Model Military International – September 2019

20 Model Military International - September 2019

KIT PREVIEW Meng Model 1:35 Russian Air Defense Weapon System 96K6 PANTSIR-S1 • Kit No. SS-

M

eng has been bringing

out some really nice

models of some great

modern subjects

recently, and here is another, the

Pantsir-S1.

This one is a whole lotta model

in the box.

This weapon system is based

on the KAMAZ-6050 8x8 cross

country trucked with the Tunguska

gun/missile air defence system,

which includes two 2A38m 30mm

AA guns and 12 57E6 series

surface to air missiles.

The guns have a firing rate of

2500 RPM per gun, a range of

4 km and altitude of 3 km. The

missiles have various versions with

a range up to 20 km and altitude of

15 km, making this a very effective

weapon system.

This vehicle has been deployed

to some local conflicts and is also

in use in Iraq and Syria.

Looking inside the box, one is

greeted with a whole lot of plastic.

A total of 15 sprues of tan plastic

and one in clear are included.

There are also two decent sized

photo-etch frets, mesh grills, and

nine vinyl tyres, adding up to a

total of 759 parts. There is also

a small decal set for six options,

a colour profile sheet with the

six variants and lastly, a 44 page

instruction book, which is easy to

understand and well illustrated.

The plastic parts themselves

are very clean, requiring minimal

cleaning and preparation - a good

indication of a kit that will go

together well.

Going through the instructions

further, the build begins with the

chassis and running gear, which

includes the motor, transmission

and the whole drive line. This part

of the build goes over the first

stages with a heap of work. Next it

goes onto the vehicle cabin with a

complete interior over two stages

followed by mounting it onto the

chassis and also placing on a large

fan system.

The next two stages are building

the crew compartment using

some of the included photo-etch.

This seems fairly straightforward.

Over the next five stages we are

building both the turret base and

the power supply module, again all

straightforward, just ensure good

alignment of main structures.

The following eleven stages

cover the upper turret search

radar, gun assembly, rocket

launcher assembly and the

photoelectric sensor assembly.

It is important to mention to

take note of the instructions all

throughout construction, and

make sure you decide early on

which variant you want to build. As

mentioned there are six options,

all with differences, but these are

clearly marked as you build.

Now being on the home stretch

there are just the loading platform

assemblies to build and put in

place.

With all this done, you can now

fit the turret, and you have finished

building. Now get out those paints

and give it some life!

As for colour schemes, there are

two plain green Russian vehicles,

two in camouflage schemes, one

winter and the other a tri-colour,

also Russian. Next there is an Iraqi

vehicle and lastly in plain Sand, one

from Syria.

Overall, I think this is one great

kit, especially if modern Russian

subjects are your thing. There’s

plenty to build, great options, and

stunning detail. Meng has come up

with a beauty yet again. ■

Thanks to Meng Model for the

sample http://www.meng-model.com

KEEP ON TRUCKING!

Meng has

released the

truck-based

Russian Air

Defense

Weapon

System 96K

PANTSIR-S1.

Andrew

Judson takes

a look at the

contents.

Vinyl tyres. Optional

resin wheels are

available from Meng.

The decal sheet.

The truck cab.

Nice interior detail may be showed off thanks to

poseable cab doors.

Full length chassis rails.

Moulding quality is excellent.

Some amazingly delicate moulding is included.

The kit’s clear parts.

One of the kit’s two photo-etched frets.