Tamiya Models T-72M1 Russian Army Tank

This was actually my first Cold War/Modern tank model as I've only focused on WW-II kits to this point. Typical Tamiya hallmarks are present here: Clear instructions, seamless build, almost no fit issues or flash and acceptable exterior detail whilst maintaining a relatively low part count. My only critique would be that Tamiya did not include the conduit/tubing that is located under the smoke grenade launchers on the turret front (see box art for reference). I used some of the extra tubing that was provided for rear fuel drums. Not an ideal solution, but better than nothing at all.I went with the East German markings and since these tanks didn't see any real action in reality, I went with minimal weathering/damage. I therefore relied heavily on the airbrushing to make this model pop. A base coat of Nato Black, followed by white on the panel surfaces for shadowing (be sure to keep the creases & crevices black) and then a light coating of 2 different green tones. Again, go light so the shadow effect will be visible at the end. I then applied some light streaking, added a few minor scratches on the side skirts and closed with some dry brushing (Olive + White) to make some of the surface details slightly pop, but I opted to keep this one fairly pristine.Great experience.

Well executed build

Great kit - parts all fit well and was a delight to build.

Super good quality, really nice details, especially the casting and weld lines on the turret. Fairly easy to follow instructions and surprisingly simple to put together. But be advised, the whole kit is super simple to put together until you get to the smoke grenade launchers. Omg they will have you ripping your hair out so take your time and really study how they should go on. Other than that, it's a great kit. Also comes with rubber tracks that honestly aren't bad.

It’s a fine basic model, however, with Tamaya‘s fine tradition, this tank’s a little disappointing. It looks good enough. It just doesn’t look like good enough for the money paid for it.

Great product

As a adult model maker, I would consider this model as well made, well designed and easy to put together. Tamiya is a well respected model company and you can be assured of good quality. There are some items on this all plastic model whereby some of the items are difficult to mimic on the model but with a little patience and determination it can be done such as the little pieces that are smoke generators that mount on a curved position on the turret. I taped these and after trial and error I got them to stay where they should be. If you decide to paint it you will have to provide your own paint and glue as well. Tamiya makes many paints as well as a liquid glue with applicator in the cap which is perfect and recommended as opposed to thick glue in a tube. Overall an excellent model.

To start this lengthy review off, I would like to warn anyone who is thinking about buying this product as someone who has a fair amount of experience collecting and building kits and this one is by far the worst, it was a NIGHTMARE. For starters the box appeared as if it had just got out of a boxing match with Mike Tyson himself, which led to some parts being either broken or scuffed. Once I started trying to piece the kit together I realized that the pieces dont actually go together, but require copious amounts of glue that the kit also doesn't come with. the peices to keep the wheels in place don't stay in place and leads to the pieces either snapping or keeping the wheels from spinning. The manual is it's own seperate horror. Some pieces that the kit includes, the manual doesn't even explain how to put together or it does very poorly as I found it exceedingly difficult to read the labels as some labeling wasn't even there. I was left with pieces that served no purpose leaving me perplexed and confused and sitting for hours wondering what I was doing wrong. The page also shows the tank being WAY bigger than it actually is as the tank was a lot smaller than they describe. Another huge issue I had while spending hours building this kit just for all of the wheels on the right side to completely snap off and shatter (among other parts to break) was the fact that they also don't properly advertise this product and mislead you into thinking you're getting a big, well detailed tank, when in reality what you're getting is a tank that is poorly detailed, smaller than your foot, and also very painful to put together as it left my finger tips burned and the skin ripped off and bleeding. The process of removing the pieces is also a pain, literally and figuratively. So if you're reading this, please just buy something else, this kit is NOT worth the pain and suffering you will face while trying to maybe piece this thing together. BUYER BEWARE!!!!!