KIT PREVIEW
RPG MODEL 1:35 T-80U RUSSIAN MAIN BATTLE TANK ● KIT NO.3500158 September 2019 TMMI 287
TECHSPEC...RPG 1:35 T-80U RUSSIAN MAIN BATTLE
TANK KIT NO.35001
Materials:
Injection-moulded grey polystyrene, photo-
etched brass, metal braided cord, synthetic
rubber track connector, waterslide decals
Availability;
Available from online sourcesC
hinese manufacturer
'RPG Model' is new
to TMMI and the
T-80U is their first
release. The presentation of
the model will be a familiar
one to armour modellers;
grey polystyrene sprues
for the main parts of the
kit, fret of photo-etched
brass (engine-grille screens,
tool brackets and more), a
coil of braided copper cord
and a sheet of waterslide
markings. One surprising
inclusion is set of black
plastic mouldings for the
individual-link tracks. The
decals offer five markings-
options, four of which are
for Russian Army tanks
between 2008 to 2015 plus
one for a South Korean
machine from 2017. If you
want your model to depict
one of the T-80Us thatwas involved in the 1991
attempted coupe d'état in
Moscow, you'll need to do
some extra research for
complete period-accuracy.
The T-80's assembly
begins with the suspension,
which is designed to remain
workable thanks to synthetic
rubber 'springs' and vinyl
polycaps. These systems
in tracked vehicle kits can
often be quite delicate in
practice, so the modeller
might opt to cement-up the
running gear for strength,
but the need for this will
only become clear during
construction.
The tracks come with
moulded formers to ease
their assembly – which is
quite complex – thanks
to individual guide horns
which fix two links together.
The outer edges are thensecured with flexible vinyl
connectors. The detail
present on the tracks is
excellent and, assuming they
are robust enough to hold
together during the painting
and weathering processes,
should look very realistic
once wrapped around the
roadwheels.
The rest of assembly
continues conventionally
and as is often the case
these days, there are many
tiny parts to add to the hull
and turret along the way.
Bright lighting, fine-tipped
tweezers and a good close-up
visor will be almost essential
here. An interesting
inclusion in the box are
one-piece, moulded headlight
guard frames which are bent
from steel bars in reality
and always a challenge
to depict realistically in
miniature. They will need a
little clean-up (mostly while
still on the sprue) but have
the potential to look very
convincing and as a benefit,
obviate the tedious task of
forming them from multiple
piece of copper wire.
As a first release from
RPG Model, the T-80U
appears to be a very
comprehensive production,
with lots of tiny components
that contribute to an overall
feel of detail and pleasing
complexity. It won't be a
quick build but it does have
the potential to produce
an excellent replica of this
significant Soviet main
battle tank. ●T E C H S P E C...excellent and, assuming theytogether during the paintingtweezers and a good close-up
visor will be almost essentialone-piece, moulded headlight
guard frames which are bentwith lots of tiny components
that contribute to an overallROCKET
PROPELLED
GOODNESS!
RPG Model's 1:35 T-80U looks
rather good in the box