Miniart 1/35 T-55 AL FAW/ENIGMA (37080)

This review will tell you more about Miniart 1/35 T-55 AL FAW/ENIGMA (37080). As you can guess from the name, kit comes as yet another version of the famous tank in popular scale. I reviewed some of the previous versions, so it will be interesting to see what is new here. Overall packaging is quite hefty, and literally filled with sprues. Everything is sealed into one plastic bag, so let's open it and take a closer look together.

By the way, here you can read review with another T-55 kit in different version.
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Watch this video-review where I show all parts even closer.

We start with large frame which carries parts for today's version. Note that external armor will have to be assembled out of several parts, but at least those sections come as one-piece elements.

There are several turret versions, so be sure to use the right one. This will apply to some other elements too, and you have to pay attention to assembly manual.

Just like in the previous releases, here you will get a lot of tiny parts, so be sure not to lose those.

While this kit doesn't have movable suspension, it does have separate suspension arms. You can see them on the photos above and below.

One-piece wheels look fine, but would require careful paintwork in order to get the rubber section right.

Some of the handles might be worth replacing with metal wire for even more convincing look.

Counterweight and additional armor come on the next sprues too. The overall design of those parts is quite smart, so it should be easy to get them together.

Remember that today's release comes without interior, so all separate hatches are more for the figurines placement. Well, you can also get a separate engine kit from Miniart if you would like to.

Amount of parts here is truly impressive, so be sure to keep everything in one box.

One-piece main barrel looks fine and should be easy to install. In my opinion it is more than enough for the standard build.

Hull should be glued out of separate panels. Note also fuel drums which should be glued out of several parts.

Miniart did a great job with overall design of the kit, but amount of tiny bits makes it more professional-focused. It is something I won't recommend to beginners for sure.

Stowage boxes have premolded handles in some cases. I saw some modelers actually replacing those with metal wire for even better appearance.

Main gun breach should be nicely detailed, so even if you open turret hatches, there will be something to show.

It is also a great feature for placing some tankmen inside the model. Miniart has some sets for this, so you can buy them separately.

While there are no spare parts in the kit, there are a lot of versions of the same component, so be careful with this.

Drive sprockets have attachment points between teeth, and you will have to be extra careful with those.

Unpainted PE fret would come handy for some fine features. It is a typical Miniart bonus, but in some cases you will have to use tweezers.

Clear frame looks great straight out of the box. There are no masks in the kit, so you will have to do it by your own.

There are no decals in this kit as both marking options won't need them. Assembly manual is typical for this brand, and I show all pages in the video-review.

New tank should be already available for purchase. In my opinion it is a great choice for modelers who would like to build their own T-55 with all those additional features included. Some of you will be happy to learn that there is no interior because parts count is already crazy enough. It is definitely not something for a weekend project, but the final result should be worth the time spent.

Get this and other kits in Modelimex webshop.