Trumpeter 1/35 T-72M1 MBT Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The T-72 main battle tank was developed from the T-62 series and replaced all the previous tanks on the Soviet and Warsaw Pact battlefield. With a crew of three, driver, gunner, and commander, the tank uses an autoloader to cycle ammunition through the main gun. As the T-72 continued to evolve, the T-72M series was developed in the early 1980s for production in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and India. A simplified version of the Soviet production T-72A, the T-72M series had a simplified NBC system, and improved armor protection.

Molded in gray styrene, this kit is presented on 18 parts trees (duplicate trees not shown) plus seven trees in rust color,, three frets of photo-etched parts, and assorted vinyl tubing..

Among the features and options:

• Detailed lower hull and suspension
• Detailed upper hull/glacis plate
• Detailed engine deck
• Detailed fenders and side skirts
• External fuel cells have plumbing into the engine compartment
• Crew hatches can be positionable but are portrayed closed in the instructions
• No interior details provided
• Detailed turret exterior
• Lots of tiny parts used in this kit
• Turret is positionable, gun elevation is not

The box art is interesting - the vehicle is portrayed running through the battlefield in what appears to be Ukraine, though aside fron a string of concrete pyramids in the background, there is no other distinguishing features in the artwork.

The track links are snap-together, with 96 links used in each track set.

If you want a detailed shelf model of this potent tank, this is the kit you seek. While not designed for figures, it wouldn't be difficult to wedge a commander into the turret and perhaps a driver head in the lower hatch. In any case, you have have a straight vanilla T-72M1 out of the box with this release.

My sincere thanks to Model Rectifier Corporation for this review sample!