I want to preface this post that it comes out of a love and deep care for the game and the T-34-85, as I do think this new model is gorgeous and am incredibly happy that this remodel has happened. However…
The new T-34-85 model contains numerous errors, mostly regarding the mixing and matching of components from different factories that did not occur in real life. Many of these issues appear to be a result of porting the minor details directly over from the T-34-85 (D-5T), which represents a ~March 1944 production vehicle from Krasnoye Sormovo, while the in-game model seems to be closest to an August 1944 vehicle from UTZ. These finer details should be corrected to make the T-34-85 as historically accurate as possible.
Furthermore, various premium and foreign T-34-85s also received this new model, with some modifications applied. However, they all still share the same base model, meaning not only do they inherit its flaws, but also possess even more inaccuracies since not all of them are based on the same production model. Each foreign and premium tank should be revised to be more faithful to the historical references they are based on.
This post will break down each T-34-85 model and the errors they contain.
1. T-34-85
This section will primarily focus on the issues common to all models since the base model is shared by all of the T-34-85s (except the Gai, which was not remodeled).
1. Mantlet Rain Shield
The rain shield over the mantlet is missing the bolts to actually secure it into position. This is a pretty minor error, and also exists on the T-34-85 (D-5T), which was also remodeled somewhat recently.
Rain Shield
2. Bow MG armor strip
The armor strip below the bow machine gun should not be present. It was only ever used on the early production T-34-85s from Krasnoye Sormovo (Zavod 112) and should be removed.
Bow MG Armor Strip
3. Engine deck handrails
(thanks to @Misaka19802 for pointing this out!)
The engine deck handrails are way too short.
Engine deck handrails
These issues I’ve detailed in a report here: Community Bug Reporting System
4. Fender spare track mounts
The spare tracks stowed on the fenders should be removed. In April 1945, a directive was given to move the spare tracks to the front glacis to improve protection, meaning the fender stowage was no longer used. Virtually no photos of T-34-85s with glacis-mounted tracks and fender-mounted tracks exist barring postwar vehicles.
This issue is reported separately here: Community Bug Reporting System
5. Details that differ by factory
The model is an amalgamation of features from at least 2 different factories. The hull construction is from that of Krasnoye Sormovo, while including some details from UTZ T-34-85s. Meanwhile, the turret is entirely a UTZ turret.
UTZ features
Ribbing on the turret neck and sides
Turret weld seams
Rear hull hinges
Rear armor joint
Rear armor bolt layout
Road wheels* (these were not unique to UTZ, but the majority of UTZ tanks used them)
Sormovo features
Front glacis weld seams
Lower glacis armor joints
Lower rear armor joints
Track tensioner plugs
In order to fix these discrepancies, I think it would make most sense to model the tank entirely as a UTZ vehicle, as it’s both the most common model historically and the version represented by the old T-34-85 model. As such, the Sormovo features will need to be changed to UTZ features:
Correct UTZ features
UTZ front glacis weld seams
UTZ lower glacis armor joints
UTZ lower rear armor joints
UTZ track tensioner plugs
6. Turret armor patch
Another notable missing detail from the UTZ turret is the armor patch over the traverse gear. Essentially all UTZ turrets produced after the turret armor was reinforced (around September 1944) had this armor patch installed. (Earlier models with the fairing around the pistol port did not have this patch, and turrets from Sormovo and Omsk (174) did not have them).
7. Turret armor seam
(thanks to @Misaka19802 for pointing this out!)
UTZ turrets also have an additional seam in the casting above the main seam that is subtle, but still present.
Turret armor seam
I am still working on gathering the resources for a report on the factory-specific issues, so stay tuned.
All of these issues also affect the T-34-85 “Partisan” and the Chinese T-34-85. Other models based on specific, historical vehicles have different issues that affect them.
Overall rating: 7/10
2. T-34-85E
This vehicle is modeled on a historical vehicle, “k230”, seen in Berlin, 1945.
1. Turret construction
The real-life “k230” was produced by Zavod 112 with the rarer “8-piece” turret casting pattern (provided by Kharkhov exclusively to Sormovo), which is not represented here. Besides the difference in casting pattern, there are also differences in details like the placement of the handrails, which should intersect the top of the stripe.
8-piece turret casting
(This example is an older turret, but the basic locations of the weld seams is the same)
2. Road wheels
The wheels should be the solid dish type, not the spoke type.
3. Rear plate bolts & joint
Since the vehicle is a Sormovo production and not UTZ, the rear hull features should be modified to match the correct model. This includes the arrangement of bolts, the intersection of the upper and lower armor plates, and the types of hinge used.
