1:72 Russian T-14 Armata

Russian T-14 Armata, 1:72, Plastic Kit by Trumpeter

Unassembled and unpainted injection-molded plastic kit of the T-14 Armata tank in 1:72 scale by Trumpeter. The small scale makes the model a rewarding one- or two-evening project and also suits a display case with limited space.

The real subject

The T-14 is a Russian tank built on the universal tracked Armata platform, publicly unveiled in 2015. It differs from the older Soviet and Russian design school mainly in its layout: the turret is unmanned, that is remotely operated, and the three-man crew sits in a separate armored capsule at the front of the hull. The main armament is a 125 mm gun, and the vehicle has a developed sensor suite and active-protection elements. The silhouette is noticeably more angular than earlier types, with modular armor and prominent sensor blocks around the turret.

Building and painting tips

With tracked vehicles it pays to work from the bottom up: finish and paint the running gear first, then close up the hull. In 1:72 scale the parts are small, so cut them with a sharp knife and sand them smooth rather than snapping them off. Apply a primer, then spray the base color and keep the shading subtle — the small scale only takes fine differences. Highlight the engraved panel lines and grilles with a thin wash, and finish with dust pigments on the track treads and the underside of the hull. Leave the optics and sensors glossy; the contrast with the matte paint brings the model to life.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of modern tracked equipment in a small scale.
• Modelers who want a quicker project without an extensive interior.
• Builders assembling a collection in a consistent 1:72 scale.

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.