|
S u m m a r y |
| Catalogue No.: |
MM35354 |
| Contents and
Media: |
Lower hull and six sprues of
parts in injection molded styrene; set of full-length
glueable tracks; small bag of poly caps; metal bolts and
springs. |
| Scale: |
1/35 |
| Review
Type: |
FirstLook |
| Advantages: |
Excellent rendition of the
Pershing at the Ropkey Armor Museum; includes some accessories
and some small details not in earlier DML kit, separate engine
doors, crisp molding |
| Disadvantages: |
Some small details molded on
(separate on DML kit); working suspension requires some
shortcuts to suspension accuracy; needs work to make T26E3 used
in Europe |
| Recommendation: |
Recommended (but because of
suspension and price can't highly recommend over DML's
Pershing) |
Reviewed by Michael Bedard
Tamiya's 1/35 scale M26 Pershing is available
online from
Squadron.com
The M26 Pershing was in development prior to June 6th but because
of logistics and experience in Italy the program was not prioritized
for implementation. Tankers and repair crews felt they needed a
better tank than the Sherman which was the main theme in Mr.
Cooper's book Death Traps. Also the battle of the Bulge and the
German use of massed Tiger II tanks sent forth an urgent request for
a more powerful tank than the M4 Sherman.
Starting in January 1945 with operation Zebra Pershings were finally
put into battle in Europe. At that time they were classified as
T26E3 heavy tanks. The very first encounter was not glourious for
the Pershings as 'Fireball' was knocked out at short range from a
Tiger I. The Pershing did however go through the rest of the war
with a good account of itself. In 1950 in Korea the Pershing was
reclassified as M26 medium and did well against the T-34/85 employed
by the North Koreans.
Tamiya's kit is nice, but it is hard not compare it to DML's
version that came out a few years back.
The most obvious difference between the two kits is the working
suspension of the new Tamiya M26. Because of this working
suspension, the shock absorbers are too short. There are also some
oversized metal bolts to help articulate the suspension up in front.
Some of this is hidden by the roadwheels, but not all. Also the
handles on the tool boxes are molded on where as they are separate
on the DML offering.
The hull hatches have details on the inside which DML's do not and
the engine doors are separate and detailed on both sides. There are
casting numbers on the upper hull and turret, and more are molded on
many parts compared to the DML T26E3 Pershing.
Casting texture on Tamiya's hull and turret are excellent.
There are some smaller details missing that are also absent from the
older DML kit. This is probably due to molding restrictions
To make the T26E3 European campaign version, some small features
must be removed from the final drive. The infantry box on the rear
also should be left off and the holes filled.
The parts breakdown makes it clear that this kit will eventually
be released with radio control at some time in the future.
Tamiya's Pershing is more expensive than DML's and, in my
opinion, the working suspension is a bit of a gimmick.
However, overall I would say that the Tamiya M26 is an excellent
rendition of the Pershing at the Ropkey Armor Museum.
It is worth buying, but if you are on a budget the older DML
offering will suffice.
Review Copyright © 2002 by
Michael Bedard
Page Created
27 July, 2002
Last updated
22 July, 2003
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