Stalingrad T-34 varient

Made in the STZ Stalingrad Tractor factory the STZ T-34 was distinguished by its unique turret and mantlet. Pack contains 1 tank and 1 commander.

From autumn 1941, the Stalingrad Tractor Factory (STZ) was one of the main T-34 manufacturers. Most of STZ’s suppliers were also set up in Stalingrad to reduce the T-34’s cost, ease supply and to increase the output.

The armour plates were manufactured by the "Krasniy Oktyabr" factory ("Red October").

Hulls were manufactured by the Stalingradsky Dockyard (factory #264). A full manufacturing industry was organised around the production of the T-34 in Stalingrad.

In early 1942, the T-34 was manufactured by three factories:
- #183 (Nizhnij Tagil);
- #112 "Krasnoye Sormovo" (Gorkiy); and
- the Stalingradsky Tractor Factory (Stalingrad).

Though the T-34’s basic design specifications didn’t change for different factories, local manufacturing facilities allowed the different plants to make variations on the implementation of the design.

The STZ factory replaced most of the welded details with cast parts as STZ had one of the best foundries in USSR. As the Germans advanced on Stalingrad, most of STZ’s external supply lines were cut off, such as rubber for instance.

The T-34s from STZ were soon manufactured with all steel road wheels to compensate as rubber supplies ran low. By the end 1942, all other T-34 manufacturers produced tanks with the same type of road wheels.

The STZ factory in Stalingrad produced tanks until the Germans closed in on the factory’s walls.

From the start of artillery bombardments and air strikes on the factory’s compounds, Workshop #5 had done the following: Manufactured 68 new tanks, repaired 23 tanks, formed a special brigade of workers to help repair damaged Red Army tanks, and constantly supplied the Red Army with parts.

During this time the Workshop was hit by five high explosive bombs, 154 incendiary bombs and one shell.

On October 5, 1942, all works in the STZ complex were halted and the employees evacuated.

The Model

Two features, its turret and the steel wheel tracks distinguish the STZ T-34. The turret was cast and had a chisel edge front mantlet.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Wayne Turner