TORRO tank PRO 1/16 RC T-34/85 winter camouflage - BB Airsoft

The T-34 was a Soviet medium tank developed in the late 1930s and early 1940s that had a major and lasting impact on tank design. At the time of its creation in 1940, according to the American author Steven Zaloga, it was the best medium tank in the world. It had an unprecedented combination of firepower, mobility, protection and robustness. Its rapid-fire 76.2 mm tank gun provided considerably more firepower than some of its contemporaries, while its sloping armor made it difficult for the most modern anti-tank weapons to penetrate. When it first appeared in 1941, German General Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist called it "the best tank in the world" and Heinz Guderian confirmed the T-34's "enormous superiority" over existing German tanks of the time. Although its armament and protection were surpassed later in the war, it is often cited as the most effective and influential tank design of World War II.

The T-34 was the mainstay of the Soviet armored forces during World War II. Its design allowed continuous improvement for the evolving needs of the Eastern Front: the changes were rather partial and not very significant for the first few years, the tank underwent a truly fundamental transformation only in 1944 with the introduction of the T-34/85 variant. Improvements in production methods also allowed for faster and cheaper production. Soviet industry eventually produced more than 80,000 T-34s of all variants, allowing for an ever-increasing number of tanks to be fielded as the war progressed, despite the loss of tens of thousands of tanks to the German Wehrmacht. It replaced many light and medium tanks in the Red Army and became the most produced tank of the war, as well as the second most produced tank of all time (after the successor, the T-54/55 series). With the loss of 44,900 during the war, it also suffered the greatest tank losses of all time. Its development directly led to the T-54 and T-55 tank series, which gradually evolved into the later T-62, T-72 and T-90 types, which form the armored core of many modern armies. Variants of the T-34 were widely exported after World War II, and even around 2010 saw limited front-line deployment in several developing countries.

In 1939, the most numerous Soviet models were the T-26 tank and the BT series of fast tanks. The T-26 was a slow tank designed to keep up with infantry. BT tanks were cavalry tanks: light and fast moving, designed for combat maneuvers. Both types represented the Soviet development of foreign designs from the early 1930s; The T-26 was based on the British Vickers 6-Ton tank and the BT tanks were based on the M1930 tank of American designer John Walter Christie.

The beginnings of the development of the T-34 tank date back to 1937, when CHTZ (Kharkovskij tankovyj zavod) received an order for a tank that should replace the tanks of the BT series. The chief designer, Mikhail Koškin, was instructed in detail by his superiors that a new tracked tank was being sought, however, aware of the design limitations of this type, in addition to it (A-20), he also developed a variant with a purely tracked chassis, which he called the A-32. In 1938, he demonstrated both designs before a committee of the USSR Defense Council, with the A-32 variant immediately condemned by the Red Army commanders, Marshals Voroshilov and Kulik. In particular, Kulik is said to have been furious that the designer had even dared to offer a non-tracked variant and accompanied his harsh condemnation of the concept of a tracked tank with "professional adulation and doctrines" that real experts in tank technology would reject. To everyone's surprise, however, Stalin decided that both prototypes would be built and allowed for testing. The development of the A-32 tank, renamed the T-32, could therefore continue. He had a rough road ahead, because it was Kulik who was later appointed chairman of the commission for assessing the suitability of both types.

In 1939, an evaluation of both machines was carried out. Kulik did everything possible to emphasize the defects of the T-32 prototype while trivializing similar defects of the A-20 machine. Under his pressure, the commission was inclined to reject the machine, but in the end, under the impression of firing tests, from which the T-32 came out better, it did not reject the machine. However, she did not dare to oppose the marshal and postponed the decision of which type would get priority. The high command hesitated for some time, but finally, considering the much greater potential for further development of the T-32 type, they decided to recommend it for serial production in a somewhat modified variant, which was later named the T-34.

Compared to other types of medium tanks, the T-34 achieved a very favorable specific pressure value of 0.64 kg/cm2, which had an effect on driving characteristics and maneuverability in difficult terrain. The quality of the armor of the tank, the processing of which was rather rough, was higher than that of comparable foreign machines. The biggest weakness of the tank was the ergonomic solution of the tower, which made the tasks required to control the tower and to fire difficult. Unrestricted view from the tower hatch prevented the commander of the T-34 from a cumbersome hatch, opening forward. In the rear part of the tower, there was an unhappily solved rear overhang, which directed incoming projectiles directly to the vulnerable bearing of the tower, or under which the German anti-tank infantry placed plate mines in battle. The tower was originally made of welded rolled steel sheets, but later the cast tower was more used.

