Volvo c303 Tbg11 - Gecko Kit Review

 Volvo c303 Tbg11 - Gecko Kit Review 

Gecko Heavy Industries Volvo C303 TGB11

I purchased this beast earlier in the year when I started formulating a plan to conduct a Cold War wargaming event at French Wargame Holidays, this lead to our “Whisky on the Rocks” event being organized for October 4-7th 2024. 

This also means I need to build some Swedish Army vehicles for my Cold War Collection. Soft skins are a bit of a challenge, particularly the Volvo series of vehicles. So whilst perusing the web I stumbled upon the Gecko offering and duly purchased it along with a few other Swedish specific pieces. 

On first glance the kit is well cast in soft grey resin with two parts in clear resin. Removal from the sprue was done with ease for the grey parts however the clear was a tough job and I had to use my saw blade to remove the sprue from the main body, this was a challenge as the clear plastic was tough…. 

Assembly required hot water to straighten some pieces, the frame and suspension required quite a bit of work to straighten before I glued the frame. The clear resin is very disappointing and I cannot in anyway say that it is satisfactory, I think I shall paint the entire vehicle then add glass effect rather than mask it up and hope that it is translucent. 

Positives the kit looks like the vehicle but lacks fine detail for such a pricey kit €22 from Panzerfux. The instructions are basic with no images, but simple enough to work out. 

Negatives

Annoying small bubbles on the cabin and the solid clear resin body was problematic fitting and cutting, taking more than an hour of clean up fully. I do note that this was Gecko Industries earliest model and the later kits have separate clear parts. 

Overall a 7 out of ten kit. I plan to get some paint on it next week. 

The kit removed from sprue, note the alignment on the chassis 

Note the huge sprue knob on the clear cast resin 

Piece removed, then wet and dry to smooth to level, a good hour of work 

Cheers

Matt 

Praga 53/59/70 30mm Anti Aircraft gun - NB models kit 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. 

A very crisp 3d print with very little clean up, a bit of light filing and sanding where the supports were, predominately on the underside of the pieces and on the back of the Gun. A little sanding and it was ready to assemble. Assembly was simple and straight forward and  every thing nicely together with no problems, I used super glue gel for assembly giving me time to square up wheels and the gun assembly.

My only critiques are, I would of liked the tyre treads on the wheels to be more detailed, a posable gun for the deployed AA role with removable and spare ammunition drums plus the racks and finally the crew compartment to be open so I could add crew, a gunner and loaders. 

I will mount this on a base to prevent it being knocked about whilst it is on the game table as I can see the mirrors and rear steps becoming detached quickly.  I also left off the clear canopy for painting as it can easily be placed after painting. One will join my Egyptians the other my Iraqis, and I will possibly get them painted before Christmas! 

The Praga 53/59 NB models kit fully laid out, a very crisp kit

Cabin detail is excellent, a few delicate parts…. A few bits to clean up but overall great

The NB models Praga 53/59 Guns and cabin front, the light mounts and mirrors are superb

NB models Praga cabin side, the tools are superb, as are the lights, handles and mirror

The Armoured glass cupola and gun sight…. 

Cheers

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 

Terrain Tuesday - Desert terrain part two

 Desert terrain 

Last week as the Yom Kippur War bug continues to bite I completed some desert shrub foliage cover pieces that could be used for both 20mm and 28mm. Simple mdf base with coir hair mat and, home made tufts and some noch shrub. Quite effective and happy with the result, 30 odd more to come once I make some new tufts in the coming week or so. 

Desert tufts 

Cheers

Matt

Scenario Wriezen, 16th April 1945

 Scenario Wriezen, 16th -17th April 1945 

First Belorussian and First Ukrainian Fronts attacked before dawn on 16 April. The First Belorussian Front, the stronger of the two armies also had by far the tougher assignment. Its main force, deployed in a 20-mile sector between Wriezen and Seelow, had to cross the marshy bottomland of the Oder and Alte Oder and take the Seelow Heights. 

