Fingers crossed competitions are a go in Demark in the Fall, Let’s face it I am not going to finish “BMP in Aleppo” with the tunnels and buildings and …stuff to accompany the “SNIPER! – outskirts of Aleppo” – dio aka “ZSU 23-2 Technical - a side project” which is 99,5% done this year (yes I am aware of the irony that a side project finish first…).
So, I thought a smaller more manageable project would be the way forward.
I got Trumpeteer’s T-72A ,mod 1985 which I thought would make a Good civil war – era Syrian Arab Army M1 “Labna”, (Arab for brick) i.e. a very early field modification, ca 2014, featuring (in various configurations) a cage made from rebar welded to the turret and (initially) filled with bricks – hence the name -as a somewhat desperate means to do diy protection against ATGM and RPGs. The vehicles vere at this point fitted with type 1 ERA blocks and some sources claim that the cage set- up was to offer protection in places where these vere lost or damaged- I have been unble to confirm this.
Later somewhat standardized as the the T-72 Mahmiah (shield)with more elaborate designs, the design has been covered by modelers in publications such as Bear In the Sand- Russian Amor in Syria and Libya and Tanker Magazine
I will be drawing inspiration from these as well as my own research, also drawing from details in internet publications such as
(Conceptual) Scene:
During a lull in the fighting two crew members snap a quick group selfie during a break in re-arming.
Figures from Paracel, accessories (125mm crates and shells) from Miniarm, various bits and bobs.
Although an urban scene, as little in the way of buildings as I can get away with….
I am going to thrash the Hell out the T-72 as ref photos show great wear on the vehicles . In 2014 the Regime was on the retreat with very little in the way of possibilities of properly repairing their ever dwindling supply of T-72s
So, I thought a smaller more manageable project would be the way forward.
I got Trumpeteer’s T-72A ,mod 1985 which I thought would make a Good civil war – era Syrian Arab Army M1 “Labna”, (Arab for brick) i.e. a very early field modification, ca 2014, featuring (in various configurations) a cage made from rebar welded to the turret and (initially) filled with bricks – hence the name -as a somewhat desperate means to do diy protection against ATGM and RPGs. The vehicles vere at this point fitted with type 1 ERA blocks and some sources claim that the cage set- up was to offer protection in places where these vere lost or damaged- I have been unble to confirm this.
Later somewhat standardized as the the T-72 Mahmiah (shield)with more elaborate designs, the design has been covered by modelers in publications such as Bear In the Sand- Russian Amor in Syria and Libya and Tanker Magazine
I will be drawing inspiration from these as well as my own research, also drawing from details in internet publications such as
(Conceptual) Scene:
During a lull in the fighting two crew members snap a quick group selfie during a break in re-arming.
Figures from Paracel, accessories (125mm crates and shells) from Miniarm, various bits and bobs.
Although an urban scene, as little in the way of buildings as I can get away with….
I am going to thrash the Hell out the T-72 as ref photos show great wear on the vehicles . In 2014 the Regime was on the retreat with very little in the way of possibilities of properly repairing their ever dwindling supply of T-72s
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