IBG KTO Rosomak - Polish APC - 1:35 IBG Models

[Julien]

KTO Rosomak - Polish APC
1:35 IBG Models

 

 

The KTO Rosomak is an 8x8 multi-role vehicle produced under licence by Rosomak SA a Polish Defence company. The vehicle is licenced by Patria of Finland. The Patria AMV (Armoured Modular Vehicle) was designed like many of the current generation of wheeled armoured vehicles to be able to fit many different types of body on the same chassis. The vehicle is deigned to withstand 30mm rounds and has a very good level of mine protection.  Poland is the biggest user of this APC with 997 delivered or on order. There are a few different configurations in use. This version features the standard 30mm Canon turret. These vehicles were deployed to Chad in 2008/9 by the Polish Army.

The Kit

This is the first kit the reviewer has seen from IBG and it looks impressive. There are 14 sprues of tan plastic, a clear sprue, 8 tyre treads and a sheet of photo-etch. The quality of the moulding is excellent, with crisp parts and no flash or defects visible. I full engine bay and interior is provided for the vehicle if the modeller want to goto town and add it all in. Unlike other wheeled APC kits the wheels are not rubber tyres but IBG have come up with a novel solution. The hubs and tyre side walls as moulded together and these add into the outer tread part with the join at a mould seam on the tyre.

 

 

 

Construction starts by building up all eight of the wheels which are then put to one side. Following this the four transmission boxes for the four axles are made up along with an additional transmission component; these are also set aside. A side locker and various hatches are then assembled also to be set aside.

 

 

 

The next step is to assemble interior components (again for set aside) the drivers compartment is built up as are the eight passenger seats for the rear. The engine is the next sub-assembly to be made up (yep you guesses it for set aside again!) this is well moulded unit made up from 22 parts, but leaving room for extra detailing if the modeller wants.

 

 

The main chassis is now put together and build very much like the real thing with 4 side beams held together with 14 cross members.  Once together the set aside transmission parts can be added in. The suspension units now need to be added, these are complicated with 20 parts each side so pay attention to the instructions. The instructions have you add the wheels next though I suspect most modellers will leave these off until the end.

 

 

Construction then moves onto the interior of the APC. The seats are added to the rear compartment along with various lockers and internal structures. The bulkheads for the engine compartment are added and the drivers console installed. Once this is in the engine can be installed as well. For the rear of the APC two shrouded propellers are added which move the APC through water. The lockers built earlier are also added at this stage. The rear bulkhead is installed along with the doors. If leaving these open it might be best to leave them until nearer the end. 

 

 

Moving now to the top part of the APC hull hatches the the main driver hatch are built up and added. A spare tyre mount is provided for the front of the vehicle, though check your references before adding it as it was not always fitted. No spare wheel is provided for the mount. The main top hull is further built up with more parts and grab handles. PE is used for the grills over the engine compartment. 

 

 

The last major component of construction is the turret fitted to this vehicle. This is the standard infantry support version with a 30mm cannon. As with the rest of the vehicle a full interior is provided here as well. The turret basket is completed with the operators position and the commanders position. The basket is added to the lower turret ring along with the gun mount. The main single part turret top is then added over this. Additional armour is then added to the outside of the turret along with the crew hatches and viewing periscopes. The turret is then added to the hull.

 

 

 

 

Decals There are two sets of markings for vehicles used in Chad in 2009. These feature both the EUFOR and UN markings. An additional set is for a Polish based vehicle.

 

 

 

Conclusion
This is a good new kit of a relatively unknown out side of Poland APC. Highly recommended for those who would like something a little different.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of