Modelcollect Russian "Bal-E" Coastal Missile System MZKT Chassis - 1:72 Modelcollect

Paul A H · January 28, 2018

Russian "Bal-E" Coastal Missile System MZKT Chassis

1:72 Modelcollect

The Bal-E coastal missile defence system uses an surface-launched adaptation of the Zvezda KH-35 (AS-20 Kayak) known as the Bal (Ball) (SSC-6 Sennight) anti-ship missile system. The system is designed to guard coastal waters, straits and naval bases. The missile itself is fitted with a rocked booster for the launch phase and is designed to engage small vessels up to 5000 tonnes. The system has been fitted to different launch/control vehicles. In this case, the system uses the four-axle MZKT-7930 Astrolog chassis, which is also used for the Iskander ballistic missile system and the Pantsir-S1 air-defence system. As of October 2016, Russia is believed to have deployed 4 Bal-E units, each comprising 16 launch vehicles.

Modelcollect are a Chinese firm who are largely known for their highly detailed and well-regarded 1:72 scale AFV kits. They have long specialised in post-war Soviet/Russian subjects such as their T-62, T-64, T-72 and T-80, as well as the new T-14 and a growing range of missile and rocket launchers and radar vehicles. Many of the kits are available as pre-assembled models as well as conventional kits. This particular kit has arrived direct from China, along with the MAZ chassis version, which we will review shortly. Inside the large,top-opening box are eight frames of parts moulded in grey styrene, along with a frame of clear parts, eight rubber tyres, two frets of brass parts and a small decal sheet. The mouldings are clean, crisp and finely detailed.

Construction starts with the lower chassis. Two long parts that hold the road wheels, and between these the six-part YaMZ-846 turbodiesel engine, the huge gearbox, drive shafts and transfer boxes all fit into place. These are covered with photo etched protective plates to prevent damage when traversing rough ground. The hubs fit onto the chassis next, followed by the wheels, each of which has a fat, rubber tyre. there are no plastic alternatives. Fuels tanks and storage boxes complete this part of the build. Turning the chassis over, the crew compartment can be assembled next. There are three crew seats in the cabin, as well as a dashboard and steering wheel. The cabin itself is slide moulded, in a similar fashion to other similar kits from Trumpeter and Hobbyboss. Inside the cabin there are extra details for some of the electronic equipment, while the doors are moulded separately. The clear frame provides the glass parts, which I have to say I prefer to the more realistic, but more difficult to use, plastic sheet that is often included with kits of this type. The windscreen wipers are made from photo etched brass and look excellent.

Once the cab has been added to the chassis, the secondary structure, which presumably houses control or communications equipment, can be added. This is of conventional construction, with seperate walls and roof. Photo etched parts add depth and realism. The missile system itself comprises two rows of four launchers, making eight in total. As well as the missile tubes, there is the missile crew compartment, which is also constructed of a seperate floor, walls and roof. The whole thing fits onto a flat platform, which in turn sits atop the chassis. As a special bonus, two missiles are included, complete with photo etched fins and a small display stand. You could, of course, adapt the kit to show the missile soaring out of the launch tube, or even chop the rocket booster off and hang it off the bottom of a Su-35!

The decal sheet is generic and includes a range of numbers and licence plates. The painting diagram shows a single, generic example finished in overall green. Colour references are provided for the Ammo by Mig range only, which is somewhat unusual as there are far more widely used paint products out there.

Conclusion

As a builder of 1:72 scale (and 1:48 scale) armour, I'm somewhat unused to kits of large, complex subjects. This kit looks imposing in the box, but once you leaf through the instructions, you quickly realise that it's no more complex than any other wheeled vehicle kit. Modelcollect should be congratulated for delving so deep into the inventory of the modern-day Russian armed forces and giving us a stat-of-the-art kit this subject. Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of