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Toldi IIa and Toldi III - 1:72 IBG Models


Paul A H

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Toldi IIa and Toldi III

1:72 IBG Models


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The Hungarian Toldi light tank was a licence built development of the Swedish Landsverk L-60B light tank. Despite its diminutive size, the L-60 was a very modern and innovative design, several aspects of which were adopted by German and Russian tank designers. The last examples were only retired by the Dominican Army in 2002. Lightly armoured and armed, the design took advantage of the powerful but compact 7.9 litre Bussing-Nag V8 engine and torsion bar suspension in order to achieve success as a reconnaissance tank.

The L-60 was built under licence by the notable Hungarian defence contractor Manfréd Weiss Steel and Metal Works. First used in combat against Yugoslavia in 1941, the Toldi series of licence built tanks was quickly developed, first with thicker frontal armour and then with a 40mm main gun in place of the original 20mm weapon. Both the IIa and III models featured this enhancement. In total, only 202 examples were produced, of which just two survive today, both preserved in the Kubinka Tank Museum in Moscow oblast alongside such oddities as the Maus and Kugelpanzer

Based in Warsaw, Poland, IBG Models started out in 1991 as a model kit importer and distributor. They released their first plastic kit a 1:72 scale Bedford QLD - in 2008, and since then have built up a range of interesting kits of different vehicles from the WWII period in both 1/72 and 1/35 scale. The latest additions to their catalogue is a range of Toldi light tanks, of which we have two here. Each arrives packed into a surprisingly large top-opening box inside which are a number of sprues of crisply moulded grey plastic. These kits have all the hallmarks of modern, high quality toolings as good as those from any mainstream producer.


Toldi IIa


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Construction starts with the lower hull, suspension and running gear. The road wheels, drive sprocket and idlers are all nicely moulded and match photographs of the real thing very well. The suspension swing arms are moulded separately to the lower hull, however, so care will have to be taken to ensure everything lines up properly with all of the wheels touching the ground. Tracks are of the link and length variety and are very nicely rendered. Photos of the real thing show a very slight sag in the upper run between the return rollers, so a dip in hot water might be necessary in order to achieve this effect. Once the exhausts and a couple of other small details have been fixed in place, construction can move on to the upper hull.

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This sub-assembly is just as detailed as the lower hull. The driver's hatch is moulded separately, as are the air filter covers, headlights, tools and stowage bins. Fenders and engine vents are all moulded in place. The turret is fairly simple, but features a separately moulded hatch, a stowage bin to the rear and separately moulded main gun and coaxial machine gun. Neither can be posed, but this is no big deal. The overall effect should be very pleasing.

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One marking option is shown in the instructions, a Toldi IIa of the 3/1 Tank Battalion finished in temporary white camouflage over olive green. The decal sheet (which is shared with the Toldi III variant) enables a range of different tanks to be modelled however. The decal sheet itself is nicely printed.

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Toldi III


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The Toldi III kit is virtually identical to the IIa, but includes two alternative sprues which carry the parts for the revised turret and the thicker armoured glacis plate. Aside from these differences, everything stated above applies equally to the Toldi III. The instructions show two different paint schemes this time around, leaving you to choose between overall olive green and the three-colour scheme depicted on the box artwork.

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Conclusion

It's always great when a new (to me) manufacturer pops up with a brand new kit of a genuinely interesting subject, but particularly so when the kit in question is so good. Detail is excellent and the quality of moulded parts is up there with the very best. The link and length tracks are a welcome inclusion too. Highly recommended.



Toldi IIa


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Toldi III


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Review sample courtesy of IBG Models logo.gif

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  • 3 weeks later...

Nice review!

These two are definitely on my wants list!! Make a nice change from endless tigers/panthers or "panzer 46" subjects

Ben

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  • 3 months later...

Treated myself to one of the Swedish versions of this as it can be built as a Dominican tank - something I've been wanting to do since visiting there some years back.

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