Hello,

I am looking for a good BMP-2 model in 1:35 scale. I would like it to be from around the 1985-86 era serving in Europe as part of a Soviet Guards Division. I have seen a couple different ones made by that Russian company and by DML. Can some one point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Cam

I think the Dragon BMP-2 is out of production.

Zvezda makes a BMP-2 and a BMP-2E(as used in Afghanistan with the mine plow).

Revell-Germany will be coming out with a BMP-2 in November...likely a re-box of the original Dragon kit.

There are lots of aftermarket parts to detail any BMP-2....just do a search for "BMP" on Great Models Webstore's site.

Isn't one of the resin manufacturers going to do one with an interior, or am I off my meds again.

Miniarm.. Miniart...

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/miniarm.htm

Miniarm it is..probably quite pricey though..

Mike

A good BMP-2 will involve several things depending on the level of detail desired.

1. OOB. DML/Italeri/Zvezda/Revell are all kits from the same molds. They represent either a BMP-2 w/applique armor or a BMP-2E with the spaced armor added and usually the mine-plow. The Esci/ERTL/AMT kit is equal in detail but is of the earlier non-applique version.

2. Mostly correct. Add a new upper hull or do some scratch-building. The periscopes and rear upper-hull hatches are incorrectly placed. Both Esci and DML (and all others) have other issues like gimmicky working hatches or open periscopes. AEF Designs and SP Designs both offer completely new upper hulls. A new barrel from Model Point is also good as the muzzle break on any of the plastic kits is incorrect and noticable. An Eduard Photo-etch set is good as well to help give some of the details some refinement.

3. Really correct without scratchbuilding the whole thing. All of the above and... new roadwheels, new tracks, new idler/sprocket, and a whole new turret are in order. New Tucha smoke grenade tube launchers. New antenna base. This will give you a really accurate BMP-2.

If you want a variant BMP-2, SP Designs also has some of them.

Mostly, it is a ok kit OOB. Adding stuff to the base kit can make something spectacular, but it will take time, money, and patience.

There have been two versions of the BMP-2 offered in 1/35th scale. One by Dragon DML (offered with slightly different bits to depict an Afghan War version as well), and the Esci kit. The Dragon kit is available in Dragon boxes, Revell/Germany boxes and Zvezda boxes.
The Esci kit was released by Esci, AMT and Ertl. These molds are now owned by Italeri, but they have not seen fit to reissue the kit. Both models came out around the same time (around 1989), and are comparable in molding quality.
Unfortunately, neither is entirely correct, as westerners with cameras and tape measures were not yet allowed to get near to Soviet AFV's when the companies were developing the molds, so it's matter of which kit's errors bother you more. The Esci kit is hard to find these days, so by default, the Dragon item will probably have to do...

There's a review on Track Link of the Dragon BMP-1 kit (which had the same suspension etc). Basicaly the whole undercarriage is the worst part of the kit, together with the upper hull.
I'm planning on building it with the SP designs upper hull, and place it in a dug in defensive position to hide the suspension.

Hope this helps.

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the info.

I think I will probably go with the Dragon kit or Zvezda.

Thanks,
Cam