Sunday, March 17, 2024
Egyptian Cold War transports
Saturday, November 18, 2023
Praga 53/59/70 30mm AA 1/72 review
Praga 53/59/70 30mm AA Lizard
History Praga 53/59
The Praga M53/59 was developed post ww2 and entered service in 1959, mounted on a armoured cabin, the cabin armour was quite thin 10mm on the front and 6mm on the sides making it small arms fire proof only. The vehicle was the Czech V3S 6 wheel drive truck chassis. The chassis, engine and electronic components were upgraded and improved in 1970, these vehicles became the M53/70. Further electronic additions were added in the eighties so electronic air tracking was available via connection to a battery command vehicle using the M85 Zirafa radar allowing it to remain in service for some time in the Czechoslovakian army until 2003. A large number of both models were exported during the Cold War and quite a number still remain in a number of armies today.
The 30mm cannon was originally designed by Bruno for the kreigsmarine during ww2 as a submarine anti aircraft design. The Czechoslovak designation was the 30mm PLDvk viz.53. The top mounted magazines for the gun held 50 rounds, however weighed a hefty 85 kilos when fully loaded. The guns had a practicable rate of fire of 150-200 rounds per minute, AA effective range was 3500m and on ground targets 2000m. The gunner had optical sights only and manual trigger and hydraulic assisted traverse and elevation, until the 1980s when the upgraded system appeared for targeting. The twin guns could also be dis-mounted from the chassis into a fixed ground position. The vehicle had a crew of five, Commander, driver, two loaders and a gunner, and normally operated in a division of 6 vehicles, plus a command vehicle for the battery of two divisions.
The Praga had the nickname the lizard due to its code name during its development and was widely used in the ground role during the Yom Kippur war and the Yugoslavian wars, where Praga became the nickname for all anti aircraft SP cannons.
Review NB models Praga 53/59
A superb offering of the Praga 53/59 30mm SP AA gun by NB models. This is the 1/72 version, there is also a 1/35th scale available too.Matt
References
AK interactive- vol III Arab revolutions and border wars.
You tube training clip of the Praga 53/59
Praga 53/59 walk around
Yugoslavian wars use
Monday, October 16, 2023
Egyptian Army 1967-73 Infantry
Egyptian Army 1967-73 -Infantry
Painting guide Egyptian Infantry Arab Israeli wars
1st Motorised regiment
The motorised truck units had a structure of ; One HQ company and two rifle companies and one support company. I have 6 trucks almost completed for these chaps, plus two command Zil 157 vans. I also need to print some Soviet jeeps for the Sagger crews to complete the regiment.1st Battalion
2nd Battalion
Armoured infantry battalion
Airborne battalion
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Riecharbeitsdienst “Albert Speer” guard RAD Panzer Grenadier Abteilung 1945
Albert Speer RAD Panzer Grenadier Abteilung 1945
HQ company
RAD panzerschrek |
Rifle coy
RAD rifle company |
RAD Rifle coy |
MG Support Coy
RAD MG42 |
RAD MG team |
Rapid Fire Organisation
Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung Speer
HQ, Co + 3 car, medic, panzerschrek
2 x Motorcycle company (RAD uniform) 7 figs, two Fausts
Armoured car company 2 x Sd.Kfz 231 A/C, 1 x Sd.Kfz 263
Support Company Pak 38 Anti Tank mot tow, 4 crew
Sdkfz 7 quad 20mm flak 38, RAD 4 crew
Two kettenkrads plus trailers 2 x MMG 5 figs
It seems that this unit may of increased in size with infantry reinforcements and armoured cars or have been just renamed on the 3rd of April as the “Spree Panzer Grenadier Regiment” (this also may be a mistaken renaming as they were assigned the Wehrmacht Feldpost 43449 and posted to the Spree sector in Berlin).
I hope you found this an interesting unit, I have had a interesting time researching for it. If you have any notes, organisational mistakes or further information please let me know!
Cheers
Matt
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Gestapo types
I was looking for some pieces from my drawer of 20mm bits (I was looking for some MMGs and 81mm mortars) and found these lurkers in one of the box’s and decided to get some paint on them whilst I am on holidays.
I think they are Battlefield miniatures a simple job of grey, black and brown, a wash and then highlight. I elected to do simple dirt basing which can double for streetscape or countryside. They can work for armed civilians, secret service types or gestapo. Happy with the results
Cheers
Matt
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Terrain Tuesday - Hay Stacks
Hay Stacks
Monday, July 17, 2023
Bundesgrenzschutz patrol
Bundesgrenzschutz Kampfgruppe
Completed my second part of my kampfgruppe of Bundesgrenzschutz, these are from the Plastic Esci NATO troops and Airfix ground crew make up this second group
The fighting patrol |
The dog patrol |
Happy with the mustache on this chap |
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Saab Drakker wip
Saab Draken wip part 1
Thursday, March 9, 2023
Mayenne city build : Maison particular WIP
Mayenne Ville Build
This year I want to commence my Ville Mayenne city tiles that can be used for any major French city really on a river. one side will be predominately intact with a few damaged buildings the other side heavily damaged to represent Ville Mayenne in August 1944.
My main focus for the build will be the main buildings between place de Cheverus to the Pont McCracken where a majority of the fighting occurred in the city.
Maison Particular
This week a new work in progress of a recent second hand purchase of some model railway buildings I picked up at a market very cheaply. The first building is a Vollmer post office which I will convert to a town house (Maison Particular ). This building will represent Dr Morrisett’s house which was the headquarters for the German commander of the Oisseau radar station. First up I washed the building in warm soapy water, then cleaned up the glue and prepared the rear of the building for render treatment. As I want it to represent the actual building a little more. I did think about cutting it up but have decided against it. I also need to scratch build a garage for the Maison and front gates.
Dr Morrisets House, the commandant of the Oisseau radar station 3 klm north west of the city. |
Garage detail |
The dependencies |
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
WW2 bits Russian Sniper and Rad Flak Maidenhauptführerin
Rad Flak Maidenhauptführerin and sniper
additions to the 20mm collection again for the analogue painting challenge.
First up a Rad Flak Maidenhauptführerin officer, the miniature is from Minaron miniatures and I think is listed as a librarian from memory, but this one will join my fall of Berlin collection
Monday, January 23, 2023
The Black Devils
The Black Devils
Established in 1665 Dutch Marines were the only volunteer regular unit in the Dutch ground forces. On the tenth of May the Marine Regiment was preparing to depart from Rotterdam to the Dutch East Indies and join the other marine units already posted there. About 650 marines were in the barracks in Rotterdam when the invasion began with a further 200 as part of the training and recruit centre.
Regimental Head Quarters
RHQ command element, radio trailer and car to be added |
Reece platoon |
AT rifle platoon |
Battalion Head Qauters
BHQ OC plus 4 |
1st company 10 figures, Lewis lmg |
2nd Company 10 figs Lewis lmg |
3rd Company 10 figs Lewis lmg |
Support Heavy weapons
81mm mortar 4 crew |
MMG 3 crew |