The attack, began in darkness, was intended to achieve surprise, and batteries of powerful searchlights had been positioned to illuminate the German line and blind the defenders. The Russian infantry moved out behind a shattering artillery preparation, but the lights did not have the expected effect. In the mud, smoke, and darkness the waves of infantry piled up on each other. By daylight, the confusion was complete. The Russians were lucky that the Germans failed to appreciate what had happened.

The 47th Soviet Army virtually destroyed the 606th Wehrmacht infantry division, formed only 5 days earlier on the 11th of April

 Elements of the Soviet heavy tank regiments broke through defences along the Wriezen-Thoringswerder-alt Lewin Highway. Kampfgruppe 1001 nights were thrown into the breach to hold and pinch off the breakthrough. 

This scenario is a medium-sized high-paced heavy-metal scenario featuring IS-2 tanks and SU-152 assault guns trying to break through a line held by SS Paratroopers, Hetzer tank destroyers and a lone '88'. German reinforcements, in the form of elements of Albert Speer's personal escort battalion, appear mid-game.

The Kampfgruppe 1001 nights was formed into three combat formations

Commander 

Major Gustav-Adolf Blancbois

Staff car CO x 1

Radio car

Gruppe Suleika 

560th SS tank destroyer Battalion

Commanded by Sturmbannfuhrer Wost

Hq company sturmgesschutze III, bergepanzer iii recovery

• 1st Jagdpanzer-Kompanien 2 Jagpanzer Hetzer  
• 2nd Jagdpanzer-Kompanien 2 Jagpanzer Hetzer  
• 3rd Jagdpanzer-Kompanien 2 Jagpanzer Hetzer 
• 1 Sturmgeschutze III,  (from 27th Friewillgen-grenadier-regiment Langemarcke) 

600th SS fallschirmjager 

Hq Kompanie Kommamder Fritz Leiheit co +4 panzerschrek 

• 1 Kompanie 8 figures in Wehrmacht smocks. 2 x Panzer Faust 
• 1st jager coy 6 figures cycles Panzer Faust 
• Support coy 75mm LG recoilless, kettengrad 3 figs

Gruppe Harem

Panzer-Aufklarungs-Abteilung Speer (arrive turn 5)

• Motorcycle and kettengrad company 8 figures (RAD uniform)(escort coy of Albrecht Speer)
• Armoured car coy 1 x Sd.Kfz 231/17 75mm gun 3 crew, 1 x 251 drilling mount 3 crew
• Infantry coy 8 figs, cycles 
• Anti Tank platoon Pak40, OST tractor 3 rad crew

Sultan

Marschregiment 2 possibly in Panzer Wraps from V2 sites and training companies

Hq co +5 panzerschrek , 5cm leGrW 36 mortar.

• 1 Schutzen-Kompanie panzerfaust 8 figs
• 2 Schutzen-Kompanie panzerfaust 8 figs
• 3 Schutzen-Kompanie  panzerfaust 8 figs
• 13 coy 2x MMG, 1 x 81mm mortar

Heeres-Flak-Artillerie-Abteilung 292

Flak 8.8cm 6 crew no tractor. 

Sdkfz 7/1 2cm flak 4 crew

Russian Army
47th Army Assault Brigade

70th Independent Guards Heavy Tank Regiment, 47th Army, 1st Belorussian Front; 334th Guards Heavy Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment and 125th Rifle Corps, 47th Army)

ISU-152 x 5

BA-64B
IS-2 x 5

8 SMG
8 SMG
8
8
8
8
1x White Scout car

CO+3 8
CO+3 SMG 8 SMG
CO+3 8
CO+3 8
1x Maxim HMG 1x Zis 3 75mm pak
1x Maxim HMG 1x Zis 3 75mm pak
1x Maxim HMG
1x Jeep
1x Jeep
1x 81 mm mortar 1x Jeep
1x 81 mm mortar 1x Jeep
1x 81 mm mortar

