Got a package from eBay containing three PST 1/72 scale Soviet armor kits. I ended up winning a T-54/54A and T-55 for $3.99 and a KV-1E heavy tank for $1.25. I had first found PST kits at my LHS and grabbed a limeted edition turretless prime mover based on the IS-2M tank. Since it looked pretty good, I decided to risk purchasing these high priced kits [;)]
Glad I did, although the T-54/54A and T-55 are basically the same kit. The each kit comes with two upper turret halves and you use whichever one is called for in the instructions.
The KV-1E was bid on since it was a whopping $1.25 and would only add 25¢ to the total shipping ($5 for 1st kit, 25¢/additional kit). The majority of this kit is molded in the same green that the T-54/55 are but the up armored turret is molded in a dark gray. I think I’ll build this one first.
I bought these through Alanger. I believe I’ve seen their ad at the top of the FSM forum pages.
Cool deal, Rob…! I’ve read somewhere (in Minitracks, I think) that the PST T-55 is not as good as the ACE one… Curious to see what you think about it…!
hey, nice score there, Major G. !
i’ve got a PST KV-T armored tow tractor in the works rite now,
and the T-55 on the stack. they r cool kits…
the plastic is kinda soft, so b extra careful cutting the pieces off
the sprues or it’ll gouge ur part.
have fun buildin’ …
frosty[:)]
Thanks for the warning Frosty.
DJ, the T-54/55 turrets look funky in the box, but the overall molding of the kit parts is nice and sharpe, on par with the Rodan JS-3 kit I have. After having seen the limited injection molding on the ACE BMP-1 kit, I think even if it may be more accurate, the PST kit may be a better build/fitting kit.
It does bear a strong resembalance to the Skif T-55 kit. Almost like a scaled down version of that kit’s exterior detailing.
Sounds like a good deal! Take 'em when you can! Also, now you have a spare turret for a ‘bunker’!
Ron
Ron, I think PST has some of the easiest Armor to put together. When it comes to fit and ease of asssembly, they come close to Revell/Germany. I’ve built both the ACE T 55, (Enigma) and the PST T 55. The PST tank went together much smoother, and the wheels did not need to be moved like the ACE tank did. In that respect, I think that the PST tank was more accurate.
Frosty’s right, watch out for the soft plastic. I have a couple gouges in my road wheels that I was able to hide, fortunately. Still, they build into pretty nice kits:
Here’s a photo comparison for your information:
The PST T 55:
And the ACE T 55:
