ICM 1/72nd BTR-152V
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Background
The only thing I have on the BTR-152 is the Bronekollekchiy book on
the type, published in 2001. Unfortunately all text is in Russian, and
since I don't know the language, I can't supply any summary from that
book. However, I will type in what the instructions have on the BTR-152.
"The first Soviet Armored Personnel Carrier BTR-152V was designed
between 1946-1950. Serial production commenced in 1951 and the vehicle
made its first public appearance during the 7 November Parade on Red Square
in Moscow. The BTR-152V was developed on the base of the ZiL-151 army
truck, which was a highly capable cross-country vehicle. The welded armor
plates formed a slope-sided hull with opened top completely enclosing
the crew and infantry. A total of 6 firing-ports were provided, three
in each side of the hull. The main armament of APC consisted of a single
7.62mm Gorjunov or Kalashnikov machine gun.
"A wide range of special army vehicles was spawned by the BTR-152,
including a command vehicle, field ambulance, self-propelled anti-aircraft
gun, and an anti-tank rocket system.
"Because of its high exploitation qualities and robust construction
the BTR-152 and its variants saw service with Soviet and Warsaw Pack armies
as well with Soviet satellite states. The vehicles were widely used during
the Arab-Israeli wars, and also in Angola, Vietnam and Afghanistan."
The Kit
I think this kit was originally released by
Omega-K and ICM has since acquired all the Omega-K molds. Be that as it
may, there isn't a lot to this kit. There are 67 parts, which include
one-piece wheels, which are decently molded. The decals - which appear
in register - are for two trucks, one from the Czechoslovakian army in
the 1960s; the other a Soviet army machine also from the 1960s. Both machines
are finished in overall green with a black suspension.
Construction starts with assembling they suspension. While the instructions
would have you add the wheels as well, I will leave them off until after
painting is finished.
Once the suspension is all together and on the lower hull, then pieces
are added to the upper side of the lower hull, finishing with the assembly
of the hull halves and adding the final pieces.
See? I told you there wasn't much to this kit. Where you will spend
most of your time will be with parts clean up. The gates are large and
all pieces have a mold-ridge running around them. However, once clean
up is finished, you'll then have a Soviet armored car built up in no time.
Conclusion
Even with the parts clean up, this should be a kit that will build relatively
quickly. While there are places you can improve - especially the headlight
grills - out of the box it will look great. I'm thinking of trying to
track down items to put into the back, to show it a little busy. Unfortunately
I'm not sure what is out there in terms of Soviet gear post-WW2. Maybe
I'll just add some WW2 items and call it good. This kit is definitely
recommended, especially if you like post-WW2 Soviet/Russian equipment.
I would like to thank Testors
for kindly supplying this review kit.
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