The BMPT Terminator is the descendant of the T-55 based BTR-T which was never adopted by the Russian army. The concept is based on the lessons learned from the Chechen wars which proved the vulnerability of traditional armored vehicles in urban areas.

In 2000, a first prototype armed with a single 2A42 30 mm automatic cannon and four 9M133 Kornet missiles was unveiled. As soon as 2002, the production model armed with twin 30 mm cannons, four 9M120 Ataka-T missiles and two 30 mm automatic grenade launchers is ready.

The BMPT is designed to fire all its weapons simultaneously on multiple targets even with a high elevation. This extraordinary firepower gave it its nickname Terminator. The 30 mm cannons can fire up to 4000 m depending on the ammunition. 850 rounds in total are available. The Ataka-T missiles are fitted with a tandem warhead and are laser guided. They have a range of 6000 m and can defeat a 950 mm thick armor. The BMPT does not have spare missiles on board. The 30 mm AG-17 grenade launchers have a range of 1700 m. Each launcher is fed with 300 rounds. Above the twin cannons there is a 7.62 mm PKT MG with 2000 rounds.

All the gunners have an independent sight and the vehicle commander has a panoramic sight giving the vehicle the hunter-killer capability.

With its Relikt reactive armor and its design the BMPT is supposedly better armored than the T-90. The vehicle is also portected against the NBC agents and the mines.

The crew is of 5: a commander, a driver, a gunner and two grenade launchers operators.

The BMPT first entered service in Kazakhstan. The other users are Russia and Algeria. A new version has been displayed in 2013. It is designed as an upgrade for old tanks instead of a new vehicle to cut down costs. If the main armament is the same, the both grenade launchers have been deleted which allowed to reduce the crew to three soldiers.

A hybrid version made of a BMPT hull and a BMPT-72 turret has been spotted in Syria during the civil war.

The kit

In the box there are 8 light grey sprues, 1 clear parts sprue, 1 piece of thread, 2 pieces of nylon mesh with different gauge and 1 instructions booklet. The both D sprues come from the T-90 model. Zvezda does not give any markings but offers three painting options of which two depict vehicles during Nijny Taghil arms show.

The cast is good and there is some flash here and there. The level of detila is excellent. The fit comes with no issue even if you have to clean the surfaces of contact. The design of the hull reminds old models as it is composed of a floor, two sides and a rear plate to assemble. On my model the floor was curved and needed a hairdryer treatment to be straight again. The tracks are made of lengths on which are glued lengths of guide teeth. This makes the tracks assembly really easy.

Zvezda gives the following options: open or closed AG-17 gunners hatches (using different parts), gunner sight flaps open or closed, AG-17 muzzles with a rubber cover or uncovered, Shtora sensors caps open or closed. The twin 2A42 cannons are mobile both in elevation and traverse. The commander sight is fixed. The turret and the AG-17 operators stations can rotate.

The build

It begins with the upper hull. The assembly of the numerous sub-assemblies come with no issue. The AG-17 operators stations can be mobile if you take care not to glue the half-moon shaped parts G1 to hull A3. For the engine deck grilles Zvezda provides some nylon thin mesh. A cutting pattern is provided. To facilitate the cut I applied some masking tape on which I drew the grilles outline. They don't need to be glued as they are secured from under by parts G3.

At step 4 Zvezda shows you how to build the AG-17 operators hatches closed. Those who intend to show them open will have to go straight to step 20! At step 4-B I didn't glue part C12 to prevent it from breaking. It can be glued later on.

At step 8 you need to install some vertical plates at the back of the turret well. This is uqite a delicate operation especially because of the tiny braces C2 and C4 you have to glue behind.

At step 10 the turret base is in place. Unlike with the usual system which allow to remove the turret, Zvezda designed the turret so it is permanently secured to the hull. However the turret still can rotate.

From step 11 the lower hull is assembled. The floor and the sides are glued together. To keep the sequence logical I skipped to steps 13 to 16 to complete the running gear. The inner face of the sprocket is glued to the hull side. The idler wheel arm is not glued which will allow to adjust it to the track. Rear of the sprockets you need to glue parts D60. I advise you wait for the tracks to be dry fitted before gluing the parts. Once the tracks are assembled they are put apart to be painted.

Step 12 has you glue both hull halves. You also have to cut in the large mesh two grilles at step 12-a.

At step 17 you have to make the tow cables. Zvezda provides a piece of thread which is not realisitc. I used naval modeling string. Instead of  10.5 cm as stated 10 cm are enough.

At step 18 the side skirts are added. Beforehand I painted the lower hull and the running gear.

Steps 19 and 20 deals with the last details on the hull top. I had an issue to align the parts of the grilled protection behind the turret (parts C69 and C70).

At step 21 the assembly of the main armament support begins. The fit is good. Unlike what Zvezda states I first built the main sub-assemblies before adding all the small details like handles or tiny rings.

At step 24 I advise not to glue part F76 and to wait that the panoramic sight is glued at step 26.

At step 25 you have to carefully adjust the fixed supports so the cradle of the cannons is not too loose.

The cannons muzzles have to be drilled. Zvezda has molded the muzzle brake side openings. When the canvas cover is glued you need to fill the gaps with putty.

At step 27 the anti-RPG grilles are not glued to facilitate the painting.

Steps 28 and 29 deal with the assmelby of the Ataka missiles. They are assembled but not glued to their cradles. Before the final assembly you have to thin the positioning rod at the rear of each missile so it can rest on the cradle. The positioning lugs of the end caps G17 and G18 need to be thinned so the caps can be inserted in the missiles.

After the painting is done the build will be complete with the anti-RPG grilles, the rear view mirrors and the antenna.

The decoration

Zvezda proposes 3 options for 3-tone camo one of which being a splinter camo. Two options are clearly identified as sported during arms show. As very often Zvezda does not give the full set of views. So I chose the one of the 2011 arms show which is the same one used by the BMPT I photographed during Eurosatory 2012 show. The pictures are available in the walkaround section. They allowed me to determine the front and rear camouflage scheme.

The base color is AK 122 base color for US vehicle OEF/OIF. For the green I used XF-65 Field Grey  and the brown is a mix of XF-64 Red Brown and XF-3 Flat Yellow. On the base I first drew with a brush the outlines of the green patches. Then I filled the patches with an airbrush starting with the center and smoothly going to the edges keeping the airbrush toward the center. Then I applied the brown patches.

I intended to depict the vehicle durongthe show so I applied a light weathering. To do so after a coat of Klir I applied a dark brown filter. In some areas I used a wash to enhance the details. No wear was represented to keep close to the actual vehicle.

Conclusion

Zvezda proposes a very good model with a great level of detail and an easy assembly. It still is possible to add details such as wiring or to replace the nylon mesh with PE but the result from the box is already satisfying. The only real issue is Zvezda's bad habit not to give full camo schemes.

01/2021