K&C T-34 (RA13) vs Britains 17497A through D (1 Viewer)

[sceic2]

I have the K&C T-34 and I am attempting to add to a Battle of Berlin set-up by adding additional T-34's to the conflict. I do not wish to add more tanks with the same hull number and I really don't want to repaint a K&C.

If the two T-34 versions (K&C RA13 and any of the Britains 17497A through D) were placed side-by-side, would the two look disproportionate if displayed together? Detailing and accuracy, how do the two models compare?

 

[maddadicus]

I have the K&C T-34 and I am attempting to add to a Battle of Berlin set-up by adding additional T-34's to the conflict. I do not wish to add more tanks with the same hull number and I really don't want to repaint a K&C.

If the two T-34 versions (K&C RA13 and any of the Britains 17497A through D) were placed side-by-side, would the two look disproportionate if displayed together? Detailing and accuracy, how do the two models compare?

Like you, I tried to pick up inexpensive Britain vehicles to compliment my KC stuff. In my case I bought Shermans. With the Britains, the height and proportions seemed fine. The problem was that the Britain's Sherman was noticably narrower with the width being off. I thought to add sandbag armor, then decided the conversion was not worth it and sold it..Hope that helps. Michael

 

[noli-poli]

I have the K&C T-34 and I am attempting to add to a Battle of Berlin set-up by adding additional T-34's to the conflict. I do not wish to add more tanks with the same hull number and I really don't want to repaint a K&C.

If the two T-34 versions (K&C RA13 and any of the Britains 17497A through D) were placed side-by-side, would the two look disproportionate if displayed together? Detailing and accuracy, how do the two models compare?

Get ny decal wide enough to cover the number. Paint the decal with the same tank color. Apply decal to cover the number. Let dry. Then apply the tank number decal(over the painted decal). When its time to sell, just peel of the decal.

N-P

 

[Alexdakar]

A picture is worth a thousand words. So here are three...

 

[Alexdakar]

another view...

 

[Alexdakar]

last one.

 

[sceic2]

Alex,
I do believe you have answered all of my questions, and then some. Thank you for posting the pictures. It sure does help to see them side-by-side. I may still get one or two but I don't think I will combine them with the K&C version. The differences are very obvious.

Noli-Poli,
Great idea about the decals, I will give it a try.

Michael

 

[sceic2]

After looking at the two versions, I really do not know which is more accurate to the original. What ever the device is that is represented on the gun barrel of the Briiains that is not on the K&C version. The differences in the drivers hatch, the engine hatches and the air intake covers just to name three more that I could find in about a minute or two. There are many more.

Perhaps some of our experts in amour could tell me the difference. I see so many differences, other than size/scale, that I am not sure which is more accurate. Perhaps each of them has something that makes them more or less accurate and the balance is about equal?
Michael

 

[DrBig]

I don't have the K&C T-34 yet, so I can't put it side by side with the K&C Su-85 I have. But, that is very nice & marked appropriately for Berlin with the white band on top. You could ask if anyone wants to part with it.

 

[Fubar]

Not an expert, but the Britians model is a T34/76 , the earlier version. The T34/85 has an entirely different turret to house the 85mm gun, thus the differances you mention.
The King and Country models are , like the figures in their own scale{ which I have yet to nail down, I think 70mm} so even vehicles based on the same chassis{ like the T34/76 and t34/85} will be larger than their smaller Britains , FOV and 21 Century toys.
I have 9 assorted Britains T34 { Thanks Peter and Shannon!. Great prices!} , enough for 3 platoons plus 3 more T34/85 from FOV.The KC are so very tempting but I know they won't match.
I had the new KC King Tiger but traded it to a friend. It was nice, and I really only need 1 King Tiger.I like the Porsche turret best. However, like most of my armor, I black outline every seam, rivett, grab handle etc. and then weather it . It seems to me to add depth.I wasn't real happy with the King tiger, saw alot more work to do to make it to my liking.Probably ruin the resale value by monkying with the factory paint , so it found a new home.
fUbaR

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

You nailed it with the pictures the Britians stuff, which I collect, and the King and Country stuff are way off in scales so they wont fly together. So I guess you will have to either buy a bunch of King and Country stuff or wait and see if Honour Bound or NMA produce one since they are close to the scale of King and Country.

Dave

 

[jazzeum]

I would like to know from the experts which version (regardless of the size difference) is considered more realistic (e.g. authentic). I like the K & C version and not just because I'm a fanatic. The Britains tank is rather drab in appearance whereas the K & C tank seems more colorful. However, which is the more authentic one. I saw a site about a year ago (I think it was Mike's Die Cast) commenting on various modelmaker's tanks and I remember them saying that K & C tanks tend to be "stylized."

 

[panda1gen]

I have a reservation about the KC t34 in that I don't think the 85mm gun is long enough in reality. I too have looked at the Britains but not bought any.

I did buy some cromwells by frontline recently but only for background as the scale is way off - once KC.......(Except watch out possibly for HB in future?)

 

[OzDigger]

To be honest I reckon my el cheapo Forces of Valor T-34 looks better and more accurate than both of those, and the one to get if you're not concerned about investment potential.

 

[Eazy]

I have to agree with Oz. The FOV T34's are excellent especially last years winter version with 2 crewmen.

I also have the K&C version which has a lot of character that is typical of most of K&C vehicles.

It seems to me that K&C seems to go for aesthetics and style over strict accuracy. That's no particular bad thing it's just a different style.

Thankfully the marketplace is spoiling us for choice at the moment at all price levels.

 

[sceic2]

Thanks guys for all of the information, and the pictures, I think what I will have to do is just like I do with everything else, buy them all. I don't have any choice. Each is special in their own way and I think that they each should be added to my collection. Michael

 

[Alexdakar]

At first I bought the Britains Russian tank so I can repaint it but I was pleasantly suprised seeing it in person. So I decided not to paint it and left it alone. I noticed that they look more toyish in the Britains advertising photos. Maybe they need to work on their photos a little bit more.

 

[OzDigger]

Alex, I've noticed that variation with a few companies. Often they use a pre-production model for their brouchures as advertising before actual production begins. For example Corgi recently issued photos of their new 1/72 scale Ju 88 which has a crap looking canopy, but it's most likely just a cheap vac formed canopy and the production model will be better.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

See "Bits and Bobs" etc. thread in this King & Country forum for a message from Andy addressing this topic.

 

[DrBig]

Brad, in addition to being a K&C collector, I'm also a hard core modeller & AFV researcher myself. If by -accurate- you mean color, there is no such thing. Not in the Soviet, German, or US army in WW2. There were different shades of everything. There are indeed paint chip standards for each nations 'theoretical' AFV color schemes, but wartime shortages of pigment, & differences in thinning & application led to a wild variety in colors. So far, anything by K&C, Dragon, etc. coming out of Hong Kong is accurate.