4. Turret screens
Its also worth noting that the screen armor on the turret is modeled completely wrong, as in real life it’s made from a different wire screen than the hull armor.
Turret screens
5. Hull stowage
The various pieces of stowage and equipment on the hull are incorrect. There are no spare track links stored on the fenders, the headlight is removed, and the spare tow cable is attached on the vehicle’s left side, not the right. There are also other miscellaneous boxes and tarpaulins scattered around.
6. Decals
The vehicle is currently missing some of its historical markings, namely a unit marking on the front glacis and a white stripe on the forehead (this can be seen more clearly on other tanks from the same unit).
The errors in the T-34-85E model are documented here: Community Bug Reporting System
Overall rating: 4/10
3. T-34-85 “In May '45”
This vehicle appears to be based on at least two distinct vehicles. The fictional nature of these three-vehicle packs was a deliberate decision made by Gaijin which I strongly disagree with, seeing as both of the vehicles represented here are already quite unique in their own right. However, I will still be assessing the “accuracy” of the model based on the real-life inspirations.
The turret armor configuration is based on a T-34-85 of the 6th GvMK seen in Prague, May 1945. Overall this is rendered fairly accurately, the only real complaint I might have is the lack of tactical markings, as well as the strange decision to make the cupola white.
The addition of Schurzen on the hull sides is also based on a real photo of an unknown unit, likely in Germany, 1945. This vehicle also has screens on the turret, but those appear to also be cut from the wire-mesh Schurzen rather than solid plates like on the in-game model.
Although the two main features of this model are correct, the smaller underlying details are still wrong. Both vehicles in the photos are Krasnoye Sormovo-production vehicles, the former being identified by the front glacis construction and the latter by the 8-piece turret casting.
Identifying details
1. Rear plate bolts & joint
Since the tank is from Sormovo, the rear hull hinge, rear hull joint, and bolt layout on the upper plate need to be changed.
2. Road wheels
These vehicles also both have the “dish” road wheels, not spokes.
Road wheels
3. Fenders & stowage
Other miscellaneous cosmetic errors include the rounded fenders and lots of extra stowage on the fenders.
Fenders & stowage
4. Gun collar
The gun collar on early-model Sormovo vehicles also looks different, lacking the “slots” in the side where the bolts are fitted
Gun collar
5. Turret model
The presence of rounded fenders and the early Sormovo-type gun collar also indicate that this tank is actually an early-production vehicle, likely from April-July 1944. There are some visual differences from the later models, such as the presence of a fairing behind the pistol port, the shape of the lower turret body, the connection to the turret ring, and (as previously mentioned) the earlier model of gun collar without grooves.
6. Turret armor
Tanks with the early turret model also had thinner armor that was only 52 mm all-around. This will be discussed in more detail in the Finnish T-34-85 section, since they also share this issue.
This will also be reported, but due to the semi-fictional nature of the vehicle, it may be harder to do.
Overall rating: 5/10
4. T-34-85 (China)
Besides the problems related to the base T-34-85 model, there isn’t much specific to this vehicle that needs to change.
1. Track armor
The additional track armor modification should be removed, however, as such a configuration essentially did not exist in Chinese service.
2. Cosmetics
The only notable cosmetic difference with Chinese T-34-85s is the installation of a wooden splashboard in the 1950s, and later the modification of the rear hull hinge. None of these are critical changes, but it would be nice to give the Chinese vehicle a little bit of differentiation.
Overall rating: 7/10
5. T-34-85 (No. 215)
(Image is of old model)
The T-34-85 No. 215 is based on a real vehicle that was used by the PVA in Korea.
At present, the vehicle is simply the same as the basic model, just with the decal “215” applied to the turret sides.
It’s unclear exactly which factory produced the vehicle. The turret is undoubtedly from UTZ. However, the hull could be either Sormovo or UTZ, as Sormovo did manufacture a few T-34-85s with UTZ turrets, and UTZ did manufacture a few T-34-85s with dish-type road wheels, or it could be a UTZ hull repaired with dish wheels. In the available photographs, all the necessary identifying information is obstructed or too distant to be accurately identified.
In my opinion, it is more likely to be a Sormovo-UTZ hybrid, but any interpretation is valid. Regardless, in its present state, the hull combines features from both factories in a historically inaccurate way and should be changed to fully match one or the other. That said, there are still many errors that can be confirmed from the available photos.
1. Road wheels
The road wheels are the incorrect type.
