The Buk missile system (Russian: "Бук"; "beech" (tree), /bʊk/) is a family of self-propelled, medium-range surface-to-air missile systems developed by the Soviet Union and its successor state, the Russian Federation, and designed to counter cruise missiles, smart bombs, fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Buk missile system is the successor to the NIIP/Vympel 2K12 Kub (NATO reporting name SA-6 "Gainful"). The first version of Buk adopted into service carried the GRAU designation 9K37 Buk and was identified in the west with the NATO reporting name "Gadfly" as well as the US Department of Defense designation SA-11. This system is quite good at bringing down airliners.

With the integration of a new missile the Buk-M1-2 and Buk-M2 systems also received a new NATO reporting name Grizzly and a new DoD designation SA-17. In 2013, the latest incarnation "Buk-M3" was scheduled for production.

The 9M317 missile was developed as a common missile for the Russian Ground Force's Air Defence Forces (PVO) (using Buk-M1-2) as well as for ship-based PVO of the Russian Navy (Ezh). Its exterior design bears a resemblance to the Vympel R-37 air-to-air missile.

The unified multi-functional 9M317 (export designation 9M317E) can be used to engage aerodynamic, ballistic, above-water and radio contrast targets from both land and sea. Examples of targets include tactical ballistic missiles, strategic cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, tactical, strategic and army aircraft and helicopters. It was designed by OJSC Dolgoprudny Scientific Production Plant (DNPP). The maximum engagable target speed was 1200 m/s and it can tolerate an acceleration overload of 24G. It was first used with Buk-M1-2 system of the land forces and the Shtil-1 system of the naval forces.

In comparison with 9M38M1, the 9M317 has a larger defeat area, which is up to 45 km of range and 25 km of altitude and of lateral parameter, and a larger target classification. Externally the 9M317 differs from the 9M38M1 by a smaller wing chord. It uses the inertial correction control system with semi-active radar homing, using the proportional navigation (PN) targeting method.

This kit is the launcher portion and  missile system for the SA-17. There are a ton of parts as you might expect from something of this size and the kit comes with something that Panda Hobby now seems to make standard in its new tracked kits; cast metal tracks. Each of these tracks is separate and there are link pins included for assembly. The casting on these tracks looks to be excellent and they very much appear to be ready to assemble. These come in a fairly large plastic box that has been taped shut and rather than worry about losing any bits, I have kept it just like that.

Once can divide this kit into two major constructs. One is the mobile tractor portion of it and the other is the missile launch system portion. The lower portion is as detailed as any modern tracked vehicle with a separate upper and lower hull. The suspension attachment members for the road wheels and sprocket are molded in place. Those for the road wheels and idler wheel are separate. There is a separate rear plate for the hull and you have a number of various fenders, equipment boxes, tow hooks and other items to attach to the underside and back. On the top are crew hatches, hand holds, a tow cable (which is braided copper wire), and a considerable number of engine hatches and cooling areas. In fact, a goodly portion of the nicely done photo etch fret are used on the upper hull assembly. This is the same as the earlier kit, for the most part.

The rest of the kit is dedicated to the missile launching section, and while there are differences to handle the different radar and missiles, much is quite similar. This construct includes the mechanism that holds the missiles in place as well as the radar system in the front of it and the various hold downs and safety barriers. You can model the missiles in either launch or travel position. The launch rail assemblies are paired and the way the pieces are designed, they are not separate and have to either be all up or all down.

The instructions are standard Panda fare with very nicely drawn illustrations and several showing detail where needed. No color info is provided anywhere in the build instructions. That is left to the full color painting and markings guide. There are several camouflage schemes shown from an overall green to several green/brown/black camouflage options as shown in the photo provided here. The decals are nicely printed, and I wish I could tell you some info on units, but no information is provided in that regard. All color references are for Gunze paints. I've added a photo to help inspire you.