The Pantsir-S1 (NATO code name SA-22 Greyhound) is a self-contained, radar-guided, antiaircraft system armed with twin 30mm auto-cannons and six surface-to-air missiles. It can be fitted to several heavy truck chassis, including the MAN SX-45, the URAL-5323, and as in this kit, the KAMAZ-6350. Developed in the early 1990s, the Pantsir went into service with the Russian Army in 2010. Other nations have adopted the SA-22 Greyhound, including Libya and Syria, with over 200 believed to have been built. It is still in use by the Russian army, and several have participated in the invasion of Ukraine.
Zvezda’s new 1/72 scale kit of the SA-22 Greyhound features more than 260 well-molded parts with few flaws. The most noticeable are the faint ejector-pin marks on the cab door windows. The tires are molded in soft vinyl rubber with no seam lines, just a small molding stub that is easily removed with a sharp clipper. Options include stowed or deployed rear ladders, and deployed or travel positions for the radar unit and jack stands.
The eight-page instruction booklet has good diagrams, a full-color painting guide, and references for Zvezda and Tamiya paints. The kit provides markings for four vehicles, two in Russian green, a Syrian one in sand color, and a Russian tricolor winter scheme.
The cab features all of the basic interior detail. Decals provide instrument panel details. Sadly, the kit lacks windshield wipers. I left off the clear parts and the small exterior details until the final assembly and moved on to the chassis.
However, the kit includes a basic engine that is more than adequate because only the bottom can be seen. The parts-fit is excellent overall, and I decided to build my vehicle in the deployed position with extended jack stands. I left off the tires and the front axle assembly until everything was painted.
I assembled the main boxes of the Pantsir and left them removable to make painting easier. The turret is perhaps the most difficult section to assemble, especially the radar unit. If I were to build another one, I would build and attach the radar pedestal but wait to add the radar unit after painting. Also, the missile tube pivot pins are delicate. One broke off when I was playing, I mean, testing it. Fortunately, I could drill a small hole through the broken pin and reinforce it with a length of wire.
Choosing the Syrian scheme, I thought the recommended Tamiya Desert Yellow (No. XF-59) was a bit too dark. Instead, I mixed Syrian sand (60% White [XF-2], 30% Buff [XF-57], and 10% Yellow [XF-3]) from a formula online. After a coat of gloss clear, decals went down without issue using Microscale Micro Set and Micro Sol.
A liberal coat of brown Tamiya Panel Line Wash popped details, and when the wash had dried, I removed excess with a cotton swab dampened with mineral spirits. After a coat of flat clear, I added the clear parts, mirrors, and ladders.
I spent about 22 hours building and painting my Zvezda 1/72 scale Pantsir S-1 (SA-22 Greyhound) kit. The model matched the dimensions I found for the Pantsir KAMAZ truck on the internet. Because some parts of the build were challenging, I would only recommend it to experienced builders. However, the Pantsir is worth the effort: It is probably the most detailed and one of the best-fitting kits in my growing collection of 1/72 armor.