Another project I have planned is Mini Art's T-70 tank (early). Figures are included, but they don't seem to be meant to go inside the tank itself, and I have yet to find a picture of said tank with a crew in it. Any such, preferably from late 1942?

Upon starting the kit, I discovered that the molding quality isn't exactly high, I noticed the wheels were out of round. Good thing I didn't waste any valuable paint.

are you sure it is that bad? I have seen reviews that say it is a better kit than you imply:

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/ma/kit_ma_35025.shtml

http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article/miniart-t-70/3346

I would like to know if you have a different kit than they describe before I buy one.

Same kit. I'd still save my money.

Go in with eyes open, Jacques. The reviews are wrong. It is a nice kit, as kits go, but it has some fundamental errors. Fortunately, there are aftermarket parts available to correct these.

Firstly, the turret is wrong. The T-70 had an asymmetrical turret. Komplekt ZIP has replacement turrets for either the T-70 or T-70M. There were different mantlets over time, too.

Next, the suspension is "confused", for lack of a better word. The roadwheels, which are poorly shaped, are the right width for the T-70 but too narrow for the T-70M. Conversely, the tracks, which fit the roadwheels, are too wide for a T-70 but correct for the T-70M. They will not fit correct T-70M roadwheels. The tracks and roadwheels of the T-70M were wider than the same items on the T-70, not by much, but it becomes one of those things that are difficult to unsee. This was the major difference between version. Again, Komplekt ZIP has replacement roadwheels, etc. for either vehicle. MasterClub produces track links for both the T-70 and T-70M.

BTW, the same comments about the suspension apply to their SU-76M.

So do some homework, decide which tank you want to build, and get whatever set of replacement parts to build one or the other. Be careful about choosing a replacement barrel. They are not all the same.

Regards
Scott Fraser

One additional comment. The kits are very build-able out of the boxes. May not be 100% accurate, but they build up nicely. I've built the early and late and the T-80 variant. They all look nice built up.

Thank you for the heads up guys. I appreciate it.