_GOTOBOTTOM
Яusso-Soviэt Forum
Russian or Soviet vehicles/armor modeling forum.
Hosted by Darren Baker, Jacques Duquette
Tamiya Kit Recommendations Wanted for Comp
SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 05:06 AM UTC
At my local IPMS (Edinburgh), we are doing a competition. Any Tamiya model. I am 14 and am quite fond of Tamiya, however thier modern Soviet range is limited (T-55, T-62 and T-72). I was wondering if there were any Tamiya kits people could recommend for me to enter.
Thanks
Euan
alanmac
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 05:43 AM UTC
Hi Euan

I take it you either like or want to do Russian armour. If so I'd say the T-55 is a good choice. It gets favourable comments from Russian armour fans and although not perfect (what kit really is !!) it as I said gets praise. The other two I think are not a good idea.

The disadvantage with buying Tamiya kits is if you are not careful you can pay a lot of money for what is quite an old kit. They often re-introduce very old kits with a couple of extra bits, new box-art and bump the price up. So caution is the watch word on buying.

Having said that some older kits have stood the test of time quite well. Not in the same league as the top flight stuff coming from the various Chinese companies but not bad.

At least with Tamiya you know they'll go together well and the instructions will be easy to follow. They do have some kits that seem to remain at a low price, so I'd suggest looking around, see what you like post your "possibles" short list and get people to pass comment.

so far of the three you suggested I'd go for the T-55. Shop around or try ebay for a keen price.

Hope its of help.

Alan
Karl187
#284
Visit this Community
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: October 04, 2006
KitMaker: 3,094 posts
Armorama: 2,942 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 05:57 AM UTC
Tamiya's new T-55 Enigma kit is certainly worth a look. Around half the moulds are new so it is not entirely an older kit, there are a good few new parts.
I've submitted a review to the site here, it should be up in a couple of days with sprue shots etc. If you are in a hurry to choose something then there are a few reviews out there (missing lynx for one) already with good shots- and at least one magazine (current Military Illustrated Modeller issue) with a full build so you can check it out a bit more.

Tamiya have also just re-popped their T-55 with Aber barrel and PE- but, as has been said on this site already, it is fairly expensive.
SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 06:07 AM UTC
Hi
It does not have to be a Russian vehicle. I would'nt mind a change. I though about the T-55 but fancied something a little diffirent. I've got the T-72M1 and it is a great kit. Also got 2 T-62s.
Thanks
Euan
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 07:33 AM UTC
Try to guess....

T-55, what else?

Joking aside if you have already had a bit of experience, Tamiya T-55 kit will be a great choice. It has some flaws on the engine deck and actually you can do just a Russian version, but its shape and dimensions are perfect. You can improve it but also straight of the box you can have some great results. Only things that you have to substitute are the gun barrel and, most of all, the track links which are not so bad but made in vinyl.

If you need reference pics and helps let me know

cheers
SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 10:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Try to guess....

T-55, what else?

Joking aside if you have already had a bit of experience, Tamiya T-55 kit will be a great choice. It has some flaws on the engine deck and actually you can do just a Russian version, but its shape and dimensions are perfect. You can improve it but also straight of the box you can have some great results. Only things that you have to substitute are the gun barrel and, most of all, the track links which are not so bad but made in vinyl.

If you need reference pics and helps let me know

cheers


Thanks for your input. I may end up buying the Tamiya T-55
(just started the AMT T-55 two night ago, it would be interesting to see how they compare ).
If I do get a Tamiya T-55 any help you could offer would be much apreciated. When I have chosen I'll let you know.
Thanks
Euan
afv_rob
Visit this Community
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 09, 2005
KitMaker: 2,556 posts
Armorama: 2,199 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 10:34 PM UTC
Yep, its got to be the T-55. Despite some of the shortcomings, its such a superb kit and goes together like a dream. I'm just gutted I got rid of the 5 kits I had, still at least i've still got 6 Tamiya 72's still in the stash!
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 10:37 PM UTC

Quoted Text

just started the AMT T-55 two night ago, it would be interesting to see how they compare


It's ugly indeed
The turret is 2mm too flat, supension arms are in a wrong position and is quite hard to correct this flaw. Engine deck is good for an early T-54 but is wrong for a T-55. The exhaust is at least 4mm too forward. One of the external fuel cells is smaller than the other ones, on the actual tank all them have the same size.
A while time ago I tried to improve it. I spent lots of time rebuilding the lower hull and trying to correct all the mistakes....then I bought the Tamiya kit

If I were you I wouldn't waste my time and I'd use it just as a base to build a Russian ARV.



cheers
alanmac
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: February 25, 2007
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,953 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 11:15 PM UTC
Hi.

Well you said you fancied trying something different.... It's Tamiya and it's different...

