How you all doing today?
I'd like to know people's general opinion about the Alan BM-13 Katyusha kit
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=AH5008

How is the quality and fit of the kit? Looks like an old kit so how is the detail?

I want to build a Katyusha really badly since its like one of Russia's signature WW2 weapons. I would prefer it to be based on one of the Soviet trucks instead of the American Studebakers like the Italery and ICM kits seem to be. Doesn't necessarily have to be a ZIS chassis as long as it's Russian. So if this kit is no good are there any others you can suggest?
I also found an accessory set for it by Eduard (PE I think) and plan on getting it to since it's only 10$
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=EDU35206
I'm guessing the PE set can really help me out if the Alan kit is bad.
Any info is appreciated. Perhaps a review but i have yet to find one.
Also searched the forums about this kit but the search function here isn't the greatest being done through Google (I understand how busy the Admin. may be but maybe a fix is in order here?)

Well, it certainly isn't up to todays modern Dragon or Tamyia standards, but it is build-able. The kit is a combination of Italleri's Katyusha parts, and one of the earlier Eastern European manufactures Zis kit. The kits tires suck, so get a set of Hussar's replacement wheels, and save yourself a few headaches. The Eduard set certainly does help. With a little TLC, you can turn out a nice looking model, just be prepared for some fit problems. Zis truck1
Zis Truck2
Zis Truck3

A few links to photos of Zis 5's.

HTH

I wouldn't classify it as a "bad" kit, but it's not for the beginner, either. It's going to take some good old fashioned craftsmanship and building skills to do it well. Definitely get the Eduard PE set. You will still need to do some puttying and sanding and a little scratchbuilding here and there.

Thanks for the links grumpy, I'm sure they will come in handy.
I actuslly still have a Dragon King Tiger to finish up, a Dragon JS-2m to do and a Revell Mi-24 Hind to do first. So by the time I get around to the Katyusha, I think it wont be too hard.

The main thing is to enjoy the kit.
Hopefully you'll post photos as you build it.

Ill make sure to atleast post photos of the finished diorama when its done. Won't be for a while though.
BTW, now that I look into it more, it seems that the Italery kit is actually built on a Soviet truck and not a Studebaker. Is this true? What truck is it?

Also thinking of perhaps doing this idea with a BM-21, it has that sort of modern bad-ass look, and the truck it's made on is cooler. What are considered the best BM-21 kit?

Yes the Italeri's version is based on a Zis 151, which didn't appear until 47-48, ( if memory serves me correctly) so contrary to some belief this is not a WWII machine . I've built this, and it is an ok kit, Italeri put a lot of energy into the undercarriage which turns out to be quite finicky, but the final result is a decent post war vehicle.
I have the allan kit on my to build list . I prefer the early war stuff, so the Zis 5-6 is my choice.

Good luck with your build Boris, looking forward to seeing finished results.

-Bruce