T-34-85 Rudy: Tank-Men’s Best Friend Comes With a Dog

An example of the Russian T-34/85 An example of the Russian T-34/85

The Soviet T-34 medium tank and its various modifications were among the most ubiquitous armored vehicles of the Second World War. It was continuously developed and produced into the 1950s, fought in numerous global conflicts, and is still in service with some nations.

One of the most important evolutions of the original T-34 design was the upgrade with a bigger three-man turret and a more powerful 85 mm armament. In addition to the much-needed increased firepower, this modification also improved the vehicle’s overall performance with better crew ergonomics.

The Cast of "Four Tank-Men and a Dog" on top of Rudy The Cast of "Four Tank-Men and a Dog" on top of Rudy

One of the most famous T-34 crews to this day isn’t actually an authentic World War II crew, but the stars of the Polish cult TV series “Four Tank-Men and a Dog”. The show revolves around the VI T-34-85 Rudy , its crew, and their loyal companion Szarik the dog. Throughout the three seasons of the show, they participate in numerous conflicts, including the liberation of Poland and the Battle of Berlin. Despite the grave subject matter, the show was one of the first to depict the era of World War II in a somewhat lighter vein.