The kit even comes with a Japanese inscription on a metallic plaque seen here in the foreground. This aircraft was part of 653rd Fighter Group (Ohita Prefecture 1944)
Another outstanding model by Tamiya. The second one I have made of their 1/32 range. I would suggest anyone contemplating making one of their 1/32 scale models should have quite a few kits under their belt first and also a good quality airbrush to do them justice. They are not particularly difficult kits to make you just need to take your time, read the instructions very carefully and make sure you follow the assembly sequence. These kits aren’t meant to be rushed! And you really don’t want to b*lls them up as they are very expensive!
The magnificent box top. Inside it is crammed full of goodies including canopy masks. Everything is beautifully packaged and there is even a folding carton for storing or transporting the model. In my opinion, these kits are like the Rolls-Royce of the model world they just exude luxury!The beautiful cowling. Tried not to overdo the weathering. I just added a few scratches and some exhaust staining. Just visible on the wing above the u/c is a tiny indicator rod made from photo-etch. This device provided the pilot with a visible sign whether the u/c was raised or lowered. Amazing detail!
The legendary Zero is surely one of the most beautiful aircraft of all time. It just looks right from every angle and as the old engineering adage goes, if something looks right, it generally is right!
But the Reisen ( Zero fighter) was to the Japanese more than just a superbly designed aircraft. Like the Spitfire it was a symbol of the Japanese nation and their invincibility in the Pacific war at least in the early stages of the conflict.
The new Zero design incorporated this teardrop-shaped canopy which gave excellent all-around vision. The standing pilot came with the kit and was a nice bonus!
With the instruction booklet come these b/w photos for reference while making the model.The drop tank which gave the Zero great range. Missions of 1,400 miles were commonplace a feat unheard of by aircraft of other nations at the time. Note the metallic blue of the wheel bays a distinctive feature of Japanese aircraft.The sleek lines of the Zero. This aircraft was designed to attack and in that role it was akin to the German Me-109. All the emphasis was on performance and speed at the expense of protection devices like self-sealing fuel tanks and armour plate. This made it extremely vulnerable to the later generation of American fighters such as the Hellcat.
Although the Zero had already been flying in combat in China some eighteen months prior to Pearl Harbour, it came as a complete surprise to the Americans and British who at the time greatly underestimated the Japanese.
It has been said that Japan’s gamble of starting the Pacific war was based on the premise that the Zero could defeat any fighter the Allies put against them and thus gain air superiority as the prelude to victory.
Jiro Horikoshi. Mitsubishi’s chief design engineer and the genius behind the Zero.
Jiro Horikoshi’s brief for the new carrier-based aircraft was not only to to improve on existing designs but to incorporate all the qualities of a fighter aircraft in one design:
speed
range
climbing power
weaponry
manoeuvrability
endurance
A pretty tall order!
To possess all these qualities would make it simply the best fighter in the world.
In order to achieve this near impossible task it was decided the frame had to be super lightweight and aerodynamic with a powerful 1,000 hp engine.
At Pearl Harbor, Zeros provided air cover and escorted the bombers and strafed airfields.
The Zero dominated the skies in the Philippines, the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.
From early 1940, when the Zero entered service, until late 1942, the Zero enjoyed undisputed mastery of the air.
The Zero was constantly improved and modified during the war and about the same time as the debut of the Model 22, the Americans deployed their latest high speed, heavily armed fighters, the P-38 Lightning and F4U Corsair. But the best known rival of the Zero was the aircraft specially designed to destroy it, the F6F Grumman Hellcat.
The Hellcat came about after a Zero was captured intact after it landed in the Aleutian islands and the Americans were able to learn all its design secrets and improve upon them.
The model 52 was designed to cope with the new American fighters but due to lack of raw materials and production facilities in wartime Japan, modifications concentrated on the aerodynamics.
The folding wing tips were removed and given a more rounded shape.
The Zero Model 52 made its maiden flight in August 1943.
The career of the Zero spanned five years from its debut in China in 1940, fighting over the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal in autumn 1943, the Mariana Islands, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and finally the Japanese homeland.
Towards the end of the war, the Japanese were severely hampered by lack of fuel and trained pilots and in combat against the technically superior American fighters the Zeros suffered considerable losses.
The beautiful sakae 21 engine. One could add extras like ignition harnesses but with all the details hidden, I am not sure it is worth all the extra effort. A miniature screwdriver is provided for the tiny screws which help support the undercarriage.Somewhere in the tropics. Actually my backyard!The busy cockpitUseful but rare reference
The little I-16 on a grassy field somewhere in Western Ukraine in 1941, at least I like to think so!
The short, stubby I-16 occupies a special place in my affections as my Father recalls seeing them at the start of the German invasion of the USSR in June 22, 1941. He said they were referred to simply as ‘istrebitelyi‘, from the Russian word ‘istrebitel‘, which means ‘fighter’. The Soviet pilots nickname of “Ishak” or “Ishachok” (“Donkey” or “Little Donkey”) apparently derived from the designation I-16 which in Russian sounds like ‘ee‘ and ‘shestnadtsat‘ (’16’).
