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Seen at Severnside MVC Rally in 2002 this T34 shed its track adjuster when being driven off the transporter in the marshalling park |
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| The track being re-alligned before the tensioner is drawn up. Note how the mudguard lies flat when folded back. | The 'Notek' light here is a post war addition to this Czeck produced T-34 - the quality of finish and welding shows it's not wartime. |
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Right rear mudguard detail, useful for fitting those Eduard replacements... |
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In the picture above Retaining straps for the 40 gallon tanks, infantry 'tank rider' grab handles and the hinges for the closing rods on the rear engine deck can be seen. A steel pin was used to lock the two together. The grill hinges forward away from us in this photo. The tube beneath is the conduit for the electrical wire that fired the smoke pots. Its worth noting the battered grill, it was only thin sheet metal and took a pounding in normal service. |
Above is the Front left mudguard showing hinge details and re-inforcing plates. The hole is the access for the track tensioner, which effectivly winds the idler wheel forward to take up excessive slack in the tracks. You can see the 'foot' where the track aligner fits. This is a post war fitting and was not present on all T-34s. |
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Side view showing the two right hand fuel tanks. The tanks are not fixed to the hull, other than by the straps - the distance between them can vary between vehicles. |
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Here with the light missing you can see the mounting bracket and the conduit to take power to the light. Behind it is the mount for the horn, which was turned backwards so that it could share the voltage from the conduit. Above the driver's Glassis is a splash guard designed to prevent shrapnel hitting the turret and being reflected down into the weaker hinges for the periscope covers. There is a similar splash guard under the driver's hatch too. |
| Detail of the fuel filler - which is simply a threaded bung, the nut size is the same as the engine deck bolt heads. You can see into the deck cover through the open grill behind. |  |
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Turret details. Note the smooth texture common to the Czech and Polish post war castings. The Russian wartime casting would be much rougher and the weld line more prominent as this one has been ground down. |
| Another view of the grill, which is hinged and comes off as part of the deck cover - hence the grab handles above. You can also see the prominent weld beads around the infantry grab handles. The thin cable is part of the track drawing cable assembly - and was not seen on the wartime tanks. |  |
| Thanks are due to the owners of this superb T-34/85 who were trying to repair the tank for it's run around the arena while I was getting in their way..! One thing not captured in photos is the smell of diesel smoke, and the rumbling engine - This T-34 is in full running order :-) |