Snippets . Uwe Militaria .org

Srbijanci BMP

2011-12-20T16:22:00.077-06:00

Srbijanci BMP ( Serbian BMP ) of Yugoslav Federal Army during Feb 1998 to June 1999 anti-insurgent campaigns against break-away southeastern region of Kosovo. By this time, Yugoslavia only consisted of Serbia and Montenegro, all other regions have formally separated from them federal union. Thus, Yugoslav forces fighting in Kosovo were almost completely manned by Serbian forces.

1.35th model items from : 1) AMT ERTL Soviet BMP-1 MICV model kit was modified for this project, 2) DHsK heavy machine gun DML Communist Chinese PLA Volunteers in Korean War, 3) Anti-ditch timber log in rear from AMT ERTL T-72 tank kit. Model started and completed circa early-1999 during height of Kosovo War.

1998-1999 Kosovo War | Wiki

Boxart of 1.35th AMT ERTL BMP-1 model kit used to build this model conversion. Door panels were molded in place, only the turret roof and front hull hatches could be set in open / close position. Hard tracks were provided with large section molded tracks for top and bottom roadwheels, while sprocket / rear idler wheels had individual track links.

As a country, Yugoslavia was intended to forge some national consciousness among various Slavic tribes in Balkan region after WW1 end from collapsed ruins of Austro-Hungarian Empire. First nation lasted 1918-1941, by which 27 March 1941 military coup overthrew pro-German Yugoslav government, while compelled 6 April 1941 German invasion to secure the Reich's southern border before commencement of Soviet Union invasion. Yugoslavia was broken up into various pro-German ethno-centric nations with partial territories absorbed by neighboring German allies ( ex, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia ).

Yugoslavia | Wiki

Reconstituted after WW2, Yugoslavia existed from 1945 – 1992, when civil war broke out among States secession from the Federal Union among Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Between 1992 – 2003, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ( aka Yugoslavia ) only existed in formality, not in actual fact. Russian Federation still used this formal title, while US simply called it remainent nation as simply "Serbia and Montenegro" ( its last remaining constituent States ).

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Savezna Republika Jugoslavija 1992-2003 | FOTW

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia | Wiki

To regain United Nations membership and normalize international recognition, it formally reconstituted as "Federal Republic of Yugolsavia" in 2000, with Serbia and Montenegro as sole member States. In 2003, this name was replaced by title "Serbia and Montenegro". This union was more Confederate than Federal since the 2 States only shared national defense, but followed separate economic policies ( ex. Montenegro used EURO as sole legal currency, while Serbia used its DINAR )

What is the Serbian dinar (CSD) ? | GCC

Union lasted until 2006, when Montenegro formally declared independence, thus ending myriad of Yugoslavia incarnations since 1918 once and for all time. Serbia renamed herself as independent nation "Republic of Serbia".

Republic of Serbia | Wiki

BMP model depicts field-mounted 12.7mm DShK heavy machine gun on turret roof for wide field of fire against insurgent personnel, building emplacements, or soft-skin vehicles. Note that DShK heavy machine gun was designed in 1930s by the Soviets, used extensively in WW2, and distributed to Soviet client states in postwar era. Hence, DShK has same wide-spread utilization repute in 3rd-world conflicts, on par with AK-47 assault rifle and BMP-1 IFV.

Degtyarov - Shpagin DShK / DShKM 12.7 heavy machine gun | WGR

Launch rail for 9K11 Malyutka ( NATO title is AT-3 Sagger ) anti-tank missile removed to accommodate DShK machine gun placement. In addition, spare tracks drapped over front as appliqué armor along with helmets and shovel. Practice of US naming foreign military hardware based on self-imposed easy-to-recall nomenclature can be traced to WW2 era when American forces had difficulty recalling Romanized titles of Imperial Japan combat aircrafts, hence substitute method was employed by using American boys and girls names ( ex. Girl name Betty for G4M Bomber, Boy name Tony for Ki-61 fighter plane ).

Yokosuka K5Y1 "Willow" Trainer | UweM

AT-3 Sagger | Wiki

Insurgent group battling Yugoslav forces was Kosovo Liberation Army ( KLA ), an paramilitary group comprised of ethnic-Albanians who resided in Kosovo region of Serbia. With KLA being a foot-mobile insurgent group, highest caliber weapons were RPG anti-armor rockets and DHsK large caliber heavy machine guns. Thus, mechanized Serbian forces augmented their armor vehicles with anti-personnel weapons for such engagements.

Kosovo Liberation Army | Wiki

Model top view, airbrushed overall Tamiya acrylic Field Green, then paint washed Testor enamel Military Brown, dry brushed with Testor enamel Tan. 3 crewmen were modified from 1.35th TAMIYA German FLAKtruppen in winter garb, their dapple uniform pattern was hand painted via overlapping technique ( similar to German WW2 "Ambush" camouflage pattern ).

German Hetzer tank destroyer & Ambush Camouflage | UweM

German Flak Crew Figure Set | TSF

Boxart of Tamiya 1.35th WW2 German FLAKtruppen ( anti-aircraft crew ), figures were modified to suite late-1990s era Serbian armor infantrymen in model vignette. For WW2 German forces wearing white winter uniforms on Ostfront ( Eastern Front ), red cloth bands pinned around both sleeves distinguished German versus Soviet forces. Soviets were the first ones in Winter 1941 to wear winter uniforms, thus when Germans began deploying similar winter white uniforms in 1942, they had to institute the "red band" to to prevent friendly-fire incidents.

WW2 German Winter Parka's Identify Armband Red | SHM

To mimick muddy terrain of Kosovo region, entire lower hull & roadwheel assembly were painted Elmers Glue + Baking Soda solution for a mud-caked sandy appearance, then airbrushed with Tamiya Light Brown in lower hull section. Anti-RPG screen made from plastic styrene bars and model camouflage netting.

In confined combat arenas ( ex. build-up urban, thick foilage or woodland ), armor vehicles are vulernable to close proximity enemy amush if advancing without foot-mobile infantry to protect its flanks. Thus, anti-RPG screens enhance crew protection by forcing RPG warheads to expell majority of its "burn through" penetration power before reaching the hull.

Although Soviets ( latter on Russians ) insisted that both AK-47 and RPG weapons originated solely from their post WW2 weapons design bureaus, nevertheless their weapon lineage can be traced directly back to late-WW2 German infantry weapons, by which Soviets replicated and improve on its design ( namely the Sturmgewehr 43/44 assault rifle and Panzerfaust anti-armor weapon ).

RPG-7/RPG-7V/RPG-7VR Rocket Propelled Grenade Launcher | DUC

In 1945, Germans designed up-warhead Panzerfaust 150 & Panzerfaust 250, both with cone shaped warhead and pistol gripe for aiming accuracy, both of which are also classic RPG design layout.

Panzerfaust 150 & 250 | GDC

Panzerfaust 150 / 250 | AFS

Panzerfaust and Derivatives ( Spanish ) | PGC

In 1960 – 1980s era, West Germany deployed its man-portable anti-armor weapon via Panzerfaust 44 ( PzF 44 ), based on WW2 Panzerfaust 250 design. By 1990s, this was replaced by Panzerfaust 3, designed to defeat Explosive Reactive Armor ( ERA )on Soviet/Warsaw Pact tanks via tandem warheads ( spike tip warhead compelled premature ERA detonation, thus allow main warhead to penetration tank hull ).

Panzerfaust 44 2A1 Lanze | Wiki

Panzerfaust 3 | Wiki

Reactive armour | Wiki

Serbian trooper figure sitting on turret holding 9K32 Strela 2 ( Strela is Russian for Arrow ) surface-to-air missile launcher for defense against NATO ground attack aircrafts. NATO designation for the Strela is SA-7 Grail ( or Surface to Air Missile 7 Grail ). Developed in mid-1960s, Strela combat debute was during Vietnam War when Soviets secretly supplied North Vietnamese Army ( NVA ) communist forces with this missile type during their 1972 invasion of South Vietnam.

SA-7 Grail | Wiki

NVA used weapon to counter US attack helicopter battlefield dominance, in one famous 21 June 1972 incident, NVA forces shot-down US AH-1 Cobra "White 725" attack chopper manned by Pilot Capt. Brown and Weapons Officer Capt. Cordon, severing their chopper tail section in mid-air, forcing crew into a 4,500-foot spiral drop. Both officers survived the crash landing ( also being the 1st American crew to survive a Strela missile hit ) and made design recommendations on AH-1 counter measures against such weapons ( ex. L-shape exhaust port directed into propeller blades to dissipate heat signature since Strela used Infra-red homing guidance ).

