The T-72 BA is an evolution of the T-72B from upgraded tanks of various types. So there are many different models of T-72BA. However all the tanks feature common characteristics such as the Kontakt-5 reactive armor and the reinforced front hull belly for the protection, the V-84MS engine and double-pins tracks for the mobility and a stabilization system and a wind sensor for the fire control.

The T-72BA is armed with a 125 mm 2A46M gun associated to a digital fire control system. It also can fire the laser guided 9M119M Refleks antitank missile. The loading is done through an autoloader located under the turret. Its secondary armament comprises a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial MG, a 12.7 mm NSVT AA MG and 8 smoke grenade launchers.

The tank is protection against the radiations by a special cladding and is fitted a filtration system against the NBC agents.

The crew consists of a driver, a tank commander and a gunner.

Approximately 750 tanks have been upgraded to the T-72BA standard. Some of them have been used during the conflict in Ukraine.

The kit

Released by Trumpeter under the name T-72B mod1990, it does depict a T-72BA. It utilizes nearly all the sprues from the T-90 kit released earlier and includes only one specific sprue for this variant plus the turret. In total the box includes 21 sprues of plastic including 8 for the separate track links, 2 vinyl sprues, 1 clear plastic sprue, 1 lower hull, 1 turret shell, 3 sheets of photoetched parts, polycaps, 1 length of copper, 1 length of brass, 1 vinyl tube, 1 sheet of decals, 1 instructions booklet with a color booklet for the 4 decorations.

As usual the level of detail and the carving are good. The parts requires a minimal preparation. As usual the amount of parts us a true challenge with over 1300 parts. The instructions are usually clear even if some parts or their numbers are omitted. The overall fit is correct however you need putty for the turret bins. The photoetched parts are thin and easy to bend except for the latches of the hull side tanks and bins because Trumpeter give no precise indication. Each latch must be bent in a guess game. One can ask if this is really useful to figure the so many anti-radiation cladding securing bolts as PE parts.

The booklet for the decorations includes 4 decorations 3 of which have different 3-tone camouflage. The paint references for each decoration are given for several brands. However the AK interactive references do not match the official ones. The decals are very thin and quite fragile.

The build

It begins with the running gear. You need to sand the tread of the roadwheels to delete the prominent molding line. The polycaps are a bit too long and it is advised to shorten them in order to glue the wheel halves together.

At step 1 Trumpeter ask to use the lower glacis plate N79 which does not have the bolts for the demining system. After having glued this part I noticed that all the T-72BA tanks I saw on pictures did have the bolts. I used the bolts from the part C35. It should be easier to directly use this part. Trumpeter omitted a return roller A11 on the left side.

Until step 4 there is no problem.

At step 5 you need to insert part G7 into a hole in the hull E6 which is missing. Cutting the rod under part G7 is enough.

At step 6 the fit of the both parts of the driver hatch is not good. You need to enlarge the episcopes holes in part E14. Concerning the headlights glasses it is better to sand their circumference so they can easily be fitted into the headlights.

At step 8 I decided not to use the rear tanks brackets. So I deleted the cradles and redid the square bases and the bolts holes. I glued the latches for the unditching log but I didn't glue the log yet.

At step 10 you assemble the original exhaust. Trumpeter omitted to give the numbers of the 5 parts which are on the sprue N. At this stage you have to assemble the tracks which are not workable. To do so Trumpeter give a jig. Each link is to be thoroughly cleaned to get a perfect fit. Trumpeter ask to assemble 166 links per track which is correct. As I didn't want to glue the tracks at this stage, I built two portions for each track.

At step 11 you have to install the first straps for the tanks on the fenders. A drawing shows how to bend the PE straps but it doesn't give any indication about the length of the finished part. As I did not install the rear tanks, I replaced the part C28 which connects the tanks to the main one by a round piece of plastic card with three bolt heads.

At step 14 you glue the fenders and the side skirts. Beforehand you have to paint the running gear.

At step 15 I added two U shaped supports for the tow cables. These supports prevent the cables to hide the formation lights. This detail is omitted by Trumpeter on all their T-72/90 models. A thin strip of plastic card makes the vertical part and another bit which is shaped in U makes the upper part. For the cables Trumpeter give a length of twisted brass which is gives a good result.

At step 16 the turret assembly begins. I replaced the coaxial MG barrel with one by Eureka which I haven't used for my T-90.

At step 17 you have to check the ERA bricks location because some positioning holes are missing. I glued the anti-radiations cladding securing bolts only where they are visible.

At step 18 the bins require some putty at the junction between the sides. you also need to add the bolted supports N12 under the bin QQ and N15 under the bin PP. On the part N67 you need to glue two parts PE-A24.

At step 19 one support of the NSVT is misnumbered N59 instead of N57.

To conclude the assembly, at step 20 the hinges for the PE latches PE-A6 at the rear of the bin are missing. Weirdly enough on the T-90 bin Trumpeter did mold them.

The build is over. The turret lays on the hull without any securing system so you need to be careful when handling the model or glue the turret to the hull.

The decoration

Trumpeter propose 4 decorations : option A is plain green with white details for a parade tank, option B is 3-tone khaki green, filed grey and black, option C is 3-tone khaki green, dark yellow and black and option which I chose is 3-tone khaki green, red brown and grey blue. Except for option A there few markings.

For the chosen decoration I used XF-65 Field Grey, XF-64 Red Brown and XF-18 Medium Blue. Once the base coat was applied, I sprayed a coat of Klir before applying the decals. These are very fragile if you cut the film inside the numerals. Once in place, the decals are sealed with another coat of Klir before the weathering begins.

The weathering starts with some oil dots applied all over the model and which are drawn downward. When this is dry, a dark brown wash is applied to enhance the details. The latter are brushed with a lighter color thna the base color. The dust effect is made with some well diluted XF-59 Dark Yellow and XF-52 Flat Earth applied with a large brush. Then the whole tank is sprayed over with some highly diluted XF-52 to give a slightly dusty look.

Conclusion

Except the excessive amount of parts, this model is pleasant to build. The very original camouflage will be eye-cathcing during shows.

References

Walkaround Otvaga

Walkaround Recomonkey

09/2020