Tuesday, March 29

Preview: MiniArt are back with a new 1/35th scale BTR-4E Early

As the situation in Ukraine shows some light at the tunnel, the people from MiniArt have decided to also give us some light on their future plans. Starting with this, the Ukrainian designed and made BRT-4E APC in 1/35th scale. Perfect for those who would like to depict the resistance of Ukraine right now, the kit is slated for a future release slated. We look at it in our preview...
Preview: 1/35th scale BTR-4E Early from MiniArt

BTR-4E Early
From MiniArt
Kit No #37100
1/35th scale
The Subject - The BTR-4E
The BTR-4E is the export version of the BTR-4, an 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier (APC) designed by the Ukrainian Company Kharkiv Morozov Machine-Building Design Bureau. This is the latest generation of wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APC) manufactured by the Ukrainian defence industry. This is a new development of an 8x8 armoured vehicle that is not based on Russian technology of wheeled combat vehicles as the BTR-80 family. 
The BTR-4E APC is designed to be used as a personnel carrier vehicle for infantry units or as a wheeled infantry fighting vehicle with a weapon station to provide fire support. It can be operated under various climatic conditions from a temperature range of -40° to +55°C. In July 2012, Ukrainian Defense Ministry has announced the delivery of the first BTR-4E APC for its armed forces. The BTR-4E is already in mass production and is in service with Ukraine, and Iraq. On December 24, 2019, the Ukrainian army has taken delivery of 12 BTR-4E 8x8 APCs. In May 2020, Kharkiv-based Morozov Design Bureau of Engineering, which is part of the Ukroboronprom group of companies, has transferred to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense another batch of five BTR-4E armoured personnel carriers. In 2014, Ukraine has delivered 10 BTR-4E to Nigeria.

A Nigerian BTR-4E
BTR-4E is an export version. Iraq was the first customer of this APC. In 2009 Iraqi MoD signed a contract for 420 units. First vehicles were delivered to Iraqi Army in 2011. However eventually Iraqi Mod cancelled the contract due to low quality of the BTR-4s. Only 88 armored vehicles were delivered to Iraq when the contract was cancelled. Unshipped APCs were returned to Ukraine and eventually delivered to Ukrainian armed forces. The BTR-4E was officially adopted by Ukrainian MoD in 2012.

In Iraq, the BRT4E is called the"Bucephalus" 
BTR-4E1 is another version with improved armour protection. The protection of this vehicle is enhanced by add-on armour kit. This version was revealed in 2014. Despite increased protection and weight, this APC retains amphibious capability.

Ukraine-supplied Iraqi Army BTR-4 "Bucephalus" 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carriers
The kit from MiniArt:
Although only CAD renders are shown of the kit, it looks like it is in a good phase of development. We do not of course know any more about the release dates and details of the kit. But as the situation in Ukraine becomes clearer we are sure that more will become known about this great company and their forthcoming plans. It is just great to see another Ukrainian model maker feel positive enough to even make plans at this stage...
This kit has no release date as of yet, more information will come as the situation in Ukraine becomes more visible. See more about all of MiniArt's kits on their website...