(Base not included)

The T-34 armoured combat vehicle, which was introduced into the Soviet Army in 1940, was made in large numbers and is one of the best known tanks of World War II. For the conditions obtaining at that time, it was an outstanding combination of armoured protection, fire power and manoeuvrability. The German side was unable to produce a comparable opponent to the T-34 until 1943 with the Tiger and the Panther. Apart from the harshness and rigours of the Russian winter it was especially the deployment of Siberian divisions which thwarted German plans to conquer Moskow. In contrast with the German Army, the Siberian units benefited from special winter clothing and were trained to operate at low temperatures.