T28 Early Side Rack

The T28 Early Side Rack represents the early-production configuration of the Soviet T-28 multi-turret medium tank, developed for infantry support and breaking through defended positions. T-28s served with the Red Army during the Winter War and the opening stages of the Second World War on the Eastern Front; this early configuration is associated with the short-barrelled 76.2 mm KT-28 gun rather than the later L-10. This model depicts the side-rack hull configuration paired with the standard early main turret. Side Rack identifies this model’s external hull fittings, not a separate official production designation.

Historical references: the Military History Institute Prague T-28 overview and the Chieftain’s historical examination of the T-28.

Design and Bodywork

• Chassis and manufacture: Developed in the Soviet Union and manufactured at the Red Putilov works in Leningrad, subsequently known as the Kirov works, the T-28 used a long tracked chassis to carry its distinctive multi-turret fighting compartment.
• Modelled configuration: This configuration pairs side-rack hull fittings with the early cylindrical main turret carrying the short-barrelled 76.2 mm KT-28 gun and two smaller forward machine-gun turrets. It is distinct from the aerial-turret version; later L-10 gun upgrades and additional-armour conversions are not treated as standard early equipment.
• Internal arrangement: The driver occupied the forward centre of the hull between the two small turrets, while the larger main turret accommodated three crew members. The engine and transmission occupied the rear portion of the vehicle.
• Crew access: The driver used an opening arrangement in the forward armoured driving position; the two forward machine gunners had individual turret roof hatches. Roof hatches in the main turret provided access for its crew.

Technical Specifications

The following figures describe the full-size historical tank, not the miniature. Published specifications vary by production series and modification.

• Engine: Liquid-cooled Mikulin M-17 V12 petrol engine, approximately 46.9 litres displacement. Historical accounts commonly give around 450 hp for series-production operation, with 500 hp also quoted as a maximum rating.
• Transmission: Mechanical gearbox with five forward speeds and one reverse, transmitting power to the tracked running gear.
• Running gear: Multiple small road wheels grouped into sprung bogies supported each track; the long track footprint helped distribute the weight of the multi-turret hull.
• Fuel and range: Two petrol tanks held approximately 660 litres combined, about 174 US gallons. Published road-range figures vary, broadly around 180–220 km, or 112–137 miles, depending on configuration and conditions.
• Speed: Road speed was approximately 40 km/h, about 25 mph; terrain and mechanical condition reduced practical cross-country performance.
• Size and weight: Approximately 7.4 m long and 2.9 m wide, about 24 ft 3 in by 9 ft 6 in. Sources give heights around 2.6–2.8 m (8 ft 6 in–9 ft 2 in) and weights around 25–28 metric tonnes for unmodified configurations; these are reference ranges, not a precise specification for every early vehicle.

Capacity & Utility

• Crew: Six personnel: driver, two forward machine gunners, and commander, gunner and loader in the main turret. Separate fighting positions allowed several weapons to be operated, but increased coordination demands.
• Main armament: The early tank carried the short-barrelled 76.2 mm KT-28 gun for infantry-support fire. Published ammunition capacity is approximately 70 main-gun rounds.
• Secondary armament: A 7.62 mm DT machine gun in each forward turret and another in the main turret provided multiple fields of fire. Additional machine-gun installations varied across production and later modifications.
• Equipment and stowage: Internal space accommodated main-gun ammunition, machine-gun ammunition and crew equipment. Radio-equipped vehicles used sets such as the 71-TK-1; communications fittings varied, so no single antenna arrangement is implied for every early tank.

Wartime Legacy

• Production: Series production began in 1933 at the Leningrad works. Approximately 503 T-28s were built across the family; this is not an early-configuration production count. Production and completion dates differ between references, generally ending around 1940–1941.
• Service and significance: T-28s fought with Soviet forces in the 1939–1940 Winter War and during the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Their infantry-support armament reflected interwar breakthrough doctrine, while combat exposed the limitations of thin armour, complex multi-turret layouts and demanding maintenance; captured examples also served with Finland.

Model information

• Made to order: Choose your scale. Each selection is one model except 1/285 (3-Pack), which contains three models; all scales are not included.
• Designer: M Bergman
• Manufacturer: S&C Foundry
• Associated Army: Soviet Red Army
• Era: Interwar / World War II
• Product features: Printed with high-quality ABS-like gray resin.

This is a 3D-printed product and may have minor imperfections. Some assembly and removal of print supports may be required.