Bronco 1/35 'Zrinyi' Hungarian 75mm Assault Gun

[danb]

Bronco Hungarian 75mm Assault Gun 44.M 'Zrinyi'

In box review

Scale: 1/35

Manufacturer:Bronco


Model Number:CB-35121

Introduction

The Skoda company of Czechoslovakia began work on a new medium tank in 1937, designated the S-IIc but work was not completed until after the German annexation in 1939. Two prototype tanks were sent to Hungary were they were re-worked for domestic production. Named the Turan the new tank was built in several versions , one being the Zrinyl I self propelled anti-tank gun. It was an attempt to build a tank destroyer mounting the German Pak 40 7.5cm L/43 gun in an enlarged fighting compartment, it was a similar concept to the Jagdpanzer IV but on a lighter hull. The Zrinyi had a combat weight of 22 tons and armour thickness of 75mm its road range was 220 Km and maximum speed of 43km/h

The Kit

Having never had a Bronco kit before I was very surprised just how detailed and clear the instruction drawings were they are of a large size and not to tightly bunched together which on some other manufactures instructions can cause confusion and frustration.
Also included with the instructions is a colour guide and extra instructions on how to build the extras included in this kit, a wall poster of the box art is included too.

In the box is 16 sand colored styrene sprues 5 large and 7 small upon closer inspections the detail is excellent and clean there were no visible sink marks on upper surfaces only in areas that are not visible when the model is built.

A nice touch that has been added is some interior pieces so the crew hatches can be modeled open also they have included a full Pak 40 gun to accompany the interior, other parts that make up the chassis looks highly detailed and clean the many road wheels and drive sprockets have an overall good finish.

The upper and lower hull pieces have cleverly been molded with clean and detailed panel lines and rivets the only parts that lack a little detail is the molded hinges to hatches of the crew and engine compartments but the rear grill detail is superb, The Pak 40 is of a simple design with enough detail to be excellent for a internal gun and compared to other manufacturers the building looks a lot simpler.

Upon looking at other parts of the kit the tracks look very detailed and easy to connect together along with the fenders which are in 3 parts and have 2 large tabs which fit into to two opposing slots on the lower hull and have a good scale thickness which can aid the modeler in replicating damage now moving on to the hatches and tools these have no mold seams and a small amount of sink marks on the inner side of the hatches.

The clear parts,PE,Decals,and extra parts are in separate bags included in the PE are handles, side fenders and a array of brackets to add some nice details to finish the kit off there is a nice selection of extras which impressed me the sprue includes a MG machine gun with ammo belt and box eight German jerry cans for a tow cable nylon string is included

Conclusion

As this is my first Bronco kit i was extremely impressed with the instructions and level of the finish and quantity of parts in the box there will be several areas where you will need to build and paint parts separately this includes the road wheels as they are complicated units of wheels and suspension along side the hull internals overall i would recommend this kit to any level of modeler who wants to try a new interesting subject.

This review covers whats in the box now comes the fun part and the real test of how this kit fairs going together to complete this review the build blog will follow

I would like to thank Smudge and Bronco for giving me the opportunity to review this excellent kit

www.bronco-model.com/

Part 2 the build review can be found here modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/6186/bronco-hungarian-zyrinyi-75mm-assault

Dan B

[TRM]

Excellent review Dan!! Informing with great piccies!! Looks like a great kit!! Looking forward to you having at this one!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[danb]

Thanks T much appreciated i cant wait to get cracking with this one it will be done as soon as i get the T 34 done ready for the next MSC show table at the end of the month thanks again buddy

Dan B

[406 Silverado]

Very nice review Dan. Man look at all those tiny track links..

Looks like a nice little kit.

[Leon]

Great review Dan,looking forward to seeing you have at it.

[pantherf]

Thanks for the review... looks good!

I just added this to the "Wish List" but must decide which version?    75 or 105?





Jeff

[danb]

Dicky cheers mucker hope it hasnt got my name all over it that would decrease sales for sure

Rob i was thinking the same about the track but i think once you get started it soon gets done the design of the tracks are similar to the Panther at the size of a PZ III track link

Leon cant wait either buddy it looks a real interesting kit and not too over complicated it will be a change from the norm too

Jeff choices choices choices the 105mm versions looks cool too and have seen pics with it wearing Schurzen side armour i have not seen any ref pics of the 75mm version having this but with a small amount of artistic licence im sure i can adapt mine will build it as the kit comes then add a few bits when finished

Dan B

[Smudge]

Hi Dan

Great review of what is an ugly looking beast.

I can't wait to see this built up; is it going on a base or just as it is?

Smudge

[pantherf]

You're right Dan... the 105 version has the schurzen and the 75 gunned kit doesn't.


I did see a review on the 105 kit and it IS a mesh type material, other than the solid plates like the German StuG has.  Pretty interesting angles on the upper hull, much like the upcoming Object 704. 




Jeff

[bbd468]

Well done Dan! This is a must have kit for me. If its not on MHI list.....it will be shortly.

[danb]

Smudge cheers fella at the moment i will just build up the tank then add a base at a later date

Gary definately a kit for ya list buddy out of the box it looks a awesome kit lets hope it builds up like it looks ;0

question for anyone who knows where i can find some ref and colour profiles on this tank?

Dan B

[danb]

I gather the large word and question marks from Dicky means ive asked the wrong question on the ref pics? ;)lol i just wanted a bit more background on this tank as i have to be honest never seen this 1 before

Dan B

[Smudge]

Oct 8, 2013 14:36:48 GMT -5 danb said:

Smudge cheers fella at the moment i will just build up the tank then add a base at a later date
Gary definately a kit for ya list buddy out of the box it looks a awesome kit lets hope it builds up like it looks ;0
question for anyone who knows where i can find some ref and colour profiles on this tank?
Dan B

Hi Dan...it was only a prototype IIRC, so I'm surmising camouflage schemes would be out. Probably Bronco have it right with the simple green scheme...not sure maybe German green?

See three pics here of the 'Zrinyi' I... note the one with the mesh type armour blog.tankpedia.org/category/hungary/

Smudge

[danb]

Thanks Smudge the images look good im liking the Schurzen style armour not sure on the practicality of the holes in the side plates tho :/ thanks again buddy

Dan B

[danb]

Its old age mucker dont worry it happens to us all in the end well in your case a bit sooner lol

Dan B

[tonylee]

Those are the photos I found too, NO color or photos with the screens installed.
The color was a darker shade of the Russian green from what I read.

I left the screens off my Z-II but most that built the kit install them.
The Z-II is the same kit it just has a the big shooter.
Reports said it did very well in combat due to it's low profile.








Mine is not that far from completion and I need to get on the stick.

You'll enjoy the model and the tracks aren't that hard once you get the hang of it.
Tony lee

[danb]

Thanks Tony for the info great model buddy i will be using your build as a guide if thats ok with you

Dan

[pantherf]

Wicked/nasty looking Tony!  




Jeff

[tonylee]

Have at it Dan
modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/3581/broncos-43m-105mm-assault-gun

Thanks Jeff

Tony lee

[mshackleton]

I did a review of the 105 a while ago. Here is it is. modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/thread/1787

The 75 was very definitely a one-off prototype. 110 were ordered, but production never started. I have the feeling it wasnt even built using armour plate.

Cheers
Mike