T-34-85

T-34-85 Medium Tank

In 1943 the Soviet Army encountered the new German Tiger and Panther tanks. Experience at the Battle of Kursk and reports from front-line commanders indicated that the T-34's 76.2 mm gun was now inadequate. An existing 85 mm antiaircraft gun was effective against the new German tanks, and could be adapted to tank In early 1944, the improved T-34-85 was introduced, with a more powerful 85 mm gun in the new three-man turret.

Museum example

Post war compilation from two battle damaged tanks.

Hull (s/n 4120630) from No.112 "Red Sormovo" Tank Factory in Gorky - end of 1944
Turret (s/n 2992) from No.183 Ural Rail-Car Plant in Nizhnij Tagil with ZiS-S-53 gun - June 1945 or later

Registration #: early - "8 ? 4 0" - white, late - "1 2 4 8" - yellow
In museum since1996.

T-34-85 Technical data

Weight: 32 t
Length / Carriage Length: 8.15 m / 6.10 m
Width: 3.00 m
Height: 2.70 m
Crew: 5 men
Armament: ZiS-S-53 Mk.1944, 85 mm gun (55 rounds), 2x7.62 mm DT machine guns
Armor: up to 75-90 mm
Powerplant: W-2-34, 12 cylinder V in-line diesel engine, 500 hp at 1800 rpm
Maximum Speed: 55 kph