Airfix Model World – July 2018

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

T-80UM1 MBT

INTERMEDIATE BUILD

T-80UM1 MBT

52 Airfi x Model World

d

esigned as the Soviet

Union’s first third-

generation main battle

tank (MBT), the T-80 was

an advanced project, and the last

such vehicle produced before that

nation’s fracture in 1991.

It involved fitting a gas turbine

engine into a T-64 chassis,

and while initial versions were

unsuccessful, further development

yielded the T-80, which entered

service in 1976 as the first MBT

with this powerplant type. The

T-80U (U for ulushcheniye —

improvement) was introduced

in 1985, and by 1991, more than

4,800 T-80s were in service with

the Soviet Union, but they never

fulfilled their intended role of

smashing through NATO lines

and advancing across Europe.

Instead, the type’s sole combat

was during 1994’s First Chechen

War, where they fared poorly in

urban combat, being vulnerable

to rocket-propelled grenades. The

T-80UM1, known as the Bars (snow

leopard) was the final variant (with

improved reactive armour and fire-

control equipment, and the Arena

active protection system), before

emphasis shifted to the T-90 and

ultimately T-14 Armata.

Massimo Santarossa

finds lasting impressions

are more important

with Modelcollect’s T-80

main battle tank

Massimo Santarossa

finds lasting impressions

are more important

with Modelcollect’s T-80

main battle tank

 In addition to the basic styrene, Modelcollect packed the box with extras, which included
PE and a turned metal barrel. The former’s grilles added much to the model’s appearance,
while the latter eased construction immensely.

 To improve the look of the turret’s cast texture, it was coated with Testors’ liquid glue,
and while the plastic was still soft, it was stippled with a stiff paintbrush. This produced a
suitably roughened surface and could be reworked until the desired effect was achieved.

 As the turret was designed to cater for several variants, there were notches and

recesses that required filling. Those along the lower edge received putty, while others were

filled with heat-treated sprue, before being neatened by sanding.

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