French AMX-30 Main Battle Tank
1-87 World Tanks Depot 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review
The World Tanks Depot model represents the first production batch of the AMX-30 main battle tank which entered service in 1966, and was gradually phased out after 1982, when the French army received upgraded AMX-30 B2 with better armour protection and thermal imaging devices for the main armament.
The AMX-30 depicted here is still in service in several countries, including Qatar and Saudi Arabia which participated in the 1991 Gulf War.
Contents
- AMX-30 char d’assaut – Main Battle Tank
Evaluation
Good choice of subject, the AMX-30 is unique in this scale.
The vehicle is sold fully assembled and painted.
Experienced modellers may upgrade the vehicle to an AMX-30 B2 by adding thermal imaging devices to the gun mantlet and a periscope on the turret deck. The 4e Régiment de Dragons used 44 AMX-30 B2 during the 1991 Gulf War. AMX-30 B2 tanks may be painted in the modern three-colour forêt camouflage pattern, or the two-colour desert pattern used during the Gulf War.
Compatible with other HO scale vehicles and miniatures available from Märklin, ROCO, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.
The AMX-30 is painted in a dark green camouflage which was used until the late 1980s. This colour is too dark, particularly if aerial perspective is taken into account, and it does not match the NATO »Yellow Olive RAL 6014« also used by the French Army.
The periscopes in the commander’s cupola are painted dark blue, making them practically invisible on the dark green vehicle. A glossy green or silver paint might have been more suitable to show that the periscopes are actually made of glass.
The rear lights and indicators need to be painted red and orange.
There are no license plates or tactical markings, with the exception of a French flag below the frontal hull glacis.
The turret of our review sample is screwed firmly into place, and turning it scraped the paint right off the driver’s hatch.
The AMX-30 could use a wash and drybrush to accentuate the detail on the hull and turret surface.
The AMX-30 offered by 1-87 World Tanks Depot is good value for money. Wargamers and collectors will be happy to have the fully assembled and painted model.