The T-34 series, changed the principles of tank design During the war. The sloping, angular layout of the T-34 increased the effective armor thickness, and also saw a larger proportion of shells deflected away than penetrated its armor. The introduction of the T-34 into action saw German tank design follow suit with similarly angled armor on the likes of the Panther and King Tiger. The T-34/85, the very symbol of Soviet military strength in the second world War, had a new turret to house the more powerful 85mm zips gun. A supremely rugged and reliable tank, The T-34/85 had excellent off-road capability, especially in the marshland or snow of the Eastern front, and was easy for the crew to operate and maintain. Adapted from the T-34/76 tank design, the updated tank ensured a far smoother and faster production line than would have been the case with a completely new design. Another major advantage of the relatively simple design is the sheer number of tanks The Soviet tank factories could produce - by the summer of 1944 The Soviet war machine could produce more T-34/85S in a month than the Germans had Panther tanks In the whole of the Eastern front!