T-34/85 “Rudy”

Type: Medium Tank
Nation: Soviet Union
Period: World War 2
Location: Muzeum Broni Pancernej w Poznaniu, Poznań, Poland

The very successful Soviet T-34 was one of the most well-balanced medium tanks of World War 2. The hull armour was sloped on all four sides which made its interior awfully cramped but offered very good effective protection at a moderate weight of under 30 tons. With its 500 hp Diesel engine, smooth Christie suspension and wide tracks it was very mobile and the 76.2 mm gun was more than adequate for its time. But on the downside, the initial T-34/76 suffered heavily from the two-man turret (in which the commander also had to aim and fire the gun), poor tactical visibility (since there was no commander’s cupola) and the lack of radio equipment.

These issues were resolved in late 1943, when a bigger three-man turret with a modified 85 mm anti-aircraft gun was installed. Although the weight of the tank rose to 32 tons, mobility suffered only slightly. Production of this configuration started in January 1944 and continued – with some modifications – until 1946. In the 1950s, Poland and Czechoslovakia restarted production and built more than 4,000 T-34/85s under license.

This particular vehicle was used in the popular Polish TV series “Four Tank-Men and a Dog” (1966–1970). The hull and turret have been cut open to allow filming the interior scenes in a real tank instead of a purpose-built set. Prior to becoming a television star, the tank served as a training aid at the Armoured Forces Officers’ School in Poznań. And before that, it took part in the battle for Poznań in February 1945. The squared front fenders indicate that “Rudy” is a Model 1945 and must have been brand new by the time it entered service. Earlier versions (Model 1943 and 1944) had rounded front fenders.