MiniArt Spherical Fighting Vehicle TsAMO Project Interior Kit (40003) 1:35

[Mike]

Spherical Fighting Vehicle TsAMO Project Interior Kit (40003)

1:35 MiniArt via Creative Models Ltd

 

 

This is a hypothetical design from an alternative reality where ball-tanks were practical, and although there are some quite realistic looking pictures out there on the web, this is a decidedly fictional or "what-if" design for a small infantry tank that might have been quite handy for approaching bunkers or installations with significant light weapons presence.  It does appear to have some critical weaknesses though, such as the little outrigger wheels that if shot out, would result in a seriously dizzy crew at best, so it's probably for the best that it remains in the realms of the fantastic.

 

The ball hull is static, with a wide track running around the circumference, propelled by the motor inside.  There would be some serious torque transfer to the hull on acceleration or deceleration, but as this doesn't seem to adversely affect those big-wheel motorcycles, it wouldn't be a huge impediment, especially as the major part of the hull won't be moving.  There is a crew of five, with the top-most crew member in each side operating the weapons stations, and the front-facing crew driving and crewing the forward machine gun.  The final crewman operates another machine-gun that faces to the rear.  Oddly, the main guns face sideways in ball-mounts, which would make shooting straight ahead difficult without cooperation from the driver, which could be tricky in such a confined, noisy environment.  In reality, it would probably have been an abject failure, but it's an interesting concept nonetheless.

 

 

The Kit

The first boxing of this kit was MiniArt’s initial foray into What-if or ‘alternate timeline’ subject-matter, arriving on the shelves in 2018.  A lot of effort had been put into making it appear believable however, including a complete interior, which gives the model more gravitas and believability than an empty hull otherwise would, and opens up the possibility for dioramas or vignettes.  The kit arrives in standard sized MiniArt top-opening box, with a painting of a pair of ball-tanks passing a knocked-out German Panzer, and inside are 23 sprues in mid grey styrene of various sizes, a single sprue of clear parts, and a decal sheet.  The instruction booklet is bound in a glossy colour cover, with greyscale drawings inside, and the decal options printed on the inside covers front and back.  Detail is good for a relatively small kit, and I have to say that this is just the kind of silliness that appeals to me, as it is at least semi-believable, whilst coming firmly from the left-field.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction begins with the engine, which is quite a complex assembly, and has a large friction roller at the rear to apply power to the track.  The crew seats are built up next with foot steps to keep their feet out of the way where appropriate, and then they are attached to the main frame, which consists of two large hoops with cross-members to hold them apart, and retain its shape.  Track rollers are fitted to the inside of the frames, with the engine, seats, a fuel tank on a support rack, and ancillary equipment all suspended from this.  Ammo racks for the main guns are built up at the same time as the gun breeches and the machine guns, which also have spare ammo cans made up, and all these sub-assemblies are installed into the hull halves, which have cut-outs for the ball-mounts, a radiator grille (backed with a standard-looking radiator), and conformal tank that could contain fuel or ballast.  In the centre of each side is a large crew hatch that is operated by a wheel, with curved hinges and interlock mechanism included.  With the breeches and machine guns fitted from the inside, and the hatches put in their required positions, the halves are glued to the frames, and the hollow tipped gun barrels are added, plus a headlight with clear lens for night operations (ha!).

 

The track is supplied in four parts with a smooth tread and perpendicular joins to simplify clean-up.  The four parts glue around the open section of the hull, and of course the two "trainer-wheels" that stop it from tipping over.  The last diagram shows the option of leaving one or both hatches open to expose the interior.

 

 

Markings

As it's all fiction, it's probably more a case of choosing one of the six schemes that appeals to you, and it should be pretty easy to find one you like.  You can of course mix and match decals and schemes, as no-one (sane) is going to be complaining that it isn't accurate.  From the box you can build one of the following:

 

• Unidentified Unit Red Army, Spring 1942
• 13th Motorcycle Regiment, Red Army, Summer 1942
• 29th Guards Tank Corps, Red Army, Summer 1943
• Unidentified Unit, Red Army, Summer 1944
• Captured 5. Panzer-Division, Wehrmacht, Kursk, Summer 1943
• Captured unidentified Unit, Italy, 1945

 

 

 

Decals are by Cartograf, which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin matt carrier film cut close to the printed areas.

 

 

Conclusion

An awesome trip into alternative history that's got a certain hokey appeal, partly because it looks like it could possibly have worked, although it only takes a moment to identify its critical weaknesses.  The internal structure has been well thought-out, and the variation in decal options makes for a fun project that shouldn't take too long to complete.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of