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Hey all I present my first fully completed project vehicle. This a 1/35 Revell BTR-70 I've had sitting on my for years windowsill for years as a three-tone GDR version. After a foray into respraying an old T-80 in Olive Green, and discovering it has a bang-on Soviet armour look, I decided to recolour my BTR. I then used some old decals from a Tamiya T-62 (I don't know how accurate the combination is), and put to use some old desert Mig Pigments in my first attempt to weather up some armour (my first successful attempt was a Y-Wing). I have some old Dragon Motor Rifle Troops as well, which need a bit of tidying up to go with it. The cardboard I have it resting on has me thinking of a simple dusty base for it, roughly the same size as the vehicle. The vehicle itself is missing the odd component. I think I have the parts somewhere but, couldn't be bothered to find them, lol. Going to add a tiny bit of stowage that I have that would suit a Russian vehicle, namely a single Jerry can that differs from the rest (I don't know what it was from originally), and maybe a sleeping roll or two and a folded tarp. Overall, I think it turned out quite well. I did worry that it looked a bit heavy at first, but it seems to have worked out Looking forward to any thoughts you guys have Gaz

Russian BTR-70 APC Early E35-160 1:35 ET Model With the release of the Trumpeter BTR-70, ET Models didn’t waste much time in getting this set out. The set comes packaged in their standard card headed thick poly sleeve, with the etched sheets taped to black card and the instructions on green A4 sheets. ET Models have included two sheets of relief etch brass, one small sheet of what looks like etched nickel, a turned brass 7.92mm machine gun barrel and resin 14.5mm machine gun barrel and aerial base. The instructions in the review pack have a faded section on page two, but you can still just make out what’s to be assembled. Other than that they are very clear and well laid out, but they will still require careful reading before starting to assemble the etched parts, as some of the kit parts need to be altered or removed before these can be added. Where holes need to be cut or drilled there are clear measurements to help the modeller get it right. Plastic or brass rod of various diameters will also be required to use as directed. The two windscreens for the driver and co-driver are also required to be hand made out of acetate sheet as, unlike other sets, they are not included in this one. Unlike the sets for the BTR-60’s this set is rather basic, in that it doesn’t come with the waterjet intake grid or the impellor and shroud, making this a much easier set to work with. That doesn’t mean it’s bereft of detail as most people won’t notice the intake and the waterjet outlet is covered by a door anyway. In fact there is nothing for the underside of the vehicle with all the detail being added to the upper hull, where it will be actually be seen. The majority of the etched parts build up into the many sub-assemblies that make up the numerous hinges, brackets, access doors and hatches, gun port covers. If the hatches are to be posed open then there are locking latches and handles for each hatch. The drivers and co-drivers windscreens and hatch covers are made up of the internal surround, handmade acetate window, external surround, windscreen wiper and outer cover with its associated hinges, when complete, and fitted to the model, these assemblies will look really good. The etched nickel parts make up the gratings for the rear storage racks, covering the kits tubular structures. The kits strengthening webs between the engine intakes are removed and replaced with etched parts and the support brackets are added forward, between each pair of intakes. The turret receives a new mantlet, optical sights, whilst the 14.5mm gun gets a new support structure and barrel brackets onto which the resin barrel can be attached. Once these are fitted, the brass 7.92mm machine gun barrel can be added. Conclusion What can I say, other than this is another great and very useful set from ET Models. Maybe not as complex or comprehensive than the sets for the other BTR’s, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. In fact it might entice modellers new to PE to give it a try. That said, the quality and detail are still superb and will certainly make great additions to the completed model. As with the other sets, there are numerous very small parts, so good pair of pliers or tweezers are a must, as is a fair amount of patience. Recommended. Available soon from White Ensign Models in the UK Review Sample courtesy of