Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank (for Meng) - 1:35 ET Model

[Mike]

Russian T-90A Main Battle Tank (for Meng)
1:35 ET Model

Meng's new moulding of the T-90A is an excellent model and has been well received, but you can always improve on injection moulded styrene. This set from one of my favourite AFV aftermarket companies is designed to do just that, and arrives in their by now familiar heavy gauge flat packaging. Inside are two large frets of Photo-Etch (PE) brass on a black backing card, three more smaller frets in a ziplok bag along with 16 resin grenade launcher parts and a resin antenna base in pale cream resin. A length of braided wire and three page instructions fill out the package.

The first area of improvement is the replacement of the moulded in tie-downs on the port fenders, numbering 15 in total, and that requires the removal of the kit detail before applying the folded tie-downs, which have fully detailed buckles and ratchets where appropriate. The side-skirts are given improved detail in the shape of hinges between the panels, and replacement steps, plus the retaining strips holding the rubber guards in place. A number of loops, tie-downs and brackets are added, plus the wading bow-wave brake and the exhaust protector. The additional fuel drums at the rear are completely re-worked, retaining only the drums, and building the brackets and retaining straps from PE parts with all the additional detail that comes with that. A number of mesh grilles on the engine deck are added as well as detail on the aft bulkhead that is absent in the kit.

The turret is similarly detailed with turnbuckles, antenna base made up from the resin part and four PE parts, additional ammunition boxes on the sides of the turret bustle, brackets for stowage on the sides and tie-downs for the tops of the side-mounted stowage bins. The commander's weapon is upgraded with a set of iron sights fore and aft, and the main gun has its moulded in straps removed and PE replacements added to hold the jacket in place. The resin smoke discharger units replace the kit parts, reducing clean-up and improving detail into the bargain.

Conclusion
Another excellent set, adding plenty of fine detail to the base kit. ET Model offer plenty of value for money too, including resin parts where appropriate to the task in hand.

Highly recommended.

Available from White Ensign Models in the UK.


Review Sample courtesy of