Unimodel 1/72 BA-1 Armored Car Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Soviets developed the BA-1 armored car in 1932 as a combat vehicle that could be moved around the battlefield relatively quickly. This 5-ton vehicle was powered by a four-cylinder 40 horsepower Ford engine on a Ford truck chassis.

The BA-1 housed a crew of three inside its armored shell. It was armed with a 37mm main gun and a 7.62mm machine gun in the turret, and a 7.62mm machine gun mounted in the cab beside the driver. Around 90 of these vehicles were produced and these saw combat in Spain, Mongolia and in Finland.

The kit is molded in medium green styrene and presented on five parts trees, plus a bag of 12 rubber tires.

Assembly begins with the front end suspension and front wheels. These are followed by the powered dual-axle rear end that mount double wheels to reduce the vehicle's footprint. These mount to the Ford chassis along with the flathead four-cylinder engine and transmission.

The turret is next with its main gun, sight, and machine gun. These are nicely detailed on the exterior with no detail inside the turret or hull.

The main hull/vehicle body is next and receives armored access doors to the engine compartment and crew cabin. Next comes the front and rear fenders and the body is mounted to the chassis.

The turret, bumpers, spare wheels and pioneering tools are mounted last.

Markings are included to represent three different BA-1 armored cars in peacetime Soviet service (hence the interesting colors and national markings).

This is a nice-looking kit that is reasonably priced and not a difficult build. You can see for yourself at your local hobby establishment or you can find this kit online at Squadron Mail Order.

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