Khurasan Soviet BTR-80

If you could not tell, I am a fan of Khurasan models.  Recently I painted up 3 BTR-80s, from their historical Soviet line, planning to use them for my 15mm ESU force.  It is a nice resin kit, with no noticeable defects.

I panted them like my other Neo-Communist vehicles: with the Vallejo Modern Russian Green Color Modulation Kit.  The results matched my other vehicles, so I was pleased.  Some of the brighter green has been toned down.  The color modulation kits come with 5 colors, each getting lighter as one moves through the shades.  The level of brightness depends entirely on how it is airbrushed on.  It can be as dark or light as one likes.  There is no real "correct" result. 

Khurasan makes a sci fi version of the BTR-80, called the BTR-3000.  I have one of these models that I converted slightly into a command vehicle.  It is also a nice model.  However, I chose not to use that for my regular forces due to what I consider a design flaw in the actual model.  Specifically, the BTR-3000 has side doors like the BTR-80, but it also has a large rear door.  This I did not like.  Why?  In the BTR-80 the engine is in the rear of the vehicle since the crew sits so far forward.  This prevents a rear door from being installed as an exit for the passengers and why they use crappy and dangerous side doors.  The BTR-3000 has the same crew layout hatches as the BTR-80, begging the question, "Where is the engine?  There is no room in the front and obviously no room in the back because there is a big door there" 

Don't get me wrong, the BTR-3000 is a nice model, just as nice as the 80.   However, I prefer the BTR-80 for the a) turret design, and, b) there is an actual place for the engine (IRL).