T-34/85 tanks have been used in combat in most of the world’s trouble spots and may still be found in service, being tough and simple to maintain.
One of the most successful tanks of the Second World War. Most nations underestimated the scale and quality of Soviet tank production before World War II, and the Germans were no exception. They were certainly not prepared for the T-34 which they encountered during the 1941 invasion. The T-34 had evolved from earlier designs in 1940, all of which featured the American Christie suspension system. What set the T-34 apart was the skilful use of sloped armour to increase the effective thickness and deflect shot.
The Tank Museum’s T-34/85
This tank is a post-war model with improved transmission, fire control system armour and vision equipment. It was captured from Chinese Communist forces during the Korean War and returned to Britain for evaluation.
