Russian BMP-3 help needed!

J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Russian BMP-3 help needed!

Posted by J-Hulk on Monday, December 1, 2003 8:48 AM

Howdy, folks! Smile [:)]

Once again my participation in the 1/16 Tiger I group build (and Concorde group build, and Panther group build) has been postponed, and this time for a great reason: I've been asked by Armour Modelling magazine to do a build and article for the February 13 issue! Happy happy, joy joy!

The kit I've been asked to build is Skif's 1/35 BMP-3, to which I'll add Eduard's exterior PE set (the kit comes with a partial interior, for which Eduard also offers a PE set). A survey of the kit's parts reveals some minor problems, like sink holes and ejector pin marks in very obvious places, but nothing insurmountable. The main problem is the very vague instruction sheet! Ref pix definitely a must here. I've found some good pix, and I've also read Steve Zaloga's excellent review of the kit, along with his build notes. Very helpful.

Which brings me to my first question: Step 1 (trouble, so quickly!!) vaguely shows the installation of the two dozer blades, but the positoning and attachment points are ambiguous, to say the least. Also, ref pix seem to indicate that the blades are actually installed opposite to the way Skif indicates, with the cut-out sections meeting in the middle, not on the outside on the real BMP-3. If anyone knows what the heck I'm talking about, what's your take on this? Of course, I'll believe ref pix long before I'll believe an instruction sheet, but I just thought I'd ask. So far that's the only build hurdle I've come across (and that was just Step 1!!!)

Second question: Paint. Skif suggests two different sand/green/black camo patterns, but I want to do something different. An Internet search revealed mostly that same scheme, but I did see a few all-sand vehicles. What about good ol' Russian Green? The three-tone camo is interesting, but I really like single-color vehicles (a bit lazy? Perhaps!). Evidently the BMP-3 was first seen at a parade in 1990. Anybody know of any ref pix of those vehicles? I bet they're green!

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated! Big Smile [:D]

~Brian

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erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Monday, December 1, 2003 10:05 AM

Brian, I can't help you out as I don't have anything on the BMP, BUT if I run across anything I will most definitely send it too you bro. Good luck on the build and see if you can get permission to share the article with us!!

Eric

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.

"Friendly fire...isn't"

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 7:04 AM

Thanks, Bro!
I think I have the dozer blade problem figured out from ref pix. It appears the kit parts are just missing the cutouts that appear at the bottom in the middle, and are not on opposite. Nothing an X-Acto and 2 minutes of sanding can't fix!

~Brian

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 9:43 AM

Brian, try these sites
http://www.hudi2.republika.pl/Bmp-3/BMP-3%2001.htm
http://www.battlefield.ru/museums/ussr.html
http://afvid.topcities.com/specs/A-D/bmp-3.html
http://www.slavweb.com/eng/Russia/defense-e.html
Hope you find these useful. I think the last one will be of significant help. - Ed

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 11:18 AM

Whoa, man! Thanks for those great links. The last is in Japanese, too!

Excellent pix, particularly the "Russian Battlefield" link.
I think I have all I need know!

Just gotta start filling in all those pesky Skif sinkholes and ejector pin marks!

Thanks again, Keys!

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 11:49 AM

Brian-sama:
i can't believe i missed this thread.... Dead [xx(]

omedeto yet again, sensei ! Bow [bow]

u r getting 2 b quite the published person, my friend... i have a soft spot 4 the BMP, and have been trying to get my LHS to order the 1/72 kit of the BMP-2 ( by Ace ), but no luck so far... Sad [:(]

there was a good article in a UK mag about converting an M113 into an OPFOR 'BMP', so maybe when i finish my ersatz M10, i'll have 2 try it....
looking forward to seeing urs !
frosty Smile [:)]

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 12:12 PM

Arigato, Frosty-chan!
Hope I do ya'll proud!

Hey, in addition to the M113 OPFOR BMP, M551 Sheridans were also modified into "VISMOD BMPs." That'd be an interesting build, too!

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 1:24 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl

there was a good article in a UK mag about converting an M113 into an OPFOR 'BMP', so maybe when i finish my ersatz M10, i'll have 2 try it....
looking forward to seeing urs !
frosty

I remember those! When I was in the 4th Cav, we went up against a bunch of Airborne guys using BMP vismods (the 'cheap' field version) on '113's as OPFORE. Pretty cool. We came around a tank trail corner once to find one (the vismod) laying in the middle of the trail with no '113 in sight. The first driver smoked it....by accident of course, that darned old Patton just wouldn't turn fast enough! 56 tons sure can flatten plastic sheet and aluminum tubing. [:0][:0][:0]

Ron.

Sorry I don't know much more about the BMP than that, but it looks like you have your reference photos well in hand, so enjoy the build!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 4:20 PM

Keyworth! Nice links!

Ron.

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 6:08 PM

Another job for the magazine, J-hulk. That's great. You have become a well-published modeler now. LOL. Sorry I don't have much info on the topic. But I could do the cheerleading. LOL.

