Russian T-30S Light Tank. 1:35

[Shar2]

Russian T-30S Light Tank

HobbyBoss 1:35

History
Unfortunately I cannot find any reference to this tank anywhere on the internet, other than just over 550 were built and it seems it was in production for only one year. If anyone has further information I would gladly welcome it.

The Model
The kit comes in the HobbyBoss standard top opening, and quite attractive box, with an artistic representation of the tank trundling along a country road. Inside there are six sprues of green coloured styrene, a separate hull, seven brown sprues of track links, a metal barrel and a small photo etch sheet. The parts are really well moulded with no flash and only a few moulding pips needing removal. Although not to everyones taste, the track links, whilst pretty small, are beautifully moulded, but note, there are 172 of them, (86 per side), which can be a bit daunting.

The build begins with the fitting of the idler axle plates and centrally fitted towing hook to the rear hull, followed by a sprocket drive mounting plate, three return rollers and the four torsion beam bump stops attached to each side. A photo etched support beams are fitted to the underside of the rear fenders which also has the rear mudguards attached. The drive sprocket drive, four torsion beams and idler mud scraper are now fitted to each side of the hull, followed by the single piece sprocket, idler and road wheels. The track links are assembled as per the instructions and fitted to around the wheels, but it might be best to leave this stage until after painting of both the tanks and tracks.

With the lower hull now complete it’s on to the upper works, and the attachment of the forward fenders to both sides of the hull. The upper hull section is then fitted with the rear and right hand side plates to the storage bin, the slats within the engine intake box structure before being attached to the lower hull. A PE footplate is attached to the right hand side of the upper hull. There is a horn/tannoy like fixture to be assembled next from three styrene parts and an etched support plate. Once assembled it is fitted to the right hand side of the upper decking, next to the drivers hatch. Three armoured plates are then attached to the area around the drivers position, the front plate features the drivers viewing port moulded into it. With these in place the drivers hatch can then be fitted.

A lot of the fittings, such as grab handles, brackets and clamps have been provided in both styrene and etch which is good for modellers who don’t particularly like using etched parts. One etched piece you can’t get away without using is the large intake grille on the rear right hand side of the upper decking along with the weirdly shaped exhaust which is fitted over the intake. The large engine hatch is that fitted along with the two headlights, each made from three parts. Unfortunately, unlike most of their other small tank kits, HobbyBoss don’t provide clear lenses in this one, so it may be an idea to source them elsewhere or fabricate them yourself.

The small conical turret comes with a separate trunnion mounting and mantle, to which the barrel support structure is attached, followed by either the single piece styrene of the metal provided. The coaxial machine gun is slid into position from inside the turret and is provided with a ammunition drum, but since there isn’t any other interior fittings you could leave this off and keep it for a spare. With the guns in place the turret hatch is applied, as are the main gun muzzle brake and flash ring. The completed turret is then fitted to the hull and finally the pioneer tools fitted to the front fenders, thus completing the build.

Decals
The small decal sheet only provides the numbers 0 to 9 for each side of the turret for use when the unusual and interesting three coloured camouflage option is chosen. The other option of an overall Russian green tank is devoid of markings.

Conclusion
Hobbyboss have been releasing some really obscure early WWII Russian vehicles lately and they should be commended for it, but this is the most obscure yet, with very little information anywhere that I can find. That said it is a rather interesting little tank and looks like it may have evolved into the T-37 amphibious tank which is also due out soon.

Highly Recommended

Review sample courtesy of

[Paul A H]

Nice review Dave. As far as I know, it's related to the T-40/T-60 series of light tanks. The prototypes for the former were called T-30A and B. OKB Grigorov produced one in 1:72.

[Shermaniac]

I have a couple in my stash so I can build both turret options and in both paint schemes, picked up the T-37 Amphib as well.

The 'more obscure' Soviet tanks have proved a build catalyst for me and some really interesting subjects - the fact that we don't see too many around the shows is also an incentive.

Once the Group Builds are off the calendar I can get going on these kits.

[Julien]

Nice review Dave. As far as I know, it's related to the T-40/T-60 series of light tanks. The prototypes for the former were called T-30A and B. OKB Grigorov produced one in 1:72.

Seems to have more the hull of the T-40 with a T-60 turret.

Makes you wonder where HB got their info from on something this obscure.

Julien

[Shar2]

Since writing this review I have been given a magazine which covers these vehicles quite well including pics from Kubinka museum and it indeed was a prgression up to the T-40/T-60/T-70 light tanks.