2. Cupola
The tank is the “1945” production version, which differs by having an enlarged cupola with only a single hatch. This also came with a small change in the turret construction, adding a small bulge to accommodate the new cupola.
Cupola
3. Armor patch
Also, as with previous UTZ turrets, it is missing the armor patch over the turret traverse.
Armor patch
4. Casting seam
To match the UTZ turret, also add the additional seam on the turret cheek.
Casting seam
5. Stowage
Some of the details of the fender stowage are also incorrect.
Stowage
6. Spare tracks & track armor
The spare tracks stowed on the fender should be removed, similar to the base-model T-34-85. The track armor modification should also be removed, except for the single track on the turret right side and those natively installed on the front glacis.
Spare tracks & track armor
7. Decals
The 215 decal is too small and the digits grouped too close together. There is also a number “47213” missing from the rear turret sides.
Decals
These are all compiled in a report here: Community Bug Reporting System
Overall rating: 6/10
6. T-34-85 Gai
This vehicle’s model was not updated, but I will touch on it briefly.
1. Cupola
The only real issue with the model is that the cupola is modeled with the single-piece hatch used with the enlarged commander’s cupola, but the cupola itself is too small. The model even includes the bulge in the turret side to accommodate the new cupola, yet the diameter is shrunk.
Cupola
This issue is documented in this old report: T-34-85 Gai cupola model too small - Documented Ground Reports - War Thunder - Official Forum
Overall rating: 9/10
7. T-34-85 (Finland)
The Finnish T-34-85 has the biggest issues with its model, all of which center around its production date.
Finland only ever captured 9 T-34-85s, and of those, only 7 were operationally used. These tanks were all captured during spring and summer 1944, which would necessarily make them early-model T-34-85s (Finland and the USSR also signed an armistice in September 1944).
Historical photos
All seven T-34-85s in Finnish service, in order by Ps-number.
A few T-34-85s and T-34-76s.
Of the nine vehicles, seven have been photographed with enough detail to determine they are from UTZ. This is most easily identified by the turret weld seams and can be confirmed via other details like the rear hull hinges.
Individual tanks
Ps. 245-1
Ps. 245-2
Ps. 245-3
Ps. 245-4
Ps. 245-5
Ps. 245-6
After searching for a while, I could not find any clear photos of Ps. 245-6.
Ps. 245-7
Vehicle 8 (not serviced)
Likely cannibalized for parts, so photos may not exist or be digitized.
Vehicle 9 (not serviced)
Based on other details, the approximate production dates of the vehicles can also be identified:
Ps. 245-1 through Ps. 245-5 are from April 1944. They lack hardpoints on the front glacis to mount tracks (introduced in mid-April 1944), all appear to have the earlier “wide” gun collar (used from ~April-June 1944), and have a pistol port fairing on the turret sides (removed starting August 1944).
Other visual differences include the different handrail arrangement on the hull sides, and the lack of the additional square eyelets welded to the glacis.
Ps. 245-7 has the glacis track mounts, but still has the wide gun collar and pistol port fairing, indicating it is likely April-June production vehicle. It also uses the later, “standard” handrail arrangement on the hull, but still lacks the the square eyelets on the glacis.
Vehicle 9, which was not serviced, also retains the fairing and wide gun collar, but uses the “standard” handrail arrangement, meaning it is probably a similar age as Ps. 245-7.
Vehicle 9 details
Since the in-game model lacks front glacis track mounts, it is meant to represent the earlier Ps. 245-1 thru 5 vehicles. The main identifying feature, the lack of glacis track mounts, indicates that they were produced during or prior to April 1944.
Because of this fact, these vehicles also should have thinner turret armor. When the T-34-85 first entered production, turrets were a uniform 52 mm all-around, and the order to thicken the turret armor was only issued at the end of April 1944. This change would be gradually rolled out by each factory over the coming months. Because of this fact, the Finnish T-34-85s should have the weaker turret.
Documents detailing the upgrade of turret armor
Although I believe this proves the Finnish T-34-85 should have the thinner early turret, it is also useful to be able to externally identify the change to the turret armor thickness. This knowledge actually allows us to identify the “May '45” T-34-85 as an early-production model with the thin turret.
A long tangent on external identification of T-34-85 turret armor
On 20 April 1944, the order to reinforce the T-34-85’s turret armor was issued, and ordered that UTZ, Sormovo, and Omsk transition to the new turret by 1 April, 1 July, and 1 October, respectively. There are some considerations that must be taken into account when trying to use this document to date the actual production changes. First, the decree requests that UTZ make the change 3 weeks in the past, prior to its issuing. While UTZ developed the turret, there is no indication (as far as physical changes to the turrets is concerned) that the reinforced turrets were actually introduced in April. Furthermore, Omsk had not yet begun production of the T-34-85 (and would not until June), so they had not yet begun producing the “thin” turret.
