McWong73 | 27 Jun 2016 3:01 a.m. PST |
I've got both zvezda and BF T72 models which are a fair match in size (putting aside them being two different marks of T72). Also have Khurasan and QRF offerings for that matter. Fishing for the opinions of those in the know of how well the two companies compare for the non MBT kit, like Carnations and Shilkas etc. There being a big price difference, are there any quality differences a potential customer should be aware of. |
Cold Warrior | 27 Jun 2016 4:00 a.m. PST |
Have Shilka's from 3 companies (BF, QFR and QC). BF wins hands down for quality, QRF second and QC third (mainly because QC is a bit smaller). Have seen the Zvezda kits in the flesh, have a few, they are okay but seriously differ in quality (their US kit is terrible, Soviet stuff seems "okay"). Have Carnation's, Gopher's and Grad's from QRF and BF, again both kits are nice with BF having the edge IMHO. I thought the Zvezda modern kits run around double their WWII counterparts ($8-$10 a model), which would put them in the price range of QRF. If you can get Zvezda cheaper go for it, at least for the Soviet models, again the US kits (at least the M1 and Bradley) are absolutely terrible IMHO with no detail. For myself I am going with BF and QRF for my Cold War and ultra-modern games. |
Puddinhead Johnson | 27 Jun 2016 4:24 a.m. PST |
The Zvezda and BF models are different versions of the T-72. So comparison is somewhat in apt. |
McWong73 | 27 Jun 2016 5:23 a.m. PST |
Thanks CW, a few years ago I made a half hearted atempt at cold war gaming, and ended up with a wide range of samples for MBTs and IFVs from everyone. When Team Yankee was launched I got a good price on both starter boxes which I supplemented with purchases from Khurasan. I'm using BF for BMPs as welĺ, but have balked at RRP for TY in Australia. About to pull the pin and buy zvezda for the Shilkas and Carnations, but am sanity checking that decision first. QRF make good kit, but there is too much clean up and I don't have the time or the patience for it. Convenience factor is a big plus, and I've plenty experience in getting resin models ready, and plastic kits speak for themselves. Puddinhead, that's noted in my OP. |
Cold Warrior | 27 Jun 2016 6:54 a.m. PST |
I do like the Zvezda Soviet kits I have, just the American ones threw me off a bit from buying sight unseen. I know that here in the US they cost just about as much as QRF, less than BF. Understand the quality issue with QRF, they are hit and miss when it comes to clean up. Have a ton of old and new QRF models, and some (SCUD, FROG-7, SA-6) are ulcer inducing in clean-up and assembly. Still, they make a lot of vehicles we will likely never see from anyone else. BF has minimal clean up, and Zvezda go together pretty quickly, so I do understand. |
D6 Junkie | 27 Jun 2016 7:09 a.m. PST |
I also like the Zvezda kits, here is a pic the Gopher is BF
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Dameon | 27 Jun 2016 11:26 a.m. PST |
I have gotten to play with and directly compare the Zvezda and Battlefront T72s, M1s and M109s. The Zvezda Soviet/Russian vehicles in their range are generally very good and they get the details correct but they tend to drop the bar bit when doing models from other nations. The Zvezda T-72 is a later variant of the T-72 than the Battlefront one, but it is still a good kit. They are different enough that if you have them both on the table you can tell the apart, but they are both accurate models of the T-72. The Battlefront M109s are better than the Zvezda kits, with better detail but especially when it comes to assembly. The Zvezda models can be fiddly to put together and you have to be careful with the seam lines. However, I don't feel the Battlefront ones are twice-the-price better. The Zvezda M1 Abrams are aweful. They are just bad. They lack in detail and what details they do have are incorrect and over simplified. I've seen cheap plastic kids toys and diecast tanks with better and more accurate detail. |
Mako11 | 27 Jun 2016 11:47 a.m. PST |
Great reviews. Thanks for sharing. |
Bellbottom | 27 Jun 2016 2:45 p.m. PST |
Worth having a look here too, if you haven't seen them. link I hsve their T64's, very nice, and cheap too. |
Krieger | 27 Jun 2016 3:04 p.m. PST |
I think the zvezda model actually represents a quite a bit more modern t-72, featuring kontakt-5 era, so somewhere around 2013 on the t-72b3 I believe.. So for me, I wouldn't have them in a team yankee game. But since it is a 'what if' scenario anyway, it's up to the players to make up their own alternate reality. (Massive build up before the war goes hot for instance) |
pigasuspig | 27 Jun 2016 6:58 p.m. PST |
The Zvezda M1 Abrams must be a mistake, there is no other explanation. It is far, far worse than any other Art of Tactic kit. |
Mako11 | 27 Jun 2016 8:14 p.m. PST |
Supposedly, the Zvezda prototype model is incomplete, but no one noticed when they built the mold from it. As mentioned, avoid it like the plague. |
McWong73 | 27 Jun 2016 11:15 p.m. PST |
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zardoz1957 | 28 Jun 2016 10:04 p.m. PST |
The Command Decision T-72 is very good. With the OG Army deal they're 3 for $16. USD |
Navy Fower Wun Seven | 29 Jun 2016 2:03 p.m. PST |
The Zvezda Bradley is pretty good. I love their T72B but gave mine away for the sake of consistency so only have the lovely BF T-72S. But yes the chassis size was identical so you could use them together. Khurusan models are lovely but slightly smaller than BF and Zvezda I find. |
Old Wolfman | 30 Jun 2016 7:08 a.m. PST |
I noticed in the pics of the Zvezda T-72,they have them in the reactive armor mode. Took a look at the Butler's vehicles. Nicely done. |
Part time gamer | 03 Jul 2016 11:43 p.m. PST |
Cold Warrior If you can get Zvezda cheaper go for it, at least for the Soviet models, again the US kits (at least the M1 and Bradley) are absolutely terrible IMHO with no detail.Dameon The Zvezda M1 Abrams are aweful. They are just bad pigasuspig The Zvezda M1 Abrams must be a mistake, there is no other explanation. It is far, far worse than any other Art of Tactic kit. Thats a disappointing surprise. I had "thought" Zvezda were a 'good' simple, granted not on par w BF scale of detail, but still a good low cost stand in for those on really tight gaming budgets. My opinion I must admit was based on side by side pics of Only WWII T-34's from 4 or 5 various companys. I keep forgetting to take 'nationlist' pride into count when it comes to making a product. If and I respect your opinions, are right, it seams clear Zvezda is far more interested in there Sales At Home than to a world wide market. |
McWong73 | 05 Jul 2016 5:38 p.m. PST |
The only known complete dud in their Hot War range is the M1 afaik. |