The PT-91 TWARDI is the Polish version
of Russia's T72, produced from 1993. This resin 1/72 model is made by MODELKRAK.
I did replace the kit's metal tracks (which had an incorrect pattern) with
rubber tracks from another kit (Galaxy's T72). I also added some "string"
hoses running from the spare fuel tanks, otherwise I finished the kit with
the parts provided.
The detail of the kit (except for the tracks) is very sharp, and it is one of the better T72 kits on the market. The reactive armor sections are especially nice. A page of instructions (a single assembly illustration) is included.
This acquisition for the museum
is the self-propelled AA/SAM 2S6M "Tunguska" defense system. With
30mm type 2A38 guns, and type 2M311 missiles (in tubular containers), as
well as radar capability the vehicle is designed to protect armored columns
as well as stationary units.
The kit is made by a new company, "Military Wheels", I believe from the Ukraine (distributed through Poland). Typical of many East European kits, the unique subject matter is balanced by the suboptimal quality of the kit. Compared to Western kits, it takes a lot of work to remove the parts from the sprues, and casting is sometimes flawed. Some parts are indistinct without details, and the fit of parts is sometimes uncertain. The instructions are better than most Eastern kits, but the placement is unclear for some parts. I was able to make the AA guns elevate by connecting them with a wire run through the turret, out-of-the-box the guns would be static.
The tracks were a real problem; following the instructions, you simply cannot assemble the tracks! They are too thick to fit between the rollers and an overhang on the lower hull; you will either have to shave down or remove the overhang, thin down the tracks, or lower the return rollers (or a combination of all three). And even when the tracks are assembled, one still cannot fit the upper hull onto the suspension without notable gaps that need filling (unless you lower all the wheels).
So, in summary, a lot of extra work needed, but the model depicts a vehicle heretofore not seen in our scale. This large kit will dwarf most of your WWII kits, but is is in fact accurate for 1/72 scale (at least for the length).
Mr. Ludovic
Bertrand of ADV MINI Models mailed me a review kit of his new 1/72 resin
LeClerc kit. It represents one of the 15 French MBTs that took part in peacekeeping
actions in Kosovo in 1999. The kit goes together well; no filing or flash
removal needed! The tracks are a single piece that needs to be heated and
wrapped around the suspension. The casting quality is excellent. Lots of
small parts are provided; I added the antennae, tow cable, and tow loops
on the bow. The kit comes with decals and illustrated instructions.
The LeClerc entered service with the French Army in 1992, and has been exported to the UAE (Abu Dhabi). It is armed with a GIAT 120mm smoothbore gun plus two MGs. The gun's automatic loader allows the vehicle to be operated by a crew of three. It reaches a maximum speed of 71 km/h, is powered by a 1500 hp diesel SACM engine, and has a road range of 550km. Note that Revell-Germany now makes a plastic model of the LeClerc.
The Leopard II is the latest version
of Germany's main battle tank, entering service in 1980. It features laminate
type Chobham armour, a 120mm Rheinmetall smoothbore gun, and a top roadspeed
of 72 km/h. It represents a successful balance of tank design, with strengths
in armour, armament, and mobility. It is also being used by the Netherlands
and Switzerland.
REVELL/GERMANY has brought us a few new kits, initially improvements of the 1/72 Matchbox line. This model of the Leopard II A5 is based on the Leopard II A4 kit, with additional parts. In fact, all the parts of the A4 kit are still included! Tracks are plastic pieces. I display this kit assembled straight out of the box; refinements could have been the addition of crewmen, scratchbuilt tow cables (the kit's seem too thick), and more stowage.
This improved model of the Leopard entered service in 1995, and features predominantly a reworked turret, with a sloping armor front.
FUJIMI waited almost two decades
before producing a new 1/76 tank model. Finally a selection of modern vehicles
of the JGSDF (Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force) is here. This is the newest
MBT of Japan, the Type 90. Museum visitor Amiel Angeles supplied me with
the following info:
The Type 90 MBT was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from the mid-1970s, with the first two prototypes completed between 1982 and 1984. The vehicle was accepted for service and the first order was placed in 1990. The Type 90 has a crew of three,and a bustlemounted automatic loader is provided for the 120mm smooth bore gun wich is essentially the German Rheinmetall weapon, as used in the Leopard 2 MBT and the modified version in the U.S.M1A1 and M1A2 MBTs.
The new models assemble quite nicely and feature plastic track sections as opposed to one-piece rubber tracks. The figure was included, I just added the antennae.
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.
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.
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