Soviet BMP-3 with reactive armor Trumpeter 1/35

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Hi modelers

Another build about the russian-ukrainian war with this BMP-3 Trumpeter 1/35 scale. The kit is very nice, full interior and well detailed one. As usual with this chinese brand a lot of sandin work is necessary with a lot of dry fitting before gluing. Despite this compulsory work all the parts fit very well, only an exception with the undercarriage (i didn't glue the wheels and it's a good idea, i have to readjust the arms till all the road wheels touch down).









I don't think i'll paint the interior but let' see ...

[KalebB]

Very cool piece of armor, excited to follow this build along

[digger303]

Looked at getting one of these a couple of times now so you have my interest.

[Tomcat64]

Another unusual subject - will be watching with interest

Looks like you're off to a really good start - the interior detail looks great.

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Thank you guys, i really appreciate your messages!

This build is time consuming, modern vehicles are very complex with a lot of small parts. Happily the fit is very good and can be compared with Tamiya one.
(The body isn't glued to the chassis because i haven't finished the tracks yet!).









Despite its relative complexity it's a very pleasant kit to build.

[KalebB]

It's looking good, looks like it has a lot of really good detail on the upper and lower hull

[digger303]

All those small bits look to be well defined.

[RangerNeil]

Nice looking kit - tempted to add one to the stash to go with the BMP-1 and BMP-2!!
Looking forwards to seeing how the build goes...

[digger303]

I'd like to know if the reactive armour could be left off and it would look ok ?

[Tomcat64]

Nice progress - that looks really neat & tidy

[ForeverPlasticKits]

So many thanks guys for your interest of this beautiful kit!

I'd like to know if the reactive armour could be left off and it would look ok ?

Pictures of this vehicles fighting in Ukraine show many of them without this equipment, it's an optional kit for the combat.

Talking about these reactive armor plates i finished them (included the ones more simplistic at the rear - look like cages) and almost finished the tracks :







Next steps are to finish the tracks and to build the turret.

[digger303]

Thanks. Just some holes to fill I guess if the reactive armour plates are left off.
Building up nicely

[KalebB]

Very cool, reactive armor always looks killer on kits

[RangerNeil]

So many thanks guys for your interest of this beautiful kit!

I'd like to know if the reactive armour could be left off and it would look ok ?

Pictures of this vehicles fighting in Ukraine show many of them without this equipment, it's an optional kit for the combat.

Talking about these reactive armor plates i finished them (included the ones more simplistic at the rear - look like cages) and almost finished the tracks :







Next steps are to finish the tracks and to build the turret.

How well do the tracks go together? The sag between the return rollers looks good.

[Tomcat64]

That's coming along really well - looking forward to seeing it with the tracks completed

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Thanks again guys, that's always a pleasure to read your comments!

So many thanks guys for your interest of this beautiful kit!

I'd like to know if the reactive armour could be left off and it would look ok ?

Pictures of this vehicles fighting in Ukraine show many of them without this equipment, it's an optional kit for the combat.

Talking about these reactive armor plates i finished them (included the ones more simplistic at the rear - look like cages) and almost finished the tracks :







Next steps are to finish the tracks and to build the turret.

How well do the tracks go together? The sag between the return rollers looks good.

They are in 3 pieces, 2 tracks linked by a little sprue and separated tooth in another sprue. I'll take a picture to show you these parts, i made the sag simply put a 5 tracks portion and bend it until it fits "perfectly".

Thanks. Just some holes to fill I guess if the reactive armour plates are left off.
Building up nicely

I'll glue the reactive armors, these parts make all the differences with the "basic" BMP-3!

Talking about the tracks only a big portion (sagged one exactly) remains to be done, and i begin the build of the turret which it's not as easy as is seems to be, the lot of parts is time consuming :







I will stop this build for about a week, my mother had femoral neck surgery and she requires all the help that i can give her till she'll recover all her mobility.
See you next week for the next steps.

[KalebB]

She's looking like a proper war vehicle now

I wish your mother a speedy recovery

[digger303]

Wishing you and your mother well.
The build looks great

[Tomcat64]

Very best wishes to you & your mother - I hope everything goes well

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Back to the workbench, that's so good!

Many thanks for your kind words, my mother will recovery her leg slowly but surely, it'll take time!

The turret is almost finished, only 2 parts to glue, a piece of tracks to build and i can begin the paint :

[digger303]

[cor]

Hope your mum's ok. Great job on the tank.

[BigWall]

Sounds like your Mom is doing well. That's great news! The model is looking great!

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Thank you so much guys for your kind words.

The BMP-3 is very close to the end, the paint and weathering are finished, the last steps will be matt varnish and the paint of little details :

[Engine95]

Wow, looks fantastic!

[ForeverPlasticKits]

Many thanks.

The BMP-3 is now finished, the video on my YT channel will be available this evening :