good day comrades!

i was scanning thru miniarm's products and saw 2 kinds of T-90 turrets.. the first has the designation/code M1992 and the second one had M2004.. the latter has a squarish turret compared to the usual oval T-72 turret we mostly see.. i was wondering if anybody here knows the difference between the 2 and which one is supposedly the latest being used..

thanks in advance!

Hy arkuo.

The later one is the squared one, designated often as Model2004 or "Contract Bichma"/ "Indian Contract" (Bichma= Indian T-90)

The main difference is the one you mentioned, the new turret-layout. But other than that it has the same ERA, SHTORA, etc.

Hope this helps a bit.

Best regards,

Andy T.

The M2004 turret is as Andreas says. The difference is that the M2004 is currently the most "modern" version of the T-90 turret and will be produced for the Red Army as well. Also, it is a all welded turret, so it has angles instead of "rounds".

However, consult internet photos to see if there are also cahnges to the hull fittings...the M2004 turret may require other changes to go with it that are not provided in the kit. Or not, I am not sure.

Difference is that T-90A turret is welded whereas earlier one is cast. Some of publications describe T-90 as a tank "with T-80U standard turret on T-72 chassis", whaaa??, well it looks like T-90, M and so on, is going to be with turret from T-84 since it is so similar in shape.

thanks for clearing that up guys.. here are pictures of what i was talking about..





the first one above is the M1992 turret and the second one is the M2004 model..
could the second turret, the "welded" one as you call it be a fit for a T-84 Oplot turret? i mean, there are no injection kits of the T-84 yet so if the M2004 could be a fit, then the remaining problems for scratchbuilding one is just the rear engine deck (just like the one andy did).. of course the M2004 turret still lacks the "flap-looking" armor in the turret front but at least having a turret is a good start, if its indeed the same turret used on the T-84 Oplot..

another side question of mine, since i've got the russian armor experts on board is this..



above is a picture of a SHTORA system of a T90, maybe.. but my question is does it really light up red that way or is this just a camera trick of some sort.. just found this picture on the net while looking for references..

thanks in advance guys!

No. First of all, T-90 turret is not 100% identical to it, Morozov Bearau turret, as well as turrets for all U series Soviet and post USSR era, uses completely different neutron stream protection measures, so you would have to remove the applique layer from Miniarm piece. Second, cross section of Ukrainian design has different outline than Uralmash creation. Finally, are you really willing to spend some 52 dollars on resin turret and wrecking it like that instead of spending around 7 bucks on sheet plastic and some sculpturing putty? The reddish shade on Shtora is completely natural, unadjusted effect. Matter of simple optics of light breakdown into spectrum after reflecting from metallic 'radiating' matrix and passing through high density crystal, just like a prism basically. Actually, there are videos in the web where color changes when turret rotates and so angle of incident changes. Good way to replicate it would be to use prismatic fluids or finding appropriate size shiny discs they used to put on dresses during late 80's

thanks for clearing that up george! but regarding the T90 SHTORA system, does it really light up (just like in the picture) or is it just a reflection from a light source?

I think it does emit light, but you cant see it anyway since it's within Infra red spectrum.

T-90A turret is welded and angular because production is on a much smaller scale than T-72BM, er, T-90 turret. The T-90 (not the -A) uses the smae turret as the T-72BM, it was just renamed with the loss-of-face the T-72 suffered in Iraq. Mainly a marketing ploy.

A welded turret is easier and more economical for smaller production runs. Cast turrets are better for large production runs (1000's of tanks vs. 100's of tanks). Each turret typw has some strengths and weaknesses.

Shtora are light-wave emitters that simulate the tracking flare on the back of many ATGM's. They are usually inthe Red-Orange-Yellow spectrum when they are emitting. That is also why there is a pair. They are apparently very effective .

too bad we cant see the infrared light in reality.. i was planning to drill some holes on it and put red backlights behind a clear read plastic sheet..

anyway, another question guys if you dont mind.. does the T90 still carry the two fuel tanks like the T72 does? does it even have the fuel tank "brackets" or none? i have seen pics of the T90 which has it and some that doesnt have it.. which is which? im easily confused with russian armor so i apologize for asking too much questions..

The Shtora emitters are not infra-red, they are actually colored. Remember, they have to look like a flare to the ATGM gunner, so he has to be able to see it. I have not seen video of the Shtora at work. so I cannot say how it would look "lit up" but you could certainly give it a go.

For the Fuel tanks, yes, they do carry them. The brackets can also be removed as well as the fuel drums, but the T-90 is able to utilize the same auxiliary fuel system we all know and love on the T-72 series.