Above the compartment containing the detailed winch and surrounding interior (below the turret of a the gun tank) there is a box structure which has some storage boxes on the insides but the rest is largely open. This structure is covered by a wood decking which in real life seems to be split into six (6) panels.
Takom have decided to replicate those six panels as one single part with wood texturing only on the top side.
There are no alternative parts.
If one would like the interior of the winch compartment to be visible, it would be a real shame otherwise, this wood decking part (S2-1) needs to be split into the six parts.
Part S2-15 which is a support beam across the opening also needs be be adjusted since it has three horizontal tabs which fits into the underside of the decking (S2-1).
Going to all the trouble and expenses to recreate the interior (torsion rods for the suspension, longitudinal beams, winch, et.c et.c) and then closing it all off and not including alternative parts, six pieces to replace S2-1 and one for S2-15 (the beam).
What were they thinking? There is not even an explanation in the assembly booklet about how to modify the parts. Most or all model builders will work this out for themselves but they could have gone the extra yard or two (it is definitely not a whole extra mile).
The box is double size and jam packed with sprues but a measly 7 pieces of plastic are not there ....
The steering gear and final drives, driver & co-drivers positions, engine room, detailed engine and coolers are all there. The engine hatches are separate pieces so the engine room can be shown. Drivers compartment is also open so I CAN NOT understand this cold hearted treatment of the winch compartment ...
Accurate Armour have or had a conversion set to make a VT-34:
https://accurate-armour.com/aa-products/135th-conversion-sets/c012
Someone wrote a review/presentation of this somewhere and wrote something like: Whoever builds this closed up has no soul.
I sort of feel the same about Takoms choice to not include anything, no plastic and no instructions, to be able to display the winch compartment.
Looks like a LOT of model building joy though
This will be fun
/ Robin
