Miniart 1/35 T34/85 Czechoslovak Prod, Late Type # 37078

The T-34/85, originally developed by the Soviet Union during World War II, was one of the most iconic and effective medium tanks of the 20th century.

After the war, production of the T-34/85 continued in several Eastern Bloc countries, including Czechoslovakia, where it played a vital role in postwar armored forces and Warsaw Pact standardization.

The Czechoslovak-produced Late Type T-34/85 represents a refined version of the wartime design, manufactured under license with local adaptations and high production standards.

Produced primarily by the ČKD (Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk) and ZTS Martin factories from the late 1940s into the 1950s, the Czechoslovak T-34/85s were virtually identical in appearance to their Soviet counterparts but benefitted from improved metallurgy, tighter manufacturing tolerances, and slightly more refined internal fittings.

These tanks retained the powerful 85mm ZiS-S-53 gun, thickened armor, and three-man turret introduced in the wartime upgrade of the T-34, making them effective against late-war German tanks and useful well into the Cold War era.

The Late Type designation generally refers to features such as the flattened, cast turret with squared-off rear bustle, a single-piece commander’s hatch, and spoked road wheels, along with upgrades in communication equipment and internal crew ergonomics.

These tanks also typically had external fuel tanks, rear stowage boxes, and standardized fittings for Warsaw Pact logistical integration.

Czechoslovak T-34/85s served not only in the national army but were also exported extensively to allied and client states in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

They were involved in numerous Cold War-era conflicts, including the Arab-Israeli wars, the Korean War (through Soviet supply lines), and various post-colonial struggles.

Today, the Czechoslovak-produced Late Type T-34/85 stands as a symbol of postwar reconstruction, Cold War military doctrine, and industrial cooperation within the Soviet sphere.

These tanks are frequently seen in museums, military parades, and restoration projects, representing both the legacy of Soviet engineering and Czechoslovak manufacturing expertise.