In Box Review of RPM 1/35th Scale
Pz.Kpfw. 743 (r)
Kit no. 35039
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1999
Out of production
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1999
Out of production
HISTORY:
The Soviet light tank T-60 was a modification of the amphibious tank T-40. It was designed by a team under leadership of N.A. Astrov. The design was started in April 1941 and plans and drawings were ready in just two weeks.
The first tanks rolled out from the assembly line on September 15th, 1941. Between 1941 and 1943, 5,916 T-60 tanks were manufactured, and were being used by mixed-battalions of Soviet tank brigades. These tanks were used in front-line units until the end of 1944.
During their offensive, Germans captured large numbers of Russian equipment, including T-60 tanks. Because the tanks were new and not heavily armored , they were used as artillery tractors.
The Soviet light tank T-60 was a modification of the amphibious tank T-40. It was designed by a team under leadership of N.A. Astrov. The design was started in April 1941 and plans and drawings were ready in just two weeks.
The first tanks rolled out from the assembly line on September 15th, 1941. Between 1941 and 1943, 5,916 T-60 tanks were manufactured, and were being used by mixed-battalions of Soviet tank brigades. These tanks were used in front-line units until the end of 1944.
During their offensive, Germans captured large numbers of Russian equipment, including T-60 tanks. Because the tanks were new and not heavily armored , they were used as artillery tractors.
THE KIT:
RPM is an old prolific model company based in Warsaw, Poland.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales,
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is very blousy. It is 4” too long and 3” too wide. Creating a letter “L” void around the parts.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Pz.Kpfw. 743(r) moving down a city street past battle damaged and burning buildings and a burning truck.
The tractor is overall panzer-grey with a white skeletal German cross on the sides of its hull. Two crewmen are standing in the fighting compartment with a machine-gun on a bipod. They both wear steel helmets and field grey uniforms.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by the statement that the kit is suitable for ages 8 to adult. Contains decals and instructions for assembly. Paint and plastic adhesive not included, in 3 languages including English. Copyright of the kit is 1999 and RPM’s address in Warsaw, Poland is provided.
RPM is an old prolific model company based in Warsaw, Poland.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales,
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The box is very blousy. It is 4” too long and 3” too wide. Creating a letter “L” void around the parts.
The box art shows a color illustration of a Pz.Kpfw. 743(r) moving down a city street past battle damaged and burning buildings and a burning truck.
The tractor is overall panzer-grey with a white skeletal German cross on the sides of its hull. Two crewmen are standing in the fighting compartment with a machine-gun on a bipod. They both wear steel helmets and field grey uniforms.
One side panel of the box begins with a small color repeat of the box art, followed by the statement that the kit is suitable for ages 8 to adult. Contains decals and instructions for assembly. Paint and plastic adhesive not included, in 3 languages including English. Copyright of the kit is 1999 and RPM’s address in Warsaw, Poland is provided.
The other side panel shows 5 color box arts of other RPM 1/35th scale armor kits: Kit no. 35014, a Lorraine 37L, Kit no 35064, a Tractor 730(r), Kit no. 35050, a Sd.Kfz. “Stuka zu Fuss”, Kit no. 35045, a Renault UE 630(f) and Kit no. 35044, a T-70.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 7 medium-grey parts trees, 2 brass PE frets and the decal sheet in 4 cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets.
The first is a single sheet, folded in the center to create 4 pages in 7” x 9 ¾” page format. Folded again to fit the box. It is all in Polish only.
At the top is an all blue repeat of the box art, next to the history of the Pz.Kpfw. 743(r), over a side view of it in a camouflage pattern of sand base with dark-green wave pattern and a skeletal white German cross on the sides of the hull.
To its right is an illustration of the decal sheet.
At the bottom of the page is an illustration of the 2 brass PE frets and another side view of the tractor in the box art scheme.
RPM’s street address in Warsaw, Poland and their telephone number are provided.
Page 2 to the top of page 4 gives a total of 16 un-numbered assembly steps.
The bottom of page 4 shows the Schneider cannon assembled with the alternate rubber tires and an illustration of white victory marks that would go on the front of its shield, that are on the decal sheet.
A second smaller instruction sheet is a single-sheet, also folded in the center to create 4 pages in 4” x 5 ¾” page format.
Page 1 begins with a repeat of the tractor’s history and specifications in Polish. Over illustrations of 3 of the parts trees. These are drawn rather strangely. Only the trees are shown with part numbers on them, but none of the parts on the trees…UGH!
Pages 2 & 3 give a grand total of 6 assembly steps for the Schneider cannon numbered with Roman numerals.
Page 4 has a few lines of Polish text I cannot translate.
