Parc models (t-18 kit)

[Guest]

quick review of the Parc Models T18 tank,


Upon opening the box, i found a very sparse instruction sheet, and four sprues.


Problem 1: none of the sprues have numbered parts, which is odd as the instruction sheet actually numbers the parts!


Problem 2: the instruction sheet is vauge, almost to the point where youre better off using the picture on the box!!


Problem 3: after struggling to work out which part goes where on the turret and rear equipment rack, as four parts all look the same but are slightly different lengths, youll find the parts dont actually fit anyway.


The front nose of the tank doesnt even come close to fitting, and after sanding the forward curve enough to fit in between the side plates of the main hull, you eventually find out that the rear section was moulded way too small too!


Then the forward secrion of armour plate comes in five separate pieces, yet try as you might, they wont actually go together, because the triangular side pieces were moulded way too big.


Building the turret is guess work. One lower piece, then six side plates, two with gun aperatures, (which shows guns being fitted after building the turret, but thats wrong as they fit from inside!)


Lining up all the six pieces, with a little tamiya tape, shows the top of the turret is now too small.


So each piece needs sanding at an angle to get them to lean in enough to get the top on. And yes, i did all that, glued it and found out the guns now dont go in.


The side track cover plates need a magical spell. As they seem to need to float in mid air in order to go in the right place, and the suspension parts, all 35 per side (ridiculous, when the rest of the tank is less parts) dont even fit where they should. Leaf springs have pin holes and hey dont line up with holes moulded in the hull. The reat wheels are glued in position due to a moulded c shape to glue them on, but the fronts attach on such a thin spindle, its impossible to attach the wheel without it breaking off, so youll end up glueing it anyway.


In a nutshell, i built the hull best as it would go, and the turret, junked the rest, and thoight, what an absolute heap.


Gave it to my 5 yr old, so he can help daddy paint a tank!


Conclusion?


If you see a Parc model for sale, unless its free so you dont waste money, then id walk away. Utter junk.

[Dave Jay]

That's a shame Dave, it looks like it would have been an unusual subject to have in the collection.


Just goes to show how box art can fool us. All part of yhe sales tactics.

[Dave Jay]

Instructions mate look like something from a Scandinavian flat pack

[Guest]

Theyre unreal dave!


Look at section 4


Clearly shows the guns going on AFTER the main pieces, then the rivetted plate over the top! Complete screwed instructions, as rhe guns have to go inside the main plate, then the rivetted plate glues to that!!


I found ONE build of the tank on scalemates, all in german, but looking at the finished build photos, the person has left huge gaps between parts, which just shows how crap the kits are!


Worse still. Look up Parc Models on google, theyre a romanian company, and make a hige variety of kits! Obviously the eastern bloc modellers dont care for quality!

[grumpa]

Ah, you poor devil, guess you weren't ready for that aye? I worked through mine because it was a very unique vehicle and figured I'd make a version of it after it became obsolete {almost as the treads hit the ground.} and chassis were used for arty tractors, ammo carriers, SPGs and the like...Many times awful fit problems can be hidden by tarps and other stowage if you kind of plan for it so to speak


as it arises. There are really no other versions of this particular vehicle which does make the kit kind of a rarity, See if Mama can retrieve it for you without too much of a fuss from jr. and maybe you can save it for when you feel more confidence in yourself to handle a difficult kit such as this..................Jim

[Guest]

Ah, you poor devil, guess you weren't ready for that aye? I worked through mine because it was a very unique vehicle and figured I'd make a version of it after it became obsolete {almost as the treads hit the ground.} and chassis were used for arty tractors, ammo carriers, SPGs and the like...Many times awful fit problems can be hidden by tarps and other stowage if you kind of plan for it so to speak
as it arises. There are really no other versions of this particular vehicle which does make the kit kind of a rarity, See if Mama can retrieve it for you without too much of a fuss from jr. and maybe you can save it for when you feel more confidence in yourself to handle a difficult kit such as this..................Jim

Youre right they are a rarity, and im sure that skilled modellers could make something of it, but i have nowhere near the ability to modify, and build this. Im not too worried, im happy for lil man to sit and splosh some paint on it, as he feels like we are doing something again together. Plus, ive got plenty more, and im learning that obscure kits arent for me, i need to stick to the tried and true easy to build kits of tamiya and the like.

[takeslousyphotos]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger Dave .......... Crack on and see it through.

[Guest]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger Dave .......... Crack on and see it through.

No no, my desire Died early this afternoon. This thing has no chance of making me stronger!