Herr MigraenzTLDR
Let us sink (pun intend) our teeth into this one briefly.
A model set out to substitute the ever illusive BA-64 by Vision models, a rare and more often than not costly trouvaille nowadays, pretty much regardless of where one resides. Does this kit achieve that? Well, as charitable as one is willing to be - absolutely not.
The quality of molding and plastic itself, honestly, is perplexingly lackluster: very reminiscent of older (though later releases of these exact models have been evidently improved in that department) AFVs and armored cars by Bronco models, the plastic is EXTRA soapy and glossy, finer details are not fine at all, some parts even have sink holes, albeit not too pronounced. A lot of parts and sprew fragments seem damaged, a lot of "whitening" here and there suggesting some degree of bending occurring. One of the sprew gates holding the upper structure in my kit was actually deformed to the point of dislocating, damaging one of the more visible surfaces significantly. It could just be the box I was so unfortunate to get, but I'm willing to contest that since the packaging itself looks intact.
Having mentioned that, sprew gates... Are entirely something else on this one. They're quite literally molded INTO about 70% of the kit! Seriously, best of luck trying to get these bogies off the sprew/clean them right, and don't you even get me started on that driver's vision flap... These are not the only parts suffering from such malady, of course.
If having to clean sprew gate remnants wasn't enough to get you worked up, worry not- flash will do the do-doing. Flash is present in abundance, virtually on all parts with varying degrees of severity. Again, nothing reminiscent of ARK models and the likes, but enough to make you contemplate benching the kit for years to come and fly.
The 3D printed Degtyaryov 7.62mm perhaps takes the medal for "Worst 3D printed thingy to be thrown into the kit to make it look modern n'shid". The barrel is bent, its bore is printed shut making it completely senseless to include into the kit in the first place.
Instruction booklet is all jolly and colorful, does not seem to be confusing at all (take that with a salt mine of salt, however. I am a Dragon aficionado; no mere instruction sheet shall ever hope to confuse me)
Admittedly, putting this kit together is not on my radar, so I am still blissfully unaware of the fit of its parts.
Have I procured the kit? I have.
Do I have a speck of regret in doing so? I do not.
Do I recommend you make it a part of your stash? Well...
If you know your way around things and boast both years of modelling experience and at least of hint of affection for soviet AFVs of the period - do by all means, but be mentally prepared to engage in more fixing, sculpting, cleaning, sanding, filling and remedying rather than building.
By God DO NOT get this if you're a novice. Get you hands on some Tamiya or Blitz Kits by Takom and hone those fingers before dipping them into this.
(the tone of the review was moderately exaggerated for dramatic purposes but frankness mustn't be doubted)
(rivet counting omitted)
1 5 May, 16:33