Mates,
I am going to build this kit (well, I am toying with the idea) and I need some info.
I know that it is not too good, but what are the issues?
The general quality or the accuracy? Are these fixeable?
Thanks,
Adam
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Opinions needed on Skif T-55AM
JimboHUN
Joined: May 07, 2009
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 443 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 04:33 AM UTC
Wakemeup
Joined: September 02, 2006
KitMaker: 880 posts
Armorama: 874 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 05:27 AM UTC
Stop!
I've some skif t-55 kit....I suggest to not buy them!
You need tamiya kit to do a decent model of this baby.
T-55 from tamiya is a good kit just out of the box.
Yes,it's clear that there's a big room for corrections and details over this kit but for a basic model it is a "must have".
Save your money for the tamiya.
Go here for an old review of these kits:
http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~TANK-GUY/KIT-REVIEW06.html
and here for tamiya:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/tamiya/tam35257.htm
I'm a hige fan of this tank,let me know if I can help you.
Regards
Ciro Riccio
I've some skif t-55 kit....I suggest to not buy them!
You need tamiya kit to do a decent model of this baby.
T-55 from tamiya is a good kit just out of the box.
Yes,it's clear that there's a big room for corrections and details over this kit but for a basic model it is a "must have".
Save your money for the tamiya.
Go here for an old review of these kits:
http://www5b.biglobe.ne.jp/~TANK-GUY/KIT-REVIEW06.html
and here for tamiya:
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/tamiya/tam35257.htm
I'm a hige fan of this tank,let me know if I can help you.
Regards
Ciro Riccio
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 05:55 AM UTC
I agree whit Wakemeup
Tamyia kit is the only choice. That's not just a matter of better quality....
...the others cheaper kit are totally WRONG in dimension and details
Cheers
Tamyia kit is the only choice. That's not just a matter of better quality....
...the others cheaper kit are totally WRONG in dimension and details
Cheers
Wakemeup
Joined: September 02, 2006
KitMaker: 880 posts
Armorama: 874 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 05:56 AM UTC
Hi,it's me again....just to be more precise,about measures and details (and relatives corrections)these points depend from
1)The level of detail and accurancy that you want to show
2)Specific tank and version
These two points allow me to list a big list(a boring and long list) of corrections but it is inappropriate to show without other details from you.
By the images on the links you're able to note difference btw tamiya and skif and this is a good clue about what I'm speaking.
Let me know
regards
Ciro
1)The level of detail and accurancy that you want to show
2)Specific tank and version
These two points allow me to list a big list(a boring and long list) of corrections but it is inappropriate to show without other details from you.
By the images on the links you're able to note difference btw tamiya and skif and this is a good clue about what I'm speaking.
Let me know
regards
Ciro
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 06:03 AM UTC
...other wise
Skif kit includes interior details...
You should try to enhance the tamyia kit whit the interior details of skif kit...
Probably it' could be cheaper than buy an extra set...
Skif kit includes interior details...
You should try to enhance the tamyia kit whit the interior details of skif kit...
Probably it' could be cheaper than buy an extra set...
JimboHUN
Joined: May 07, 2009
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 443 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 06:36 AM UTC
Thanks guys, but the problem is: Tamiya+upgrade set is a lot more expensive than the Skif one...
Will see...
Adam
Will see...
Adam
krasnov
Joined: April 02, 2008
KitMaker: 99 posts
Armorama: 98 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 06:37 AM UTC
Hi
Skif kits are good idea if you dont want a highly accurate detailed kit, you can do a jewel on this kit if you repalce the wheels and some other stuff, with the PE set from eduared you cover most parts, but depends on you, if you want to do a T-55AM with tamiya kit you must buy the conversion set of real model or czech or panzershop, any of them have some wrong items (bad shaped, wrong dimensions), and tracks. If you just want something that has the form and you like to work on it buy the skif kit is less expensive
maybe we have to do a contest of T-55 skif kits just to show skills
regards
Skif kits are good idea if you dont want a highly accurate detailed kit, you can do a jewel on this kit if you repalce the wheels and some other stuff, with the PE set from eduared you cover most parts, but depends on you, if you want to do a T-55AM with tamiya kit you must buy the conversion set of real model or czech or panzershop, any of them have some wrong items (bad shaped, wrong dimensions), and tracks. If you just want something that has the form and you like to work on it buy the skif kit is less expensive
maybe we have to do a contest of T-55 skif kits just to show skills
regards
JimboHUN
Joined: May 07, 2009
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 443 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 07:50 AM UTC
I am able to correct a lot of things, but I can't make new roadwheels, for example.
