Converting 1:100 BMP-1 into BMP-2 for Khurasan

I’ve been asked by Khurasan Miniatures to convert their 1:100 scale BMP-1 model into BMP-2. So here is the final result. More than 1/3 of existing BMP-1 was redone or heavily modified and turret was made completely from scratch.

Working on 1:100 K-Wagen

Almost done!

Started working on 1:100 K-Wagen

Started working on 1:100 K-Wagen. For now its 45% done.

1:100 BMD-1 revamped

Just realized that I forgot to post renders of revamped BMD-1 I made for Armies Army :)

From Fjodin's archives - 1:100 Vezdekhod Tank

Want to present an unfinished model of tiny Vezdekhod tank from my archives. I will finish it right after Mystery Tank.

The Vezdekhod (Russian: Вездеход) was the first true tank to be developed by Imperial Russia during World War 1. The word Vezdekhod means: "He who goes anywhere" or "all-terrain vehicle". It did not however progress further than a pre-production model, due to problems in the design.

photo of Vezdekhod hull without turret on a trials.

In August 1914, a 23-year old aircraft designer Aleksandr Porokhovschikov offered to build a vehicle with cross-country capability. The working drawings and estimate were finished by January 1915, and on January 13 approval was given to proceed with construction, the project being supervised by Colonel Poklevskij-Kozello.

The Vezdekhod had a welded frame which ran on a wide single track made from rubberized fabric stretched over four drums, with a fifth drum tensioning the track from above. Two small wheels were placed on the sides of the track, and could be lowered to steer it, being controlled by a steering wheel. The machine was propelled by a 10 hp petrol engine driving through the rear drum. Porokhovščikov intended that the Vezdekhod should run on the back drum and its wheels while on firm ground, while on soft ground it would lie down on its track. Preliminary automotive testing began on 18 March.

Technical drawing of a Vezdekhod tank.

Construction of the prototype began in February 1915 with the first tests on a paved road being carried out in May, with further tests proceeding until the end of the year. In cross-country trials the Vezdekhod was reported to be capable of a speed of 40 Verst per hour (26.5 mph) with simulated armor weight but proved impossible to steer using the wheels provided for that purpose and the project was therefore rejected, the Military Technical Department forbidding further work on it after December 1915.

The actual performance of Vezdekhod is debated, but according to the test commission Report No. 4563: "It appears that Vezdekhod is a sound and practical idea; it can achieve a speed of 25 Verst/hour (16.57 mph). In addition, Vezdekhod can ascend a slope of 40 degrees inclination, cross a trench three metres wide, and a vertical obstacle of 3/4 metre. All significant holes and rough surfaces were crossed wherever tests were carried out. Vezdekhod steers easily during fast motion, and turns very satisfactorily. In all, Vezdekhod crosses terrain and obstacles impassable to conventional motor vehicles."

The project was reopened in October 1916 but no further progress was made.

The original blueprints, and possible photographs have been lost to history, perhaps due to the Revolution of 1917. After Russian newspapers published news about the first British Tanks in World War I, Porokhovščikov argued that the Vezdekhod was the rightful first tank. After the Revolution, Soviet propaganda promoted the idea that Vezdekhod was the first tank.

Specifications:

Length 3.6 m

Width 2 m

Height 1.5 m

Engine 2-cyl petrol

10 hp

Speed 26.5 mph

From Fjodin's archives - 1:100 Rybinsk Tank

Rybinsk tank It's the project of a medium tank developed in the Russian Empire in 1915-1917. One of the most mysterious armored projects created in Russia during the First World War - the information about it is very limited and sketchy. According to the most common version, the tank was created using a Holt tractor. There is also reason to believe that the the basis of a Rybinsk tank design was a not adopted project of french Colonel Etienne in 1915.

The initial draft of a tank was proposed to the military department at the end of 1916, but the events of 1917 put an end to further work in this direction.

The tank have unusual layout. It have driver and machine gunner at front of a vehicle but 75mm naval gun at REAR of a vehicle. Tank was intended to be used as infantry support vehicle. Tanks should move at front of advancing infantry lines and use their machine guns to fight the enemy infantry. If they encounter enemy fortifications, tanks should steer and use their rear guns.

Rybinsk Tank specifications:
Size: 5 meters long, 2 meter tall and wide
Crew: 4
Armor: 12mm front, 10mm rest
Maximum speed: 10-15 km/h on plans but 8 km/h are more realistic because tank have Holt tracks and same weight like French Schneider CA1 tank
Armament: 75mm 1892 canet naval gun
                     Maxim Machine Gun

Rybinsk tank with and without skirt.

Size comparison between Mendeleev tank, Rybinsk tank and M113.

1:100 Mendeleev revamped

Two days ago I decided to add some details to Mendeleev Tank. Note that exaggerated ladder piece will be 1 mm thick after printing.

Here are updated tank specs:

Crew: 8

Maximum speed: 10-15 km/h on plans but 3-5 km/h according to modern research

Armor: 150mm front, 100mm sides and rear, 76mm roof

Armament: 120mm 1892 Canet naval gun

                      Maxim Machine Gun