Amodel 1/72
Myasishchev VM-T w/Buran

Background

We already have taken a look at the VM-T in a previous review when it was offered by Amodel as an Energiya parts transporter (reviewed here).

Today we review the new Amodel offering presenting the VM-T as the Buran transporter.

We will skip the review of the VM-T itself since it is the same kit as before.

There is some great info with many pictures of the Buran’s history here:

http://www.russianspaceweb.com/buran.html

For those who want to see whatever happened to the Buran and where it rests today, you can go here:  http://www.englishrussia.com/?p=361

The Kit

Amodel released this kit in the summer of 2007 as kit number 72015-2.  Kit number 72015 was the previously released VM-T. Again all the large parts are done in fiberglass as before.

The Buran is done in five large parts.  Top left/right fuselage, bottom solid flat part which includes the underside of the wings and two parts for the top of the wings.  All that comes preassembled by Amodel and glued with epoxy glue.  The Amodel crew does some surface finish and minor repairs to the fiberglass for a more presentable view.

The Buran fiberglass hulk is complemented with two sprues of plastic parts and one sprue of clear parts.

Amodel offers a complete crew module with rear bulkhead and ejection seats.  Yes, the Buran did have ejection seats.   There is also a sprue that provides all the necessary parts to provide for the attachment points and supports between the VM-T and the Buran.

The decals are the same as with the previous release since the Buran did not carry decals at that stage of its life.

The painting instructions provide for one scheme with the Aeroflot VM-T and an orange/yellow Buran.

This is a very large combo kit that will make for a breathtaking display once completed.

The Buran was a huge shuttle and almost as big as its US predecessor. 

The kit was purchased from www.hobbyterra.com for $171.95 which includes S&H.  I would like to take the time to thank George (Yuri) from Hobbyterra who in no time at all replaced my original Buran that came to me damaged.  Great service with a quick turnaround and a very good price to boot.