Border, Hobby Boss Tiger Models and maybe others make a 1/ 35th ZTZ 99 tank. What are your thoughts as to the preferred one to buy? Money is not the main factor. Buildability and accuracy are my primary wants in the kit.
Border or if you manage to find it, a Bronco one
Not Bronco. The turret is too far forward, and the kit sufferd from proportion issues.
I did a build review on the archived Armorama and showed how to fix it.
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I think HobbyBoss has the same issue as Bronco or at least their first releases of the subject
Tiger Models? it is a 2024 new kit.
What about HB’s A version? Same problems?
Thanks
Don’t think its out yet?
Fictional - but some folks enjoy stuff like that. I’m sure a 120mm gunned Abrams seemed fictional in the 60’s too.
I have build the Panda Kit (did a review of it here Armorama :: Panda Hobby 1:35 ZTZ-99A Review ) and stated in the review that the barrel was a bi of a let down, however, I have change my opinion since building the kit and found it to be a good build overall. I now have the Border kit in the stack, money no issue go with the Border kit or Panda (you can still find it)
Which one?
I have this kit (which is probably the first batch of vehicles)
and there is also this one:
and this one
I tried to find the Bronco kit build but also came up with these:
This archive thread from 2017 Hobby Boss: PLA ZTZ-99A Main Battle Tank may be of interest.
My Impressions (right or wrong)
HobbyBoss
In 2009, I purchased the HobbyBoss ZTZ-99A kit sight unseen. Opening the box, I instantly had flashbacks to 1989-1991 and DML’s series of semi-close but often wrong T-72’s.
That kit languished in the stash then finally given away to be rid of it because the first impression stuck.
Bronco
There was the concern about turret position according to a friend blocking the drivers hatch because Bronco goofed 
. No idea if that’s a fact. It is mentioned in the archive threads as well.
Panda
I hated the one Panda kit I purchased. It sucked. Zero enthusiasm for Panda but…
Armorama Achieve - in the Box review Panda 
ZTZ-99A
Box reviewer builds the kit Armorama Archive: Panda ZTZ-99A build and review
Tiger Models - by reputation aren’t their kits pretty ordinary or average for today’s releases? Is it available yet?
My impression, based on what I read, Panda has the best ZTZ-99A available right now. One should be prepared for some mandatory PE but otherwise this specific kit builds well. Panda seems to have had better access to research and is able to provide better details.
HTH
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I’ve built the Hobby Boss kit wchich is nice but I also have the Border Models and can say it is much more accurate.
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@Delta21 Anthony,
Nicely done! A++
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You guys are making me think about the Border kit…
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Dan, in Misson Impossible voice…
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is Border reconnaissance of the ZTZ-99A."
If the kit proves dimensionally inaccurate the agency will disavow this mission and all knowledge of it.
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These might be useful should you not have a set.
99A MBT Digital Camouflage
for Panda PH35018
Border Model | No. BD0021 | 1:35
Facts
Brand:
Border Model
Title:
99A MBT Digital Camouflage for Panda PH35018
Number:
BD0021
Scale:
1:35
Type:
Masking set
Topic:
ZTZ 99 » Tanks (Vehicles)
I would try and check the accuracy of the patterns as the four sets do not look identical. It could also be that the actual tanks patterns vary, I don’t know.
Found a third masking set.
…and a fourth set.
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The kicker is that I have a HB ZTZ 99A…
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