This kit is actually two kits in one. It includes a complete T-60 tank - which was earlier released by RPM as kit no. 35044 and a complete French Schneider 1897/33 cannon - which was earlier released by RPM as kit no. 35014.
The kit holds 7 medium-grey parts trees, 2 brass PE frets and the decal sheet in 4 cello bags.
There are 2 instruction sheets.
The first is a single sheet, folded in the center to create 4 pages in 7” x 9 ¾” page format. Folded again to fit the box. It is all in Polish only.
At the top is an all blue repeat of the box art, next to the history of the Pz.Kpfw. 743(r), over a side view of it in a camouflage pattern of sand base with dark-green wave pattern and a skeletal white German cross on the sides of the hull.
To its right is an illustration of the decal sheet.
At the bottom of the page is an illustration of the 2 brass PE frets and another side view of the tractor in the box art scheme.
RPM’s street address in Warsaw, Poland and their telephone number are provided.
Page 2 to the top of page 4 gives a total of 16 un-numbered assembly steps.
The bottom of page 4 shows the Schneider cannon assembled with the alternate rubber tires and an illustration of white victory marks that would go on the front of its shield, that are on the decal sheet.
A second smaller instruction sheet is a single-sheet, also folded in the center to create 4 pages in 4” x 5 ¾” page format.
Page 1 begins with a repeat of the tractor’s history and specifications in Polish. Over illustrations of 3 of the parts trees. These are drawn rather strangely. Only the trees are shown with part numbers on them, but none of the parts on the trees…UGH!
Pages 2 & 3 give a grand total of 6 assembly steps for the Schneider cannon numbered with Roman numerals.
Page 4 has a few lines of Polish text I cannot translate.
This kit is actually two kits in one. It includes a complete T-60 tank - which was earlier released by RPM as kit no. 35044 and a complete French Schneider 1897/33 cannon - which was earlier released by RPM as kit no. 35014.
So, what, you are asking is NEW? Well, there is a huge sheet of PE in the kit to go on the T-60 and a smaller PE engine air intake screen.
Also, the decals are the same sheet included in the two other RPM kits. This new release is supposed to build up into a turretless ammo carrier and gun towing tractor.
However, the turret for the T-60 is in the kit and can be relegated to the spares box.
The trees are not all alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the hull top, bottom and rear wall, hatches etc. (16 parts)
Also, the decals are the same sheet included in the two other RPM kits. This new release is supposed to build up into a turretless ammo carrier and gun towing tractor.
However, the turret for the T-60 is in the kit and can be relegated to the spares box.
The trees are not all alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the hull top, bottom and rear wall, hatches etc. (16 parts)
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter B trees. They hold: link and length type tracks, road wheels, drive sprockets, idler wheels, return rollers, a storage box, fenders, bogies etc. (48 parts each)
The first un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: the unused turret parts, hull sides, panel with louvers on it etc. (16 parts) Tree does have tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
The second un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: the gun barrel and shield for the Schneider cannon etc. (17 parts) Tree also has tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
The third un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: the Schneider cannon’s trailing arms, elevation wheels, barrel support etc. (9 parts) Tree also has tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
The fourth un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: alternate spoked wheels for the Schneider cannon and its axle etc. (16 parts) Tree also has tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
There a loose medium-grey trees in the kit. 2 are of tired wheels for the Schneider cannon and 2 are rims.
The third un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: the Schneider cannon’s trailing arms, elevation wheels, barrel support etc. (9 parts) Tree also has tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
The fourth un-alphabetized medium-grey tree holds: alternate spoked wheels for the Schneider cannon and its axle etc. (16 parts) Tree also has tabs with numbers on them next to the parts.
There a loose medium-grey trees in the kit. 2 are of tired wheels for the Schneider cannon and 2 are rims.
The decal sheet holds a large swastika flag for aerial identification and white markings.
The crosses of Lorraine and the French license numbers are not used.
The crosses of Lorraine and the French license numbers are not used.
The very large brass PE fret holds a whopping 143 parts: more to-scale fenders, numerous grills and vents, tons of tie-downs, wing nuts, etc. etc.
There is a smaller piece of PE that is the engine air intake screen alone.
There is a smaller piece of PE that is the engine air intake screen alone.
Since this kit has the complete T-60 and the complete Schneider cannon in it - plus the PE that was not in the earlier release of the solo T-60 - you are saving on the Schneider price and gaining the huge PE set in the bargain. A real deal if you need both kits and want to save a few bucks.
I think that this combination will make up rather neat and be something different on the shelf. If you like captured equipment in German service, this kit will be right up your alley.
I think that this combination will make up rather neat and be something different on the shelf. If you like captured equipment in German service, this kit will be right up your alley.
Highly recommended.