BMP-1 IFV - Soviet army, Afghanistan 1980s - Build

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 12:04 am

Thanks,

Here is the upper hull main structure.

The rear was assembled without concerns once each part was lengthened. Various gaps need to be taken care of.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build; Capture.JPG (93.64 KiB) Viewed 3347 times

As usual, the technique to deal with them is to throw residual strips of plasticard with lots of superglue in each gaps for a fast and solid build, after which a thorough sanding will smooth things out and create nice armor lines everywhere.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build; Capture2.JPG (78.7 KiB) Viewed 3347 times

The core structure is sanded and ready for more detailing. I put on the turret and front plate over their hole just for the picture and give an idea of things to come. There is much to do on the chassis.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

Troop compartment is cramped. I have designated the back panel to be lifted with the upper hull when opening the tank, it will be stronger this way. Some kind of locking mechanism will be created.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

As the BMP-1 is a rare RC animal and pretty sure most people never saw one, here is a short comparative study;

Against a Hooben T-55, the BMP is longer.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

Against a Marder MICV, the BMP is a bit shorter and lower.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

Against an M113.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

Next to a HL Panther G

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

It is a fairly big RC tank. Although its turret and gun are really not impressive and quite ineffective in real life, it was ground breaking for its time to have such firepower on a APC. It should look very good with a Soviet commander and the five planned paratroop infantry riders on top, armed with AK-74 rifles, PKM machine gun and an RPG.

: Ludwigs 1/16 RC BMP1 BMP-1 build

Regards, Louis

c.rainford73 · Post by **c.rainford73** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:51 pm

Wow Louis it's stunning such a large rc beast. Well done and quite quick I must add

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Fri Nov 23, 2018 10:49 pm

Hi,

Continuing with the hull, this post is for the front hull and engine related hatches.

There is a shape at the front that is important to reproduce accurately because it is the base for the side skirts. The simplistic part provided with the kit (top) needs to be discarded and a new one (below) hand crafted using references.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

The 1/35 Trumpeter kit provides the required shape, angle and positioning points for this area.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Without these parts, the side skirts will not rest correctly at the front.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build; Capture2a.JPG (82.3 KiB) Viewed 3275 times

This is the BMP exhaust at the left when viewed from the front.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

This part to plug the exhaust hole can be discarded because it is not accurate.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

As per Trumpeter instructions, this is what it should look like under the grill.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

It won't show much but an attempt should be made to be somewhat resembling.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build; Capture4a.JPG (28.99 KiB) Viewed 3275 times

The grill and brass work is completed on the exhaust. It will never be perfect but it is not my style to take too long on a specific item. The build need to move forward all the time and not get bugged down.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

This is what the kit provides for the hatch on the right. It is useful but it needs to be positioned correctly and dressed up.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build; Capture7.JPG (73.49 KiB) Viewed 3275 times

Continuing on following post

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Fri Nov 23, 2018 11:09 pm

And this is the same hatch repositioned closer to the edge because of the hull extension, and dressed up.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Frontal view of the BMP, this is what I had to get as close to as possible. This tank is missing most of its bolts on the top but the holes can be seen.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Same frontal view of the model.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Bolts used are Knupfer brass M0.6 and M0.8 size.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

The interior support for the air intake grills need to be removed. The grills need to be lowered flush with the hull.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build; Capture9b.JPG (78.39 KiB) Viewed 3274 times

Overall view of the hull front.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

These are the engine air intakes. They should have small handles on the sides but they are too small and thin to reproduce in brass. I'll see if they can be done in other ways.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Overall view of the model.

: Ludwigs 1/16 BMP1 BMP-1 IFV RC build

Next step are the crew hatches.

Regards, Louis

c.rainford73 · Post by **c.rainford73** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 3:13 am

What a fantastic job Louis with the brass and bolts. Wow you make this hobby very entertaining

Post by **HERMAN BIX** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 10:28 am

Another sublime build making the hard look simple !!
By now you would be working with C.L. and his team to improve his line of kits ??
If not, you should be

BarryC · Post by **BarryC** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 2:12 pm

Hey Louis,

You've got another amazing build in the works!

As always your build pace is dazzling.

Cheers,
Barry

Max-U52 · Post by **Max-U52** » Sat Nov 24, 2018 2:18 pm

When I grow up I want to be as good at this stuff as you are, Louis. Your work really is amazing.

lmcq11 · Post by **lmcq11** » Sun Nov 25, 2018 8:33 pm

Hi, thank you everyone for your encouragements.

Max-U52 wrote:When I grow up I want to be as good at this stuff as you are, Louis

I must have looked at the Ludwigs website for over a year before deciding to buy my first Ludwigs basic kit, the M113, and see what i could do with it. Since then, I feel my skillset improved exponentially after being mostly the same for decades while a was doing regular kits or enhancements to HL models. Just try one. I do not think i can go back to Tamiya kits...

This post is for the Driver and Commander's hatch.

After completing the more simplistic driver's hatch, I realised that using Shapeways 3D printed King Tiger periscope would not do. They are of the wrong shape, too small and totally inaccurate. My desire to minimize the workload has again failed with commercial 3D printed parts, I am getting use to it and I will limit future purchases in this area as I have been quite disappointed about these lately. I therefore had to craft the periscope and I needed a lot.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC; Capture.JPG (82.59 KiB) Viewed 3239 times

First step is to create the core component in 3mm thick plasticard.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

Then the front section is created on the same size in 0.5mm plasticard

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

The shape of the front (len) section has to be trimmed with a Dremel file because a knife would distort and break them.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

Front and core parts of the periscopes are assembled on the left, and final product showing on the right once shaped and polished with nail files of various grain. I know many modellers would 3D print these but building 6 periscopes took me about 1.5 hours of effort, including the design, prototype and production.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

The more complex commander's cupola is a real puzzle and references must be studied carefully on how to use the parts provided by Christian.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

Christian did a good job in providing the core parts and they can be easily assembled. Accuracy is pretty good, although there are a couple of issues that I did not correct.

: Ludwigs BMP1 BMP-1 1/16 IFV RC

It is the brass job that takes a long time in order to dress up the cupolas and periscopes as per reference pictures, the Trumpeter 1/35 showing very few details in this area. Notice how better the crafted periscopes look compared to the Shapeways parts on the first picture.