The Modelling News: Preview: Two odd Soviet armour pieces from Trumpeter in February...

An experimental & an extreme add-on to a stalwart are the subjects of Trumpeter's two 35th scale armour releases of February. We look at the info, art, colours & built-up test kits in our preview...

Preview: Two odd Soviet armour pieces from Trumpeter in February...

Russian Object 490A

by Trumpeter

Model: #09607

1/35th scale

Price: $99 USD from Hobbylink Japan

The Object 490A was created as an alternative variant for the Object 490. The 490A Buntar was suggested in order to provide the vehicle with one more crew member as well as an externally mounted gun. The biggest change from the Object 490 to the 490A was the completely redesigned turret as well as minor changes to the chassis.

The colour profiles included in this kit

The project was cancelled at the end of 1984 due to the newer Object 477 Molot program beginning. The tank is considered to be a vehicle ahead of its time, as it utilized multiple new technologies in order to stay ahead of the competition.

Trumpeter's modellers have already constructed the test shot of this kit...

Model Length:254.2mm /Width: 104.5mm

Total of 17 sprues , lower hull and turret

The kit consists of over 450 parts

Multi-slide moulded turret and lower hull

-Photo-Etched parts included

The test kit painted up...

MT-LB Combat Personnel Carrier w/ZU-23-2 Anti-aircraft Gun

by Trumpeter

Model: # 09618

1/35th scale

Price: $99 USD from HobbyLink Japan

In the 1970s the Soviet began a development program to replace the AT-P series of artillery tractors (which were based on the ASU-57 airborne self-propelled gun) with a new generation of vehicles. The MT-L was developed to meet this requirement based on the PT-76 amphibious light tank chassis.

The colour profiles included in this kit

The decal sheet included in the kit

The MT-LB is the armoured variant of the MT-L. Entering production in the early 1970s, it was cheap to build, being based on many existing components like the engine which was originally developed as a truck engine. It was built at the Kharkov tractor plant and under license in Poland and Bulgaria.

Model Length: 208.5mm / Width: 82mm

copper cable , copper tube included

Total of 16 sprues , upper hull , lower hull and tires

The kit consists of over 720 parts

Multi-slide moulded lower hull , upper hull

-Photo-Etched parts included

Trumpeter's modellers have already constructed the test shot of this kit...