Syrian BMP-1

This model was a revision of a similar Syrian BMP-1 I’ve done in 2013. At first, I considered stripping the paint down from and giving it the exact same paint scheme, just “updated” with 13 years of added modelling experience. After some consideration, I concluded that it would be a shame to wipe away what used to be one of my very successful models at the time, so I just ordered a new kit and started with a clean slate.

With this new build, I went to town with detailing. The weld beads were completely reworked, the model was heavily improved with a photo-etched set from E.T. Model, two Syrian tankers from Focus Miniatures gave it some life, and 3D printed tracks from Panzerwerk replaced the original working plastic tracks from the kit. I remembered these as some of the best tracks you could find in an armor kit, but in this new model, they were impossible to assemble due to extremely loose tolerances between each link.

I built this model according to a vehicle that was captured in 2017 somewhere between Aleppo and Damascus. The BMP carried large protective skirts that were hastily welded in field conditions from various steel profiles, sheets of rusty metal, and zinc-coated concrete reinforcing meshes. A rebar cage was welded around the turret, intended as a basket for sandbags and bricks. The exhaust was covered with a curious smoke stack welded from old sheet metal. All of these made for a very unique model!

Painting-wise, I tried to capture the aesthetic of the real vehicle as best as I could. This meant the camouflage, the extensive wear and damage, and the markings. I also made a small urban diorama for it, mainly to give the model some context, but also to protect the otherwise fragile model.