Finnish T-34/85 "Pitkäputkinen Sotka"- preparation

Haven jumped ships from the PSC T-34/85 quick build kit to the Pegasus model - which meant starting again from scratch - I decided I might as well take the opportunity and add some upgrades. So this post details the 1/72 T-34 kit-bling I will be using to my pimp my ride!

First of all though, let's talk Finnish T-35/85s. In fact there were only ever 7 T-34/85s captured by the Finns in good enough condition to re-use against their former owners. And as the war lumbered to it's inevitable conclusion these tanks played less and less of a part in the Finn's brave defence of their country, eccentially because the Soviet 85mm ammunition became a scarce commodity.

A Finnish soldier inspects this abandoned Soviet T-34/85 - can it be salvaged?
Salvaging was the Finn's only means of acquiring this kind of heavy armour.
Photo source: SA-kuva archive.

In the context of wargaming the Bolt Action rules seems to have this historical fact covered in it's application of it's 'unreliable' modifier when players chose to deploy ex-Soviet armour for Finnish armies. To be honest, if you are considering a late war Finnish army like mine you might be better advised to field the German Stug III G instead, as at least the Finns did have spares and ammo for this thus negating the 'unreliable' handicap.

You can read more about this - and other - WW2 Finnish tanks at the following two web sites:

• JAEGER PLATOON: FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945 WEBSITE
• ANDREASLARKA.NET: DEDICATED TO WW2 FINNISH ARMOUR

Anyhoo, let's talk T-34 bling...

WHY? ARE YOU MAD?
Let's start by saying I am doing this because I like doing stuff that other people say is a bit stupid! The fact is that the combined cost of the various upgrades seen here would probably buy me one and a half Dragon T-34/85 kits!

Let's look at the upgrades in a bit more detail...

• HAULER T-34 MESH GRILLS

Probably the cheapest and 'sensible' upgrade would be this set of etched brass mesh grills. These are actually intended for the Armourfast T-34 kits and there are enough to do two tanks in the set.

• EUREKA XXL T-34/85 TOWING CABLES AND HOOKS

Not very expensive (£2.75), but very nice. I have made my own cables and hooks before but they weren't as nice as these.

• CZECH MASTER'S T-34/85 M45 GUN, MANTLET & SHELLS

One of the really poor parts of the Pegasus T-34/85 kit is the horrible plastic 85mm gun. So, I bought this beautiful CM turned aluminium gun. It comes with a nice resin mantlet and even a couple of 85mm shells!

• CZECH MASTER T-34/85 EXHAUSTS & PERISCOPES

...Er, OK this is getting a bit silly now! This set includes some lovely little resin exhaust pipes and periscopes! At least give me some credit for actually finding these!!! :)

• MAKE IT REAL WW2 SOVIET STENCILIT

Now this is a bit hard core! This tiny brass stencil is a set of Soviet WW2 tank numbers and insignia! Now, I don't really need these for my Finnish tank, but come on - who wouldn't want to hand stencil on 1/72 scale tank numbers...No? ....Nobody? ...Just me then!

Next up: Hull and turret prep.