Documents detailing the upgrade of turret armor
Of the three factories, Sormovo and UTZ both underwent a major change in the turret casting shape in late summer/early autumn 1944, while Omsk began producing the “later” version from the beginning of production in June 1944. While there is no direct, documented confirmation that these turret casting changes were correlated to the armor thickness change, it is unlikely that such a major revision to the armor would occur separately from such a large external visual change.
At UTZ, the first turrets seen without the fairings were in August 1944. This change also came with a slight visual change in the shape of the turret casting, which is most visible on the sides where the main armored body meets the turret ring. On the older model with the fairing, the turret body overlaps the ring section significantly, whereas on the later model, the transition is smoother and the turret ring is only slightly narrower than the turret. This indicates that a new turret casting was introduced during or before July/August 1944.
UTZ turret variations
July 1944 UTZ turret
August 1944 UTZ turret
Transitional turret using old “wide” collar with new casting
At Krasnoye Sormovo, the first turrets without fairings seem to be from autumn 1944, so a little later than UTZ. These turrets also differ much more significantly in their casting form, with the bustle section continuing to widen at the base with a “sharper” corner underneath. The casting for the alternative 8-piece turret also changed, with similar features to the new UTZ turret regarding the relative width of the turret ring. Once again, this indicates that there was a new turret casting introduced during or before autumn 1944. Documentation shows that the new, reinforced turret was introduced starting in August, so this likely is in agreement.
Sormovo turret variations
Standard August 1944 Sormovo turret
Standard late autumn 1944 Sormovo turret
Alternate “early” Kharkov-Sormovo turret
Alternate “late” Kharkov-Sormovo turret
Another visual difference between the early and late pattern turrets is the mantlet. On older Sormovo and Kharkov turrets, the gun collar is completely round on all sides.
However, on later turrets, it acquires grooves in the side that are aligned with the bolts, similar to mantlets produced at other factories.
This detail, plus the early fenders, also helps identify the T-34-85 “May 1945” as an early model with the thin turret.
Sormovo document describing when new turret was introduced
At Omsk, T-34-85 production only began in June 1944. These first vehicles lacked the pistol port fairing and also had the later-type turret body/turret ring connection, which indicates that Omsk likely used the new casting design from the start. From a logic/practicality perspective, it would be a bit strange if Omsk initiated production with the older turret model when they had the advantage of using new toolings from the beginning.
Omsk turret variations
Early production Omsk turret
Autumn 1944 Omsk turret (with narrow gun collar)
To summarize, I believe that the earlier, thinner turrets are indicated by the presence of a pistol port fairing and a different shape in the turret body, which is most easily identified at the joint between the turret ring and the main body. Later turrets with reinforced armor lack the pistol port fairing and have a much smoother transition between the turret and the turret ring.
Of course, this conclusion is based heavily on conjecture, with the only supporting documentation from Sormovo likely not enough evidence on its own to be rigorous. That being said, I think this is still a reasonable conclusion that can be drawn, and am fully willing to revise it if additional conflicting information arises.
So, to actually summarize the issues with the Finnish T-34-85 model:
1. Turret model
The turret model should be changed entirely to the early model. The general shape of the turret is already present in-game on the T-34-85 (D-5T), although not everything is the exact same.
Notable differences between the current game model and the correct turret model include the fairing of the pistol port, the gun mantlet, and the shape of the lower turret body and how it connects to the turret ring.
2. Turret armor
As described above, the turret armor should be reduced to 52 mm all-around. This is the same protection level as the T-34-85 (D-5T).
The issues regarding the turret armor & model are detailed here: Community Bug Reporting System
3. Hull model
The hull should also be changed to reflect an early-production UTZ hull. Changes include
Weld joints and construction
UTZ front glacis weld seams
UTZ lower glacis armor joints
UTZ lower rear armor joints
Track tension plug
Remove extra brackets on front glacis
The issues with the hull model will be reported shortly.
Finland also made some modifications that affect the vehicle’s cosmetics in-game.
4. Fenders & headlights
The most distinguishable change is the new front fender and headlight assembly, which also came with the removal of the original Soviet headlight. The exact configuration seems to have varied by vehicle, with Ps. 245-2 notably having only one headlight mounted on the glacis, and no photographs of Ps. 245-5 (or 245-6) existing with them installed.
