Moved: Models of Finnish T-34-85s

[Nik]

Hi Andreas,

I'm a model builder, and I was planning on doing a Finnish StuG and a T34/85. For one of the T34s in the gallery, 245-4, does it have any numbers on the back of the tank?

Thanks,
Nik

[AndreasLarka]

For one of the T34s in the gallery, 245-4, does it have any numbers on the back of the tank?

Hi Nik,
Probably not, but it should have. The numbers (front and aft) should be in the same places as on Ps.245-1 and -3.

Please note the extra collar around the base of the gunbarrel. This is a post-war modification.
After the war Finland had more of the StuG 75mm ammo than it had of the captured russian 85mm ammo. Therefore this tank was used in trials where the 85mm gun was removed and the StuG's 75mm gun was attached instead. The trials weren't satisfying, so the gun was switched back to the original gun.
After the trials the extra collar was attached. Apparently* the StuG's gun is thicker at the base and the larger hole opened for the trials needed to be covered.

*) I'm not sure about this, but there has to be a reason for the collar, right?

[Nik]

Thanks Andreas. Another question: Would it have been painted in the three-colour camo pattern or kept its original Russian green? Also, do you know if the two dome things on the front fenders and the toolbox on the tank's right side are Finnish modifications?

I'm hoping to do this tank, 245-4, and StuG #531-10, in 1/48 some time later this year.

Oh, and another one: what sort of uniforms did the Finnish tank crews wear? I read somewhere they wore basically the German field grey uniform. There aren't any Finnish tank crew figures around but was hoping I could just use German troop figures as an equivalent.

Great site as well, by the way. It really got me inspired to do these models.

[Nik]

Looking at 245-4, and the extra sleeve, I guess it would be simpler to do 245-1 or 254-3. So same question as above, would it have been kept green or repainted?

[AndreasLarka]

Would it have been painted in the three-colour camo pattern or kept its original Russian green?

All Finnish T-34-85s were repainted in the three-colour camo during the war. After the war they were repainted in Finnish dark green.

Also, do you know if the two dome things on the front fenders and the toolbox on the tank's right side are Finnish modifications?

Them dome thingies are headlights...

The box on the right side fender is a late-war Finnish mod.

Oh, and another one: what sort of uniforms did the Finnish tank crews wear? I read somewhere they wore basically the German field grey uniform.

They were both the Finnish grey uniform (that is quite different from the German one) or Soviet style grey coveralls and Soviet style "sausage-hats" tank helmets.

[Nik]

So this could be an accurate depiction of a Finnish crew:



Do you have any photos of tank crews? I've looked through the site but couldn't much.

[AndreasLarka]

So this could be an accurate depiction of a Finnish crew:

That's not too far off. With grey coveralls and grey uniforms underneath it would be pretty close.

Here are some pics of a StuG crew-member wearing the grey coverall and the German style headphones.






Edit: Mr. Ulf Andersson from Sweden has made a very good model of Ps.231-3 (ex. R-111) including crew. Pictures can be found here: http://www.network54.com/Forum/110741/thread/1157317890/Piece+of+Mind

[jepari]

The Finnish Armoured soldiers also used a black leather two piece uniform, which very closely resembled the Finnish m/36 uniform
(which was very close to the regular German field uniform in cut/design - but dark grey instead of field grey).
For colour reference on the Finnish m/36 uniform you can take a look at several which are posted on finnishawards.com

[AndreasLarka]

Mr. Ulf Andersson from Sweden has made a very good model of Ps.231-3 (ex. R-111) including crew.

Today I finally got pictures of this tank. The pictures are taken by Mr. Ari Husu and they can be found here: Ps.231-3