ModelCollect 1/72 T-64BV mod 1985

 The T-64 is a Soviet second-generation main battle tank introduced in the early 1960s. It was a more advanced counterpart to the T-62: the T-64 served tank divisions, while the T-62 supported infantry in motor rifle divisions. Although the T-62 and the famous T-72 would see much wider use and generally more development, it was the T-64 that formed the basis of more modern Soviet tank designs, such as the T-80.

A revolutionary feature of the T-64 is the incorporation of an automatic loader for its 125-mm gun, allowing one crew member's position to be omitted and helping to keep the size and weight of the tank down. Tank troopers would joke that the designers had finally caught up with their unofficial hymn, Three Tankers—the song had been written to commemorate the crewmen fighting in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, in 3-man BT-5 tanks in 1939.

The T-64 also pioneered other Soviet tank technology: the T-64A model of 1967 introduced the 125-mm smooth-bore gun, and the T-64B of 1976 would be able to fire a guided anti-tank missile through its gun barrel.

The T-64 design was further developed as the gas turbine-powered T-80 main battle tank. The turret of the T-64B would be used in the improved T-80U and T-80UD, and an advanced version of its diesel engine would power the T-80UD and T-84 tanks built in the Ukraine.

The T-64 would only be used by the Soviet Army and never exported, unlike the T-54/55. The main difference between the T-64BV and earlier variants is the reactive armor.

In line with other ModelCollect kits, the molding is very good. The kit comes with parts that will not be required for this particular build, specifically much of the B sprue with all the additional turret bases. The kit starts you building the turret with it single piece barrel and detailed machine gun and searchlight. You then begin the process of adding on all the appliqué armor, which is quite extensive. Along with the various bins and boxes that one applies, it will make for a very convincing and busy looking turret. In fact, nearly half the construction steps are used in this regard.

The upper hull is actually several pieces. There is a forward section on which more applique armor is applied. The rear section includes the turret ring and the aft end on which one installs a pair of fuel drums. Moving to the lower hull, all the suspension pieces and mounting plates re separate items. There are the usual return rollers, road wheels, sprocket and idler ger to attach. This is followed by the DS-style tracks that ModelCollect uses.

The last steps are where you use the photo etch. These are used to hang the side skirts and includes headlight guards as well as engine intake/exhaust screens. Not shown in the main instructions is a gun shield. In with the p.e. are separate instructions on installing this item.

The instructions are quite nicely done with well drawn construcction steps. Typical of armor kits, the only color information is provided in the Painting and Marking guide. This uses Gunze paints. There is but a single painting option provided and that is for the three color vehicle shown in the box art. I'm sure there were tanks that were a single color as well, but it is up to the builder to research that. Decals are not used in the guide tank, but ModelCollect has provided their generic Soviet/Russian decal sheet so you can use whatever markings you feel are appropriate.

If you are a fan of Russian/Soviet tanks and work in 1/72 scale, then this is one you really need to get. It is nicely detailed and will make into a very nice model for your shelves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-64

September 2015 

Thanks to Rick Apple of William Tell International, the importer of the kit, for the review sample. You can get these in the US fromwww.freetimehobbies.com, andwww.houseofhobbies.com.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contactthe editor or see other details in the Note toContributors.

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