It seems there’s nothing easy when it come to modern Russian tanks. Looking to see if any of the current Trumpeter kits would be suitable to do an NVA (East German) version. My read is that the T-72M is an export version of the T-72A broadly speaking? Figured a Russian armor expert here would have the definitive answer 🧐

If I understand it correctly the T-72M1 is the export version of the T-72A, the T-72M is a hybrid with the monolithic turret armor of the original T-72 but the rangefinder of the T-72A/M1. There were even different export models for WP and non WP clients. a really good overview of T-72 development is Osprey duel #18 "M1 Abrams vs. T-72 Ural". To your question Trumpeter does a T-72A that fits the bill.
https://www.scalemates.com/kits/trumpeter-09546-t-72a-mod-1979--1112484

Sean

NVA T-72M walkaround pics :

https://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/t72m/t72.htm

H.P.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. Look forward to starting this soon.

You could also wait for the recently announced Amusing Hobby T-72M1 kit if you don't mind the full interior.

Photos show the NVA using the early Ural type T-72 with the optical rangefinder and “gill” side armor panels, the next type (T-72G?) with the laser rangefinder, with or without full side track skirts and no smoke grenade launcher tubes on the turret, and the later T-72M Type with the laser rangefinder, smoke grenade launchers, and side skirts.
Personally I like the look of the earlier type with the optical rangefinder and gill armor.

Hi Carlos,
I believe the T-72G label was a early NATO designation for what turned out to be the T-72M once better information was available.
As seen in the walkaround HP linked to , the M was sometimes fitted with grenade launchers, sometimes not.
the M turret angles straight back from the front edge

while the A/M1 turret has a chamfer and then step at the front edge that is often hard to see as the conduit for the grenade launchers runs right along the edge of it


If you really want to go in depth, here https://thesovietarmourblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/t-72-part-2.html#prot

Sean

Yes, my mind still runs off the old NATO designators from the Cocord/Zaloga book on T-72 variants: T-72A, B, G/M, M1, M2, etc. Old habits are hard to break at times. Especially with all the small changes that occurred visually on turret fittings and stowage such as the AA MG ammo cans and the extinguisher cases.