MiniArt’s new T-44 in 35th scale is a BIG kit full of a lot of parts. So instead of a standard photos in-box review we got our friend Adam Mann from 3D scale to make a video review to show us the kit inside out. See if he thought whether MiniArt’s new high standard of approach to their kits is an improvement, or too much of a jump for this company from the Ukraine.
Video Review: T-44 Soviet Medium Tank
MiniArt Models
#37002
#37002
1/35th scale
BOX: 385x240x80 mm
768 parts including
Photo Etch, clear and grey injection moulded plastic.
Available from Hobbylink Japan for ¥5,600/ USD $51.55/ €45.23
It is nice to see MiniArt do something different (well they do mostly different stuff to most model makers anyway) but good to see them make a tank that no one else has really concentrated on much. They have just announced a new T-44 in their line up with and we have made a video review of what is inside for you to see just how much is in the box. Fist a little more about the real thing...
The Soviet T-44 Medium tank:
T-44 was created in 1943-1944. Though the T-44 did not see
combat in World War II, it was issued to tank brigades for training purposes.
It was never shown publicly during military parades and pictures were never
shown publicly until the secrecy was dropped. T-44 was being developed in order
to create a tank that would have better combat and technical characteristics
than the T-34.
The original intention was to retain the high mobility and
speed of a T-34 and to provide the T-44 with heavier armour protection against
large-calibre tank guns. This was accomplished by adding thicker armour but
reducing the internal volume of the hull. Although the T-44 used many
components of the T-34, it had a new hull, and a modified model diesel engine,
suspension and transmission.
THE MAIN DIFFERENCES FROM THE T-34-85
T-44’s hull had a simplified construction without fenders.
The hull of the T-34-85 had T-shape cross-section while T-44’s hull had a
rectangular shape. The height of the t-44’s hull was reduced to 300 mm.
The new V-44 12-cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine, developing
500 hp, was a more powerful version of the T-34's model V-2 with a new
planetary manual 5-speed transmission system, filtration system, improved
cooling system, horizontally placed water and oil pumps and an improved fuel
system which increased its power output. It was the first tank design to
feature transverse engine placement, which made it smaller than a standard T-34
and gave the crew more space.
The hull upper front armour (glacis plate 60°) thickness was
doubled to 90 mm. Even though it was more heavily armoured, the weight of the
T-44 was the same.
The tank's crew did not include a radio operator/machine
gunner. This space was used for ammunition stowage area, transferred from the
floor of the fighting compartment. As a result were improved working
conditions.
The bow machine gun and driver's hatch switched positions on
the glacis plate.
One of the machine guns was mounted to fire through a tiny
hole in the center of the glacis plate. Because the tank's crew did not include
a radio operator/machine gunner, the driver operated this light machine gun.
The T-44 had a compact torsion-bar suspension instead of the
T-34's Christie coil springs.
Up-to-date technology using sliding moulds
Workable tracks
Workable torsion bars
Fully detailed fighting compartment interior
V-44 engine included
Total details 768
659 plastic parts
94 photoetched parts
15 clear plastic parts
Decal sheet for 10 variants
Full-colour instructions
Here is our first video review for The Modelling News. Adam Mann of 3D Scale has taken a look at MiniArt's new 35th scale T-44 Soviet tank. See what he thought of the kit as he looks at it in detail for "the news."
Thanks to MiniArt for sending this kit to Adam to review - Check out Miniart’s
other models on their website.
