Unimodel 1/72 SU-100 Kit First Look
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | January 2005 | Manufacturer | Unimodel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | SU-100 | Scale | 1/72 |
| Kit Number | 0334 | Primary Media | Styrene & Photo-Etch |
| Pros | Nicely detailed kit | Cons | |
| Skill Level | Basic | MSRP (USD) | $10.98 |
First Look
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The SU-100 entered production in 1944 as the Soviet's ultimate self-propelled anti-tank gun. This weapon was essentially the T-34/85 chassis with a 100mm D-10S gun sticking out of the front of the hull. The D-10S could penetrate up to 139mm of armor at a range of 2 kilometers.
Powered by a 12 cylinder diesel engine, the SU-100 could move its 31.6 tons up to 50 kph. With this level of mobility, armor and firepower, the SU-100 would routinely go cat hunting (Panthers, Tigers, etc.) and would serve in many countries after WW2 well into the 1960s.
The kit is molded in green styrene and presented on five parts trees, plus two additional rubber trees cast in black containing the rubber road wheels. A small fret of photo-etched parts is also included which contains an engine deck grille, a wood saw, and the mantlet for the hull machine gun (not used in this kit).
The first two trees contain the wheels and suspension parts. The third tree has the armored crew compartment and main gun barrel. The fourth tree has the rear engine deck and side fenders. The fifth tree has the lower hull parts.
The track sections are an interesting touch since they are more realistic than rubber band tracks and easier to manipulate/assemble than true track links (especially in this scale). The results appear to be quite nice.
The rubber road wheels are an interesting touch that will save lots of time painting the wheels. Since there are ten rubber wheels on each side of the hull, this would be convenient!
Looking over the instructions, the details of this kit are quite impressive and the SU-100 should build into a nice scale replica.
Markings are included to represent five different SU-100s:
- Number 526, 5th Guards Tank Army, Baltic 1944
- Number 911, 1st Belorusian Front, Berlin 1945
- Number 740, unit unknown
- Number 61, unit unknown
- Number 424, unit unknown
This is a nice-looking kit that is reasonably priced and not a difficult build. You can see for yourself at your local hobby establishment or you can find this kit online at Squadron Mail Order.
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!