"1/144 BTR-70 models for East Ukrainian Conflict gaming" Topic

Hi Guys,

Here's the first modern-era AFVs I've painted in like 30 years, and these are 1/144th scale BTR-70s from 3D print kits made by 144Tank, from off of ebay. The hulls required a little cleaning, but the wheels of each model were encased in a matrix "cage" that needed to be whittled away – still, none of the suspension members broke during the trimming, and all four models went together fine (I'll not want to make anymore BTRs though).

Here's two models completed so far, of four planned (for a mech infantry platoon w/one extra BTR for a missile squad).

The scheme is one similar to a Ukrainian Army pattern I'll use for the minis of that side's small collection, for doing some Donbas war scenarios based on this recent East Ukraine Conflict.

Forum member Thresher turned me onto the idea of using antenna-mounted recognition flags to denote a vehicle's side alignment, and that's my plan currently, so that the models might be able do some side-swapping if needed, just by changing out mounted flags (this yet to be engineered though).

The first two BTR-70s here (they'll double fine for the more prevalent BTR-80s in front line service).

Beautiful work!

Love those BTR-70s.

I get not wanting to deal with all those wheel support though. That looks like a nightmare, but the miniatures came out looking great. Your paint jobs are wonderful.

Did you soak them in rubbing alcohol, or anything to clean them?

Use a primer, etc. for the basecoat, before painting?

Those look sweet.

I did a little bit of fine sanding, and ran an emery board along the edges, to catch the unseen, but sometimes felt printing spike.

I would have preferred if the plastic had some sort of color to it, as white makes seeing what to trim away a lot harder.

I always use Tamiya spray primers (grey or white), and their bottle versions too – it sticks onto almost anything, and never rubs off (like some acrylic primers do).

Glad you guys like 'em!

Btw, I have received a platoon each of 1/144th scale T-72s & T-64s now, and they huge compared to what I'm used to in the sizes of WW2 vehicle models in this same scale (everything's a Tiger). ;)

Thanks for the info.

Yea, I get that on the white color. That's why I think they use it, so you can't really see the striations and other defects.

I've heard of people priming them, and then doing a bit of sanding, once you can see them better.

I look forward to seeing your take on the tanks as well.

Here's the finished APC platoon and an extra BTR for carrying ATGM teams, or could be used as a Company HQ vehicle – they have sort of reptilian look.

The Ukrainian T-64s will be in the same camo scheme.

Love your paint jobs, and the minis.

They'd look to be so much, if you didn't have them arrayed on the palm of your hand.

That should read "so much larger…..".

Awesome man, you're all over the place, knocking out all kinds of gear! Those are probably the best 3D prints I've ever seen, no striations at all, and very interesting use of those Pegasus pre-painted troops.

V/R,
Jack

Thresher, Jack, thanks guys!

I'm looking forward to this project, since it'll involve painting up different vehicles, and in small quantities.

Got a new mini done today – this vehicle is called an MT-LBu, which functions as an artillery command and recce vehicle. It's lightly armored and amphibious, and is used by both sides in the Donbas conflict within artillery battalions, functioning as the Fire Direction Center, or as I'll use it in game scenarios, in the role of a battery or battalion level Command Observation Post vehicle (have one painted up for the Russians…..um, make that the Separatist forces too).