This is a rare kit made by HELLER in the 1970s: the Bi-tubes anti-aircraft version of the AMX-30 in 1/72 injection plastic. While HELLER has re-released their AMX-30 MBT kit, this version has not yet been made available again (I found this one on eBay). Two other rare kits that have not yet re-appeared are their AMX-13 and AMX-13 AA version.
The kit is simple and the detail is rather soft; particularly atrocious were the tracks and drive wheels. I replaced them with resin parts from ADV-Mini. The license plate decal is more a kit label than an authentic registration number plate (it simply reads "AMX30/DCA"). I added a pair of antennae, but other than that the kit is OOTB.
This self-propelled Anti-aircraft gun sports two 30mm Hispano Suiza 831guns (shooting at 650 rounds per minute) and four smoke grenade tubes. It weighs 36 tons and can reach a speed of 50 kph.
This 1/72 plastic kit of the BT-42 is made by UNIMODELS. It features link'n'length plastic tracks, well illustrated instructions with multilingual brief historical background (although the writing could benefit from an editor), and decals (which are nice and thin) for several versions (but instuctions do not indicate the placement for all). A paint scheme for the three-tone colors shown here is included.
Detail on Unimodels kits is a bit soft at times (for example, there should be some vision slots in the turret) but overall nice, and the fit of parts is unproblematic (because this kit is based on earlier BT kits, some filing/cutting is necessary but clearly indicated in the instructions). A small fret of photoetched parts (such as the cover over the exhaust louvres) is included. One unfortunate aspect (in my opinion) is that the main gun does not depress/elevate - an increasingly more common finding in this hobby.
The BT42s were modified BT-7 fast tanks, captured from the Soviet Army and in turn used by the Finnish troops in WWII. Only 18 such vehicles were actually produced, and were first used in action in 1943. The armament was a British model 1908 4.5 inch (114 mm calibre) light howitzer. They served as self-propelled assault guns, but had limited success as the gun was only effective vs. soft targets.
OSTMODELS makes this resin kit of the CHI-NU late-war Japanese medium tank. However, I cannibalized a Chi-Ha model from FUJIMI to replace some parts; headlights, tow hooks, etc., but most importantly, the entire suspension and tracks (while the kit had two nice parts for the left and right suspension, they were a bit warped). I gave it the three-tone camo scheme of sand, green, and dark brown. I had to heat and bend the main gun a bit, which also had a notable warp to it. Decals were added from the spares box. Otherwise a pretty decent little resin kit, intended for wargaming, but it can be brought up to dislplay standards.
The CHI-NU was intended to give the Japanese Imperial Army a medium tank that could take on the American Sherman medium. The chassis was basically the Type 97 body, with a new large turret mounting a 75mm gun. Several hundred were manufactured in 1945, but it did not see combat as the vehicles were kept on mainland Japan awaiting the impending American Invasion, which ultimately did not take place due to the cessation of hostilities.
Well, here's my rendition of EDUARD's (from the Czech Republic) "Profi-Pak" version of the Sherman M4A3 76mm VVSS. This kit features their regular kit plus a fret of photoetched brass parts. The fit of parts was problem-free, and decals are provided for two color schemes (I chose those for a Free-French unit). Instructions are very well illustrated and I found no errors, although I would like to see some historical/technical info of the tank. One of the sprues is shared by their M10 kit, so there are over 50 spare parts for other projects. Tracks are link-and-length plastic and assembly thereof is pretty straightforward. I finished this one using most but not all of the photoetched parts; all I added was the antenna. I may eventually add crew figures as well.
To be honest, I have a love/hate relationship with photo-etched parts. While they do add incredible detail, they require a lot of work (especially the parts that need a lot of folding...makes you feel like you're assembling Origami tanks) and you will need to use several pairs of forceps and superglue. Sometimes they seem too flat for scale, and they are definately fragile. Careless handling means parts will bend or go flying off to Never-find-land. Not for wargaming kits!
Some of the parts were really small (such as straps for the on-deck tools) and I think this pushes the limit of what is enjoyable at this scale. As a result I did not use all the metal parts. What struck me as odd was that one conspicuous part was missing, the antenna mount on the turret rear, so I had to scratchbuild it.
This is a 1/76 resin presentation of the American M109 A2/A3 Self-propelled gun, made by CROMWELL MODELS. The casting is really nice and required very little cleanup, there were a good number of parts, but no instructions, so photographs of the actual vehicle will prove helpful in figuring out where things belong. I assembled this kit rather straightforward, without any additions except for some old decals out of the spare box. I may add a commander figure if I can find one.
