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In-Box Review
135
A34 Comet
British Cruiser Tank A34 Comet
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

Bronco Models has re-released one of their very early models of the A34 Comet, but this time it has been released with a set of workable tracks. When Bronco Models first released their version of the Comet it was very well received as if my memory is correct, this was the only injection moulded plastic offering of the Comet available.

Contents

The packaging for this release is the typical cardboard tray and card lid that Bronco Models use. The contents inside the box are packaged in individual plastic bags. The contents break down as follows;
5 grey sprues
The hull tub
4 loose wheels
A bag of individual track links
A photo etched fret
A decal sheet
A length of string/twine
An instruction booklet

Review

This will be a very short review as the model has been reviewed many times in the past and I will concentrate on the quality of the product and parts that have been made available that were not previously included. Moulding quality is very good considering this model is about a decade old, and this model was also one of the first models that Bronco Models released. I did find flash on one of the wheels and this can be seen on the provided photographs. The seam lines are on the heavy side in some areas, but then modellers should be used to tackling this issue on even the latest releases.

The detail moulding on the model is softer than what Bronco Models are known for today, but it is of an acceptable standard. The photo etch provided now offers an engine intake grill cover, Bronco Models has also provided 3 options here for an early war, late war and post war finish. I do like that Bronco Models has provided these options in a single package. The vinyl rubber tracks of the initial release are gone and in their place is a set of individual workable track links. These track links look very good and are I believe the tracks offered as a separate purchase when the model was originally released, it’s just a pity Bronco Models has not included the resin gun mantlet shield ideally in plastic. The track links go together very easily and seem to be reasonably robust once together; I should point out that I did not clean up the six track links I cut free and they still went together easily and they move freely.

Looking at the upper hull of this model I would suggest a little scratch work is undertaken. I feel that the 10 handles on the rear engine deck plus the four on the engine access panel that are a part of the mouldings be removed and replaced with wire, this simple upgrade should not be beyond most modellers. The other benefit of this model is that having been around for a while I believe there are various upgrades readily available for it. Due to the barrel being split lengthways an after-market option will be a big improvement in my opinion.

Bronco Models has supplied decals for a good mix of Comet Tanks, six in total. These finishing options are;
IRONDUKE 1st Royal Tank Regiment, 7th Armoured Division, Germany, April 1945
COBRA 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, North Germany, March 1945
CELERITY 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, Belgium, March 1945
CRUSADER 3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 29th Armoured Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, Germany, April 1945
3rd Royal Tank Regiment, Sek Kong Camp, New Territory, Hong Kong, 1957
Finnish Armoured Brigade Training Unit, 1961 – 1980

Conclusion

The model is easily identified as an older model, but that should not deter you from a purchase at the right price; no price has been set that I can find at present from my usual retailers. The tracks are really nice and go together quickly, easily and are robust. The modeller will ideally show this model a little love to make the most of the offering.

A34 Comet review by Jan Klarbæk AKA Mr Mox
SUMMARY
Highs: The inclusion of workable track links is a nice touch that appeals to me.
Lows: Supplying string for cables scores lowly with me.
Verdict: At the right price this is a pretty good model of the A34 Comet in 1/35th scale and well worth the consideration of Late WW2 and post WW2 British Armour fans.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: CB35010SP
  PUBLISHED: Jan 19, 2016
  NATIONALITY: United Kingdom
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.97%

Our Thanks to Bronco Models!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Well, that's about on a par, or even better, than recent Black Label releases!
JAN 18, 2016 - 10:36 PM
Yea I agree this kit is better than dragons black and you know what I even welcome that they put less PE parts on this kit. love the workable tracks.
JAN 19, 2016 - 03:48 AM
Just received two in the post, missed them the first time round and a Comet or two is welcome here.
JAN 19, 2016 - 04:16 AM
Darren, thanks for the review! Comet kits are always welcome. I do feel, though, that Bronco could have put a little more effort into this. They have come so far in kit detailing and quality since this kit was first released, it could have been a real masterpiece if they had brought it up to their current standards. Still welcome, but after my previous attempt at detailing the model, I was hoping it would be retooled and improved/corrected so it would require a little less work this time. I'll most likely still buy one.
JAN 19, 2016 - 08:00 AM
I agree with a number of the comments here. Yes Bronco could have done a better job. I forgot to mention the gun barrel as I would change that aspect of the kit due to it being split down its length. With that said I still feel if the model is realistically priced then it is still a good model to pick up.
JAN 19, 2016 - 12:45 PM
But since I've already got the 1st edition, resin mantlet & tracks, that should mean a replacement barrel should become more readily available.
JAN 19, 2016 - 03:54 PM
Jon as you have the items listed I would get aa alternate barrel and get building.
JAN 19, 2016 - 07:50 PM
i did the other boxed Bronco A34 Comet kit, very nice indeed.
JAN 21, 2016 - 03:20 AM
Sadly despite the comments on this site and other sites the bronco Comet does not appear to have moved on from the accuracy issues it had when first released a while back which is a great shame as their kits have come along way since then. As this is the only plastic kit of this tank amongst the dozens of Tigers, panthers, Abrams , merkavas etc its frustrating that there are so many errors mostly around the turret that it makes it difficult to sort out. The most obvious issue is the front of the turret mantlet. Its angled horizontally right along its length, this is wrong. The mantlet effectively is a flat plate with two recoil bulges in the centre and a beefed up cast area in the cast mantlet for the gunners sight. (See the image ) There are a number of other issues with it, but the gun mantlet is the worse. The casting that the mantlet sits in should have a well in which when the gun is depressed the mantlet drops into. I get the idea that Bronco did not notice this. The turret height is also a little to low and the loaders hatches should have curved corners , not 90 degree angles. The turret bin is also wrong. The bin is not part of the turret but fitted to the back end. The gun breech is also made up and bares no resemblance to the real thing which fills the turret . I noticed all these when I made the master for Resicast limited addition kit. So It vexes me how this company has missed these issues. I had looked at using some of the Resicast turret to amend these issues but it would mean so much work it would mean scrapping nearly all the kit turret. The rear drive sprocket is nice but the road wheels area bit hard on the edges. The road wheels are in fact identical to Centurion road wheels. You may be able to swap AAs wheels for these. The track return rollers are OK but the armour plate is slightly amiss in accuracy. I would be glad to share the information with bronco should they wish.
JAN 23, 2016 - 07:37 PM
   
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