BMP-3 in Cyprus Sevice - Build

[TRM]

Well, time to squeeze a little something in!!!

Just finished up a review of Trumpeter's BMP-3 in Cyprus Service for the folks over on InScale.org, to which they were kind enough to let me post here on MSC as well!! If you have not checked it out yet here is the InScale Link to the review: inscale.org/public/?p=5141 The review is posted here on MSC too under the review section.



Onwards!! I cracked into this the other night, even though there are still some stragglers screaming at me from the bench....Why not!!! ALl in good fun!!

Things moved along nicely I thought. There was very little I did not like about the kit once I started at it. One minor peeve was the gate marks left behind on the road wheels after removing the sprue. There is some careful clean-up needed to remove the placement marks and still keep the crossed raised pattern on the tires. I will take some down time between gluing to take care of this on each of the tires. I also gave the raised pattern a quick once-over with some fine sandpaper to soften the definition.



Looking to get the lower end of this out of the way so to free up some time for the interior, I attacked the hull. This was pretty straight forward. The hull is nicely molded and pretty much ready to go OOB. The suspension needed just a little work. Swing arms were just about clean and ready for installation. The shocks had a nice little seam line down both sides. A little tricky at the boot section with all the ribs but again, not too bad.





There was two pieces of armor plating to be installed on the front. Once these were in, time for a little dry fitting!



All the road wheels, idlers and sprockets have a nice tight fit. Makes test fitting and track placement a more pleasant experience. Not to mention that the sprocket cleaning bar installed just behind the wheel is to be installed making removal of the sprocket impossible after it is glued in place.









The top is not installed here yet...but could not resist the early look!! Time to start on the tracks and interior layout!

Thanks for tuning in!!!

[deafpanzer]

I thought you were going to finish the PT 109? LOL Kidding... nice review!

[wbill76]

Off and rolling Mr. T! Looking good so far.

[TRM]

You are right Andy!! LOL...you have now idea how many are going at the moment!!! PT will rotate back in...this is a little FUN right now!!!

Thanks Bill, glad to have you along!!! I must be nuts...already planning the painting!!! LOL!!

[Leon]

Nice start T.I'M along for the ride.

[TRM]

Great to hear it Leon!!! Clearing some of the fast food wrappers off the seat for you now!!!

[dupes]

If this one is anything like the rest of Trumpeter's recent modern armor kits, you should be ready to shoot some paint at it by tomorrow night!

[TRM]

I wish Dupes!!! LOL!!! I did mangage to prep all the interios main components last night. All fit like a glove. Going to do some surfing today and research any extras I can scratch to spice up the already detailed interior.

[bullardino]

You're definitely pushing me to buy it, you know?

Great job, it looks very promising

[TRM]

Thanks Dicky!! Madness...yup, would probably sum it up!! LOL!!Oh wait...we are talking models now, my bad!! I can see things like belts and straps along with little bits and things...nothing to far gone!! If I were you thought....LOL!!! Nah, that couldn't happen!!

Sorry Luigi...you know I owe you one for the KV turret thing, right? LOL!!! Lets see what comes about in the interior and you should have a good idea!! Thanks BTW!!!

[danb.]

Great start T looks like a awesome kit

Dan B

[TRM]

Thanks Dan! Not too shabby! I will be digging into some more shortly!! Got lucky...RAIN!!! Games cancelled for this evening!!! WOO HOO!!!

[TRM]

Small update from last night:

I spent some time last night assembling interior part, dry fit and permanent. I am beginning to see what will show and not so I most likely not go to far on forward interior scratch work, but will try and add some bobbles in the aft section; belts and wiring where needed.



This rear compartment is where I will try and add tie down straps on the sides soon.



The driver's controls. This area is pretty much hidden from view unless the front hatches are left open. Still on the fence of doing this. If I do though, I may scratch a radio or two per a couple of reference pics I found.



This is the turret base plate. The hole underneath are for shell storage. The bottom section spins independently in the real deal allowing for the new rounds to be ejected up into the breech carriage.



