At the end of February I received my two boxes of the new T-55s from the Plastic Soldier Company. Due to other commitments (alas real life gets in the way of models all the time) I haven't had chance to do a review to date so here's a preview.
I have assembled the first pair of T-55s as modernised T-55AMs - these have more gadgets and attachments to make them more effective on the modern battlefield. These additions include additional armoured 'cheeks' on the turret, a unique barrel for the main gun and distinctive side skirts. The models went together well but I had to use reference photos (cheers Google) to try to get most of the turret furniture as correct as possible. A particular challenge was the smoke grenade launcher on the right hand side.
Keeping with the remainder of my Soviet forces I am painting the tanks in Tamiya acrylic XF-73, a greyish green that I really like. I have recently inked the base coats in GW Athonian Camoshade (dark green ink) which has really helped to bring out the details on them.
In my OHW Team Yankee wargaming rules I will keep these particular tanks flexible, to be considered as main battle tanks or medium battle tanks as necessary. This saves me both space and short term expense buying other Soviet MBTs. The other four T-55s will be made up as older T-55As - that way they can be used as medium battle tanks in Team Yankee, but are also able to be employed in earlier wargaming periods, eg as NVA tanks in Vietnam.
No comments:
Post a Comment