ok.... but why T-72B3? Not T-72B+k5 obr 1989?

The Meng offering seems to be similar to the older T-72 variant of trumpeter (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10244450z18/70/18). While the new Trumpeter offering T-72B3M is slightly different especially the turret with the armor plates which should be 5 in each side for both the B3M and B4 variant.

How wonderfully confusing, if you're not a dyed-in-the-wool Russo-Soviet fan! Sooooo, if you're really a dedicated R-S fan, what's the solution..? Buy BOTH kits..? Buying both kits may not be a financially-feasible solution for some of us. I read in the TRUMPETER T-72B3M announcement on this site that the -B3 is really pretty much the same vehicle as the -B4..? I'm not a big R-S fan personally, so please excuse my ignorance; doesn't one kit cancel out the other? It seems to me that one would just go by preference for one manufacturer over the other, in this case. Maybe one of you guys could steer me in the right direction on this one...

upgraded fire control system, among other things. Sean

Simple trading basics, Mike : there is no way to make everybody happy... It's not that hard to work with either Meng's or Trump's plastics, it's just a matter of personal taste. But similar arguing arises between IPhone lovers and SmartPhones ones, Ford and Chevy, and so on. And in the end nobody is wrong, is just the same matter of each one's taste or preferences. For me, it is great to have so many new releases, I cannot complain if this year we end being able to choice between 8+ Abrams kits or a similar number of T-72's, f.e., even if I'm still waiting for a T-72A and M1(could not help not mentioning it) And we modelers have to complain about something, always, don't we?

Simple trading basics, Mike : there is no way to make everybody happy... It's not that hard to work with either Meng's or Trump's plastics, it's just a matter of personal taste. But similar arguing arises between IPhone lovers and SmartPhones ones, Ford and Chevy, and so on. And in the end nobody is wrong, is just the same matter of each one's taste or preferences. For me, it is great to have so many new releases, I cannot complain if this year we end being able to choice between 8+ Abrams kits or a similar number of T-72's, f.e., even if I'm still waiting for a T-72A and M1(could not help not mentioning it) And we modelers have to complain about something, always, don't we? [/quote] Re: The 8+ Abrams kits- Too bad most of them are of the same subject: the M1A2 SEP w/TUSK II. I wish the manufacturers would do some USMC M1A1 Heavy Common, M1A1HA (Heavy Armor), and the M1ABV (Armored Breaching Vehicle). Yes, DEF MODELS does a multi-media M1ABV Conversion kit, but this conversion retails at an average price of $150.00, + Shipping... We could also use new kits of the earlier M1s, equipped with the 105mm Gun, such as the M1-IP, M1, and M1A... I agree that we could use an all-new, plain old T-72A as well... PS- An all-new PLASTIC Ukrainian T84 "OPLOT". I don't think that the X-ACT T-84 "OPLOT" is ever going to happen...

I think those other variants will come. Most manufacturers now seem to maximise their investment by putting out multiple variants of a subject. It's probably just coincidence we get runs of the same version. Meng have already shown CADs for features of earlier Abrams versions, and I notice their kit's lower hull part has features molded on for earlier Abrams which get either cut off or covered up for the TUSK. Rye's Abrams has also has some early parts not used for the TUSK versions, as well as the beginnings of an interior. Trumpeter have hinted a couple of times they're working on earlier T-72s, and have announced a T-80U family which hopefully will include a T-84. So no guarantees, but the signs are good...

I think those other variants will come. Most manufacturers now seem to maximise their investment by putting out multiple variants of a subject. It's probably just coincidence we get runs of the same version. Meng have already shown CADs for features of earlier Abrams versions, and I notice their kit's lower hull part has features molded on for earlier Abrams which get either cut off or covered up for the TUSK. Rye's Abrams has also has some early parts not used for the TUSK versions, as well as the beginnings of an interior. Trumpeter have hinted a couple of times they're working on earlier T-72s, and have announced a T-80U family which hopefully will include a T-84. So no guarantees, but the signs are good...[/quote] Thanks, Ed! So there IS some hope, after all!

Hi, See preview of the meng 7-72b3 kit. LINK Kenneth