3° Battalion HQ Cp
1° cp
2° cp

3rd Heavy Weapons Company

Artillery Battalion 1st Company

HQ Co +5 radio truck 

FO +1 Jeep

Tank Regiment 

HQ Company
1x T34/85 
3x T34/85 
3x T34/85 
3x T34/85 

Heavy Tank company 

2x Js2

Tank destroyer Regiment HQ Cp
1° cp 2x SU 85
2° cp

CO + 3 8
8
8

FO + 1

1x Maxim HMG 1x Zis 3 75mm pak

Russian Armour 

2x ISU 152 
2x ISU 152

4x SU85

1x 81 mm mortar 1x Jeep
1x Jeep
1x Zis 3 75mm pak

1x Jeep

Air support 

1x Stormovich IL27

Ville Mayenne bombing 1944 Part 1

 Ville Mayenne 1944

As I commence my Ville Mayenne build I wanted to look at the buildings that were destroyed by allied bombing during the preparation and during the landings so I could add them to my build. The archives here have a number of useful photos I thought I would add. Also some before and after shots of the area I want to build. This post is more of an overview, the follow post will more in detail to the Ville. 

Ville Mayenne, at the top is the German barracks and the route to Oisseau and the radar station 

A close up of the two road bridges, on the left is the Basilica bridge, on the right is the bridge in front of The Grand Hotel now known as the McCracken bridge.

Bombing in June 1944 on the south east bank of the river,the absolutely hammered section is the railway station and stock yards 

Looking from McCracken bridge towards the renaissance bridge in the foreground and the railway viaduct in the background. Both were demolished by the Germans after the breakout occurred at Avaranches on the 2nd of August.

This photo really shows the depth of the embankment looking at the basilica of Norte Dame in the background, just to the left was the renaissance bridge and too the right about 100m is the McCracken bridge. 

Facing southeast the bridge to the right is the McCracken bridge, in the foreground are the lavoir and former water Mill, in the background is the edge of the Military hospital. The bridge had 6 500lb bombs strapped under the arches by the Germans in preparation to destruction. 

The Hospice, further upstream from the McCracken bridge, the former Moulin was full of refugees at the time of the bombing of the city by American aircraft in June. 

The Railway Viaduct, designed by Gustavo Eiffel, destroyed by the Germans in August 44, below this you can see the weir. Opposite are the gate keepers house and a Floch Maison behind had a German garrison, which was captured on the 5th of August by members of the 90th inf division.  

The Basilica of Notre Dame des Miracles, many of the medieval buildings were damaged or destroyed by the bombing in June, to the left is the chateau, the forked road to the left goes up to the marketplace 

The Carolingian Chateau of Mayenne, it was being used as a transit prison for German forced labour, to the right is the Basilica 

A photo from the 60’s, however a good view of the south east bank staging area for the linen barges 

Photos of the damaged Basilica from the June 44 bombing

The damaged church at the hospital, the hospital and hospice had more than 300 casualties from the bombing in June 44

The damaged railway Viaduct, looking back towards the city side of the river 

The flattened railway switch yards 

The route to Aaron, much of the fighting between the 5th and 13th of August occurred in the southeastern part of the city 

Another view of the switch yards, the line to the right went over the viaduct 

A view back towards McCracken bridge North toward the Barracks and the route to Oisseau, Ernée, Fougeres after the city was taken, three 88mm guns defended the south eastern side of the river along with two flak 20mm.

Next installment will be the city streets and some more photos from the fighting. 

Cheers

Matt

Terrain Tuesday- desert Terrain part 1

  

 Sinai terrain

While I do have a collection of terrain pieces for my desert games I have very little in the way of 20th century type pieces for towns etc except for my Iraq thunder run table bits (jersey barriers and buildings and a few trees). 

I did have some Street lights and palms laying around in stock with part built I had started for city entry pieces, these pieces have been part finished for some time but originally was only going to be palms for my Iraqi war table, however by adding the lights give it more of a 20th century look. 

A collection of small trees, I cut some of the stumps so they were not all the same heights.

Cheers

Matt