Most experts rate the T-34 as the best tank in the world at the time the Soviet Union entered WWII in 1941. Blessed with wide tracks, well-sloped armor and an effective 76mm gun, its mobility, armor protection and antitank capabilities were unsurpassed at the time. In fact the T-34 was the second most widely produced tank of all time, with a range of different variants being produced throughout WWII. Dragon has already created quite a number of excellent 1/35 scale plastic model kits of the T-34 family, and it is now pleased to offer another interesting variant.

The newest kit is a T-34/76 Mod.1942 “Formochka”. This tank boasted a stamped turret produced by the giant 5000-ton forge press at the Uralmash production plant in Sverdlovsk. Such expediencies in construction resulted from the various manufacturing facilities the Soviets relied on, especially as many factories had to be relocated further east as they come under threat from the German advance.

This highly refined kit is full of fine detail. Obviously the main characteristic of the “Formochka” variant is the stamped turret, which is a brand new tooling that flows from the hands of an expert master builder from Japan. Given the sculptor’s pedigree, the turret is accurately formed and dimensioned, and gives this T-34 vehicle a unique appearance. The turret even contains interior detail such as the gun breech. Meanwhile, other parts like the one-piece hull and 76mm gun barrel are slide molded for maximum accuracy. Photo-etched parts such as the engine-cover grill and louvers complement the fine plastic detail of the kit. This is a novel T-34/76 variant, yet one that fills an important gap in the family tree!