Trumpeter Russian T-80B MBT - 1:72 Trumpeter

[Paul A H]

Russian T-80B MBT

1:72 Trumpeter

 

Developed from the complex but 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 unit. A lengthy development period was required in order to adapt the design for gas turbine power and this resulted in a number of changes when compared to the older T-64, 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 power plant. Later models did adopt a diesel engine that was both 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.

 

After an initial flurry of activity, it appeared as though Trumpeter had ceased expansion of their range of 1:72 AFV kits. This turned out not to be the case, however, and they are now releasing all-new kits once again. This T-80B covers the more modern end of the spectrum. Following on from the blueprint set by their most recent kits (and those released by sister company Hobbyboss), the kit makes extensive use of slide moulding in order to reduce the part count to a minimum while preserving detail. This is evident from the single-piece lower hull, but even more so from the wheels and tracks, which are moulded as a single part. While compromises clearly have to be made in order to mould something like this, I still find it preferable to manky old rubber band tracks that are impossible to glue with any substance known to man. Other than that, the parts are well protected in the box and the quality of moulded detail is up to the usual Trumpeter standard.

 

 

 

 

 

As you would anticipate from the breakdown of parts, construction of the kit is simplicity itself. The upper and lower halves of the hull are fixed together prior to the addition of the individually moulded inner road wheels and drive sprockets. The beaching log is also added at this stage. The outer run of road wheels, complete with tracks, can be added next. The main compromise caused by this method of moulding is that the outer faces of the return rollers are completely plain. This is less of an issue that you would think, however, as they will be completely covered by the side skirts. These items are themselves nicely detailed and feature stowage boxes moulded in place. The auxiliary fuel tanks, necessitated by that thirsty gas turbine engine, are next and are simply split horizontally. The turret is the most complex part of the build in the sense that it is of entirely conventional construction. Once the upper and lower halves have been joined, the smoke dispensers can be added, along with the various stowage boxes, sighting systems, searchlight and the highly detailed 12.7mm DShK machine gun. The 120mm smoothbore gun is moulded as a single part with recess in the muzzle achieved through slide moulding.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

This is a nice little kit that does a good job of balancing ease of construction with quality of finish. While the low part count means some compromises have been made, they are not as noticeable as you might think. In fact the overall level of detail compares pretty well to other manufacturers operating in this scale. Recommended.

 

Review sample courtesy of

UK Distributors for

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Oh boy.....They dropped their new T-80 on you, you have my sympathies. 

 

I'm saying nothing more than this:

 

Spoiler

 

All of about £2 more expensive.....You'd be mad to buy a Trumpeter T-80 kit with Modelcollect's many & varied offerings out there! 

 

PS - Is that actually the 1/72 kit on the box top?    In the case of both my SAM-6 and @AndyRM101's BTR-70 they used a picture of the 1/35 kit on the box, the same is also true for their M-1117 Guardian. 

 

[alex]

10 hours ago, Sgt.Squarehead said:

PS - Is that actually the 1/72 kit on the box top?

Hm, it looks like the top box as a more details. Like the ring of rivets on the outer part of the wheels, where the kit parts are flat. Also there is a small frame on the box on the turret facing forward, but the kit part is plain... strange.

 

Alex

 

[Andy Moore]

13 hours ago, Sgt.Squarehead said:

PS - Is that actually the 1/72 kit on the box top?    In the case of both my SAM-6 and @AndyRM101's BTR-70 they used a picture of the 1/35 kit on the box, the same is also true for their M-1117 Guardian. 

And the Voroshilovets, and the Komintern, and the Strv 103 amongst others. Never has the phrase 'contents may vary' been more applicable.

 

Andy

[Sgt.Squarehead]

9 hours ago, AndyRM101 said:

and the Strv 103 amongst others.

They've done a couple of boxings of the Stridsvagn.....This is the one to get: 

 

 

153 parts.....This seems to be from the same team who did the trio of Japanese tanks for Pit Road & Trumpeter, it is a good kit. 

 

The other boxings are a simplified version with about 90 parts.....This was, IIRC, where the slippery slope toward QB kits began.