The OTR-23 Oka, SS-23 in NATO nomenclature, was a mobile theatre ballistic missile deployed from 1980 by the Soviet Union to replace the SS-1C Scud B. A significant amelioration from the latter, with greater range, better accuracy and a fast reaction time, the Oka operational life was nevertheless limited due to the ratification in December 1987 of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Treaty) prohibiting ground-launched ballistic missiles with ranges of 500-5000 km.
The kit is the recent HobbyBoss one. I really like the "bad ass" look of the PU 9P71 launch vehicle based on the amphibious BAZ-6944 and I think that the HobbyBoss kit gives a very good representation of it without being to complex to build. I think a will build a little diorama to display the vehicle latter... when I find the time... (made 2021)
The Aérospatiale Alouette II is French produced light helicopter. First production helicopters powered by a gas turbine, the Alouette II was widely used and very popular, more tan 1300 exemplars being produced between 1956 and 1975. Between 1959 and 1967, the Belgian Army acquired a total of 81 Alouette II. They were utilised in liaison and reconnaissance duties. The last one was finally retired in 2009.
The model is a repainted diecast one from Amercon. (made 2014)
Just arrived from Russia, a very nice, but quite expensive BMP-1KSh from Ogurets Projekt
Finished building a few days ago two ongoing projects : a M901 Hammerhead from Esci and a BREM-1 conversion from ModellTrans
Between 1978 and 1980, the West German Bundeswehr upgraded 650 of their M48 to M48A2G2 version, the main difference being the fitting of the L7A3 105 mm gun of the Leopard 1, smoke grenade launchers and new MTU 871 Diesel engine. With the Leopard 2 entering service, the M48A2G2 were cascaded from regular units to Territorial Army Brigades (Heimatschutzbrigaden).
The kit is the Revell one, a little old and simplified but the only on in this scale. (made 2019)
The Flakpanzer Gepard is an all-weather capable West German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Based on a slightly modified chassis of Leopard 1, the Gepard is equipped with a large fully rotating turret carrying a pair of 35 mm Oerlikon auto cannons and 2 radar dishes, a general search radar and a tracking radar. It entered service with the Bundeswehr in 1976. The Belgian Army acquired 55 exemplar between 1978 and 1980.
