Revell's new T-55A in 1/72 - thoughts?

[Jesse]

Anyone else had the time to look at Revell's new T-55A? I have just started to build it. I have waited a looong time for a T-55A in 1/72. Never got the kit from Ace. This one from Revell is a Czechoslovakian or Polish made T-55 since the openings on both sides of the gun mantlet is oval in shape. The Soviet-made were straight. I'm both thrilled at Revell's new offering and have some disappointments/worries. All my worries concerns the turret.

- The turret doesn't bulge more on the left side of the mantlet, which what I can tell goes for all T-55s I have seen. Does anyone have info if the Czechoslovakian T-55 turrets differed in shape from the Soviet?

-The gun mantlet is poorly sculpted and looks wrong somehow.

- The gun barrel is too thick at the base (the part that goes into the mantlet).

In other aspects I think the kit looks great, but the above issues with the turret/barrel makes the whole thing look wrong to me. So my first impression is actually disappointing. I had high hopes.

I can unfortunately not post photos, and I have already tried to correct the barrel and mantlet anyway. Perhaps if someone else have the possibility?

[giorgio]

Did you try Trumpeter?
http://www.trumpeter-china.com/index.ph ... 1&l=en&p=5
http://henk.fox3000.com/trumpeter.htm
here you can have a look to some die cast
http://www.hobbymaster.com.hk/gpower_72_t55.shtml

[Jesse]

Yes I have the T-55 from Trumpeter but they have only released the Model 1958 without the AA-machine gun on the turret (and therefore a different looking loader's hatch). All the turret hatches are closed and I like to have them open...
There are also other problems with the Trumpeter T-55 but those above are the major ones which is hard for me to correct. Perhaps it is possible use the Trumpeter T-54 turret as base and modify it to a T-55A with the AA-gun.
The die-casts look great but I like to build myself
Thank you for the suggestions giorgio!

[Hellboy]

Hello Jesse!

I hope the following links are of interest to you. Some of the products I have already used for a T-55. If you want, you can look at the pictures of me. It is a remodeling of a T-55 Enigma.



More pictures under....

http://s1045.photobucket.com/user/FKrueger/library/1-72_Modern_-_T-55_Enigma_IRAK

The additional components used are readily recognizable, e.g. tracks, wheels, cannon, etc.

resin set T-55 turret / 3 varaints (1/72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8054

T-54/55 tracks (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10976

T-55 wheels (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_2&products_id=1329

100mm D-10T L/53.5 - T-55 (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_2&products_id=7836

DShK AA heavy machinegun for T-54/55/62 (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_2&products_id=7743

12.7mm DShKM on turret (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10105

T-55 & T-62 Towing cables (1:72)

https://www.dersockelshop.de/t-55-und-t-62-abschleppkabel-1-72_eureka_er7215.html

Metal etched parts for T-54/55 (1:72)

http://www.tracks-n-troops.eu/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_2&products_id=1058

resin set for T-54/55 NVA (1:72)

http://www.modelltrans.com/suche?controller=search&orderby=position&orderway=desc&search_query=T-54%2F55+NVA

Wishing you a lot of fun and success in the construction of the T-55!!!!

[Jesse]

Wow, thank you for the suggestions and links Hellboy! And nice Enigma! I actually have the Blackdog Enigma conversion set for Trumpeters T-55 but have not finished it yet. Looks like I have to pay Tracks n' Troops a visit...