Comments on Trumpeter 1/35 Tanks?

The first batch of kits without the applique armor were very badly tooled. Trumpeter was castigated in the modelling press because the Challenger 2 is such a high profile and long-desired subject. To their credit, the manufacturer is trying to become a world-class competitor, and they recut the molds. Trumpeter went back to the drawing board and reportedly has corrected most of the gaffes in the new versions (KFOR and Iraq versions, which feature the large applique armor package on the bow and side skirts). Overall, the first round of motorized Trumpeter kits (like their T-54 and T-55 kits, also released in Wasan Model Company boxes) are poor and misproportioned to accommodate the motor pack, and some were poor knockoffs of Dragon and Tamiya kits. Their more recent releases are not motorized and are much closer in quality to the industry leaders. GPO

Their K-5 railway gun is the best of the 2 is what I get from most of the reviews.

With such a high-profile subject, they must have pulled out all the stops to get that one right. But going head to head with Dragon and coming out on top, indicates Trumpeter knows their stuff.

Kinda makes you want them to come up with Tigers and Panthers :-)

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misproportioned

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I built some months ago Trumpeter British Challenger II (not the Iraq 2003 version) that, speaking for myself, is not a good kit. Unfortunately Tamiya or Dragon don't produce kits of this beatiful tank (Tamiya has Challenger I - Dragon I don't know). There are a lot of missing or wrong details (road wheels, for example), and the moulding quality is not very good (some parts are good, but some are very bad ... ). I think Iraq 2003 version is the same kit with some added parts like passive side armour and Thermal Identification Panels. In general, Trumpeter's kit is a good base, but some extra work for upgrades or adjustments is necessary. I used some aftermaket products to improve the kit (Accurate Armour provide some good upgrade kits and decal sets, but I think Eduard has some photo etched part for this kit too) and the final result was ok, but considering the price of aftermarket products, the initial low price of the kit is not enough to consider this purchase a good choice !! I used the upgrade sets Accurate Armour Challenger-2 upgrade set (Op' Telic), Accurate Armour Challenger-2 decals (Op' Telic) and Accurate Armour Challenger-2 wheel set

good work !!

bye

FB

I've bought the Hobby Craft AS-90 which is a Trumpeter kit inside. £13.99 was a bargain and the molding looks good enough for me. Lots of parts too so it will be fun to build.

I too am looking for alternates to Tamiya as I am running out of models that I *want* to build from them. I have not purchased any Dragon armour kits so wouldn't mind if people could tell me how good/bad they are.