The rear plate going together. I am thinking of leaving the back doors open, or at least one anyway. This will allow views not into this compartment but the turret guts should be partially visible from here.

There are several ejector pin marks on the aft compartment parts, but All but one are not visible. The one that is "visible" is located on the rear door center post at the very top of the inside above the what looks like a watertight control wheel. Actually hidden rather well, plus it would be a bugger to try and fill and sand out. There are pin marks on the floor which will be needed to be removed and/or filled...ONLY if you plan on displaying this IFV with the turret removed. Otherwise, they are virtually hidden.

That is it for the moment. I snipped all the track links off the sprues this morning and a quick file of each should render these ready for installation. I will be working on this a bit more shortly and might have some more to post later!!

Thank you for stopping by!!

[wbill76]

Nice progress there T! That turret base design is a nifty one...space saving and rotary to boot! Just don't get in the way of that shell ejector and you're fine. I can see why you'd want to have a view into that rear compartment area...lots of nice detail there to show off.

[TRM]

Thanks Bill!! Yup, some candy there!! Will be fun to paint and pop some light wear I think in there!!!

[406 Silverado]

Now how did I miss this ? I know you were doing the review but didn't think you'd start on her and blog it....coooool

man that kits does look sweet, might have to grab one in Sept. The interior is just enough for eye candy.

Have a blast with this one bro

[TRM]

Thanks Boss...Glad to have you along for the ride!! Always fun to try something a bit different!!

[bullardino]

That's very nice, Todd. I think it'll be a stunner with some little details added.

[madairbrush]

This kit looks absolutly awesome. Very high grade of detail. I can`t wait to see more pictures of it.

[Deleted]

It does look a smashing kit, and nice to have the Cypriot version too

[TRM]

Thanks Luigi and Matt!! Finding this to be a fun little kit all around! I will really enjoy weathering this one up!!

Thanks Dicky!! Notice the "Snap-tite" fit on this one. Wheels, seats and interior partitions all snapped in like a glove. Wish the tracks snap fit but there are still not too bad.

Thanks Pete! I like the camo on the Cypriot version, so yeah, gonna stick with it! Been thinking interior colors this is sure to be soon!!


A quick little update...not too exciting but an update just the same!



I started cleaning parts for the cluttered turret...still plenty to go on this!



Couldn't resist dry fitting again!!





Been playing with some tracks too!







There is a tiny seam line on the track horns. After these set up it won't be too bad to hit these lightly in place verses trying to hold this itty bitty piece.

So that is it for the moment. I have the two lower sections together and are drying in place on the wheels for shape. Leaving for my daughter's softball game in a couple minutes but will be back on this after the game!!!

Thanks for having a LQQKY!!

[Leon]

Nice update T,this is progressing nicely.

[danb.]

Great work T the fit looks superb on this kit keep up the good work

Dan B

[TRM]

Thanks again fellas!! Just stepped in from the game! Ready to dig into the tracks again!!

Dicky - The track are not too bad at all. Once you get into a rhythm it works just like an assembly line!

[wbill76]

Making good progress here T! Tracks are rolling along nicely as well and you've got the right idea for cleaning up those guide horns...much easier to do it when they're 'set' vs. beforehand...unless you just feel like tempting fate and have had no caffeine for a week prior.

[bbrowniii]

T
That is SUPERB! I love it! Keep on with the great updates.

[TRM]

Thanks Bill!! But like the caffineeeeeeeeeeeeeee.........

Thanks Boyd....I will do my best!

I managed to fit the tracks tonight! PHEEEEEWWW!! Now the fun begins!! Prepping for interior paint and working the outside!!! Getting there!

[robbo]

These are cracking looking vehicles, I always think they look a little low down to have troops in the back

[TRM]

Indeed Ian, slick look! Still feeling cramped with gear and 7 to 9 personnel in there!! Sardines!!

[bullardino]

May 14, 2013 5:05:30 GMT -5 TRM said:

Sardines!!

The idea of soldier expendability was/is much different in russian design from US/european AFVs

Great progress, the tracks don't look too hard to assemble. When I saw the horns were moulded separately I feared they were going to be a nightmare...