Tuesday 21 September 2010

152 reasons to be wary of Russian tanks

Bar the crazy, multi-turreted T-35 land-tank the KV-2 has got to be the front runner as the strangest Russian tank (early war?). To call it a "tank" may be stretching its definition as it was primarily a 152mm "Bunker Buster", Like certain WWI dreadnoughts (HMS Agincourt and the Invincible/Super-Invincible class battle cruisers come to mind) it could run into trouble if it discharged a broadside without being first firmly footed.


A behemoth it truly was.

Tip: If you are a small (20mm, 1/72 or 1/76) plastic/metal German wargame infantryman and you can read the writing on the side of the KV-2 then you are too probably close (Teller mine in hand or not).

Destruction of fortifications like the Finnish Mannerheim Line are its true purpose in life, but its mere existence scared the pants off the German Panzerwaffe in 1941. Encountered during the opening phases of Operation Barbarossa it corrected the false German belief in that the Panzer IV F1 was a true "heavy" tank.


This is the 1/76 Fujimi kit, bought fifteen years ago in Aberdeen, gradually built and painted in fits and starts. I will have to turn my recent "bare plastic" kits into a form like the above (note: even decals). I still like it and think it holds it own after despite its modelling age.

PS I thought one these was more than enough for any wargame army but I notice Paul from Plastic Warriors has a troop of three!

6 comments:

Tim Gow said...

Even I only have one 20mm KV-2 - also the Fujimi kit. Oh, and there's the one I haven't built yet...

Tim

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

That'll be a reserve then!

Thanos said...

Great paint job, in a terrifying piece of metal!
I am thinking of buying the Pegasus ones! They look good!

T.

Paul said...

Mate, I truly agree with your comments reguardind this wonderful beastie.

One is never enough for the true hoarder, two is getting there, but three has a magic all of it's own! Hmmm maybe I have four now I come to think of it...

Tim Gow said...

My KV-2 represents a battalion though (in Megablitz), so I have more than any of you - victory is mine (cue manic laughter). Tim

Al said...

x2 myself, good post mate