Bit of a shame MiniArt just calls it Gondola, like Trumpeter & Dragon did before, when it comes to these types of wagons. For the boxcar it seems they had some proper research done and it refers to a real thing from the past. This future release therefore is put away like some kind of toy, it could be anything. Kind regards, Robert Jan

Robert Jan, are you saying this isn't a real railcar? Frenchy???

Not at all Bill. They must have had references, because they show us 4 painting instructions, two different wheel types and even references to locations. But there is no Type Noº (abbreviation) mentioned, like they did with their earlier Russian Boxcar. It's more like: We offer you a new kit... It's a Tank! Then everybody on this forum will ask, what Tank? Kind regards, Robert Jan

Just to make it visual. first two pictures say Gondola, but look completely different. Low board & High board. First Gondola comes from Trumpeter. No Type Noº, class or weight and also; why Hannover is mentioned is unclear to me. A city for sure, but a city name refers in this case to production, type variation, etc. No evidence found so far of Hannover type Gondola, correct me if I'm wrong. Also a Gondola, this time from Dragon. Type Noº, abbreviation Ommr, that is ok. That is a decent representation how to present a kit. Well this is what MiniArt should have done in the first place, their boxcar is ok and also Type Noº, abbreviation. However, they let us down on their next one. Kind regards, Robert Jan

Robert Jan, are you objecting to the term "Gondola"? First of all, Gondola is an English word for an open railroad freight car. Only the first Trumpeter kit is incorrect for using the term (it should be called a "flatcar").

Uh, Bill... you sure ‘bout that? —mike

Take it easy. What more you want from MiniArt? To title their rail car kits with imaginary designations? The Russian rail cars were and still are without any designations, right from the beginning and until today. So all you have here is "2-axle gondola of load capacity 15, 16.5 or 18 tons without hand brake": (Sketch fm "Reference book on USSR rail cars for normal track", 1943) BTW, the boxcar designation "NTV" isn't official. It is simply "2-axle covered car of load capacity 15, 16.5 or 18 tons with/without hand brake". However, MiniArt made some mistakes. Both cars represented in kit form are without any brakes and this automatically classify them in 16-ton class, of old production from the end of 19th century.

I never called them imaginary. I only mentioned that a Gondola description is not a type, its a name given to a group, in this open wagons. It is also very nice that you show us good reference. Now why is MiniArt not doing that? Personally I think that is a little cheap. Kind regards, Robert Jan

Thank you Ilian for the reference drawing.