Just wondering what the quality/accuracy of Trumpeters Chinese Type 69 model?

Some parts of Trumpeter's T-54/T-55/T-59/T-69 family are useable for conversion work on Tamiya's T-55, but the Trumpeter hull is badly proportioned to allow for the electric motor, and the vinyl tracks are nothing to write home about. These kits may also appear in Wasan or Minihobby boxes.
Also, early boxings were molded in ABS instead of polystyrene, and only Plastruct Plastic Weld cement would work on it.

Have a look here: Trumpeter Fun Site

In the "kit list" section you'll find pictures of the sprues and the instruction sheet

In the "gallerie" section you'll find a few duild up models.

Is it worth it? Depend on you. If you're a rivet counter then stay away. If you're in the hobby for the fun of building scale models then it may be an interesting project. At least it would be different from the gazillion Tiger/Panther/Panzer IV and other German stuff we see on a daily basis.

I have a type 80 I paid 5.00 for, and doesn't look too awful bad. I am going to let my 14 year old have at it. It is motorized, but think he will like it.

Oops, sorry. You're absolutly right. I'll keep my mouth shut in the futur.

Hi Noel, as you probably know the trumpeter t-54/t-55 series are not the best ones...but anyway if you want to get one of them ..I would recommend you the TRUMPETER T-55 model 1958 with btu-55, its a litle more fine than the others, It's not made from ABS plastic ( so you can use your regular cement), besides you can built it like a type 69 too, and comes with a BTU-55 blade..

Regards

Instead of taking the name rivet counter as a slur or insult wear it as a badge of honour, it basically means you have the finances, skill, and will to build to an exceptionally high and accurate standard. Some of us build to pass the time and as long as it looks like the vehicle it represents and not a toy we are happy with our efforts for the most part. White4 I have followed some of your builds and been impressed with your efforts and disappointed when you have halted a build because of an error. However that doesn’t alter the fact that I have also been impressed by the less skilled that have created what I consider excellent representations of the real thing despite some inaccuracies.

Okay, guys... you've all raised some very good points about the questions regarding accuracy/quality, and equally important, about labelling.

I recently posted a question about the Trumpeter T-72 turret (in the Russo-Soviet Forum) and got some really good answers. The short of it came down to, and it appears to be sort of a general tendency for Trumpy, is that no, they're not the most accurate/correct models. Will I still build it OOB? You betcha. Honestly, I'm not skilled enough, nor do I have the resources (nor time!), to do a completely accurate build. Will I still enjoy it even so? You betcha. And to those who enjoy striving for as much accuracy as possible? Enjoy!

I suppose those of you who "count rivets" could refer to those of us who build strictly, or at least primarily, "simple modellers." I, for one, won't take offense, because we can all learn something from each other. And isn't that kind of what this whole website is about?