Zvezda 3555 BMP-2D Russian Infantry Fighting Vehicle 1:35 Scale Model Kit

Zvezda 3555 BMP-2D Russian Infantry Fighting Vehicle 1:35 Scale Model Kit

The BMP-2 — Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty (Боевая Машина Пехоты, infantry combat vehicle) — is a second-generation, amphibious infantry fighting vehicle introduced in the 1980s, following the BMP-1 of the 1960s.

The BMP-2 is broadly similar to the BMP-1. The most significant changes are: a new two-man turret armed with the 2A42 30 mm autocannon and the 9P135M ATGM launcher capable of firing SACLOS guided 9M111 Fagot (AT-4 Spigot), a 9M113 Konkurs (AT-5 Spandrel) and 9M113M Konkurs-M (AT-5B Spandrel B) anti-tank missiles.
Also, the commander now sits with the gunner in an enlarged turret, seven troops are carried instead of eight. It has two rear infantry roof hatches instead of four and slightly improved armour.

The BMP-1 and BMP-2 share the same chassis and have almost identical road performance. The BMP-2 is heavier but also has a more powerful engine to compensate.

BMP-2D (D stands for "desantnaya" - assault) is fitted with additional spaced type steel appliqué armour on the hull sides, under the driver's and commander's stations, and 6 mm thick appliqué armour on the turret. Due to the added weight the vehicle is no longer amphibious. It also has provision for mounting mine clearing system under the nose of the vehicle. In service since 1982, it saw service during Soviet war in Afghanistan. During that conflict western observers saw the vehicle for the first time and gave it a designation BMP-2E.