HobbyBoss 1/48 T-34 1942 - Inbox Review

[Dave Ward]

HobbyBoss are a well-established Chinese maker, and along with their associate company Trumpeter produce a large range of models in many scales!
The T-34 is one of the most iconic tanks ever. HobbyBoss produce 4 1/48 versions of the T-34, ( /76 & /85 )

A pointer that this is a bit out of the ordinary is the parts count - 385 parts............................
This has a full interior
Sprue shots:


Decals & other little bits


Instructions - booklet with line diagrams - look pretty clear


The link & length tracks have a little pair of jigs to help assembly.........................................

One colour finish - 4BO - no instructions on decal placement, but a little internet research will cure that
Part 2 for detail shots a and comment.

[Tim Marlow]

Wow, that’s a beast of a kit, and in 1/48 as well. Some of those parts must be tiny! Love the track jig idea though. I wish all manufacturers did that!

[Dave Ward]

Some detail shots


This part - the engine rear decking - comes ready assembled :thumb2:
The sprues are all clean & well moulded, no flash, the only ejector pin marks are on the track faces, but with a coat of paint, won't be obvious. There are a lot of delicate parts, slide moulded. Due to the large number of parts, it may not be suitable for a beginner.
The interior looks pretty complete, including the turret - one problem is that the colour call outs for the interior are half-hearted, some parts are labelled, some are not - a bit of research will be needed!
As with all 'Full Interior' models, the puzzle is how to display it! I reckon just leaving the upper hull able to be removed is the easiest. I have seen one of these - a T34/85 sectioned more or less along the centre line ( Steven Zaloga, I think ) a real masterpiece!. To make this without displaying the interior would be a real waste, although doable..
Availability? Yes - at a remarkably low price - £14-15 ( + p&p ). Tamiya do T-34s in 1/48, but not as detailed, and more expensive. If you're a 1/48 fan, then these are worth a look - oddly I haven't seen these at much discount on ebay...................
Dave

[JR]

At that price I think its work a go , although a little smaller than normal for me .Thanks Dave .

[JR]

If anyone is interested there is another good review of the kit its self in great detail from Terry Ashley of PMMS.

https://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/48/hobbyboss/hb84806-8.htm

[Dave Ward]

I knew I'd seen Stephen Zaloga's T-34/85 sectioned somewhere - I can't find one of the T-34/76, but you can get the general idea!


not sure that this is the HobbyBoss model, but my memory says it is!
Dave
EDIT - I've found that this is the AFV Club 1/35 Model! 0bviously my memory was wrong ( but you get the overall concept! )

[David Lovell]

Well done Dave I built the t34 flat top turret one years ago these are great kits and for the money hard to be beaten, the ones with the kv chassis are also excellent, I cant comment on the sherman types not really my bag no doubt they've been ripped apart by the rivet boys but in these hard times the price is right. The smallest parts are no smaller than the smallest 35th stuff so no excuses lads dive in, im off to surf and see what I can find . Dave

[Dave Ward]

Well done Dave I built the t34 flat top turret one years ago these are great kits and for the money hard to be beaten, the ones with the kv chassis are also excellent, I cant comment on the sherman types not really my bag no doubt they've been ripped apart by the rivet boys but in these hard times the price is right. The smallest parts are no smaller than the smallest 35th stuff so no excuses lads dive in, im off to surf and see what I can find . Dave

David,
I don't think I've seen one of the HB 1/48 KV series made up, but they seem to be around the same price. I do believe that they don't have any interior, though. At hat price, though worth a look, especially the KV-2
Dave

[langy71]

Excellent review Dave,
although my wallet is starting to hate all these lovely ideas to give it a battering...