AH-1 Cobra "White 725" An Loc 1972 battle | UweM

All 3 model figures painted Serbian Army M-93 camouflage BDU ( battle dress uniform ) pattern, which conforms to heavily forested Balkan regions.

Serbian Camo Field Jacket | HAC

Serbia Camopedia | CMO

AKS-74U Krinkov short assault rifle hung behind commander hatch cover, developed from AKS-74 assault rifle for personal defense among tank – artillery – helicopter crews, the "U" suffix in Russian means"Ukorochennyj" ( or "Shortened" in English since barrel length is 210mm ). AKS-74U has compact size and effective range of a submachine gun, but does not use pistol caliber ammunition, rather 5.45x39 mm-caliber AK-74 assault rifle ammunition and magazines, thus interachangeable with its weapons family on the battelfield.

Kalashnikov AKS-74U (Krinkov) short assault rifle | WGR

Kalashnikov AK-74, AKS-74 and AK-74M assault rifles | WGR

Boxart of DML 1.35th Chinese Volunteer DShK anti-aircraft team from Korean War, its DShK heavy machine gun part used in Serbian BMP-1 model. From history, Chinese officially stated their 250,000 troops in 1950-1953 Korean War were mere volunteers to circumvent legal pretext of war between itself and US / UN forces. But US played the same legal game calling conflict an international police action and not enact Congressional declaration of war against North Korea and Communist China ( for war declaration would legally compel US to either secure unconditional or conditional surrender to formally end the war ). Hence, that is why to this current date since 1953, there is only a military truce in Korean War, which means warfare may resume on-demand by any participant. In fact, US has not formally declared war on any nation since WW2. Another military tidbit... Korean War is the only war in American history by which no American POW was able to escape from enemy POW camps in North Korea, northern China, or Soviet Siberia.

BMP acronym derived Russian Cyrillic alphabets, which Romanized into Latin alphabets as "Bronevaya Maschina Piekhota" or Infantry Fighting Vehicle ( IFV). Its first version called BMP-1 was developed in early 1960s and publically showcased in Nov 1967. Liberally supplied to Soviet allies and client states in 1960s – 1980s, BMP-1 is as ubiquitous to IFVs as Soviet AK-47 to modern assault rifles.

BMP-1 Fighting Vehicle | FAS

BMP-1 | Wiki

Although mounting of anti-tank weaponry on wheeled – halftrack – fully tracked Armor Personnel Carriers ( APC ) has been in existence since WW2 ( such as German Panzerjagder series ), the IFV concept combined anti-tank firepower, high mobility, troop carrier, armor protection, and most importantly nuclear - chemical – biological ( NBC ) protection ( ex. radiation filters and sealed crew compartments ) for modern nuclear battlefield. In 1960s, US was operating its sturdy M-113 APC, it would have to wait until 1981 before M-3 Bradley introduction to have its own IFV inventory.

NBC Protection – what does it mean ? | BKS

M113A1 Armored Personnel Carrier | FAS

Bradley Fighting Vehicle | Wiki

Standing Serbian trooper slugged a Russian-made RPG-22 rocket propelled anti-tank grenade over his back. Its compact design some what resembles early 1970s Vietnam War era US M72 LAW man-portable anti-armor rocket launcher. RPG-22 ceased production in 1993 and was superceded by RPG-26 in warhead penetration power. However, due to large RPG-22 stockpiles in Russian inventory, it was readily sold off to Russian client states and global arms market throughout 1990 – 2000s.

RPG-22 antitank disposable grenade launcher / rocket-propelled grenade | WGR

RPG-26 antitank disposable grenade launcher / rocket-propelled grenade (USSR / Russia) | WGR

M72 LAW antitank rocket launcher | WGR

Number 424 decal from 1.48th Microscale F4U Corsair decal sheet. Tri-color Serbian national insignia on gun barrel made from individual white – blue – red decal stripes from 1.48th British aircraft tailfin insignia.

Serbia | CRWF

Note distinction between Federal Republic of Yugoslovia, which has a Blue – White – Red tricolor band, while Serbia Republic had Red – Blue – White tricolor band, as depicted on model.

Yugoslavia (1992-2003) | CRWF

Budges on rear access doors mount fuel containers, design layout was necessary to provide sufficient internal space for accompanying troops. Anti-ditch lumber model part from 1.35th AMT T-72 tank kit, hand holds on top of lumber made from office staples. Netting around lumber edge was to prevent wood splinters after prolonged usage ( model netting made from medical burn bandages superglued into place ).

BMP-1 | ZNA

Private Collection | S.U@Austin.Texas.USA

BAOR Centurion

2011-11-08T21:58:00.066-06:00

BAOR Centurion
Centurion Mk8 main battle tank of British Army of the Rhine ( BAOR ), circa late-1970s. Model completed in Summer 2005, camouflaged in Forest Green/Olive Green splinter pattern. Model painted via Olive Green aerosol can, then hand painted Forest Green hard-edged pattern. There have been two BAOR formations in 20th century, one for post-WW1 and second for post-WW2 and then NATO operations.

Centurion tank | Wiki

1st BAOR ( with 14,000 men in 10 infantry and one calvary divisions ) established March 1919 after Imperial Germany WW1 defeat, served as occupation force 1919 - 1929 during German Weimar Republic era, her primary responsibilities were to enforce war reparations - tax/custom duty collections from German government and suppress political agitants against foreign military occupation.

History of BAOR | BLC

2nd BAOR ( with 80,000 men in 4 armored + 8 infantry divisions ) established August 1945 after Nazi Germany WW2 defeat, served as occupation force 1945 - 1955 in British Zone ( northern / western Germany ). From 1955 - 1994, BAOR combat duties transition to NATO defense of West Germany / Western Europe against potential Soviet invasion during Cold War era.

British Army of the Rhine | BSC

Centurion model mounted to display base via screw drilled up base bottom into model hull underside. Spare tracks painted Red Brown.

In circa 40 years of BAOR operation, formation fluctuated in composition for anticipated combat with Soviet / Warsaw Pact forces ( with main enemy units stationed literally across the border in East Germany ). In 1950s, BAOR replaced divisions with brigades, dropping personnel to 64,000 men to gain better unit mix of tank - engineer - anti-tank, etc. Brigades then reformed as Brigade Groups, but by mid-1960s were reformed back to Brigades, then in 1970s reformed back into divisions.

Brigade | Wiki

Brigade Group | Wiki

Political bravado aside, BAOR & Western European defense against such Soviet invasion were at best "challenged, if not outright hopeless" via conventional military arms since Warsaw Pact outnumbered NATO 10-to-1 in tanks and 15-to-1 in artillery, etc. From British assessments, BAOR could fight for at most 2 days before her ammunition ran out and her units overrun by Warsaw Pact forces.

Warsaw Pact | Wiki

East Germany | Wiki

Interestingly, BAOR also commanded 3,000-men Berlin Infantry Brigade in West Berlin landlocked deep inside East Germany, which could at best survive a few hours of combat before enemy numerical superiority ( Soviet military HQ in East Germany located in Zossen some 30 miles south of Berlin, her main armor formations stationed in Magdeburg some 60 miles southwest of Berlin ).

British Berlin Infantry Brigade | BBD

For this reason, BAOR ( along with US forces in NATO ) stationed tactical nuclear missiles in West Germany to forestall such an invasion, placing doctrine of Mutual Assured Destruction ( MAD ) as political & military doctrine centerpiece.

US tactical nuclear weapons in Europe | SPC

Mutual Assured Destruction | Wiki

Centurion model final paint scheme was black paint wash to highlight raised surfaces and crevices. Tracks were superglued to sprockets / idlers / roadwheels for snugged fit.

By late 1980s, BAOR still maintain regular patrols along West / East Germany frontier where her combat zone resided ( circa from Hamburg to Kassel in northwestern West Germany ). But to prevent inadvertent border clashes ( as commonly occurred along North/South Korea border ), BAOR troops were issued weapons but no ammunition while on patrols ( which served UK symbolism rather than actual military practicality ). But fear not, for real combat training BAOR personnel routinely cycled a tour of duty into Northern Ireland to combat militant Irish separatist groups, the Brits called this region & era "The Troubles".

Northern Ireland - The Troubles | BBC

Centurion tank model from 1.76th AIRFIX kit, although boxart depicts tank in WW2 combat action, only 6 Centurion prototypes arrived on European mainland in May 1945 when WW2 ended. Any event, model depicts a postwar Mark 8 ( Mk8 ) variant with redesigned gun mantle, commander copula, uparmored, up-gunned version ( with bore evacuator in mid-barrel ).

