Sure seems like a really interesting vehicle and modeling subject – but also a fairly complex one and I literally no nothing about the quality of Alanger’s kits.

Has anyone built their T-28 Bridge-Layer? Or their T-28 Gun Tank?

Anything anyone can tell me about the company / kit is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Noah

Noah,

I started the IT-28 some time ago and have the majority of the major assemblies done...IIRC, I started on the indy tracks before it got put off to the side (then I lost it for many months and found it again. ).

Off the top of my head, some of the biggest challenges were the amount of releasing agent still on the plastic (washed many times to remove it), major seams along the bridges girders (ultimately I scrapped the seams and the locating pins [for the planks] off and used thin strips of basswood(?) instead of the plastic planks), and the two bridge "towers" didn't quite align with the hull correctly (fixed with putty and the like).

All in all though, it was a good build....one I intend on finishing one of these days. Actually, I now have a second one (and the T-28 and the T-35). They are not up to the standards of the kits produced by the likes of Trumpy, Tasca, or Dragon, but they can be build to look good.

Mike

Thanks for the information and review Mike

Take care,
Noah

Noah,

Found a couple of pictures of my build:









Mike

There's a major problem with the IT-28 kit, it completely lacks the chain drive used to launch the bridge - this had left a lot of people scratching their heads and wondering how the thing worked

David

The biggest problem to solve is how the bridge is transported and launched.
The way it is assembled in the instructions is impossible to use for launching
and retrieving.
My very personal guess is that the two arms should go into pockets in a cross-beam
near the center of the bridge (can't be in the center since then the "other" end can't
be controlled with a wire). The cross beams with the pockets are at the ends of the
bridge according to the instructions and the rear end of the bridge therefore rests on the
exhaust pipes and this can't work. It could work if the launching arms are folded back
over the vehicle when the bridge is transported and the light end of the bridge is
controlled with the launching wires.
/ Robin

I have a T-28, but haven't build it yet.
So far the Eastern Express kits are on my worst kits list, don't know about the Alanger ones, but I have a few on my wishlist..

Looking good so far !

Thanks again for all the insight into this kit – seems like it’s got it’s fair share of issues.

Take care,
Noah

BTW – Mike you build looks great so far!

Mike--great job, keep up the good work and photos.
DJ

Do you happen do know the anwser as well David? (in addition to possible operation as described by Robin)

Looking for this kit but its hard to find over here...

Martin

Hi Martin

All I've seen are the two photos showing the IT-28 under test in book

http://www.barbarossabooks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=686&products_id=10356

They show something like two giant bike chains, one on either side of the hull top, and both running the length of the tank. I guess the bridge is propelled forwards by these. The photos were taken from a distance so it's not possible to see details.

David