Resin Master T-34 Detail and Conversion Sets

Resin Master has used the old ESCI T-34 turrets as the basis for several conversion turrets. They have taken the old turrets, and modified them, sometimes significantly, to produce new versions. For the most part, the resin casting is fairly decent, although there are a small amount of air bubbles and flash needing cleaning up. They ahve also produced a small number of additional detail sets, such as wheels and tracks. Anybody who has the few sets which are missing from this review, please send in a scan of the parts, and I will add them to the list.

T-34/76 Model 1940 Turret

Kit # 2R1

This set is designed to convert to the Model 1940 tank. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the early L-11 gun, the early style driver's hatch, early rectangular engine access hatch, early style tow shackles, a hull machinegun w/o mantle, and two headlights. They used a piece of metal rod to keep the gun barrel from warping, which is nice, but some of it is sticking out the end of the barrel, so it will be difficult to drill the end of the barrel open.

T-34/76 Model 1941 Cast Turret

Kit # 2R2

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1941 tank with a cast turret. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, the early style driver's hatch, early rectangular engine access hatch, early style tow shackles and a hull machinegun w/o mantle.

T-34/76 Model 1943 Hard-edge Turret w/o Cupola

Kit # 2R3

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1943 tank with a hard-edge turret and no cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. My main complaint about this turret is that the roof ventilator cover has no vents. Not real effective that way.

T-34/76 Model 1943 Hard-edge Turret w/Cupola

Kit # 2R4

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1943 tank with a hard-edge turret and with the commander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. My main complaint about this turret is that the roof ventilator cover has no vents.

T-34 "Spider" Wheels

Kit # 2R5

This set of wheels is the only source of the late-war style of pierced, rubber-rimmed wheels. For the most part, the resin casting is fairly decent, although there are a small amount of air bubbles and flash needing cleaning up. Two new wheel axles are included, along with a spacing template to allow for the relocation of the wheels into their proper alignment.

This is a scan from an early set of these wheels. Dave Showell has provided a review of these. Later sets have solid rubber tires, instead of perforated like these. Also, each pair of wheels is molded as one, with a groove cut down the centerline for the track guide teeth. I used this later style of wheels for my own T-34 review. I think that the older wheel style pictured here looks better.

T-34 Early Style Wheels

Kit # 2R6

Copies of the ESCI T-34/76 Model 1942 kit wheels. For the most part, the resin casting is fairly decent, although there is a small amount of flash needing cleaning up. Two new wheel axles are included, along with a spacing template to allow for the relocation of the wheels into their proper alignment on the AER kit.

T-34/SU-100 Detail Set

Kit # 2R7

This set was designed for the AER T-34/85 and SU-100 kits, because these parts, which have been copied from the ESCI kit, are far better than the parts included in the AER kits. Includes engine deck screen, mufflers, tool boxes, ammo boxes, siren and antenna mount. But in copying the ESCI kit parts, Resin Master also copied the flaws in those parts, sush as the sinkmarks in the fender storage bins, and the sprue nubs which were not cleaned off of the 76mm cannon ammunition boxes.

T-34 Early Tracks

Kit # 2R8

These are early, plate-style tracks. As you can see in the scan, there is only detail on the outer surface, with nothing on the inside. They are molded in one-piece belts. I guess the best plan is to cut them so they can lay flat, and then sand the back so that they're very thin. Then take some hard plastic tracks from one of the T-34 kits, and sand the front detail off of them, and bond the two strips together. Or I guess I could just scratch build my own, and duplicate them in resin ... Either way, these tracks here aren't much use.

T-34/76 Model 1941/42 STZ Turret

Kit # 2R9

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1941/42 STZ tank with applique armor. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports, periscopes and applique armor. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, applique armor for the hull front and turret hatch.

T-34/76 Model 1941/42 STZ Turret

Kit # 2R10

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1941/42 STZ tank with the Barrikady gun mantlet (as seen in Stalingrad). The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports, periscopes and the squared-off back plate. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, turret hatch and the rectangular engine access hatch.

T-34/76 Model 1943 ChTZ Turret w/o Cupola

Kit # 2R11

<<No Scan Available>> - Same as the following scan (2R12) but without the cupola.

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1943 tank with a ChTZ turret and without the commander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. In my opinion, the turret doesn't really look anything like the rounded ChTZ turret, but rather it looks more like a "soft-edge" turret. I would scrape off the small lips protruding from the lower edge of the turret, and use it as a soft-edge turret. My other complaint about this turret is that the roof ventilator cover has no vents.

T-34/76 Model 1943 ChTZ Turret w/Cupola

Kit # 2R12

This set is designed to convert to a Model 1943 tank with a ChTZ turret and with the commander's cupola. The turret exhibits some additional details, such as side vision ports, pistol ports and periscopes. Also included in the set is the F-34 gun, and separate hatches. In my opinion, the turret doesn't really look anything like the rounded ChTZ turret, but rather it looks more like a "soft-edge" turret. I would scrape off the small lips protruding from the lower edge of the turret, and use it as a soft-edge turret. My other complaint about this turret is that the roof ventilator cover has no vents.