AIRFIX 02307 Centurion Tank MK8 Model Kit

Two flexible antennae on turret made from paint brush bristles, wooden display base hand brushed enamel flat black, sealed via Matt clear cloat aerosol can spray.

Soviet Union collapse in 1991 also compelled British defense cutbacks, thus in 1993 "Options for Change" defense reorganization resulted in 55,000-men BAOR elimination, succeeding 1994 formation was 25,000-men British Forces Germany ( BFG ) to maintain UK's NATO European mainland troop commitments. From mid-1990s onward, major UK/NATO deployments in Europe have been in former Yugoslavia regions for peace keeping duties among separatist states.

British Forces Germany | Wiki

Private Collection | BrynB@Twickenham.London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.gb

Panzerjagder PUMA

2011-09-18T20:57:00.015-05:00

Panzerjagder PUMA
Schwerer Panzerspahwagen ( 7.5cm PAK39 L/48 ) Puma of German Panzer Lehr Division ( 130th Panzer Division ), 130th Panzer Aufklärungabteilung ( armor reconnaissance battalion ), Saint Lo - Normandy - France, July 1944.

Puma armor car up-gunned to 7.5cm PAK39 L/48 anti-tank gun, a superb WW2 German caliber mounted across multiple tanks, tank destroyers, half-tracks, weapons carriers, etc.

Panzer Lehr part of German defense line against American forces in western Normandy, whereby they were plummeted by US carpet bombing of frontlines during Operation Cobra commencement, which utterly shattered Panzer Lehr formation, surviving units retreated southeast to form new defense line. By Sept 1944, major battles in France ended with German forces retreat to Germany frontier and Low Countries regions. Only few German garrison forces in French Atlantic port cities held-out until end of WW2. (photo & info link below)

http://UweMilitaria.org/1-Wheel/Puma/index.html

---

Gunker Daala | Star Wars AT-HAE gunship walker

2011-07-11T20:51:00.034-05:00

Gunker Daala
Gunker ( Gunship Walker ) of Galactic Imperium during Imperial offensive against Rebel headquarters on Planet Hoth, Star War's sci-fi realm. Official designation is AT-HAE ( All Terrain Heavily-Armed Escort ) : gunship version of AT-AT / Imperial Walker.

Model Collectible : $300 USD ( model + display base )
Ship Cost : $25 UPS domestic USA parcel flat rate ( tracking + customer delivery signature )
Payment : via Paypal.com

Email UweM for details

Gunker internal loadouts are multiple heavy blaster weapon generators and 4-antennae long-range interplanetary communication array. Armed with 10 blaster weapons, with 8 blasters ( 4 heavy blaster in chin mount, 4 medium blasters on rotary sides ) placed at articulated head section, and 2 blasters ( one heavy, one medium ) defending rear approaches.

Gunkers are deployed in " Combat Box " or " Core Defense " formations, whereby its heavy firepower projects tight defensive perimeter among Imperial Walker troop transports.

Double yellow bands indicate 2nd Company of Assault Landing Squadron " Yellow ". Both AT-HAE Gunkers and AT-AT Imperial Walkers have no space propulsion powerplants, rather they are loaded onto inter-stellar carrier ships to planet locale, then ferried via inter-planetary drop-ships onto planet surface.

Custom designed & printed insignias showcase Galactic Imperium logo, vehicle number 5, and Gunker nickname " Daala ". Being the first Gunker prototype, Daala named after Galactic Imperium Admiral Natasi Daala, she was the mistress of Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin who envisioned and sanctioned the Gunker project.

Scratch-built Gunker model derived from 1.76th ERTL ATAT model kit and 1.35th German - American - British machine gun weaponry + rubber power cables.

Moving parts include : 1) articulated head & neck sections, 2) medium blaster weapons on head sides rotate up-down, 3) rear top heavy blaster weapon rotate 270-degrees, 4) rear bottom medium blaster weapon articulate left-right up-down. Legs set static position.

--

M4A1 Sherman | Drive on Messina, Sicily 1943

2011-03-29T10:28:00.035-05:00

M4A1 Sherman tank of US Army "E" Company, 2nd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armor Division. Sand soft-edge over light green camouflage geared for Mediterranean combat ops, specifically July-August 1943 invasion of Sicily - Italy. This invasion on Italian homeland compelled Fascist Italy to abandon German alliance and "switch sides" to Allied cause by September 1943. However, in postwar American history, US only recognizes Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan as bonafide WW2 combatants, Fascist Italy is not regarded as worthy adversary.

Model Collectible : $250 USD ( model + display base )
Ship Cost : $25 UPS domestic USA parcel flat rate ( tracking + customer delivery signature )
Payment : via Paypal.com
Email UweM for details

Sherman tank nicknamed "Dorothy", 3 crewmen custom designed & mounted, model up-detailed with extra tarpin - bed rolls - blankets - tow cable - contour spare track. Seven ( 7 ) after-market US Star-in-Circle insignia decals placed all-around tank to prevent friendly-fire incidents. Turret and M2 heavy machine gun on rotate mounts. Model placed on illustrated display base showcasing 1943 Sicily campaign advances.

American conquests of Palermo and Messina were major achievements for US armor forces and Gen. Patton in particular. This campaign also initiated stiff rivalry between Patton and British Gen. Montgomery over command and direction of Allied forces in Italy and western Europe.

Unpleasant WW2 historical truth was that in both 1943 Sicily Campaign and 1944 Normandy Invasion and subsequent French bocage countryside battles, US Army fought under British Army Group command. UK Gen. Alexander commanded 1943 Sicily Campaign, while UK Gen. Montgomery commanded 1944 Normandy campaign. It was not until Sept. 1944 that American forces in Europe were finally able to secure their own Army Group command away from the British.

Custom-designed illustrated display base of US 2nd Armored Division / 67th Armored Regiment in 1943 Sicily campaign

Although Supreme Allied Commander for European Theater was US Gen. Eisenhower, he was a political / desk general in his entire military career, and never served as field commander in battle. In fact, Eisenhower has never commanded an Army Group, an Army, Division, Brigade, Regiment, Battalion, Company, Platoon. He may have commanded a Squad, but even that is suspect since there is no record of such responsibility. In his military career, Eisenhower did requested multiple times for a field combat command, but his liaison and organization skills were such that senior American commanders denied all his request and consigned him to a desk job.

Desert Leaguer

2011-01-31T22:34:00.016-06:00

2cm FLAK 38 auf Fahrgestell Steyr 1500A/01 ( Steyr 1500A/01 infantry carrier chassis with field-installed 2cm FLAK38 gun & pedestal ), of German Deutsches Afrika Korps debute in North Africa. Vehicle belong to 5th leichte Division ( 3rd Panzer Division detachment ), 606th self-propelled Flak Battalion, during Operation Sonnenblume and conquest of Fort Mechili, Cyrenaica - Libya, 8 April 1941. Scratch-built model combining Steyr 1500A troop transport and Sdkfz 250/9 2cm FLAK gun/pedestal, aftermarket figures. Extensive weathering via airbrush, pastel powder paint wash, artist charcoal bar. New modeling concepts used : 1) Electrical soldering wire for flexible door hinges, 2) Business projector clear transparencies for figure display base. (photo & info link below)

http://UweMilitaria.org/1-Wheel/SteyrFlak38fahrzeug/index.html

Urban Dapple

2011-01-16T01:31:00.009-06:00

Type 74 main battle tank with Ablative Armor, camouflaged in hard-edged grey-scale Urban Dapple pattern. Ablative Armor scratch-built, with turret & hull front/sides outfitted with Explosive Reactive Armor ( ERA ), turret rear mounted applique ( space ) armor. Scratch-built remote control machine gun installed on turret roof for close-in ground/air defense. ( photo & info link below )

http://UweMilitaria.org/2-Track/Type74/index.html

Private Collector :

Timmy @ Austin . Texas . USA

Queen's Challenger

2010-12-12T02:04:00.042-06:00

United Kingdom Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank of Queen's Royal Hussars Royal Armoured Regiment. Tactical insignia indicates II Battalion, 2nd Company, 62nd Vehicle. Tank depicts British operations in Basra-Iraq 2004 during urban combat sweeps against Iraqi insurgent forces.

Coming into service in 1998, British Challenger 2 is an extensive upgrade to mid-1980s Challenger 1 tank, primarily using predecessor's hull and automotive layout, with everything else newly designed such as 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun and Chobham armor - 2nd generation type "Dorchester" ( type of composite ceramic - metal - elastic armor developed by British in 1960s ).

