T-80BV with ERA

Zvezda, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Jason Woollett

Zvezda's 1/35 scale T-80BV with ERA is available online from Squadron.com

The T-80 MBT first appeared in 1985. Besides the Soviets, it was also used by China, Cyprus, Pakistan, South Korea and the Ukraine. It had numerous improvements over the T-72 that it replaced. The main two being the change from diesel to gas turbine, (as in the M1A1 Abrams) and a new 125mm main gun that could also fire the Songster AT-8 ATGW missile.

In 1987, a new version, called the T-80BV was developed, which had Explosive Reactive Armour,(ERA) fitted to the front glacis plate and turret as well as dust skirts being added to the lower front glacis plate.

ZVEZDA has now released this version to join their Soviet armour range..

So what do you get in the kit?. Six sprues, 268 pieces moulded in green plastic, link and length tracks and a small decal sheet. The instruction sheet is well laid out and comes with clear, detailed pictures that won’t leave you guessing for placement of parts. The fit of the parts is good, with the only problem being a gap around the turret when you put the top and bottom parts together. turret stowage hides most of this, but a little putty will be needed.

Three colour schemes are provided in the kit, two in Field Green and the third in a three tone colour scheme of Medium Green, Medium Grey and Military Brown. You are only given one side profile for this, which I believe will make it hard to complete with any accuracy for the other side and the front, top and rear. The box art is the only other reference that may help in this regard.

There is plenty of reference material available for this subject, so with a bit of TLC, Zvezda's kit should make a fine replica of the real thing.

Recommended.
 

Thanks to Squadron.com for the review sample.

Review Text Copyright © 2005 by Jason Woollett
Page Created 10 February, 2005
Last updated 16 March, 2005

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