Modelling - Converting a BRDM2Rkh

The BRDM 2 was the primary scout car operated by the Soviet Union in the later part of the cold war, it was produced between 1962 - 1989, it had a crew of 4 and mounted a 14.5mm KPVT HMG in the same turret as the BTR 60PB.  The BRDM 2 Rkh is an NBC Reconaisance version of the vehicle with flag planting, soil sampling and environment monitoring capabilities, two versions of this vehicle exist one with a standard turret and the other with a 7.62mm MG and a small sensing port in the turret.

The basic model was S&S's BRDM2 which is a good representation of the vehicle requiring minor amounts of filling on the raised detail on the back decks, front headlight clusters and around the rear left wheel.  It is now supplied with a turret with rear mounted smoke grenade discharger units representing a Russian BRDM 2M, these are easily removed with a sharp knife and file for those like me requiring an earlier version, for those requiring something operated by the Russian Federation, you get it for no effort.  I like this model the hull and turret shapes are good although it is a little smaller than the ACE model, sadly no longer available. As well as filling and filling I added a search light at the commanders position out of the spares box.

I wanted two BRDM 2Rkh, so I decided to use an Elhiem NBC clad figure in the commanders position on each vehicle, so removed the moulded hatch detail and and amended the figure to remove the weapon and add representation of the soil sampling kit using brass wire and green stuff.  Hatches and the window covers were made from thin plasticard.

The main recognition feature of the BRDM 2 Rkh are the racks of flags mounted on either side of the vehicle and covered and stowed over the back decks when the vehicle is traveling between tasks.  The alternative is to model them down and in operation. Stowed looked easier so stowed it was.  The Dischargers were made from card stock using square rod cut to size and caped with an oblong piece of card to represent the elongated top of the discharger unit.  The other components required are the rests near the turret and the uprights again produced from card stock.

I decided not to represent the covers at any level of detail and added what looks like some reactive cloth to the sides of the vehicle using green stuff as represented in the 2nd of the two black and white images.

The vehicle will be painted and marked in line with the rest of the Soviets and will become part of the Mobility Support Detachment for the MRR as outlined in this post here

References:

FM 100 3-1, The Soviet Army, Troops, Organisation and Equipment
Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army
War Wheels BRDM 2Rkh
ORBAT - 1980s Soviet MRR and TR, Part 3 Engineers