miniafv: Modelcollect 1/72 Russian T-72B3 MBT 2017 mod. **inbox review** (by Erhan Atalay)

Friday, July 31, 2020

Modelcollect 1/72 Russian T-72B3 MBT 2017 mod. inbox review (by Erhan Atalay)

Hello dear modeller,

Modelcollect company has released a lot of kits on Post WW2 Russian tanks.

I also prepared a review of a T-72 version kit. Full detailed and high quality molding. But there are no PE parts in this kit. This is interesting.

Erhan..

A short information about the tank :

The T-72B3 is a recent Russian upgrade of the ageing T-72B tanks. It can be seen as a low-cost alternative to the T-72B2 Rogatka upgrade to keep older T-72B tanks operational. Refurbished and upgraded T-72B3 tanks are fitted with new engine, new gunners sight, new fire control system and have some other improvements. Now this MBT has a limited hunter-killer engagement capability. First upgraded T-72B3 tanks were delivered to the Russian Army in 2013. By 2016 At least 600 older tanks were upgraded to this standard.

During 2014 and 2015 the T-72B3 tanks saw combat during a military conflict in Ukraine. At least a couple of these tanks were destroyer or captured by Ukrainian armed forces. At least one captured tank was pressed into Ukrainian service and used against its former owners. In 2017 the T-72B3 was also used in Syria.

Protection of the upgraded tank was slightly improved. The T-72B3 is fitted with built-in Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor. The same armor is used by the T-80U, T90 and some other main battle tanks. This armor can effectively defeat most older APFSDS rounds.

Newer version of the T-72B3, which appeared in 2017, which is better protected than the standard T-72B3. It has an added new add-on explosive reactive armor package, which covers rear part of the turret. This tank is also fitted with cage armor, which covers rear parts of the hull and turret and improved triangular side skirts.

T-72B3 model 2016 (or T-72B3M, ~2017)Upgrade like the T-72B3, with Relikt explosive reactive armour, side skirts with soft-container reactive armour and slat screens, 2A46M-5 gun capable of firing 9M119M Refleks guided missile, V-92S2F 1,130 hp (840 kW) engine, automatic transmission,
digital display and rear-view video.

Contents of the kit. Lots of small plastic pieces..Some of them are only spare parts