BA-20 Russian Armoured Car

1
October 27, 2025
Step 1: Cleaned up the chassis. The exhaust was pinned to be securely glued to the sump. The back end of the exhaust was also drilled out.
2
October 27, 2025
3
October 27, 2025
Step 2: The parts laid out. Note that part 27, (circled) is not shown in the exploded instructions. I noticed that the chassis does not correspond with the instructions.
4
October 27, 2025
Working from the back to the front, I assembled the back axel (differential) first and installed it to the chassis. This was followed by installing the front axle.
As soon as the front axle has been installed, glue in part 27
I assembled the parts working from the back (back axel) towards the front of the chassis. Secondly installed infamous part 27.
5
October 27, 2025
Assembling/gluing parts 5 and 15 is best described with this photograph.
6
October 27, 2025
Step 3: The parts required to assemble the lower hull.
7
October 27, 2025
The location/orientation of the fuel tank below the lower part of the body.
8
October 27, 2025
Note which side towards the inside has been glued. Part is the wheel hub. Substituted the out of scale gear lever with a steel pin and round bead.
9
October 28, 2025
Planning to pose one or both the doors in the open position and had to enhance some details on the inside. The two seats supplied (see the seat the righthand side) can do with some detailing. I scraped out some creases and rounded the edges a little bit.
10
October 28, 2025
Removing material from the bottom I made the seat appear thinner. The material removed were replaced with styrene rod to represent the legs of the seat. This photograph actually shows the actual amount of material removed the part on the lefthand side.
11
October 28, 2025
Step 4: Parts laid out to assemble the upper body.
12
October 28, 2025
The outer shell has been assembled. To make the upper body fit on the lower body required filling the firewall shorter. Getting the panels to line up requires patience.
13
October 29, 2025
Step 5. The parts necessary for the machinegun turret.
14
October 29, 2025
Drilled out the hole for the machinegun in the gimble mount. The machinegun is out of scale and will not allow for a man to man the gun. No location marks for the vision ports on the commander’s turret. I referred back to reference photographs to determine their locations. Installed the vision ports 3mm from the top.
15
October 29, 2025
The parts required to assemble the antenna, the doors + hatches and the spade.
16
October 30, 2025
The chassis and wheels painted. The chassis frame was painted in Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18. The radiator was dry brushed with Ammo by Mig Jimenez Metal Acrylic Color – Steel A.MIG-191. The exhaust was painted with Molak Matt Brick Red 170-M. The four wheels were painted in Tamiya Rubber Black XF-85. After it dried, the wheel drums were painted in Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18 and the outside rims and wheel caps in Humbrol Russian Green 114.
17
October 30, 2025
18
October 30, 2025
The seats were textured using a boxcutter and the sides rounded. Watching reference material, the interior floor was painted in Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18. As were the seat’s frames and gear-lever. The seat cushions were painted in Tamiya Khaki XF-49. A clear coat will then be applied before dry brushing and weathering.
19
October 30, 2025
20
October 30, 2025
21
October 30, 2025
The footwells and floor was chipped with Molak Matt Brick Red 170-M and Humbrol Chrome Silver Metallic 191. This simulates traffic dirt and wear and tear in the cabin and turret area. On the seat cushions I used Tamiya Panel Line Accent Color (Brown). Most of it will not be seen.
22
October 30, 2025
The bottom of the body was painted in Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18.
23
October 30, 2025
The interior, parts 40, 41 and 42 were painted Tamiya White X-2. The engine compartment Parts 40 and 41, the firewall and the inside of the nose panel were painted in Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18. The pedals were picked out with Tamiya Rubber Black XF-85. The bonnet’s shape was wrong and did not fit on the body panels. The front end as well as one side were extended with sheet styrene and reenforced with sprue glue. It will be reshaped later.
24
October 31, 2025
I believe that part 52 represents the HF radio and as can be seen has no details.
25
October 31, 2025
I started off by painting the part with Tamiya IJN Gray XF-75.
26
October 31, 2025
A rudimentary likeness of the HF radio was created.
27
October 31, 2025
I used the lower body as a jig to assemble the multi-part body.
28
October 31, 2025
There is a significant gap between Part 42 and the lower body. This will later be built up with stock styrene.
29
October 31, 2025
The main machinegun and gimble mount painted in Humbrol Gunmetal Metallic 53 and Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18.
30
October 31, 2025
Body panels glued down to the lower body.
31
October 31, 2025
All the panels installed, ready to be primed. I glued the roof panel down with white glue in order to pose the doors and panels in the open position.
32
October 31, 2025
The seam (red) between the bonnet and body panels may need addressing. A connecting cable between the HF radio’s ATU? and the antenna (orange) was scratch build. Gussets made up from plastic card to conform the bonnet panel to the nose (yellow), glued in and filed to shape. A towing hook was lost, and a replacement (lime green) was fabricated from plastic card.
33
October 31, 2025
The right-hand side.
34
October 31, 2025
Very thin plastic card was required to make the top and bottom part meet up.
35
November 5, 2025
Body shell: Humbrol 114 Russian Green, MIG A.MIG-0194 Matt Aluminium, Tamiya X-27 Clear Red, Tamiya X-26 Clear Orange. Spade: Tamiya XF-68 NATO Brown, Humbrol 114 Russian Green, MIG A.MIG-0192 Polished Metal. Turret: Humbrol 114 Russian Green. The interior of the engine bay: Tamiya Semi-Gloss Black X-18. The interior of the cabin and turret: Tamiya X-2 White. The position of the spade is questionable. I followed the instructions (very vague). There are several indications that indicate the spade should be mounted behind the toolbox on the left side running board.
36
November 5, 2025
The panels, doors and hatches are posed open. Everything was sealed in with Humbrol AC7431 Clear Gloss Varnish and left to dry.
37
November 5, 2025
38
November 5, 2025
The rear lights were painted using Humbrol Chrome Silver Metallic 191 and left to dry. Matching reference photographs, the top half was painted in Tamiya Clear Red X-27 and the bottom half with Tamiya Clear Orange X-26.
39
November 29, 2025
The markings used are for the 55th Tank Brigade (Guards), autumn 1941. No particular reason other than it was the first set of two that did not crumble. Humbrol Duck Egg Blue 23 Front indicator/running lights; Humbrol Chrome Silver Enamel Gloss 191 headlights.
40
December 23, 2025
Dusted the model with pigments and add a fuel stain.
The plastic detail handles were removed on the doors and replaced with wire.
41
December 23, 2025
A scratch build bucket was made from lead foil.
42
December 23, 2025
43
December 23, 2025
44
December 23, 2025

