Trumpeter 1/35 BMP-1/Chinese WZ501 tracked MICV

[Corinthian]

Has anyone come across the old Trump 1/35 BMP-1/Chinese WZ501 MICV kit? How is the plastic? Is Tamiya liquid cement strong enough to glue the parts together or is something stronger needed? How's does it size up, scale-wise? Is it a poor copy of the Dragon BMP-1 kit or totally different kit entirely?

 

We're looking to buy one and turn it into a burning Iraqi BMP-1, so detail-wise isn't really that important.

[Jacques]

DO NOT BUY THIS KIT. It will only end in tears, really. It is somewhat based on the DML kit, but it has some HORRIBLE motorization parts for Sprockets and the tracks are a total loss. REALLY, it is a bad kit. Better to build one out of mud. I have seen one in the box...I could not put it down fast enough.

[Corinthian]

DO NOT BUY THIS KIT. It will only end in tears, really. It is somewhat based on the DML kit, but it has some HORRIBLE motorization parts for Sprockets and the tracks are a total loss. REALLY, it is a bad kit. Better to build one out of mud. I have seen one in the box...I could not put it down fast enough.

 

Thanks Jacques. I still have the tracks from my DML BMP-1 (or 2), so I could use that. I am thinking of a burning BMP-1, with tracks sagging, turret on the ground, lots of smoke and flames.

[Jacques]

I figured it woudl be something like that. You cannot use the Trumpter sprockets, they are VERY oversized due to the need for motorization, and the suspension is funky because of it too...the roadwheels have exposed screwed drilled into them to fit on the hull or something. I am not sure you will be able to make much out of it...maybe some wreckage with the turret on the ground or something. If you buy it, you will know EXACTLY why I am warning you, even if you are just going to use it as a burning hulk. Tears, man, think of the tears...

[Corinthian]

Fortunately, it is not me who will be crying a friend of mine bought it for the thunder run GB. We are very much excited to turn it into a burning hulk. Thanks for the info on the sprockets. IIRC, the wheels and sprockets of the DML kit is still attached to the hull. Come to think of it, the problem really with my old DML BMP is that the hull deck has been modified (specifically the turret area and to the rear) as it was originally for the ye olde Twilight 2000 campaign. Maybe I can use the DML lower hull and mate it with the Trump upper hull and turret.

 

We will post in-progress pix of its systematic, merciless destruction at the thunder run thread.

[Jacques]

Well, take a look at the kit and tell me what you think of it. I am interested to see what your reaction is.

[Corinthian]

Well, take a look at the kit and tell me what you think of it. I am interested to see what your reaction is.

 

I saw it already, and lovely thoughts of destruction crossed my mind.

 

Got any pictures of badly mauled BMPs?

[Bearded-Dragon]

How are you intending to simulate smoke/flames?

[Corinthian]

How are you intending to simulate smoke/flames?

 

Good question. Using cotton I guess. One of the guys made a 1/72 diorama of a Bradley firing a TOW. While a TOW doesn't produce much smoke, he used "artistic license" to hide the wire using smoke. IIRC, he used cotton and painted it quite well. It was featured in FSM's online (and print?) Reader's Gallery.

 

Second question will be how tall the smoke column should be.