This is what my Father said about these planes in 1941 in his memoir (p.86 3rd ed.):
“Before the war, the Soviets had masses of aircraft and we used to watch the Soviet Istrebiteli or ‘fighters’, as we simply called them in Russian, flying in huge formations of thirty or forty planes. But these stubby little fighters with their open cockpits looked completely obsolete in comparison to the sleek German Messerschmitts and now the Red Air Force had disappeared from the skies, most of its planes having been annihilated on the ground.”
I am not exactly sure but I think this is the Academy kit of the I-16 type 24. It is a very simple, straightforward build out of the box.
It is a shame a lot of the engine detail is not very visible through the shutter openings on the cowl face.
First flown in 1933, the legendary I-16 was one of the first mass produced monoplanes with retractable undercarriage in the world.
Along with the phenomenally successful I-15, it helped secure Polikarpov a place of lasting fame in the annals of Soviet aviation history. It possessed high speed, great agility, high survivability and was easy to maintain at airfields, very often nothing more than a grassy strip on the steppes. It was in mass production from 1934 to 1941 and overall 9,450 I-16s had been built, a colossal number for that era.
The I-16 saw its combat debut in the Spanish Civil war where it was called the Rata (‘Rat’) by the Nationalists and Germans or more affectionately as Mosca (‘Fly’) by the Republicans. It took part in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol against the Japanese (who nicknamed it ‘abu’ or ‘gadfly’), the Winter War and in the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Air regiments armed with I-16s also took part in the campaigns of the RKKA or ‘The Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army (РККА– Рабоче-крестьянская Красная армия) into western Ukraine and western Belarus in September, 1939.
In 1941, perhaps 60% of the Soviet fighter inventory consisted of of I-16s of various types. By the time of the the German invasion, the I-16 was obsolete and even with the maximum speed of 326 mph of the best types it was still 50 mph slower than a Bf 109E and only as fast as a Ju 88 bomber.
However, one I-16 did manage to carry out the first aerial ramming of an enemy plane!
Most of the Red Air force was destroyed on the ground in the first days of the invasion. Paradoxically, the destruction of so many I-16s and other obsolete types paved the way for the Soviets to introduce more advanced aircraft although the I-16 was still produced as a stop-gap fighter.
The I-16 had four 7.62mm machine guns (two synchronized in fuselage and two unsynchronized in wings)The I-16 had a relatively short landing and take-off distance, which is as well or it would fly off the end of my modelling case!Under its wings six rocket projectiles, type RS-82. These rocket weapons were successfully employed for the first time against the Japanese at the Battle of Khalkin Gol in Mongolia in 1939.From the book ‘Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare ed. Chris Bishop. The caption reads: During a break between sorties, Soviet pilots have a nerve-steadying cigarette and play dominoes. The Polikarpov I-16 is on an airfield in the region of the Khalkhin Gol river in Barga province in July, 1941’. Also from above book referring to the Battle of Khalkhin Gol or Nomonhan incident
Somewhere in the Normandy bocage summer 1944Those leaves could be a nuisance!Hiding in the hedgerows from Allied aircraft
This is another great kit from Tamiya and includes 5 figures, although one of whom, the driver in the front, is just half a torso! I like these self-propelled guns because you get all the interior detail as well so you get more bangs for your bucks!
The magical Tamiya box art. Marder means ‘Marten’.
The Germans employed a huge variety of assault and anti-tank destroyers during the Second World War and they were not averse to sourcing foreign made hardware. In this case, the Marder III was a tank destroyer based on the Czechoslovak Panzer 38 (t) chassis with an open top fighting compartment and employing a converted Soviet 7.62 cm Pak 36(r). The reliance on captured guns was considered unsatisfactory and s the Marder III H appeared which used the domestically produced 7.5 cm Pak 4.
At last a dedicated self-propelled gun (SPG) was deemed necessary and produced by BMM and Alkett. This was named the Marder III M. This had a very different layout to the previous Marders. The engine in the middle allowed for more space in the rear fighting compartment which had 10 mm thickness armour plate but still left the crew rather exposed.
Marder III Ms were used on both Eastern and Western fronts mainly in a defensive role.
The 7.5 cm gun showing the fine detail.A nice touch was the inclusion of this photo-etch grille for the rear cylindrical exhaust. It had to be first bent around a sprue to get the shape right and then tied tight using some fine wire also supplied with the kit. Those Japs think of everything! A little bit tricky and if you don’t get it right it’s liable to spring across your carpet!Fighting compartment not too heavily weathered as I think gunners would have tried to keep their fighting space relatively clean and clutter free.One of the crew looking a bit ghoulish. I am not the world’s greatest figure painter! Note the shells and the canvas cover masts. The two pieces sticking up above the rear hatch platform were part of a mechanism to stop the breech when it came back.I went to town with the ‘branches’ but these vehicles were often heavily disguised (see photo below)It’s that man again! The French farmer with the rake appeared in my Tiger tank diorama and now he is trying for another cameo role here. Fresh out of the BMM factoryA good photo of the breech. To the left of the racks for the 75 mm rounds is the radio which is detailed in the kit although I left off the wiringIn a small Russian town summer, 1944. Note how the wheels and tracks are bogged in mud and the canvas cover over the fighting compartmentCamouflaged with branches, Poland, summer 1944
The sleek MiG-3 was designed as a high-altitude interceptor. The slogan on the fuselage says ‘For the Party of the Bolsheviks’. This was one of many Soviet types completely unknown in the West in June, 1941.
