Greetings everyone,

I am curious about a topic and will appreciate every information as I am slowly trying to go at a Russian vehicles collection. I have had my share of the old school Dragon kits, you know the first series starting with 35, I've built the T-80, T-72, BTR-70 and BRDM-2. Much time has passed then and I dumped the BTR-70 and BRDM-2 as they looked horrible(real low modelling skills by then).

Yesterday, I started on a BMP-2 (3503) from Dragon and have been hearing complaints only from people who has build or tried to build this kit. Looks like further trouble.

Now, I want to rebuild a T-72 and T-80 to replace the old dogs in my collection. I also want decent kits to go on building Cold-War Soviet Armor. At this point, the easiest manifacturer to reach is Zvezda, their kits are sold here in Turkey. However, I am also afraid of the fact that Zvezda might be producing and selling the old Dragon kits.

Now, can you help me out? Are Zvezda kits old Dragons in disguise or are they new kits? Are they worth it? If not, which manifacturer would you recommend? I especially want to have T-72 and T-80, possibly with ERA, BTR-70 and BTR-80 and BMPs.

PS: I also know that Tamiya produces the T-55 (which I stashed) and the T-72 (which I found expensive, it doesn't have ERA and since Zvezda also has it, I decided to ask my question).

Uh oh... Disappointing.

Well then, anywhere else to turn to for decent kits?

Money wise costly conversions or scratchbuilding.

Tamiya's T-72 is far better than Dragon's, though the turret sides are not quite angular enough when viewed from above. This can be remedied with epoxy putty, or you can buy a resin turret. You'll have to scratchbuild the ERA blocks or buy an aftermarket resin set.