Hi all,

Miniarm have now released their BTR wheel sets and I remember sometime ago there was some discussion over them when they were WIP and some issues were raised over accuracy?

I'm building a Zvezda BTR-70 soon and I need some decent wheels, if I remember correctly Capitan (?) had the best aftermarket wheels. Has anyone seen these new Miniarm BTR-70 wheels in the flesh to comment on how the finished product compares? Or does anyone know where to buy the Capitan ones?

Hello. Check here wheels from Miniarm http://armor35.ru/index.php?categoryID=234&show_all=yes

The wheels on the BTR-70, 80, BRDM-2 identical, differ only hubs, disc and the tire are absolutely identical .. so is it the wheel was put on the BTR-60PB .. that is, the later editions.
The Capitan's wheels are not correct, the diameter and width of the tire to be untrue, such impressions that it is simply overfill the tire on the BRDM-2 (Dragon) disc and hub are an oversized wheel that is similar, but not correct.

Here is a comparison of 3 wheels, the first wheel - (Dragon), the second - (ex Captain, now called HOBBY Planet), the third wheel - (Miniarm).
Miniarm most accurate wheel.

Thanks for the comparison shots.

It's interesting to hear feedback about the Miniarm set. I wasn't sure which was accurate, Capitan or Miniarm. I'll guess I'll go for the Miniarm set in the end.

Interesting comparison Olegas, thanks for sharing!

Olivier

The only thing that concerns me about the the Miniarm set is that large resin pour gate, I guess though that this is always going to be an issue and that the Capitan ones have the same problem being resin?

Still something has to touch the ground anyway right?

I welcome the new Miniarm wheels, but I see they are still the "narrow" version.

It would be nice to see someone make the wider version you see on some vehicles. Maybe an idea for a future release?

First off, has anyone yet confirmed that there are more than one wheel type for the BTR series...not hubs, but the actual size of the tire? My observation, based only on photos, is that the actual tire size ON THE RIM is consistant and that it is only the height and internal pressure that seems to be different between "narrow" and "bulged" tires. Is this correct? Can someone confirm or deny this?

Next, if there is a difference, then Miniarm's offerings look VERY good. I have done tire work in the past and the problem with all other BTR wheel sets has been how ridged and flat they look. There is a bulge "over the top" when a tire in inflated...this is the nature of the system. How much bulge, or how "fat" they look, depends on the pressure in them. And BTR series vehicles have a central tire inflation system that allows for different pressures by the use of a control, so they could be thin at one point and fat at another.

The Hobby Planet (Ex-Capitan) wheel has a thicker profile, but it needs a rounded "top" and rounded edges, or at least a rounder side wall, to give it a correct looking shape.

This is also a hard thing to prodcuce, so the fact that a "proper" or correct wheel is not avaialble should not be a surprise. Look at how hard it has been for the WWII guys and their wheels, with a lot more resources going into that...

don't know about sizes, guess the hub is the same.

but I mean these:

http://www.armyrecognition.com/customer/thierry/hungary/btr80a_01.JPG

you can see the pattern on the tire is different from the one you always see on the wheels in model kits

This is a wide tire is called Ki-126 .. This wheel is placed on the BTR-80 BTR-80A and BTR-82, 82 A and modernized BRDM-2.
Also Miniarm plans BMD-3, 4 in the near future, which supposes the price about $ 120.
http://www.panzer35.ru/forum/25-773-4

Thanks Olegas

Is there any news on what the expected price of the Miniarm BMP-2 with interior will be?

The planned price for BMP-2 is 130-160 US dollars. Maybe the price will be less, all will depend on the distributors and sellers.
They promise to give a complete chiseled metal barrel, a rich interior, interesting decal, may be on the Chechen version.
The main benefit of this model is that it will be done on this major factory drawings and all drawings are checked against photographs of actual prototypes.
Also after BMP-2 is planned and BMP-1 processing in the main to be made only on the upper part of the body.

Thats good news and very interesting.

Is there any solid expected released date on the Russian Forums?

I'm really excited to see this kit when it comes out

Thanks for the comparison shots.

Yes, I think, the "shape" of the wheels depends on the internal pressure.
High pressure for streets and low pressure for sand and weak grounds.
Also the Ural-trucks have an pressure-regulation system and maybe others too.

greetings...
Soeren