The T-62 is a Soviet main battle tank, a further development of the T-55. Its 115 mm gun was the first smoothbore tank gun in use.

The T-62 was produced between 1961 and 1975. It became a standard tank in the Soviet arsenal, partly replacing the T-55, although that tank continued to be manufactured in the Soviet Union and elsewhere after T-62 production was halted. The T-62 was later replaced in front-line service by the T-72.

T-62 Obr.1972 – T-62 Obr.1967 with a DShK 1938/46 machine gun installed on the loader's hatch.The tank is fitted with a new drive sprocket, RMSh tracks and an improved fording attachment. It is sometimes incorrectly called T-62A and T-62M. As with most tanks of the time, it was later modified with ERA for additional protection.

This is another of Trumpeter's superbly molded armor kits that comes with features you would normally expect to get from aftermarket sources. The kit is molded in grey plastic and most of the sprues are individually bagged. I found no instance of flash or sunken areas. A segregated compartment provides the hull along with the wire tow cable, the newly cast turret and an aluminum barrel.

There are two photo etch frets that provide several small parts that attach to the hull as well as intake and exhaust screens. In common with many modern tracked vehicle kits, this one has individual track links. These are molded onto several sprues and while a bit time consuming to put together, provide a realistic sag that is the norm for Soviet tanks. Another nice touch is that the tread on the road wheels is a separate item and already molded in black. I find painting road wheels to be one of my least favorite tasks so this is a boon for me.

The kit has no interior or engine detail and while all of the various hatches are separate, they are shown as to be built in the closed position. I also found it interesting that the turret is not keyed as on many kits, but simply fits into the depression in the hull. The hull as a large variety of storage compartments that are separate and designed to fit into specific locales. Also typical of Soviet armor, there are two fuel tanks on rear racks as well as a pole to help get the tank unstuck. The turret has a spotlight and IR light as well as the usual defensive machine gun. What is different between this and the previous T-62 kit are all the ERA modules. Many holes will need to be opened up in the hull, skirts, and turret to accommodate these modules, but the instructions show you exactly which ones to open.

Instructions are superbly drawn and typically have no color information in any of the 22 construction steps. Some holes will need to be opened for this version and those are clearly shown. The kit color and markings sheet shows no markings, just an overall olive green tank. However, you do get a nice little decal sheet with a bunch of numbers and some guards markings so you can produce one you may have seen in a photo.  The full color painting and markings guide provides references to several different paint companies so finding something locally should not be difficult.

It is nice to see another addition to Trumpeter's growing catalogue of Soviet/Russian armor. This is another nice one and I am sure it will be well received by enthusiasts.