With excellent crew protection on modern battlefield, during the Iraq War and subsequent combat with insurgent irregular forces, one Challenger 2 was hit by 8 rocket propelled grenades ( RPG ) and MILAN anti-tank rocket with its crew safely inside awaiting tank recovery vehicle, while another Challenger took 70 RPG hits with no armor penetration during its Basra operations. This prompted one British defense analyst to proclaim one RPG hit can bring down an American Apache gunship, but British Challenger can withstand multiple RPG hits can keep on rolling.

Challenger model has scratch-built armor side skirts, custom built British tank crewmen, custom designed / printed decals, and illustrated display base. Tank nicknamed "Cromwell" after English anti-monarchist leader Oliver Cromwell who established Britain's first Republic called the Commonwealth from 1649 - 1660, about 130 years before existence of United States of America. ( photo & info link below )

http://lehrmach.com/model/challenger2/

Private Collector :

Bryn.B @ Twickenham . London metro area . England . Great Britain . United Kingdom

AAVC7A1 "Dixie Route" Command Amtrac with UGWS gun turret

2010-10-03T01:00:00.028-05:00

US Marine Expeditionary Force Assault Amphibian Vehicle Command Model 7A1 (AAVC7A1) or Command Amtrac. Upward chevron and numeral markings indicate "A" Company and 1st Platoon. Camouflaged in desert tan for Middle East/Africa theater deployments. US Confederate flag on bow deflector, vehicle name "Dixie Rout", and Shield-Sword-Star nose art reference crew members from US "Deep South" regions.

Model Collectible : $300 USD ( model + display base )
Ship Cost : $25 UPS domestic parcel flat rate ( tracking + customer delivery signature )
Payment : via Paypal

Email UweM for details

AAVC7A1 is command version of AAVP7A1 with UGWS (Upgunned Weapons Station) turret for close-in defense. Amtrac serves as long-distance radio command rely station among senior and lower combat echelons ( 6 radio masts ). 1.35 model scratch-built with bolt-on applique armor, 6 radio antennae & stowage equipment, mooring ropes, custom design / printed decals. Custom designed model display base with USMC seal and model caption included.

Flag on Amtrac bow deflector is Confederate Naval Jack from American Civil War era. In modern era, flag is commonly mis-identified as American Confederacy Flag from the 1860s Civil War era. This flag was common seen among US combat planes and armored vehicles from WW2 - Korean War - Vietnam War - up to mid-1970s. In general, flag represents historical and cultural lineage of American citizens from so-called "Deep South" regions. Flag shown here on model as mere decorative purposes since bow deflector offered a prominent "colors" display.

Amtrac crew positions customized with bravado slogans for Driver "DOC HOLIDAY", Commander "DE OUTLAW", UGWS turret gunner "BANG !" + "DAMAGE INC" and Phoencian Eyes on turret edge. Rear access door/ramp with "Go Go Dancer" silhouette + US Star in black.

As with common USMC bravado, outline of a "Go Go Dancer" decorates rear access ramp / door, next to large unit Chevron / Number indicating "A" Company and 1st Platoon.

M5A1 Annie-B

2010-08-13T17:33:00.010-05:00

M5A1 Stuart light recon tank of US 9th Army, XIX Corps, 2nd Armor Division, 66th Armor Regiment, Company B, 12th Vehicle during offensive to capture Magdeburg - Germany, April 1945. Magdeburg located on Elbe River is furthermost western advance by US forces in Germany. US forces on Elbe River came under both German and Soviet attacks.

Germans defended western-bound bridgeheads for retreating troops and refugee columns for surrender to Western Allies. While Soviets plummeted US forces with artillery fire on eastern Elbe bank for providing humanitarian assistance to German civilians crossing the river.

By WW2 end, areas captured by US XIX Corps were surrendered to Soviet forces due to secret protocols signed by US President Roosevelt at Feb 1945 Yalta Conference on postwar Germany partition. M5A1 was commanded by Lt. Clearance Wilson, tank nicknamed "Annie B" after his state-side wife. (photo & info link below)

http://UweMilitaria.org/2-Track/M5Annie-B/index.html

AnLoc Cobra AH-1

2010-01-13T21:02:00.009-06:00

AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter of US Army 7th Battery - 79th Aerial Field Artillery "Blue Max" - 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) during 1972 North Vietnam Army "Easter Offensive" battles around An Loc city - South Vietnam, circa 70 miles north of Saigon.

Model & markings replicate Cobra crewed by Capt. Mike Brown (pilot) & Capt. Marco Cordon (weapons officer/gunner) when their chopper was hit by enemy SA-7 missile on 21 June 1972, which severed the tail boom & rotor, forcing a controlled crash-landing from 4,500-foot spiral drop. Both men survived the crash (being first chopper crew to survive surface-to-air missile strike) and the war, going on to live quiet dignified state-side retirements. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Cobra/index.html

SobeDeux Patlabor

2009-11-30T23:05:00.010-06:00

Sobe Deux : Special Operations Battle Echelon (S.O.B.E.) Type 2 Mobile Suit. Camouflaged via Danish Flecktarn dapple pattern, armed with Pulse Rifle/drum magazine and phased pistol holster in leg harness. Unit has 2 main propulsion engines mounted in back, along with 4 smaller thrusters. Mobile Suit insignia depicts #9 "Shou Bi" (Chief Executioner), 2nd Trident Regiment, 3rd Totenkopf Battalion. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/SobeDeux/index.html

Kauz Do-217 J-2

2009-10-22T14:17:00.018-05:00

Do-217 J-2 night fighter, with WW2 German 4./NJG1 squadron intercepting British RAF night bombing raids against Axis military and civilian targets in western Europe. "Kauz" was project name of converting Do-17 bomber airframe into Do-217 night-fighter role since it could carried heavy armaments & equipment including nose-mounted 4@MG151 cannons, 4@MG17 heavy machine guns, FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C radar system. WW2 Luftwaffe 4-letter system G9+HM denoted : 1) G9 for NJG1 night fighter wing 2) H was individual aircraft code, 3) M indicated 4th Staffel (squadron). Despite its technical innovation, Luftwaffe crews heavily criticized Do-217 sluggish performance as night interceptor, thus ended its production by 1942.

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Kauz/index.html

Jamjari A-37B

2009-09-10T18:28:00.005-05:00

A-37B Jamjari (Korean for Dragonfly) ground-attack jet armed for COIN (counter insurgency) operations. Model depicts ROK Air Force 8th Fighter Wing, with all-around "Asia Minor" low-level camouflage, patrolling the North-South Korean Demilitarized Zone circa 1996. Derived from US T-37 "Tweet" jet trainer, it has 8 wing hardpoints for weapon payloads including rocket pods, Sidewinder missiles, bombs, minigun pods, napalms, etc, along with nose-mounted 7.62mm Minigun. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Jamjari/index.html

Santorini StarShip Troopers

2009-09-01T01:20:00.006-05:00

Starship Troopers movie Athena-class mobile infantry / drop-ship carrier. Camouflage pattern based on WW2-era North Atlantic Allied vessel Dazzle pattern via 3 shades of grey. Custom decals created from multiple sources : 1) font typeface, 2) web graphic downloads, 3) Photoshop graphic design, 4) Word Art feature in Microsoft Powerpoint. Decals printed on white and clear background paper. Athena carriers introduced toward end of Starship Trooper movie, as major inter-stellar ship upgrade from previous Rodger Young-class carriers which took major damage/casulaties from arachnoid "Bug Plasma" planetary defense network. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Santorini/index.html

Murmansk Jadger Do-217

2008-10-13T00:54:00.007-05:00

WW2 German Luftwaffe Dornier Do-217 bomber, armed with twin Henschel Hs-293 anti-ship missiles, for interdiction of Allied convoys to Soviet arctic ports of Murmansk and Archangel. Missile bomber upper surface camouflaged white-grey arctic patches, lower surface painted flat black for night interdiction. Bomber also mounted compact FuG 202 airborne radar to locate ships at low altitudes during night-time assaults. Hs-293 was actually a glider bomb since rocket motor only had fuel for 10-second booster burst. Missile first version was wireless radio-controlled from launch plane cockpit, latter versions were hard-wired with wiring spooled from missile. Plane had to fly parallel with missile in series of arc before target impact for missile controller to maintain visual frame of reference, thus bomber could not take evasive actions from anti-aircraft fire or intercepting enemy aircrafts. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/MurmanskJadger/index.html

