This book describes the colors and markings applied to the T-34-85. It served in huge numbers with the Soviet Army and its allies. All of its major users are beautifully illustrated with incredible artwork including the color profiles. The period photographs are clear and in focus exposing the modeler to the harsh conditions of war. A total of more than 35,000 T-34-85s were produced in several variants from different factories. The museum walk around photos points out the differing turrets and chassis from their respective factories. This book is a must have as it covers; unit/ tactical markings, air recognition details, captured enemy markings and even individual names and insignias.

The book is a glossy soft cover featuring a hearty cord & gum binding measuring 8.5 x 11 with 120 pages and 120 illustrations.

MMP YouTube Review

This is the Bronco Models kit of the Panzerbefehlswagen 35(t) and represents command tank version of which there was approximately 20 in service.

There is also a small poster of the vehicle, the same picture as on the front cover.

Construction

The kit is complex and is not a surprise as Bronco has a reputation for over-engineering their kits, and if you normally build kits from Dragon or Tamiya, this kit will be a whole lot different. It does contain a lot of very small parts, both styrene and PE, and it will challenge any modeller's patience and skills. That said, I loved the details and amount of thought that went into the build, that are not for use. There are quite a few options during the build. I would suggest going through the instructions before starting the build and marking which options you want to use.

The kit includes:

There’s an apocryphal conversation that supposedly took place in World War 2 between a German captive and his guard:

German Prisoner: “Not meaning to insult, but in battle, any German tank is the equal to any ten of your Shermans.”

Guard: “Really?”

German Prisoner: “Yes, but you always have eleven.”

It’s no joke that American tankers fighting in Europe had to contend with a host of powerful German tanks, using a tank design that although noted for its maneuverability, ease of maintenance and automotive reliability, suffered from inadequate armor and even less adequate firepower. Enter the M10, America’s first serious attempt to level the playing field a bit.

Background

Conceived and initially developed on the eve of World War II, the Churchill infantry tank was designed to provide infantry support in European conflicts, including trench warfare as seen in World War I. Although rushed into production early in the war to counter an anticipated German invasion of England, the Churchill matured through a number of marks to become a versatile and effective element of Allied armored forces.

Some Mk III Churchills were fitted with special wading gear for amphibious landings. Most notable of such landings was the ill-fated Operation Jubilee, in which Canadian forces tested the feasibility of opposed amphibious landings on the European mainland in 1942.

The Model

This variant of Dragon’s Mk III Churchill features additional parts to outfit the kit with wading trunks, exhausts, braces, and other details to replicate the Churchills landed during Operation Jubilee.

History

Among the variety of wheeled armored vehicles which saw action in WWII, the Sd.Kfz.234/2 – armed with a 5cm gun – boasted the strongest firepower. The Sd.Kfz. 234 series, which was developed as successor the 8 wheeled Sd.Kfz. 231, had an important role in reconnaissance missions for Blitzkreig tactics. Four variations from 234/1-4 were deployed with differing armament and the 234/2 was the first in this series. Unlike the 231, armored with plate bolted onto the frame, the 234 adopted a monocoque structure to improve productivity and strength. Controls were located in both ends and the front armor plate was 30mm thick. The Tatra-made Type 103 air-cooled V12 diesel yielded 210hp, a maximum speed of 80kn/h, and a range of 1000km. The chassis had sophisticated 8-wheel drive and 8 wheel steering mechanism. The turret was armed with the 5cm Kwk39/1 gun which was able to penetrate 37mm thick armor plate from a distance of 1500m with armor piercing ammunition.