Trasporto Truppe Corazzato BTR-152.K

Recensione del Modello MAC Automodelle in Scala 1:72

The armoured roof version of the BTR-152 is an important variant which is sure to be deployed in a number of dioramas, e wargame scenarios. The completamente enclosed vehicle offers more protection for the crew, ed it has roof hatches which may be opened to allow fanteria to fight from the vehicle. In wargames, the armoured roof conveniently hides the fact that there aren’t any troops inside the vehicle. No need to pile a bunch of soldatini plastici into an open compartment, this BTR-152 looks perfectly realistic on the approach march. soldatini are placed on the table when the hatches open, e the troops dismount for action. The model shown here has been painted Gunze H73 dark green.

Contenuto

• BTR-152.K con armoured roof
• Mitragliatrice da 7,62 mm
• 13 sets of decalcomanie

Valutazione

Excellent choice of subject. Il BTR-152 è un standard trasporto truppe corazzato which served in many Eastern Bloc countries. The vehicle is similar in appearance to the trasporti truppe semicingolati widely used tra la seconda guerra mondiale, but its design a 6 ruote gives the BTR-152 a distinctively modern look.

Due variants. The vehicle featured in this kit is the armoured roof version of the BTR-152. However, the sprue contains all the necessary parts to build the open-topped APC as well.

Only 54 parts, easy to assemble. The model went together very well, requiring less than an hour to assemble the completamente closed down armoured roof version. With the armoured roof installed, e roof hatches closed down, interior detailing is not strictly necessary, requiring only 30 parts to complete the vehicle. Large roof hatches are included, e they may be modelled in an open position, in which case the rear compartment should be fitted con all the kit parts, of course. The vehicle body is completely assembled, e the chassis fits into the lower hull beautifully. Hatches, doors, e windows are moulded on, saving much assembly time, but also making it difficult to model the vehicle con open hatches.

The kit is moulded in dark green plastic, con black wheels e chassis, ed a black roof. The vehicle could be used as a toy without actually painting it.

Metal axles are cut to the correct length, e they ensure the proper alignment of the rear springs. Wheels should be glued on con superglue, making sure that the tread is aligned correctly on each side of the vehicle. There are tre wheels con one type of hub, e quattro con another. It’s important to examine the wheels to spot the difference. The set of quattro is for the rear axles, one of the tre is the spare, e the other due are for the front axle. The picture sulla scatola shows how the tread should be aligned, a V-shape pointing toward the ground when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

The instructions are written in Czech, Russian, English, e German. Drawings are included, e they require careful study to locate all the parts. Placement of the steering wheel is not show, but should be easy to figure out.

The kit comes con 13 sets of decalcomanie, e tre batches of vehicle ID numbers:

Painting e decalcomania instructions cover an East German BTR-152.K ambulance, a Syrian ed a Czech vehicle. All tre veicoli are to be painted Humbrol No. 114 verde russo. We would have liked to see colour reference numbers for some of the other options, particularly of BTR-152s deployed in the Middle East.

Good value for money. This version of the BTR-152 gives the modeller due choices, to complete the vehicle con o without the armoured roof. In either case, some parts for the spares box will be left over.

We found the handwritten part numbers more difficult to read than printed ones.

The instructions do not show how to cut the lamps off the sprue. Il veicolo sulla copertina della scatola has the lamps mounted flush on the fender, but the painting instructions show them slightly raised.

The manual would have you mount the subdued lights on the outside, e the headlamps on the inside, but the cover photo shows exactly the opposite arrangement.

The instructions do not show an antenna mounting point, important information for anyone without access to a relevant photo. The manufacturer informs us that the BTR-152 carried a single antenna on the right side, o one on each side of the vehicle.

Le decalcomanie were very brittle. The vehicle numbers broke into many small pieces during the application process. Crew soldatini are not included.

Conversione

• Trasporto truppe corazzato BTR-152 without winch
• BTR-152 anti-tank vehicle con ATGM launcher
• Veicolo contraerei BTR-152.A con twin mitragliatrici o cannons
• BTR-152 close support vehicle con quadruple mitragliatrici pesanti
• BTR-152.U, command vehicle. The vehicle had raised sides to provide more internal space, e comfort for the staff working inside; it was not armed. This variant e the BTR-152.K would be suitable for several other uses, as an ambulance, signals, ed artiglieria registration vehicle.
• Trasporto truppe corazzato BTR-152.V1 con winch

The BTR-152 is a good model of a very important vehicle. The original had some clever design features, like central tire-pressure regulation which allowed the crew to adjust the pressure in accordance con local driving conditions. The BTR-152 has a rugged look to it, which will make it a valuable addition to any collection of military veicoli. The choice of decalcomanie supplied con this kit is such that the modeller will be tempted to complete a number of different BTR-152s, exploring various temperate e desert camouflage patterns. Giocatori Wargame will want at least one fanteria motorizzata platoon mounted in BTR-152 APCs, ed it may be difficult to resist the urge to explore several theaters of operation at the same time.

Domande più frequenti

Per ulteriori informazioni, per favore contatta la redazione di Rivista Military Miniatures nel Miniatures Forum.

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– Pubblicato: 23.06.1997 – Aggiornato: 19.02.2000
© 1997-2012 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germania. Tutti diritti reservati.