1:35 Russian T-62 Mod.1962

T-62 Mod.1962 in 1:35 scale from Trumpeter

Injection-molded plastic kit of the Soviet T-62 medium tank in the form in which the type entered production at the beginning of the 1960s. For ground vehicles 1:35 is the most widespread scale, so the model fits into an existing collection and into a Cold War diorama alike. The manufacturer is Trumpeter.

The real subject

The T-62 followed on from the proven T-55, but brought a fundamental novelty: the 115 mm U-5TS smoothbore gun, also designated 2A20. It was the first mass-produced tank with a smoothbore barrel, which opened the way to sub-caliber rounds with a high muzzle velocity. To fit the bulkier turret and the longer weapon, the tank was given a lengthened hull and a reworked spacing of the road wheels. Fired cartridge cases left through a hatch in the rear of the turret. Power came from a twelve-cylinder diesel. The designation Mod.1962 refers to the basic production form on which the upgrades of later years were based.

Building and painting tips

On tracked vehicles it pays to finish and paint the running gear before the hull is closed and the fenders fitted, because afterwards the return rollers are hard to reach. Soviet green looks flat on a model, so break it up with a lighter touch on the horizontal surfaces. Brown washes and dust pigments will bring out the cast texture of the turret, and fine chipping on the edges and around the hatches gives the tank a look that is convincing at scale.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Soviet and Cold War equipment
• Modelers building the T-54, T-55 and T-62 line of development
• Builders of dioramas from the Middle East and Afghanistan
• Modelers with experience of building tracked vehicles

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