October 22, 2026

Preview: Meng's new Pre-Painted ZTZ-100 MBT in 35th scale "In Living Colour"

Meng has "taken the masking hell" (their words) out of modelling their 1/35th scale ZTZ-100 MBT (Accurate Color Edition) with a prepainted version! We have the "finished" kit & the real thing in our preview...

Preview: Meng's new Pre-Painted ZTZ-100 MBT in 35th scale "In Living Colour"

ZTZ-100 MBT (Accurate Color Edition)
Kit No. # TS-062a
1/35th scale
This is a plastic kit with pre-painted sprues (mostly)
Release Date: November 2026
The Subject: Chinese ZTZ-100 Main Battle Tank
The ZTZ-100, also known as the Type 100, marks a bold leap in the evolution of Chinese armoured warfare. Unveiled publicly during the 2025 Victory Day Parade in Beijing, this fourth-generation main battle tank reflects a shift from conventional firepower towards integrated battlefield intelligence. Designed by the 201st Research Institute and manufactured at the Baotou Tank Plant, the ZTZ-100 features a hybrid propulsion system delivering up to 1,500 horsepower, enabling speeds of 80 km/h on roads and 50 km/h off-road. Its compact, unmanned turret houses a high-velocity 105 mm autoloaded main gun, capable of matching the performance of larger-calibre Western counterparts thanks to advanced propellant and kinetic energy delivery systems.
Beyond firepower, the ZTZ-100 is engineered as a mobile command node within a network-centric combat environment. It boasts a suite of panoramic optical sensors and phased array radars that feed real-time battlefield data to its crew, who are protected within a heavily armoured capsule. These systems not only enhance situational awareness but also allow the tank to coordinate with drones and other unmanned assets. The inclusion of dual GL-6 active protection systems—each with four launchers—provides robust defence against top-attack munitions, suicide drones, and anti-tank guided missiles, reinforcing the tank’s survivability in high-threat environments.
Strategically, the ZTZ-100 represents more than a technological upgrade; it signals a doctrinal pivot within the PLA towards information-dominant warfare. Its stealth-optimised hull design reduces radar and thermal signatures, while its advanced suspension system ensures stability during high-speed manoeuvres and firing on the move. Analysts suggest that the secrecy surrounding its development and the timing of its reveal were deliberate, intended to underscore China’s capability to field next-generation systems without telegraphing their operational details. As such, the ZTZ-100 is a symbol of China’s ambition to redefine the role of armoured vehicles in 21st-century conflict.

The Kit: TS-062a 1/35 Chinese ZTZ-100 Main Battle Tank (Accurate Color Version)
MENG will release the prepainted version of their ZTZ-100 Main Battle Tank in November. 
This new edition serves as a direct upgrade for modellers who loved the mechanical features of the original TS-062 kit - such as the ball bearings, steel torsion bars, and cement-free workable tracks - but struggled with the complex digital camouflage scheme. By providing a precisely pre-applied, high-quality digital camouflage finish right out of the box, MENG eliminates the most time-consuming masking and painting stages. This allows builders to skip the tedious airbrush work and jump straight into the rewarding assembly process.

A view of the fully pre-coloured kit.
This model faithfully reproduces the advanced exterior profile of the ZTZ-100 MBT. We will look at the features of the kit in CAD form first before we see the painted sprues and parts etc.

All crew hatches can be opened and closed at your choice.
Lights, periscopes, and optical sights are reproduced with clear parts.
The remote weapon station, active protection system interceptor missile launcher, and other components are rotatable.  
The gunner's sight and the laser rangefinder for the gun can be selected to be opened or closed. 
The crosswind sensor, IFF device, antennas, and other parts can be selected for attachment in their respective different states.
The main gun's barrel can move up and down, and the coaxial machine gun also moves in linkage with it.
The real vehicle's torsion bar suspension is reproduced using metal parts, enhancing the suspension's elasticity.  
Thanks to the combination of precision bearings and wheels, the model can run more smoothly.
The kit includes glue-free single-pin-type movable tracks, which can be easily assembled by combining them with the included dedicated tools.
A look at the pre-painted ZTZ-100 MBT "Accurate Color Edition"
The sprues of this kit are pre-painted by Meng in the factory. This goes for parts that are joined to transparent parts and regular kit parts. A great deal of the parts are still in tan plastic, however, allowing easy construction without removing all of that paint.
The external parts are masked and painted for a completely integrated look that gives the model maker a hassle-free process. You could probably seal this and weather right over it. At least you don't need to buy a mask for it!
You can see the rear of the tank here with the digital pattern of the camouflage pre-applied in detail.
The completed look of the kit matches the almost unearthly stance of this modern-looking MBT.
The kit is due in November 2026
You can see more info on this kit and others from Meng on the Meng Models website...