Review
This offering from MiniArt of a Soviet T-55 with the Enigma armour package added arrives in a cardboard tray, with a separate card lid. Inside the sprues are packaged in 3 plastic bags which are then sealed together in one further bag. The clear sprue is protected inside its own bag inside the package, with the photo etched fret protected in a card envelope. The box contains an awful lot of plastic, and my only concern with this is the risk of damage through parts catching on each other or distortion through being packaged in together. An inspection of the parts has only revealed one potential moulding issue, which are flow marks in some of the plastic parts and while I have not detected any issues with these flow marks it is a potential risk.
Anybody who has tackled one of the many T-55 kits from MiniArt will know that you have the potential for a very pleasing model, but at the same time have a kit that is going to challenge you. This is due in part, to the very high level of detail that many modellers demand of their models. The hull of the model is made up of a number of flat shaped panels. Assembly of these flat panels in their correct alignment could be an issue, but is saved by the inclusion of the fire wall between the engine bay and the crew compartment. This helps to make the model frame more robust, helps accurate placement and also supports the roof of the lower hull. The model also offers you, workable suspension units which so far as I can see are very accurate and if displaying on an uneven base this feature can be utilised due to the inclusion of individual track links.
The upper deck of the model benefits from a small amount of photo etch and clear lenses where required. However, there are some very fine photo etch parts that need to be shaped and added to the engine deck and anybody with old eyes or an unsteady hand is going to struggle. The track guards also benefit from a small amount of photo etch that I question the inclusion of as I believe the detail could easily have been moulded. In this case it consists of bands that go on the underside of the flap at the front of each track guard and so likely never seen. An aspect that I highly approve of, is the inclusion of fuel lines which is a nice detail in my book. All of the wheels are nicely detailed but will benefit from some wear and tear being imparted. The fuel tanks at the rear of the hull have a high level of detail including photo etched strapping. One aspect that I would change, at the rear of the model you have a log stowed for adding to the tracks to enable the vehicle to get itself out of trouble if stuck - I would replace this with a piece of wood.
The turret of the model is as equally nicely detailed as the hull. The hatches can be shown open or closed. The turret roof is provided in 2 parts to replicate the particular shape of this feature. The periscopes are provided in clear plastic, with details such as this adding some life into the interior if you have a figure propped out of it. The main barrel of the tank is a single piece moulding - an aspect that I approve of, and while I cannot speak of accuracy of length the details present are correct. The barrel can raised and lowered, however, due to a 4 part replication of the canvas that fits over the gun mount your elevation is fixed. Photo etched tie down strips finish this canvas detail to a high degree. The search light is present as a light, however, a cover with photo etched screens are a detail that I am unfamiliar with on the Enigma and is certainly not present on the non-Russian produced T-55 stored at Bovington Tank Museum.
Moving onto the important part of this model for most, is what I refer to as the Enigma armour package. Looking at the various parts, the detail as regards to mounting and orientation appears to be correct. The armour around the turret is spring loaded if I remember correctly, and is a detail that I can see replicated here. The rear turret armoured plate, it’s brackets are extremely well replicated down to nut and bolt detail and the triangular bracing is correctly welded at the rear of the armoured plate. An ammunition box is stowed between the support arms, and I believe this contains the personal kit of the crew. Moving to the armour package protecting the crew area of the vehicle, we again are provided with a very high level of detail that appears to be accurate in every detail, and this excellent detail extends to the 8 armoured blocks on both front sides of the vehicle. Something that I have seen raised is the clean cuts of the armour package seen on this release, where as the example at Bovington has the usual rough cut with a gas torch very obviously displayed. While that roughness is not replicated in the model, I suspect that it would be accurate for the difference in scale and the modeller if so desired could rough up the edges of the armour package.
MiniArt has provided 2 finishing options for this release, which represents 2 vehicles of the,1st Mechanised Division, 4th Army Corp, Iraqi Army. Saudi Arabia, Battle of Khafji, January 1991
Conclusion
Prior to the release of this offering I noted a number of complaints reference the number of parts that are in this release. It should be remembered by those detractors, it is the design of the model and high parts count that has enabled so many T-55 variants to be made available by MiniArt and that satisfies the wants and needs of the modeller. For me it is the items that are included in the model, replicating specific details that counts in most cases, and looking through this release from MiniArt the details appear to be very well replicated. I like the fact that clear parts are included in the model, the barrel is a single piece moulding and that the ability to display the model on any surface has been built in. I will say that the amount of small photo etch parts on the engine deck of the model gives me the screaming ab dabs, but that is my issue and not MiniArt’s. You often come across complaints about how fragile the plastic used by MiniArt is, but that is not an issue I have recognised of late, with the only issues being the very fine parts that would risk breakage regardless of what plastic was used. So it is my belief that this model will satisfy any modellers who buys it and is capable of doing it justice.