Hey guys!
Whats the quality of the Zvezda-Revell BMP-2?
Does it have L&L tracks, or rubberband ones?
And how's the overall quality, fit, flash, pinmark wise?

I was thinking of doing a diorama like this :




Marek

Marek I am not sure of those kits, I do not think that they are that good based on previous posts concerning these manufacturers. I used ESCI's BMP-2 but added AM tracks, wheels, turret and barrel. I cannot imagine that they are any worse than the one I used. For the price you might be able to pick up one of those kits, you will spend more money upgrading it. Good luck.

The Revell and Zvezda BMP-2 is a rebox of the old Dragon kit. It had individual track links, but I know sometimes Zvezda reboxes of Dragon kits include one-piece vinyl tracks. It did not include link and length tracks. Since it is the only BMP-1/2 kit left out there, it is your only choice.

One of the main issues with the Dragon BMP kits is that they made oversized workable hinges for the hatches. It would have been better if they just molded the hatches shut or if they made the hatches to be fixed in the open or closed position.

The Esci kit was actually a little better than the Dragon kit, but is long out of production.

The only other BMP-1/2 kit was the Lindberg kit that was released for a short time as the company was going out of business. The kit was never truly completed and there were several missing parts on the sprues. Easily the worst kit of the bunch.

A few quick points:

1. The upper hull of the BMP-2 is noticably incorrect...the upper rear hatches are canted instead of in line. This is a carry over from the BMP-1 molds and also due to incorrect line drawings done for the US Military and used by DML for their kit. Ooops. There is a replacement upper hull for the BMP-2 from SP Designs.

2. The DML kit has the additional resin/applique armor, and the BMP-2E version has the larger fenders and the mine plow used in Afghanistan. The AMT/ERTL/Esci kits (all the same) were of the UN-armored earlier BMP-2.

3. DML = Italeri = Zvezda = Revell These kits are ALL the same.

4. You can fudge on the suspension and tracks, but if you want them improved, I suggest Master Club tracks/sprockets and roadwheels from Historica Books.

5. A Model Point barrel is a HUGE improvement over the DML barrel. If you do nto want to drop the dough for one, you can tweak the DML kit one...it just takes work.

Honestly, the hardest part of what you want to do would be the base (standing grass/cereals are a PAIN to do properly).

Hi Jacques,
I never noticed this one had larger fenders. Do you mean the ones covering the all length of the tracks ?
I got one a time ago and intended to build it in Czech army service (after removing the turret add-on armor!) Would it be still correct ? I have the Kagero book about the BMP-2 and haven't found major differences... so far
Concerning the tracks, I will use the Armour Tracks Model ones that are "single link" ones with new resin sprockets.

Olivier

Thanks for the replies guys!

Well, since I'm in no rush to build this kit,(Building it for the Wheeled AFV's/tracked APC's IFV's campaign) I think I'll order the Masterclub wheels+sprockets+tracks (I think they made those?) and a new barrel+ some scratch building.

Thanks again!

Marek