76mm-armed T-34 Model 1942, 38th Tank Brigade. In addition to the more modern Model 1943, large numbers of surviving Model 1942s remained in the Soviet order of battle at Kursk. The Model 1942 was a simplified version of the earlier T-34 design adopted to maximize tank production during the dark days of 1941–42. The model had a large, forward-opening two-man turret hatch which exposed any tank commander trying to operate with his head out of the turret for better situational awareness. There were no standard tactical markings on Red Army tanks during the war due to security concerns, although they were often added for specific operations as directed by individual unit commanders, often to assist with traffic control. Red Army tank crews were, however, encouraged to paint patriotic slogans on their tanks, and this one has the phrase “for the homeland” on the turret.