The low silhouette of the vehicle was more of an advantage, but on the other hand, it meant a limitation of the range of aiming angles of the cannon and the coupled machine gun. The T-34 from 1940 was armed with a short L-11 model 1938 cannon of 76.2 mm caliber, from 1941, the F-34 cannon of the same caliber, but with a higher initial velocity, began to be installed in it, which was great in terms of range and penetration advantage. The machine gunner, who was also a radio operator, had at his disposal a 7.62 mm DT machine gun in a ball bearing. At the beginning of the war, only tanks of company commanders were equipped with radio stations, but over time their number began to increase. Crew members inside the tank communicated with each other using an internal intercom. The first models of the tank were usually equipped with the Mikulin M-17 engine from the BT series tanks, which was a BMW VI license engine. Machines produced after 1940 were already equipped with a twelve-cylinder V-2 diesel engine with an output of 493 horsepower. The diesel engine was also valued by the Soviet tankers because the diesel did not catch fire and explode as easily as with the enemy's gasoline-powered machines. The gearbox was originally four-speed. The tank was steered using two control levers, a gear lever, a clutch pedal and a brake pedal. Its control was laborious also due to the absence of power steering. The drivers had a hammer handy, which they quite often needed to tap the lever they were supposed to hold. Despite these shortcomings, the tank was also popular with the crews themselves for its simplicity and unpretentiousness. Many repairs could be done literally "on the knees," which was a great advantage in the harsh conditions of the Eastern Front. By matching the most important criteria, which were armament, armor and mobility, it surpassed any tank produced at the time.

The first versions of the tank were armed with 76 mm cannons, so they are referred to as the T-34/76. It was a rather diverse group with many different modifications and differences in terms of production technology. Its greatest advantage, however, was its simple construction, which allowed the Soviets to build it in almost unlimited numbers. However, the T-34 in its first version also had its major design flaw. This was the battle tower, which, when viewed from the front, perfectly matched the sloping lines of the side armor of the body, but it was too small, so that only the gunner and the commander could fit inside, in addition to the F-34 cannon, but not the charger. Especially in wild firefights with German tanks, this meant a huge disadvantage, because in addition to guiding the driver and the gunner, the commander also had to load the cannon, the supply of ammunition of which was mostly located under the floor of the tower, which had to be removed beforehand... In the cramped conditions inside, it was an almost superhuman task, made even more difficult by the need for constant vigilance. The F-34 gun had a relatively large recoil, for which many Russian tank commanders paid with their lives. The Soviets managed to partially solve this problem with the T-34/76D variant with a new hexagonal turret with more internal space; but still double digits. From the end of 1943, the T-34/76 was gradually replaced by the T-34/85 version with a new, three-seat turret equipped with a 85 mm ZiS-3-53 cannon, with which, unlike its predecessor, it was able to penetrate the frontal armor of German heavy of Tiger I and Panther tanks, which were highly superior to the T-34/76. The T-34/85 represented a reasonable answer, although the question of the balance of forces between it and its aforementioned opponents is still the source of passionate polemics among experts and admirers of both types.

T-34-85

After the improved German Panzer IV tanks with a long 75 mm gun appeared in the battle of 1942, a project was launched for a completely new Soviet tank, which aimed to increase armor protection while adding modern features such as torsion bars and a three-man turret. This new type of T-43 was intended to be a universal tank that would replace both the T-34 and the KV-1 heavy tank. The armor of the prototype T-43, although heavier, was still insufficient against the German 88mm, while its mobility was inferior to that of the T-34. Although the T-43 shared more than 70% of its components with the T-34, it would still require a significant production slowdown in production. As a result, development of the T-43 was cancelled.

Not only did the German tanks gradually have better armament, but also armor. After the Soviet troops managed to capture the Tiger I and conduct tests with it, it was indisputable that the technical parameters of the T-34 tank should be improved, both by strengthening the armament and in terms of passive protection. The Soviets quickly found a relatively simple and technically undemanding solution when they mounted a modified turret from the KV-85 heavy tank on the chassis of the existing T-34/76 tank.[26] At the end of 1943, the first 300 T-34/85 tanks were produced. Its armament was the D5-T cannon, which was used in IS-1, KV-85 tanks and SU-85 self-propelled guns. Due to problems with the supply of these cannons, S-53 cannons and ZIS S-53 (L/53) cannons, both of 85 mm caliber, were installed in T-34 tanks from March 1944. The secondary armament of the tank was two 7.62 mm DT machine guns, one in the tower, the other in the front of the hull. It was powered by a 500 HP V-2-34 diesel engine. The undercarriage consisted on each side of a tension wheel at the front, a driving wheel at the rear and five large traveling wheels, which were carried on trailing arms. In 1944, 10,647 and 12,551 T-34/85 units were produced in 1945.

