Trumpeter 1/35 Soviet SU-102 Tank Destroyer kit #TSM9570
This trumpeter kit is another fine example of the myriad of prototype/proposal design work tanks that the Soviets were dabbling around with throughout WWII. The tread system is of the molded sectional link type, with no option of any long rubber strip variety. With the exception of both a metal and plastic 122mm D-25S gun tubes (metal tube without double-baffle muzzle brake, directing builders to cut of and use the one from the plastic tube), the rest of the kit is exactly the same as their Soviet SU-101 SPA kit #9505, including that kit's 100mm D-10S gun tube. The plastic 122mm gun tube appears as a small parts tree with an extra style gun mantle out of their KV-122/JS-2 Early kits. From a production logistics point of view, it would make more sense to discontinue the SU-101 kit, and rename the other as SU-101/102, as it would still require consumers to pick up 2 such kits to create both versions. I have also encountered the 122mm gun tube parts trees where the muzzle brake is already a couple of separate pieces to be added to the tube itself, eliminating the need to cut it away from the tube for use. However, the kit is of overall good quality and nicely detailed, and I would recommend it to others.
