First, Soviets/Russians do have some T-72A WITH the front glacis welded plate. I am not sure of numbers, but they "inherited" 100+ on a arms deal that did not complete. They would be a rarer vehicle in Russian service, but legitamate. For that you would only need a T-72A turret. I would also recomend the Eduard PE set.

Second, for a more "common" T-72A you need a new turret and a new front glacis. However, the SP Designs front glacis is for a early T-72A, which is also not the MOST common version in Russian service. You would need the Minarm glacis for that. (SP Designs is working on a late T-72A front glacis piece, but I do not have a release date.)

pardon my ignorance but what are the shortcomings of the stock turret in Tamiya's kit?

the SP Designs front glacis is for a early T-72A, which is also not the MOST common version in Russian service. You would need the Minarm glacis for that. (SP Designs is working on a late T-72A front glacis piece, but I do not have a release date.)

The difference in "early vs. late" is the in the front glacis. The T-72A early had no extra armor on the front glacis as it used the T-72 hull. The T-72M1 had the welded on extra armor plate. The T-72A standard or "late" had the extra armor integrated, so you have to look around the drivors visor to tell the extra armor is there, and this hull is also used on the T-72B.

One note, the T-72M1 hull is NOT the same as the T-72A early refit, even though they have welded on front glacis armor.

Here is a really good primer on the T-72A.

Your best bet in dealing with the Tamiya kit for a Soviet tank is:

1. Build it OOB and ignore the incorrect details. Not recomended but possible.

2. Buy a T-72A turret for it and add it to the hull and explain it as one of the T-72M1 tanks that were manufactured for export and ended up being absorbed by the Soviet Army, with some later upgrades to bring them up to the level of a T-72A turret on a T-72M1 hull.

3. Buy a T-72A turret and the SP Designs glacis for a early T-72A as used by the Soviet Army.

4. Make the corrections yourself with scratchbuilding for the T-72 you want.

5. Wait for a full release of the correct version you want.

That is the best advice I have at this point. I know that SP Designs will release at least one more glacis, but the timeline is unknown.

Ok, I have the bits and I've put the Tamiya lower hull together !

I'll be using the following:

Tamiya T-72M1
SP Designs T-72A / B front Hull conversion.
Miniarm T-72A Turret.

I have Miniarm tracks but I thing I'll save those for the next Minairm T-72 (B or BM ?), and use the kit vinyl tracks instead !

I've just finished a DDR T-72 - I'm about to post that t in the Cold War Campaign - I like the way the Tamiya kit goes together

I'm really looking forward to doing the Miniarm Turret !!

Any tips on this build will be greatly appreciated !!

Were there "early" T-72A's used in Chechnya in the early 90's ?

Cheers

Paul

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Ok, I have the bits and I've put the Tamiya lower hull together !

I'll be using the following:

Tamiya T-72M1
SP Designs T-72A / B front Hull conversion.
Miniarm T-72A Turret.

I have Miniarm tracks but I thing I'll save those for the next Minairm T-72 (B or BM ?), and use the kit vinyl tracks instead !

I've just finished a DDR T-72 - I'm about to post that t in the Cold War Campaign - I like the way the Tamiya kit goes together

I'm really looking forward to doing the Miniarm Turret !!

Any tips on this build will be greatly appreciated !!

Were there "early" T-72A's used in Chechnya in the early 90's ?

Cheers

Paul

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1.Miniarm instructions are pretty sparse about wiring, use the illustrations in Tamiya's instructions (they got the drawings right but messed up the turret and front hull somehow)
Check the above link so that you model right glacis for the turret, it's basically what author calls mod.1983 but without anti-rad mats. I recomend you cut bolts on KMT attachment ports and use the AM ones with washer.
3. Yes, there is documented evidence of T-72A's used in 1994-96 debacle, there is a book in russian, ''Tanks in Grozny, A True Story'', it's full of high quality pics some of them showing T-72A's moving into the city.
I've got pretty much the same bits as you did, here is what it looks like now (sorry for sucky quality, had to use my phone this time):

Hey there George !

Thanks for the tips - yes my machine will be like your pic The picture looks fine !

Thanks very much !

How did you find fitting the SP Designs front hull went ?

The primer in the link above is brilliant. I've used it quite a bit when looking at pics etc

The SP designs hull matches the early and late standard T-72A in the pics below. Don't you agree ?

PS: After this I'll start the SP Designs T-64B Conversion with the Skif kit, Masterclub tracks and the Miniarm Turret (less anti radiation cladding).

I got the T-64B hull and conversion from SAAM Models :-) Thanks Jacques !

Cheers

Paul