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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
TLDR

Let us sink (pun intend) our teeth into this one briefly.
A model set out to substitute the ever illusive BA-64 by Vision models, a rare and more often than not costly trouvaille nowadays, pretty much regardless of where one resides. Does this kit achieve that? Well, as charitable as one is willing to be - absolutely not.

The quality of molding and plastic itself, honestly, is perplexingly lackluster: very reminiscent of older (though later releases of these exact models have been evidently improved in that department) AFVs and armored cars by Bronco models, the plastic is EXTRA soapy and glossy, finer details are not fine at all, some parts even have sink holes, albeit not too pronounced. A lot of parts and sprew fragments seem damaged, a lot of "whitening" here and there suggesting some degree of bending occurring. One of the sprew gates holding the upper structure in my kit was actually deformed to the point of dislocating, damaging one of the more visible surfaces significantly. It could just be the box I was so unfortunate to get, but I'm willing to contest that since the packaging itself looks intact.
Having mentioned that, sprew gates... Are entirely something else on this one. They're quite literally molded INTO about 70% of the kit! Seriously, best of luck trying to get these bogies off the sprew/clean them right, and don't you even get me started on that driver's vision flap... These are not the only parts suffering from such malady, of course.
If having to clean sprew gate remnants wasn't enough to get you worked up, worry not- flash will do the do-doing. Flash is present in abundance, virtually on all parts with varying degrees of severity. Again, nothing reminiscent of ARK models and the likes, but enough to make you contemplate benching the kit for years to come and fly.

The 3D printed Degtyaryov 7.62mm perhaps takes the medal for "Worst 3D printed thingy to be thrown into the kit to make it look modern n'shid". The barrel is bent, its bore is printed shut making it completely senseless to include into the kit in the first place.

Instruction booklet is all jolly and colorful, does not seem to be confusing at all (take that with a salt mine of salt, however. I am a Dragon aficionado; no mere instruction sheet shall ever hope to confuse me)
Admittedly, putting this kit together is not on my radar, so I am still blissfully unaware of the fit of its parts.

Have I procured the kit? I have.
Do I have a speck of regret in doing so? I do not.
Do I recommend you make it a part of your stash? Well...
If you know your way around things and boast both years of modelling experience and at least of hint of affection for soviet AFVs of the period - do by all means, but be mentally prepared to engage in more fixing, sculpting, cleaning, sanding, filling and remedying rather than building.
By God DO NOT get this if you're a novice. Get you hands on some Tamiya or Blitz Kits by Takom and hone those fingers before dipping them into this.

(the tone of the review was moderately exaggerated for dramatic purposes but frankness mustn't be doubted)
(rivet counting omitted)

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
Finally something to challenge AFV club. AFV's M36 can't actually be built into a proper M36 since it's mostly a re-box (M10 hulls were only used on M36B2 which appeared too late for Europe, M36 was based on M10A1 hull powered by a gasoline engine, therefore having a different engine deck) out of the box. A Korean War M36B2 can be replicated, but out-of-the-box the kit lacks some elements to undertake that too.
Still AFV's kit was my go to. I'd rather build something inaccurate than deal with these Italeri/Academy old kits.

Stocked!

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
Costly affair indeed, but the level of detail on those is superb, especially when compared to metal tracks by pretty much any manufacturer. Assembly of both tracks probably will take about an hour, it is that easy and smooth.
I cannot recommend those enough, but try looking for good deals!

Herr Migraenz
With all the barndoor hatches this thing features there's barely any need for cutaways

Herr Migraenz
In case anyone is wondering (for some reason) you can't build basic Pz.III F out-of-the-box with this kit - it lacks pretty much all the MGs you'll need to do so.

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
now follows Evan McCallum

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
začal s tímto

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
What is the point of tossing more Magics in if they still can't make hollow guide horns? It's been 20 years, daddy Dragon...

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
Not exactly an "early Hummel" due to the absence of the muffler which, to my knowledge, was present on all early vehicles. Good luck fixing that if you don't happen to have Dragon's early Hummel kit laying around. Metal barrel is to be immediately scrapped and replaced, the bore looks toy-ish and is completely inaccurate.

Other than that the kit is alright, some seams here and there but the overall detail is well worth it, especially when contrasted to its alternatives: rather expensive and harder to come by Dragon (which I'd prefer still, frankly), and evidently inferior Tamiya kit.
If you just want a Hummel sitting on your shelf but don't mind distinctions of production periods, just get the Late kit - it's good to go out of the box once you scrap the barrel

Herr Migraenz
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Herr Migraenz
začal s tímto

Herr Migraenz
just joined this community.

Herr Migraenz
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