This kit by Trumpeter has been out for awhile now. I don’t know if anyone here built it or not but here is my review. Ohh, anyone who built it please post! I would like to see your experiences.
Kit:
Good: Lots of parts. Pretty accurate,especially the TEL. Good fit mostly. Lots of details, espcially on the TEL.
Bad: Some details just can’t be shown in injected plastics, EX. the periscopes has windshield wipers molded on. The missile travel lock is simplified and some parts are too thick. The missiles themselves are plain. No stencils or inspection hatches and they are off scale (too long and too thin).
I started with the hull first. The running gear is simple but well made with good details. The tracks are link and length with a length of track for both top and bottom and individual links for drive sprockets and idelers. Overall the tracks are good but on mine, it’s pretty “LOOSE” meaning it takes awhile for it to set but it’s no big deal.
moving on to the top hull. There are a lot of details here with many small parts and even some photoetched parts. The crew hatches can be built opened or closed but since there is no internal detail I just shut all of them. Moving on back, there is a mistake. The engine cover hatch is wrong. In open position it would be incorrect but again, not much since you will want to have it closed anyway. Those who like details will probably choose aftermarkets unditching beam and clamps for the pioner tools. The kit one isn’t too bad but it could be better.
Ohh yes, the small round radome thing that goes to the left front of the vehicle is the communication device between the TEL and the missiles and is dielectric. Except the top, it is usually painted tan or light grey. Stupid lil’ ol’ me didn’t check refrence and painted it hull color…Dumb move!
The worst part of the kit are the three missiles. They are too plain with no stencils at all and it’s shaped too long and too thin. Hopefully, aftermarkets will provide the correct shaped missles with the correct stenciling. Also, becarefull of assembling the missiles fins. The location tabs on these are way too thin and small. I had a hell of a time getting them on and then getting them into the correct cross + shape because of the small location tab, they just won’t stay on!
Despite the missiles and some of the mistakes, this is another great kit from trumpeter. Highly recommended. Now where is that radar dish Trump?!?!? [:P]
