​Modelling the BTR Eight Wheeled Abrams Squad Review

Modelling the BTR Eight Wheeled

Published by Abrams Squad

Reviewed by Glen Broman

This is another Abrams Squad Special, following on the heels of their recent Abrams project. The title may leave one in suspense, “Modelling the BTR Eight Wheeled”. “Eight Wheeled “what? The Grammar Nazi in me is screaming for another noun, but the Modeler in me is screaming “who cares, it’s way cool”. It’s hell inside my head most days, just so you know.

The BTR series has always been a favorite of mine for the usual variety of strange reasons. First, it looks badass and you can paint it in a truly awesome range of paint schemes. It seems the old USSR was really good at making deals you couldn’t refuse, so these things proliferated in the worlds armies like weeds in a vacant lot. Lastly, during my military career, they were used the by the “bad guys” and thus I had a keen professional interest in them. I’ve climbed all over them and even driven one. We also learned that selectively targeting BTR’s at night was a great way to improve battlefield illumination. True story, but back to the topic.

The format follows the first Abrams Squad special with alternating build articles and some really nice color walk arounds and some “in action” photos. First up is a short history of the BTR-60 family along with some photos, specifications and a list of the most common versions.

The first article is a short two page spread of a completed BTR-60P followed by another two page walk around of the BTR-60PB. The first build article covers an Iranian BTR-60PB from the Iran-Iraq war. There are some nice “how to” step by step photos covering remaking the engine hatches and painting and weathering the tires. The BTR-60 PU and R145BM Fire Control vehicle are covered in the next walk around. The R145BM is in shown in Finnish service and is followed by a nice build article on the Finnish vehicle in winter camouflage. The last article in the BTR-60 series section is another two page spread on the upgraded BTR-60PB.

Next up are the BTR-70 series vehicles with another short history and walk arounds and another two-pager on a built BTR-70. This is followed by a photo spread on abandoned BTR-70’s in Afghanistan and a build article on an abandoned BTR-70 in Afghanistan. If you like your armor paint jobs used and abused this article is for you. That’s all the love that the BTR-70 gets though as the BTR-80 is up next.

The BTR-80 sections starts with the standard short history and pictures. There are a lot more “in action” photos in this section. Not surprising as this is the newest version and cameras are way more prevalent on the battlefield these days. I used to carry a small digital camera wrapped in a sock in one of my cargo pockets in Iraq to capture those Kodak moments. Yes, it was a clean sock. There are some good pictures of Ukrainian BTR-80’s and a diorama build article covering a Ukrainian BTR-80 with bar armor. Bar armor is a smart move, because if we live in a BTR, Mr. RPG is not our friend.

Next up is a photo spread on a BTR-80A in ISAF markings followed by a build in KFOR service in a nice NATO three color scheme and another in UN white. As I mentioned earlier, you can really give your paint rack a workout doing a variety of BTR series vehicles.

Lastly comes the BTR-90, no build articles, just a brief photo spread followed by some interesting pictures of the latest Russian Bumerang BTR version. The final pages cover a brief “how to” on chipping and a kit and accessory list.

Overall, this is a very nice effort with some great photography. Just a few cautions, on a subject this broad, it only scratches the surface, so if you are looking for an exhaustive history, this is not it. If you are looking for some great ideas and tips on taking your BTR to the next level, then this is for you.

I purchased my copy from Last Cavalry at www.lastcavalry.com.