Post by iking on Dec 13, 2012 12:26:32 GMT -5
Hi fellas,
This is a parallel build of 2 1/35 replicas of the famous Russian BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
The 2 kits are from Dragon (DML) which was released more than 10 yrs ago and from Trumpeter which was released this 2012.
DML BMP-1 kit
Trumpeter BMP-1 kit
I will build these kits OOB and compare the level of details of the 2 kits.
First off, let's have a look on the hull details.
The DML kit and Trumpeter models vary in terms of hull details.
First of are the hull sizes and dimensions.
DML kit is slightly longer than the Trumpeter kit by about 3mm. you cant miss out their sized when you put them side-by-side.
The DML kit sports a molded-on suspension arms while Trumpeter offered a kit with separately molded suspension arms.
Both of the kits have their shock absorbers and mud scrapers molded separately though the curved shock absorbers on the driver area is molded separately for the Trumpeter kit.
The undersides are also different.
This part is mostly overlooked as you can't really see this on a model unless you turn it over.
However, underside detailing has become also a Trumpeter signature as they release their kits mostly with underside details.
As you can see, the Trumpeter kit on the right shows superb underside detailing and tooling showing the panels and ribbed details of the BMP underside.
DML kit on the left retained its characteristic bare underside which is mostly associated with their 1990s releases.
The frontal lower hull of the 2 kits are slightly the same with the exception of the Trumpeter kit as they offered theirs with a better detailed tow hooks with locks and separately molded tow rings.
The rear hull of the 2 kits are also different in size.
Trumpeter has only better details on the rear hull as it also includes tow hooks and door handles for the hatches unlike its DML counterpart.
The rear doors are mainly different on the amount of details that they have.
As you can see, the Trumpeter kit includes the fuel cells on each of the door.
It's just sad that it is kind of awkward to position this in an open state as no other interior details are present on the insides of the main hull.
Now let's check the tractor systems.
Comparing the sprocket of the 2 kits has a surprising difference.
As shown, the sprocket of the Trumpeter is smaller than what was presented on the DML kit.
The Trumpeter sprocket also appears to be more detailed as shown on the rivets and the shape of the sprocket horns as compared with the actual photos on PrimePortal and Dishmodels.Ru websites.
This is the real steel image of the sprocket and it shows that Trumpeter's is more closely similar to this than the old DML part.
The idler wheels also are different.
Trumpeter made their idler wheels into a combination of plastic and photo-etched parts.
As you can see, the spokes on the Trumpeter kit is made out of photoetched parts that is mated with the plastic spokes.
DML retained a 2-part plain plastic idler wheel that is also larger than the Trumpeter kit.
The individual wheels are also similar in detailing but not in size and parts division.
The 2-part wheels are from Trumpeter while the single part, larger wheel is from DML.
The Trumpeter wheels are similar on how they made their PT-76 and ASU-85 wheels.
Now, let's go to the upper hull.
The DML hull is slightly longer than the Trumpeter kit.
While Trumpeter kit offered to have their offering with a separate engine hood, this won't be necessary as it will show a plain cavity on the engine compartment. Scratched engine will do or if an another company will provide an aftermarket engine set to compliment this.
The vehicle exhausts somehow shows a difference.
DML made theirs on a plain molded plastic that only shows the molded-on grill. See below:
Trumpeter shows that they have theirs with a separate louver inside the grills. The louver and the grill are both made in PE metals which for me constitute better detailing.
It is also important to note that the 2 engine grills to the right are also made in PE unlike on the old DML kit which is only plain molded styrene plastic.
The rear 4 vertical hatches are also quite similar as they both can be glued in an open or closed position.
Again, if the hatches for the Trumpeter are opened, there is a wide empty cavity on the passenger compartment.
I am wondering why Trumpeter didn't provide an interior to this AFV like how they offered their BTR and BRDM series.
Ill continue this blog/build as I review the turret details, tracks and the final stance once the 2 AFVs stand firmly on the assembly line (they're still dry-fitted as of the moment).
Thanks for dropping by!
Cheers guys!