Pursuiter P-40C USAAF

2008-08-21T17:05:00.011-05:00

Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk fighter of US Army Air Corps, assigned to 8th Pursuit Group (Fighter), Mitchel Field - Long Island - New York, 1940. P-40s were also main frontline fighters defending US Philippine colony and Hawaii Pearl Harbor naval base when US entered WW2 in 1941. American national roundel of blue disc + white star + red dot was standard marking until mid-1942, along with large "US Army" inscription underneath its wings. Although P-40 had its WW2 fame with the AVG "Flying Tigers" in China and British RAF in North Africa, common postwar opinion held that aircraft was a good ground attack platform and medium-altitude interceptor. However, its in-line liquid-cooled engine lacked high-altitude performance, hence could not effectively engage in aerial dogfights against Axis fighters of that era. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Pursuiter/index.html

NewBlue Aggressor F-5E

2008-07-08T01:15:00.005-05:00

US Navy F-5E fighter of "Top Gun" aerial dogfight training school, painted in New Blue all-around Aggressor unit camouflage. F-5E selected for aggressor unit since their performance closely resembled Soviet-built Mig-21 fighters supplied to 3rd-world air forces. All-around camouflage patterns enable Aggressor fighters to blend into ground terrain during terse aerial maneuvers, thus offer slight concealment advantage. Previous OLD BLUE aggressor pattern followed traditional approach of camouflage upper aircraft surface with homogeneous painted under-side, this pattern demarcation enabled alerted opponents to note fighter flight position during aerial dogfight exercises. Another rationale for continual usage of F-5E in aggressor units is its operational cost, which is generally 60% less than F/A-18 fighter used in aggressor role. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/F5Aggressor/index.html

Agathon Babylon 5

2008-07-03T02:50:00.004-05:00

Babylon-5 Earth Alliance Theseus-class destroyer Agathon, assigned to 2nd Division "Marauding Minotaurs". In crash program to rapidly upgrade existing combat vessels to counter potential Thirdspace Alien invasion of Earth Alliance realm, the Bright Warrior Program Upgrades were initiated to ramp up weapons, shields, armor, sensors for ships powered by or capable of installing the gravitis drive system. Leveraging after-action combat reports from previous Earth-Minbari War, Theseus-class destroyers were upgrades from Omega-class destroyers with new weapons - engines - shields, increased firepower enabled both ship-to-ship engagements and planetary bombardments. First Theseus-class vessel named AGATHON, in line with Babylon-5 tradition of naming Earth Alliance capital ships with Greek mythological characters. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Agathon/index.html

Raupenschlepper Ost PAK40 Ostfront

2008-03-29T17:33:00.004-05:00

German Raupenschlepper Ost (RSO) or Crawler Transporter East, armed with 7.5cm Pak40 anti-tank gun, was one of various interim solutions to provide self-propelled artillery for frontline troops and augment them with anti-tank capability to prevent "Tank Panic" (collapse of defensive line due to German troops lack of weapons to destroy incoming enemy armor thrusts). Designated for Eastern Front combat to stem Soviet tank numerical superiority, it was excellent in concealed armor ambushes, but could not engage in dueling match with enemy tanks given its open fighting compartment. Crew was also vulnerable to light caliber enemy fire, along with ever vaunted enemy Jabo or Tieflieger (enemy aircraft strafing/bomb runs), hence RSO also armed with MG42 machine gun on pedestal mount for AAA defense. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/RSOpak40/index.html

Akatonbo K5Y1

2008-03-14T03:17:00.008-05:00

K5Y1 was Imperial Japan's flight trainer for both Army and Naval air arms. Designed in 1930s, it was generally painted bright orange to indicate its training status. Japan also used "Romaji" (Roman Characters, aka English alphabets) in their language. Hence "K" designation was given to all trainer aircrafts. On the plane, "K" is represented by Japanese Katakana character "Ka", thus plane "Ka-517" indicated Trainer 517. Japanese nicknamed the plane "Akatonbo" (red dragonfly) for its overall paint scheme. WW2 Allies found Japanese aircraft designations difficult to memorize, hence assigned English codenames with boy names referring to fighters, while girl names referenced bombers. K5Y1 Akatonbo was renamed "Willow" in Allied codebooks. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Akatonbo/index.html

Kampfpanzeren

2008-02-08T00:29:00.001-06:00

Kampfpanzeren (German for Battle Tanks), dual models depicting Leopard 1A1-A1 and Leopard 2 tanks of 1980s West Germany Bundeswehr (Federal Army). Leopard 1 was developed from failed French-German tank venture, it was first tank developed by West Germany in postwar era. Leopard 1A1-A1 Turmverkleidung (German for Turrent Layer), painted in dapple camouflage scheme, is special version with bolt-on applique armor around turret assembly. Leopard 2 developed in 1970s from failed US-Germany tank venture, armed with same 120mm gun as US M1 Abrams tank. Both Leopard tanks are extensively exported by Germany as part of lucrative arms trade to NATO and other European nations. Current military operations involving both Leopard tanks are SFOR operations in Bosnia, KFOR operations in Kosovo, and NATO mission in Afghanistan. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Kampfpanzeren/index.html

Parchinita P-47 FAV

2008-01-06T11:15:00.001-06:00

P-47D of FAV (Fuerza Aerea Venezolana for Venezuelan Air Force) during 1952 border dispute with Colombia over Los Monjes island region controlling shipping access and offshore oil deposit rights. P-47 was batch of WW2-era surplus fighters sold to Venezuela, fighter armed with 8@50-cal heavy machine guns and racks for 2@500-lb bombs. Gave plane "10-B-36" custom-designed "La Parchinita" (Spanish for Little Passion Fruit) fuselage art. Also used 1/48 and 1/72 concentric British RAF decals to create FAV roundel insignias. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Parchinita/index.html

Locutus StarTrek TNG

2007-11-25T12:48:00.001-06:00

Locutus : Borg assimilated Captain Jean-Luc Picard, from Star Trek The Next Generation TV series. At this time, Borg still assimilated by step-wised hardware integration at various stages. Hence reflected in gradual addition of hardware technology upon their enslaved humanoid subjects. Also, Picard's flesh tone changed to greyish demeanor as assimilation progressed. Borg are a pseudo race of cybernetic beings from Galactic Universe's Delta Quadrant. Their sole purpose for existence is forcible integration of knowledge and technology from conquered planets. Borg originally procreated in normal human fashion, their siblings began the immediate process of cyborg hardware integration. However, after successfully destroying the Federation fleet at Worf 359 battle (along with abduction of USS Enterprise Captain Picard), various Federation technology and personnel were captured, including nanotechnology. From that point onward, Borg assimilated captured populace by injecting nanoprobes directly into prisoners, thereby rapidly transforming their minds into automatons and bodies to seamlessly integrate Borg hardware augmentations. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Locutus/index.html

Kraftei Me-163

2007-10-13T13:15:00.002-05:00

Nicknamed Kraftei (German for Flying Egg or Powered Egg), Messerschmitt Me-163 was world first operational rocket fighter in WW2. With speed over 600mph, it was virtually impossible to intercept by US fighter pilots escorting its bomber formations deep inside Germany. Designed to be a high-endurance local-defense fighter, Me-163 was officially name "Komet" (Comet) and used volatile chemical mixture for propulsion, which made it dangerous to refuel and land the aircraft. Consuming fuel at enormous rates, it launched from close proximity German airbases to intercept incoming enemy bomber streams, but only had enough fuel for maximum 7-minute flight duration. Upon fuel exhaustion, it was compelled to land via unpowered glide mode. Armed with MK108 30mm cannons, it could bring down 4-engine bomber with only 3 hits. But with Komet speed nearing speed of sound, German pilots had great difficultly lining up target for the 3-second cannon burst. Komet depicted here also armed with 280mm aerial rockets, nestled next to landing skid, designed to scatter Allied "Combat Box" bomber formations to fragment its interlocking defensive fire. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Kraftei/index.html

Urban Assault Transport - Aliens II

2007-10-04T23:17:00.001-05:00

Urban Assault Transport (UAT), a updetailed M-577 Armored Personnel Carrier from 1986 movie "Aliens". Painted paramilitary police "blue", assigned to Federal Paramilitary Police of 3rd Constabulary District. Original Aliens APC was somewhat bland in exterior layout, thus used 1.35th armor and 1.48th aircraft model parts to enhance its profile. Details included : 1) Ballistic deflection fins on top turret, 2) Detailed phaser cannons and ammo fed chutes on top and front turrets, 3) NBC filtration system on roof, 4) Access hatch on roof and main door, 5) Twin roof-mounted grenade launcher tubes (projectiles fired from inside vehicle), 6) Large bogie wheels for off-road navigation, 7) Top turret able to move on railing to rear storage when transversing constricted overhead obstacles, 8) Toolsets such as shovel - wrench - pliers - armor jack, etc. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/UAT/index.html

