Like a lot of kit manufactures Meng supply string to represent the tow cable. However I came across a Polish company called Eureka which hand-makes scale diameter towing cable in many sizes. You can appreciate here the difference in realism that the copper tow cable makes against the kit supplied string. The holes in the kit towing eyes needed drilling out to a slightly larger diameter to facilitate the after- market cable.
The gun barrel is constructed in three main sections. A front and rear main barrel assembly which both come in two halves with a centre solid bore evacuator. The barrel assembles beautifully. Here the front barrel section has been cleaned up using sanding pads
A periscope and sighting system for both commander and gunner are provided and are nicely detailed. Unfortunately, no other interior is provided, leaving a rather empty turret bar the scopes!
The pieces of the ESSA night aiming system prior to construction. It all fits together very nicely. Once again the transparent blue is applied to the rear of clear part.
The gun mantlet is provided in a two piece construction to which a soft vinyl part is provided to recreate the gun mantlet covering. This simply slips over the mantlet and affixed with Cyano glue. The gun turret has had some of it’s reactive armour fitted
Once again, the IR Shtora lights are nicely constructed items with clear parts for the lenses. A drop of Tamiya Smoke is added to the rear centre of the lens before applying the clear red.