First apearing in early 1942, the BA-64 was developed after the German sdkfz 221. It was used as a light reconnaissance vehicle. Even though it was poorly armored, it proved to be quite useful. The armored car was used all the way to the end of the war. There were also different versions of the vehicle produced, including BA-64B, BA-64V ( rail trolley ) version, BA-64G, BA-64D ( 12.7mm gun )and others.

     The kit is molded in a light brown soft plastic. Molding is fair and some of the casting of the parts are thick. The kit contains a one page set of instructions and they are vague to say the least. A good decal sheet is provided, but know display of markings are shown. No interior is provided, and with the large open turrent, means a big empty space. You can get reference on the turrent basket and machine gun detail from www.history.enjoy.ru/index.html, The Russian Military Zone, which has some good photos of the real thing.

     The kit is fairly simple, but the instructions are not quite clear as to where some of the suspension parts go. It takes some dry fitting, but you can get the parts to go on right. The lower part of the kit includes the frame, lower hull, axles, drive shafts, leafsprings, wheels, mounts and bumbers. There is some clean up, but it is minor. The fit is average. Next is the upper hull and fenders. It is the fenders that are thick and they have attachment points that are tough to seperate form the tree. I replaced mine with brass sheet. The fittings to the superstructure are next. The two hull doors look thick, I replaced mine with plastic stock, including the vision port and top gaurd. The front hood is molded on, but should have an opening vent. I made on fron brass sheet. The muffler is a mess, so I constructed a new one from brass rod and sheet. I added some rivets and replaced the hinges on the kit. I replaced the front hull handle with brass rod, as the kit one is not molded well. There is not much to the turrent. It is two pieces, but I left the bottom one off and glued the top turrent to the hull. I constructed a basic turrent basket for the kit and placed it. I also replaced the machine gun from one from the ICM T-28 kit. I left the wheels off till after painting. The wheels are molded very well.

     I painted my kit russian green and placed some simple markings. A red star and  some unknown unit markings on the hull side. I added a wash of black and high lighted with lighter shades of russian green. I painted the machine gun gun metal and the tires a gray-black. I than sprayed dull-cote to finish the look. The kit was done.

     You could build this kit out of the box without much problem, but it might not look to good to what most of us are used to. Detailing the kit is not that hard. A little reference helps alot. If you want a BA-64, than get it and enjoy, but if you are wanting to do a eastern kit with ease and little effort and get a good model, you might not be too happy. Which ever you decide, remember, no western country makes this babe in plastic yet. If you get it, I hope you enjoy it, I did.