I would like to build a couple of Syrian T-72's in a couple of dioramas, but I don't want to spend too much on base kits and AM sets. I understand that people say that Tamiya's T-72 has errors.. but are they horrible killer ones that make the kit unacceptable?

Second question.. are the ones in the two pics below basic T-72 M1's like Tamiya's kit, or would I still have to buy some AM sets for it?





Hisham

Hi Hisham;

The Tamiya kit should be just fine, if you remember the Forum talks. The Tamiya kit is Based on a very early East German (NVA) vehicle that has a early turret that's too small. Now if your not into the Accuracy thing then its fine. JD Blog on building the T-72 will explain it better than I can.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Hey, Mike.. thanks for the reply. If it's just the turret being too small, then does Miniarm maybe have the correct turret for it? I mean, if I just need to replace the turret, then it won't cost a fortune in AM sets.

P.S... I suppose Trumpeter's upcoming T-72B is a totally different vehicle? I wonder if they will be doing an M1, or something that would fit the Syrian conflict reasonably soon?
Hisham

Hello Hisham;

There are a number of turrets that you can use, again the issue is Cost. It Boils down too how much you really want too put into your Project, the Sky is the limit on how far you can go. Now the Best AM turrets are JS, Blast, Miniarm. and there are a number of others, like SBS.
For my Money it would be Miniarm, but that's just me.
The other Blogs on Syrian T-72 projects are Great.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Problem is the more I read into those blogs the more I get confused with all the different variants

I saw on HobbyEasy's site SBS has an M turret with Iraqi decals.. would that be the same as what the Syrians use? Or is it the A or the B turret?

Thanks for your help!

Hisham

Hi Hisham;

Have you read the other builds on the Syrian T-72, yes it can get a bit confusing. I think that they are M1s but you mite want too go back and look at there builds too be sure. I have built ten different versions of the T-72 all Based on the Tamiya kit, but haven't built a version of the ones used in the war in Syria. From a Personal point, I like too build Vehicles that are Different and that you don't see a lot of. I only build in 1/35 and have a Vast Collection of Armor.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks a lot, Mike.. I'll keep checking out relevant threads here.. maybe I'll make sense of it in the end

Hisham

Hi Hisham;

I not too long ago purchased one of the early Ural turret set from SBS, it is made for the Tamiya kit and is a one piece casting in resin. Its cast in a Blue resin and is Hollow and is very thin, its quite nice with fine details and was easy too adapt too the Tamiya kit.
SBS also makes a more complete kit of the T-72 that I think you mite want too look into, it has the early hull without the added front armor casted on the Glassis Plate.
Altho you have too cut away the front upper part of the Tamiya Hull, but its a more expensive conversion that you may not want too undertake. The turret that comes with this conversion set is the one I think that gives you the T-72 that you want too build, other than miniarm turrets which are quite costly.
The JS, and Blast turrets are cast in resin and are not Hollow which makes them very Heavy altho they are very accurate size wise and have great details.
I Hope this Lil-bit of info, Helps you in your Project !

GOOD LUCK; MIKE.

Thanks for mentioning the Blast turret, Mike.. never knew they did one. I checked it out and it looks really good and the price isn't too bad.. so, I think I'll go with that.

Appreciate you help
Hisham

IMHO, the easiest way to do a Syrian T-72 is to build a T-72M1 (the export version of T-72A). Use the Tamiya kit and the T-72A/M1 turret from either Miniarm or Blast. SBS's A turret might also work but it lacks the smoke launchers and cables for them.
I have the Blast turret 70% finished and it's a great product. Only PITA is the smoke aunchers: in my set, they had some miss-alignment between the mold halves were therefore uneven. I replaced them with brass launchers (Model Point; Voyager do them as well). Also, the mounting points for the launchers are not good and it takes some patience to get them aligned.
Might add that the blast turret is hollow.

Syria also use:
T-72 'Ural' (sterescopic rangefinder)
T-72AV (probably T-72M1 upgraded to 'AV standard')

T-72 'Ural'/M1/AV's with upgraded gunners sight and wind sensor, same as found on Czech T-72M4CZ tanks.
And finaly some with the above + commanders independent sight, same as found on Czech T-72M4CZ tanks.
Did I miss any..?

The SBS G turret is a version that I've yet to see in Syria.

Your first photo is probably a T-72M1, while the second is one with upgraded optics (note box shaped sight and wind sensor mast on the left side of the turret).

Cheers,
/E

Hisham, I want to build a Syrian T-72AV but I dont want to spend on AM conversions, I'm waiting , I dont know, maybe Trumpeter, to come up with a AV version.
I have built a Syrian M1 years ago (before the current war there) like in your first pic, I used the Tamiya kit.

Thanks for the additional info, Erik.

Jamal.. the problem is that the very first T-72 announced by Trunpeter probably won't hit the stores before a couple of months.. so, God knows when other variants will show up. I guess I could get Tamiya's kit for now and work on it as a kind of a practice project.. and hopefully in time, Trumpeter will come up with something like the AV that can be built as a Syrian vehicle without spending a small fortune on AM sets!

Imagine if Trumpeter actually releases a specifically Syrian T-72... I mean the Syrian conflict has been going on for around 2 1/2 years... wouldn't that make your whole year?

Will keep the old fingers crossed

Hisham

thats a long shot, but who knows.

By the way, I saw a couple of videos on Youtube with the caption saying that it's of a Syrian T-90... but other people replied saying that it's just a T-72 with reactive armor. Could the Syrians actually have T-90's, or is that out of the question?

Hisham