BA-64 & BA-64B
armored car
The BA-64 “Bobik” was designed to improve on the earlier Soviet armored cars’ poor flotation and weak armor. It was the first one with four-wheel drive, and could climb 30º slopes. Its small size made it faster than previous ACs, but could only fit a small-caliber machine gun. The gun’s ability to fire on upper floors made the BA-64 very effective in urban combat.

IS-3 model 1945
revised: spelling, crew positions and aesthetical stuff (June 28)
heavy breakthrough tank
The IS-3 never saw action in Europe, and probably neither in Manchuria. It was first seen by the West in May 20, 1945, at the Soviet Victory Parade in Berlin. Designated a heavy breakthrough tank, it was a development of the IS-2, with a vertically angled forntal glacis and a very efficient all around sloped “soup bowl” turret. Oh: and a big increase in armor. It was the basis for later modern Soviet tank design, and was used until the 70s (by Israel). Use this chart for “what of” scenarios, maybe in April/May ‘45. Try pitting some IS-3s against Königstigers, or better yet, Panther Fs, for fun!

KV-8 & KV-8S
heavy flamethrower tank
The KV-8 and KV-8S heavy flamethrower tanks were worthy successors to the OT-26, OT-130 and OT-133 (variants of the T-26). They were used to assault heavy entrenchments. The ATO-41 flamethrower replaced the co-axial MG, and had a very long range. Because of room issues, the 76mm gun has to be replaced by a 45mm model 1942. Get the Flamethrower Rules.

T-28 models 1933, 1938 & T-28E
(big-boned) medium tank
The T-28 was an innovative medium tank design, with two extra independent MG turrets. It could be considered a heavy tank, due to its large size and weight. It was first used against the Finns in the Winter War, where the need for better armor and main gun was noted. The result was the T-28E, (also called T-28M). It was essencially a Model 1938 with adequate armor, and most were even upgraded with the L-10 gun, used in the early KV-1s & T-34s. In 1941, most remaining T-28s were destroyed by the invaders, and the few survivors fought in the besieged Leningrad as late as 1943.

"Oye, mano, but where do I get a 15mm T-28?" Ahh...Battlefront Minis has a very, very good model 1933 or 38 (it includes both guns). Get them at ATAK on the web. Quick Reaction Force also has one, of less quality.

T-34/57 models 1941 & 1943
medium tank-killer
From April to July 1941, the new ZIS-4 57mm tank gun was mounted in a T-34 for testing. After succesful trials, limited chassis were converted to the scarce anti-tank gun before the factories were moved to the east. They were distributed to sme tank brigades and used in the Battle for Moscow in 1941-1942. The 57mm gun project was resumed in 1943, to combat the new Tigers and Panthers. A few T-34/57s were assigned to “tank hunter” batallions in August. No more than 127 were made in 1941 and no more than 170 in 1943.

T-35 models 1935 & 1938
(real) heavy tank
The landboat, or land battleship, as Soviet crews called the T-35, was a major dissapointment. The three main guns and many MGs didn’t make up for the fact that it was very slow, cumbersome, and with thinner armor than its contemporary medium tank, the T-28. It was only used in combat in the 1st year of the Great Patriotic War. They encountered the Germans mainly at Lvov and Moscow. Most were abandoned after mechanical malfunctions.

"Dude, but where do I get a 15mm T-35?" Ahh...Battlefront Minis has a very, very good (and lightweight, for its size!) model 1935. Get it at ATAK on the web. Quick Reaction Force also has a model 1938, only it's not as detailed.
"What good is an 11 crewmember tank without a log sheet?" OK...HERE you go...

Next to come: The Nashorn (almost finished), Jagdtiger, OT-34/76 and OT-34/85 are still in planning!  I wanna do a T-50 light tank chart, but I don't think there is a T-50 mini anywhere! At least not in 15mm. Do you know where to find one? Mail me, please. PLEASE!!! [desperation]