BTR-152V1 Armoured Personnel Carrier
MAC Automodelle 1:72 Scale Vehicle Review
The first version of the BTR-152 was produced in 1950, it became the basis for many useful variants. The vehicle hull is of all-welded construction, engine and transmission are at the front of the vehicle. The crew consists of a driver, co-driver, and up to 17 infantry who normally board the vehicle through the rear entry hatch. The BTR-152V1 was the second model to enter service, it had a front mounted winch, and a tyre-pressure regulation system.
Contents
- BTR-152K Armoured Personnel Carrier
- 7.62 mm SGMB Goryunov Machine Gun
- 13 Sets of Decals
Evaluation
There are a total of 54 parts; the main superstructure is actually partially pre-assembled; composed of three pieces fused together.
Plastic axles are indicated in the instructions, but the kit actually came with metal axles.
The kit comes with 13 sets of decals, and three batches of vehicle ID numbers:
- (1) East Germany
- (2) CSSR
- (3) & (4) Poland
- (5) Hungary
- (6) Afghanistan
- (7) Syria
- (8) Israel
- (9) Bulgaria
- (10) & (11) USSR
- (12) Finland
- (13) Red Cross
- Vehicle Numbers
The instructions are written in four languages, Czech, Russian, English, and German. Illustrations are included, but the proper placement of a few parts (the steering wheel, for one) are omitted. Easy enough to figure out, though.
The model is moulded in a bright blue plastic, which is somewhat softer than the plastic used by most manufacturers. One must therefore be careful when trimming and filing; also note that the paint is more likely to rub off until coated by protective varnish.
Painting instructions were not included in this kit. The BTR may be painted Humbrol 114 Russian Green to represent a Warsaw Pact or Syrian vehicle.
Crew figures are not included.
Possible Conversions
- BTR-152V2 armoured personnel carrier without winch
- BTR-152 anti-tank vehicle with ATGM launcher
- BTR-152A anti-aircraft vehicle with twin machine guns or cannons
- BTR-152 close support vehicle with quadruple heavy machine guns
- BTR-152K armoured personnel carrier with armoured roof
- BTR-152U, command vehicle. The vehicle had raised sides to provide more internal space, and comfort for the staff working inside; it was not armed. This variant and the BTR-152K would be suitable for several other uses, as an ambulance, signals, and artillery registration vehicle.
Overall, the kit is simple, and went together well. Some parts needed fiddling to get to fit, and it wasn’t always clear where to cut parts off the sprue. Other manufacturers might have made more parts for the same subject, to allow the vehicle to be modelled with open doors and window hatches, for example. The kit should be a welcome addition to any collection, but may be hard to find. Assembled in the Czech Republik, the kit may be produced under a different name in Europe.
Patrick Storto