Armorama :: ESCI BMP-2

Яusso-Soviэt Forum
Russian or Soviet vehicles/armor modeling forum.

Hosted by Darren Baker, Jacques Duquette

ESCI BMP-2

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 04:23 AM UTC

Hi guys. While I'm waiting for my Zvezda T-90 (...I've already ordered and actually I really can't wait for it...), two days ago I found in a model shop the incredibly cheap and old kit of BMP-2 made in the nineties by ESCI

I've already collected a lot of references about the BMP-2 and I think I'll buy Mastrclub tracks wheels and sprockets for it.
I wonder if some of you could help me, giving me some advice about the kit corrections.

Thanks in advance for any kind of suggestions (for exemple i'd like to see some build log about or some others in action pictures)

I really whish you a happy new year!

Cheers

Berkut916

Kaunas, Lithuania
Joined: October 01, 2009
KitMaker: 149 posts
Armorama: 137 posts

PROFILE

WWW

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 04:29 AM UTC

Mauro, I would recommend you wait until the model of BMP-2 release Trumpeter or Hobiboss. I think you have other models that can be built. I have a BMP-2 from Zvezda, but will not do, if only for a diorama in a damaged state.

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 04:44 AM UTC

...is it so wrong Olegas? I thought the main mistake were the rear deck hatches set in a wrong position...
What else?

(yes You right, I would have waited, but kit was cheap and I really like the subject)

Thanks

jointhepit

Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 3,829 posts
Armorama: 881 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 06:47 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I found in a model shop the incredibly cheap and old kit of BMP-2 made in the nineties by ESCI

being total crap, it was too much even if it was cheap

good luck, but I suggest getting a Revell/zvesda/dragon Bmp2 if you want to start building one, lots too do, even more on the esci!

looks like your sadomacho side got the better of you M

ps happy 2012

have you seen the trumpeter 2012 catalogue? looks promising

greetz

Warsawpact

Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: September 25, 2006
KitMaker: 321 posts
Armorama: 273 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 08:26 AM UTC

Hi Mauro

Concerning BMP-2 kit i recommend the one from Revell. It still have a bit of work to be put into it but significantly less work than the ESCI.
RB Models have a good metal barell and muzzle brake for the BMP-2. Not sure which kit though. But Revell and/or Zvezda would be a safe guess.

I hope that the new Zvezda T-90 kit find it's way to you

gizmo21

Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: January 11, 2006
KitMaker: 209 posts
Armorama: 155 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 - 01:10 PM UTC

hi mauro

Ive done it,
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/163494&page=1

The esci kit is too much work, but if you still want to do it ill help you
Just let me know

chris

seanmcandrews

Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: May 09, 2009
KitMaker: 561 posts
Armorama: 553 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 01:31 AM UTC

Mauro,
bring up the drawings from the M-hobby archives, I have them here in front of me but unfortunately they don't say what issue they're from so you'll have to do some searching. They'll show you what is out of sorts with the kit which is a lot ! The Masterclub running gear is excellent and will go a long way in getting you where you want to be. Not only are the rear troop hatches mislocated but they're too small and most of the other hatches are misshapen as well but seeing what you've done with your BMD I know you're up to the challenge. Good luck!!

Sean

afv_rob

England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 09, 2005
KitMaker: 2,556 posts
Armorama: 2,199 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 06:50 AM UTC

I don't know about the Esci BMP-2 (never seen it) but the DML/Revell one is total crap as well. I dug it out over xmas to start work on but soon put it away again! I have an AEF upper hull, new tracks, new wheels, new turret and a heap of other stuff but the whole kit is dimensionally incorrect. The kit turret, SP Designs turret and Modelpoint's turret are all wrong in terms of size. The AEF hull is just a clone of the kit hull with corrected rear roof hatches, but is noticeably too short compared to drawings and has many incorrectly located details. The side skirts are also incorrect, thankfully SP Designs do/did a set which replace these.

My advice would be to avoid all the current kits and wait for the Trumpeter kit. Even if you can't stand waiting, trying to improve these kits will take such a long time, no doubt once you finish Trumpeters will hit the shelves.

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Sunday, January 01, 2012 - 11:34 AM UTC

@ Pit have a great year too

Yes, new Trumpy catalogue is stunning!

