Russian Battle Tank T-80 BV - 1:72 Revell

[Paul A H]

Russian Battle Tank T-80 BV

1:72 Revell

Developed from the complex and innovative T-64 MBT, the T-80 was the first production tank to be powered by a gas turbine engine rather than a conventional diesel. A lengthy development period was required in order to adapt the design for gas turbine power, and the T-80 features a number of changes over the older model, including redesigned running gear and tracks, a revised gearbox and simpler torsion bar suspension in place of the T-64's pneumatic arrangement. Like the T-64, the T-80 features an automatic loader and a reduced crew of three. The main gun is a development of the 2A46 125mm smoothbore gun used in the earlier tank.

The considerable punch offered by the gas turbine engine made the T-80 the fastest and most mobile tank in the Soviet inventory, although range was compromised by the somewhat thirsty powerplant. Later models did adopt a diesel engine, which was cheaper to produce and easier to maintain in the field. As an advanced weapon system, export of the T-80 was restricted. Nevertheless, T-80s in various configurations have been supplied to Pakistan and Cyprus, as well as a small number obtained by South Korea as payment for debts and a handful procured by the United Kingdom for evaluation purposes. Thousands of T-80s are still in service today.

Alongside the new T-90 and T-90A, this kit brackets Revell's range of post war 1:72 AFVs. In fact this kit was originally release by Matchbox in 1990, around the time that the brand and tooling was acquired by Revell. The fact that this was originally a Matchbox kit may stir the emotions of modellers of a certain age while arousing the suspicions of those cynical of Matchbox's efforts. The sceptics need not be on their guard though, as this was one of Matchbox's finer efforts. As this is the BV variant, a new(ish) sprue has been added by Revell, on which are parts for the ERA, as well as new side skirts and other turret details. All told, there are an impressive 194 parts that's a lot more than the more recent T90 - moulded in olive green plastic. The mouldings are clean, crisp and feature plenty of fine detail.

Construction starts with the lower hull, which features a basic representation of the torsion bar suspension units that run across the bottom of the hull. The drive sprockets, idlers and road wheels are all moulded in inner and outer halves and are reasonably accurate in shape and form, although photographs of the real thing show that each wheel has ten nuts around the outside of the hub while the kit's wheels have only nine. Unlike their more recent kits, the tracks are conventional link and length affairs, with each side made up of fourteen parts. Once the running gear and tracks have been assembled, construction turns to the upper hull.

The upper hull is more detailed than the lower hull, partly as a result of all of the ERA which covers the glacis plate and other frontal areas of the tank. The driver's hatch can be positioned in the open or closed positions, which is always a bonus, even if there is no interior detail. Two sets of side skirts are provided, so be sure to use the pair that are appropriate for the BV variant. They are easy to spot as they are included on the new sprue and each has three sets of three ERA plates which have to be added. Extra details such as the headlights and tow hooks are all provided, although the unditching beam that seems to be a ubiquitous feature of Soviet/Russian tanks is absent.

The turret is identical to that provided with the original T-80 kit, with the parts unique to the BV variant being limited to the ERA units, a new stowage basket and a couple of other small details. The imposing 12.7mm machine gun which is common to most Soviet/Russian tanks is present and correct, and even though it is made up of just two parts (gun and ammunition box), it looks pretty good. The gun is the same as that provided in the original T-80 kit and cannot be repositioned once fixed in place. Both of the turret hatches can be posed in the open position if desired, although of course there is no interior detail.

The tiny decal sheet provides for four options, and happily you get a genuine choice rather than different identification number for camouflage schemes that are essentially identical:

• T-80 BV from the Letzlinger Heide training ground, DDR, 1985, finished in overall dark green;
• T-80 BV from Berlin Lichtenberg, DDR, 1994, finished in a green/dark grey/brown scheme;
• T-80 BV from a military parade in Moskow, 2005, finished in a green/sand/dark grey scheme; and
• T-80 BV from a military parade in Khabarovsk, Russia, 2014, in the latest overall dark green scheme.

Conclusion

I've long had a soft spot for this kit, and not just because of its Matchbox heritage. It's nice to build, well-detailed and captures the look of the T-80 well enough. The addition of the ERA and other parts add considerable visual interest, making this kit deserving of a place in any line up of small scale modern armour. Recommended.

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