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Яusso-Soviэt Forum: Cold War Soviet Armor
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Which T-72 turret is most accurate
Culannmac
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 06:51 AM UTC
I'm planning on building a mid 80's T-72. I have a Trumpeter T-72B kit and two aftermarket turrets.

Which one is the most accurate? I thought the SBS B turret was the worst cast, that is until I saw pics of a real T-72 B turret.

I really like the Miniarm T-72A/AV turret except the smoke grenade dischargers are the same as the B model.

Opinions would be most appreciated.





panzerbob01
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 08:53 AM UTC
Chris;

It would seem that you need to clarify your desires as to whether you want to build one of the earlier "modernized" T-72 (one of the "Ural" variants, perhaps (done to extant T-72 in 1976 - '82 or so), a T-72A or AV with the first gen "Dolly Parton" up-armored cheeks on the turret (done in the later 1970's along-side the "Ural" improvements done to non-"A" T-72's and up to ca 1984), or the further-upgraded T-72B types with the "Super Dolly Parton" heavier turret cheeks, etc. - done from ca 1985+.

The 3 turrets you show represent 2 different sets of variants! The Trumpeter "B" and that S.B.S "B" turret both represent some stage(s) in the B evolution. (Which is more accurate for which "B" variant? I frankly have NO IDEA!) The Miniarm "A" turret would, I think, be appropriate for building a LATE "A" (ca 1984 production)- but NOT a "B" of any sort (note the rounder cheeks on the A turret, which denote the lesser cheeks of the 1st gen Dolly Parton thickening). None of the 3 may be really useful for building a "Ural" variant? Urals did not have any thickening "cheeks" - far as as I know.

So, it seems to me that you likely need to decide whether you want to build up towards a late "A" - ca 1984? with the anti-radiation applique w/ or w/o ERA - or a "B" variant, which started appearing in late 1984 or 1985 (if I understand things correctly!). Most A tanks had the smoke launchers mounted forward on the turret if they had no ERA blocks. Those with ERA probably moved those launchers to the left side - as is likely, I think, appropriate with that Miniarm turret. The B variants include a fair amount of changed positions and types of gear mounted on that turret compared to Ural and A tanks, and a fair amount of change in those things over the several years of "B" production... Most of the B eventually had ERA blocks added, I think, and the smoke launchers moved from the turret front over to the left side to better accommodate the ERA mounting.

Just some convoluted thoughts!

Bob
aleluya
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 05:16 PM UTC
Only if you have some factory drawings on your hand. As far as I know..Trumpy seems have T-72 series Drawings on their hands.From what I can see here ..SBS seems made the Turret structure a bit...overdone..
Removed by original poster on 04/26/17 - 16:34:44 (GMT).
Jacques
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 09:35 PM UTC
As noted by Bob, you are comparing 3 turrets that fall into 2 different T-72 production runs.

The T-72A turret you have from Miniarm is very good...for a T-72A. It is, however, completely different from everything OTHER THAN a T-72M1, but with the turret applique, it is strictly limited to being a T-72A turret.

BTW, T-72A's come in early (no SGL's), Mid (SGL's on the front) and Late (SGL's on the left side in a group) production runs.

For those 2 T-72B turrets, the Trumpeter turret is best. The SBS turret is not bad, but it is not the "best". However, the SBS kit is better if you really want to emphasis details...like Alex mentioned, it is a bit overdone for reality, but has more "personality".

Now, for a Mid-1980's T-72, you have a LOT of options. What "look" do you want? You can have a T-72 "Ural" with the original coincidence range finder all the way up to the T-72B w/K-1 ERA. Or...(simple ID stuff, it is more complicated than this if you want to jump down that rabbit hole):

T-72 "Ural" (Coincidence range finder on right top turret)

T-72 (laser range finder added front left turret, removed coincidence range finder)

T-72M (based on late T-72)

T-72A - early (T-72 hull, -A turret, no SGL's)

T-72A - Mid (T-72A hull (more armor), -A turret, SGL's on turret front)

T-72A - Late (T-72B hull, -A turret, SGL's on left side in group)

T-72AV - kind of a group name...any T-72A with K-1 ERA as they were refitted as they came in for maintenance. Nadboi anti-radiation cladding was also refit at these times. All of this was hit-or-miss, not all T-72A's were refit.

