In the early 1950s, the Tomashov design bureau in Mytishchi developed an excellent tracked chassis for artillery weapons. This was used for a number of prototype Soviet guns such as Object 100, Object 105, Object 124, and Object 125. It did not get its first fielding until modified versions of the design were fielded as the launcher platform for the 3M8 "Krug" missile, better known in the West as the SA-4 GANEF.

Not deterred, they pressed on and finally, with the demand to produce modern SP artillery at the end of the 1960s, it appeared as Object 303 – the 152mm 2S3 "Akatsiya"howitzer,  Object 304 – the 240mm 2S4 "Tyul'pan" heavy mortar, and Object 305 – the 152mm 2S5 "Giatsint-S" gun. These all went into production in the early 1970s, and other variations also were produced, including mine layers and mine clearers. Naturally, the Soviets wanted to sell this vehicle and all of the variations to their erstwhile allies and customers, the Chinese.

The Chinese would have none of it, but not being above stealing a good idea when they see one, instead developed their own version of the Tomashov standardized chassis which appeared in the early 1980s. This chassis was most clearly seen when the Chinese debuted the Type 83, a 152mm SP howitzer which was clearly copied from the Soviet 2S3. (It even used a modified Type 66 howitzer, much as the 2S3 used a modified D-20, the weapon the Type 66 was based on.)  They also debuted the 122mm Type 83 MRL , a 40 + 40 (one volley and one full reload) rocket launcher which combined the chassis of the Type 83 gun with the Chinese copy of the BM-21 rocket pack.

The Type 83 only serves in Chinese units, but its  chassis has been modified and improved, and now serves as the chassis for the 155mm  PZL-45 long range (45 caliber barrel) version of the SP gun-howitzer that is finding foreign acceptance in the Middle East.

As with the recently reviewed Type 89 120mm SP Antitank Gun kit, this vehicle is one of a triptych of kits produced by Trumpeter sharing most of the same chassis parts. It replaces three sprues from the Type 89 kit with one for the turret shell and one for the gun, and another of new hull bits and a new back plate.

Like the Type 89, there is no turret basket and all of the components mount inside the turret or on the turret ring. The massive gun, based on the Type 66 gun-howitzer (a copy of the Soviet D-20), comprises some 32 parts in all, and includes a compensator/stabilizer (dubbed "localizer" in the directions) for the gun which can be made to operate (no spring, but it does move). The rest of the turret interior only consists of 19 parts, but the basics – to include the Type 889 VHF radio and power booster – are included.  

As with the Type 89, a very nice Chinese DShKM copy is included with a total of 15 parts comprising the gun and basic mount.

Decals come for the basic markings, and include 50th Anniversary Parade markings, but the Type 83 is a service weapon and can then be given a three-digit number if the model so chooses.

Overall this is an equally nice kit, and should please the "redlegs" among us.

Advantages: first (and probably ONLY) kit of this vehicle produced; very well done and relatively complete interior to include engine, driveline and crew/fighting compartment

Disadvantages: Again, low name recognition