Russian K-4386 Typhoon-VDV

Meng, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Introduction

The Typhoon-VDV K-4386 is a 4×4 mine-protected wheeled armoured vehicle designed and manufactured by Remdiesel, a subsidiary of Kamaz. It is the newest member of the Typhoon family of armoured vehicles.

The Typhoon K-4386 has been designed to support combat missions, crew transportation, logistics, cargo transport, medical support, and other intense armoured offensive strikes.

The vehicle was on display during the Army 2019 International Military and Technical Forum in June 2019. Final testing was due for completion around December 2019.

The K-4386 Typhoon-VDV version is undergoing testing for Russian Airborne Troops. The Typhoon-VDV is equipped with a remotely controlled 30 mm 2A42 autocannon and a 7.62mm machine gun, both mounted in a rooftop turret.

F i r s t L o o k

Meng’s latest modern-era kit is this 1:35 Russian K-4386 Typhoon-VDV.

The kit comprises 196 parts in light grey plastic, 20 parts in clear plastic, four black vinyl tyres, one photo-etched fret with a single part, four small springs, eight polythene caps and a small decal sheet with markings for two vehicles.

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Moulding quality is very high with no sink marks or ejector pin marks anywhere they will be visible on the finished model.

The armoured chassis is detailed with separate parts for the suspension and additional armour plates. The four road wheels are joined in front and rear pairs and will be free to turn after assembly.

Small springs are used to deliver working suspension between the lower body and the lower hull. The two sub-assemblies will click together without glue and you’ll be able to pimp your lowrider to your heart’s content!

The tyres are supplied in black vinyl. I’m not the biggest fan of vinyl tyres but these look well detailed and moulding seams are not obvious. If you are still not convinced though, Meng has already released a set of resin replacement tyres.

Interior detail is included. There is a fully equipped driver’s compartment with decals for the instrument panel and display screen, six passenger bucket seats in the rear, interior equipment box and the Remote Control Weapon Station (RCWS) control system assembly also with a decals for the display screens. Seat belts are not included.

The interior is made up from a total of only 46 parts, but should look convincing when glanced through an open door.

The mesh behind the front grille is supplied as a photo-etched part.

The driver’s, co-driver’s and rear crew doors are all detailed inside and out. All doors may be posed open or closed.

The windscreen and windows are all supplied as two-part sandwiches to best represent the thick laminated armoured glass.

The turret is supplied with top hatches moulded shut. The turret will rotate and the 30mm gun is free to elevate after assembly. The side-mounted 7.62mm machine gun will operate separately.

Decals supply markings for two vehicles, one in overall Russian Green and one with a splinter camouflage of sand and black over a green base.

Colours look good and the printing is in register.

C o n c l u s i o n

This is another welcome kit from Meng. The workable springs between the chassis and the lower body is quite innovative and the poseable wheels are a nice touch. With the doors open you’ll be able to show off the kit-supplied interior detail too.

With only around 200 parts this promises to be a fast and straightforward build with most of the effort likely to be painting the interior.

I’m looking forward to building this tough-looking vehicle soon!

* Background adapted from Wikipedia and army-technology.com

Thanks to Meng Models for the sample www.meng-model.com