Iking
This is a parallel build of 2 1/35 replicas of the famous Russian BMP-1 Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
The 2 kits are from Dragon (DML) which was released more than 10 yrs ago and from Trumpeter which was released this 2012.
DML BMP-1 kit
Trumpeter BMP-1 kit
I will build these kits OOB and compare the level of details of the 2 kits.
First off, let's have a look on the hull details.
The DML kit and Trumpeter models vary in terms of hull details.
First of are the hull sizes and dimensions.
DML kit is slightly longer than the Trumpeter kit by about 3mm. you cant miss out their sized when you put them side-by-side.
The DML kit sports a molded-on suspension arms while Trumpeter offered a kit with separately molded suspension arms.
Both of the kits have their shock absorbers and mud scrapers molded separately though the curved shock absorbers on the driver area is molded separately for the Trumpeter kit.
The undersides are also different.
This part is mostly overlooked as you can't really see this on a model unless you turn it over.
However, underside detailing has become also a Trumpeter signature as they release their kits mostly with underside details.
As you can see, the Trumpeter kit on the right shows superb underside detailing and tooling showing the panels and ribbed details of the BMP underside.
DML kit on the left retained its characteristic bare underside which is mostly associated with their 1990s releases.
The frontal lower hull of the 2 kits are slightly the same with the exception of the Trumpeter kit as they offered theirs with a better detailed tow hooks with locks and separately molded tow rings.
The rear hull of the 2 kits are also different in size.
Trumpeter has only better details on the rear hull as it also includes tow hooks and door handles for the hatches unlike its DML counterpart.
The rear doors are mainly different on the amount of details that they have.
As you can see, the Trumpeter kit includes the fuel cells on each of the door.
It's just sad that it is kind of awkward to position this in an open state as no other interior details are present on the insides of the main hull.
Now let's check the tractor systems.
Comparing the sprocket of the 2 kits has a surprising difference.
As shown, the sprocket of the Trumpeter is smaller than what was presented on the DML kit.
The Trumpeter sprocket also appears to be more detailed as shown on the rivets and the shape of the sprocket horns as compared with the actual photos on PrimePortal and Dishmodels.Ru websites.
This is the real steel image of the sprocket and it shows that Trumpeter's is more closely similar to this than the old DML part.
The idler wheels also are different.
Trumpeter made their idler wheels into a combination of plastic and photo-etched parts.
As you can see, the spokes on the Trumpeter kit is made out of photoetched parts that is mated with the plastic spokes.
DML retained a 2-part plain plastic idler wheel that is also larger than the Trumpeter kit.
The individual wheels are also similar in detailing but not in size and parts division.
The 2-part wheels are from Trumpeter while the single part, larger wheel is from DML.
The Trumpeter wheels are similar on how they made their PT-76 and ASU-85 wheels.
Now, let's go to the upper hull.
The DML hull is slightly longer than the Trumpeter kit.
While Trumpeter kit offered to have their offering with a separate engine hood, this won't be necessary as it will show a plain cavity on the engine compartment. Scratched engine will do or if an another company will provide an aftermarket engine set to compliment this.
The vehicle exhausts somehow shows a difference.
DML made theirs on a plain molded plastic that only shows the molded-on grill. See below:
Trumpeter shows that they have theirs with a separate louver inside the grills. The louver and the grill are both made in PE metals which for me constitute better detailing.
It is also important to note that the 2 engine grills to the right are also made in PE unlike on the old DML kit which is only plain molded styrene plastic.
The rear 4 vertical hatches are also quite similar as they both can be glued in an open or closed position.
Again, if the hatches for the Trumpeter are opened, there is a wide empty cavity on the passenger compartment.
I am wondering why Trumpeter didn't provide an interior to this AFV like how they offered their BTR and BRDM series.
Ill continue this blog/build as I review the turret details, tracks and the final stance once the 2 AFVs stand firmly on the assembly line (they're still dry-fitted as of the moment).
Thanks for dropping by!
Cheers guys!
Iking
And the sprockets...WOW! Your paint and camo jobs are Nicely done too Iking. The Trumpy looks to be a fine kit indeed and one that ill add to my Hobby Intel list. 
