Just a heads up to those looking for T-72 kits: DO NOT buy the Trumpeter 1/35th T-72 unless you want to deal with a frustrating kit. The instructions are for the Tamiya (if i recall correctly) kit. As far as i know, Trumpeter used the same molds for many kits but they arent as high quality.
Several problems: The Turret mold lines were represented with many small hash marks. The smoke grenade launchers did not have the proper recessions in the turret to install them. On the motorized version, the tracks are far too lose and the battery cover poorly closes resulting in occasional opening.
Summary: For me, it was an impossible kit that i wish i had never bought
I made a similar mistake a few months ago by picking up a Trumpeter M1A2. I got ffrutrated enough that it sits 1/3 complete on a shelf gathering dust. What I disliked most was the fit of the hull pieces. Never again for me. If you want a challenge, go for it. I’ll take a little higher price and a clean fit of the parts. The only use I can see for this thing is scrap metal on the road to Bagdad!
Pathfinder, I hear you loud and clear. I feel the same about mine. PPFFFFTTT. I’ve been spoiled by years of building Tamiya kits. I’m beginning to feel the same way about my Italeri one. Just got to stick with what works I guess. I’ll be hesitant on buying any more Trumpeter kits.
Did I say that Dwight. [%-)] I ordered Dragon’s M1A1-HA and it should be here any day. I decided to skip the M1A2 version for now. This may be my last one for awhile. You may be right about me saying that, I can’t remember what day it is sometimes. I’m going to give my Trumpeter kit to my friends kid. [:)]
Oh perhaps I got it wrong maybe you did say M1A1-HA, afterall.
I never thought it’s that bad (I mean the Trumpeteer kit). Lucky I did not buy it. Actually it costs about 40% more than the Dragon which I got for 7 Bucks.
Dwight, I thought it looked nice enough in the box…until I started to assemble it. You know you could make a killing buying Dragon kits over there and shipping them to the states. [;)][}:)][:p]
I thought of that once. But shipping to the US would cost about 25 bucks. This will make the whole thing expensive. Also, the newer Dragon kits (like M1 Baghdad, T-34, Panthers, Panzer IV) now costs about 12 bucks a piece so probably not too different with the prices there in the US.
I hear you guys… it’s the same story with HobbyCraft since they use Trumpeter models reboxed, it’s a royal pain to build… I done so far a T69 and a T72 I almost burnt them but I finally got them done. I’m also doing a AS90 which so far has not given me any trouble…
Trumpeter’s T-72 sounds a lot like the real T-72! Some fit problems there too… especially if you’re over six foot and want to sit in the little beast! lol. Isn’t the S tank a Trumpeter kit also? Might have to get that one out and make it just to see what’s up.
Look on the bright side, it will give you an opportunity to brush up on your scratchbuilding, add on and other modeling skills.
As bad as it may seem sometimes, I like the tough builds after I’m finished. If they come out nice, there is a feeling of accomplishment and pride at an obstacle overcome, a challenge vanquished and silk purse made from a sows ear. If you look at all the kit modifications done in the books and magazines you’ll see alot of scratchbuilt extras and fixes or modifications. Someone had to scratchbuild the master. If its real bad, what a great opportunity to do some real modeling as opposed to the assembly and painting we usually satisfy ourselves with.
Work within the limitations, i.e. if the hatches are a poor fit, store gear on them or open them up. Crew members in a hatch hide empty interiors. Bad track fit, just became a blown track or a vignette of a track fix. Really bad track fit, Tank fording a stream. If they’re underwater or partially submerged you can’t see them anyway. Theres always the mud solution. Bad builds can always end up at the russian front in spring. What you can’t fix can certainly be covered in mud.
And no model goes to waste, because if it doesn’t make a good finished piece it will certainly make a good looking burned out hulk in a diorama…
Good luck with the kit and thanks for the heads up.
While most of Trumpeter’s early releases are very poor copies of Tamiya and Academy kits (avoid the M60A1 or M60A3), some of the newer kits are top notch. I was impressed with their Chinese BJ212A Jeep with 105mm recoilless rifle and the Type 89 Japanese IFV.
Their Abrams kits are buildable, but not the best by far. Their Soviet style T-55 based kits are not that bad, but are cheap and look fairly good when built.