Micro Armor Work Part 2: BMP1s & BTR50s

Civilain Contractor Mechanic: "Yes, the farther you pull the string, the more you will wind it up, and the farther and faster it goes."
Soldier: "I think we can manage that - does it have to be Russkie Infidel string?"

https://milinme.wordpress.com/2012/01/28/arab-revolts-revolutions-syria-5-tanks-in-towns/

So the ten T-74s took a bit of time due to mold lines, 90 minutes. Next up were the two types of APCs I got for this fictitious Syrian force, BMP-1 and BTR 50.

The BMP-1 is just a cool looking vehicle, sort of a low-rider with nice lines. I dig it:

https://milinme.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/syrian-army-vehicles-bmp/


https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/weird-tank-modifications-in-syria.476846/


https://milinme.wordpress.com/2013/06/14/syrian-army-vehicles-bmp/
Also, I am digging this camo scheme with olive green and ochre / dark yellow - hmmmm...

If you look carefully, the GHQ model has an AT-3 Sagger ATGM above the barrel, which looks cool and will make for a nice painting opportunity, as well as gaming capability:

http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/w88.html


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BMP-1_AP_2.jpg


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Damaged_BMP-1.jpg

small details like this make even a small tank "pop" on the table when there's a bright spot:
https://militaryedge.org/armaments/at-3-sagger/

I also think it will be useful in games, as it functions as something of a light tank as well as an APC.  The GHQ models are - as always - nice sculpts, but they do have an obnoxious mold line around the entire vehicle that is especially noticeable across the back end, one can only hope to file it down in part. My approach is to file it in easy-to-reach places so as to break up the visual line, and leave it where it is obscured with other details:

Above: Bmp-1 to left showing mold line broken up in the sculpting of rear doors. The BTR-50 to right has less and is easy to clean off. Final result post-filing [above] and [below] a real rear:

https://militaryedge.org/armaments/bmp-1/

The BTR-50 is a pretty old APC, but has some atmosphere to it:

https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=192


http://weaponews.com/news/16117-tank-commandos-in-syria-helping-the-soviet-btr-50.html
Again, I am liking this dark yellow on olive camo scheme.

The GHQ model comes with some sort of HMG that is afixed on the top with its tripod - the above site says it is there for firing, but I assume that the squad can grab it when they dismount and deploy [on left vehicle - the one to right is the command vehicle]:

http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/w21.html
The blister comes with 5 BTR-50 and 1 command BTR-50.

Below are the cleaned models drying out.


As I am pleased with the way the units look with the turrets "covering zones" of the clock, I am going to do the same with the BMP-1s.

quick note on the craft sticks...they've a slight curve and it is better to mount the vehicles on the side with the arc as they stick better and it is easier to remove them later.


BTR50s mounted in sticks for painting.

BMP-1s with turrets glued on and mounted on craft sticks.


So that is all the puppet state / client state / Russkie ally vehicles I have. Total additional prep time was 30 minutes for the BMP-1s and about 15 for the BTR-50s [no turret = fewer mold lines] including cleaning them in warm water.

Next up a totally new challenge - the 100 infantry!