Friday, 2 December 2011

BTR-152

The small batch of 15mm toys which I recently completed included this BTR-152 - I believe it is the Peter Pig model.  I have always rather liked the '152 because is manages to combine looking quite cool and being rather crap.  Irresistible! 
This model arrived in my hands still unassembled but 'pre-owned' and missing one of it's wheels.  Can you spot what I used as a replacement?  (it's the middle one in the pic below)
The crew are actually WW2 German tank commanders from the PP range - possibly present in Africa as East German 'advisers'...
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12 comments:

  1. Ross Mac rmacfa@gmail.com2 December 2011 at 12:11

    My guess is that its a wheel.

    I like the BTR's because they look so retro. Plus I like the look of wheels over tracks, Saladins, Saracens etc

    More sci-fi-ish even thought they are , eeek! over 50 years old now!!?

    Ross

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  2. Tim Gow2 December 2011 at 12:38

    Ross Mac
    In fairness the question was mostly aimed at the modelling analytics in NZ, but you're not wrong. I think you've nicely summed up the appeal of the BTR - modern but retro - basically a low-tech halftrack!

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  3. Don M2 December 2011 at 13:52

    I got to sit in one during an Op4 arms demonstration in South Korea back in the 80s. I feel the same way about it looks cool for a piece of crap.

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  4. Tim Gow2 December 2011 at 14:57

    Don M
    I knew I could rely on you for a dispassionate assessment!

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  5. Al2 December 2011 at 20:41

    Quite cool, is the wheel from the Airfix carrier and 6pdr set?

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  6. Tim Gow2 December 2011 at 20:47

    Al
    Good effort, but it's a bit bigger than a 6pdr wheel!

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  7. Rob Young2 December 2011 at 21:25

    So, did anyone make a 7lbr?

    Rob

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  8. Paul2 December 2011 at 21:55

    Airfix Morris Quad from the Bofors set?

    I read in a article on wheeled vehicles that the Soviets mapped and tested Europe during the Cold War and found that 87% of the area was assess able to wheeled vehicles, so they put more money into wheeled APC's rather than tracked.

    Nice recovery by the way.

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  9. Tim Gow2 December 2011 at 22:09

    Xaltotun of Python
    Go and stand in the corner!

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  10. Tim Gow2 December 2011 at 22:12

    Paul
    Spot on! I had every confidence to spot random kit parts. I understand the Sovs adopted the 152 to mechanise their infantry quickly and at minimum cost, and then persevered with a 2:1 mix of wheeled to tracked APCs to keep cost and maintenance times down.

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  11. Geordie an Exiled FoG2 December 2011 at 23:28

    It looks very evil!

    When I saw 152 in the title I was first thinking it was a heavy artillery piece

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  12. Paul3 December 2011 at 11:40

    I give myself a pat on the back. Strangely enough I find myself working on a truck without wheels at the moment, looking at replacement's.

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