The paint scheme is the Summer-Verdant MERDC pattern which was used in the 70s and early 80s. These colors in particular (forest green/ light green/ sand/ black) were seen on vehicles stationed in the States.
The M109 entered standard production in 1963, has seen numerous upgrades and improvements, and will probably remain in service until 2010 as the M109 A6 Paladin. The vehicle has seen action in Vietnam and the Middle East and has been exported to other countries such as Great Britain and Switzerland. The main armament is the M126 155mm/6.1in gun, and the top speed is 35 mph.
And yet another TRUMPETER kit. This time the Swedish S-Tank (Strv103c). This is a pretty nice model, and I would not be surprised if it is a scaled-down version of their 1/35 kit (the model depicted on the box appears to be more detailed than the 1/72 kit within and may in fact be a 1/35 model). Some parts are quite small (maybe smaller than need be for a kit this scale) so you have to be real careful during assembly. For example, the rear stowage bins are held in place by inserting little rods into holes, and thus the bin can actually be swivelled up. Aslo, getting the parts for the roof-mounted MG to fit took a lot of fidling.
Some parts are optional (such as the snorkelling hose attached to the rear hull). The kit has rubber single-piece tracks which sit a bit loose and will need shortening. Figures are not included. The only items I added are the antennae, otherwise this model is outtadabox.
The instructions are mostly complete and very well illustrated (but I cannot for the life of me find the placement of part D7). The camo-scheme is the splinter-pattern of light-green, medium green, sand-brown, and black. The instructions show a five-view illustration of the color pattern, but it is rendered in black-and-white with shadow-shading that makes it really hard to tell which grey-tone reflects which color. Luckily, the side-views are repeated on the box in color, so that helps....keep the box!
There are extra decals that are probably meant for a vehicle painted in the older overall green scheme, but this is not clarified in the instructions. I will eventually replace the Cromwell Models kit already in the museum with this one
TRUMPETER MODELS created
this representation of the modern British 155mm self-propelled gun, the
AS90. It replaced the 105mm SPG Abbot, entering service in 1993 and being
produced by the famous AFV firm Vickers.
It carries a five-man crew and can reach 55 mph on the road. Over a short period it can actually fire three rounds in a minute, and can also fire rocket-assisted ammunition. The lower rear hull has a large access door, which is the main entrance into the vehicle.
The AS90 underwent a major upgrade in 2005, being renamed the AS90 Braveheart, and an order has been placed by the Polish Army.
The kit was actually
a fun build. Parts came off the sprues easily and fit together nicely. The
only exception were the tracks: while I like the link & length plastic
parts, there were too many single link pieces. Particularly the distance
between the road wheel and main drive sprocket or idler was bridged by single
links....I would prefer to see one piece with more links to cover that gap.
Parts were well molded and paint/wash/highlight nicely.
The instructions are well-illustrated and mostly complete (although I would also like to see some historical/technical commentary), and lots of decals are provided (although the placement is not given for all decals). Two paint schemes are given, one for Europe and the other for the Gulf War. Note: the box photo shows a pair of crewmen manning the finished model, but they are absent from the kit.
This kit finishes to an impressive 1/72 model, and I think it is one of Trumpeter's better efforts.
Here's something I snuck into the museum unannounced...
I procured this resin 1/72 kit of the Italian Ariete MBT from the proprietor of "7th Kompany" as part of a trade. It is made by "Mr. Panzer" and is a really nice piece of casting! Very crisp with minimal flash. The kit comes with instructions in Italian with historical info, technical specs, parts inventory, and a large assembly illustration. I completed it pretty much as is except for adding the mudflaps under the front fenders and scrounching together some convincing decals.
The track assembly has as many parts as contemporary plastic kits (i.e. separate wheel halves and return rollers). The track sections that go around the drive wheels and idlers need to be heated and bent to fit.
200 of these modern MBTs were delivered to the Italian Army between 1995 and 2005. The Ariete has computerized targeting systems and night-fighting capabilities. Additional armor has been affixed to the frontal surfaces (the attachment bolts look a bit oversized on the kit!) to ward off HEAT projectiles. Layout is traditional and reminiscent of other Western MBTs such as the Challenger, M1A1, and Leopard.
The main armament is a 120 smoothbore gun, and top speed on the road is 40 mph. Combat weight is 54 tons.