I just purchased Zvezda's T-72A. As I understand it, it is based on Dragon tooling essentially being a rebox (though interestingly, all the sprues and large parts like the turret are stamped Zvezda--they at least reworked the molds). I seen for sale a T-72G/M and a T-72M2 by Dragon. Any idea what the Zvezda equivalent would be? I don't want to end up purchasing the same kit twice. Zvezda has 3, T-72A, T-72B, and T-72B w/ERA (or is it T-72A w/ERA?).

From my understanding (I may be off here), the T-72M is really a T-72B. The mix up occurred due to Western/NATO naming the vehicle before the Wall came down and the actual variant name was given.

I believe the "M" is used to denote modified. When a second modified version appeared then the number M2 came into being.

The T-72G/M was a Western designation of the T-72M (now known as T-72B) that was outfitted to East German specifications. So these are really T-72B as well.

The "G" here is used to denote that it is a German variant. These are the variants we received from the West German government after Germany reunited and the former East German army absorbed into the Bundeswehr.

Does my explanation make sense?

Hey Rob, good start.

I think this is the correct setup, but I am not looking through my stuff, so it is off the top of my head.

DML kit of G/M is of the Export version of the T-72. This would the T-72A from Zvezda

The DML kit of the T-72M2 is a T-72B

The DML kit of the T-72 SMT... w/ERA is the T-72B w/ERA.

Thanks. That helps clarify. Though what is the primary difference between the T-72A and T-72B(Using Zvezda's nomenclature)?

The main difference is the T-72B is better armoured. It has better frontal turret armour and has a rein/plastic armour applique added to specific parts of the upper hull and turret to aid in protecting the crew from radiation.

basically, for the kits.

So the T-72B kit definely has a different turret and maybe some add on armor for the hull?

Without looking at the kits, the big difference you will notice is the turrets are different. Otherwise they may be the same hull, I would have to look at my kits.

If you bought all three Zvezda kits, you should have three different T-72's without worry.