HG3304 review
I’m not going to get into any thing technical about this model or any model for that matter. I’m looking for something that is visually appealing, a good paint and markings application and parts that fit well. Just the general things most average collectors will look for and appreciate. I’ll leave any technical points of view up to others.
The model comes in a nice plastic display case, clear on the top and a black plastic base with the tank information embossed in the front left corner. Like other Hobby Master models the tank is fastened to the base by two screws coming up through the bottom. The added feature is the tracks are not resting on the plastic base; there is a small clearance between the two. If these soft rubber tracks are left sitting plastic they will eventually deteriorate. Again Hobby Master has given that little extra thought to their model and us. These little things don’t cost any extra so why is it other companies don’t do this?
Even at the first glance it is an excellent looking tank. The entire paint application is great with the paint applied as well as Hobby Master usually does. There is no weathering so the model looks museum quality pristine. The markings are few but what is present is the usual high caliber of Hobby Master.
Hobby Master has done a nice job with the looks of the model. The hull is plastic because the T-55 was developed in that short time period when Hobby Master switched to plastic hulls as a cost saving measure. This didn’t last long before they switched back to metal hulls but once the molds are made for plastic hulls they won’t switch back because of the huge cost involved making a new mold. The same mold can’t be used for metal and plastic because the two materials are at different temperatures when they are molded with the metal being at a temperature at least twice that of plastic. Since plastic is a lower temperature the molds don’t have to be as thick and the panel lines and anything else don’t have to be as thick as when using metal. If the lines and features of the molds were as small as those used molding plastic the molten metal would simply melt the mold. Regardless whether plastic or metal hull this is a very well designed model. There is a metal block inside the hull to give it the weight we want when we lift it.
The chassis and suspension are all molded as one and the wheels were attached later. They are fixed in place with the track glued to the wheels to give it the track droop look. The track is made of a soft rubber and looks very good and really complements the wheels. The deck is plastic and that is usual for all tank models. This is the only way to achieve all the detail of the hatches and guns and vents and so on. There are 2 flexible tow cable attached to the shackles, one to the front and one to the rear. They provided the 2 X 200 liter external fuel tanks and an un-ditching beam is fastened across the rear.
The turret and gun are metal and the gun is bored, not just a black dot of paint. The turret turns but the gun doesn’t elevate because Hobby Master added what would be the rubberized canvas mantlet cover using colored plastic to simulate the look. They achieved this quite nicely. All the lights and hatches are in place as well as the handholds around the outside of the turret. Where these handholds join the turret Hobby Master has removed the small dab of plastic that is on the previous release. They were very concerned about the frailty of these tiny pieces but have realized that accuracy is more important to us than the fact that the piece might get broken.
Over all this is a nice display piece and will sit very well beside anything you presently own. I don’t know if I’m just a softy for Russian built tanks or if the T-55 is just that great looking. Perhaps it is the fact that it isn’t another WWII German tank that seems to be the favorite of some manufacturers. Maybe it is all of these and Hobby Master has really done themselves proud.