In Box Review of Trumpeter 1/35th Scale
Russian Voroshilovets Tractor
Kit no. 01573
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $59.95
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $59.95
HISTORY:
In the Russian Army it was needed to create a heavy tractor with a tank engine for towing high power 152 and 305mm field guns, as well as medium and heavy tanks, which appeared in the Red Army in the 1930’s. Development of the tractor started in 1935 at Kharkov. In 1937, there was a development race to Moscow (and back), where it was demonstrated at the Kremlin. The machine produced a strong impression and was approved.
The tractor demonstrated high results. It towed the largest artillery systems and all types of tanks, including the T-35, very well. Late in 1939 manufacturing of the “Voroshilovets” started. 1123 vehicles were built. During WWII the tractor was used on all fronts efficiently for heavy transport use.
Trumpeter is a model company based in China.
THE KIT:
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped sturdy tray and lid type box. The box art shows the tractor pulling a Soviet B-4 M1931 203mm howitzer in a snow covered clearing in the forest. Another B-4 is in the background set up for firing. The tractor is in overall dark Russian green with a khaki colored canvas cargo bed roof and no markings what-so-ever.
One side panel begins with the history of the tractor in English and Chinese, followed by a 3-view of the box art subject and a profile of the tractor in captured German scheme. The copyright date is 2010 and Trumpeter’s street address in Macau China and their web site address is provided.
The other side panel has 6 walk-around color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme, followed by “This product is not a toy and for 14 year old and older”, in 11 languages including English. It was made in China.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 8 light tan trees, 10 dark brown trees, a clear tree, loose hull tub, hood (bonnet), cab shell and the canvas cargo bed roof. All nicely cello bagged. The decal sheet is also in a sealed cello bag. The instructions and a single sheet of painting and marking schemes complete the kit’s contents.
The instructions consist of a staple bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white profile of the tractor, followed by “Read before assembly” instructions in English and Chinese and international assembly symbol explanations and the decal application instructions also in English and Chinese.
Page 2 has the parts trees illustrations.
Pages 3 through 12 give a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The single sheet has a full color painting and marking scheme as a 5-view on both sides. It is printed on slick coated paper. On one side is the box art subject. Already described above. A small list of Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol brands of hobby paints is suggested to complete the model.
The other side panel has a 5-view of the tractor in captured German markings. It is overall panzer grey with a khaki colored canvas cargo bed roof. It has white tactical marks on the cab doors and front and rear of the hull with a serial no. in white of 123 WH.
No unit is mentioned for either of these 2 schemes.
In the Russian Army it was needed to create a heavy tractor with a tank engine for towing high power 152 and 305mm field guns, as well as medium and heavy tanks, which appeared in the Red Army in the 1930’s. Development of the tractor started in 1935 at Kharkov. In 1937, there was a development race to Moscow (and back), where it was demonstrated at the Kremlin. The machine produced a strong impression and was approved.
The tractor demonstrated high results. It towed the largest artillery systems and all types of tanks, including the T-35, very well. Late in 1939 manufacturing of the “Voroshilovets” started. 1123 vehicles were built. During WWII the tractor was used on all fronts efficiently for heavy transport use.
Trumpeter is a model company based in China.
THE KIT:
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped sturdy tray and lid type box. The box art shows the tractor pulling a Soviet B-4 M1931 203mm howitzer in a snow covered clearing in the forest. Another B-4 is in the background set up for firing. The tractor is in overall dark Russian green with a khaki colored canvas cargo bed roof and no markings what-so-ever.
One side panel begins with the history of the tractor in English and Chinese, followed by a 3-view of the box art subject and a profile of the tractor in captured German scheme. The copyright date is 2010 and Trumpeter’s street address in Macau China and their web site address is provided.
The other side panel has 6 walk-around color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme, followed by “This product is not a toy and for 14 year old and older”, in 11 languages including English. It was made in China.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 8 light tan trees, 10 dark brown trees, a clear tree, loose hull tub, hood (bonnet), cab shell and the canvas cargo bed roof. All nicely cello bagged. The decal sheet is also in a sealed cello bag. The instructions and a single sheet of painting and marking schemes complete the kit’s contents.
The instructions consist of a staple bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white profile of the tractor, followed by “Read before assembly” instructions in English and Chinese and international assembly symbol explanations and the decal application instructions also in English and Chinese.
Page 2 has the parts trees illustrations.
Pages 3 through 12 give a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The single sheet has a full color painting and marking scheme as a 5-view on both sides. It is printed on slick coated paper. On one side is the box art subject. Already described above. A small list of Mr. Hobby, Vallejo, Model Master, Tamiya and Humbrol brands of hobby paints is suggested to complete the model.
The other side panel has a 5-view of the tractor in captured German markings. It is overall panzer grey with a khaki colored canvas cargo bed roof. It has white tactical marks on the cab doors and front and rear of the hull with a serial no. in white of 123 WH.
No unit is mentioned for either of these 2 schemes.
There are 2 identical light tan letter A parts trees. They hold: suspension arms, idler wheels and drive sprockets etc. (20 parts each)
There are 4 identical light tan letter B parts trees. They hold: road wheels, return rollers and bogies etc. (32 parts each)
Light tan letter C parts tree holds: the cab doors, dash board, head lights, shift levers etc. (23 parts)
Light tan letter D parts tree holds: the radiator, seats, cab floor and cargo bed parts etc. (19 parts)
Lettering jumps to the GP clear parts tree. It holds the window panes and head light lenses (21 parts)
Lettering again jumps to the dark brown letter T parts trees. There are 10 identical ones of these and they hold the individual track links (15 parts each)
There is no engine, crew figures or a cargo load provided. This is a shame, given the price of the kit. Otherwise, I highly recommend the kit.
I want to sincerely thank Stevens International for this review sample.