Galaxy Model PLA ZTZ-96B Main Battle Tank Masks & Improvement Set (35003 for Meng 1:35)

[Mike]

PLA ZTZ-96B Main Battle Tank Masks & Improvement Set (35003 for Meng)

1:35 Galaxy Model

 

 

Our friends at Galaxy Model have been busy again, and this new set from them allows the modeller to execute the digital camo scheme that was seen at the 11th Airshow, Chinas North industries Coproration Exhibition, Zhuhai, China in November 2016.  The Type 96 is one of China's MBTs, with the B being a 2016 upgrade of the earlier A (no surprise there), with improved systems and enhanced power pack delivering power to a lightened and tuned set of running gear.  This particular scheme was first seen at the show, and has a sand brown and olive green digital camouflage over a light sand base colour, which extends down to the sideskirts, with the wheels painted different colours, rather than having the digital pattern.

 

The set is designed for the Meng kit, and arrives in a sturdy ziplok bag, which at first glance appears just to be a set of kabuki tape masks to accomplish the complex paint job.  Once you open the bag however, you see that it is also a fairly substantial and interesting upgrade to the final finish of your model, with some really cool additions adding to the value.  The contents are as follows:

 

2 x pre-cut kabuki tape masks

1 x instruction sheet with profiles

1 x clear sticky-backed mask transfer sheet

1 x decal sheet with various Chinese flags

2 x Photo-Etch (PE) wheel masks for both types of wheel

1 x tin foil sheet

1 x sticky-backed pre-cut holographic film for vision blocks

1 x paper key for the holographic film parts

2 x wire for antennae

 

 

Going from top to bottom, the kabuki tape is pre-cut and marked using red ink numbers that correspond to the instruction sheet, with the sides written on each section for your ease.  Do be careful handling these, as the ink can smudge, leaving you guessing at the numbers.  The clear plastic sheet can be used as a transfer sheet to carry the more delicate masks to the model, and the decal sheet is for the national flags, which are affixed to the foil sheet to obtain a realistic drape mimicking material.  The PE masks are for the road and idler wheels, allowing you to spray the centres after painting the rubber "tyres", without having to do any masking or hand-painting.

 

 

The holographic film is sticky-backed and pre-cut to fit the kit clear parts, and the paper key gives you the part numbers for cross referencing on the instruction sheet.  They will impart an almost ethereal sheen to the vision blocks to represent their anti-dazzle coating.  Finally the two lengths of wire (not pictured) are taped to the rear of the header card, and are cut to length to replicate the antennae.  It would be worthwhile rounding off the top of the cut parts to avoid poking yourself in the eye at some future date, as although it would still hurt, a jagged end would hurt much more.

 

Conclusion

What a great set!  I just wish I had the model now, so I could get to use it.  The instructions are concise, the parts highly innovative in places, and it shows a level of understanding of the modeller and the modelling process that is nice to see.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Mike]

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