I cannot recall the manufacturer of this model but hey, it’s a beautiful looking aircraft and that’s all that matters! It’s sleek lines remind me of a thorough bred race horse. I have set it in a typical snow scene as it would have appeared in the spring of 1942. The red and white colours contrast very well.
Mig-3 February 1942.The plane had great speed and could achieve 398 mph (640 km/h) which exceeded that of any fighter in any Western air force at the time and was faster than any Luftwaffe fighter. It was notoriously tricky to fly but it was nevertheless brought into service as its high speed gave it some hope of intercepting the Messerschmitt Bf 109s that were enjoying air superiority over the Eastern Front.The white winter camouflage shows off the sleek lines well but the MiG-3 suffered from a number of defects above all its poor performance at low altitude where it could not compete with the German Messerschmitt 109s. That is why it was assigned mainly to interior defence of the major cities like Moscow and Leningrad where this did not matter so much.
The typical Russian blue camouflage underneath. Normally the fuselage would have been painted dark green and dark brown.
Although this aircraft was developed by Mikoyan and Gurevich, who were unknown aircraft engineers at the time, it was actually the brain child of N. Polikarpov who for some reason was taken off the project:
” In April 1940, the I-200 high altitude fighter designed by the Mikoyan/Gurevitch EDB made its maiden flight, in which it developed a high speed (up to 650 km/h at 7,000m). In terms of speed at altitudes of over 5,000m the I-200 left all its contemporary rivals far behind.
Series (i.e. mass) production of the new fighter began in January 1941. The first 100 production aircraft made were known as the MiG-1s. A later modification was designated the MiG-3. A total of 3,272 of these fighters were produced until in late December 1942 they were phased out of production because the plants making the AM-35A engines for the MiGs urgently had to switch to the production of the Am-38 engines for the Il-2 attack aircraft (i.e. Stormovik).
The MiG-3 was of little use as a front-line fighter, because at low altitudes it was outperformed by other fighters, and German fighters did not wage air combat at high altitudes. But the MiGs played an important role in the anti-aircraft defence system and, specifically, in defending Moscow against German air raids. Of the many enemy aircraft he shot out of the sky, famous Soviet ace pilot A.I. Pokryshin downed 10 while flying a MiG3.
There is a notion of repair-ability of an aircraft. In this respect the MiG-3 was an outstanding machine, for it remained in service long after production had been discontinued”.
From Russian Aircraft edited by Professor A.G. Bratukhin. Moscow ‘Mashinostroenie’ 1995.
The Mig-3 had several serious drawbacks. The canopy would not open during flight making it impossible for the pilot to bail out in an emergency, the cockpit was poorly ventilated, and worst of all it was difficult to control due to the rear alignment of the plane causing it to go into a tailspin easily from which it was difficult to pull out. This added to the fatigue of the pilot. Paradoxically, the Soviets ended up with far more MiG-3s than pilots who could fly these difficult machines.
Serving in the defence of Moscow under General Voronov’s command, winter-camouflaged MiG-3 fighters parked ready for action. Two of the aircraft in the row retain the dark-green/dark-brown summer camouflage.
The footage on link below has a brief view of the above MiG-3 ‘For the Party of the Bolsheviks’:
216th Assault Tank Battalion, Eastern Front. Late 1944-early 1945Kit packaging
Another superlative kit from Tamiya. An infantry support tank based on the Panzer Mk. IV chassis with 15 cm gun, the Brummbärs (‘growling bear’) were assigned to their own dedicated assault tank battalions and used at Kursk, Anzio and Normandy. They were also used to help crush the Warsaw Uprising in the summer of 1944. Brummbär was the name given by Allied intelligence and not by the Germans themselves. Soviet documents of the time refer to it as ‘The Bear’ while German soldiers simply nicknamed it the ‘StuPa’, a contraction of ‘Sturmpanzer’ the official designation of the assault tank.
The movable gun has slight traverse linked with a sight on top of fighting compartment (just visible), plus elevation and depression. One of the side Schürzen or side protective skirts has been removed to show the running gear detail. The Zimmerit came as a dedicated coating sticker sheet acquired separately.Lying in wait for its preyThe DIY damaged wall was a bit of a rush job! These assault guns were designed for close infantry support especially in towns and built up areas. It shows how it might have been used in ambush. The Fuhrer looks on approvingly!Rear of vehicle showing spare road wheels. Behind the Commander’s hatch is the mount for a machine gun. To the right of the hatch is the movable gun sight. I am glad Tamiya is adding more figures to their latest releases. I think they bring the models to life and add more realism.Typical of Tamiya’s attention to details is the inclusion of a glossy leaflet which includes some photos of a real restored Brummbär showing the zimmerit coating.
