Tank Model

1/35 Russian Modern Tank Crew (3) Winter Chechnya 1993 - 2004

Kit Number: T-35066

Reviewed by  Bart Cusumano, IPMS# 31882

MSRP: $41.00 www.tank-model.ru Tank Model has released some really nice figures, and this set is right up there in the quality ranking. Kit # T-35066, Russian Modern Tank Crew - Winter Chechnya 1993 - 2004 consists of 2 full figures and one half figure (tank driver). The kit is packaged in a plain looking white cardboard box with a color picture of the finished figures on the box front. There are no assembly or painting instructions supplied, other than the mentioned box photo. Each figure is packed in it's own little clear poly bag. The figures are cast in a slightly greenish-gray resin with a total of ten parts. The resin is of a good consistency which facilitates parts prep and cleanup, although there was very little cleanup required beyond the removal of pour stubs. The level of detail on these figures has to be seen to be believed. Castings are crisp and clear with terrific undercuts in many places like collars, helmets and sleeves. Faces show individual characteristics and anatomically speaking, all body proportions are right on. Poses are relaxed and not of the typical stiff, seen it before variety. The laces are even sculpted on to the two full figures 066A and B. The standing commander figure (066B) and driver half-figure (066C) heads come with tanker helmets already in-situ. The helmets feature great fur-lined detail with small and very delicate fastening straps - with the straps lost in the build process. The reclining/sitting figure 066A comes with a bald head and a separate tanker helmet which for some reason Tank has forgotten to sculpt the fur lining into. Fit of parts for these figures was superb. I was concerned at the way Tank supplied the arms for figure 066B - as a single unit of both arms fastened at the hands. But much to my pleasant surprise, the arms literally clicked into place requiring little in the way of glue or filling. Figure 066C just required the attachment of the head. Again, sculpting on these figures is terrific, with even the pocket flaps exhibiting superb relief detail. Painting these figures was helped considerably by the level of casting crispness. Unfortunately, I had no reference material for modern Russian tank uniforms and my web search turned up nothing. So, I relied on the box photo for finishing information. I painted the review sample with artist oils (faces/hands) and Humbrol paint for everything else. Despite all the positives, I did come up with a few letdowns, all of which had to do with figure 066A. First off was the helmet-to-head fit of the separately cast parts. No matter what I did, the helmet would not fit all the way down and so looks a bit odd on this review. I would recommend softening the helmet flaps so that they give a bit on the figure's shoulders which will allow the helmet to fit better on the head. The rest of the parts fit fine on 066A, but I was a bit put off by some the of vague representations of the pocket details and seams on the legs of the figure. They were either incompletely sculpted or got lost in the casting process - I couldn't tell. In any event, the level of casting detail on this figure was not as good as the other two. Also, the sculptor forgot to add the figure's belt. An easy fix to be sure, but . . . I hate to nit-pick, but at the suggested MSRP of $41.00 (U.S.) I expect all three figures to be consistently sculpted and detailed. Despite my complaints on figure 066A, I liked this figure set and feel that it would add a nice touch of realism to an appropriate piece of modern Russian armor and so would recommend purchasing them. Many thanks to Tank Models for providing the sample and to IPMS/USA for allowing me the pleasure of doing this review.

..

Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.