1:72 Soviet T-28 Medium Tank (Riveted)

The Soviet T-28 tank in the riveted form, 1:72 scale from Trumpeter

This injection-molded plastic kit captures the Soviet T-28 multi-turreted medium tank in its early form with a riveted hull. Three turrets stepped one behind another into a characteristic silhouette make the model one of the most striking subjects of interwar vehicles. The maker of the kit is Trumpeter.

The real subject

The T-28 was built from 1933 at the Kirov Works in Leningrad. The main turret carried a gun of 76.2 mm caliber, and ahead of it on either side stood two small turrets with machine guns; the vehicle was to act as a mobile fortress breaking through prepared defenses. The early series had riveted hulls and turrets, while later ones moved to welding; it is that first, riveted form that this kit captures. The tanks went through the Winter War against Finland, where their armor protection proved insufficient and some vehicles received add-on plates, and they were still fighting in 1941.

Building and painting tips

The riveted surfaces are the main ornament of the model, so handle the abrasive paper on the hull carefully, so as not to sand the rivets away. Use liquid polystyrene cement on the plastic and dose the glue sparingly. Lay the base green shade down with an airbrush, then let a dark wash run around every row of rivets; that is where the texture stands out most. A dry brush in a lighter tone brings out the edges, and concentrate the dust and mud on the tracks and the lower hull.

Who the model is for

• collectors of Soviet interwar vehicles
• modelers drawn to multi-turreted tanks
• builders of dioramas from the Winter War and from 1941
• anyone interested in striking silhouettes in a small scale

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