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

[lmcq11]

Hi,

Continuing with the BMP-1 build after a good winter vacation.

The fenders at the back of the vehicle need to be completely scratch built from photograph and reference analysis. It is simple though.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

Ludwig had 2 trench like grooves made along the fenders, I assume they were meant to somewhat represent the embossed stiffeners at the back. I earlier decided to flip the fender parts so that the grooves are hidden underneath. The highly visible and desirable embossed stiffeners were instead rapidly made with 1.5mm half rods.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

Th side skirts were not made to be raised with hinges. They were glued to the fenders attached to the lower hull instead, except under the brass bolts which has the upper hull under them. In order to lift the upper hull, the bolts on the front side skirts need to be unscrewed. Opening the hull will be rare because the cover at the front of the vehicle can be removed to give access to the electronics, battery and gearbox compartments for simple maintenance.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

View of the BMP rear compartment air vent and rear hatches hinges that need to be reproduced from scratch.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

The air vent.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

The 3D printed rear hatches are good but need preparation and sanding to fit. Sadly, no hinges were provided so it takes a while to repro them with some resemblance to the real thing.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

The locks for the hatches and the fuel cap were created.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

Of course, the hatches were made functional.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

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Next step is to install the periscopes and the many little brackets and small items on the hull, then work on the rear doors.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

Overall view of the vehicle as it stands today.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP-1 BMP1 AFV RC

Regards, Louis

[square4]

That is looking one cracking model, very well done.

[HERMAN BIX]

Better than a real one !
Looks much more complex than the Marder?

[BarryC]

Hi Louis,

I find nothing attractive in the lines of the BMP but I do recognize awesome problem solving and building skills, Fantastic work!

Barry

[wibblywobbly]

What's the word I am looking for.....impressed?...awed?...inspired?...or just speechless?

[BarryC]

What's the word I am looking for.....impressed?...awed?...inspired?...or just speechless?

Just pick one, they all apply!!

[43rdRecceReg]

Louis, le Roi Soleil! It would be encouraging to us if you could make a mistake every now and then, just to prove that you're actually mortal ...mais, I can see that's never likely to happen. So, It's Yet another masterpiece

[lmcq11]

Ah, thank you guys !

Yeah, this is not an easy one. Its a shell kit, shape is not obvious, no instructions, no other build anywhere, many fit issues with technical gaps, trial and error approach, gearbox and TK22 malfunctions requiring replacement. Many frustrations along the way. But I am getting through, and its time to finish it.

Although i agree with Barry that the BMP is not an attractive AFV, my hope is that the interior and paratroop infantry riders will elevate it to the emblematic and tough bad boy that it should look like. But wait til you see what I have in store for my next build.

Louis

[Ad Lav]

Looks great, you have nailed the Ludwigs kit building for sure!

[lmcq11]

Hi, presenting the back of the BMP.

The 3D printed exterior shell of the back doors are the only items available to the builder. Everything else needing scratch building. On the real vehicle, the inside of the rear door contain auxiliary fuel tanks for the engine. They must be quite heavy to operate and likely dangerous in combat. The infantry is already sitting on a massive fuel tank in the middle of the crew compartment, and they have fuel cells on their escape hatches as well.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

First task was to prepare the fuel tanks.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

And slowly build up the door with the items seen in reference.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

Overall view of the vehicle with rear doors installed.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

Notice the gun port on the left door. It's shape needed to be corrected.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

It is left to the builder to ponder his options and design the complicated hinges mechanism. I referred to pictures and did something as close as I could to the real thing.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

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As you can guess, it was not easy.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

Builders that are not recreating the inside of the vehicle will be tempted to simply glue to doors in place and forget about the hinges. But I do have an interior to worry about and the construction of realistic doors is adding a lot to the model presentation. The flexible tubing for the fuel tanks will be added after painting.

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

The latch is non functional. There are limits...

Ludwigs 1/16 BMP BMP-1 BMP1 RC IFV

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Continuing on following post