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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Re: Floor in T-34 hulls? |  |
| Date: | Nov 8, 2004 |
| From: | Paul Gibson | |
Hello SJ,
As Eelke says, no floor. The ammo boxes rested on spacers, which provided clearance for the control cables and rods, which ran directly on top of the hull bottom. The ammo boxes were covered with rubber mats (possibly the Jaguar floor is supposed to represent these). I don't know how long these would last in combat--seems like they'd just get in the way.
I don't know what T-34 variant you're doing, but I assume it's a T-34-85 of some sort. Verlinden released a T-34-85 interior set awhile back. I have seen only photos of the Jaguar set, and had wondered about its accuracy. Now I know!
The Verlinden set is quite nice, and has the correct pattern floor-mounted ammo boxes for the -85. The instructions use photographs (small, but quite clear), which is a nice improvement over some of their earlier interior sets. The Verlinden set is intended specifically for the DML T-34's, and the major chunks fit quite well. Detail is very good, and matches my references well. Unlike the Jaguar set, the Verlinden interior uses the kit turret.
Also, Eduard has a T-34-85 p/e interior set (intended for the RPM kit) that has some useful bits, including the ammo box lids (you have to build the box sides yourself), and some questionable ones -- the seats are formed from sheet brass, and would have to have the cushions added from putty, etc.
I definitely reccommend the Verlinden interior. If you want to spend a bit more, I also suggest the Eduard set (there are some things which come off better in p/e).
As I noted, I've not examined the Jaguar set, and I don't know if it has other errors, or shortcomings. If the rest of the set is accurate, you could get by using the ammo box lids from the Eduard p/e set. Does the Jaguar set include the turret electrical connection box? If they got the floor wrong, this might be missing also. It is included in the Verlinden set, but would not be difficult to scratch build.
Finally, Hussar has a T-34-85 Factory # 183 (early) turret, with interior. Again, I've only seen photos of this (check out the Air Connection web site), but Hussar's stuff is generally quite good.
This probably isn't the best news in the world, if you've already bought the Jaguar set. If you want some useful T-34 interior references, I suggest checking out the net for pictures of the Trumpeter 1/16 T-34-85 interior. Unfortunately, their T-34/76 kits have incorporated a number of T-34-85 features, which are not correct for the 76mm gun tanks.
Good luck,
Paul |
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