BMP-2 pics. Finally!

Here you go Derek

So the BMP finally makes it's appearance. The pics are a little fuzzy Derek so it's hard to pick out the details but it looks like a nice job. I assume this is the DML kit ? How did you find the construction of this one ?

Thanks for sharing with us and keep up the great work.

It looks very neat, Derek. One does not see Eastern German models very often. Good choice!

Yes it's the DML. Thanks to some advice from Rob Gronovius here http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3601 I didn't get caught unawares and the build went well. The kit had fit problem at the rear of the upper hull, There was an angle to the back side where it meets the rear plate. fortuanately it was long on one side so i sanded it even and that problem was solved.
The hinges for the hatches are very delicate and fiddly with the most trouble being the rear troop hatches. I had to lightly sand and test fit the knobs that fit in the hinge several times to get them to pressin easily. Afterinstallation all hatches were secured with a couple dots of glue on the inside to prevent hinge detail from melting.
The turret mount also needed a modification. The gap in the "L" that engages the hull was very tight and the turret wouldn't have gone on properly when it was all together so I carefully scraped a slight ramp in the bottom of the "L" with a #11 blade which solved the problem.
The individual link tracks were kinda tough and wanted to twist. I couldn't correct this so I hid it under the skirts.
I am fairly satisfied with my results (my weathering need some practice) and would do another. If anyone is planning on building this kit, test fit everything and maybe see about getting aftermarket tracks.

Shermanfreak,
Why won't mine work? This is the link, I added the spaces in the img tags.

Nice work. You guys are going to make a modern armor fan out of me yet.

What sort of display base are you going to put it on?

Mike

Derek ... here's what your link looks like:



And this is what my link looks like:



You've linked to the gallery and I linked to the album

OK, thanks for the help.

Thanks for the comments folks. I originally thought of the Finnish version with splinter camo but never having done splinter befor I didn't want to start on armor, I'll try it on an A/C first.

Its a chameleon :)
Is it brown or green? :)

Check the "white balance" on your camera and try to change it from "auto" to something manual and you might be able to find the setting that matches your lighting (flourescent, incandesent, etc)

Looks great!
is that the DML kit?

Got to love Russian Armour. Such cool looking stuff. Looks like a great job your've done there. Fuzzy pics give it that Cold War photo look about it. LOL

Hi, pardon the interruption

I am in the process of building the ESCI BMP-2. I have reached the tracks, but the instructions do not say how the tracks go on. If you are familiar with the links, they have three cleats, two on one side and one on the opposite side. My question: does the side with the two cleats face the front of the model, or the rear? Any help appreciated, thanks!

Hi Claymore,

Sorry I can't see the pics. I'll try maybe later.

QUOTE: Originally posted by terenceteo Hi, pardon the interruption I am in the process of building the ESCI BMP-2. I have reached the tracks, but the instructions do not say how the tracks go on. If you are familiar with the links, they have three cleats, two on one side and one on the opposite side. My question: does the side with the two cleats face the front of the model, or the rear? Any help appreciated, thanks!

The one bar goes forward of the two bars so if you are looking straight at the nose of the vehicle the two bars would be above the one bar.

Hello Major G, thanks for the info.

QUOTE: Originally posted by claymore68 If anyone is planning on building this kit, test fit everything and maybe see about getting aftermarket tracks.

Sounds just like the real BMP... they all use aftermarket tracks you know.

Pic's didn't come through on my MacIntrash... I'll try later! I know how you feel, my photos never post anywhere!

Ron.