BTR-152A with ZPTU-2 twin Anti-Aircraft Gun
Roskopf 1:100 Scale Vehicle Review
The Roskopf 1:100 scale BTR-152A with 14.5 mm ZPTU-2 twin anti-aircraft gun is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun introduced in 1951, based on the chassis of the Soviet BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier. The manually rotated anti-aircraft gun turret was only partially suitable for anti-aircraft defense, but played a role in providing fire support to infantry.
Contents
- BTR-152 Armoured Personnel Carrier
- removable gun turret with 14.5 mm ZPTU-2 twin AA gun
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject, the BTR-152A and its successors, the BTR-152D and BTR-152E, served many armies of the Warsaw Pact and its allies in Africa, South America, and Asia as a self-propelled anti-aircraft platform.
The gun mount of the Roskopf twin anti-aircraft gun looks like a cylindrical, open-topped tank turret. However, the original was a rotating cylinder made of steel tubing, its armour consisting of a U-shaped gun shield. This error can likely only be rectified with considerable effort. Furthermore, Roskopf covered the rear fighting compartment of the BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier with an intermediate floor into which the anti-aircraft turret is inserted so that it can rotate. Apparently, this was the best solution to allow the turret to fully rotate while being held reasonably securely inside the existing vehicle. Unfortunately, this makes it practically impossible to place crew figures in the fighting compartment behind the turret. The turret itself is just deep enough inside for a half-length figure to act as the anti-aircraft gunner. In some BTR-152A models, the inserted intermediate floor is loose enough to allow the vehicle to be converted back to a BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier, but in most cases, it appears to be glued in place.
Roskopf sold the BTR-152A fully assembled. Mould lines and sprue need to be removed from the bonnet, fenders, the rear edge of the cab, and wheels prior to painting. To do this, the BTR-152 may have to be disassembled carefully. The vehicle may be super-detailed in the same was as the Roskopf BTR-152 armoured personnel carrier.
The dark olive green plastic of the Roskopf model is a good match for Humbrol 114 »Russian Green«. The model may be used unpainted, but it does look much better with a two or three colour camouflage pattern and a little weathering.
Good value for money, the antique Roskopf 1:100 scale BTR-152 is available for little money at flea markets and online auctions.
Compatibel with ArmiesArmy, Battlefront Miniatures (Flames of War, Team Yankee), Eureka Miniatures, Flashpoint Miniatures, Forged in Battle, Irregular Miniatures, Khurasan Miniatures, MJ Figures, Old Glory, Peter Pig, Plastic Soldier Company, Pico Armor, Skytrex (Command Decision), Quality Castings, Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Rebel Minis, Zvezda, and similar 15/18 mm or 1:100 scale miniatures.
Possible Conversions
- BTR-152A with ZPTU-4 quadruple Anti-Aircraft Gun
- BTR-152 with open-topped cab and fighting compartment
- BTR-152 with open-topped fighting compartment
The Roskopf 1:100 scale BTR-152A is a good model of the widely used self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, which has proven itself in many conflicts as a useful vehicle for infantry support.