Model Point BMP-2 Turret

BMP-2 Turret
1/35 #MP RC306
Review by Terry Ashley

Designed for the Dragon (Kit No.3504) or Zvezda (Kit No.3554) kits of the BMP-2 this set provides the early production turret before the installation of the PRK appliqué armour panels around the sides and top and simply replaces the kit turrets in either kit.

The set consists of 6 parts cast in light cream resin which are cleanly cast with only the usual casting blocks to be removed before assembly.
The turret is a single solid casting with many fine details included such as the Loader’s hatch and periscopes as well as the three lifting eyes, fine weld seams and the “Tucha” smoke grenade pot mounts with wiring included. The gun mantlet with very nice canvas cover details, Commander’s cupola, roof top ATGM missile mount and the two searchlights are separate parts but due to the solid turret the Commander’s and Loader’s hatches are cast in the closed position.

Unassembled Resin parts
Modelpoint

Additional metal parts in turned brass are included for the 30mm cannon barrel, the 9M113M “Konkurs” ATGM (AT-5 Spandrel) missile container and the side mounted System 902A/B “Tucha” smoke grenade pots as well as a delicate antenna mounting. The detail on the metal parts is excellent with nice details on the “Tucha” pots and the square muzzle brake on the barrel well represented.
Each of the metal parts are also available as separate update sets if that is all you want to add to your BMP-2 kit?

Metal parts included in turret set also available separately

#3528 2A42 30mm barrel	#3539 PTUR container

#3544 Systems 902A/B "Tucha"	#3545 Radio Antenna pot

Assembly is straightforward with the Commander’s cupola fitting snugly into the roof cut-out after removing the casting block but there was some trimming needed to the sides of the mantlet casting for this to fit into the recess in the turret front, but a bit of trial and error will see this fit okay. The barrel fits neatly into the pre-drilled hole in the mantlet and you have to add the kit co-ax MG barrel but unfortunately four of the fine mounting brackets for the “Tucha” pots were broken as they tend to stick out but these were easily replaced with thin card and small locating holes were drilled in the centre of each bracket to accept the brass smoke grenade pots.

Modelpoint A locating pin was added to the bottom of the ATGM mounting to fit into the turret top mounting which also had a hole drilled out to accept the mounting pin, this makes for a more robust attachment than just gluing in place.

The two searchlights replace the kit items and can be mounted using the kit light supports which are a little on the thick side or build new ones from card or wire for a better scale appearance and the equipment straps around the turret rear can be added from thin tape or lead sheet.

The fit of the resin turret to the Dragon kit hull was quite good with only very slight movement and you can either glue the turret in place or attached small tabs to the bottom of the resin plug to fit into the cut-outs as with the kit turret.

No instructions are included but the location of the parts is self-explanatory so this isn’t a problem and most will have some form of reference to check the location with.

Assembled Turret (Searchlights still to be added)
Modelpoint

Conclusion:
In all a very detailed and well cast early production turret with the metal parts adding additional definition that will greatly enhance the appearance of either BMP-2 kit.

Footnote: This turret is not applicable to the Dragon Kit No. 3508 or Zvezda kit No. 3555 of the BMP-2E as used in Afghanistan as these vehicles were fitted with later turrets with appliqué armour as well as other mods.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Dmitriy from Model Point US for the review sample.

Page Created 22 May 2004

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