Another installment for Alex’ great collection of T-72. This time it is the turn of another T-72B, but one equipped with the early type ERA blocks and based in Chechnya in the mid 1990’s.

Model and photos by Alex Clark. Text by José Teixidó.

Part #1: Rebel captured Libyan T-72M1
Part #2: T-72B (model 1984)
Part #3: T-72B with ERA
Part #4: T-72B (model 1989)

As the previous in this series, it is based on Revell’s T-72M1 #03149 with the B type scratchbuilt turret, modified glacis plate, nose plate, fuel drums, turret fittings and inner road wheels.

You can tell this is an earlier build compared to the previous T-72 since Alex was still using the kit link and length tracks with enlarged guide teeths glued one by one in place of the shorter kit parts, and drilling the sides of each individual link.

The turret is the same basic turret done by Alex and now available from ARMORY (ARM72418) as a complete conversion set. All you will need are the early style ERA bricks.

Speaking of which, these ERA bricks started as the Revell T-80BV #3106 individual parts, reshaped, and copied in resin. I understand you need to copy these parts not only to improve them, but because this T-72 carries more than the T-80 as it comes in the Revell kit. If you can’t copy these parts you will need 2 sets of ERA blocks from the T-80 or you will have to do some yourself.

The figures are from Armory, heads from Dragon and a slight repositioning that add a lot of life to the model.

The finishing and weathering was done with Humbrol products.

This T-72B is one of Alex’s many great models featured in his “Small-Scale Armour Modelling” Book. If you don’t have that in your modeling library, I urge everybody interested in 1/72 scale AFVs to get one. It is an investment that can quickly translate into better models, and I do talk by my own experience!