Song ‘Invincible and Legendary’. Music A. Alexandrov. Lyrics O. Kolichev (1943). Performed by the Alexandrov Orchestra in 1945.
Над страною шумят как знамена Двадцать семь героических лет. Солнцем славных боев озаренным Весь твой путь в наших песнях воспет.
Несокрушимая и легендарная, В боях познавшая радость побед — Тебе любимая, родная армия Шлет наша Родина песню — привет.
Родилась ты под знаменем алым В восемнадцатом грозном году. Всех врагов ты всегда сокрушала, Победишь и фашистов орду.
Несокрушимая и легендарная, В боях познавшая радость побед — Тебе любимая, родная армия Шлет наша Родина песню — привет.
Ленинград мы в боях отстояли, Отстояли родной Сталинград. Нас ведет в наступление Сталин, Наши танки фашистов громят!
Несокрушимая и легендарная, В боях познавшая радость побед — Тебе любимая, родная армия Шлет наша Родина песню — привет.
Победим, наша сила несметна, Гений Сталина в бой нас ведет. Наша армия в битвах бессмертна, Как бессмертен советский народ.
Несокрушимая и легендарная, В боях познавшая радость побед — Тебе любимая, родная армия Шлет наша Родина песню — привет.
Translation:
Twenty-seven heroic years roar over the country like banners.
Illuminated by the sun of glorious battles, Your whole path in our songs is sung.
Indestructible and legendary,
In the battles that knew the joy of victories-
Your beloved, native Army
Sends our Motherland a song-hello!
You were born under the banner of red
In the eighteenth terrible year.
You have always crushed all enemies, You will defeat even the fascist hordes
Indestructible and legendary, in the battles that knew the joy of victories
(repeat)
We defended Leningrad in battles, Defended our native Stalingrad.
We are led on the offensive by Stalin, Our tanks the Nazis smash!
Indestructible and legendary (repeat)
We will win, our strength is infinite, the Genius of Stalin leads us into battle.
Our Army in the battles is immortal.
Just as the Soviet people is immortal.
Indestructible and legendary,
In the battles that knew the joy of victories-
Your beloved, native Army
Sends our Motherland a song-hello!
Soviet( Kliment Voroshilov) KV-1 Tank going into action. The writing on the turret says, ‘Victory will be ours’
The Sacred War. One of the most famous Soviet songs of the Second World War, or Great Patriotic War as it was called in Soviet times. Music by Aleksandr Aleksandrov. Lyrics by Vasily Lebedev-Kumach.
Also known as ‘Arise, Great Country!’
Вставай, страна огромная, Вставай на смертный бой С фашистской силой темною, С проклятою ордой!
Пусть ярость благородная Вскипает, как волна, — Идет война народная, Священная война!
Дадим отпор душителям Всех пламенных идей, Насильникам, грабителям, Мучителям людей.
Пусть ярость благородная Вскипает, как волна, — Идет война народная, Священная война!
Не смеют крылья черные Над Родиной летать, Поля ее просторные Не смеет враг топтать!
Пусть ярость благородная Вскипает, как волна, — Идет война народная, Священная война!
Among the many hundreds of songs from the Soviet era about pilots, flying and aircraft, I particularly like this ditty which has such a lovely rhythm and words. I hope you will enjoy it even if you are not a Soviet aficionado! Dedicated to my friend ‘G’ in the North of England on her birthday, 6th June, 2020. She knows who she is!
Pilot’s song. Music: M. Blanter Lyrics: A. Zharov
Сразу по приказу стартует самолёт.
В дорогу боевую отправляется пилот.
Лётчика за тучей встречает синева,
И песни задушевной вспоминаются слова:
В небеса самолёт поднимая,
С облаками беседую я
О земле, где живёт дорогая
Ясноглазая радость моя.
Я стараюсь хорошие вести
Ей на землю с небес принести.
Пусть она назовёт мой стальной самолёт
Первой ласточкой новой весны.
Мирные деревья ломает ураган.
Над кровлями родными расстелается туман.
Вечер наступает, а света не видать.
И хочется пилоту потихонечку сказать:
В небеса самолёт поднимая,
С облаками беседую я
О земле, где живёт дорогая
Ясноглазая радость моя.
Я стараюсь хорошие вести
Ей на землю с небес принести.
Пусть она назовёт мой стальной самолёт
Первой ласточкой новой весны.
Смело и умело сражается пилот
За молодость, и за счастье, и за свой родной народ.
Солнце из-за тучи покажется опять.
Весенними лучами будет ласково сиять.
В небеса самолёт поднимая,
С облаками беседую я
О земле, где живёт дорогая
Ясноглазая радость моя.
Я стараюсь хорошие вести
Ей на землю с небес принести.
Пусть она назовёт мой стальной самолёт
Первой ласточкой новой весны.
Immediately by order the plane starts.
The pilot sets off on the road of battle
From behind a storm cloud the blue skies meet the pilot.