From the second half of 1943, new tanks and self-propelled guns began to flow to the front, which were supposed to ensure a significant superiority over German technology. The backbone of the troops and the most widespread type of tank still remained the T-34 tank. The ideal idea of the Soviet commanders was that the T-34 tanks would go behind the first wave of KV and IS heavy tanks during an offensive battle. Further waves of tanks were to penetrate the enemy's position and develop the created breakthroughs. During the defensive battle, the tanks were supposed to stay behind the infantry, ready to clash with the German tanks that managed to break through the Soviet lines. In defense, the T-34 was supposed to cooperate with self-propelled guns SU-85, SU-100 and SU-122 and create defense in depth. In 1943, there was also a fundamental improvement in the training of Soviet tank crews, their cooperation with other types of troops, tactics and organization in combat were improved, so that they were gradually equalized with German tank crews.

In 1944 and 1945, the Soviets sent massive tank armies into offensive operations. They managed to concentrate over 200 tanks on a one and a half kilometer section of the front. In the spring and autumn of 1944, the Germans were retreating through muddy terrain, on which only T-34 tanks could move. These maneuvering abilities, together with the ever-increasing quantitative superiority of Soviet tanks, resulted in a relatively rapid advance of troops even in adverse climatic conditions. If in 1941 there were six to seven Soviet tanks for one destroyed German tank, by the end of 1944 this ratio was one to one. The production of T-34 tanks with a 76 mm cannon ended definitively in 1944, and since then it was produced only with an 85 mm cannon. In addition to the classic tank, the Soviets produced the T-34 in various variants, such as flamethrower, bridge, demining and recovery. The T-34 tank fought many more battles before arriving in Berlin and became the most prominent symbol of the Communist Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

True to detail in 1:16 scale

With a weight of around five kilograms , the T-34/85 winter camouflage is ideal for the demanding customer. The professional edition features excellent airbrush paint quality, 2.4GHz PCB technology and a new speaker. This model has excellent driving characteristics, a wide range of functions and realistic sound. High-quality tracks, drive and guide wheels with rollers, as well as the lower part of the hull and the battle tower are made of metal. Many small parts and various stickers perfectly complete the scale replica.

Controls and functions

The powerful tank model has 2.4GHz RC control. The vehicle is equipped with the BB Airosft system, so that battles like in real combat are possible. Engines with optimized torque supply the model T-34/85 precise and smooth driving. Metal gears with robust gears and improved gearing ensure more power. Thanks to the proportional control, you can approach the tank very slowly and smoothly increase the speed. The T-34/85 moves forward and backward, also turning left and right. It can also be turned left or right on the spot. You can raise and lower the cannon and rotate the turret 360 degrees. Various engine sounds and exhaust smoke complete the realistic experience.

Package contents and technical parameters/functions

• RC T-34/85 camo winter BB, professional Torro edition in 1:16 scale
• Torro wooden crate for transport and storage
• Weight: approx. 4.2 kg
• 360 ° rotation of the tower
• 2.4 GHz remote control
• Metal gearbox with a gear ratio of 1:4
• NiMH set 7.2V 1800-2000mAh.
• Charger 220V/7.2V, charges 400mAh
• Smoke generator and sound module
• Smoke liquid
• functional Airsoft shooting mechanism
• small parts, accessory kit, decals

• Color: winter camouflage
• Combat function: functional Airsoft shooting mechanism
• Belts: metal
• Rollers: metal
• Suspension: Torsion bar suspension
• Tower rotating ring: 360°
• Tower: metal
• Lower tub: metal
• Gearbox: steel gearbox
• Scale: 1/16
• Edition: Torro Pro-Edition
• Version: RTR model
• Steering and travel wheels: metal
• Torsion arms: metal

• Use only under direct adult supervision.
• Age recommendation: 14+
• Not suitable for children under 36 months of age.
• Choking hazard due to small parts