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MarkHolloway · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:12 am Post subject: Russian Tank at Aberdeen~1950

What kind of tank is this and why was it at Aberdeen?

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: Re: Russian Tank at Aberdeen~1950

Its a T-34/76. Unless it was one of the ones scrapped during the Korean War, it's likely the one currently on display outside the Ordnance Museum:

T-34/76B Model 1941: Produced in Spring/Summer 1941 at Factory No. 183 (KhPZ), according to Taranov (AFV News Discussion Board, 5/2007). “In use by German forces at the time of recovery” according to the Ordnance Museum Guide CD. One of three T-34/76s in the United States.
www.primeportal.net/ta...php?Page=2

Its probably not the cutaway one in the museum warehouse - T-34/76C Model 1942: “Presented to the museum by the Soviet government in October 1942,” according to the draft 1990s Official Ordnance Museum Guidebook.
www.primeportal.net/ta...4_76_1942/

Regardless, it was probably in use by the predecessor to the Foreign Materiel Intelligence Group / 203rd MI Battalion. Frankly during WWII (and presumably shortly after) its kinda hard to differentiate between what was owned by Ordnance Technical Intelligence and the Museum - they effectively were one & the same...

Neil

MarkHolloway · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:30 am Post subject: Re: Russian Tank at Aberdeen~1950

Another photo (LIFE MAGAZINE)

Rikard_Hufschmied · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Russian Tank at Aberdeen~1950

- MarkHolloway

What kind of tank is this and why was it at Aberdeen?

It's the T-34 (r) Beute Panzer, German wartime capture and with German modifications (note Notek light, added rear sponson stowage boxes and mounting brackets). It's still on display at Aberdeen, the Notek light now long gone.

Koluchiy · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: May 19, 2009 Posts: 178

Who has painted a red star on that captured T-34 and for what?

binder001 · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 25, 2006 Posts: 363

Notice that it's 1950 and there is a T34 being shown at Aberdeen againt an M4A3E8, M26 and M46. Korea has just been invaded with the NKPA using T34/85s to good advantage. My guess is that we are seeing either an automotive evaluation of the T34 against then current US tanks or a PR attempt to show the T34 isn't invincible. I noticed there are several interesting photos in this series.

Gary B.

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 9:54 pm Post subject: Re: Russian Tank at Aberdeen~1950

I'm also amused by the hats two of the soldiers are wearing - what are those called?

Neil

Joe_D

Pith Helmets IIRC,

And yes, those are/were a clothing issue item. Were still available up to 2001. I know, my Dad purchased one that year for garden work from clothing sales when he visited me in Kansas Rolling Eyes