The tank from our collection, shown in the photographs below, underwent a comprehensive overhaul during the winter of 2012–13, commissioned by the museum. All mechanical components and systems were refurbished. Finally, the tank was repainted.
A design dating from 1943, developed as an upgrade to the T-34/76 tank, which had been in production since 1941.
From late 1944, it served as the primary combat vehicle for Soviet armored units.
Tactical and technical data
T-34-85, 1944 model
Hull welded from rolled steel plates. Turret welded from cast components.
Crew – 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver-mechanic, machine gunner/radio operator).
Weight – 32 t.
Dimensions – total length 8.10 m, hull length 6.07–6.10 m, width 3.00 m, height 2.72 m, ground clearance 0.40 m.
Armament – one 85 mm ZiS-S-53 (Model 1944) cannon, coaxially mounted with one 7.62 mm DTM machine gun in the turret; one 7.62 mm DTM machine gun in the hull.
Cannon traverse: 360°; elevation: -5° to +22°; turret traverse system: manual and electric; turret rotation speed: 17°/s.
Ammunition – 56–60 rounds for the cannon, 1,920 rounds for the machine guns, 20–25 F-1 hand grenades.
Sighting and observation equipment – one TSz-16 telescopic sight, one mechanical sight for the DTM machine gun, three rotating Mk-4 observation periscopes, two observation periscopes for the driver-mechanic, and a commander’s cupola.
Armor – hull: front 45–60 mm, sides 45 mm, rear 45 mm, bottom 20–22 mm, roof 20–22 mm. Turret: front 75-90 mm, sides 75 mm, rear 60 mm, roof 20 mm.
Drive – 4-stroke, V-12, W-2-34 diesel engine, power 367.8 kW (500 hp) at 1,800 rpm, displacement 38,880 cm³, cylinder bore 150 mm, stroke 180-186 mm, compression ratio 15, liquid cooling.
Fuel – Diesel, main fuel tank capacity 630 l, auxiliary tank capacity 180 l, fuel consumption on the road 200-270 l/100 km, fuel consumption off-road 250-350 l/100 km. Drive system – dry multi-disc main clutch, mechanical gearbox, 5 forward and 1 reverse speeds, side clutches with band brakes, single-stage side gears.
Chassis – independently suspended on vertical spiral springs, 5 pairs of double road wheels with rubber bands, drive wheels at the rear of the hull, idler wheels at the front, metal tracks, single-pin, single-comb, 72 links in each track belt, track width 500 mm, track pitch 172 mm, track length 3850 mm, track center distance 2450 mm. Electrical system – single-wire, 12/24 V.
Performance – specific power 11.5 kW/t (15.5 hp/t), maximum road speed 50–55 km/h, road range 300 km, off-road range 230 km.
Obstacle crossing capabilities – ground pressure 0.85 kg/cm², gradients of 30°, trenches 2.50 m wide, water obstacles 1.30 m deep, vertical walls 0.73 m high.
Communications – 9R or 10R radio set, TPU-4 tank intercom system.
