Military Model Scene

A Trumpeter kit in 1/72, and ideal to accompany their BTR-70 models also available in their range (and which I can built and covered here separately before).  This amphibious 8-wheel APC entered service with the Soviet army in the mid-1980s and replaced the earlier BTR-60 and -70.  It saw service first during the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan.  In addition to a number of relatively slight design changes to things like the side access doors, the gun turret and firing ports, the most significant difference is the use of a single turbocharged diesel engine, rather than twin petrol engines used in both earlier types.  The main armament as replicated in the kit features a 14.5mm KPVT machine gun, plus a co-axial 7.62 PKT machine gun.  Though not in the kit, there is another variant where the revised turret carries a 30mm 2A72 automatic cannon.  The turret also carries 6x 81mm smoke grenade launchers on the back of the turret.

The kit is very similar to their previous BTR-70 in terms of parts breakdown and in the well moulded detail that even extends to the underside of the hull.  Moulded in a grey plastic, plus the tyres in a black vinyl.  Assembly is quick and easy, a factor common to the latest generation of small scale kits from Trumpeter.  So far I have given the model a coat of dark green but there will still be camouflage to add, plus markings and weathering.

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I bought mine from TigerHobbies here in the UK.

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Robin