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So after my DeadZone inspired RAEG yesterday morning, I spent the rest of the day assembling some T-34s for BA and other 28mm gaming. I'm generally keeping them simple, but I'd like to do some realistic markings to the turrets, without necessarily tying them to a specific place and time. I could just use the decals (2 sets for 3 kits) but I'd like to do something a little less ...random.

I did a couple of hours of internet research, and I found out that the red star was used rarely, small white stars were more common for much of the war, and that no stars were even more common. The turret stripe was only used for those units in and around Berlin for the endgame, and those were replace later with a triangle. Unfortunately, I found it really difficult to work out what kind of numbering system to use on the turrets of the 34/85. Admittedly, I'm quite tempted to use the white hull ring, simply because it looks quite good and is so iconic to use in the west. Which is where my games will be played.

I found this article, but it concerns itself with the T-34/76
http://www.axishistory.com/books/363-allies/soviet-union/6131-red-army-armor-camouflage-markings

Would the information there also work for T-34/85s? Hand-painted numbers also seem to be a common thing on the Soviet tanks, while the stencils seem to turn up a little more often on plates of Polish tanks. Here are the decals I have. For some reason, I only have 2 sets from the 3 kits I bought. I guess I can ask WLG to sort the missing one when I place my next order with them.



Ah yes. Since I'm doing 3 of them, I'd like them to all fit in as part of the same unit. While they don't have to be perfect, I'd still like to "get it right" rather than slapping random decals onto the sides that might look good to a layman but ridiculous to anyone who knows anything about the subject, but without delaying the project to purchase a pile of reference books, etc

Simple answer - The Red Army had no overall vehicle numbering system.

The unit commanders would often decide the numbering protocol and markings, occasionally it would follow perhaps an army or corps wide pattern, but on the whole, it was very much down to units.

This worked well it seems, as while with the German system you could ID high value targets, there was no chance with the Soviets. Some units didnt bother with any markings.

Best things is to have a look at a few pics and go from there, I have some examples from doing mine...


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Thanks. I'll just freeform it then - I found heaps of plates and photos last night to draw inspiration from.