https://www.spigames.net/PDFv3/T34-20mm.pdf

During the early 70s, the lines between different forms of simulation gaming remained blurred. Here, one of the leading manufacturers of simulation board games, Simulations Publications, Inc. tosses out a miniatures version of their ground breaking Tactical Game 3. Tac 3 was later redone and repackaged by Avalon Hill as Panzerblitz triggering a new and innovative era of game design.

Redoing the game apparently satisfied neither miniatures gamers who sought more complexity or board gamers who looked for a more inclusive range of materials. In retrospect, it seems like counters would have worked more effectively than the paper figures included with the game.

The rules present a brief adaptation with little extra. There are no scenarios included and the unit list seems too limited. However, the rules note that there are mission cards for both sides listing forces and goals though they do not seem to be included. The design was written by Arnold Hendricks who has crafted both miniature rules (1944) and board games (Star Viking). Scale is 1 turn = 6 minutes, 1” = 85 yards. Of course, the problem at this scale is that tanks traveling on a road can move almost 4 ft along the game surface. Additionally, many weapons including static anti-tank guns have a range less than the distance traveled by a tank in that 6 minute time frame so are likely to fall easy prey to tanks swooping down on them since attacker fires first.

T-34 used to show up near the bottom of SPI reader polls. It was never a hugely popular game. Still, it seemed natural for SPI to try out miniatures and this would be neither the first or last time. I have looked without success for a review based on a play-through.