Sunday, March 15, 2020

Walkaround vol.30: BRDM-2 Soviet AFV


Subject: BRDM-2 Soviet AFV
Location: South African National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2020.
Comments: The BRDM-2 (Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina, Боевая Разведывательная Дозорная Машина, literally "Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle") is an amphibious armoured patrol car used by Russia and the former Soviet Union. It was also known under the designations BTR-40PB, BTR-40P-2 and GAZ 41-08. This vehicle, like many other Soviet designs, has been exported extensively and is in use in at least 38 countries. It was intended to replace the earlier BRDM-1, compared to which it had improved amphibious capabilities and better armament. The BRDM-2 has a crew of four; a driver, a co-driver, a commander, and a gunner. It has two pairs of chain-driven belly wheels lowered by the driver, which allow trench crossing just like its predecessor, and a centralized tire pressure regulation system, which can be used to adjust the tire pressure of all four tires or individual tires while the vehicle is in motion to suit to the ground conditions. The crew mounts and dismounts the vehicle via two hatches over driver's and commander's stations. On either side of the hull adjacent to the crew position, there is a firing port. Immediately behind the firing port there are three TNP-A periscopes, which protrude from the outside of the hull, giving the crew some vision to the front and rear of the vehicle.The engine is larger than the BRDM's (it is a 140 hp V-8 instead of a 90 hp 6-cylinder). The BRDM-2 has an IR spotlight and four IR driving lights, as well as an over pressure collective NBC filter system. The IR spotlight is located on top of the commander's periscope. The vehicle also has an R-123 radio and an antenna on the right side of the hull next to the commander's hatch, for communication. There's also a winch mounted internally at the front hull that has a 30 m cable and a 4 tonne capacity. The winch is intended to be used, among others, for self-recovery when stuck in difficult terrain. A spare tire can be mounted on top of the turret. This was most often practiced by Polish crews. Like its predecessor, the BRDM-2 is amphibious. The GAZ-41 gasoline V-8 engine supplies power to the circular water-jet, equipped with a four-bladed propeller at the rear of the vehicle, which is covered with an armoured shutter while on land. This shutter must be removed before entering water. The water-jet allows amphibious travel with a speed of 10 km/h for 17 to 19 hours. A trim board, which is stowed under the nose of the hull when traveling, is erected at the front of the hull before entering the water to improve the vehicle's stability and displacement in the water and to prevent the water from flooding the bow of the BRDM-2. While in its traveling position, it serves as additional armour. (Source: Wikipedia)









Military Vehicles vol.25: BRDM-3




Subject:
BRDM-3
Scale:
1/35
Manufacturer:
Dragon
Price 
US$30,00 plus shipping
Construction:
Out-of-the box construction; replaced vinyl tires
Extras:
none
Paints:
This is my BRDM-3 Soviet AFV from Shangai Dragon. Overall a nice kit, although now surpassed by the Trumpeter model with full interior. Fit is very good and detail is nice. I don't like the vinyl tires. In my sample, they were already releasing that oil that damages all the plastic parts that came in contact with it. Fortunately, i found a resin replacement set made by a local manufacturer (Eletric Products) that were quite nice. Painting was done with Tamiya acrylics and weathering was obtained with AK products. The process i made is described below. I hope you like it! 

First i painted the hole kit in a dark grey shade.

Some parts received the same dark grey primer coat. Others were painted with AK rust primer.

I then sprayed some red brown color, specially around areas subjected to heavy weathering like corners, edges and engine deck.

I sealed everything with Humbrol gloss coat in preparation for weathering.

I then sprayed AK models "worn effects" over all the previously painted parts.

Next i sprayed a coat of green color. I did not bother to find a perfect match. Everything would look worn up during latter weathering process.

To increase the worn effect, i used the basic green color with some white on the central of most panels and hatches.

Then , with a brush i applied water over the surface of the kit and gently removed the paint in some areas . I used several different materials to scratch the surface, depending on how much damage to the paint work i would like to do.

Here you see some samples of the weathering



To stop the process, i used a coat of future. The gloss finish makes impossible any further scratches. Then i applied a dark wash to highlight the details.
Below the finished project:













Thursday, February 27, 2020

Military vehicles vol.24: Sd.KFZ173 Jagdpanther




Subject:
Jagdpanther SD.KFZ 173
Scale:
1/72
Manufacturer:
Revell
Price 
US$20,00 plus shipping
Construction:
Out-of-the box construction
Extras:
none
Paints:
This is my Jagdpanther in 1/72 scale from Revell. Overall an excellent kit. Detail is very nice considering the small scale. The link and length tracks are well molded and it sure look much more authentic then the vinyl ones found in other models. There are parts to build an early or late version of the vehicle and the color schemes are almost endless. All you need to do is choose one of several camouflages that you find in military books or in the internet and have fun with this model. I liked the way it turned out.   











Thursday, January 9, 2020

Military vehicles vol.23: KV2



Subject:
KV2
Scale:
1/48
Manufacturer:
Hobbyboss
Price 
US$20,00 plus shipping
Construction:
Out-of-the box construction
Extras:
none
Paints:
This is the KV2 Heavy Russian tank by Hobbyboss. Overall a really  nice kit, with good detail and some photo etched parts to increase the value of the model. Fit is ok, but some difficulties were found around the hoof top and the front part of the main body. Also, there were some mistakes on the instruction and in the provision of parts. The hoof top has two large hatches the can be seen on the pictures bellow. However, the front hole doesn't have a hatch neither a suitable part to close it. I used plastic sheet to cover the mistake, something that some beginners may found not easy to do. Painting was done with Tamiya acrylics and most weathering was accomplished with AK washes. Decals were nice as usual from Hobbyboss. I hope you like it. This is may first 1/48 scale military vehicle and i found the size very interesting.   

1) The sprues:







2)The finished kit: