Trumpeter 1/35 S-51 Self-Propelled Gun Kit First Look
by Dave Manter
| Date of Review | July 2014 | Manufacturer | Trumpeter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | S-51 Self-Propelled Gun | Scale | 1/35 |
| Kit Number | 5583 | Primary Media | Styrene, Photo-Etch |
| Pros | 100% new tooling | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $64.95 |
First Look
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This Trumpeter kit consists of 367 styrene parts on 16 sprues molded in grey and brown as well as 19 photo etch detail parts. Also included are a piece of rope and a copper cable. All of the parts are molded to near perfection as is Trumpeters normal policy. The details are very crisp and fine. There is no flash present.
Some key features of this kit are:
- Accurate B-4 M1931 203mm howitzer
- Accurate gun shield
- Accurate howitzer breech
- Link and length track with great detail and 'track sag' molded in
- Drive sprockets, idler wheels, and road wheels are accurate
- Accurate and detailed mounting of the howitzer to the hull
- Tow rings and ammo cradle are accurately molded
- Accurate KV-1S hull and chassis
- 100% new tooling
The instructions are very well written and will be easy to follow. I have built several of the previous Trumpeter KV series and am guessing that this one will also be a nice, simple build.
This release from Trumpeter came as a nice surprise for me. This kit will be quite large when finished and will stand out in your display case or on a contest table.
A massive gun on a big chassis, what more could an armor modeler want?!
My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!