1:35 Tesla Tank (Red Alert 2)

1:35 Tesla Tank (Red Alert 2) – Border Model plastic kit

A kit of the Tesla Tank in 1:35 scale, one of the most distinctive Soviet units in the strategy game Red Alert 2. The manufacturer treats it as a snap-fit build: the parts are molded in separate colors and assembly needs no glue, while painting is up to you. The turret rotates. Electronic parts are not included in the package, so the model will not light itself up.

The real subject

The Tesla Tank is not a historical machine. It is a unit from a computer game, so it has no real service and no history, and neither can be attributed to it. In the game it is a Soviet tracked vehicle for Russia that sends out an electric discharge from the Tesla coils on the turret instead of firing a conventional gun. The discharge works against vehicles and buildings and needs no direct line of sight to the target, but the tank is fairly vulnerable – a few hits from the basic Soviet tank will knock it out. In the campaign it appears only in the Chrono Storm operation, which takes place in Moscow.

Building and painting tips

Parts molded in separate colors mean the model holds together even without paint, but spraying and weathering take its look further. Finish the running gear and the interior before you close up the hull, because you will not reach them later. The Tesla coils can take a stronger effect – metal with highlights and a slight blue tint around the electrodes looks good. The hull suits mud and dust effects and a darker wash in the engraved lines.

Who the model is for

• Red Alert 2 players and collectors of game subjects
• Vehicle modelers looking for something outside historical themes
• Beginners – assembly needs no glue
• Anyone who wants a striking display piece in 1:35 scale

The model is supplied unassembled, but according to the manufacturer the parts are molded in separate colors and no glue is needed to build it. Paints and the electronic parts are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.