Matthew Lenton build reviews Hobby Boss''s second take on the big French GCT Au-F1 self-propelled howitzer, this time mounted on a T-72.

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Thanks!

Thank you for the detailed review.. A vehicle I was interested in, but decided not to buy when I heard it was an old hull

Is there a reason why they didn't use Trumpeter's new T-72 hull? I mean they are basically the same company!

Hisham

hmmm, that is weird. when I posted the old motorized kit on my FB page the guy from Trumpeter said that HB Auf has better lower hull..now I see that only the road wheels are new... thanks for review, very informative!

Thanks for the review.




Believe me it's not a rumour, I had both kits and the old Trumpeter was a direct copy of Tamiya's kit, exactly the same sprue layout. The detail was a bit softer and they had a gimmicky sticker for the engine grilles (PE in Tamiya's kit).

Cheers,

Christophe

Hi Guys;

Yes; this is A Copy of the Tamiya T-72, same Sprues and if you look at them you can see the same parts. They even give you the 2a46 Gun Barrel and other Assortment of equipment used only on the T-72m1, they only thru in A Sprue from one of Trumpeter's T-90. Now IMHO this kit is Still Worth the Money !!!!!!! The PLUSH SIDE is that you get A Ton of extra parts that you can use on other projects, ie; the eight spoke Road Wheels, the M.G., etc; !
Even if this Vehicle was only A Trials Project, it still makes into A Nice Model. One Mite Ask Why Did they release this Kit, "Cost"! It was Cheap too Put Together, Will it Be A Show Winner ?? Probably Not! In Any Case, I Will Still Buy It !!

CHEERS; MIKE.

Not sure what the relationship between the companies is, but you can only really assume that reusing these old moulds was a cheaper option. Seems a shame especially when you consider that much of that main T72 sprue is left over in this kit.



At least this kit has some decent PE and not stickers...!

Lol, Mike, I was just writing as you posted that about how many parts are left over with this kit... I'll try to post a photo of all the spares when I can get near the PC again.

I think you're right by the way that an OK model can be made from this kit, and I'm considering buying some Trump tracks and some crew figures in order to finish it off. Also considering one of those interesting Indian army camo schemes.

I hope everyone feels the review was balanced by the way.

Hi Matt;

Now I cant Speak for the rest of the Crowd, But I thought Your revue was Spot On !! This Kit is really Interesting IMHO in that there was A Build Blog some Years Ago that was Posted on our site about this Vehicle using the Tamiya T-72 & Heller's Auf-1 and I myself made this Conversion, and Low and Behold H.B comes out and makes the Same kit. Go Figure !!
Again; Nice Job Matt and Thanks for the Revue !!!!!!

CHEERS; MIKE.