Kurland Panther 1945

2007-09-16T22:08:00.001-05:00

German Panther Ausf A tank of 14th Panzer Division during operations in Kurland pocket, Baltic region from Sept 1944 to war's end in April 1945. Panther painted "Dirty White" camouflage to mimic yellowish tint on winter white-washed vehicles from prolonged operations in the field. Germans committed major military resources for Kurland defense for multiple reasons, including : 1) Saving as many German refugees as possible who were being massacred in-masse by advancing Soviet forces, 2) Use Baltic region as forward naval base to interdict Soviet naval forces from Gulf of Finland, 3) Tie down Soviet forces in Baltic that otherwise would have been redirected to final offensive against Germany. In all, Soviets launched 6 major offensives against Kurland, in which the Germans all successfully defeated until war's end. Model diorama depicts Verschnaufpause (German military term for Pause Between Battles) as Panther tank crew rearms with 75mm armor-piercing tank shells (indicated by its black cap). (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/KurlandPanther/index.html

NGN Mini

2007-08-03T23:38:00.000-05:00

BMW MINI Mark I, small roadster with superb handling given its low center of gravity and extended corner wheel arrangement. Auto's original design goes back to late-1950s when British market needed small fuel efficient vehicles to compensate for Middle East petroleum delivery shortages from 1956 Suez Canal Crisis (which block canal traffic for next 8 years). When BMW bought out British Rover auto manufacturer in 1990s, they redesign new retro MINI look which became phenomenal marcom hit. Model depicted is a MAISTRO die-cast model originally painted gloss green, it was striped down and repainted gloss black - white - chrome. Black-White racing stripes were measured and cut from decal stripes, then meticulously positioned. Recent BMW MINI concept cars include so-called Tokyo and Traveler concept, which are expanded body hatch-backs with lifestyle enhancement features such as swivel cup table, fold-out picnic serving platform, turret sun roof, articulated hatch-back doors. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/1-Wheel/BMWmini/index.html

2cm FLAK Vierling Helferen

2007-07-13T10:59:00.001-05:00

Kroastische FLAKhelferen (Croatian FLAK Helpers) was German title bestowed to Croatian auxiliary volunteers manning anti-aircraft weapon stations, covering static logistical targets throughout Germany (ex. transportation hubs, hydro-electric dams, assembly plants). Given Germany's chronic manpower shortage throughout WW2, these foreign volunteers (ex. Croatian, Belgian, French, Scandinavian) in Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, and Waffen-SS services were eagerly received despite German Nazi propaganda of Aryan racial superiority. Foreign volunteers differed on rationale for joining German cause, some joined for crusade against atheist Soviet Union (ex. Belgian volunteers), others dissolution with 1930s corruption scandals in democratic parlimentaries opted for a new Europe based on right-wing socio-economic dictatorship (ex. French volunteers). For WW2-era Croatia, she established full independence from Yugoslavia with Axis assistance in 1941 and carved out a large Balkan region to rule from until 1945. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/6-Misc/KroatFlakhelfer/index.html

H4 Hercules seaplane

2007-06-19T15:41:00.000-05:00

Officially titled H-4 Hercules, but commonly called Spruce Goose, seaplane was designed by American industrialist Howard Hughes during World War Two to transport up to 400,000 pounds of trans-Atlantic men-supplies-material to circumvent hugh losses suffered from German U-Boot submariner attacks upon Allied merchant convoys. Due to war material restrictions, H-4 primarily built from Birch wood, its critics charge the eight radial engines were underpowered for its trans-Atlantic task. Seaplane flew only once on 2 Nov 1947 during flight taxi trials in Long Beach-California harbor flying 70 feet above the water for about 1 mile. H-4 never flew again afterwards, but kept in pristine flying condition for next 30 years. Upon Hughes death in 1976, H-4 was first acquired in 1980 by California Aero Club, then the Walt Disney Corporation in 1988, to its current owner Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville-Oregon. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/H4Hercules/index.html

US Dogface at Normandy Vignette

2007-05-31T10:04:00.002-05:00

US 116th Infantry Regiment, its companies were first assault wave to hit OMAHA Beach on morning of D-Day 6 June 1944, Allied invasion of Normandy-France. 116th landed in Dog One sector of Normandy and ran smack into prepared defenses of German 352nd Infantry Division. Allied intelligence failed to detect deployment this combat-experience German division from Eastern Front in April 1944. Hence, instead of facing anticipated 4-battalion size enemy formation, Germans countered US 116th assault troopers with 8-battalion size combatants. Initial American assault wave suffered about 90% casualties, in all US took over 2,000 casaulties on OMAHA Beach. Despite Hollywood depictions of Omaha Beach landings, it actually made the least First-24-Hours significance to Normandy invasion contrasted with Americans at UTAH, and British/Canadians at SWORD, GOLD, JUNO beachheads. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/6-Misc/116thDogOne/index.html

Zwischenloesung Zwei Jagdpanzer IV

2007-04-24T22:01:00.012-05:00

Zwischenloesung Zwei (intermediate solution two)
Ersatzjagdpanzer IV 8.1cm auf Panzerabwehrwerfer (PAW) L/105 mit Infrarot-Scheinwerfer, or in English... German Experimental Tank Destroyer with 8.1cm L/105 length gun and Solution A&B Night-Fighting Infrared Scopes. This is a complete scratch-built model, customized components include : 1) Slope ballistic hull and surface details, 2) Gun mantle and travel lock, 3) Infra-red scopes for driver and commander, 4) Schurzen armor skirt mounts, 5) late-war tube-fan rear mufflers. Model depicts Jadgpanzer IV of German 25th Panzergrenadier Division in Operation Nordwind : counter-offensive against Allied sector in Alsace region of France, Jan 1945. Offensive aimed at drawing Allied pressure off Ardennes front in Belgium-Luxembourg-Germany area, and attempted to split US/French armies at Strasbourg-France along the Rhein river valley. This was the last German offensive in Western Europe. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Jpanzer4ersatz/index.html

Hollywood Tiger I

2007-04-01T00:23:00.001-05:00

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I Ausfrung E (Sd. Kfz. 181)

Hollywood Panzer
Model owner requested Tiger model be painted in stereotypical Hollywood war movie depictions of 1960s and 1970s. 1.35th 1970s-era Tamiya model kit, built straight from the box with slight modifications for feature enhancements, air brushed in acrylic Panzer Grey, weathered with Black enamel paint. Panzer crew figures came from 1.35th Tamiya King Tiger kit, their uniforms painted in dapple Spring camouflage pattern of Forest Green, Tan, and Military Brown enamels. Tiger model assigned ad-hoc markings such as turret stylized-S shield for Panzer Regiment "Schneider", 1st SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte" shield on front glacis, white Kill Rings on gun barrel, vehicle number 223 for 2nd Company – 2nd Platoon – 3rd vehicle. Although Germans produced other powerful tanks in World War 2 (ex. King Tiger, Panther, Jadgtiger, Maus), impression of German Tiger tanks are deeply ingrained in American postwar psyche. Allegedly, this originated when American troops encountered Tiger tanks during 1943 North African campaign in Tunisia. Upon examining Tiger's 88mm gun and barrel length in comparison to somewhat puny 75mm gun of US M4 Sherman tanks, one US GI lamented "Dang ! (the gun) it's as long as a telephone pole". German 88mm guns were initially introduced as towed anti-aircraft artillery to shoot down high-altitude bombers, but became excellent anti-tank weapons during late-1930s Spanish Civil War. Hence, by World War 2, 88mm gun's awesome firepower was mounted onto Tiger tanks. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/HollywoodTiger/index.html

Sturmgeschutz III Ostfront 1944

2007-02-14T17:25:00.001-06:00

Sturmgeschutz III, Heeres-Sturmartillerie-Brigade 667, Heeresgruppe Mitte, Ostfront, June 1944

Osten Stug
German Army Assault Gun Brigade 667, engaged in massive battles in Russia and Byelorussia against great Soviet Summer Offensive (Operation Bagration) of June 1944. 1.35 scale 1970s-era TAMIYA model kit, painted in shades of beige, dark earth, and black. Multitude of German formations were destroyed during their mass retreat, resulting in collapse of German Army Group Center, thus enabled Soviets to encircle German forces in northern Baltic Kurland region, and launch offensive against Axis oil fields in Romania. Incessant debate continues to this day over which power really won World War II, be it western Allies via Normandy D-Day invasion or Soviet Bagration offensive. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Stug3/index.html

F4F-3 Wildcat Torch Landings 1942

2006-12-29T03:34:00.001-06:00

F4F-3 Wildcat fighter, VF-9 US Navy Squadron, Operation Torch (French North Africa invasion), Nov. 1942

