Military Model Scene

The Plastic Soldier Company has released a new 15mm kit and their first for a post-WW2 subject.  They have chosen the T-55 for their first venture into this new period, and in my eyes, what a great choice.  The T-55 has seen service with such a wide variety of countries around the world.  The kit, which does include 5 complete kits, provides options for 6 different versions, which in turn highlight the huge numbers of these which have been built in multiple countries.  These allow for a Russian T-55; a Polish T-55; Russian T-55A; Czech T-55A; Polish T-55A; and finally the T-55AM.

The hull is essentially identical for all except the T-55AM.  The differences come in the parts to be used on the turret.  These feature a variety of patterns for the two crew hatches, in stowage boxes and ammo boxes.  Visually the most different looking is the T-55AM as this has a wind sensor to fit to the back of the turret roof, a different searchlight mounting, cheek armour, a gun barrel with the addition of a thermal jacket and laser rangefinder.  The difference on the hull for this one are side skirts and a different front glacis plate which is much thicker due to the extra armour.

The fit of parts has proved to be excellent, just the fit of the central pivot on the base of the turret is a tight fit when you fit the turret to the hull.  I simply enlarged the hole in the upper hull with the use of a sharp craft knife, and that was a simple and effective solution.  The photos below illustrate two which I have built up so far, a basic Russian T-55 and the later T-55AM.  They have also been given a base coat of Russian Green, using the Army Colour spray also produced by The Plastic Soldier Company, an acrylic colour which applies well and dries quickly.  Just detail painting now to be done.

There are no transfers included in the kit, but the Plastic Soldier Company do have a handy range of transfers available separately .

This is a growing range of models and rightly proving popular.  For the gamer, then with 5 per box, this is good for building up your units.  Lots of potential for both gamers and collectors and I am a fan of these small scale models from PSC and they just 'look right'.

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Robin