Spots on the Internet 2020

[Si Benson]

Some spots from Facebook.....








Hoping Miniart tackle more T34 variants :smiling4:

[Guest]

Too bad MiniArt puts two types of M3/M4 wheel into a single set — IMHO it would have been far better if they’d sold (probably simply bagged) sets of twelve wheels, one type per set. As it is, this means that people will likely end up with lots of spares.

[Dave Ward]

You can download the 2020 catalogue from IBG on their Facebook page. Braille Scale Scammells & Bedfords, Chevrolet trucks in 1/35, and, their first 1/32 Aircraft, a PZL PIIc are the major new models.
Dave

[Dave Ward]

On the MiniArt Facebook page 'coming soon'

Never heard of a cargo tram!
Dave

[Guest]

Can’t say I’d heard of them either, but apparently they existed in Russia

[Tim Marlow]

Looks like a converted passenger tram to me. Just out of interest, it was common for small industrial lines to be known as tramways In the UK, but they never used trams per she, usually horses. I wouldn’t think it rare for the engineering department to have old trams as transport or for supplies, which this one looks like. It seems unusual to carry regular paying Freight loads in this way though.

[Guest]

Horse-drawn trams were common in many areas before first steam and then electric ones came into use, so I wouldn’t find it at all unexpected that horses would remain in use on such lines in industrial areas after being replaced for passenger lines.

[Tim Marlow]

I know....my favourites were the Welsh narrow gauge lines. Some initially used horses to pull the empty trucks up the mountains, filled them up with slate, put the horse in a cart at the back, then traveled back down under gravity with a guy on a handbrake giving nominal control.

[Bortig the Viking]

Found this about them, makes sense considering the time.

Siege tram
During World War II, the work of St. Petersburg tramway changed completely. Operated and maintained mostly by women and children, they no longer just carried passengers, but were also used to evacuate equipment and valuables, transport fuel and convey the wounded. Due to power interruptions and snow drifts, by January 1942 the tram traffic stopped completely. Weakened by hunger and cold, people were forced to cover long distances on foot while empty trolley cars were disappearing into snow drifts, so restarting the tram traffic became a matter of life and death. After more than 150 km of overhead line had been restored, cargo trams resumed their service on March 8, 1942 and by April 15th five passenger tram routes were reopened. After that time, St. Petersburg’s tramway system never stopped working and by January 1945 the number of routes reached 20.

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Cargo tram with wagon-dosage at Leonova depot (№2) in Saint

[Tim Marlow]

Nice pics Mark, those look purpose built alright.....very interesting stock.

[Gern]

Found this about them, makes sense considering the time.

Siege tram
During World War II, the work of St. Petersburg tramway changed completely. Operated and maintained mostly by women and children, they no longer just carried passengers, but were also used to evacuate equipment and valuables, transport fuel and convey the wounded. Due to power interruptions and snow drifts, by January 1942 the tram traffic stopped completely. Weakened by hunger and cold, people were forced to cover long distances on foot while empty trolley cars were disappearing into snow drifts, so restarting the tram traffic became a matter of life and death. After more than 150 km of overhead line had been restored, cargo trams resumed their service on March 8, 1942 and by April 15th five passenger tram routes were reopened. After that time, St. Petersburg’s tramway system never stopped working and by January 1945 the number of routes reached 20.

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Cargo tram with wagon-dosage at Leonova depot (№2) in Saint

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.... and wouldn't THAT make a great addition to a dio!

[Bortig the Viking]

Stalingrad perhaps....

[Dave Ward]

Looking for the February updates on the Trumpeter & HobbyBoss websites - both have been down for several days - could be the Chinese New Year, but given the coronavirus situation........................
Dave

[Dave Ward]

On the Zvezda Facebook page - colour art for variants of their upcoming Pantsir

The Trumpeter version sells for £80+, and the Meng for £120+, so it will be interesting to see how this is priced!
Trumpeter & HobbyBoss websites still down.....................
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Further on the Zvezda Pantsir, from the Zvezda.org.ru website

It has 677 pieces, you can download the instructions, and see the level of detail. ( a lot! )
Zvezda has the Pantsir locally priced at 2900 Roubles - which converts to around £35 - It'll be revealing to see how much it will retail for in the UK
Dave