Royal Model No. 368, Soviet T-34/76
Mod. 1940 in 1/35-scale photo-etched brass
by Frank De Sisto
Contains three frets and instruction leaflet in four steps. Price: $38.00
USD, plus shipping.
This is a rather complete set for the recent DML kit of the T-34 Model
1940 and could also be easily used with the later Model 1941 kit.
Fret “A” contains full front, side and rear fender/mud guard
assemblies, replacing those in the DML kit. It also includes shovel head,
completely new storage boxes with separate lids and handles, as well as
hinge and lock details. There are grills supplied for the upper deck,
left and right sides of the engine compartment and the screens for the
main engine deck air exhaust hatch. Several smaller detail parts such
as periscope covers, headlamp mounts and panoramic sight covers for the
turret hatch complete this fret.
Fret “B” contains 12 ice cleats and all of the smaller hooks
and cleats used to hold various items of stowage to the fenders and hull
sides. There are also several triangular plates used on the interior parts
seen below the various intake and exhaust grills. Other parts help detail
the fenders.
Fret “C” contains many of the small straps and hinges used
on various parts of the vehicle, as well as the frames for the engine
exhaust hatch screens. It also contains the movable louvers seen not only
below the exhaust screens, but those seen below the intake grills as well.
This is the first time I have seen this particular detail attended to
in an after-market etch set.
The quality of the etched brass (which is plated) is excellent. There
are bend lines where appropriate and there are also several places where
the parts are designed to be burnished from behind, to represent reinforcing
ribs. Unfortunately, this last step is never called out in the instructions,
so the modeler really must know what he is about when tackling this set.
The instructions are rather crammed with information and would be easier
to follow if they were broken down into a few more discreet steps. However,
a careful modeler should be able to get through. A novice may easily go
astray. Also, due to the length of the fender parts (nearly 5.5-inches)
a purpose-designed photo-etch bending tool is strongly recommended to
ease the process and avoid unsightly kinks in the parts.
Altogether, this is a well designed and thought out set and should provide
everything a modeler would wish to add to the already outstanding DML
kit.
Recommended.
As well as manufacturing their own line of resin kits and conversion
sets, Chesapeake Model Designs (CMD) is the US Importer and distributor
of Royal Model products, and will ship worldwide. For more information
see their web site at: www.chesapeakemodels.com.
Phone/fax number is: 410-357-5496, email: bill@chesapeakemodels.com.
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