This article was first published on January 29, 2015
The BA-10 history is here
Hello everyone, I like the Russian armored cars, unfortunately the models that were until then on the market (zvezda) were quite approximate and lacked details. Fortunately the brand hobby boss choose to release several models of these AM and especially the ba3 ba6 and ba10. I have of course jumped on the opportunity and I acquired the ba10M to begin with.
After studying the model and looking at what others have done, it must be admitted that the model is not a ba10M but a ba10A modified by the Finns since the model of reference is that of the museum of Parola.
The ba10 was developed in 1937 on the basis of the ba6M slightly modified, it was produced in 1938 under the name ba10A before being modified in December 1939 under the name ba10M and produced until September 1941.
After seeing the railway version (ZhD) proposed by AGV models, in fact only the four railway wheels, I could not resist. The problem is that I have not found any pictures of ba10M in a railway version but only three photos of ba10A.
So I needed to modify the hobby boss model to make it a ba10A model. In the end, it is no worse because after studying many photos, it turns out that the model of Parola is rather a ba10A.
The changes are as follows:
For the turret:
Rivets are missing on the top and on the left side
The periscope is not the right model
The mask of the barrel is a hybrid and must be remade with its rivets
For the rear:
The toolbox is not in the right place and does not have the same dimensions
The intermediate armored plate is much too vertical and must be lowered and redone, it is a big job, but if it is not done, the toolbox is found almost vertical
There is a triangular junction plate between the vertical part of the mudguards and the intermediate rear plate
To the right one is located the jack and its support
On the bottom plate there is a pivoting tappe for adjusting the tension of the rear shock absorbers
For the left side:
The shovel must be located under the driver’s door and positionned rear-facing
Rivets are missing
The hobby boss mudguard is in two parts: front and rear plus the tank in the middle supported by two brackets. It has to be redone with its hem, its reinforcements (different) and its rivets, the wire of the backlight is added, two groups of four rivets are added on the bottom of the body
There are two triangular supports for the chains on the sides of the body
For the front:
It is necessary to add the passage of the crank
There is no license plate
For the right side:
Same note for the mudguards (it is necessary to add a support and a box of storage on the top) and for the supports of chains that for the left side
The junction between the upper part and the lower part of the body is made by a plate (as on the sides) just behind and in front of the passenger door
Rivets are missing in front of the passenger door and at the junction with the front machine gun plate
For the roof:
It is necessary to add two handles in front of the turret (absent on the first version)
Rivets are missing
The mask of the machine gun is different, it is necessary to remove the round armor plate
Notes:
There are early models that will be modified as the production progresses so we can find variants on some details
The machine gun first comprises a right sight hole which is then suppressed, the ball joint is first simple then with a reinforcement of armor then finally with a round overarmor
The early models have a small wing headlight on the left front fender
The towing hooks will be replaced by horizontal and then vertical shackles
The two handles in front of the turret are absent on the first versions.
As you can see, there is a lot to do. You will see the changes on the photos.
As an indication, if one wants to make a ba10M, the most obvious is already to remove the filling orifices of the tanks which are on the roof in front of the turret because they no longer exist, the tanks being on the guards, Then sanding and rebuilding the junctions between the vertical body plates which are wide on the ba10A and much finer on the ba10M.
The AGV models resin wheels require extensive work because the molding is not exemplary, especially on the internal face, this side must be flat if not the wheels will not fit properly. I also find the price quite expensive (14 euros + postage) for just four wheels. The railway track on the photo is not included. Despite all that gives a lot of originality to the model.
The track is from AMG models and is a new reference. Contrary to other brands , it has the particularity of allowing the two gauges (wider Russian and European narrower). The track goes well if not the dozens of small nails that must be positioned one by one against the rails (the Trumpeter system is much more practical). It is better to do a few and then move on to something else and come back later to avoid depression.
The soldier is a masterclub reference, the quality is superb and represents a Soviet officer reading a newspaper.
