Z (44) T-62M (Russia)

 The T-62M is an extensive modernisation from 1983 of the original T-62 tank from 1961. It had new protection added in the form of BDD appliqué armour package on the glacis and the front of the turret, additional belly armour and reinforced rubber side skirts. It also benefits from mobility improvement in the form of a new Diesel engine and the fitting of RhKM T-72 tracks. The fire control system was also improved by fitting a laser rangefinder in an armoured box over the gun, the installation of a new gunner's sight, new commander sight, a new stabiliser and ballistic computer. The T-62M, while outdated with its 115 mm gun and ancient design, is used by the Russian army in Ukraine for some task and has received additional protections in the form of Kontakt-1 ERA, slat armor and overhead turret cover.

The kit is the T-62 BDD Mod.1984 from Trumpeter, and as always, easy to build but overly simplified on a series of aspects. I added some details, replaced the smoke discharger and the MMG, added Kontakt-1 ERA bricks (from Scale23) and scratchbuilded the slat armor and overhead protection for the turret.

New arrivals

I would like top be able to post regularly (if I found the time 😂) a new type of article about my various new acquisitions. Here is the first one about my purchases from the last 3 weeks or so.

So, here we are by order of arrivals...

Soviet T-62 by James Kinnear & Stephen L. Sewell by Osprey

I already have the T-55 book by the same authors and this offering as the same qualities and faults that its predecessor. Qualities: it exist, is in English, give a good overall view about the subject and have a lot of details photos. Faults: the narrative/chronology is sometimes confused and/or repetitive (not helped by some misprints), the photos are definitively too small and not enough of the "in service" type for my taste. For a reasonable price, I am nevertheless satisfied to have it in my collection.

M577 A1GE - MT-LBu MP-25 - MT-LBu MP21 by Red Tank Miniature

My first 3 3D printed models by Red Tank Miniature. Let's just say that I am quite astonished by the quality of these printing as they are really fine and precise. I really hope to find the time soon to start on them. It also gives me a lot of hope for futur models that we might have access to through this increasingly sophisticated production method.

M60 A3 by Revell

My two first M60 models. I think I will keep one of them basic and the other one can serve to make an M60 A2 (with the help of the ModellTrans conversion)  following my next purchase inspiration...

M60 A2 by Sabot publications

A very interesting book on a particular subject, full of photos (mostly in action). Only problem: unimaginative captions and misprints (this seems to become the rule of a lot of recent publications... cost reduction?)

STORM-333 by Mark Galeotti by Osprey

A rather unnecessary book with few new facts and mostly off topic photos. I liked the cover illustration by Mark Stacey but much less the interior ones by Johnny Shumate who seems to have been producing works in a hurry for some times.