I' m in the mood but I have seen good reviews for both. Are their any opions based on actually seeing both built as to the better kit?

I've had the chance to build both, and without a doubt the choice would be the Zvezda kit. The combination of great overall parts fit with excellent surface detail and ease of build clinch it for me. I personally really like this kit. It has a decent parts count without going over the top. Their excellent moulded track sections make what is normally a tedious job a walk in the park, both runs were assembled
in less than 15 minutes. One potential criticism by some would be the lack of any photo-etch parts, especially for the engine deck grilles. Two vinyl mesh sheets are included for this, which produce a convincing effect which I was personally happy with. In my opinion the Panda offering falls short of the Zvezda kit in a number of ways. Best avoided.

Hi;

"Well"--For Me, its Panda ! The Zvezda kit lacked to many details, and the way they laid out the part's was really weird. And it was just out of Scale, and the parts were over simplified. The Engine deck was Awful as was the Screens. Now I have built all three offering's of the T-14, and at the moment building another with the Custom Factory Unarmored turret with the Takom kit.
What it all comes down to really, is personal preference; Some just don't like Panda, while other's don't like Takom !!!

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks for the reply's. Mike you bring Takom to the mix. Is takom as good/better than Panda for the T-14 for accuracy/assembly?

Hi Greg;

"Well"--- Again its Personal Preference, as for the Three; For Me atleast its Takom ! Even tho they left off the Bottom Hull details. As for the Plastic; Takom's was just A Lil-bit better, and I went ahead and added the missing details that they forgot. Now, if your so inclined, you mite want to wait and see if either Trumpy; or maybe Meng release A T-14.

CHEERS; MIKE.

Since Trumpeter's Armata is due very soon, it's perhaps better to wait what their kit really looks like. The hull slat armour looks far more in scale than the ones of existing kits.

I was build all 3 currently available versions - Takom, Panda and Zvezda. Each of them has its pros and cons. But Panda caused the biggest negative emotions of them - with seemingly good detail, in fact, there are was lost some fairly noticeable elements, and quality is the lowest of all (the displacement of pressforms, the poor quality of casting small parts, etc.) The only plus for the Panda model is the ability to make a combat module without a casing (but at the level of fantasy, since even the available photos of some elements visible under their casing, show that they are not made in the way they appear in reality).
What will be the final version of the T-14 from Trumpeter - is still unknown. The version that they presented a few months ago (the master model of which was shown more than a year ago) had very significant visible errors even in comparison with models already produced.
It seems to me that the Zvezda is now the best choice. Despite the existing questions to the size and shape of the grilles of the engine compartment.

Sorry for my english language - i use google translator

Vladislav, Your english is fine. I work with Russian and Ukranian students every day and I use Google translate often. They have the same problems with translating my english into Russian or Ukranian. They are very forgiving.

I suppose the real question is whether to buy now or wait for the Trumpeter kit. No doubt it will have a significant parts count with reams of photo-etch to play with, but at double the price of the Zvezda offering. Time will tell if the wait is actually worth it. All boils down to personal choice.

Lucky Model listed the Trumpeter T-14 Armata on preorder about 2-3 weeks ago but since removed the entry. Is there a production delay?
There seems to be long time gap between release announcements by manufacturers and vendors. for example the Academy K2 Black Panther and Trumpeter T-84 is available on Ebay but I don't see the kits listed for sale yet on LM or Sincere Hobby sites.

Hi Guys;

Well as for Trumpy; It will Be Good, with A Big Parts Count, and Individual track & guide teeth. As mentioned already the Panda gave you the option to build the Turret Naked !! Which I thought was A Nice Touch. After building all three, and when looking at them they all have A Nice rendering of the T-14. So its going to be Personal Choice as to which one the Person Favors !!

CHEERS; MIKE.

Thanks for the advice. Now days it seams like the quality has improved to the point that sometimes there is no clear favorite. I don't intend a certain very dark labeled off shoot of Dragon as part of my response