T-26 from Zvezda

The history of the T-26 line from the Russian manufacturer Zvezda began in 1997.

The release of this model was announced in the August issue of M-Hobby

 

3538 Soviet Light Tank T-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The highly respected site Scalemates dates the release of the second set to the same year, but we know from life and marketing rules that this does not happen.

And indeed, the announcement of the sale of this set

И действительно, объявление о поступлении в продажу вот этого набора

3542 Soviet Light Tank T-26 model of 1932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

was published in the April 1999 issue

 

In 2000, the line was expanded

with another set

3540 Soviet Flame-Thrower Tank OT-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In July 2010, the Zvezda, meeting the aspirations of her “fans”, decided to improve and created a separate frame with typesetting, previously vinyl, tracks

and a revised drive wheel. Terry Ashley has already made comparisons, I will not repeat

 

The first set to receive the update was

3538  Soviet Light Tank mod. of 1933 T-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initially, the new complete set was released in a limited edition. Probably to study the reaction of the market. Even in 2012, people were amazed: “It is surprising that the super popular T-26 in the 35th Zvezda was released in a limited edition …“

The reaction was positive, so the release continued as usual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over time, Zvezda’s itch of change prevailed over common sense, and the release of an updated model was announced

New there was box art and name: removed the preposition “of”

3538  Soviet Light Tank mod. 1933 T-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2018, Zvezda repeated the “tricky” move with a limited edition, but this time with a flamethrower tank

True, this ad is not on the box

3540 Soviet Flame-Thrower Tank OT-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surprisingly, nothing has changed in the name!

And in 2019, the turn of fitting a set of tracks and a revised drive wheel came to a two-turret model from 1932

Here we have done everything right – at least a bit, but the name has been changed.

3542 Soviet Light Tank T-26 mod. 1932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But with the flagship of the line – a tank from 1933, they did not do well. Not only that, on the sly, without prior announcement, they changed the design and, once again, the name

3538  Soviet Light Tank (mod. 1933) T-26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information about him is available only on the Russian-language version of the corporate website. Maybe the time has not yet come for the world community. And then: one! – they will be surprised.

The set from Zvezda, due to its long-standing origin, was widely used by other bona fide and not very companies.

The most famous and respectable of them is the Italian  Italeri, which released, almost immediately after the release of the original, its repackaging

359 T-26 Soviet Light Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, everything is noble – there is an indication of the manufacturer. Interestingly, now this product is not on the official website.

The domestic duo Maquette / KomBrig acted less nobly by releasing the kit “plastic + conversion”

MQ-3510 T-26-4 Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

without mentioning the manufacturer of the original kit.

Our other compatriot did the same, having released several models under the brand (get ready!) Model:

T-26 Soviet Light Tank mod of 1933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not only the content is borrowed here, but also the box art

The resin tower is its own, but it is not ice either, as is clear from the review on Karopka: “… resin castings, most of all resembling pimpled cheese circles. … weighing 150 grams, IT is cast in monolith !!!“

Similar product

Soviet Flame-Trowing Tank OT-130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

with similarly borrowed box art