1:72 T-34 Assault Tank with Howitzer U-11

T-34 with the U-11 howitzer in 1:72 scale (UM)

This injection-molded plastic kit in 1:72 scale from UM captures a less usual conversion of the legendary T-34 medium tank, in which a 122 mm U-11 howitzer was fitted into an enlarged turret for direct fire support. It is a short-run model completed with photo-etched parts and a sheet of decals; the character of the tooling corresponds to kits for more experienced modelers.

The real subject

The T-34 was among the most significant tanks of the Second World War, valued for its combination of armor, mobility and the sloped plates of its hull. The version with the U-11 howitzer came out of an effort to give the vehicle a more powerful weapon able to destroy fortifications and support infantry; the real machine remained a developmental and little-used branch of the whole T-34 family.

Building and painting tips

Before gluing, clean the flash and casting remains off the parts and cut the sprue gates away carefully because of the tiny parts. Glue the photo-etched elements with cyanoacrylate and the plastic joints with liquid modeling cement. A base of primer, an airbrush for an even base coat and then washes and pigments for mud and dust effects on the running gear are recommended.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Soviet armored vehicles in a small scale
• Modelers with experience of short-run kits
• Those interested in developmental and prototype variants of the T-34
• Builders of Eastern Front dioramas

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.