Tamiya 35138 - 1:35 T34/85 Russian Medium Tank

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the Soviet T-34/85 medium tank

Tamiya 35138 is a model kit for self-assembly depicting the T-34/85 — the most recognisable Soviet tank of the Second World War in its most powerful wartime form. The enlarged three-man turret with an 85 mm gun restored the T-34's ability to fight the new German tanks, while the vehicle kept its main strengths: mobility, wide tracks and a design suited to mass production.

The kit was released in 1987. It is completed by the external stowage typical of Red Army fighting vehicles — jerry cans, drum-type fuel tanks carried on the rear shelves, spare track links and smoke canisters. The decal sheet covers five marking options; alongside tactical numbers from the Eastern Front there is also a vehicle from the Korean War.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and equipment
• Vinyl band tracks
• External stowage: jerry cans, drum fuel tanks, spare track links, smoke canisters
• Decal sheet with five marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35138
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 233 mm (gun forward)
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

This is one of those kits you can safely start your armour modelling with. The parts fit well, the breakdown is straightforward, and the vinyl band tracks let you finish the running gear quickly. It is worth taking a moment to align the road wheels properly and to think through the placement of the external stowage — it is precisely this that gives a T-34 the look of a vehicle in field service.

For painting we suggest the dark green typical of Red Army vehicles (e.g. Tamiya XF-58 Olive Green); the instructions provide paint codes for all five schemes. Applying the tactical numbers over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering. Military vehicle models are usually finished with a matt varnish, while fading, dust and fuel stains can be emphasised with a wash and pigments.

Tools you will need:

• Model sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – T-34/85:

The appearance of the German Panther and Tiger on the Eastern Front stripped the 76.2 mm-armed T-34 of the advantage it had enjoyed since 1941. The answer was to rearm the tank with the 85 mm ZIS-S-53 gun mounted in a new, enlarged turret. Thanks to it, the commander no longer had to double as the gunner and the crew grew to five, which considerably improved gunnery and command of the vehicle in action.

The powerplant remained the proven one: a 500 hp V-2 diesel engine gave the tank good mobility, while wide tracks meant low ground pressure and the ability to move through mud and snow. At the same time the design was simple and well suited to mass production, which was crucial in wartime conditions.

From late 1943 to June 1945 around 29,000 T-34/85s were built. The tank fought all the way to Berlin, and after the war it served in the armies of dozens of countries and took part in further conflicts, including the Korean War — a vehicle from that period is among the marking options in the kit.

Original vehicle specifications (T-34/85):

• Length: approx. 8.15 m (gun forward)
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 85 mm ZIS-S-53 gun
• Turret: three-man, cast
• Powerplant: V-2 diesel engine, 500 hp
• Production: late 1943 – June 1945, approx. 29,000 built

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber and produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic model kit. Two years later came the 1:35 scale tank that set the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. Tamiya instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the painting diagrams provide specific paint codes. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of items covering vehicles, artillery and figures from across the twentieth century. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the industry.