| Date of Review |
May 2005 |
| Manufacturer |
Unimodel |
| Subject |
SU-85 |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
333 |
| Primary Media |
Styrene |
| Detail Media |
Styrene & Photo-Etch |
| Clear Media |
N/A |
| Pros |
Nicely detailed kit |
| Cons |
|
| Skill Level |
Basic |
| MSRP (USD) |
$11.98 |
Background
The SU-85 entered production in 1943 as a self-propelled
anti-tank gun based upon the T-34/85 chassis. Armed
with the 85mm D-5S, the SU-85 could penetrate 102mm of armor
from up to one kilometer way. The SU-85 could carry 48 rounds
inside its armor of up to 45mm in thickness.
Powered by a 12 cylinder diesel engine, the SU-85 could
move its 29.5 tons up to 55 kph. The Soviets produced over
2600 SU-85s and was a capable match against most of the German
armor standing between them and Berlin. The SU-100 would come
along later and clean up after the two big cats - the Tiger
and Panther.
The Kit
The kit is molded in green styrene and presented on five
parts trees, plus two additional rubber trees cast in black
containing the rubber road wheels and a set of rubber track.
A small fret of photo-etched parts is also included which contains
an engine deck grille, a wood saw, and the mantlet for the
hull machine gun (not used in this kit).
The first two trees contain the wheels and suspension parts. The
third tree has the armored crew compartment and main gun barrel.
The fourth tree has the rear engine deck and side fenders. The
fifth tree has the lower hull parts.
The track sections are an interesting touch since they are more
realistic than rubber band tracks and easier to manipulate/assemble
than true track links (especially in this scale). The results
appear to be quite nice.
The rubber road wheels are an interesting touch that will save
lots of time painting the wheels. Since there are ten rubber wheels
on each side of the hull, this would be convenient!
Looking over the instructions, the details of this kit are quite
impressive and the SU-85 should build into a nice scale replica.
Markings are included to represent three different SU-85s:
- Number 741, 3rd Guards Tank Army, Voronezh, Autumn 1943
- Number 843, 1047 SPG Regt, 1st Baltic Front, Summer 1944
- Number C-13, 3rd Ukrainian Front, Romania, Summer 1944
Conclusion
This is a nice-looking kit that is reasonably priced and not
a difficult build. You can see for yourself at your local hobby
establishment or you can find this kit online at Squadron
Mail Order.
My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail
Order for this review sample!
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