Kit: 84814
We purchased this kit from Hannants – you can get it too at www.hannants.co.uk
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Initial assessment…
The kit comes in a sturdy box with a coloured artwork of a white painted vehicle representing a tank of the 12th Guards Tank Regiment 1st Moscow Guards Mechanised Division, Western front, February 1942. The kit comes in light grey plastic contained in five sealed bags (8 sprues), a lower hull tub, etch brass fret for the track guard supports and a length of wire for the tow ropes, a decal sheet, a 10 page instruction sheet and finally a marking and painting guide in colour.
The tub appears well detailed and the axle fixing holes are hexagonal in shape so care will be needed to get them all in the correct position. This will ensure the vehicle sits flat on the ground. The wheels are in two parts and should cause no problems. The tracks are well defined and come in length and link with the longer runs already having the track sag moulded in. The links round the drive and idler wheels are assembled on a jig provided in the kit (what a good idea). I feel that the tracks will have to be installed prior to the track guards being fitted as it looks like a very tight fit (More on this in the build, due to start soon in Build Now). The turret is nicely moulded, the gun is in one piece but on the review it has mould lines down both sides which will need cleaning up. I have never had perfect results doing this so would hope there is a metal barrel to replace this item.
Accuracy…
I have no plans for this vehicle so will not comment at this time. Having said that, there’s nothing obvious that niggles.
Fit…
Dry fitting the main hull components was fine after a little clean up of small amount of flash on deck plates but nothing to worry about.
Quality…
The quality of the moulding is very good and the injection pin marks are kept to out of site places once the model is assembled. The detail is excellent as is the “thinness” of some of the moulding. The etch set will enhance the track guards as they are very good.
Instructions…
The instruction sheet is well laid out and easy to follow. Confirmation or not of this when the build is done.
Decals…
These are of the water slide variety and are two colours, red and white, which looks very nice and thin. Again this will be looked at on the assembly.
Assessment…
This looks to be a very well detailed kit which I think will go together without too much trouble. The quality is first class and this should build into a great replica straight from the box. The one area of caution is to make sure that the tracks are fitted before the guards as I feel you will not get them to fit otherwise. I would like to see metal barrels fitted as standard to all kits but this is just my preference.
Well done Hobby Boss – Highly Recommended
Bill C.