Jason Bobrowich takes a wide eyed look at a Legend Productions T-55 based colourful conversion.



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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Those advertising markings look really funny

http://www.truck-technic.cz/techtank.php

Here is the real one.
Firefighters here also use a similar model, I am not sure about the exact designation.

Great review, thanks Jason!

Mario

one civilian to the world famous t-55 mbt is fabolous.

If you look through the various pages on the Truck Technic site you will find lots of images of the ZS-55AM. You get a very good feeling for the roles it is employed and the weathering on the vehicle in particular the dozer blade.

Another very good reference is the Wings & Wheels Publications - T-55 In Detail; Special and Recovery Vehicles. There is a great chapter on this very vehicle.

http://wwpbooks.com/product.php?id_product=122

The moment I saw this vehicle I wanted to build it. Not knowing anything about russian ARVs I was not sure about the version and the required modifications. So I was very excited when I read about Legends release of this modification. I ordered it from Hobbyeasy in Hongkong and it was delivered about two to three weeks afterwards in perfect shape and perfect declaration that saved me a pickup at the customs. Those guys seem to know their business.
I wanted to write a review myself and took the pics for that just yesterday. No need for that anymore as Jason did a great job on that. Only my 2 cents on one or two details. While casting quality is generally excellent with very crisp detail I did find one or the other bubble here and there. Easy fixes though and not a lot. I agree that copper cables would have been fine not least as the rope in my kit startet to disintegrate already.
The only point my experience differs from the review are the modellkasten T-72 tracks. While the outside is very detailed and construction is simple, every track link has two push out marks that are definitely visible and on closer examination as well small sink marks. Cleaning up is a bit tedinous with three sprue attatchment points to be cleaned up at each and every link. I will fill the ejector pin holes so this will require considerable additional work. I do not have the direct comparison with the equivalent Friul track but remember other tracks of them as pretty easy builds.
My grain of salt.

Thanks Jason for this excellent review (and for saving me the work )