Thank you for the review, Jim. Sorry the box was not packed well and some damage occurred. I was too hurried to send it out so I just found a box that could fitted it in and sent it off. The actual shipping of the kits will be in a double layers cardboard box so damages should be prevented. I also apologise not leaving a note of some sort in the box.

Yes, this is Edward Shen, and you can consider me as the spoke person for Xact Scale. I promised to communicate with modellers here at Armorama and it's better late then never.

I did learned about some fierce discussions on the turret front armour fill areas. Whether they should be raise, levelled or recessed. My research team found all three variants on their materials. I was the guilty one if it is wrong to have the two armour plate slightly raise. I figured that it's easier to convert them to level or recess from raised instead of other wise. In our research, we found that each T-80 is like a individual handicraft for they have so many different variations regarding the casting texture and weld beads. We just went with most common ones.

We had quite a few discussion on whether we should do one piece, link by link or links and segments tracks. Eventually I decided to go with one piece tracks as long as we can obtain the same level of detail and the material we use can be assemble and paint with regular modelling glue and paint for it's much easier to build. Another reason is there bound to be some after market products for those who want real metal links track.

Lastly, the one piece gun barrel is a trail in new injection technology. I though to replicate the gun barrel and the barrel jacket in turn metal and metal parts could be quite complicated while the designer would really like to proof that he can replicate a round and straight gun barrel with one piece injection part. So I agreed. I do believe everyone should have a part of the ownership of the process.

Now that the kit is launched, I look forward to your comments and criticism. Kind words are great but they will not help us grow. Be critical with the kit and that's the only way for us to improve.

Next will be the Russian Tiger. Me and my team is working really hard to bring the kit to even higher standard and when it launches, I am sure it will generate a great amount of discussions again for there is a kit in the market to compare with.

Anyway, keep building and enjoy the great hobby.

Edward, Thank You for dropping in on this discussion. My T-80 is on its way from Hong Kong as I write this. I'm looking forward to receiving it and have one question:

Can you please provide a reference photo of the raised turret fill? You mention your research team found three (3) types, and I have only seen the recessed type which includes being on an actual tank on display.

Thanks.