MT-LB (East Germany)

The MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose amphibious armoured tracked vehicle which entered production in the early 1970s. Cheap and easy to build, the MT-LB is crewed by a driver and a commander/gunner sitting in a front compartment and can carry 11 infantry or 2,000 kg of cargo in its rear compartment. 6,500 kg can also be towed. Lightly armoured against small arms and shell splinters and armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun in a small turret, the MT-LB is available in a great number of specialised versions.The East German army was equipped with 721 MT-LB license produced in Bulgaria. They were especially used as artillery tractor for the MT-12 anti-tank gun.

The model is the fantastic 3D print from Red Tank Miniature. A really great model that give finally a decent 1/72 scale representation of this ubiquitous vehicle. It is only the first part of my project as I intend to scratchbuild a MT-12 antitank gun on the base of the S&S Models very simplified one. More in 2022. (made 2021)

Land Rover serie III 109 inch (UK)

An evolution of the iconic Land Rover British off-road vehicles produced since 1948, the series III is the most common of the different models with 440,000 vehicles build between1971 and 1985. By the late 1970s, the British Army had acquired around 9,000 series III models, mainly of the 109 inch (2.77 m) chassis.

The model are from the fantastic BAOR kickstarter project by Bobmack3d. The first is straight from the printer except for a small repair to the front fender while the second one are inspired by the photo above and received a small change of orientation of the front wheels.

BMP-1P (USSR)

Replacing the ubiquitous BMP-1 AFV (here) in the production line starting in 1979, the modernised BMP-1P is equipped with a launcher for the Konkurs ATGM (AT-5 Spandrel) (also capable of firing the Fagot ATGM - AT-4 Spigot) on a special pintle mountain top of the turret. These replaced the Malyutka ATGM giving an increase in penetration (to 670 mm) and range (4,000 m), the old loading hatch on the turret being welded shut and the mounting bracket on the gun removed. While the new missile was more reliable, longer ranged and more powerful, the gunner had to stand in his open hatch to fire it, exposing himself to hostile fire. The BMP-1P is also equipped with 6 smoke grenade launchers at the rear of the turret.

The vehicle is a personal conversion on the base of the S-Model kit with a figure from RHModels. (made 2017)

Mil Mi-8 Hip (USSR)

Introduced into the Soviet Air Force in 1967, the rugged Mil Mi-8 twin-turbine helicopters is used by over 50 countries and is among the world's most-produced helicopters. It is still one of the most common operational military aircraft one the world. In addition to carrying 24 troops, it can be armed according to the version of several unguided rocket pods, several 12.7 mm machine gun and AT-2 Swatter Anti-tank guided missiles. The Mi-8 is the main workhorse of Soviet air assault units.

The models are from Easy Models mounted and painted kits, which, when available at a good price and with some addition and repainting are perfectly menacing on the wargaming table. (made 2015)

T-72M1 (East Germany)

Entered in production in 1971, the Soviet T-72 main battle tank was destined to replace the T-54/55 series as the main workhorse of Soviet (alongside the more sophisticated T-64 and T-80) and Warsaw Pact  tank forces. The T-72M1 is an export version with additional armour thickness similar to the T-72A our. 1979g also fitted with smoke grenade dischargers. On a total of 549 T-72 received by the East-German Army (NVA) between 1978 and 1989, 136 were of the M1 model.

Example of the laziness of the wargamer (in any case mine laziness 😎), the models are diecasts from Altaya, not very accurate or detailed but, a little arranged and painted in late NVA camouflage, they still have a good "aggressiveness" on the gaming table 😏 (made 2020)