It should be noted that this tank served with the USSR in Afghanistan. That is 1980s. So it should get the best possible HEAT ammunition that could be used with the ZiS-S-53.
Some of these tanks made it into the 21st century, although not with the USSR. While Russia only uses them for parades.
The title of the most advanced T-34-85 ever produced arguably goes to Poland with its T-34-85M2 variant. On paper, this version not only incorporates all the key upgrades associated with post-war modernization, but also boasts a river fording capability, setting it apart from its contemporaries. The tank also exhibited superior manufacturing quality compared to its Soviet-built counterparts, a difference that becomes apparent upon closer inspection of certain components. These are the tanks Russia purchased from Laos, alongside some Czech T-34s.
However, while the Polish T-34-85M2 sounds exceptional on paper, it’s important to note that I found no confirmed photographic evidence of a tank featuring all of these upgrades simultaneously. Thus, while it may represent the theoretical pinnacle of T-34 modernization, its complete configuration remains unverified in practice.
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One of the most notable features of the Polish T-34-85 is its rear-mounted smoke canisters, positioned above the 200L fuel drums. This layout eliminates any turret traverse restrictions, a common issue on other configurations.
Even in the 21st century, the T-34-85 continues to serve in various roles around the world. North Korea, Cuba, Vietnam, and Russia still maintain T-34-85s in their inventories, primarily for ceremonial, training, or reserve purposes. However, the tank has also seen actual combat use in recent decades.
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In Yemen, T-34-85s have been used as makeshift artillery during the ongoing civil war. Libya saw their return to the battlefield during the Second Libyan Civil War, while Syria reportedly also employed them in localized fighting during its own conflict. These appearances underscore the tank’s remarkable longevity and adaptability in modern asymmetric warfare.
Here’s a photo I took of a Yugoslav T-34-85B. The tank featured the updated roof, fuel pump box, and electric turret traverse, along with the distinctive starfish wheels. Interestingly, it also has mounting bolts for side-mounted smoke canisters on the side slope, suggesting that Yugoslav T-34-85Bs may be T-34-85 Model 1969s, with Yugoslavia simply opting not to purchase the external fuel barrels and smoke canisters (although smoke can mounts and wires can also be seen on the rear of the tank).
However, much like other operators, their fleet suffered from significant uniformity issues. Given the overlap in features, it’s quite plausible that some of these Yugoslav-modified tanks were among those shipped to Cyprus.
This model of T 34/85 should have been in the game for a long time, we have several models of T-54/55, T-62, T-72, but no other model of T34/85 in the Russian tree, apart from the T34/85 GAI in the Chinese tree
The image above shows a HEAT round compatible with the T-34-85’s main gun, specifically the 3BK-2 and 3BK-2M HEAT-FS rounds. The 3BK-2 uses a steel-lined shaped charge, while the 3BK-2M features an improved copper liner for greater penetration.
These rounds will work in any Cold War-era T-34-85, as long as they were purchased by the operator in the first place. This includes the East German, Polish, Yugoslav and Czechoslovak T-34-85 tanks.
+1, cuz T-34 brain off mode. I am gonna say it should be where the T-34-85(STP) is then folder the STP in with it. They’re both 6.3 T-34-85’s due to the STP’s stabilizer and 1969’s HEATFS being able to UFP a king tiger
oh btw, is the “heavy anti-aircraft” machine gun a 12.7 DShK or a 14.5mm KPV? Cuz I’d prefer the KPV
They are T-34 wheels stylized as T-55 wheels, the T-55 wheels are too big for the T-34. These are separate production and aren’t interchangeable slight differences
So why are there images of T-34 style wheels on T-54/55? Are you telling me they made 2 style wheels for both? Plus I am fairly sure I read somewhere they were the same…
