Zvezda 1/72 Greek Cypriots T-34/85 (by Viktor Gorelov)

Hello,

The T 34/85 tank was used by numerous armies. One of them is the Greek Cypriots. Good job my friend, well done..

Erhan…

A brief history...

The Greek Cypriots operated a total of 32-35 Russian-made T-34 tanks that were acquired from Soviet Union and delivered via Egypt in 1964–65 on board Cypriot merchant ship "Constantis Boushes" The T-34 variant in service was the later-model T-34/85, equipped with a WW2-era 85mm gun.

The vehicles were operated in a dark green camouflage, probably used by the original Warsaw Pact user, and retained this camouflage afterwards, though during combat, there is evidence that the tanks were streaked with paint or mud to break up the colour. Cypriot National Guard T-34's were entirely unique from all Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries in that they mounted the US M2 Browning .50cal machine gun, originally on the rear of the turret roof, on top of the ventilator domes. Some time before 1974, the armament was then moved forward to the front of the turret, in front of the commanders cupola. The standard identifying marking was a dark blue square overlaid with a white cross, identical to that used by the Hellenic Army, and intended to show the obvious affinity of the indigenous population majority towards Hellenism, and to some extent, unionism with Greece. All of the tanks carried a number plate painted onto the front glacis plate.

In 1985, the remaining handful of T-34s were withdrawn from service.

(from wikipedia)