Fenders & headlights
5. Stowage
Changes were also made to the stowage on some vehicles, primarily through the addition of new boxes and hardpoints. However most of these were postwar changes, so it is understandable for them to be excluded.
These cosmetic changes aren’t strictly necessary, but are strongly encouraged to make the Finnish T-34-85 more visually distinct from the Soviet models.
The purely cosmetic issues will be reported soon.
Overall rating: 3/10
Conclusion
The T-34-85 remodel was a great opportunity to refine the historical details and minutia represented in the game, along with an excellent visual overhaul. However, it failed to do that, and in turn inviting a plethora of more inaccuracies into the game. Although the majority of these differences are purely cosmetic, I still think it is appropriate to hold those details to a high standard in a game that, generally speaking, cares deeply about historical accuracy.
I hope that these fixes can be made eventually and be avoided when remodeling vehicles in the future.
Summary of changes:
T-34-85, T-34-85 (China), T-34-85 "Partisan"
- Add bolts on top of rain shield
- Remove armor strip below bow MG
- Fix the length of the engine deck handrails
- Remove spare tracks mounted on the fender
- Revise the details of the hull construction to accurately match production from a single factory
- Add the armor patch on the turret side to match the UTZ pattern
- Add the additional casting seam to the turret cheek to match the UTZ pattern
- (Optional, China) Add wooden splash guard
T-34-85E
- Change turret model to 8-piece model to match historical model
- Change road wheels to solid “dish” type
- Change rear hull hinges to match Sormovo production
- Modify armor screen model on turret
- Update hull stowage–remove headlight, change placement of tow cable, add more tarps etc.
- Add missing unit decal on upper glacis and missing stripe on turret forehead
- Remove armor strip below bow MG
- Add bolts to the rain shield
- Remove spare tracks from fenders
- Fix the length of the engine deck handrails
T-34-85 (May 1945)
- Change the rear armor hinge to match the Sormovo style
- Change the road wheels to the “dish” type
- Change the fenders to the rounded type, add more stowage to the hull sides
- Modify the gun collar to match the early Sormovo type
- Change the turret model to the early Sormovo type
- Reduce the turret armor thickness accordingly
- Remove armor strip below bow MG
- Add bolts on top of rain shield
- Remove spare tracks from fenders
- Fix the length of the engine deck handrails
T-34-85 (No. 215)
- Change the road wheels to the “dish” type
- Modify the cupola to match the enlarged “1945” style
- Install the armor patch over the left side of the turret
- Add the additional UTZ casting seam on the turret
- Modify the stowage on the right fender
- Remove the track armor modification, except those on the turret
- Update the “215” decal to better-match the historical vehicle, and add the missing “47213” decal
- Remove armor strip below bow MG
- Add bolts on top of rain shield.
- Remove spare tracks from fenders
- Fix the length of the engine deck handrails
T-34-85 Gai
- Enlarge cupola model to match “1945” style
- Update the model to the newer quality used on all other T-34-85s
T-34-85 (Finland)
- Modify the turret model to match early-production UTZ vehicles captured by Finnish forces
- Reduce the turret armor thickness accordingly
- Modify the hull model to match early-production UTZ vehicles
- (Optional) install Finnish headlight & fender modifications
- (Optional) install Finnish stowage modifications
- Remove armor strip below bow MG
- Add bolts on top of rain shield
- Fix the length of the engine deck handrails
- Add the additional casting seam to the turret cheek to match the UTZ pattern
Sources
T-34/85 by Stanisław Jabłoński, Grzegorz Okoński
T-34 Mythical Weapon by Robert Michulec
JAEGER PLATOON: FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945 WEBSITE
www.andreaslarka.net
finna.fi
Tank Archives 1 2
T-34-85 Medium Tank 1944-1994 by Steven J. Zaloga, James Kinnear
Suomalaiset panssarivaunut 1918-1997 by Esa Muikku, Jukka Perhonen
https://modelwork.pl/topic/46773-t-3485-pitkäputkinen-sotka-rfm-5083/
tankist_31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
drawings of tanks
Yuri Pashalok
Советский средний танк Т-34-85 - ранние версии завода No112 by Илья Мощанский
Средний танк Т-34-85 - второе рождение машины by Илья Мощанский
Средний танк Т-34-85 - История танка – Бронеколлекция #4 1999
risalov 1 2
And numerous others which I have forgotten to write down…
Changelog
2025-06-18: Minor formatting updates, added additional sources, added details about rear armor joints and rear armor plate
2025-06-19: Added details about the engine deck handrails and UTZ turret casting seam, additional sources
