Review - Model 1/72, modelcollect TOS-1 Buratino

The TOS-1 Buratino is a direct fire multiple rocket launcher used to deploy thermobaric munitions over an area of 400m x 200m or a very big flame thrower with a 4km range.  It was trialled by the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980's and deployed in Chehneya in the 1990s.  I have assumed it was available in Army Level Flame thrower battalions in the late 80's and that thinking is covered in the post on Army Independent Flame Thrower Battalions.

This post aims to review modelcollects very atractive 1/72 scale model of the TOS-1 Buratino. I bought the model when it was first released by modelcollect but I have been a bit slow in getting it built,  which is a shame because it is an excellent kit.

I bought my version over the internet from China and experienced no issues other than the reasonable delay in shipping from China.  Since then Modelcollect have established a warehouse in the UK and Brian at the Hobby Den is also stocking them. Price was around £11 with P&P on top which I think given the quality of the kit is good value.  The only alternative I am aware of is the ACE model which is now OOP, difficult to find and the T-72 hull is a challenging build.

The Model comes extremely well packaged and organised, sprues for the turret assembly being in one plastic bag and the Hull in another. The band tracks are in a solid container by themselves and the metal hull wrapped in buble wrap sits within the box.   The instructions are comprehensive clear and the sprues are clearly identified and numbered.  The mouldings on my copy were crisp with no flash and the level of moulded detail is very good.  The plastic used is a little softer than say a Revell kit however I did not think that this presented any issues in either assembly or the quality of the finished model the detail is not quite up to Revell's crispness but is very good.

As an added bonus the hull is packaged to be built with or without ERA I have seen no images of the TOS-1 with ERA and the instructions don't cover it so assume that it is a standard packaged item so there are some very useful additions to the spares box.

Removing some of the smaller parts from the spru was challenging at times and care needs to be taken especially around the assembly of items that form part of the front deck assembly.  Cleaning up the spru attachment points are about the only prep work required although both the front idlers needed a little attention with a drill.  Other than that assembly was a breeze, with all parts having clear location points, even the plastic band tracks proved easy to fit and glue using super glue and they are well detailed.

Sadly you won't want that many of these in your army as the model is a delight to make. In terms of stowage and crew I am leaving the vehicle unadorned. The vehicle can be modelled with hatches open so there is scope for adding crew.   In pictures the system is shown with litle stowage and limited markings I  have constrained myself to the vehicle identification number on the launcher all of the immages I have seen include numbers in the range 001- 010.

The top immage shows a TOS-1 with an unditching beam and the bottom gives an indication of the exhaust staining as well as the very basic numbers.  The other interesting items in the bottom pic are the camouflage scheme which is in  line with schemes deployed in Europe in the late 80's and the truck in the background seems to have a GSFG CA symbol on the door.

The last two images are of the support vehicles which would make a great conversion option for a T-72 hull and would make a great addition to the unit, needless to say I have yet to go that far.

For markings I have used the decals supplied with the kit but have just used a platform number although options are included for a variety of unit and honorific markings. A separate discusion on how Soviet vehicles are marked is included in the post on Decals and Soviet Vehicle markings

I have painted my model in line with the rest of my Soviet Army which now I have converted to air brush is outlined in detail in the MTLB post but uses Tamiya XF-13 JA Green washed with a dilute solution of  badab black. The panels being over painted using a mix of JA Green and Tamiya XF - 65 Field Gray, the pin wash used the Humbrol Blue Grey wash .

The vehicle has been mounted on a pre cut MDF base from East Riding Miniatures which have been covered in white glue and sand before being painted and will later be covered with a range of basing materials.  

All up a great looking model of an interesting subject and a key component of my interest in Soviet "Breakthrough" Capability.

References:

Jane's Armour and Artillery 2002/2003

Modelcollect @ Henk of Holland 
TOS-1 @ Scalematesemates
In Box Review
TOS-1 in Russian

Other Posts of Interest:

ORBAT - Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 1 overview
ORBAT-Soviet Late 80's Breakthrough Capability, Part 2 Army Independent Flamethrower Battalions
Modelling - Cold War Soviet Vehical Markings and Decals