1/35 T-34/76 Mod. 1942 Formoch

Even though the Soviets quickly decided on producing two versions of the Model 1941 T-34 turrets – cast and welded – even with new casting techniques using steel molds they were hard pressed to keep up with production requirements. Another source of turrets was required. As a result, in October 1942 the State Committee on Defense (GKO) ordered the UZTM factory to produce pressed steel turrets as they could double the speed of production by this method.

The new turret design – called “Shtampovannaya Bashnya” or the pressed turret – was based on the cast turrets from Factory No. 183, but here the UZTM used its 10,000 ton “Shleman” steel press (which had been used to make components for destroyers and other warships) to produce the new turrets from 45mm homogenous rolled armor plate. Under the direction of chief designer L. Ye. Gorlitskiy it was hoped the design would use 60mm plate, but the press could not handle this and thus 45mm plate was used. Surprisingly during testing it was found to be superior in protection to the then standard 52mm cast turret armor.

UZTM produced both the cast turrets as well as the pressed steel turrets in parallel and sent out to other T-34 factories for production, but most commonly they were seen on Factory No. 112 (Krasnoye Sormovo) chassis. When production ceased on 1 March 1944 UZTM had produced between 2,050 and 2,062 of these turrets. They were used for both regular T-34 Model 1942 tanks as well as the Model 1943 with the commander’s cupola.

Key Features
Highly detailed plastic pieces molded in grey.
Turret hatch with fine detail can be positioned open/closed.
Both fake and real periscopes provided as option.
Realistically represented road wheels- two outer road wheels with rubber tires and three inner all-steel raod wheels.
One-piece lower hull offers easy assembly.
550mm variant of T-34 Magic Tracks with refined detail.
Engine-deck rear plate and engine-cover plate have full detail.
Two types of storage box provided.
Optional photo-etched parts for engine-cover grills available.
Finely detailed fenders.
Engine-deck louvers finely represented by photo-etched parts.
Waterslide decals.
Instructions.

Specs
Scale: 1/35
Parts: 450+

Requires:
Assembly
Paint
Hobby Knife
Cement

DUE TO SMALL PARTS THAT MAY BE SWALLOWED KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AGE 3 AND YOUNGER.