1:35 Soviet BA-3 mod 1934 armoured car

The Soviet BA-3 mod. 1934 armored car (1:35, Zvezda)

An injection-molded plastic kit of the Soviet heavy BA-3 armored car of the 1934 pattern in 1:35 scale from Zvezda. The model captures the characteristic armored hull, the rotating turret with its gun and the three-axle chassis derived from a truck. It is a classic injection-molded kit whose build involves cutting the parts from the sprues, cleaning up, gluing and painting. Check the exact number of parts and the contents of the box against the manufacturer's information for this item.

The real subject

The BA-3 was a Soviet heavy armored car brought into service in 1934. It came about by joining a truck chassis to an armored hull and a rotating turret carrying a 45 mm gun supported by machine guns. In its day it was among the most heavily armed armored cars; the crew was usually four men. Vehicles of this type were used in the fighting in the Far East, in the Winter War and in the opening phases of the Second World War. The rear pair of axles improved mobility off the road.

Building and painting tips

Glue the parts with liquid modeling cement for plastic. Assemble and paint the chassis and the running gear before closing the hull up, and any interior with them. Lay a primer and the base color with an airbrush and bring out the panel lines and rivets with a dark wash. For realistic weathering use pigments imitating dust and mud, especially on the wheels, the fenders and the lower hull.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Soviet interwar and early war vehicles
• Anyone interested in armored cars and less usual vehicles
• Modelers with basic experience of building 1:35 vehicles
• Builders of Eastern Front dioramas

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.