T-72M1 (Based on either early T-72A or Mid T-72A)

T-72B - (T-72B hull, -B turret with nadboi anti-rad liner)

T-72BV - (added K-1 ERA to turret)
Culannmac
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 09:52 PM UTC
Thanks for the help. I didn't realize when I started, that mid 80s Soviet tank design was so confusing.

I'm thinking of going with the Miniarm A Turret and building a mid 80s A. The problem is the Miniarm turret has the smoke dischargers like the B model.

The hull for the A and B models are more or less the same correct?

I want to build one that looks like this:





For more confusion. Look at the road wheels



Detail of the turret






I found these pics from this website. I'm not sure if the tank in question was displayed as is after a wash and a paint job, or partially reassembled.

http://www.vitalykuzmin.net/Military/Park-Patriot/
aleluya
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Posted: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 - 11:59 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for the help. I didn't realize when I started, that mid 80s Soviet tank design was so confusing.

I'm thinking of going with the Miniarm A Turret and building a mid 80s A. The problem is the Miniarm turret has the smoke dischargers like the B model.

The hull for the A and B models are more or less the same correct?

I want to build one that looks like this:





For more confusion. Look at the road wheels



Detail of the turret






I found these pics from this website. I'm not sure if the tank in question was displayed as is after a wash and a paint job, or partially reassembled.

http://www.vitalykuzmin.net/Military/Park-Patriot/


To solve your question. My suggestion is...if you really want to build a T-72A with no problem..Trumpy may release them in near future...
well If you cant wait and just want to solve the question...
check this
T-72A fast FAQ
Jacques
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 01:01 AM UTC
What you have is a mid-production T-72A that has some late model features refit.

It has the T-72A lower hull.
It has the T-72A mid smoke grenade launcher position on the turret front
It has the T-72A late Nazboi anti-radiation liner.

To the best of my knowledge, no one makes this specific turret, ie a T-72 MID with Nazboi but the SGL's on the front. You can have a T-72A WITHOUT the Nazboi or you can have a T-72A with the Nazboi but the SGL's on the left side in a group (aka T-72A late).

Your only recourse, right now, is to either modify your T-72A turret from Miniarm by relocating and plumber the SGL's, or by getting a new T-72A Mid production turret with the SGL's on the front and adding the Nadboi ARL.

Or, as suggested, you can wait for this specific version to come out in the next few years, maybe?

long_tom
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 04:55 AM UTC
Are there even any accurate T-72 kits that are out of the box? I don't care to build any kit that needs a gazillion modifications.
aleluya
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 06:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Are there even any accurate T-72 kits that are out of the box? I don't care to build any kit that needs a gazillion modifications.


Tru05599 T-72B/B1 2in1 and future release 09555 T-72B1 smart kit version.


Removed by original poster on 04/27/17 - 01:35:59 (GMT).
RuloMxy
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 06:40 AM UTC
Don't forget Meng's T-72B3 and the soon to be release T-72B1! They both include movable torsion bars and workable tracks.
T-72B1
T-72B3
Jacques
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 07:17 AM UTC
Take your Miniarm T-72A turret and put in on your Tamiya T-72M1 hull. There were a small number of T-72A early that were refit with the 16mm plate added to the front glacis, but also had the SGL's added to the left side in a group and the nazboi added to the turret.

This is NOT a common tank, but it did exist.

