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.

By choosing either the D-5T or the ZIS-85, guns with a very long barrel and without a muzzle brake, the recoil dictated a very large turret, or at least a very long one. This roomier design also had the advantage of being large enough for three crewmen, the commander being freed from having to load the gun. This, in turn, helped him concentrate on possible targets and generally to have better awareness of the battlefield. The advantage of a three-man turret was already known by the British since the twenties, and the Germans found it very convenient for their main tanks, the Panzer III and IV. The advantages of such a configuration became obvious during the campaign in France. Having the commander free to focus on his tasks and excellent tank-to-tank communication gave them a clear-cut tactical superiority over the French, whose tanks mostly had one man turrets.

This new turret, ordered by The People's Commissariat for the Armor Industry, was partly based on the T-43's turret and was hurriedly adapted by Krasnoye Sormovo Factory chief engineer V. Kerichev. It was a compromise design with a slightly reduced base ring, two periscopes and the commander cupola relocated to the rear, for full peripheral vision. The radio was also relocated, allowing easier access, better signal and range.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Chinese Volunteer Army T-34/85 medium tank that was deployed to Korea during 1950. Now in stock!

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

Release Date: September 2023

Historical Account "People's Hero Tank" - T-34-85 "No.215" achieved historical significance during the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's participation in the Korean War. No.215 took part in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill, also known as the Battle of Seokhyeon-dong Northern Hill in July 1953, against the 1st Brigade, 7th Infantry Division. No.215 accidentally drove into muddy terrain while spotting a U.S. tank column at 1,400 meters while travelling at night. The crew immediately camouflaged the tank to avoid aerial reconnaissance by U.S. planes and successfully ambushed 3 U.S. tanks the next day, destroying two and seriously damaging 1. During the retreat, it exchanged fire with a few pursuing tanks, destroying two additional U.S. tanks. Throughout the Korean War, the tank crew of No.215 destroyed five tanks, nine mortars, one military vehicle, 26 enemy bunkers, one tunnel, and one command post. It also successfully provided infantry support in 7 combat operations.

The Chinese Army awarded the prestigious title "People's Hero Tank" to the T-34-85 No.215 tank in appreciation of its significant military achievements, and all crew members were given the first-class merit award. The decommissioned tank is now on exhibit in the Military Museum of the Chinese People's Revolution for public viewing.