I have recently received five sets of Lion Roar PE for review, courtesy of Lion Roar, Track-Link, and Saul Garcia. These sets should be available through VLS in the very near future. In general, the sets are well-packed, having the PE taped to separate pieces of cardboard, in separate plastic bags. The instructions are well laid-out, although at this point only with Chinese text. Placement of the parts is obvious, with a few exceptions.
Leopard 2A5 (LE 35010, for Tamiya):
This set has a good coverage of parts. There are nice screens for the engine deck and exhausts, as well as for the camo net bins. The saw and smoke discharger chains/caps will be very useful, as will the ammo bin and ammo for the MG3. Also included are pieces for the front and rear mud flaps. The usual tool clasps, handles (flat, I won’t be using those) and other detail bits round out this set. The coverage of this set is similar to the PE in the Eduard set, which has a few more parts to it, and different detail on various parts, as well as wheel masks, which are not included in the Lion Roar set. My only price reference is Modelmania in Australia, where this set sells for around US$16, a good price, compared to the US$23 retail price for the Eduard set. Highly recommended.
Type 89 Anti-Tank Gun (LE 35019, for Trumpeter):
This set includes very nice engine screens and fender braces, as well as a lot of toolbox clasps. In addition, there are headlight covers, and chains for the smoke dischargers (these will stand out nicely). For the turret, the majority of the parts goes to the big stowage racks on the turret sides; each bin is to be made out of about two dozen pieces of PE! They’ll look impressive when done, but I’ll have to gather some courage to start these… Some pieces to detail the machine gun and the episcopes/sights on the turret would have been nice, but overall this is a very good set. Highly recommended.
Type 83 Self-Propelled Howitzer (LE 35021, for Trumpeter):
The hull gets good coverage in this set, including very nice engine screens and fender braces, as well as a lot of toolbox clasps, and headlight covers. Unfortunately, that’s about where it ends, as there are no pieces whatsoever included for the turret. It would have been nice to have had at least some pieces to detail the machine gun and the episcopes/sights on the turret, especially since this set sells for the same price as the Type 89 Anti-Tank Gun set (LE 35019), which has quite a bit more to offer. Recommended with reservations.
Challenger II (LE 35024, for Trumpeter):
Very nice set of engine screens; it appears in the instructions as though you have one spare screen, but you do need all of them. The exhaust ports are provided, with separate louvers, which should look very cool. Also included are fire extinguisher straps, fuel tank straps, and a splash guard for the hull. For the turret, the main parts are the commander’s sight (to be used together with Trumpeter parts), CIPs (5-7 pieces per panel, should look sharp), and the thermal imager to put over the main gun, which is one big piece with details. A few Trumpeter parts still need to be added to this, but this is not apparent from the Lion Roar instructions. This set will be an excellent complement to my Accurate Armour Challenger II Operation Telic conversion, as the PE in that set mostly focuses on the resin bits, and doesn’t cover a lot of what is in this Lion Roar set. Highly recommended.
JGSDF Type 89 IFV (LE 35025, for Trumpeter):
This is an excellent set. It starts off with well-done engine grills, followed by the exhaust, with 33 (!) separate louvers. Protective mesh for the headlights is included, to replace the not-so-great nylon mesh in the Trumpeter kit, as well as the usual mud flaps, episcope covers, straps, tool clasps, and other detail bits. For the turret there is bolt/hinge detail for the gun mantlet, there are sight covers for the commander’s and gunner’s sights, and details for the ATGW launchers. The smoke dischargers get the royal treatment, with new mounts, as well as chains. Very highly recommended.
Cheers
Olaf
