Part 1: First Look

MSRP: $44.95 Distributed by Stevens International: www.stevenshobby.com The history of the PT-76 goes way back to the late 1940's. It was designed out of a late war requirement for a lightweight amphibious reconnaissance tank. The initial model sported a 76.2mm D-56T gun and only had 15mm of armor on its thickest point. Later and subsequent models would be finished with improved fire control, redesigned gun and muzzle brakes, NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) filtration systems, smoke generators, radios, hull and turret designs, and increased armor protection. In total, over 4,000 PT-76's were produced. Many were exported to China, Vietnam, Egypt, and India. I also assume the countries friendly with Russia were given license rights to produce this vehicle as well. I say that only because Trumpeter sports a Polish version of this vehicle as well. In all, Trumpeter currently has 4 of these: the model 1951, the PT-76, the PT-76B, and the Polish PT-76B. This kit landed in my lap thanks to the Nationals and my Brother. It was a birthday gift. I had visions of building it as a captured Israeli vehicle with the white and black air recognition Stripe on the upper hull and turret that was prevalent on numerous IDF vehicles. Of course, it may be a hypothetical build as it appears the Israeli captured vehicles were the later B models. The pictures I have are all of the double baffle muzzle brake as opposed to the serrated version on the model 1951. Trumpeter makes one sturdy box. This is odd to me as all the merchandise we handle at work that is imported arrives inside a box that if one drop of rain lands on it, the box completely disintegrates. The box is adorned with a PT-76 driving through a crowded European Street. Inside the box is where the really good stuff is. You get four sprues of light gray colored styrene containing only 178 parts, the upper and lower hulls (the upper hull is protected by a folded up piece of cardboard), a small decal sheet to mark two unidentified Russian vehicles, a fold out instruction guide, a color single page painting and decaling guide, two small frets of photo-etched brass, a braided nylon tow cable, a bent brass wire, and two single length vinyl tracks. Like all kits, everyone can find pros and cons. First look cons appear to be the track. Like previous Trumpeter releases, the tracks don't really like numerous types of cements. I have been lucky with the Testors tube cement. The big issue is that I have not found a paint/thinner combination that will bite into the plastic. The paint sits on top and when you flex the track to fit the vehicle it starts flaking off. The hand rail is folded over. Trumpeter includes a sketch to bend the rail to shape but you might be better off using your own brass wire. Though the turret features a breach, there is nothing else in the turret. The large hatch cover has two ejector pin marks (one on each dome) that will have to be dealt with if you open the hatch. The pros are nicely molded detail overall. This appears to have been better done than their Bridge layer vehicle. The PE screen and headlight guards look great. Trumpeter also includes forms for the guards. I would like to thank my brother Michael and his wife Laurie for the kit. I am also thankful, as always, to IPMS/USA for a place for others to view the review and I am ready to jump into the build this evening over at Randy's house. Plus, I will get to tell the neat stories I got to experience while at the Nationals. Almost all the internet Hobby Shops have this kit and the three others in stock.

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