This last tour I used the T-34 almost exclusively and found it to be the most versitile of the GV's availble in Aces High.
This is the least used of all the battle tanks in the game and people often sight its slow rate of fire and relatively weak cannon as the primary reasons they choose other gv's. Understanding these limitations is critical in the successful use of this tank.
Its primary advantages are it's survivability, speed and the awesome AP/HVAP/HE armament load-out.
Survivability:
The T-34 has two major things going for it here. First of all is its sloped armor. It is no problem to deflect long distance shots from either the Firefly of the Tiger, to say nothing of the Panzer. It can roll up to base flak unhindered as long as the front of the tank is facing the flak guns with no problem at all. Machine guns, cannons, even the il-2 and Hurri are limited to tracking the T-34, especially if you can back the tank up against an object to protect the flank.
Speed:
At 35 miles an hour the T-34 can really move out pacing the other tanks by a good 10 miles an hour. This makes that long drive in from the spawn a lot shorter and helps you work in close to enemies more quickly. The turret rotation speed it the best in the game enabling the T-34 to swing rapidly on moving targets.
Armament:
With 75 rounds of AP, 25 rounds of HVAP and 25 rounds of HE the T-34 is ready for anything. The AP shells are most useful against close (800 or less) Panzer turrets, the rear of Panzers and Ostwinds, light vehicles and aircraft. The HVAP rounds are best used close (800 or less) against Panzers (turret or side) Sherman's (side, between tracks and armor) and against Tigers rear armor from less than 100. 2 HVAP rounds will kill the tiger if you are close. The first shot to the rear kills the motor, the second (in the same spot as the first) blows the Tiger to bits. The HE shells are not as powerful as the other Tanks but with 25 loaded you have enough to take down ord and a VH at a small airfield, effectively taking control of it.
Tactcs:
The operative word for the T-34 is CLOSE. You must work in to 800 yards to be really effective. Longer turret shots will work, but it usually takes 3 or 4 AP hits to be effective at that range, with the T-34's slow rate of fire this is usually suicide. Much like the M-8 the trick is to move quickly and use cover to your advantage. Shoot aircraft down with the main cannon, its turning speed makes it easy to bring the gun to bear on a strafing aircraft.
The T-34 is probably best used against the small airfield. A single T-34 can move in and take out the Ord, VH and base flak, then camp the runway and snuff dozens of planes as they spawn or strafe the tank with machine guns and cannons.
One of the things this tank has going for it that none of the other do is its sheer obscurity. Many other gv drivers have no idea where to kill it, and will blaze away pointlessly while you speed toward them. To make the 'speeding towards them kill' more survivable, head slightly to one side of them, making the angle of the impact of their cannon more oblique. Many times I have driven right up to a Panzer, its shells bouncing off me half a dozen times in this way. This technique does not work against Tigers or Shermans.
Play the 'going around the hill game' as much as possible. When you are close enough that even with the graphics turned right down there is still a hill in front of you and the other gv is close as well, this game of hide and seek works wonders. Shut down and listen. If they are coming around one side, go around the other and pop them in the rear armor.
Hopefully this has been helpful in getting more T-34's out of the Hanger and into the field of play. Anyone interested in a T-34 mission is encouraged to PM me.
