T34 Interior Shots

[dogtags]

I went to look at the T34 that will be donated to the Military Veterans Museum today. Here are a few shots of the tank.


1. Drivers controls. Someone stole the clock from the instrument cluster. The black bottles and blue lines on the glacis is for the air start system, which I never knew any tank ever had until today.


2. Bow gunners seat. Lots of ammo storage space for the DT machine gun.


3. Gunners position. The T34 is set up 'backwards' from the Sherman, all crew member positions are flipped to the other side of the main gun. Confusing at first!


4. Tank Commanders position. Flip down seat and cupola are visible, along with a radio set.


5. Rear of turret showing ready rounds storage area and ventilators. Since most of the main gun ammo is stored beneath the turret crews feet, there needed to be ample in-turret storage. Here you can see all the storage in the back bustle of the tank along with the ready round holders on the side of the turret.


6. Loaders area. Nothing too glamorous, but then again, loaders never get anything to glamorous. Straight ahead is the vision block and off to the right is some more spare magazines for the DT MG. There is also a small vision slot and maching gun portal on the side of the turret.


7. Floor of loaders area. Front of tank on right side of photo. There is no turret basket, the loader would have a seat that hangs from the ceiling so he would not have to walk around as the turret traverses. On the floor of the hull are all the main gun ammo storage boxes. The main batteries are located where the green line runs into the back bulkhead and there is direct engine access from the fighting compartment.


8. Exterior view of the tank. Surrounded by other 'artifacts.'

The tank will come with a nicely translated copy of the repair manual. Once it gets to the museum, I need to study it and get 'er running.

Having crewed a few different Shermans before, this was a whole new experience! It really took some getting used to the layout and feeling of spaciousness that having no turret basket and a rear drive brings.

~Robert

[Ratpacker]

Great photos. What an AWESOME T34. I have been in over 20 different ones on three continents and this is BY FAR! the finest and most complete interior. WOW. Thanks for posting.

[Mikko Makela]

That's a great looking T-34 and very complete.
Driving a T-34 is a whole different world of it's own, compared to just about any tank. Gear shifting, especially, takes some muscle and strong swear words are also required . When shifting gears in speed, like with most russian tanks with manual transmission, you should do it without using clutch.
Idling r.p.m. should be set low. If it's too high, it makes shifting up more difficult. These are few basic rules that i go by when driving T-34.

[skinnedknuckles]

I think that I will have to go to Oshkosh to see this place when they reopen. Looks very interesting
Paul in Janesville, Wi

[AFV_enthusiast]

Nice condition, thanks for sharing

[dilvoy]

Wow! that is in great looking condition. I was suprised that It was a tight fit for me in the driver's seat and I'm 5' 9". That Forehead pad is very well placed!

[Ratpacker]

The only item out of place is the radio is too new, being a 1960's model. It should have a Soviet Type 9-RS Transceiver.

[dogtags]

The current owner states that he does have the correct WWII radio in storage. Right now we are waiting for paperwork.

[yoony]

Air start system is very useful solution it was used in post war tanks like T-55
Can you put external pictures especially front plate
and road wheels.
Where this vehicle come form?

[dogtags]

Air start system is very useful solution it was used in post war tanks like T-55
Can you put external pictures especially front plate
and road wheels.
Where this vehicle come form?

Right now I can not post any more photos. Once the paperwork goes through and the tank is officially donated to the museum I will be able to post many more photos.

The T-34 came from Russia. It was overhauled by them before they donated to a museum in the United States. The museum never got off the ground and now they (the board of the old museum) are going to donate to the Fields of Honor Military Veterans Museum and Education Center so history will be preserved.

~Robert

PS - For all of you on Facebook, you can follow the museum at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oshkosh-W ... 5528563615" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;