And I recall the heartfelt words of a song:
Into the heavens my plane rises
I'm talking to the clouds about the earth
Where my darling lives
My bright-eyed joy.
I try to bring to her on earth good news from the heavens
Let her call my steel plane
The first swallow of the new spring
A hurricane breaks the peaceful trees
Fog spreads over the native roofs
Evening is approaching but no light can be seen
And I want to quietly say to the pilot:
(Repeat chorus)
The pilot boldly and skilfully fights
For youth, for happiness and for his native people
The sun from behind the storm clouds will appear again
Spring rays will gently shine again.
(Repeat chorus, etc).
Marching in Berlin
‘V Put’ (в путь: Onward, En route, Let’s go!). Composed in 1954 by Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi and poet Mikhail Dudin.
The famous military marching song, one of my all-time favourites. It was originally written for a film and in 1959, Solovyov-Sedoy received the Lenin prize for it.
If this doesn’t get your juices flowing, I don’t know what will! Great to listen to when building model Soviet tanks!
Путь далёк у нас с тобою, Веселей, солдат, гляди! Вьётся, вьётся знамя полковое, Командиры впереди.
Солдаты, в путь, в путь, в путь! А для тебя, родная, Есть почта полевая. Прощай! Труба зовёт, Солдаты – в поход!
Каждый воин, парень бравый,
Смотрит соколом в строю. Породнились мы со славой, Славу добыли в бою.
Пусть враги запомнят это: Не грозим, а говорим. Мы прошли с тобой полсвета. Если надо – повторим.
А теперь для нас настали Дни учёбы и труда. Год за годом только процветали Наши сёла-города!
We have still a long way to go, Cheer up soldier, raise your head! Regimental banners proudly fly, And our commanders lead ahead
So forward, march, march, march! And for you, my dearest, I‘ll write and send you letters. Farewell! The bugle calls, Hey, soldiers – march on!
They are brave lads, every warrior, In the ranks with falcon eyes. We became friends with a blazing glory, Glory we won in the fight.
Let our foes remember this: We are not threatening, but merely saying Together we crossed half the world If necessary, we’ll do it again.
And now has come for us Days of study and hard work. Only flourished through the years Our village and city folk!
So forward, march, march, march! And for you, my dearest, I‘ll write and send you letters. Farewell! The bugle calls, Hey, soldiers – march on! (instrumental, then repeat Verse 1 and Chorus)
Polyushko Pole -Song of the Plains or Cavalry of the Steppes, or Oh My Field. Composed by Lev Knipper and with lyrics by Victor Gusev in 1934. It is or was regularly performed by the Red Army choir.
‘Pole’ means ‘field’ in Russian and ‘polyushko‘ is the diminutive. Another Soviet classic and one I am sure you have heard before even though you may not have known it! You may have seen Michael Palin of Monty Python fame attempting to sing along to it in a military choir during his journey in Russia, in Vladivostok I believe.
Полюшко-поле,
Полюшко, широко поле!
Едут по полю герои,
Эх, да Красной Армии герои
Девушки, гляньте,
Гляньте на дорогу нашу
Вьется дальняя дорога,
Эх, да развеселая дорога
Девушки, гляньте,
Мы врага принять готовы,
Наши кони быстроноги,
Эх, да наши танки быстроходны
В небе за тучей
Грозные следят пилоты.
Быстро плавают подлодки,
Эх, да зорко смотрит Ворошилов
Пусть же в колхозе
Дружная кипит работа,
Мы - дозорные сегодня,
Эх, да мы сегодня часовые
Полюшко-поле,
Полюшко, зелено поле!
Едут по полю герои,
Эх, да Красной Армии герои!
Polyushko field
Polyushko wide field
Heroes ride across the field
Oh yes the Red Army heroes
Girls, look
Look at our road
A long road winds
Oh yes the jolly road
Girls, look
We are ready for the enemy
Oh yes, our horses are fleet footed
Our tanks are fast
In the sky behind the storm cloud
Fearsome pilots are following
Submarines are sailing swiftly
Oh yes, Voroshilov is watching vigilantly
Let on the collective farm
Friendly work boil
We are sentinels today
Oh yes, we are sentineLS
Repeat chorus
State anthem of the USSR
Not exactly a song but I couldn’t resist this bit of nostalgia. This is an English version of the Soviet anthem sung by bass baritone Paul Robson (1898-1976). Music composed by Alexander Alexandrov.
United forever in friendship and labour, Our mighty republics will ever endure. The great Soviet Union will live through the ages. The dream of a people their fortress secure.
Long live our Soviet Motherland, Built by the people’s mighty hand. Long live our people, united and free. Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire, Shining in glory for all men to see.
Through days dark and stormy where great Lenin lead us Our eyes saw the bright sun of freedom above and Stalin our leader with faith in the people, Inspired us to build up the land that we love.
Long live our Soviet Motherland, Built by the people s mighty hand. Long live our people, united and free. Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire, Shining in glory for all men to see.
We fought for the future, destroyed the invaders, And brought to our Homeland the laurels of fame. Our glory will live in the memory of nations and all Generations will honour her name.
