T-34/85 question

[jknaus]

Does anyone know what the two pipes in the aft of the T-34/85 are used for?They come out of the engine panel and down and then go left and right. I think every kit I have seen has then moulded on. I'm curious what they are and if they were always present. Not having a great deal of luck searching the internet at the moment. I want to know if I can shave them off or replace the=m with pipe so it looks more 3d rather than moulded on.
James

 

[Sharkmouth]

I am sure I have your answer but not sure what you are referring to. Thin drain tubes on either side of an engine panel seems a German trait. Do you have a photo?

Any photo on my Serb Clown T 34-85 subject shows this?

 

[RichB]

If it is the two lines the arrows are pointing to, they are the electrical conduit for the smoke canisters that can be strapped to the mounts on the rear panel. I remember reading that the conduit began to be installed in the spring/summer of 1944 but not all tanks had the mounts for smoke canisters. The smoke canister had a time delay igniter, was dropped from the tank and would burn for about 15 minutes. A smaller size fuel drum could be carried on the mount but it wasn't plumbed into the tanks fuel system and required manual transfer.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[Sharkmouth]

If @jknaus, you are referring to the items in the image @RichB posted, @RichB is absolutely correct. The cutout to the left of them, on the sheet metal transmission cover, was used for the rear light which was rarely seen. Yes, those come out from under the transmission hatch. The engine is further forward under a smaller rectangular hatch 'protected' on both sides by raised air intakes.

Some more photos to help you pick a right size tubing. Note the welds. They are intermittent to allow water drainage:

A view of where the tubing ends and the electrical wires go. Bracket is for the rear light mentioned before:

Same tubing as for the headlights (note the welds):

As for size, compare to the grab bars here:

 

[jknaus]

Thanks Rich and Saul. Those are exactly what I was looking at. Now to get some tubing and then try to create. Great shots of the welds Saul, thank you. Today though I need to research the casting "bead" around the turret. I found pics like the bottom one with that "bead" straight around, but late last night I saw an article saying they had a step at the front. My attempt looks crappy anyways so might try and peel it off and try again depending on what I can find out.
PS I say bead as its the best term I can think of as it is not a weld bead as a lot of people think. The problem with working at my desk instead of in my workshop where all my stuff is can be seen below. I'm hating it more and more each day.

James

 

[moon puppy]

I don't think the russians were too worried about quality welding judging from some of those weld beads. Just press on James, it'll probably be better than anything that came off the assembly line.

 

[Sharkmouth]

Today though I need to research the casting "bead" around the turret. I found pics like the bottom one with that "bead" straight around, but late last night I saw an article saying they had a step at the front.

Welcome to the abyss of T-34 variations! The 'casting' line is different factory to factory, until they 'tried' to unify them under Factory (some will write Zavod but that is the English literation of Factory) 183. I gave you the link to my Serb Clown build where I pointed out differences but let's make it easier on you. Which kit did you get and which is your subject?

 

[jknaus]

Welcome to the abyss of T-34 variations! The 'casting' line is different factory to factory, until they 'tried' to unify them under Factory (some will write Zavod but that is the English literation of Factory) 183. I gave you the link to my Serb Clown build where I pointed out differences but let's make it easier on you. Which kit did you get and which is your subject?

Its the wrong one. I have the RFM T-34/85 Model 1944 Factory 183 and ROPos decals for Berlin T-34/85. Doing a 2nd Guards Tank Army 12 Guards Tank Corps vehicle from May 1945.
James

 

[Sharkmouth]

Its the wrong one. I have the RFM T-34/85 Model 1944 Factory 183 and ROPos decals for Berlin T-34/85. Doing a 2nd Guards Tank Army 12 Guards Tank Corps vehicle from May 1945.

I need to find the scheme you want as the sheet has three from that unit and the tanks may be different production batches so one may match the kit. Note that the decal sheet is missing the numbers at the rear of the turret. Give me a chance to match them to factories and see which one is easiest to use the RFM kit.

White K:

White 332:

White 330 where you can see the number on the turret's rear:

 

[Sharkmouth]

@jknaus, if the kit includes the electric motor bulge on the turret side, you are set as '332' does seem to be from Factory 183 from Summer 1944 production: