Review

This release from Zvezda, arrives in a flip top cardboard tray, with an additional end opening card box with all of the art work on it. This particular release is a kit with a long heritage, going back to 1991, where it was released in various forms, by Dragon and their subsidiary names. With even Revell having released it at one point. An examination of the moulded parts, reveals no major issues with the mouldings, beyond the beginning of flash in some areas and ejector pin marks that will need to be tackled.

The parts that make up this model, are surprisingly minimal but with that said I have seen it constructed to a very pleasing standard. The upper and lower portions of the body are is two halves, with a clear plastic sheet representing the glazing behind the front viewing ports. Hatch covers are provided separately, and so the option for the modeller with something to “fill the void”, can have them open if desired. Light units on the vehicle, have not been provided in clear plastic and so is a bit of a let down. I was however, pleased to find aerial mounts provided as separate parts, which will allow the modeller to add an aerial of their choice to the mount.

Moving to the underside of the vehicle, I like how the wheels that are deployed when the vehicle is stuck on rough terrain, and while they will not be workable, they can be displayed either deployed or retracted - which ever you prefer. The suspension springs for the main axels, are an area where flash is just starting to show, and so will benefit from careful clean up. The main axels, could be shown to have the main road wheels turned. However, the road wheels themselves have vinyl rubber tyres and these are exceptionally stiff with weak detail on the tread.

The last area of the model is the turret. With the shape of the turret having been nicely captured. The cannon and machine gun that are mounted, can be elevated or depressed depending on you choice. And lastly there are three lifting brackets on the turret. Five finishing options are provided for the model and these are:

BRDM-2 from the Czechoslovak Peoples Army

BRDM-2 No UEZ2009 and No UEZ7545, Polish Armed Forces, during exercises September 1994, Poznan, Poland

BRDM-2 from the 4thGuards Tank KANTEMI-ROVSQY, Order of Lenin, of the Red Banner Corps 1990’s,

Naro -Fominsk

BRDM-2 from 810thSeparate Marine Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet of the USSR 1980’s, KAZACHYA Bay

BRDM -2 Nationale Volksarmee of the German Democratic Republic

Conclusion

While this model is not a bad offering, it does have a number of years on it, and as such does not live up to current standards. Most notably ejector pins marks on some external surfaces that will need to be tackled. Having seen the exceptional detail that Zvevda puts into it aircraft and own armour releases, I cant help wishing that they would stick to releasing their own kits, as I know that Zvevda is capable of far superior models of their own in the present time.