Long live our Soviet Motherland, Built by the people s mighty hand. Long live our people, united and free. Strong in our friendship tried by fire. Long may our crimson flag inspire, Shining in glory for all men to see.
This is the 1943 Russian edition :
Союз нерушимый республик свободных Сплотила навеки Великая Русь. Да здравствует созданный волей народов Единый, могучий Советский Союз!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Дружбы, народов надежный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы, к победе ведет!
Сквозь грозы сияло нам солнце свободы, И Ленин великий нам путь озарил. Нас вырастил Сталин — на верность народу На труд и на подвиги нас вдохновил.
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Счастья народов надежный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведет!
Мы армию нашу растили в сраженьях, Захватчиков подлых с дороги сметем! Мы в битвах решаем судьбу поколений, Мы к славе Отчизну свою поведем!
Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Славы народов надежный оплот! Знамя советское, знамя народное Пусть от победы к победе ведет!
Suliko. This famous Georgian song was reputed to be Stalin’s favourite so what higher recommendation can it have? Seriously, it’s a very sad, captivating and beautiful song. This version is being sung in Russian.
The T-35 was the largest Soviet tank and with its menacing and inspiring appearance it became a symbol of the might of the Red Army during the 1930s.
When I first saw the release of this kit by Russian manufacturer Zvezda, I knew straightaway I had to get hold of this Soviet Leviathan! I knew very little about this tank and until the collapse of the Soviet Union detailed information about Soviet arms was difficult to come by. That has all changed now of course and there is a plethora of websites devoted to Russian and Soviet military subjects.
The stunning box art alone made it an irresistible project! These multi-turret fighting machines would often proudly lead the columns of military hardware during parades on Red Square in Moscow or on the Khreschatik, the main boulevard in Kiev, Ukraine.Look at the size of the beast! In reality it was about 32 ft in length and weighed 50 tons. Had to clear my modelling table for this one! Actually the fit wasn’t all that brilliant, especially the turrets, but Soviet weaponry was often crude and poorly finished so it didn’t really matter all that much.
In the first years of the interwar period, the majority of tank powers equipped their armies almost exclusively with light tanks. However a few countries built small numbers, or even single examples, of multi-turreted heavily armoured tanks which were called land battleships or dreadnoughts. Soviet tank builders also became infatuated with these types the representative example of which became the T-35.
The requirement for this weapon originated in 1932. The T-35 was the only five turret tank to go into mass production although in limited numbers. The factory appointed with this task was the Kharkov locomotive works in the name of the Comintern. The cost to the State Treasury of a single T-35 was 525,000 roubles for which money one could build nine BT-5 light tanks!
This heavy assault tank was intended to operate against infantry and anti-tank guns and to help overcome heavily fortified enemy positions. Its powerful armament of three large guns and five machine guns deployed in five turrets enabled the T-35 to bring to bear fire from two guns and three machine guns forward, behind or either side, thereby securing all-round fire.
T-35s took part in battles in Western Ukraine in June and beginning of July 1941 where all were lost. Four T-35s were employed in the defence of Kharkov in October 1941. Some Western and Russian publications suggest the T-35 took part in the Soviet-Finnish war in 1939- 1940 but apparently this is not true.
The combat career of the T-35 was very short. In the summer of 1941, one captured T-35 was repaired by the Germans and sent to Germany. During the loading and transportation of the tank by rail, a number of difficulties arose due to the fact that the T-35 did not fit the gauge (the gauge in Western Europe is less than in the USSR and Russia – 1420 mm versus 1535 mm). However, the tank was delivered to a German tank test site in Kummersdorf, where it was tested. The further fate of this T-35 is unknown.
According to the memoirs of the German driver, “the control of the tank was extremely difficult, and the switching of levers and pedals is very difficult”.
The T-35 had a crew of ten-eleven men(!):
1) commander (senior lieutenant) – in the turret number 1 (main), to the right of the gun, fires and loads the gun with the help of the radio operator, commands the tank.
2) assistant commander (lieutenant) – in turret No. 2 (front cannon), fires from a 45-mm gun, is the deputy commander, is responsible for the state of all the weapons of the tank, when not in action manages the training of artillerymen and machine gunners;
3) junior tank technician (rank 2 military technician) – in the control department, controls the movement of the tank, is responsible for its technical condition, directs the training of driver and motor mechanics outside the battle.
4) mechanic- the driver (sergeant) – in turret number 3 (front machine gun), fires, provides engine care, is the deputy driver of the tank, is responsible for the state of armament turret number 3.
5) artillery turret commander No. 1 (junior platoon commander) – is deployed to the left of the gun, fires, is responsible for the state of armament of the turret.
6) the commander of turret No. 2 (a separate commander) – to the right of the gun, performs the functions of a loader; in the event of the departure of an assistant tank commander, fires from a 45-mm gun, is responsible for the state of armament of turret No. 2.
7) the commander of turret No. 4, the rear cannon, (separate commander) – of a 45 mm gun, fires it, is the deputy commander of turret No. 1, is responsible for the state of armament of turret No. 4.
