The model consists of 9 sprues of dark yellow plastic, 2 frets of PE, 6 vinyl tires, and a metal barrel. There are no decals.

The instructions are clearly drawn for the most part, and consist of twelve pages with thirteen steps, plus a parts map. There is also a color profile sheet.

The molding is crisp and free of flash, pin marks, and sink marks. The model is very well detailed and engineered, and the fit is extremely good throughout, except for the PE brackets for the splinter shield (more below).

The model consists of the gun and a towing limber. The gun may be built in the firing or towing position. The instructions call out options between the two. The towing arms on the gun can be left movable if you so desire.

A metal barrel is provided for about the middle 1/3 of the gun tube. A plastic alternative is also included. The gun breech may be shown open or closed. The gun tube also may be elevated.

The hardest part of the build (for me, at least) was attaching the splinter shield to the gun. In fact, I failed. There are four photo etch attachment brackets. I wasn’t able to get the two upper brackets bent to the proper shape. In repeated tries, I managed to break the lower brackets. In order to finish the review on time, I simply sat the shield in place for the pictures. This may all be due to error on my part.

The kit makes into a nice model and it looks great behind any of Trumpeter’s artillery tractors. I highly recommend it to any fan of artillery or Soviet armor in general. With the possible exception of the PE shield brackets, any modeler with moderate photo etch experience will have no problem here.

I would like to thank MMD-Squadron for supplying the kit and IPMS-USA for chance to review it.