Go Brian, go Brian, go.

There, did that pump you up a bit? LOL.

Good luck my friend.

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David Voss

Member since
December 2002
From: Waukesha, WI

Posted by David Voss on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 8:28 PM

Congrats!

If you make it to Pensacola, maybe we can set up an autograph session.

In regards to NTC, here is a site with a bunch of pictures.
http://www.armorinaction.com/p11.html

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 8:44 PM

Congrats on the Mag job
and heres some links
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/bmp-3/
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/bmp-3.htm

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 8:57 PM

Steve Zaloga's Russia's BMP mini color series by Concord has some decent color photos of the BMP 3. The only solid colored ones I saw in the book was a display one in overall Russian green and a sand one identified as a United Arab Emirates vehicle.

Frostygirl, as far as the Ace BMP models, I had one of the BMP-1 variants but after looking at the kit, I decided it was unbuildable using my meager modeling skills. I later traded it off in a lot trade. Those limited run kits have some pretty crude molding to them. The link and length tracks looked fairly crude and only resembled tracks. Just to forewarn you that the Ace kit wont be like building a Revell, Esci or even an Airfix kit.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 10:19 PM

Hi J-Hulk,

Great news!

I am so happy to hear that you join the contributors to Armour Modelling magazine. Skif's BMP-3 is a little bit hard to assemble, but you can do it.
In English, "a piece of cake" ? for you.

If you need any help, let me know. Good luck!

Norio,

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 4:30 AM

Thanks for all the kind words, links, and info! Big Smile [:D]

I think I have all I need (besides patience) to do a halfway decent job on this Skif kit. I've just spent the first three days of the build cleaning parts and removing some clunky detail to be replaced by PE. Now comes the fun task of eliminating those sinkholes and ejector pin marks!

Norio, long time no see, my friend! Both here in FSM and here in Japan. With the holiday season upon us, we're both working like dogs! I look forward to the nomikais and bonenkais that are coming up!
I'm sure you know how happy I am to be able to contribute to Armour Modelling.
I'd like to submit some stuff to FSM too, one o' these days!

By the way everybody, you have GOT to see Norio's "Road to Beirut" diorama, featured in this month's Armour Modelling. Amazing! Norio, you gotta post some pix for the fine FSM folks!

With all the fine help I've gotten from my FSM family, and all the help here from Norio and the Naniwa Sensha-tai boys, this BMP should be a piece of cake!
Easy as pie!
A walk in the park!
Like falling off a log!

Phrases Skif evidently is unaware of! Wink [;)]

~Brian

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Build22

Member since
May 2003
From: Upstate NY

Posted by Build22 on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 5:36 AM

Congrats - J-hulk Thumbs Up [tup]

Good luck

Jim [IMG]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 12:20 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Rob Gronovius

Steve Zaloga's Russia's BMP mini color series by Concord has some decent color photos of the BMP 3.
Frostygirl, as far as the Ace BMP models, I had one of the BMP-1 variants but after looking at the kit, I decided it was unbuildable using my meager modeling skills..... Just to forewarn you that the Ace kit wont be like building a Revell, Esci or even an Airfix kit.

Major G.:
thanx 4 the info, and the warning !
i will probably forget about the ace kit and look for a decent m113 as a base 4 the OPFOR conversion instead.
any suggestions re: a 1/72 M113 kit ?

thanx in advance,
frosty Smile [:)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 12:26 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Poniatowski
I remember those! When I was in the 4th Cav, we went up against a bunch of Airborne guys using BMP vismods (the 'cheap' field version) on '113's as OPFORE. Pretty cool. We came around a tank trail corner once to find one (the vismod) laying in the middle of the trail with no '113 in sight. The first driver smoked it....by accident of course, that darned old Patton just wouldn't turn fast enough! 56 tons sure can flatten plastic sheet and aluminum tubing. [:0][:0][:0]
Ron.

LOL..... now that's funny !
have u got any photos of those OPFOR mods, by any chance ?
thanx 4 sharing the story !!!!
frosty Smile [:)]

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Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, December 3, 2003 4:57 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirlMajor G.:
thanx 4 the info, and the warning !
i will probably forget about the ace kit and look for a decent m113 as a base 4 the OPFOR conversion instead.
any suggestions re: a 1/72 M113 kit ?

thanx in advance,
frosty

Only one choice here. The old out of production Esci kit that was also released by AMT/Ertl here in the states. It is an older M113A1 kit versus the M113A2, but that is easy enough to hide in 1/72 scale.

Esci/AMT/Ertl made several variants of the M113 and they were all basically the same kit with a different sprue tossed in to represent the top of the vehicle. The cheapest (and easiest) one to find is the M901 ITV Hammerhead. I have both boxings handy. The Esci kit is #8306 and the AMT/Ertl kit is #8636. I snatch these things up on Ebay for around $5 quite often.

