I’ve always been a major fan of Russian armor, and have built an embarrassing number of Russian armor kits over the years. Don’t ask me why. In any case, information for some of the interesting designs the Soviets have come up with over the years can sometimes be a bit sparse on the ground. Research being the vital aspect of modeling that it is, anything new in the field is always welcome.

Pen-and-Sword out of England now offers a lovely resource in their Fact Files series called “Tanks of the USSR 1917-1945” which covers the raw beginnings of the Russian armored forces to the stage where it becomes a force to be reckoned with on the world stage. This book covers everything from the first FT-17 based copies all the way through the heaviest, most formidable tank the world had seen up to that point – the revolutionary JS-3.

Introduction

This is part 2 of the review of MiniArt’s T-55 Mod. 1963 Interior Kit, including assembly of the turret, tracks, fenders, and the remainder of the kit. Part 1 of this review included the engine, suspension, hull assembly, hull side panels, and rear deck panels.

This kit is one of MiniArt’s T-55 variants and follows their earlier series of T-44/54 Russian tank kits. Following their previous versions, this kit is first released with full interior detailing. MiniArt has also announced an IDF Tiran version of the T-55, and a T-55A Late Mod. 1965.

David R. Higgins is the author of several military history books, including five previous titles for Osprey's Duel series. These include King Tiger vs IS-2 (Duel 37), Mark IV vs A7V (Duel 49), Jagdpanther vs Su-100 (Duel 58), Panzer II vs 7TP (Duel 66), and M48 Patton vs Centurion (Duel 71). David has also authored books for Osprey in the Raid and Combat series. David authored a hardcover book for Casemate in 2010: The Roer Battles: Germany’s Stand at the Westwall, 1944-45. David has been prolific in periodicals, having written nearly 50 articles for magazines such as Strategy & Tactics, Armchair General, World at War and Modern War, and has appeared on television's ‘Greatest Tank Battles'. David attended the Columbus College of Art & Design and received a BFA from Ohio State University. He currently lives in New Albany, Ohio.

This is a new version of the Renault UE Tankette and is the Scout version. This version has two options you can build one which has two machine gun turrets while the other has one machine gun turret and a load carrier at the rear.

The kit contains

• 3 x sprues molded in grey styrene
• 1 color guide sheet
• 1 decal sheet
• 1 instruction booklet.

Construction

Firstly you must know the instructions are in Polish which will be a problem for a novice modeler, but many will have no real trouble with the instructions.

This is a photoetch Interior set of various German WWII type tie down straps. This set has one colored photoetch sheet with both sides being colored.

In the Packet is:

• 1 colored photoetch sheet

Summary

This is a fantastic set for adding some great details to any German WWII vehicle to replace molded-on straps or to attach additional aftermarket stowage materials. There are 14 straps/tie downs included of three different colors and 6 different designs. Being steel, that are very easy to form and shape. They can even be flattened again and re-formed without the paint peeling as it does with brass.

I will be buying a few more sets for my many armor builds to come.

Thanks go to Eduard for providing this set to review and IPMS USA for allowing me to review it.