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Hosted by Darren Baker, Mario Matijasic
VIDEO
Unboxing the Tamiya Tiran 5
staff_Jim
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 10:44 AM UTC
A brief history of this Soviet-built and IDF modified tank is provided as we show you what''s in the box and some up-close and personal kit photos.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
CMOT
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 11:37 AM UTC
As the Tamiya T55 kit is still highly regarded it looks promising for this offering. The moulding look good and even the crew has promise. The only thing I wish Tamiya would change is their use of the nylon mesh instead of photo etched parts which I believe would be an improvement. The way you are doing these videos now are well laid out.
cdharwins
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 11:44 AM UTC
Nice job on the video, Jim.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 12:15 PM UTC
Good job Jim. Ilike the format. Keep them coming.

I agree on Tamiya's use of mesh though...outdated. The same can be said about their one-piece, rubber band tracks.
grunt136mike
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 01:49 PM UTC
Hi Jim;
Real Nice Job !!!
This looks like Another nice kit from Tamiya on there T-55 series, im wondering if they will follow up with another in the
same theme.
I also agree with the others about the engine screens, altho there are plenty of A.M. sets that replaces these with P.E. !
And there are Trumps tracks that you can use also, and a Metal Barrel is a Must Have. This is another kit that lends it-self open too Super Detailing real easy. CHEERS; MIKE.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 02:15 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I also agree with the others about the engine screens, altho there are plenty of A.M. sets that replaces these with P.E. !
And there are Trumps tracks that you can use also, and a Metal Barrel is a Must Have. This is another kit that lends it-self open too Super Detailing real easy.


Got it, but I shouldn't have to buy all these extras with a modern kit, especially for the premium prices Tamiya is asking.

grunt136mike
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 03:49 PM UTC
Hi Gino;

I Agree it would be nice, Tamiya is famous for giving great details on some of there kits and then Cheats us on some other items in the same kit, ie; The T-72 engine screens are P.E. and then the other in-take screens are the cheep stuff.
So Go Figure, now i know there has too be a trade off on some things, but we cant have everything.

CHEERS; MIKE.
didgeboy
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 04:49 PM UTC
I like the history and the slide show, think it adds a nice touch and a bit of personality to the video. Would love to see more of this in the future. Cheers.
WARLORD
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HISTORICUS FORMA
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Posted: Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 08:59 PM UTC
A brief history is a nice addition. Besides I like this new format with a slide show. I think this is the best video reviews of yours. As for the kit, it would be nice to have all 'extras' (better tracks, metal barrel, P.E.) in the box, especially the the price is rather high. At least all Tamiya kits are well engineered with perfect fit (at least in most cases), very good instructions and rather easy assembly. And these are calculated in their prices.
armouredcharmer
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Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 05:33 AM UTC
Can people please stop slagging off this kit because it comes with vinyl tracks,i for one CANNOT do plastic tracks and I cannot afford A/M ones either so for me this is a plus not a minus.
I do our beloved hobby as a way of escaping the world outside,if I`d wanted to do something tortuous I`d take up Sudoku instead !.I know vinyl tracks don't replicate the sag of real tracks but to me that`s just "rivet-counting",this I leave to perfection-ists,i think Tamiya should just be applauded for bringing out a state-of-the-art kit of this main battle tank.

Rant over - Rounds complete !!
CMOT
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Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 06:21 AM UTC
Danny I do not believe the model is being "slagged off" as you word it. Tamiya still has one of the best T55 models if not the best from memory. I believe the crux of the observations is that Tamiya could have greatly increased the appeal of the model with the addition of some minor photo etched parts and the option of individual track links or link and length tracks that would also increase its appeal to many, that in no way means that Tamiya could not also offer the vinyl tracks much as Trumpeter do in some of their offerings like the KV1 and 2 models. What the main issue is I believe is that Tamiya kits; newer ones at least command a price similar to DML products, and it is felt that for the money there should be a few more bells and whistles in the box.
hugohuertas
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Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 07:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

I also agree with the others about the engine screens, altho there are plenty of A.M. sets that replaces these with P.E. !
And there are Trumps tracks that you can use also, and a Metal Barrel is a Must Have. This is another kit that lends it-self open too Super Detailing real easy.


Got it, but I shouldn't have to buy all these extras with a modern kit, especially for the premium prices Tamiya is asking.



Agree 100%
But as always a lot of people will generously forgive Big T shortcomings and justify to buy a number of AM stuff for a 50+ bucks kit...
hugohuertas
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Posted: Saturday, June 15, 2013 - 07:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Danny I do not believe the model is being "slagged off" as you word it. Tamiya still has one of the best T55 models if not the best from memory. I believe the crux of the observations is that Tamiya could have greatly increased the appeal of the model with the addition of some minor photo etched parts and the option of individual track links or link and length tracks that would also increase its appeal to many, that in no way means that Tamiya could not also offer the vinyl tracks much as Trumpeter do in some of their offerings like the KV1 and 2 models. What the main issue is I believe is that Tamiya kits; newer ones at least command a price similar to DML products, and it is felt that for the money there should be a few more bells and whistles in the box.


DITTO
No slagging, just complaining trying to get the better posible choice for our hardly-earned money...
On the other hand, what is this alleged "rivet counting" stuff??
If anyone is not able to deal with link by link tracks, I guess he/she may not be able to build some of the kits that include PE details.
Well, that's the current trend of this hobby, and its in a way the answer to the demands of customers.
Big T kits of the 70's usually had a part count below or around a hundred pieces, and now we can find kits with hundreds of parts... Should we ask to go back to simpler kits due to easy of build?
Don't think so...

Back to the Tiran kit, great review!!!
:-H
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