- Yes
- No
History
In the 1980s, a Chinese military unit undertook a unique modification of an active-duty T-34-85 tank to serve as a specialized training platform for elite tank crews operating the Type 73 laser rangefinder—a key upgrade on the ZTZ59-I medium tank. This initiative emerged from the urgent need to enhance crew proficiency in modern fire control systems while minimizing wear on frontline combat vehicles.
Historical Context: China’s T-34-85 Fleet
China received 1,837 T-34-85 tanks from the Soviet Union between 1950 and 1955 as military aid, which later saw extensive service in the Korean War and remained in PLA inventories for decades. By the 1980s, though technologically outdated compared to newer MBTs like the Type 59, the T-34-85’s rugged design, low maintenance costs, and mechanical simplicity made it an ideal candidate for secondary roles—including training and experimental modifications.
The Sino-Vietnamese War & the 59-I Upgrade
The 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War exposed critical deficiencies in China’s armored forces, particularly the Type 59’s outdated optical rangefinders, which struggled against Vietnamese T-34-85s and anti-tank teams. In response, China initiated the 59-I modernization program, retrofitting select Type 59 tanks with the Type 73 laser rangefinder, boosting first-hit accuracy from 35% to 82%. However, training crews on the new system posed a dilemma: frequent live exercises would accelerate wear on operational 59-I tanks, while simulators lacked realism.
617 Factory’s Adaptive Solution
In 1984, Factory 617 (Inner Mongolia First Machinery Group, the primary developer of China’s Type 59 series) dispatched a technical team to a military training base to retrofit a T-34-85 into a laser rangefinder training simulator. The modifications included:
- Fire Control Adaptation: Retaining the original 85mm ZiS-S-53 gun but integrating a simulated Type 73 laser rangefinder interface, replicating the 59-I’s fire-control sequence.
- Crew Compartment Adjustments: The gunner’s station was reconfigured with Type 73 control panels and displays, while the commander’s cupola was upgraded with 59-I-compatible radios for tactical coordination drills.
- Cost Efficiency: The T-34-85’s V-2-34 diesel engine (shared design lineage with the Type 59’s powerplant) allowed seamless driving training at one-third the fuel cost of a 59-I.
Operational Impact & Legacy
This retrofit exemplified China’s “phased transition” doctrine—leveraging obsolete platforms to accelerate adoption of new technologies. By 1985, crews trained on the modified T-34-85 demonstrated marked proficiency in the 59-I’s laser rangefinding system, with some achieving first-hit kills at 1,800 meters during the Laoshan border clashes.
The project also underscored the T-34-85’s remarkable longevity—from WWII battlefields to Cold War training grounds—before its final retirement in the 1990s with the introduction of Type 96 and Type 99 tanks. Today, a preserved example of this laser-equipped T-34-85 remains on display at Penglai Park in Dongying, Shandong, serving as a testament to China’s pragmatic approach to armored warfare modernization.
Specifications
Weight: 32.2 tons
Length: 6.10 meters
Width: 3.00 meters
Height: 2.74 meters( to top of the turret)
Crew members: 5(1 gunner, 1 loader, 1 Sighting -Officer, 1 tank commander and Mechanic)
Main armament: 85mm ZIS-S-53(Type 56) rifle tank gun
Secondary weapon: 12.7mm Type 54 machine gun
7.62mm Type 55 machine gun
Engine: V-2-34M 520hp engine
Speed: 61km/h
Armor: same as T-34-85 Gai in game
Place in game
In-game, this modified T-34-85 would feature:
A laser rangefinder
Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS and DJW85 APFSDS ammunition
Recommended Battle Rating (BR): 7.3–7.7
At this range, it would remain competitive without significantly impacting vehicles at 6.0 or below.
We hope Gaijin considers adding it to this BR bracket for balanced gameplay.
- The product manual documents that this tank cannon is compatible with both types of standardized ammunition in actual combat conditions.
Pictures
- The last image displays the fully restored in-game version, showcasing its complete state as reconstructed within the virtual environment.