Kaliber 38mm 1/72 scale ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft machine gun (by Zsolt Czegle)

 

ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon from kaliber38mm

The ZU-23-2 or ZU-23 (Russian: ЗУ-23-2 – ЗенитнаяУстановка) is a Soviet-designed, double-barreled 23 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.

The ZU-23-2 machine gun was developed in the late 1950s. Its purpose is to destroy low-flying targets at a range of 2.5 km, armored vehicles at a range of 2 km, and to protectsoldiers and strategically important positions from attacks byhelicopters or low-flying fighter aircraft. The self-propelledanti-aircraft machine gun uses the same components and ammunition as the main gun of the ZSU-23-4 Silka, but is equipped with a fire control unit (1RL33) and an analog firecontrol computer (RPK-2). It entered service with the SovietArmy on March 22, 1960.

I have previously shown here what the kaliber38mm kit contains, now I will show you what I built from it.

The kit has already been revealed to me to be very detailedand includes a lot of accessories (ammo boxes, stacks, shellsand pods). So when I was planning the display of the cannon, I wanted to create an environment that shows a post-deployment state. (I have already received criticism that thecannon is not installed according to the specifications, theboxes and crates are too close, and there is no cover, etc.)

Due to the size and scale of the cannon, it is tiny, almost thesize of a matchstick. Therefore, I very carefully cut the partsoff the supports and carefully sanded their marks. There wereno problems with the fit.

After assembly, I sprayed it with MENG(AK) Russian Greenand modulated it with 4BO Shine. I shaded the matte surfacewith Ammo Shader. After that, I prepared it for the wash witha matte varnish. I made the needle wash with dark brown AK Enamel Wash. After 1-2 days of drying, I faded the colorswith oil paint and highlighted the protruding parts bylightening them. Since the whole model is "just green again", I tried to play with contrasts to give it a little life.I painted thelamps and the prism in chrome color, and after 1-2 days of drying, I painted it with RC transparent red.

I made the base with AK wet earth mass and placed theaccessories in it. After drying, I painted it with Green StuffWorld liquid pigments, so the surface became completelymatte.

After painting the boxes and crates, I glued on some grasstufts and "scattered" the cartridge cases. After a few looks I decided it could hold a few more boxes, so I painted somemore and placed them on the ground. Luckily I didn't manageto paint them all the same green, so that also gives thecomposition a bit of life.

I'm satisfied with what I've managed to get out of it now. Since I have another set of these in my bag, I'll build it towedby an URAL 4320 .

Thank you for your attention!

Zsolt Czegle...