1/72 Soviet T-80 (Revell 03104) kit review

Here is another review of 1/72 scale (or if you will 20mm) kit I built for a buddy. The kit is molded in a light tan plastic. I built these while on a business trip to Atlanta.

I have 3 of these in my gaming collection, all built for scenarios in Chechnya. Nick needed 4 built and after 2, I discovered a trick that makes it easier.

The kit has multiple sub assemblies with the most difficult one being the tracks. While that assembly is typical of Revell Germany models, it is fiddly.  As you can see the individual track sections are a bit gappy, but since Nick bases his models, it shouldn't be an issue.

The tracks go together in six areas: bottom piece, diagonal pieces for lower front and back, individual links around the front and back wheels, and finally a long top piece. Maybe this picture will help...

After doing these enough it occurred to me that guessing the exact places to glue some of these pieces wasn't working! I tried gluing the seven other wheels in place, but NOT the drive wheel (the one with the sprockets at the rear of the assembly on each side) until I had lined up the rear diagonal piece onto the gears. That made things much easier.

Gluing the top hull and side skirts into position was very forgiving, as you can see, any mistakes on the upper part of the tracks are covered.

The turret had many smaller sub assemblies the worst of which was the snorkel tube at the rear.

One of the best things about this kit is the mantlet and the barrel assembly which was only 3 pieces, and the whole thing plugged right into the turret. Normally the barrel is a two piece job that has to be glued, and sanded and filled. (UGH!)    Not here.

Overall a fine kit, typical of the Revell AG quality.  Total time: 2.5 hours including drying time. 

Here are some pics of the same kit, finished for Chechnya:

 

1/72 Trumpeter Kit review

I recently  was asked to put together some Trumpeter kits for a friend. He does Force on Force in 20mm.  I thought a review would be appropriate.  These kits were a joy to assemble, and went together quickly.  The LAV kits given to me came in three varieties: LAV-25, LAV-AT, and LAV-C2 (command and control).

Many of the steps that you complete are similar, and many of the parts, in fact, are used in all three variations. Since these are wargame models and not kits for a diorama or other purpose, I decided to leave out a few parts. Of course, I didn't realize this until after I completed the AT kit as seen below.

There were these little fiddly bits (I think they were torsion bars) attached to the wheels that were incredibly difficult to keep glued in, so I recommend  leaving them off. My friend bases his vehicles on plasticard anyway, so they won't be seen.

This is the LAV-C2 model. All that is needed (besides a killer paint job) are a few antennas.

This LAV-25. The only part missing is the turret basket, which will be replaced by a Black Dog kit...(http://www.blackdog.cz/products/t72/t72001/1.jpg) 

Which allows my friend to make these vehicles look like they are on campaign.

LAV with the AT hammerhead

Rear view

As you can see the instructions are quite simple, with uncomplicated pictures (unlike the ace kits I've done) there just were not all that many detailed parts.  Overall the kits were of moderate to easy difficulty, and moderately decent detail.