1:35 PLA 59 Medium Tank-early

The Type 59 in its early version in 1:35 scale from Hobby Boss

Plastic kit of the Chinese Type 59 medium tank from Hobby Boss in 1:35 scale. The kit captures the vehicle in its form from the start of series production, that is without the later upgrade fittings with which the Chinese army gradually equipped its tanks. It is an injection-molded plastic kit meant to be glued and painted.

The real subject

The Type 59 appeared in the late 1950s as a license-built copy of the Soviet T-54A medium tank and became the first mass-produced tank of Chinese industry. The main armament is a 100 mm rifled gun complemented by machine guns, and power comes from a twelve-cylinder diesel. The vehicle is marked by the low hemispherical turret typical of the Soviet school of design. For several decades the Type 59 formed the backbone of Chinese armored forces; it was built in large numbers and, in a range of versions and upgrades, served in the armies of many other countries in Asia and Africa.

Building and painting tips

Start the build with the running gear and the hull; before closing the hull up, decide whether you want the hatches open. Use thin cement for plastic on the plastic parts, letting it run into the seams. Before painting we recommend a primer, then an overall coat in the green typical of Chinese vehicles. The look is lifted markedly by a dark wash into the recesses and by dusting with pigments: the Type 59 lends itself excellently to muddy and dusty effects.

Who the model is for

• For modelers interested in postwar and modern armored vehicles.
• For collectors of machines of the Soviet school of design and its license-built derivatives.
• For builders of dioramas from the Cold War and later conflicts.
• Thanks to its straightforward construction, for moderately advanced modelers as well.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.