Another option not mentioned is Trumpeters T-72B kit, 05598. It is a easier kit to build than many of the other mentioned, extremely well done, and a mid 1980's tank as well!
aleluya
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Posted: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 - 08:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Don't forget Meng's T-72B3 and the soon to be release T-72B1! They both include movable torsion bars and workable tracks.
T-72B1
T-72B3


For static models...movable torsion bars is not a good option...as for workable traks...mine cant survive the wash process...and I'm not the only one who has this problem.....
Personally, I Will stick with Trumpy one based on my own judge.
Culannmac
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Posted: Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 07:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Take your Miniarm T-72A turret and put in on your Tamiya T-72M1 hull. There were a small number of T-72A early that were refit with the 16mm plate added to the front glacis, but also had the SGL's added to the left side in a group and the nazboi added to the turret.

This is NOT a common tank, but it did exist.

Another option not mentioned is Trumpeters T-72B kit, 05598. It is a easier kit to build than many of the other mentioned, extremely well done, and a mid 1980's tank as well!



What about combining it with the Trumpy T-72B hull (05598). The hull looks like the hull of the T-72A I posted.
aleluya
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Posted: Thursday, April 27, 2017 - 10:25 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Take your Miniarm T-72A turret and put in on your Tamiya T-72M1 hull. There were a small number of T-72A early that were refit with the 16mm plate added to the front glacis, but also had the SGL's added to the left side in a group and the nazboi added to the turret.

This is NOT a common tank, but it did exist.

Another option not mentioned is Trumpeters T-72B kit, 05598. It is a easier kit to build than many of the other mentioned, extremely well done, and a mid 1980's tank as well!



What about combining it with the Trumpy T-72B hull (05598). The hull looks like the hull of the T-72A I posted.


it can be done if you want. all t-72A seriese from 1979 are sharing same extra structure like those B series.
MassimoTessitori
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Posted: Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 10:04 AM UTC


Quoted Text

Tru05599 T-72B/B1 2in1 and future release 09555 T-72B1 smart kit version.



Is this 'smart kit' a simplified and cheaper version of the 05599?
aleluya
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Posted: Sunday, April 30, 2017 - 04:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text



Quoted Text

Tru05599 T-72B/B1 2in1 and future release 09555 T-72B1 smart kit version.



Is this 'smart kit' a simplified and cheaper version of the 05599?


Cheaper? yes. simplified? No...what I heard from a insider who collaborating with trumpy guys, 09555 will be like:
1.price will be cheaper.
2.there will be some enhancement of detail and accuracy based on 05599,for more detail and accuracy purpose such as naboly radiation coat texture,etc. so it is not simplified on detail or quality. frontal hull ERA block will be redesigned for easy assembling.
3. but it will lack some of those key bonus of 05599 like another set of 8 bolts wheels and options of fenders and sideskirt.
4.the option for B/B1 gunder sight option will be kept on 09555...
based on all these features I guess what they want to release is a cheaper version of 05599 T-72B with K1 armor so that you can use what you didnt use on previous kit. a complete complement kit pack.
rfbaer
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Posted: Tuesday, May 02, 2017 - 08:20 PM UTC
Funny, I have the same Tamiya kit and have already "smoothed" the glacis plate, and want to build a tank as pictured. The only thing stopping me is the Tamiya turret, and the fact that I don't want to sink big bucks into an AM turret. I did score the old Dragon/Zvezd(?) T-72 w/ERA #3507 kit for a pittancea while ago, with the radiation cladding on the turret, but the two turrets appear to be identical in shape. Drat.
Jacques
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Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 02:24 AM UTC
You can always use the Tamiya turret as a base for your own work to make it more accurate...


Quoted Text

Funny, I have the same Tamiya kit and have already "smoothed" the glacis plate, and want to build a tank as pictured. The only thing stopping me is the Tamiya turret, and the fact that I don't want to sink big bucks into an AM turret. I did score the old Dragon/Zvezd(?) T-72 w/ERA #3507 kit for a pittancea while ago, with the radiation cladding on the turret, but the two turrets appear to be identical in shape. Drat.

rfbaer
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Posted: Wednesday, May 03, 2017 - 06:54 PM UTC
[quote]You can always use the Tamiya turret as a base for your own work to make it more accurate...

That's now the current plan.
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