8) the driver-mechanic, the youngest (separate commander) – in turret No. 4, to the right of the gun, performs the functions of a loader, provides care for the running gear of the machine.
9) the commander of the machine gun turret (separate commander) – in turret number 5 (rear machine gun), firing from a machine gun, is responsible for the state of armament of the turret number 5.
10) senior radio telegraph operator (separate commander) – in turret No. 1, serves the radio station, helps to load gun in battle.
11) senior driver-mechanic (junior platoon commander) – is outside the tank, provides care for the transmission and chassis, is the deputy sergeant – driver-mechanic.
12) minder (junior technician) – outside the tank provides constant care for the engine, its cleaning and lubrication.
Imagine trying to control and co-ordinate that lot in the heat of battle!
As for following rules of movement for the T-35, it was advised that on single-span bridges – only one tank at a time!
Now she is weathered after seeing action. I added some weld seam lines to the turrets and other places using a heated screwdriver. Perhaps a bit overdone but who cares??The frame around the main turret was also the radio antennaeI removed some side skirts to show the running gear detail. I hope you like the background -Bob Ross I am not!Another parade! November 7, 1935. The rear facing gun turret is clearly visibleT-35 of the 34th Soviet Tank Division abandoned on the road due to mechanical failureA knocked out T-35 being examined by German soldiers 30 June 1941. The battle took place near Brody, Western Ukraine, the region my parents came from.Restored T-35
Such a cool looking design! The world’s first truly fast tank. It features sloped armour all around the body in place of the previous flat version. It was an excellent tank for its time and gave the Russians the experience on which to base the famous T-34 and their large-scale tank tactics.
When I heard that Tamiya had released a model of the BT tank, I just knew I had to get one sooner or later! It has always been one of my favourite tank designs.
The designation BT stands for bystro-khodnii tank, literally fast-moving tank, and the BT series of tanks, BT-2, BT-3, BT-5, BT-7, and BT-8 had impressive speed . The BT-7 could travel at a maximum speed of 45 mph on its wheels or 32 mph when tracked. It was armed with a 45 mm 20K Model gun 7.62 mm DT machine gun.
All of these models featured the ingenious ‘Christie suspension’ of American automotive engineer J. Walter Christie, the ability to move from tracks to wheels and back again to tracks, and sloped armour designed to minimise the impact of anti-tank projectiles. More importantly, the series was progressively up-gunned. This celebrated series of tanks would culminate, after considerable modifications, in the legendary T-34.
The tank was suited to the Soviet ‘Deep Battle’ doctrine of fast, offensive warfare into the enemy rear areas although it later became apparent that heavier tanks would be needed to break through powerful enemy defences.
Box Art. As always, Tamiya feature a beautiful picture which adds to the allure and desirability of their kits. I just wish other kit makers would do the same!The metallic tow chain comes with the kit and adds a touch of realismThe tracks could be removed for high-speed road travel although in reality the option was rarely used given the realities of campaigning in the field and the poor state of the road network in Russia even where it existed. The engine cover is photo-etch. I can’t help drooling every time I look at my BT-7, a practice not to be recommended at this time!Berlin is the other way! Sorry part of my thumb wanted to get into the action!In winter camouflage
БТ-7 быстроходный танк. Его военным дебютом стали боевые действия против японских войск у озера Хасан летом 1938 г. Однако наилучшим образом БТ-7 показали себя годом позже в Монголии в боях на Халхин-Голе, где в степях в полной мере проявились высокая скорость и маневренность этого танка.
Успешно действовали БТ-7 во время похода Красной Армии в Польшу в сентябре 1939 года, когда стремительное продвижение мобильных танковых групп позволило парализовать возможные активные действия польских войск. На начальном этапе Великой Отечественной войны по своим боевым качествам БТ-7 не уступали большинству немецких танков и применялся до первой половины 1942 года.
Заключительным эпизодом в боевой биографии БТ-7 стала советско-японская война в августе-сентябре 1945 года.
На тот момент эти уже устаревшие танки входили в состав вторых батальонов танковых полков и шли в прорыв за более мощными Т-34 и ИС-2.
‘BT-7 – fast tank. It’s military debut was during the battles against the Japanese forces at lake Khasan in the summer of 1938. However the BT-7 displayed its best form a year later in Mongolia in the battles of Khalkhin Gol (Nomonhan incident) where the high speed and manoeuvrability of this tank were displayed fully on the steppes. The BT-7 took part successfully in the campaign of the Red Army in Poland in September 1939, when the rapid advance of armoured groups enabled the possible actions of Polish forces to be paralysed. At the start of the Great Patriotic war the military qualities of the BT-7 did not yield to the majority of the German tanks and they were employed until the first half of 1942. The conclusive episode in the military biography of the BT-7 was the Soviet-Japanese war in August-September 1945. At that point the already obsolete tanks entered the secondary battalions of the tank regiments and followed in the breakthroughs made by the more powerful T-34 and Joseph Stalin-2 tanks.’
Source: Internet. 7 Legendary Russian Tanks.
