In started research for one or two PT-76 builds of GDR NVA. I got a turned metal gun for PT-76 (plain). My books say that the PT-76 (plain) had a different turret shape compared with PT-76B. Somehow I don´t believe that Trumpeter noticed these fact in their kit.
1 Like
The early PT 76 used a different gun with a multi slotted barrel and the handholds around the turret were in a different place. Model 55 introduced the double baffle muzzle but kept the hand holds ( what NATO erroneously called a PT 76B) 1957 model was when the handholds were moved, 1958 model increased the height of the hull, 1962 the hull height was increased again and the angle of the bow was changed.
From what I am aware, the trumpeter kit is wrong anyway, but the turret is the same with just 5he gun and hand holds changing.
1 Like
Thanks Simon,
I just ordered Tankograds PT-76 book. As for every early Trumpeter kit, a lot of modellers care is needed. Fortunatly, I can get the Trumpeter kit for a fair price, about 23 Euros. I wonder why no other company dealt with PT-76/BTR-50 family, they have such great potential (Vietnam and Middle East Wars).
3 Likes
I don’t think the turret shell changed, just the type and location of the details. The Tankograd book is an essential reference.
The main fault of the Trumpeter kits is that they only properly modeled the original hull. They provide three turrets in their various kits with different detail locations but no changes in the basic shape. There’s a thread on Missing-Lynx that might be helpful. This is my summary from there:
[Kit] 00379 is basically acceptable as a M1952 PT-76 tank and 00380 is basically acceptable as a M1955 PT-76 tank or an upgraded tank, but kits 00381 and 00382 are unacceptable as PT-76Bs because the hull is is mish-mash of intermediate and late features. Perhaps it could be corrected to give a proper intermediate hull; I have not checked the deck angles. I have seen a Trumpeter hull converted into PT-76B and SP Designs sells a PT-76B (late) resin hull that can be substituted.
As far as what’s in the kits, I made a list of the noteworthy differences:
00379 - early hull, multi-baffle muzzle brake, early turret
00380 - Same as 00379 but with bore evacuator/double baffle muzzle brake gun tube
00381 - Same as 00380 but with altered hull and later turret
00382 - Same as 00381 but with Polish-modified turret and AAMG and mount
Hope that helps,
KL
3 Likes
Thanks Kurt,
I will check Tankograd first before I order the kit. Again, new kits of PT-76 and BTR-50 are overdue. I currently plan on converting Trumpeters BTR-50 PK into BTR-50 PU command version. I will dream of both kits from Takom.
2 Likes
After comparing Tankograd book and Trumpeter instructions, I think that Trumpeter made only the “high” hull, which is wrong for an early model 1951 build. A shame!
1 Like
All 4 trumpeter kits are only the initial hull and the middle hull but have features from the late hull just not the height or the changed bow
1 Like
Thanks Simon,
looks like another “conversion” built. If I only hadn´t bought the early metal barrel. 
I am now struggling with my SPW-50 built. I use Trumpeter indy link tracks, but these are a P.I.T:A. to build. Maybe I will switch to Friul metal tracks on my PT-76.
2 Likes
No, they definitely made two different hulls. This is the part included with 00379 and 00380:
It is generally acceptable for an early hull.
And this is the one included with 00381 and 00382:
I sold mine and can’t remember the specifics but as I recall it is the height of the intermediate hull but it includes the recessed engine compartment of the late hull.
Compare that to what the tail of a late hull with the deeply recessed engine compartment looks like:
KL
3 Likes
Revell copied the exact same problem with their PT 76B hull, you can raise the engine compartment with surgery to get a mid hull
1 Like
Hi Kurt,
judging from my references, Trumpeter did the hulls right. You can see it from the position of the “bend” relative to the hatch. “Early” hulls have the bend tru the hatch opening, while on “late” hulls the “bend” sits above the hatch.
1 Like
Hull, singular. The early hull with 00379 and 00380 is correct. The hull in the other kits is not because it mixes intermediate and late features.
KL
1 Like
I was refering only to the bow. Must have been other differences on the rear hull? Perhaps should start praying to the modelling gods for some accurate PT-76 kits?
I think I will build this particular PT-76.
Which base kit would be recommended?
1 Like
Well, none of them. That’s a late hull. Trumpeter’s kits are only good for early hulls and, perhaps, conversion to an intermediate hull. A late hull like requires a significant amount of modification work.
If you see a notch cut into the left side of the hull:
It is a late hull.
KL
1 Like
Thanks Kurt.
1 Like
Although I only do 1/72, the Revell PT 76B is an exact copy of the trumpeter kit (only smaller) the intermediate hull is the easiest to do
Fill the notch on the side cut out the engine and raise it up.
The late hull is more difficult
Requires completely new sides, although I have seen it attempted by cutting the sides horizontally and adding a strip! You can also see how much needs adding to the upper glacis.
The lower hull also requires surgery as the lower glacis is now at a new angle
The rear will also require adding to.
A conversion to the intermediate hull is the easiest option, plus they are quite common unless you are modelling a specific vehicle.
1 Like
I already expected something like this. I will get me WWP Publications book for further reference.
1 Like
Add to the woes, not all plans are created equal either, a lot of PT 76 plans are just either a plain PT 76 or an intermediate hull altered to show details, I did find one set of Russian source for a late hull and sized them to the kit,(which happily turned out the correct scale anyway)
1 Like
Tankograd book hold a 1/35 scale 5-side drawing that looks convincing. But before I get into PT-76 I need to takle my BTR-50 indy link tracks.
1 Like