29

T34 is overrated. 1/3 was dismantled almost as soon as they left production because they had serious mechanical difficulties and they were beyond repair. Another 1/3 had to go under massive field repairs after they traveled more then 500km. Crew survivability was terrible, but quite often, if tank was knock down with frontal penetration, as soon as they get another crew, they were operative, sometimes they were able to continue to fight because German APCR shells went through tank without damaging important modules. Sloped armor wasnt original concept as far as t34 goes. French WW1 Renault FT introduced sloped armor. Tank itself was maybe even good but quality of production was terrible. Tiger II had inadequate transmission and undeveloped engine. It didnt help that crew was inexperienced in most cases. It had great armor on paper, but quality of steel that late in war was poor. 8.8mm gun was great, but 7.6mm gun wasnt as heavy as 8.8 and it was more then adequate for everything Allies had. Another example of unsuccessful change of direction in German tank doctrine.