SU-100

AER Kit # 7210; Toga Kit #252; Cooperativa/Eastern Express Kit # 72008

This was the firstself-propelled gun on the T-34 chassis which was released inplastic. It shares many of the same components as the AERT-34/85, and also many of the same comments. Unfortunately, Istarted construction on my kit a couple of years ago, so I had toscan the partially completed kit.

While the molding qualityof this kit isn't quite as sharp as the other T-34 kits, it isstill a fairly decent model. The hull in particular, is prettywell done. There is good bolt detail on the rear hull plate, andthe rear transmission access hatch is molded in good relief. Thewelded hinge for the driver's hatch is fairly good too, althoughthe hatch itself can only be posed in the open position withoutmajor work. The screening hatch over the engine fans is molded asa separate piece, as is the small, rectangular engine accesshatch in the center of the engine deck, but there is no interioror engine detail. All of the fighting compartment hatches on thehull top are molded closed, and only the rear loading hatch couldbe opened up without much trouble.

These two scans show bothsides of the sprue, but only one is included with each kit.

The wheel axles are moldedonto the hull sides, like all T-34 kits, and are a little flat.Also, the spacing between the axles is incorrect. The kit has thefront three wheels on each side very close to one another, whenin fact, it should be the rear three wheels which are close. Itprobably wouldn't be too difficult to cut off an axle or two tocorrect the problem.

The wheels are flat andpoorly detailed. Also, there are too few lightening holes inthem. The spare fuel drums are fair, molded in halves, which maypresent a problem forming a clean join. The screening over theengine fans is not as good as the other T-34 kits, and lacksdetail. The storage bins are simple blocks of plastic without anysort of hinges or lid detail whatsoever. Only one smoke barrel isincluded with the kit, and the instructions indicate it should beattached on the hull side, which I believe is incorrect. Thereshould be two of them, and they should be located on the rearhull. Also there is no bolt detail around the rims of the mufflerguards.

The tracks are the hardplastic, link and length style. While these are not quite as niceas the newest tracks from Eastern Express, or the ESCI hardplastic tracks, they are still light years ahead of vinyl tracks.The waffle pattern on the outside of the track is pretty good,and the inside surface of the track is fairly well representedalso, although the track guide teeth could have been taller, andmore pronounced (although limitations in molding technology mayhave prevented this). The tracks are very thick, but very easy towork with.

The decals sheet is very comprehensive, with about a dozen different marking options. Theyare printed in single colors, so registration is not a problem,and although the carrier film is spread over most of the sheet,it is very thin and with a matte surface texture. They look likethey should be pretty decent decals, although I haven't triedthem yet.

All in all, this is nottoo bad of a kit, although I'd recommend replacing the wheelswith either resin after-market items, or plastic items from otherT-34 kits. With the photo-etched brass after-market detail setsavailable for this kit, it should build into a decent model.