I think this thing is called the BMPT, but don’t quote me. It is a tank, but has tons of anti-infantry weapons on it (missle launcher, 30mm gun, a couple of grenade launchers) based on the experience of fighting in Chechnya.
It has a totally new turret, and extra crew compartments for the grenade launcher crew, who I think sit on either side of the driver. In a way, it puts me in the mind of the old Russian multi-turreted tanks. Despite its appearance it does NOT carry infantry around.
The missle it fires is the Koronet, which apparently has devestating technology for defeating enemies in urban areas – the missle explodes in a room, sprays the room with some kind of explosive fuel, then ignites the fuel – a fuel-air effect that sucks the air right out of the room, literally.
Anyway, anybody know if they have actually deployed any of the things yet? If so, does anyone make a conversion set for the T-80 kit by Dragon, which I guess would be the best donor kit?
Seems a way for them to deal with urban conflict, to keep the restive subject people in Russia, and at the same time something to do with the clearly-obsolete T-72 to keep in marketable. (Some say the hull is T72, others say T80.)
There was a website I found that suggested that the BMPT is being introduced into the Russian army, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Then again, maybe it’s not that expensive to produce. It does have something of a Rube Goldberg appearance to it.
IIRC, the russians developed the BMP-T because of their urban combat experiences in Chechnya. They needed something that would help them clear snipers out of buildings. BMP-T and BTR-T conversions are for sale through SP Designs. I haven’t seen them up close so I don’t know anything about the quality of the resin castings. IMO, it would be an interesting model to build.
Wow, looks mean, it would definitely make for a very interesting addition to the collection. Any references anywhere, with plans or anything of the sort?
BTW, anyone know what the vehicle in the bakcground is?
Right, I just got that book – it’s where I saw it, but I just skimmed that part of the book. I think I got 80 and 90 mixed up. I recall now that the T90 is essentially a T72, just renamed because the T72 has such a horrible rep after ODS and the war in Chechnya that it’s hard to sell them anymore.
