How bad is it? Does it have any positive sides. I am familiar with the spokes on the wheels and some other things what is bad done.
Is it correct in the shapes and is it possible to make it more accurate with some basic scratch building?
Kit is not too bad. It does have a partial interior that is a good starting point for some scratch-building. It does look like a T-55 when done. I have one that I plan on using as the base for a destroyed T-55. For the price, you can’t beat it. Comes with some descent PE as well. Here is a review that includes the Skif kit.
Definitely not the most accurate, but not a bad kit at all. If you can get one for cheap, and don’t mind a little extra work, it’ll be a nice build.
I have a Skif T-64BW and it’s not so bad.
Manuel Antonio Gutiérrez Amezcua - from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Well guys I am really sorry to say but Skif is a piece of…
You can use it only as a “destroyed unit” as Heavy Arty said. If you wanna build more accurate model-copy there is a great Tamiya T-55 kit!!! It is one of the best model kits of Russian tanks (if not the only[;)]) Again, it depends on what detail and accuracy level you wanna achieve… From Skif company I would pick up only T-64 cuz it more or less looks like the real thing with the aftermarket turret from Model Point…
http://vif2ne.ru/smf/stuff/Megas/000013C403523A9A/1104.jpg
http://vif2ne.ru/smf/stuff/Megas/000013C403523A9A/2504.jpg
http://vif2ne.ru/smf/stuff/Megas/000013C403523A9A/0903.jpg
http://vif2ne.ru/smf/forum/gallery/Megas/000013C403F47903/get
Look at all the scratch-build parts on this T-64 made by Vladimir Malkevich. This is the best Skif model!
Now imagine what you have to do with T-55 if its much worse[;)]
T-55 from Tamiya is the best choice!
Well I have get the tip. The only big drawback is the price difference between the Tamiya and Skif kit. Here in my hometown in Sweden the difference is like two Skif T-55 against one from Tamiya. But on the other side. Maybe I am choosing to another subject. The T-64 seems pretty cool. But also their MT-LB seems interesting then they are used in the Swedish Army as APC and in specialist roles.
I look at it this way. Any kit can be made into a nice looking model. It just depends on how much effort you want to put into it. Also, how detailed or accurate do you want it to be? The Skif kits look like what they are supposed to be. If you want to take the time and effort to either scratch-build a bunch of details, or throw all sorts of AM resin parts at them, they can be great. If you are looking for a shake the box and get a superdetailed, accurate model, go with the Tamiya. For a descent model that needs some work, but is cheap, get the Skif kits.
Well thats my way of modelling. I am most interested in a descent kit that will look like the piece it is supposed to be. And the effort needed is a thrill to test some om my skills.
One drawback I have found in the T-55 kit is the turret, more precisely the openings for the co ax mg and the optical port för the gunners telescope. they seems to me out of size. Any more or less easy way to correct this shortcoming??
Fully agree with Gino! All depends on what kind of modeller you are… There are ppl who measure the angle of armor plates and quantity of rivets on the bottom… and there are ppl who are satisfied with the out-of-the box builds wich “look nice” and have somthing common in shape with the real thing…
Its up to you…
Good luck!
Andy