Great kit. Tamiya 35282



There is also a "German" version which is the same kit but some additions and german markings for the captured and reused versions they employed.

Alan
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Friday, March 16, 2012 - 11:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi.

Well you said you fancied trying something different.... It's Tamiya and it's different...






SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 01:45 AM UTC
The Leclerc and Char Bis do look rather intresting and they would certainly be a first. Thanks for the suggetions, definetly gave me something to think about.
Euan
Karl187
#284
Visit this Community
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: October 04, 2006
KitMaker: 3,094 posts
Armorama: 2,942 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 04:44 AM UTC
The Leclerc is a nice build, I must say. Their JGSDF Type 90 is also a fun build.
pseudorealityx
Visit this Community
Georgia, United States
Joined: January 31, 2010
KitMaker: 2,191 posts
Armorama: 1,814 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 05:20 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Try to guess....

T-55, what else?

Joking aside if you have already had a bit of experience, Tamiya T-55 kit will be a great choice. It has some flaws on the engine deck and actually you can do just a Russian version, but its shape and dimensions are perfect. You can improve it but also straight of the box you can have some great results. Only things that you have to substitute are the gun barrel and, most of all, the track links which are not so bad but made in vinyl.

If you need reference pics and helps let me know

cheers


There is no reason to replace the gun barrel on the Tamiya T-55. It works just fine with a little work. The tracks... likely a worthwhile investment.
BillGorm
Visit this Community
New Jersey, United States
Joined: November 02, 2009
KitMaker: 609 posts
Armorama: 433 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 05:41 AM UTC
If you're open to one more suggestion, give Tamiya's JS-2 a look. Goes together perfectly, gives you a choice of link-and-length or rubber brand tracks, and builds up to a mean looking machine.
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 06:00 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Try to guess....

T-55, what else?

Joking aside if you have already had a bit of experience, Tamiya T-55 kit will be a great choice. It has some flaws on the engine deck and actually you can do just a Russian version, but its shape and dimensions are perfect. You can improve it but also straight of the box you can have some great results. Only things that you have to substitute are the gun barrel and, most of all, the track links which are not so bad but made in vinyl.

If you need reference pics and helps let me know

cheers


There is no reason to replace the gun barrel on the Tamiya T-55. It works just fine with a little work. The tracks... likely a worthwhile investment.


Yes, I'm sorry I was not clear enough. That isn't wrong. The only problem is that is two piece mold and that could give some little problems. If you can spend some more money it could be nice to replace it, but it isn't necessary.
SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 09:01 AM UTC
Thanks for your input guys. Always open to more suggestions.
The comp is'nt for another 3 months so plenty time yet.
Keep the ideas comin boys!
Thanks
Euan
casualmodeler
Visit this Community
Hame, Finland
Joined: February 04, 2009
KitMaker: 702 posts
Armorama: 665 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 09:40 AM UTC
Tamiya BT-7??...
ComradeMP
#0
Visit this Community
United States
Joined: July 31, 2011
KitMaker: 472 posts
Armorama: 453 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 04:46 PM UTC
I like Tamiya too, but I've taken a big liking to Trumpeter these days. But yeah, I'd go with the T-55A. I did the detailing on mine, and it wasn't that hard. Corrected some stuff and when it's finished, it's just beautiful.

Some other kits that would be great are
JS-2
JS-3
T-72M1
Type 90
Enigma

All of which I have on the work bench right now.
lukiftian
Visit this Community
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: March 12, 2010
KitMaker: 791 posts
Armorama: 592 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 06:31 PM UTC
Any of them, they're all within your ability to build. The T-62 is the roughest, the T-55 is the nicest.

I built the T-62 when I was 17.

The Char is a good one though....

Honestly Euan, above 35146 it's really hard to go wrong with Tamiya.
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 09:41 PM UTC
What about this huge Russian bear?

SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 11:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

What about this huge Russian bear?



Sorry SpiderFromMars, but your pics showed up as a red X. Was the Russian Bear something like a JSU or KV?
Thanks
Euan
Spiderfrommars
Visit this Community
Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 12:08 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What about this huge Russian bear?



Sorry SpiderFromMars, but your pics showed up as a red X. Was the Russian Bear something like a JSU or KV?
Thanks
Euan


So strange

Aniway, yes... it was the JSU 152 . You can do some interesting wathering jobs on it
SovietBoy22
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: September 04, 2011
KitMaker: 461 posts
Armorama: 452 posts
Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 08:31 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What about this huge Russian bear?



Sorry SpiderFromMars, but your pics showed up as a red X. Was the Russian Bear something like a JSU or KV?
Thanks
Euan


So strange

Aniway, yes... it was the JSU 152 . You can do some interesting wathering jobs on it


I've got the JSU. It's a fantastic kit. I won best of show last year with it (Check out the pic in my profile, picture quality is pretty bad )
Thanks
Euan
 _GOTOTOP