The soviet BTR-152 armored troop carrier was produced from 1950 to 1960, and it has appeared in many variants and seen action on many fronts, including the middle east and Afghanistan.
This plastic injection 1/72 kit of the V1 variant was made available by "MAC Distribution" models (now the kit is sold by Omega-K). It was molded in a bright blue plastic which is somewhat softer than the medium most western modelers are familiar with; somewhat similar to the plastic used in many figures.
The BRDM-1 armored reconnaisance vehicle was introduced into the Soviet Army in 1959, and proved to be fast and maneuverable (carrying retractable belly wheels for rough terrain and being amphibious). In the water, propulsion was achieved by a water-jet system. The vehicle has appeared in several variants, mounting a variety of weapon platforms (i.e. SNAPPER, SAGGER, and SWATTER anti-tank missles).
This kit is available from ARMO-JADAR Models, and is a nicely cast 1/72 scale resin rendition of the vehicle. The main hull is a compact single piece; you will have to remove a big resin block off the bottom. Smaller parts, such as lights and the MG, are included. I added wire handrails and the decals. My only problem was removing the smaller parts off their resin blocks; they were molded quite closely to these, so you'll have to really cut through the areas of attachment. Careful that the parts do not go flying across the room! You can see another assembly of this kit at Doug Chaltry's "On the Way" website.
ACE Models from the Ukraine makes this 1/72 scale plastic kit of the Soviet-built BRDM-2 "Gaskin" surface to air missile delivery system. This company makes several variations of the vehicle.
The fit of parts was not quite as satisfying as with other manufacturers' kits. For example, the wheels do not have holes that fit onto locating pins; rather, one has to eyeball the positioning and hold it in place while the glue dries. A lot of parts need filing after removal from the sprues, which was a lot of work due to many thick attachment tabs. The instructions were nicely illustrated, but not complete; the placement of several parts was not indicated. My box was missing the decal sheet (which I find happens a lot with kits from Eastern Europe), so I used spares to indicate a vehicle in the East German Army. Still, I can recommend these kits for modelers or wargamers who need Warsaw Pact vehicles.
This first 1/72 plastic offering by the company MODELISM from Moldova depicts the Warsaw Pact BM-21 multiple rocket launcher. A 40 tube 122mm rocket system is mounted onto a URAL-375 6X6 chassis. The vehicle entered service in the early 60s and has seen action in many conflicts, even as recently as Chechnya.
The kit seems on par with other models produced by East European manufacturers. A sheet of many nice thin transfer decals is included, but no specific guidelines as to placement. The assembly illustrations are mostly complete, but do not show the exact location of all parts. Clear parts are included for windows and headlights; and the launcher assembly rotates and elevates. The tires are rubber. The precise positioning or fit of all parts is not obvious; I am more accustomed to locator pins and tabs to aid in assembly. Positioning the wheels requires patience, as the wheels have nice holes, but the axles to which they attach have no pins to insert into the wheels. Also, be sure to attach the wheels before adding the upper body, as the positioning thereof is dependent on spacing it around the wheels. Some areas are underdetailed or simplified, especially the controls on the launcher. So softskin enthusiasts will want to perform some scratchbuilding!
PLANET MODELS produces this resin kit (with photoetched brass parts) of the Soviet BTR-70 wheeled APC. The casting is quite nice (similar in quality to Extratech kits); the only area on the hull needing cleanup is the rear where a molding block has to be removed. The undercarriage has pins that fit nicely into the holes in the wheels. I'm not quite sold on the photoetched parts; the hand-holds especially seem too flat. Doug "On the Way" Chaltry replaced them with wire parts for his website's review of the same kit.
The BTR-70 replaced the BTR-60BP in 1980. It carries a crew of two plus nine infantrymen, and can reach a maximum road speed of 80km/h. It is armed with 14.5 and 7.62mm MGs.
This is a kit of the Soviet BMP-2 made by RED STAR MODELS. These resin kits are primarily intended for wargamers, with rough detail and few parts. To make it more displayable, I scratchbuilt the smoke dischargers and the At-5 Anit Tank missile launcher on the turret roof. Decals came from the spare parts box.
The BMP-2 (designed to supplement the BMP-1) is a relatively light armored personnel carrier. The rear doors actually serve as fuel tanks. The main gun is a 30mm cannon that can be employed in a low-altitude anti-aircraft role. Entering service in the early 80s, this vehicle saw action in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation.
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