I haven't bought it yet:)
I haven't bought it yet:)
Jacques
Joined: March 04, 2003
KitMaker: 4,630 posts
Armorama: 4,498 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 08:38 AM UTC
If you are going to buy the SKIF kit, I would do it for only 2 reasons:
1. It is really cheap and you are going to build it OOB for fun
2. You want to use it to practice scratchbuilding/painting on it.
Otherwise, you will be happier to buy the best base kit you can to start from. I understand that the Tamiya T-55 is far more expensive, but you really do get what you pay for with it.
1. It is really cheap and you are going to build it OOB for fun
2. You want to use it to practice scratchbuilding/painting on it.
Otherwise, you will be happier to buy the best base kit you can to start from. I understand that the Tamiya T-55 is far more expensive, but you really do get what you pay for with it.
arpikaszabo
Joined: February 13, 2006
KitMaker: 674 posts
Armorama: 637 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 08:52 AM UTC
I am just struggling with the CMK t55am2 conversion. The barrel is unusable and almost all the resin parts need further detailing. If You want to build this specific version, its better to scratch it. You can find excellent walkarounds on primeportal, svsm and on toadmans page. And dont forget, the AM or AM2 uses only t72 tracks.
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 10:58 AM UTC
So
Here you can find a skif t55 build log
Unfortunatly is a croatian site but you can follow the pictures
If I find somebody else i'll post here
cheers
Here you can find a skif t55 build log
Unfortunatly is a croatian site but you can follow the pictures
If I find somebody else i'll post here
cheers
18Bravo
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 11:17 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I know that it is not too good, but what are the issues?
The general quality or the accuracy? Are these fixeable?
As mentioned, the wheels are horribly misshapen. No way to fix that. The other big issue is the side armor under the turret, , which does not have any undercut at all, but goes straight down.
The fuel cells and other details aren't very crisp, but I purchased it (for a whopping $5.00) with the intention of doing aan Afghan tank, which are missing everything that can be removed, and some things thaat usually can't.
As for the interior, It was partially usable. My gallery has a photo of the gearbox installed in an old Tamiya T-62 project. I have long given up on how to post those photos. I also used the breech pieces as a pretty good basis for a scratchbuild, which I then cast for later use. It actually compared favorably to CMK's when finidshed.
When all is said and done though, it's not worth using unless you can get it as cheaply as Idid, and with the intent of using only certain parts. The rest you can give to your sci-fi buddies.
Spiderfrommars
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 11:35 AM UTC
here
You can find a short build log and a comparison between skif and Trumpeter kit
In my opinion if you can't buy The Tamiya kit, you should buy the italeri (ex Esci) kit
Is less accurate than the japanese kit, but better than the Skif model
If you're trying to build an AM version, you should to do some scratchbuilding works, using the Italeri kit as base.
You should try to do also a "kit bashing" beetween the skif and Italeri models.I don't know but probably you'll spend less than buy a T55 Tamyia
Cheers
You can find a short build log and a comparison between skif and Trumpeter kit
In my opinion if you can't buy The Tamiya kit, you should buy the italeri (ex Esci) kit
Is less accurate than the japanese kit, but better than the Skif model
If you're trying to build an AM version, you should to do some scratchbuilding works, using the Italeri kit as base.
You should try to do also a "kit bashing" beetween the skif and Italeri models.I don't know but probably you'll spend less than buy a T55 Tamyia
Cheers
bison126
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Friday, October 29, 2010 - 11:10 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I am just struggling with the CMK t55am2 conversion. The barrel is unusable and almost all the resin parts need further detailing. If You want to build this specific version, its better to scratch it. You can find excellent walkarounds on primeportal, svsm and on toadmans page. And dont forget, the AM or AM2 uses only t72 tracks.
