Build Review of Arsenal 1/35th Scale
Russian Tank-Mine-roller PT-3
Kit no. 035-002
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
Out of production
HISTORY:
The mineroller PT-3 was worked-up on the eve of WWII, at Nikolaey Plant “Dormashine”. At the very beginning of the war technical defects caused the improvements. Updated mine-rollers made at the plant NK PS, in Tula, were tested in May 1942 and August. Two first tank mine-roller PT-3s were mounted on took part in operations in Voronezh district. Mineroller PT-3 did 3 to 5 de-mining operations After all, it was out for repair or recoupment.
The PT-3 took part in the Volga battle and in Stalingrad actions. The mineroller’s construction was constantly improved. In the summer of 1943, the first regular sapper tank units were formed. Mineroller PT-3 was mounted-up on Soviet tank T-24 and IS, besides attempts were made to mount it up on Shermans and Churchills, received by Lend-Lease.
Mine-rollers were widely used in offensive action. The sapper tank regiments took an active part in the Ukraine, Belorussia and East Europe liberation. The basic scheme and technical solutions of mineroller PT-3’s went into post-war Soviet (PT-44, PT-54 and KMT-5) and foreign tank- mine-rollers. The majority of modern minerollers in world armies are direct PT-3 offsprings.
The mineroller PT-3 was worked-up on the eve of WWII, at Nikolaey Plant “Dormashine”. At the very beginning of the war technical defects caused the improvements. Updated mine-rollers made at the plant NK PS, in Tula, were tested in May 1942 and August. Two first tank mine-roller PT-3s were mounted on took part in operations in Voronezh district. Mineroller PT-3 did 3 to 5 de-mining operations After all, it was out for repair or recoupment.
The PT-3 took part in the Volga battle and in Stalingrad actions. The mineroller’s construction was constantly improved. In the summer of 1943, the first regular sapper tank units were formed. Mineroller PT-3 was mounted-up on Soviet tank T-24 and IS, besides attempts were made to mount it up on Shermans and Churchills, received by Lend-Lease.
Mine-rollers were widely used in offensive action. The sapper tank regiments took an active part in the Ukraine, Belorussia and East Europe liberation. The basic scheme and technical solutions of mineroller PT-3’s went into post-war Soviet (PT-44, PT-54 and KMT-5) and foreign tank- mine-rollers. The majority of modern minerollers in world armies are direct PT-3 offsprings.
THE KIT:
Arsenal is based in the Ukraine.
This is the only kit by that brand that I have in my collection.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of PT-3 mounted on the front of a Soviet T-34 tank. The both are in overall olive-drab, posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
One side panel of the box begins with Arsenal’s street address in the Ukraine. Followed by the history of the PT-3 in English. Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. For modelers 10 and over. Made in Ukraine.
Arsenal is based in the Ukraine.
This is the only kit by that brand that I have in my collection.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of PT-3 mounted on the front of a Soviet T-34 tank. The both are in overall olive-drab, posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand also does the majority of their box arts.
One side panel of the box begins with Arsenal’s street address in the Ukraine. Followed by the history of the PT-3 in English. Not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts. For modelers 10 and over. Made in Ukraine.
The other side panel of the box repeats the address and shows 3 color box arts of other kits that Arsenal manufactures: The tank T-34/76 with poles for handling mineroller PT-3 at the forced crossing of West Dvino in Vitebsk region in June 1944, The mineroller PT-3 on the tank T-44 and The late 5-disks version of mineroller PT-3 on tank IS-2. No kit numbers for these 3 kits are provided.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 2 trees of pale-grey plastic parts in a sealed clear cello bag.
Trees are not alphabetized. The trees do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on them. One tree holds the yoke, axles etc. (15 parts)
The second tree holds the exploder wheels (10 parts)
The instructions consist of a single sheet, folded in the center into 4 pages in 5 ¼” x 8 ¼” page format.
The kit holds 2 trees of pale-grey plastic parts in a sealed clear cello bag.
Trees are not alphabetized. The trees do, however, have part number tabs next to the parts on them. One tree holds the yoke, axles etc. (15 parts)
The second tree holds the exploder wheels (10 parts)
The instructions consist of a single sheet, folded in the center into 4 pages in 5 ¼” x 8 ¼” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box’s cover art, over the history of the PT-3, STUDY THE INSTRUCTIONS and illustrations of tools required to build the kit, in English and Ukrainian.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations, over explanations of assembly symbols.
Page 2 is the parts trees illustrations, over explanations of assembly symbols.
Page 3 to the top of page 4 gives a grand total of 5 assembly steps.
Two more assembly steps show the assembly and preparation of control cables. Cable is not included in the kit to do this and there needs to be some.
The bottom of page 3 gives painting instructions in English and Ukrainian.The mineroller should be in overall olive drab, with metal spots of wear and have dirt and mud caked on it, it says.
I have added a history off of Wikipedia and a review by Cookie Sewell to the kit.
I have completely assembled this model, but have not painted it yet. Should only need spraying olive drab and wreathing and finding some wire for the cables to add.
Two more assembly steps show the assembly and preparation of control cables. Cable is not included in the kit to do this and there needs to be some.
The bottom of page 3 gives painting instructions in English and Ukrainian.The mineroller should be in overall olive drab, with metal spots of wear and have dirt and mud caked on it, it says.
I have added a history off of Wikipedia and a review by Cookie Sewell to the kit.
I have completely assembled this model, but have not painted it yet. Should only need spraying olive drab and wreathing and finding some wire for the cables to add.
Detail is great. It should really dress up the tanks it was used on.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.