History:

Self-propelled armoured carriers, based on the chassis of the T-26 tank, were first shown in 1933 at the OKMO design bureau test range. The TR-4-1 ammunition carrier was tested then. For two years, further carriers necessary for support of armoured and artillery units, or as carriers for fast mechanised untis, were attempted to be introduced into Red Army service. This resulted in the new lighter transporter prototypes that differed from the basic chassis in only minor details.

No. 174 Factory (in Leningrad) and No. 185 Factory were selected for manufacture. The T-26T artillery tractor, earlier in production, was selected as the basis for the infantry and ammunition carrier. The load area was obtained by raising and widening the body. The ammunition carrier could carry up to 1 tonne load, and the infantry carrier a squad of 7 troops. Both vehicles were similar, differing only in the boarding ladders. Thos of the infantry carrier were located to the sides, on the wings, to facilitate quick exit through the side doors for the troops. The ammunition carrier did not have the side ladders, but at the front of the glacis plate there was a ladder for use loading the vehicle with ammo. The carriers were armed with a single machine gun, which was really an after-thought, as these vehicles were intended to operate in escorted convoys only.

What's in the box:

The kit comes in an end-opening type box. Inside are two cello bags containing six trees of parts. Part trees are molded in various shades of gray styrene.

The kit shares a lot of parts trees with all the other T-26 tank variants that Mirage makes. However, there are new parts trees for the upper portion of the vehicle. All parts are crisp and free of defects. A lot of the parts are very tiny, and I would recommend a lot of care removing them from the sprues, so the shag rug monster doesn't eat them.

Instructions are well done and include English as well as Polish. There are 18 assembly steps. Humbrol paint numbers are called out for any specific colors needed. However, I wish that they would have said what these colors are. We don’t all have a chart telling us what these numbers equate to as far as a color. For the final paint job they just say olive green, with no markings. Kind of hoo-hum - but hey, most Soviet tanks were. If they had markings at all it usually was a patriotic slogan. No crew figures are provided either. Interior details provide are just a machine-gun and some ammo racks, full of ammo drums. The side doors are separate and could be shown in an open position. However, if you do this you will probably have to add some more details to the inside. The tracks are vinyl rubber-band type.

Conclusion

A highly unusual subject. Not recommended to beginners in 1/72nd scale armor, due to the teeny parts and the need to handle them carefully. Experienced modelers should have no problem though. I would like to add that both the ammo carrier or the troop carrier can be built from this kit. The different ladder arrangements are provided. Also, as small as the compartment was on this tank, the interior conditions for the 7 troops, plus the crew, must have been really miserable.

Thanks to Squadron (MMD) for the review sample