The other ones they make are the plain Jane M113, M163 Vulcan SPAAG, and M106 4.2" mortar carrier. The M106 seems to be the hardest/most expensive to buy. Pretty decent little kits for a 20 year old model. Hopefully they will reappear in the new Italeri 1/72 scale armor line.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 4, 2003 12:03 PM

Major G.:
thanx for the reply & info...
ur help is always appreciated !
frosty Smile [:)]

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David Voss

Member since
December 2002
From: Waukesha, WI

Posted by David Voss on Thursday, December 4, 2003 1:35 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl
have u got any photos of those OPFOR mods, by any chance ?

Try this...

US Army NTC: VISMOD (some serious modeling...)
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55

David Voss Senior Web Developer Kalmbach Publishing Co. Join me on the FSM Map

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Duke Maddog

Member since
June 2003
From: Rowland Heights, California

Posted by Duke Maddog on Friday, December 5, 2003 12:21 AM

Frosty, I am building ACE's BMP2 'Ost' right now. It includes tiny PE parts which are making me pretty nervous. The kit is going together pretty well, although working with white plastic is a pain! (At least it's easy to see on my black desk and floor pad!)

The bottom of the hull has a forward slope in front that doesn't meet the sloping end of the side hull pieces. I had to lightly press the hull in a vice to get the front slope to glue to the hull sides. I'm sorry if this isn't a clear explanation, but if you get this kit you'll know what I'm talking about.

The tracks were a bit difficult to mount, but I sanded the edges/sides of the wheels and they fit better. There is alot of cleanup to do on ACE kits, even micrometer bits of plastic make some parts impossible to glue in place, particularly when it comes to the individual tack pieces. Also, Their BMP's need gap-filler on the front and back joints where the top meets the hull.

Whew! If I haven't turned you off on getting one, I might be able to help. My LHS has tons of these, and it would be easy to get one (or three) and send them too you. Just a simple offer.

When I can, I'll try to get photos posted of my BMP so you can see it.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 5, 2003 8:32 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by David Voss

QUOTE: Originally posted by frostygirl
have u got any photos of those OPFOR mods, by any chance ?

Try this...
US Army NTC: VISMOD (some serious modeling...)
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55

Dave:
thanx 4 the link; definitely some good info there !
oh, and i forgot 2 ask how the boys liked their armourfast tanks ? Cool [8D]

hope u were able to get 'em & that they had fun building !
frosty Smile [:)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 5, 2003 8:41 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duke Maddog

Frosty, I am building ACE's BMP2 'Ost' right now...might be able to help. My LHS has tons of these, and it would be easy to get one (or three) and send them too you. Just a simple offer.
When I can, I'll try to get photos posted of my BMP so you can see it.

Duke:
i really appreciate the offer... how much r the ACE kits at ur LHS ? i'v been asking 4 about 3 months at my LHS, & the guy keeps saying he can't get 'em...
i know it'll b a bit of a pain 2 get it 2 look good, but i'm not afraid 2 try my best !
looking forward 2 seeing ur BMP when u get it done !
best wishes,
frosty Smile [:)]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 5, 2003 6:31 PM

A modeling job for a mag!! You're living my dream dood! Congratulations. I picked up from the replies to this topic that you have had models published before... Where and when!! I wanna see!
Anyway, I have nothing to offer, and you look like you got plenty of links from the FSM forum crew to help you so I'll be off.
Sayonara Brian-chan, Gambatte!
Wade

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Saturday, December 6, 2003 10:34 AM

Thanks, Wade! Ganbaruzo!
The word "published" makes it sound much more grandiose than it actually is! I was featured in last month's Tamiya News, for which I wrote an article and submitted a couple of pix.
A picture and short writeup of my good ol' E-100 was featured in last month's Armour Modelling. None of this made it outside of Japan, I'm afraid.

This BMP-3 project for Armour Modelling is by far the biggest opportunity yet. Hopefully it'll be my big break! Big Smile [:D]

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 6, 2003 11:11 PM

J-Hulk,

I will look through the pics I took on my last outing to Afganistan and see if I have any shots of BMP-3's that aren't all blown to HE double tooth-picks.. I think that I have one or two shots of the dozer assembly and the right side of the vehicle... As I recall they were all overall Russian Green (We ran across five or six of them) under all of the burnt up parts :)

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mark956

Member since
February 2003
From: USA

Posted by mark956 on Saturday, December 6, 2003 11:17 PM

Good luck on the build J-hulk. Post some pictures of it once finished.
mark956

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Sunday, December 7, 2003 4:57 AM

Thanks, fellas!
Ex18B, thanks for the offer. Greatly appreciated! You get over there often?
If you do, stay safe!

~Brian

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 8, 2003 12:11 AM

Unfortunately this will be trip Number three since 9/11... but on the good side this is the last one I will have to make... So far they haven't made the bullet that can kill me... They've made a couple that have hurt a little bit...LOL... I will get as many shots as I can... if I can... And post them or email them to you... Good luck with the build I can't ait to see the pics when you get it finished...

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