African Wildcat
US Navy F4F-3 "Wildcat" fighter of VF-9 Fighter Squadron engaged in first American European theater offensive Operation Torch : Nov. 1942 invasion of French North Africa. 1.48 1970s-era Monogram F4F model kit, painted upper navy grey and bottom gull sea grey. Large yellow rings around US national insignia part of invasion marking for easy aerial recognition since majority of US servicemen were "green" and tended to shot at any aerial target before proper identification. Success of Allied invasion fragmented pro-German Vichy French forces, some joined Allied cause, others remained loyal to Vichy France. It also enabled Allies to pincer Axis forces into Tunisia - North Africa, with Americans advancing from west and British advancing from east. Axis forces collapsed and surrendered in-masse by Summer 1943. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/AfricanWildcat/index.html

Additional info in model page
- US F4F Wildcat and UK Fleet Air Arm Martlet fighter development
- American and British escort carrier development
- Operation Torch - Allied invasion of French North Africa, Nov 1942
- Vichy France and French volunteers in German armed forces
- Etymological analysis of PoonTang and Shufti Cush
- Battle off Samar Island, Philippines, Oct 1944
- WW2 PC game recommendation

Sturmpanzer IV diorama Anzio 1944

2006-12-17T03:55:00.001-06:00

Sturmpanzer IV infantry assault gun, German 216th Sturmpanzerabteilung, Anzio - Italy 1944

Italia Stupa
Sturmpanzer IV (nicknamed Stupa) self-propelled infantry assault gun of German 26th Panzer Division during counter-offensive against Allied invasion force at Italian Anzio beachhead, Spring 1944. 1.35 1980s-era TAMIYA model kit, airbrushed in African Yellow base color with crisscrossing Forest Green lines. Also was first time I used modeling putty to create parallel Zimmerit lines on hull surface used to prevent attachment of enemy magnetic anti-tank mines. With harsh lessons from 1942-1943 Stalingrad street battles in Soviet Union, Germans armed Stupa with low velocity 150mm howitzer designed for urban combat in destroying multi-storied buildings and city blocks. Allied Anzio offensive was suppose to outflank and trap bulk of German forces in central Italy, but faulty execution and conservative ground leadership resulted in entire invasion force being trapped in narrow beachhead for 4 months as Germans launched multi-pronged counter-offensives, only Allied air power and offshore naval batteries prevented full military catastrophe. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Stupa/index.html

Additional info in model page
- Sturmpanzer development Panzer I thru Panzer IV chassis
- 1944-1945 Allied Italian campaign
- German Zimmerit (ceramic paste) and Schurzen (armor skirts) usage
- Perception of Italy as major Axis power
- WW2 PC game recommendation

CVA-63 The Battle Cat carrier

2006-12-11T15:42:00.001-06:00

CVA-63 USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier, mid-1960s era with A-4, F-4, and A-3 jets

Battle Cat | Shitty Kitty | Chicken Hawk...
1960s-era USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) attack carrier with full complement of fighters and long range twin-engine bombers capable of carrying nuclear ordnances. By 1970s with advancement of intercontinental and submariner ballistic missiles, attack carrier concept were phased out, and anti-submarine warfare capabilities incorporated, thus carrier designation changed to CV-63. Being conventionally powered, it is the only forward deployed US carrier located in Yokosuka-Japan conforming to postwar Japan ban on transit or stationing of nuclear powered transports or weapons on her soil. Nevertheless, with Japan vying for a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council since 1990s, she needs US sponsorship to advance this cause. This desire probably influenced the signing of a new treaty in early 2000s whereby US nuclear-power carrier USS Independence will replace Kitty Hawk upon latter retirement by 2009. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/5-Naval/KittyHawk/index.html

Spitfire Mk II Dunkirk 1940

2006-09-20T23:16:00.001-05:00

Spitfire Mk II (Rhubarb), RAF No.54 Squadron, Dunkirk Evacuation-France 1940

White-Night Rhubarb
Spitfire Mk II of British Royal Air Force No.54 squadron during cross-channel evacuation of encircled British and French forces at Dunkirk-France, May 1940. 1.48 1990s-era Monogram model kit, upper painted in RAF hard edge patterns of medium brown and dark green, bottom painted solid white and black partition for ease of air and ground recognition. Depicted Spitfire KL-N fighter model piloted by Commonwealth Pilot Officer Colin Gray from New Zealand, scoring his first victory on 24 May 1940 over Dunkirk beachhead. About 350,000 British and French soldiers were rescued during week-long operation, but all their heavy equipments were lost. Rescue efforts gave significant boost to sagging Allied morale at that time. Nevertheless, French lost about 700,000 soldiers (killed, wounded, captured) during month-long German Blitzkrieg. A peculiarity was significant numbers of rescued French soldiers insisted on returning to German-occupied France by Summer 1940, and either joined pro-German Vichy France forces or became German POWs. (photo & link info below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/DunkirkRhubarb/index.html

Panzerkampfwagen IV ausf F1 Ostfront 1942

2006-08-18T11:12:00.001-05:00

Panzerkampfwagen IV ausf F1, 3rd Panzer Division "Berlin Bear", Ukraine-Caucasus regions 1942.

Deutschen Workhorse
German Panzer IV tank of 3rd Panzer Division during its Army Group South offensive into southern Soviet Union regions of Ukraine and Caucasus, 1942. Painted in standard Panzer Grey, a typical depiction of German armor camouflage from 1935 to 1943. 1.35 1970s-era Italeri model kit, air brushed Panzer Grey, weathered with Black and Tan enamel paints. 3rd Panzer Division was formed in Berlin-Germany, hence adopted the "Berlin Bear" insignia. With sudden Ostfront (Eastern Front) stalemate on central region at Moscow in Dec. 1941, Germans shifted their 1942 offensive into southern region to control Ukrainian wheat production and Caucasus oil fields. Nov. 1942 saw 3rd Panzer Division advanced as far as Grozny in Caucasus region, where it suffered major losses repelling Soviet counter attacks. This problem compounded by Soviet encirclement of German army at Stalingrad, thus fearing encirclement itself, all German forces in Caucasus region hastily retreated eastward across Don river at Rostov city to establish new defensive lines. Germans never regained territories lost in this region. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Panzer4F1/index.html

Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer ambush camo Normandy 1944

2006-07-19T00:24:00.001-05:00

Jagdpanzer 38 Hetzer tank destroyer, SS-Frundsburg division, Normandy 1944.

Licht und Schatten Tarung (light and shadow camouflage)
German Hetzer tank destroyer, painted in dapple camouflage pattern to mimick blending of tree shadows. With Hetzer compact size for concealment, it excelled at armor ambushes. 1.35 1980s-era Italeri model kit, brush painted dapple camouflage by hand via enamel paints of Forest Green, African Yellow, Dark Brown. Model depicts Jagdpanzer (tank destroyer) of 10th SS Panzer Division Frundsburg counter-attacking British forces at Vire-Normandy, August 1944. By this time, Allied offensive was about to pincer German Army in Normandy, desperate to save off pending catastrophe, Germans fought incessant rear guard actions to hold eastward escape corridors. SS-Frundsburg was one of those units that secured the escape routes, thus saving off complete military collapse in Westfront (western front). (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Hetzer/index.html

Hawker Typhoon Channel Stop Ops 1942-44

2006-07-08T22:39:00.001-05:00

Hawker Typhoon fighter, British RAF No. 198 Squadron, CHANNEL STOP operations 1942-1944.