A superb profile of this aesthetically pleasing tank
The following video is an excellent demonstration of the BT-7’s astonishing mobility. The Christie suspension of springs and large road wheels with the considerable vertical wheel displacement allowed the BT-7 to cross rough terrain at high speed, though this resulted in an unstable gun platform which inhibited firing on the move.
The ‘flying’ BT-7 in action. Classic stirring Soviet footage. Let’s hope the tank crew at the end were wearing crash helmets!
Bristol Blenheim Mk.1F in Desert scheme. It was nicknamed the ‘flying greenhouse’ and the reason is pretty apparent from the photo!
I have always considered the early type Blenheim a rather ugly looking aircraft and much prefer the longer nose Mk IV version but when I saw a review of this all-new kit by Airfix I was sold! The moulding quality appeared to be a lot better than some of their recent releases with very good surface details particularly on the wings which have very fine panel lines and rivets both raised and recessed. I have shown a number of photos of different stages of the build process to convey something of the above average complexity of this kit.
It was the first modern bomber to be delivered to the RAF and one of the first aircraft to use all-metal, stressed-skin construction, powered gun turret, retractable landing gear, flaps and variable pitch propellers.
Despite these advantages, the Blenheim stood little chance against the German Messerschmitt Bf109 during daylight operations and was soon relegated to a night fighting role.
The Blenheim was one of the stop-gap bombers that the RAF had to use until the new generation of ‘heavies’ came into service such as the Avro Lancaster.
Here is what Len Deighton has to say about the Bristol Blenheim IF in his book, ‘Battle of Britain’:
‘This unfortunate aircraft was an attempt to operate a long-range heavy fighter variant of the Blenheim light bomber. Equipped with four Brownings in a ventral pack under the fuselage, one gun in a rear turret and one in the port wing, it was hopelessly slow and clumsy in action against German fighters. Even when transferred to a night fighter role, it proved too slow to catch most German bombers to which it was vectored. The seven Blenheim squadrons in Fighter Command on 1 July 1940 could play little part in the Battle. Their fate showed the futility f the Air Ministry doctrine that it was better to put anything into the air than nothing.’
Box artTwo markings are offered for this kit, the conventional dark Dark Earth, Dark Green, Black or overall Black night fighter version. I decided to opt for the more attractive Mediterranean camouflage scheme of Dark Earth/Middlestone over Azure Blue.Optional decal sheet used for my preferred Desert/Mediterranean scheme.Instructions showing complicated undercarriage assembly almost a model in itself!Preshading the panel lines and canopy masking. It was a tricky (and scary!) operation to join the two large canopy halves together down the centre line. I posed the top hatch open.The intricate undercarriage assembly with integrated oil tank which extends into the engine nacelle. I thought these would prove too fragile but they are remarkably sturdy. The wheel wells are also highly detailed.Cockpit. Behind the pilot’s seat is a dinghy.The kit comes with a lone seated pilot figure. Unfortunately the rest of the crew seem to have gone AWOL.This Blenheim was part of 45 Squadron based at Helwan, Egypt, 29, July 1940. Sorry about the plastic palm tree I must find something more realistic!The beautiful RAF azure blue. Maybe should have been a tad lighter! The bomb bay is closed. There is an option for a four gun ventral pack under the fuselage but I believe this particular version didn’t carry one which is a shame. Note flattened tyres to convey weight.Close up port wing showing highlighted panel lines.Rivet detail. Cowl flaps are open.
Another superlative kit by Tamiya. This one has just the right balance of complexity and detail that I prefer. I have always liked the look of the Valentine and the other attraction is that due to its diminutive size it doesn’t take up much room on my shelves!
Valentines were produced by Vickers and ready to be deployed from June 1940. After the debacle at Dunkirk in which the British Army abandoned so much of its equipment, production of the Valentine was ramped up and even outsourced to Canada.
Valentine tanks were designed for close infantry support but a shortage of cruiser tanks forced them to be used for training the new armoured formations.
But with British troops in North Africa in dire need of armoured support, Valentines were sent for use in the cruiser tank role.
Early British tanks used in WW2 were inferior, especially in gun power and armour, to their German counterparts. As soon as the British began to use American Shermans in quantity, the balance in desert warfare shifted dramatically to their advantage.
Given the fact that the first tanks were used by the British in World War I and that Britain played a leading role in tank development in the 1930s, it is hard to understand why British tank design was so bad. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that the priority in engineering and productive resources went to warship and aircraft design.
The Valentine is armed with a puny 2-pounder (40 mm) gun, the standard British anti-tank gun, comparable to the 50 mm gun fitted to most German tanks. It was designed to fight in western Europe with an effective range of up to 800 yards and not to fight in the flat, cover-less desert, where targets could be identified at 2,000 yards.
It could also only fire armour piercing shells, rather than the heavy explosive ones needed to take out anti-tank guns.
Valentines had a crew of three and also mounted a 7.92 mm machine gun.
Showing engine louvers or slats at rear Note open driver’s hatch and rear facing mirrorPassing a ‘brewed-up’ Italian Carro Armato M13/40
