SU-85Strictly spoken a SU-85 is not a T34. But from a tactical point of view, the SU-85 in my opinion belongs to the line-up of T34 development. This is why:
The T34 and the KV1 were more than able to deal with the generation of tanks with which Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the Panzer III and IV. Even after several updates of these tank types with more powerful guns and improved armour this remained the case. The situation started to change hower with appearance of the Tiger tank on the battlefield in late 1942. Although the number of Tigers always remained low during the war, the Soviets realised they had to counter this threat. This became even more urgent when intelligence started to reach the Soviet leadership about the development of a new German tank, the Panther. The Soviets were inspired by the German 88mm Flak gun, and looked at their own Anti-Aircraft guns for a suitabele weapon. Their 85mm AA gun had a suitable calibre, high velocity and a flat trajectory. This gun howver was much too large to fit in the existing T34 and KV1 turrets, so a whole new tank had to be developed, the T44. As this would take time a temporary stopgap measure was chosen, to be able to succesfully counter the new generation of German tanks: The 85mm gun was installed in the hull of the SU-122 mechanized howitzer, itsself built on the chassis of the T34.
The SU-122 assault gun consisted of a 122mm howitzer mounted in a fixed casemate on top of a T34 chassis.
This new combination named SU-85, proved to be an effective and fearsome tank hunter, able to destroy a Tiger tank at 1000m combat distance. Production started in the middle of 1943, and in august the first SU-85's reached the frontline units. More than 2600 were built and deployed succesfully, both by the Soviets and the Germans, who liked to incorporate captured vehicles into their own ranks.
SU-85 in Minsk, summer1944.
In the end an improved version was built, the SU-85M (of Modernized), distinguishing itsself from it's predecessor mainly by the addition of a proper commanders cupola. But when during 1944 the T34-85, sporting the same gun, reached mass production, the SU-85 became obsolete. Production was continued by installing a bigger 100mm gun, resulting in the SU-100. But that's another vehicle.
I will build a mid-production of the SU-85 based on the old Fujimi kit: