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In-Box Review
135
T-55AM2B
T-55AM2B Review
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by: Ronnie Davis [ BULLDAWG380 ]

introduction
The T-55AM2B was a Czech-built ATGM missile-firing variation on the T-55 that was used by the East German army.

I could not find out a whole lot about the T-55AM2B - suffice to say that it appears to be one of the last variants produced. The most notable difference from its earlier variants is that it mounts a laser range finder and a wind sensor, as well as extra turret armor and rubber skirts. I believe it also has a better fire control system and other upgrades.


This kit was announced here in September last year.


contents
The box art shows an East German variant in solid green and to me shows a cool looking over the shoulder stance. Once the box is open there is a whole bunch of plastic. A whopping 24 sprues total along with individual tracks the lower hull and the upper turret. Also included are 2 metal tow cables and markings for 4 different variants.

review
As I did my research and cross-referenced the sprues I learned that there are 2 engine decks in the kit. This coincides with all the questions on the web about correct engine decks, though I am far from being an expert to say if either one is completely accurate. Also note that the instructions do not give options for the 2 engine decks so be careful in choosing which to use. The instructions say to use one of them while discussions on here say that the Polish and possibly the DDR version uses the engine deck that is not supposed to be used.

Moving on the road wheels are molded with the rubber being separate from the steel.

The external fuel tanks have the retaining bolts and the plumbing as well.

The cheek armor is molded with the top, bottom, sides and rear for a more realistic mounting.

The search lights appear to have all the mechanical attachments.

Sadly the barrel is in 2 pieces but appears to be easy enough to get the seams out.

The headlight guards look pretty accurate to scale as does most of the rest of the kit.

Lastly the upper turret has nice looking texture to it.

conclusion
The whole kit looks pretty sharp, with hardly any flash noted. It will allow the modeller to build an accurate model of this variant of the T-55.
SUMMARY
Highs: Ability to possibly build more accurate versions of the same variants.
Lows: Two-piece main gun barrel.
Verdict: Very nice kit! My first from Takom and I got mine for $40.
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: TAK 2057
  Suggested Retail: $56.99
  PUBLISHED: May 01, 2017
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 92.50%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 87.67%

About Ronnie Davis (bulldawg380)
FROM: GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

have been modeling on and off since 1980 took a ten year break and got back into armor in 2009 been building since

Copyright ©2021 text by Ronnie Davis [ BULLDAWG380 ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Great review, thanks
SEP 18, 2017 - 01:32 AM
Thank you for that review Ronnie, you mention the Headlight guards, IIRC the earlier releases had issues in that area, hopefully they fixed the problem.
SEP 18, 2017 - 03:55 AM
This kit can only be built as an East German DDR example. The reason being only the German modified rear track guards are included. It cannot accurately represent a Polish example, as the Polish Army never used this version, instead developing the T-55AM2P Merida. The correct engine deck to use is the one with the asymetric right side rear fan vent opening on sprue H2. It is a very nice kit. The wheels unfortunately are the worst part.
SEP 19, 2017 - 03:47 AM
Yea, I hope Miniart does the T-55, and they do a nice set of wheels, because they are likely to release them separately. With all the releases out there with horrible wheels they should sell like hotcakes! I'd probably buy 6 or 7 sets myself!
SEP 19, 2017 - 04:04 AM
Hi; Well;--You could always buy the Miniarm set! There pretty accurate, or you could Rob A Tamiya kit. CHEERS; MIKE.
SEP 19, 2017 - 10:22 AM
Hi Mike, the Miniart wheels are about half the cost of Miniarm's resin ones (I'm assuming that the new ones would be a similar price of course, and we all know how that goes...), not a big deal for one set, but a very big deal for the number of sets I'd be getting. The Tamiya wheels are totally wrong, the molded side ribs are simulated by grooves instead of being raised, and the front wheels are missing the reinforced hubs, four of the sets I'm interested in would be for those kits actually.
SEP 19, 2017 - 03:31 PM
   
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