The Type 89 is a rather unusual vehicle, being classified a tank destroyer, which is rare in modern military arsenals. The Type 89 uses a 120mm smoothbore gun of European origin that fires both Chinese-made ammo and also standard NATO types. The chassis of the Type 89 is modified from the one used on the Type 83 152mm SP howitzer.

Trumpeter's kit looks to be very nice.  You get 339 parts on 9 sprues. Eight sprues are in olive green plastic, while the engine sprue is in grey.  The box states that this is a special edition of the kit with the engine included.  Molding is very competant and rather complex.  The large turret is obviously molded from sliding molds, as there is full detail on the vertical sides, which usually have to be molded smooth to clear the mold.  Likewise, the gun mantlet cover is molded with the fabric detail in place, and is positioned sideways across the sprue instead of sticking out.  There is a fair amount of flash and rough plastic on some of the smaller parts, but nothing major at all.  Moldings are generally very crisp.  I did not notice too many sink marks or mold pin marks that would be terribly difficult to remove or that would even be visible.

The kit provides a basic interior for the hull and turret.  The interior is somewhat modular, and the modules don't really connect to anything.  There is an engine compartment, a radiator, fan, driver's area, the rear hull turret floor.  There are no parts for the exhaust, radiator hoses, driver's instruments, etc.  Still, what you get looks very good, especially the 12 cylinder engine.  Nylon mesh is provided for the radiator intake and two smaller grills.  Hatches for the crew, radiator and engine can be glued open or closed.

The turret interior is set up with the gun sights, seats, elevationg wheels and gun breech.  I assume the rear portion of the large turret is ammo stowage, as it is boxed off from the gun compartment.  Some of the detail visible through the cupola is provided as well, like sighting periscopes and handles.  The turret mounted stowage basket has some excellent detail and the 12mm Russian type AA machinegun is the best I have seen in plastic.

The kit vinyl tracks look okay and are not too stiff or thick.  I think this track is unique to the vehicles with this chassis, as the tracks are different from T-54/55 tracks or the T-72 tracks used on other PLA tanks and vehicles.

Decals are provided for a PLA vehicle - stars and numbers.  Photos of the real tank found on the internet seem to indicate a hard-edged camouflage pattern is worn. The pattern does vary from tank to tank, so stencils are not aparently used.

If you have any interest in modern PLA vehicles, or like an unusal kit, then you should like this kit.  It is a very thorugh, well thought out model of a different vehicle for sure.  The price is very good, too, considering the unique subject and amount of parts to the kit.  

The same basic chassis and interior parts, with appropriate differences are used in Trumpeter's Type 89 MLRS vehicle and 152mm SP gun kit as well.