BDRM-S.A.9 GASKIN?

The BRDM kit is one of Dragon's initial line of modern Soviet armor kits. They did the BRDM-2, -3* and SA-9 Gaskin, all basically the same kit. Revell of Germany released the -2 in German markings since the West Germans absorbed the former East German equipment.

Your best bet is eBay. The Revell rebox came about maybe 10 years ago, I do not think Dragon reissued their original boxings since the 1990s.

*The BRDM-3 is a misnomer. The vehicle is actually the BRDM-2 ATGM (anti-tank guided missile).

They are cool kits. I have built all of them. But you definitely want to replace the kit wheels with some resin afternarket ones. The kit rubber tires split on all of mine within a year of being built.

 If you like the BRDMs, take a look at Hobbyboss's Cadillac Commando series of 1/35 armored cars... Very sweet!

The wheels definitely should be replaced, and there are a few on the aftermarket. I can't remember any of the top of my head, though. I'd try www.tankworkshop.com, as I think I got mine from there...

IMHO more needs to be done with these kits than just replace the wheels. For some bizarre and strange reason, Dragon back in those days thought it would be "cool" to make action hinged visors, hatches, etc. All of the hatches "clip-in" to the kit, which of course is not realistic or accurate at all. This is especially true with the windshield hatches, challenging to correct, and a lot of detail is compromised here. Fortunately, with some good photo references, it should be easy to correct using plastic rod an strip. Still an annoying "feature." I still have their BTR-70 in my stash, half built, until I can find good photos of the hatches...

Damon.

I want to thank those of you who have replied . I have seen the other ones at my  L.H.S. sooo . Well , thank you , oh ! I noticed the thing about "clip-on" hatches . That,s weird ! and will be fixed I assure you .        tankerbuilder

Just remember, all of the kits are about 90-95% the same. There is also a BRDM-1 and BRDM-1U kit floating around from an Eastern European company. Both kits are exactly the same and are really rough kits. Arsenal makes the original and Eastern Express reboxed it.

They are cool kits, fun and very enjoyable builds... or at least the Dragon BRDM-2 was when I built this one in Aug of '92. It took a "Best Cold War Subject" at a local show that same year. Had plans to do the other offerings too but those plans never materialized.

Verlinden/Trophy Models did the BRDM-1/AT-3 in resin (brick) form many years ago. I built this one early 1999, (photo by Steve Zaloga). This appeared in the July '99 issue of Borsight as well as the August '99 issue of Military Modeling mags.

Enjoyed doing them both.