Another surprise announcement not that long time ago is really one of my favourites. You must admit that tank with two turrets is really cool…(of course unless you are sitting in it and trying to fight off Panzer IV). I personally like the box-art Hobby Boss has used for this kit.

Surface details are nice and molding, though not at a level of Dragon yet, is very fine too. I notice some delicate parts (handles) which were really nicely molded. The parts count is not that high, so the build could be quite a quick one. There are two photoetch sheets offered, so you might also avoid needing aftermarket sets.

One thing that is offered in surprising level of detail are the tracks – individual track inks which have to be joined with pins at both ends of the link, much like the modelkasten tracks. Now it has to be said that each link and pin is attached to small sprue, so quite a bit of clean up will be required and the sprue attachment points on the tracks are little too heavy given how tiny the track itself is. On the other hand, Hobby Boss included also small jig to help the assembly of the tracks – just place set of tracks on this jig with the help of locating pins that go through the openings in the tracks and insert the pins from the side. Then repeat this 113 times and you have one track… 😉

But overall, I am happy that this kit came to see light. I like the colour marking plates that Hobby Boss provides. the markings are offered for two Russian vehicles – one with machine guns in both turrets and one with one cannon and one machine gun.

Following is quite interesting short information about this tank that I have found on the Hobby Boss site:

“The T-26 tank was a Soviet light infantry tank used during many conflicts of the 1930s as well as during World War II. It was a development of the British Vickers 6-Ton tank and is widely considered one of the most successful tank designs of the 1930s.

 It was produced in greater numbers than any other tank of the period, with more than 11,000 produced. During the 1930s, the USSR developed approximately 53 variants of the T-26, including other combat vehicles based on its chassis. Twenty-three of these were mass-produced.

 The T-26 was used extensively in the armies of Spain, China and Turkey. In addition, captured T-26 light tanks were used by the Finnish, German, Romanian and Hungarian armies.”

I would hope that Hobby Boss will offer this vehicle in other markings – such as the Polish 7TP variant. Polish camouflage patterns are quite unique and definitely more attractive than the Russian Green. Or maybe some others…

You can find more information about this kit on the website of Hobby Boss here.