Hi Arpad,
interesting to read your opinion about this conversion. I thougt it was not that bad of a conversion when compared to the Real Models one.
Could you expand more about the not so detailed resin parts ? This one is in my stash and I'd love to know into which trouble I'm heading
Olivier
arpikaszabo
Joined: February 13, 2006
KitMaker: 674 posts
Armorama: 637 posts
Posted: Friday, October 29, 2010 - 11:49 PM UTC
hello Olivier,
well, heres my take on this:
The barrel is junk, I had to wrap around the kit barrel the thinnest styrene sheet as the thermal cover. Another option is buying the MP barrel.
The belly armor seems to be ok.
The front addon is not very nice. It is missing the wheld detail around the edges. A problematic area is where the front plate meets the addon. Just study the reference photos carefully. And one more problem, the conversion does not provide you with the correct front tow hooks.
The turret bra armor is ok. But there were only three support brackets, one less than needed. The wind sensor is quite good too. The problem is the special sight which goes above the barrel. The resin mantlet is too narrow and the texture is not nice. Here I solved the problem differently. I removed the ugly mantlet cover from the resin part. Then I made a correspong hole onto the plastic mantlet cover. Then I filled the gaps with green stuff.
The engine deck is ok, just study the reference pictures carefully.
The side skirts seem to be a bit soft on detail, scratching them or leaving them out is better.
All the tracks, including the spare ones are T72 style, I dont understand why did they give spare T55 links.
And dont forget, all the T55AM2s are slightly different, so You should find a walkaround of a specific vehicle. For examle I found at least three different styles of rear fenders, this conversion contains the Czech one. I guess a real expert would find even more problems.
Unfortunately this one is not on par with the latest Legend or Miniarm sets, have fun building it.
well, heres my take on this:
The barrel is junk, I had to wrap around the kit barrel the thinnest styrene sheet as the thermal cover. Another option is buying the MP barrel.
The belly armor seems to be ok.
The front addon is not very nice. It is missing the wheld detail around the edges. A problematic area is where the front plate meets the addon. Just study the reference photos carefully. And one more problem, the conversion does not provide you with the correct front tow hooks.
The turret bra armor is ok. But there were only three support brackets, one less than needed. The wind sensor is quite good too. The problem is the special sight which goes above the barrel. The resin mantlet is too narrow and the texture is not nice. Here I solved the problem differently. I removed the ugly mantlet cover from the resin part. Then I made a correspong hole onto the plastic mantlet cover. Then I filled the gaps with green stuff.
The engine deck is ok, just study the reference pictures carefully.
The side skirts seem to be a bit soft on detail, scratching them or leaving them out is better.
All the tracks, including the spare ones are T72 style, I dont understand why did they give spare T55 links.
And dont forget, all the T55AM2s are slightly different, so You should find a walkaround of a specific vehicle. For examle I found at least three different styles of rear fenders, this conversion contains the Czech one. I guess a real expert would find even more problems.
Unfortunately this one is not on par with the latest Legend or Miniarm sets, have fun building it.
Wakemeup
Joined: September 02, 2006
KitMaker: 880 posts
Armorama: 874 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 01:08 AM UTC
Good to know these type of observations,anyway,as you say,some items can be used or modified,and also they can be a not so bad template to do corrections.
Thank you for this little review.
Regards
Ciro Riccio
Thank you for this little review.
Regards
Ciro Riccio
bison126
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 05:24 AM UTC
THanks Arpad.
I was aware of the Laser designator housing being too narrow and the side skirts being off. I'll be cautious when building the parts you mentioned in addition.
As for the tracks or even more the correct sprockets, this is my main problem so far, I consider buying a Trumpeter T-62 mod72 to get the sprockets. RMSh tracks aren't hard to find.
Olivier
I was aware of the Laser designator housing being too narrow and the side skirts being off. I'll be cautious when building the parts you mentioned in addition.
As for the tracks or even more the correct sprockets, this is my main problem so far, I consider buying a Trumpeter T-62 mod72 to get the sprockets. RMSh tracks aren't hard to find.
Olivier
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