Maquette 1/35 BA-64 Light Armored Car Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The GAZ design bureau developed the BA-64 light armored car on the four-wheel drive GAZ-64 car. Used as a light armored reconnaissance vehicle in World War II by the Soviet Army, the BA-64 was used on the Western front against the Germans and on the eastern front against the Japanese. In early 1943, the improved BA-64B was evolved from the improved GAZ-67 chassis. A number of these vehicles were supplied to the North Vietnamese army later on.

The main armament of the BA-64 was a 7.62mm machine gun mounted in an open-topped turret which would enable the gun to be elevated against aircraft as well as ground targets.

Molded in olive drab styrene, this kit is presented on three parts trees which build up into a nicely detailed (on the exterior) model. As the crew entry doors are molded separate, you can pose the vehicle open, but you will need to scratch build an interior.

As with other Maquette kits, the manufacturer has resisted the temptation to mold certain details onto the hull like pioneering tools. These are individually represented and will make assembly, painting and detailing of this kit a snap.

Considering the very inexpensive retail price, this kit is definitely a gem in the rough as you can easily superdetail this model and place it into a diorama or vignette and make yourself an award-winning project.

This is an interesting addition to your scale battlefield. If you are a modeler of the Vietnam war this kit has some great potential as well!. You can find this kit at Squadron Mail Order.

My sincere thanks to Squadron Mail Order for this review sample!