What’s in the Box

During this year’s Mosonshow I once again stopped by the stand of the Slovak manufacturer Armour Models, who have been steadily gaining attention with their high‑quality 3D‑printed kits. Among their latest releases, one item immediately caught my eye: the Zuzana A40 “Himalaya” self‑propelled gun in 1/72 scale. The subject is also available in 1/35 as a conversion set, but the 1/72 version comes as a complete, standalone kit.

The kit consists of three main 3D‑printed components:

• a T‑72–based lower hull,

• the turret with the gun,

• and the complete running gear, printed as a single unit.

Before removing any supports, I examined the parts in their original state — and the overall print quality was immediately impressive.

Surface Quality and Support Removal

One of the first things that stood out was the absence of visible layer lines. Even on larger flat surfaces, the print is clean and smooth, with crisp panel lines and well‑defined weld seams.

For removing the supports, I used a simple but effective method:I warmed the supports with a hairdryer for 5–6 seconds, just enough to soften them slightly. After that, they came off with almost no resistance, leaving the surfaces intact and requiring only minimal cleanup. This worked especially well on the turret and the smaller components.

The only area that required extra care was the rear section of the hull, where the fuel‑drum brackets are extremely delicate. With patience and slow, controlled movements, the supports can be removed safely, but this part definitely demands attention.

Detailing and Print Precision

The turret is one of the highlights of the kit:

• all grab handles are printed in place,

• their thickness is realistic and to scale,

• and no replacement with wire or photo‑etch is necessary.

The gun barrel is also beautifully printed, with a fully hollowed muzzle, eliminating the need for drilling — a welcome feature in 1/72 scale.

The headlight guards are likewise printed as part of the model, and their proportions are spot‑on. They are thin, clean, and perfectly usable straight from the box.

The Running Gear – The Star of the Kit

The running gear deserves special praise.When I first saw it, I genuinely stared at it for several minutes — I simply couldn’t believe this level of detail was achieved in 1/72.

• the road wheels are beautifully rendered,

• the track links are extremely detailed,

• and the track sag looks completely natural, without exaggeration.

This is the kind of quality I would normally expect in 1/35, not in 1/72. The running gear is unquestionably one of the strongest elements of the kit and greatly contributes to the overall impression even before assembly begins.

Conclusion

The Armour Models Zuzana A40 “Himalaya” in 1/72 is a high‑quality, modern 3D‑printed kit with clean surfaces, sharp details, and minimal cleanup required. The running gear is outstanding, the turret and gun are excellent, and the overall design makes this kit suitable both for modern‑era enthusiasts and for anyone looking for a quick yet visually striking project.

The 1/72 kit is available here: http://armourmodels.sk/d/zuzana-a40-himalays-172-1000291/

The 1/35 conversion set can be found here: http://armourmodels.sk/d/zuzana-a-40-himalaya-135-1000269/