Commentaires

30 27 October 2025, 16:02

Villiers de Vos Auteur
All the sprues, including the clear parts and decals were packed in one plastic bag.
Low part count.
Simple instructions.
Gear lever broke because the plastic was brittle. Scratch build a gear lever. The original is out of scale thick.
The decals appear to be damaged. Will look how it turns out.
Plastic in general very brittle.
Very little flash.

27 October 2025, 19:26

Paul Shearer
Remember seeing this in our local hobby shop, which disappeared a long time ago, so I knew this kit has some age. Over 30 years. It has a right to be a little decrepit 😉🤭

1 28 October 2025, 00:19

Villiers de Vos Auteur
This kit does presents a challenge, and also lots of fun. 🙂

1 29 October 2025, 04:56

Ben M
👁️👁️

29 October 2025, 05:24

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Welcome Ben.

29 October 2025, 05:39

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Work started on the interior, lower body.

30 October 2025, 04:29

Paul Shearer
Seats definitely look better after modding them.

1 30 October 2025, 06:17

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Thank you Paul. I agree. It was a tip picked up from one of our Scalemates.

30 October 2025, 06:40

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Assembly is nearing its end. Ready for paint.

31 October 2025, 16:31

Paul Shearer
Definitely showing it's age. But then again we are getting spoiled with the fit of newer kits 😂

1 31 October 2025, 17:51

Ben M
Someone has to help me keep perfect plastic putty company in business

31 October 2025, 19:28

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Paul, 90% of my stash are vintage kits 🙂
Fortunately, a lot can be disguised as weathering and battle damage.

1 November 2025, 05:09

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Painted and clear glossed, ready for decaling and weathering.

5 November 2025, 03:52

Paul Shearer
Coming together very nicely

5 November 2025, 05:58

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Thank you Paul, appreciated.

5 November 2025, 15:07

Villiers de Vos Auteur
First round of dot filters and chipping was applied.

29 November 2025, 21:26

Nick Dragone
Definitely will be watching. I have this kit in my stash from decades ago. I remember buying it for the box art ! Might be time for it to hit the bench.

1 29 November 2025, 21:44

Villiers de Vos Auteur
You are welcome Nick.

30 November 2025, 05:39

Mr D
Nice 👍 another good build Villiers .Not seen one before....was it WW2 vehicle ?.
How was the dragon kit .?

20 December 2025, 00:14

Doubtingmango
Beautiful work Villers

20 December 2025, 02:43

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Mr D and Doubtingmango, thank you both for your kind words.

Mr D, yes, it was a WW2 reconnaissance vehicle. Although not historically accurate, the model will end up as part of a larger diorama locating the damaged SMK tank. About the model: The instructions are simple and can be a little vague, but not a show stopper; a low part count; the fit is good; and the multi-part body can be fiddly; lots of opportunities for some scratch building. I ended up adding an antenna cable, a HF radio and door handles. The main armament also need shortening to fit the turret and allow an operator behind the gun. All in all a pleasant experience so far.

2 20 December 2025, 04:14

Timmie
Had almost missed this one. You made this old kit really look good. Nice add-ons

1 20 December 2025, 14:34

gorby
Very nice work!

2 20 December 2025, 15:43

Lebloge
Splendid work !! 🤩

2 20 December 2025, 16:05

Mr D
Thanks Villiers 👍 nice to know the history.

1 20 December 2025, 18:06

Villiers de Vos Auteur
I am calling this one done. The final dusting and a scratch build bucket was applied. As soon as I have my compressor back, thee model will be sealed in with a matt clear coat.

23 December 2025, 17:16

gorby
Nice work with the scratch built bucket. I've tried making one previously and failed.

2 23 December 2025, 18:34

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Gorby, thank you for the compliment. The bucket was my second attempt. I first made a paper template after which I committed to the lead foil.

2 25 December 2025, 01:03

Jungwon Lee
Love that bucket!

1 23 February, 14:06

Jennifer Franklin
Very cool, the bucket is a nice touch.

1 23 February, 23:22

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Both Jungwon and Jennifer, thank you for your kind words. Much appreciated.

1 24 February, 03:55

Villiers de Vos Auteur
I want to thank everybody for their kind words and people just stopping by.

this little car was a lot of fun. Fortunately there are a lot of research material available online as well.

1 26 February, 18:13

Mr D
Been enjoyable 😃👍 as always

1 26 February, 20:37

Villiers de Vos Auteur
Thank you Mr. D for your kind words.

27 February, 05:28

Project info

BA-20 Russian Armoured Car

44 images

1:35

Complété

Tous les albums

Voir tous les albums »