Channel Stop Tiffy
British Royal Air Force Typhoon ground-attack fighter of No.198 Squadron during English Channel shipping interdiction sorties, 1942-1944. 1.48 1990s-era Hasegawa model kit, upper brush painted medium grey and forest green, bottom airbrushed light grey. Given Typhoon's shape, some British pilots mistaken it to be German Fw-190 fighters. Operating close to ground, some British anti-aircraft batteries mistaken it to be low-level German aerial assaults. Therefore, black and white stripes were painted underneath both wings and fuselage for ease of aerial and ground recognition (pattern was slightly different from 1944 Normandy D-Day invasion stripes). Typhoon armed with eight 3-inch U-rockets on launch rails, with armor piercing warheads these rockets were quite effective against both ships and tanks. However, rocket launch rails disrupted Typhoon maneuver, hence its pilots tended to fire all rockets in single volley to rectify performance nuisance. In resolving this problem, rocket launch rails replaced with wing stubs by late war period. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Tiffy/index.html

P-51 Swiss Mustang Postwar 1950

2006-06-21T02:21:00.001-05:00

P-51 Mustang, Flight Evaluation, Switzerland 1950

schweizer Mustang
Pristine P-51 Mustang of J-901 Evaluationexemplar (fighter evaluation) squadron, Schweizer Flugwaffe (Swiss Air Force), early-1950s. Switzerland maintained strict neutrality during World War 2, and defended her air space against both encroaching German and American aircrafts. She interned a motley crew of foreign aircrafts during the war, from rudimentary US Piper Cub observation plane to advanced German Me-110G radar-equipped night fighter. With war's end, Swiss purchased surplus batch P-51 fighters from Sweden and evaluated its performance to fully equip her fighter squadrons. 1.48 1990s-era Revell Mustang model kit, entire plane spray painted metallic, weathered with black enamel. Swiss national markings were custom designed, red area airbrushed with red acrylic, white cross decal came from World War 2 Hungarian air force insignia (they used white cross on black square, contrasted with Swiss using white cross on red square). Two notable Swiss events during the war were Allied bombing of northern swiss city of Schaffhausen, and internment of German Me-110 night fighter with latest aerial interdiction avionics. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/SwissMustang/index.html

SOBE Mobile Suit Patlabor

2006-06-15T13:32:00.001-05:00

SOBE Mobirusutsu : Special Operations Battle Echelon (SOBE) Mobile Suit

Sobe Mobirusutsu
Title is transliterated Japanese phonetic of Sobe Mobile Suit. Sobe is a personal nickname of model collector, but in this instance I was able to translated into acronym for Special Operations Battle Echelon (S.O.B.E). Model kit is 1.60th Patlabor Alphonse Special Shinohara AV-98 Ingram mobile suit. Model airbrushed Navy Blue for police & paramilitary colors, weathered with Burgundy enamel paint. Model display base came from discarded Dell awards plaque (recipient no longer needed accolade, hence donated for more utilitarian cause). (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Sobesuite/index.html

Horch PKW 2cm FLAK30 transporter Ostfront 1941

2006-05-31T00:57:00.006-05:00

Horch PKW transporter with 2cm FLAK30 gun, Operation Barbarossa, June 1941

Horch nach Ost (Horch onward to the East)
German PKW transport with 2cm FLAK30 anti-aircraft gun of Luftwaffe's Hermann Goering Regiment during commencement of Operation Barbarossa : German invasion of Soviet Union, June 1941. Hermann Goering Regiment was under Luftwaffe (German Air Force) jurisdiction, hence carried honorific title of its commander Reichsmarshal Hermann Goering. Lessons from 1939-1940 campaigns in Poland, Low Countries, France, Denmark, and Norway shown that self-propelled anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns were more effective since it was already deployed for action (contrasted with towed gun versions which had to be unhitched for action).

Thus Germans either mounted guns onto existing vehicle chassis in the field or produced modified variants in assembly lines. Initial 1941 German offensive into Soviet Union was a staggering success, with massive pincers and encirclements, resulting in nearly one million Soviet causalities (killed, wounded, POW).

Unbeknown to Germans, Soviets had about 14 million men in reserves versus 3 million men deployed by Germans and her Axis allies. Germans would face chronic manpower shortage throughout the war, especially in Ostfront. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/1-Wheel/HorchFlak30/index.html

Einzelkampfer Vignette Tank Hunter Hungary 1945

2006-05-25T01:22:00.002-05:00

Einzelkampfer : Waffen-SS tank hunting infantrymen, Budapest Hungary 1945

Einzelkampfer (Single Combatant)
German Panzergrenadier (armored infantryman) in winter outfit with dapple fall camouflage pattern during Operation Spring Awakening : German counter-offensive to relieve Soviet siege of Budapest-Hungary, Spring 1945. This was the last German offensive in World War 2, aimed at securing Budapest were 70,000 German and Hungarian soldiers were encircled, also to protect Reich's last oil fields in Hungary's Lake Balaton region. 1.35th 1980s-era Tamiya FLAK model figure and 1.35th 1990s-era Tamiya cat, hand brushed fall dapple camouflage pattern via military brown, dark earth, and tan enamel paints. This was my first vignette (small diorama scene), scratch-built the telephone phone, cobble-stone ground, terrain from baking soda, and fence. Panzergrenadier armed with iconic late-war German weapons of Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle and Panzerfaust (anti-tank grenade launcher). All modern assault rifles can derive their basic usability principle to World War 2-era Sturmgewehr 44. As for man-portable anti-tank weaponry, Panzerfaust used explosive concussion to throw-out the warhead to a limited range, modern systems utilize rocket-propelled warhead for extended range (akin to US Bazooka weapon). (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/6-Misc/Einzelkampfer/index.html

F4U Corsair VMF-323 Korea 1950

2006-05-24T00:52:00.001-05:00

F4U Corsair, VMF-323 US Marine Squadron, Chosin Resorvoir battles - Korean War, Winter 1950

Chosin Snake Eyes
US Marine Squadron VMF-323 Corsair fighter "White-11", supporting US 1st Marine Division strategic withdraw from Chosin Reservoir-North Korea, Nov. 1950. VMF-323 painted large rattle snake insignia on engine cowling, in reference to squadron nickname "The Death Rattlers". 1.48th 1980s-era Monogram model kit, hand brush painted acrylic Navy Blue, weathered with brushed-on Black pastel chalk. Stunning US military reversal in Korean War of late 1950 still resonate to this day when 250,000 Communist Chinese "volunteer" troops crossed the border and engaged US/UN forces. Various catastrophe beset Allied forces, in western Korean US/UN forces began longest retreat in US history covering nearly 100 miles before establishing new defensive lines. In eastern Korea, story was even more bleak, US Task Force Faith in eastern Chosin Reservoir was encircled and virtually wiped (situation was such that command structure collapsed resulting in every man for himself mentality), in southern Chosin sector, US/UK relief force ambushed by Communist resulting about 100 Allied POWs. Only in western Chosin sector, US 1st Marine Division maintained command structure and discipline to escape encirclement. Hence, this Marine withdrawal story is most ably recited in US history concerning Korean War. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/3-Aerial/Corsair/index.html

Mia Sharona Judge Dredd

2006-05-16T01:01:00.001-05:00

Major Mia Sharona, "Oni" Assault Regiment

Converted from Judge Anderson model kit in Judge Dredd movie/comic book series, 1.9th Tsukuda Hobby model kit, hand brush painted in enamel Navy Blue, Black, and Gold. Model molded in vinyl (which may sag after a duration), hence filled interior with plaster to maintain form. This was my first "Lady" model, thus consulted Cosmopolitan magazine and 1980s-era Patrick Nagel artwork to gauge women cosmetic preferences. Model figure surface accentuated with lady's psyche, used dry brush technique to emphasize these features. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Sharona/index.html

T800 Endoskeleton Terminator

2006-05-15T00:40:00.001-05:00

Cyberdyne T-800 Endoskeleton, Terminator movie series

Model built straight from the box with customized display base. Cyberdyne Endoskeleton iconic cyborg weapon from Terminator movie series, designed as final solution to eradicate mankind akin to "Blade Runner"-style dark future genre. Cyborg can mimic human behavior for infiltration assaults. 1.16th Tsukuda Hobby model kit, hand brush painted Chrome Metallic, weathered Black enamel paints. 1.35th Brick set used as debris field on display base. (photo & info link below)

http://www.uwemilitaria.org/4-Scifi/Terminator/index.html

M1A1 Abrams w/ Mine Plough Persian Gulf War 1991

2006-05-15T00:18:00.002-05:00

M1A1 Abrams tank with 120mm gun and armor plough.
Operation "Desert Storm", US 1st Armored Division, Gulf War, Feburary 1991.

Desert Yank
Abrams tank of US 1st Armored Division in 1991 Gulf War. 1.35th 1990s Tamiya tank model kit, 1.35th 1990s DML armor plough, air brushed with acrylic Desert Beige, weathered with Military Brown enamel paints. Tank crewmen from Tamiya and DML model kits, both hand brush painted in "Chocolate Chip" desert camouflage pattern or desert tan, military brown, black, and white enamel paints. Dubbed 100-hour War, Allied ground forces executed left-flank pincer to trap Iraqi forces in Kuwait. First modern Persian Gulf conflict was 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War when Iraqi forces launched invasion of Iran for quick land grab of her oil-rich territories, resulted in 8 years of warfare. Second conflict was 1990-1991 Gulf War when Iraq launched invasion of Kuwait ostensibly to annex regional control of gulf oil terminals. Third conflict was 2003 Iraq War when US launched invasion to topple Iraqi regime and eliminate terrorist refuge and training bases. (photo & info link below)

http://uwemilitaria.org/2-Track/Abrams/index.html