After the Battle of Kursk in the summer of 1943, panic began to spread in the ranks of Soviet tank units. They had met the German Panther for the first time on the field of battle, and the mighty Tiger I was being encountered in increasing numbers. The Soviets desperately needed a tank with a longer arm so-to-speak, and the solution offered up by a crash development program was a T-34 with a larger turret and a larger gun. This new tank was known as the T-34/85, which featured an 85mm anti-tank gun (derived from an anti-aircraft gun of the same caliber) mounted in a larger three-man turret. This more powerful tank entered service from March 1944 onwards and it was an immediate hit since it could now stand toe-to-toe with the more powerful tanks being fielded by the Wehrmacht.

On the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, Dragon Armor released two 1/72 scale models. These were highly accurate replica M4A3E8(76W) Sherman tanks from the US side of the Korean War. Now, Dragon Armor has released a tank from the opposing side. This fully built-up T-34/85 bears authentic markings of the PVA. While Dragon Armor has released versions of the T-34/85 before, up till now they have all been in Soviet markings. This latest tank is thus all the more exceptional with its Chinese ownership and tactical markings. With full detail replicated in miniature, and with an amazingly well-crafted paint finish and weathering effects, this impressive T-34/85 is ready to take on its UN foes on the troubled Korean Peninsula! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 3-1/2-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: May 2011

Historical Account "Chinese Intervention" - China entered the Korean War on October 19th, 1950, and Chinese forces did not completely withdraw until 1958. To avoid any official war with the USA, Chinese soldiers fought under the auspices of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA), even though they were all members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The initial assault by 270,000 PVA troops on October 25th, 1950, caught the UN completely by surprise. One of the armored vehicles that China deployed during the Korean War was the Soviet-designed T-34/85 tank. Indeed, it was the most powerful armored vehicle the communist side fielded during this brutal conflict.