Gino Quintiliani takes a look at the recently released Trumpeter 1/35 PT-76 Amphibious Tank.

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Thanks for posting it Bill. I hope to get to the build-review of it soon. I hope it is beneficial to anyone thinking about getting it as well.

Having built the other PT-76 by Trumpeter, I'll tell you the lows... The PE for the front headlight guars have to be bent in a specific way, Trumpeter does not give you any clues about that. If you are not a PE expert (like me), that's a bad problem, the left guard for my kit is KIA.

The other problem I found was the tracks. Simply put, they are not nice at all IMHO. Too much rubber like, when you put them on they make everything look like a toy. If only Trumpeter also gave link&length or one piece tracks with the kit... I can't find MasterClub tracks anywhere, it's all out of stock.

Other than these, it's a rather comfortable simple kit one can build easily in a short time.

By the way, what differences does this one have compared to the other PT-76 which I own?

I haven't built it yet, but thought the PE bending guides and instructions are more than most companies give you. PE can be daunting, but with some practice, can be easily mastered. The tracks look adequete as well. They are molded better than most rubber-band tracks. Once painted and affixed, they should be fine.

Which other kit do you have? Trumpeter has 3 PT-76 variants on the market.

The PT-76 Model 1951 is the first version with a multi-slotted muzzle brake and no bore evac on the main gun. The PT-76B was a late version with a stabalized gun, which is also slightly different in the barrel design, with a slotted muzzle brake and bore evac, like the one I reviewed.

I have the first one they released. I haven't finished it yet, but it seems like a generally easy build.

The only thing I didn't like about it is the wire hand-rail that goes on the turret. I'm having a hard time bending it with the correct curve according to the drawing in the instructions.

I'd like to paint it in desert color, as in some Arab country or smething, but I can't find any pics of one. Seems funny.. me being in Egypt!!

Does anyone have any pics of this vehicle in any arab army service?

I have the 1951 version with the different muzzle-break. I take that there are no other visible distinctions? I do like Soviet vehicles and the PT-76 in particular (a strange looking tracked bathtub with a gun, what more could you ask for? ).

The PE might be my thing(I am very new at it) but I insist on not liking the tracks I can't exactly tell it in English, but somewhow the tracks keep their vinyl rigidity, they don't fit around the curvature of the road wheels so well. I agree on the quality of detail though... But still, I am a devoted enemy of vinyl tracks, so my impressions do not count

I hope Trumpy brings out the long promised T-62 and gives us more Soviet stuff.

Gino-- good run down. I had that old Glencoe one that stunk to the high heavens. I might try this one. Looking forward to seeing your build review.
thanks
DJ

Gino, send me the thread link by PM when you start on this one and I'll add it to the review.

Hi,

I've been looking at this kit and was wondering if anyone noticed that the front nose seems a bit too short in lenght!
it could very well be that I'm going nuts.. but something about the front section dosen't look right!...I was wondering if anyone noticed this!

Best,
Nick Cortese

Hi Hisham,
According to Wikipedia (which as we all know is infallible) Egypt did operate the PT-76 at one time, though whether they still do, I don't know. I couldn't find any pictures of this tank in Egyptian service. The article has a photo of a captured PT-76 in an Israeli museum, but I think it might have been repainted (I really hate it when exhibitors do that).
Trumpeter's PT-76 (00380, the one in the review) comes with markings for an unidentified Arab country (I hate it when they do that, too. Tell us whose tank it is, guys! ).
The website "IDF Modelling" has some photos of PT-76s other modellers have built. Go to "Vehicle Modelling", scroll down past all the Israelis, and there is a section for Arab adversaries. You'll find a Syrian PT-76 there. I believe some Arab armies received the PT-76B also.
Have fun building your PT-76.

Being a photo etch novice, I'm a little apprehensive about the delicate headlight guards on the PT-76. Is there anyone here who could maybe post some pics, showing how the guards are supposed to be folded, and whether it requires a special tool? Thanks!

Gino has submitted an additional Build Review to go with the initial In-Box. The Build Review can be seen here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/3343. Thanks Gino!

Thanks for the build review, Gino. The kit looks good!

-YL