I hope my question is not too specific or weird. I have just finished my DML 1/35 T-34/85. When I compared it with a Tamiya 1/35 T-34/85, I discovered something different. If you look at the frontal hull on the DML one, you will see, between the driver’s hatch entrance and the spare track, there is a piece of slim metal welded onto the hull. This cannot be found in the Tamiya one. I checked it out in web site and reference books and saw that early T-34 sometime had it sometime not.
Now, my questions are:
What is that piece of metal?
Which one is right, Tamiya or DML? In the future, if I do other T-34, should I add styrene stripe on it(for Tamiya) or sand it off(for DML)?
OK you managed to get my curiosity going on this one.
Considering that the Tamiya kit is starting to show its age, I believe that the DML kit is the more accurate kit of the two.
If you check out this link http://www.battletanks.com/images/T34-85-1.jpg
It shows the T34/85 that is at the Aberdeen Proving Ground and it clearly shows the strip of metal in question being there. Does this mean that all T34 variants have this, that I can’t answer but there are other pics of the T34 on the net that may be worth looking at.
What is it? absolutely, positively, without a doubt, no question in my mind, …
I haven’t the foggiest idea.
I’m not sure how to answer question #1, but I am certain about my answer for question #2. The DML kit is superior to the Tamiya kit. The main problem with the Tamiya kit is that it is designed for motorization and that will throw off the profile of the tank. The DML T-34/85 has IMHO far superior detail and is more accurate. I have seen pictures of T-34’s with and without the metal strip in place, so it is up to you if you want it on your model or not. Either way would probably be acceptable.