T-34/122 Egyptian 122mm Self-Propelled Gun

Ryefield Model, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

B a c k g r o u n d

The T-34/122 was an Egyptian conversion of the T-34 tank.

It was a self-propelled howitzer armed with a 122 mm D-30 howitzer in a heavily modified turret. The changes included flat-plate extensions in the front, sides, rear and top of the turret.

It is also known under the designation T-122.

F i r s t L o o k

Who would have expected that we would ever see an injection-moulded 1:35 scale Egyptian T-34/122 from a mainstream manufacturer?

This tough looking self-propelled gun looks like a fantasy vehicle but around 30 were actually built and operated.

Rye Field Models’ 1:35 scale T-34/122 comprises 384 parts in dark yellow coloured plastic (although this nunber will be reduced by quite a few options that will not be used), one photo-etched fret, one vinyl part and a spool of soft copper wire. 

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Two sprues are specific T-34/122 parts - mainly turret, gun and detail parts.

A choice of two muzzle brakes is offered, and the big upper hatches may be posed open.

The gun is nicely presented with breech and recuperator detail.

RFM has supplied a flexible vinyl mantlet cover. The fabric drape effect looks great.

A number of the frets are generic T-34 parts. These contain the upper and lower hull parts, rear armour plate, and other detail parts mainly associated with the hull.

RFM supplies alternative engine deck hatches - one with solid mesh and one with photo-etched mesh. This is a nice touch.

Two sprues are devoted to the road wheels. Two full sets are supplied - plain dished wheels and the late "starfish" style. The tyres are separate parts but they are moulded in plastic (personally I think this is prefereable to vinyl tyres), making painting this demarcation easier if done separately.

The starfish wheels have ribbed tyres while the dish wheels have smooth tyres. You'll be able to mix and match the wheels and tyres, and you'll still have plenty of the spares box when you are finished.

A further two sprues are dedicated to the remaining running gear parts and the link-and-length tracks. The drive sprockets and idler wheels are the "half-spider" variety.

Swing arms, suspension boxes and springs are separate parts. They are designed to be posed flat on the ground but could be modified to conform to rough terrain.

The tracks are well detailed but will be fast and easy to assemble. The top and bottom runs are one-piece each per side, with the remaining runs around the idler wheels and drive sprockets requiring just 23 links per side.

27 parts are included on the photo-etched fret including straps, treadplate and the engine deck grille.

Decals are neither included nor required. The instructions suggest three schemes - overall sand, sand and green and sand, green and brown. The modeller can choose between building a pristine machine in service or a hulk rusting in an outdoor museum. Either would look great!

C o n c l u s i o n

This is an impressive model of a fascinating subject.

The parts breakdown is relatively straightforward, including link-and-length tracks, and the parts count is not intimidating.

RFM's 1/35 scale T-34/122 will be an interesting subject well within the skills of the average modeller.

Thanks to Ryefield Model for the sample www.ryefield-model.com