BMP-1 (USSR)

The amphibious tracked infantry fighting vehicle BMP-1 was the first mass-produced infantry fighting vehicle of the Soviet Union. From 1966, more than 20,000 BMP-1 and derivatives were built in the USSR alone, BMP-1 being also produced under licence by Czechoslovakia, Romania and India. Alongside the T-64 and T-80 tanks and the wheeled BTR, the BMP-1 really epitomises the heart of Soviet units in Germany. Revolutionary for its time, the BMP-1 was conceived for a nuclear and chemical war environment in which it never fought, allowing the infantry to operate from the relative safety of its armoured, radiation-shielded interior. It was armed with a 73mm gun and an Sagger anti-tank missile launcher on the gun mantled. In addition to a crew of three, the BMP-1 can also transport 8 infantrymen.

The kits are from S-Model. They are nice and easy to build and a perfect base to some improvement and  conversion works. Unfortunately, my example below date from a time when quick wargaming production was the watchword and they could certainly have benefited from a few simple improvements. I will certainly do more BMP-1 in the future and I will then be able to give them my full attention 😎 (made 2014)