Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tanker's Tuesday: PT 76







The Russian Plavayushchiy Tank or PT-76 is a light, amphibious tank developed in the early 1950s. It is operated by a crew of three personnel. About 12,000 of these floating tanks were produced for domestic and export markets from 1958-1967. About 2,000 vehicles were exported to various countries including Vietnam, Indonesia, North Korea, India, Hungary, Egypt, Afghanistan, Cuba, China and Russia.
It is still in active service for fire-support, reconnaissance and troop transport operations with about 25 countries across the world. The light tank is still in service with several naval infantry units across the world for its excellent manoeuvrability at varying depths of water. China developed the Type 63 amphibious light tank based on the design of PT-76.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/pt-76lat/

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Brazos Evil Empire Holiday Greetings And Other Provocations


Tanker's Tuesday: Lee/Grant


A Lend-Lease stopgap tank

If the Lee/Grant never achieved the fame of the Sherman, this was due to its very roots and the role it played during the war. Born as a replacement for the unsuccessful M2 Medium Tank (1938), which never left the American soil, the M3 was designed and equipped in a rush. When war broke out in Europe in 1939, the USA was far from ready to enter the fray. Its tank design was evolving through a peacetime, post-crisis context, and tactical thinking was inherited from WWI. 400 tanks were available then, mostly light M2 models. The result of the blitzkrieg in France came as a real surprise, and immediately triggered a complete re-thinking of US tank design. Shortly after the battle of Britain was over, war was raging in North Africa. The British industry was not able to deliver enough tanks to defend both the homeland and the empire, and notably its vital crossing points, like the Suez Canal. As the Lend-Lease act was passed, on March, 11, 1941, President Roosevelt famously declared that USA should become the “arsenal of democracy”. And the M3 Lee quickly turned into its most tangible symbol.

http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/US/M3_Lee_Grant.php

Thursday, December 17, 2015

FPPR Sends In It's Gunboats Part 2

15mm WWII Russian BK-1124 Bronekater Armored Riverboat



Just picked two of these also....)

From  chloe2001 Ebay

One assembled, based, primed, and base-painted model BK-1124 "Bronekater" Armored Riverboat (in overall Russian Armor Green). Ready to use on the wargaming table or for dioramas.
Five units available, each slightly different.
They are cast resin, with hand-turned brass tube or wire guns and have been mounted on Masonite bases. Each has three working turrets (Two T-34 85mm turrets and a dual MG AA turret.)
These are extremely difficult to cast and I usually only make less than 10 per year. Because of their size and weight, they are also expensive to ship compared to my tank models.

FPPR Sends In It's Gunboats Part 1

15mm WWII Russian BK-1125 Bronekater Armored Riverboat



Just  picked up two of these.

From chloe2001
One assembled, based, primed, and base-painted model BK-1125 "Bronekater" Armored Riverboat (in overall Russian Armor Green). Ready to use on the wargaming table or for dioramas.
Five units available, each slightly different.
They are cast resin, with hand-turned brass tube or wire guns and have been mounted on Masonite bases. Each has four working turrets (One T-34 76mm turret and 3 MG turrets from the T-38 Amphib tank.)
These are extremely difficult to cast and I usually only make about a dozen per year. Because of their size and weight, they are also expensive to ship compared to my tank models.