and there especially on the inner faces of the Non magic type tracks but nothing a light sanding or filling won’t cure. The single piece lower hull is well detailed and has the usual cut outs for the suspension components. The is also a rudimentary interior for the turret consisting of the gun breech although this can pose problems if mounting one or more figures in the turret hatch.

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Conclusion

A very nice and simple kit, with a lot of spares for that spare parts bin, a complete type 76 turret and a full set of external fuel drums. The cast Turret is exactly as it says on the box, ‘Cast’ and will look so once painted up. I’d recommend this T34 to anyone wanting to make that move into World War two Soviet armour.

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My Thanks to Dragon for the review sample

For full information on all Dragon products, please see their website, Dragon Models Ltd.