@ Christian Yes, Ive seen the RB barrel but i don't know if buying it is worth the payn for this kit...and me too I hope to have soon my Zvezda t-90

@Chris I've seen your job and i think is really outstanding. Thanks a million for the offer, I'd like to be able to do something similar even if I think I'm not as skilled as you

@Sean I have those drawings but I haven't compared with the kit yet . It'll be for sure a long term project (ant to be honest I have too many projects to finish) and I think I don't start to do it now. Thanks for the compliment about the BMD. I tthink I'll post some upgrades soon

@Rob. Waiting for Trumpeter was my first intention, unfortunately I think It will take us at least 2 years to see this kit, unless Hobbyboss or Bronco will decide to give us this great gift

Thanks for the tips Guys and again best wisfes for you

cheers

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 - 09:10 PM UTC

I've matched the drawings with the upper hull and according to the reference blueprints, front part is about 5mm larger. In spite of this frustrating detection, I've bought Masterclub wheels and tracks and probally I'll buy the RB barrel....

I have an insane idea....

bison126

Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts

PROFILE

WWW

Posted: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 - 10:56 PM UTC

I second Rob about his assessment of the AEF hull. You only have the rear hatches fixed, the rest of the upper hull is a direct copy of the Dragon one. There is one advantage though, the resin is really easy to work with so you can fix things without too much effort.
I did it on my BMP-2D sometimes ago.

If you want to stick on your Esci kit, don't waste your euros on AM stuff, build it as it is and wait for a better and more accurate one.
Olivier

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 05:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

If you want to stick on your Esci kit, don't waste your euros on AM stuff, build it as it is and wait for a better and more accurate one.
Olivier

Yes Oilivier, that's true, many thanks to you for the good advise but I was thinking to scratch build the BMP-2 body and get details and turret from ESCI kit....
I know, maybe is an insane idea, but as far as I know Trumpeter (which have already done the BMP-3) won't produce the BMP-2 the next year....Otherwise if a new kit comes out while I'll be building mine, I'll have extra parts ready for it

Scratch building is time consuming but far more fun than assembling donor kits

cheers

afv_rob

England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 09, 2005
KitMaker: 2,556 posts
Armorama: 2,199 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 05:42 AM UTC

I say go for it Maurio. Although initially I said wait for Trumpeter, I tend to think that it will be quite some time before we see this kit, theres not even a picture in the recent 2012 catalogue.

I think i'm going to have another try with mine. The problem I have is that ive got the resin AEF hull but it doesnt fit on the Dragon lower hull or rear section at all. So now I need to track down a Dragon upper hull and either re-align the rear roof hatches myself or cut out the section of hull from the AEF kit and stick it on the DML hull. Its quite a lot of work to get my head around. I feel I should at least try it though, i've spent a lot on AM for this model.

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 06:14 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I say go for it Maurio. Although initially I said wait for Trumpeter, I tend to think that it will be quite some time before we see this kit, theres not even a picture in the recent 2012 catalogue.

I think i'm going to have another try with mine. The problem I have is that ive got the resin AEF hull but it doesnt fit on the Dragon lower hull or rear section at all. So now I need to track down a Dragon upper hull and either re-align the rear roof hatches myself or cut out the section of hull from the AEF kit and stick it on the DML hull. Its quite a lot of work to get my head around. I feel I should at least try it though, i've spent a lot on AM for this model.

If I were you I'd try to build the upper hull using AEF lower hull as a dimensional reference. All in all BMP-2 shape is quite simple. It doesn't have odd bulges or round parts (except the rear doors). You can replicate its body using some plastic card sheets.
While I was collecting my reference pics, I found in a Russian forum a build log about a BMP-2 entirely made in paper

In my humble opinion if you can make it in paper, you can make also in plastic

Many thanks for your interest Rob

Warsawpact

Västra Götaland, Sweden
Joined: September 25, 2006
KitMaker: 321 posts
Armorama: 273 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 07:44 AM UTC

Wooah, a BMP made out of paper!
Impressive work from the russian fellow!

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 07:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Wooah, a BMP made out of paper!
Impressive work from the russian fellow!

A great job! He could make also suspension arms and rear dors

If I remember the link I'll give you Christian

Spiderfrommars

Milano, Italy
Joined: July 13, 2010
KitMaker: 3,845 posts
Armorama: 3,543 posts

PROFILE

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 07:33 PM UTC

I've found the link

http://www.cardarmy.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1559&start=90&view=print

Before building the cardboard job, this guy did a stunning 3d drawing which was useful for him to extrapolate the right shapes of the parts

I think I'll use a similar method

bison126

Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts

PROFILE

WWW

Posted: Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 11:24 PM UTC

Quoted Text