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In-Box Review
135
Lenses and taillights for T-55
Tamiya T55 Enigma lenses and taillights
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

SKP Models has added another gem to their range of lenses and taillights for, I believe, the T55 Enigma from Tamiya (even though the SKP Model website just states “for the T55 from Tamiya”). This set takes the total number of lenses and taillights available to 32 and I have yet to see a bad or poor offering in this range of products.

Contents

This latest set of lenses and taillights from SKP Model are packaged in typical form, which is a single photo etched fret supplied in a zip lock bag stapled to a card containing all the relevant information.

This set lenses and taillights consists of;
• 4 sizes of red/black lenses
• 1 half round clear lens
• 1 half round photo etched backing plate
• A photo etched ring for each of the two largest red/black lights
• 3 very small orange lenses
• 5 very small green lenses

review

This set is causing me some confusion as it is my belief that excluding the very small lights that are on the vehicle there are two on the front of the hull and two on top of the turret. The two on the hull account for the half clear lens (parts 2 and 3) and one of the red/black lenses (part 4 or 6). The lights on the turret use the lenses (1 and 5) and also the photo etched rings (7 and 8), it is my belief that the smaller of the two lights on the turret should be clear rather than red/black but that could depend on the tank in question.

Try as I may I cannot find any evidence of other lights on the T55 or the Enigma that would require the 3 remaining red/black lenses in the set, please don’t take that as a complaint as I like to have items like these on hand for other projects. The red/black lenses are a brilliant way of depicting infrared lights and I doubt any other method could match these, let alone beat them. The half round clear lens will also be impossible to match as the photo etched portion behind the clear lens has a pattern which adds that reflective pattern seen in most lights.

Conclusion

This is another great product from SKP Model that will improve the look of any T55 model with the minimal of effort and at a good price. The set I have does seem to be fractionally off in placement by about 0.5mm but once the photo etched ring is placed should be next to impossible to see. I have said it before and I will say it again; I do not believe these products can be matched except by a product of the same type and to my knowledge there are no other companies producing kit specific lenses.

SUMMARY
Highs: I never fail to be impressed with how SKP Model manage to get the reflector pattern replicated in these lenses and taillights sets.
Lows: The set does appear to be fractionally off centre.
Verdict: Very highly recommended.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: SKP 183
  Suggested Retail: €6.40
  PUBLISHED: Feb 17, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Russia
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 85.13%

Our Thanks to SKP Model!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

That looks great ! I'll get at least 2 of these. But I don't know when, I made a registration at their site but they don't ship it to where I live... bummer.
FEB 17, 2013 - 06:16 AM
I am not sure if it is the same to Portugal, but there is a minimum price amount to ship to the US. If you do not meet that minimum, the shipping option will only show Czech domestic mail. I had to order 4-5 sets of lights to my basket before it worked. If not, Hobbyeasy carries SKP models I ordered some for my T-55s. Awesome stuff
FEB 18, 2013 - 03:36 AM
What are the tiny green lenses used for?
FEB 22, 2013 - 10:45 AM
Those are used on the small lights, pointing forward and on the sides, located on the glacis plate (both sides). The same lights are red at the rear of the tank. Hope this helps, Andreas
FEB 22, 2013 - 11:03 AM
I just received mine. One thing I noticed is that SKP doesn't give you the "clear" headlight option. All the lenses look like they have a sort of black-out coating but some of the pics I see of the real thing, this isn't always the case. In my opinion, the clear headlights is where SKP's lenses really stand out.
FEB 26, 2013 - 01:30 PM
   
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