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...

PST 1/72 ZIS-12 (conversion from ZIS-5) Searchlight Carrier (by Cem Esen)

 

Hello,

Today I'm sharing an interesting model from our team member Cem Esen.

A Searchlight Carrier on a ZIS-12 truck. He used the PST ZIS-5 kit for this model.

Very nice work, a master model. It also has lights, so it can operate at night. Congratulations, my friend.

Erhan...

Let's give you some encyclopedic information about the vehicle.

In 1934, the engineers of the Moscow ZiS plant decided to lengthen the chassis of the well-known ZiS-5 truck to enable the installation of a fire fighter body.
The resulting vehicles, subsequently known as the ZiS-11, soon emerged to the ZiS-12 with a significantly larger cargo body compared to the ZiS-5.
The Army instantly recognized its capacities and required a lower cargo body to enable the installation of the 1500mm Z-15-4A searchlight as well as the ZT-3 and ZT-4 sound locators which were both supposed to maintain their own wheel carriage in order to be unloaded and moved separately.
In fact, quite a number of the 4,800 ZiS-12 totally produced were equipped in this manner, and towards war's end a ZiS-12 variant carrying the new 25mm AA twin gun 94-K appeard as well.
The ZiS-12 searlight carrier was of course primarily used in its original AA role but for one day fulfilled a somehow strange purpose.
On April 16, 1945, long before dawn, no less than 142 searchlights of Marshal Shukov's 1st Belorussian Front illuminated the Oder banks in order to blind the opponents against the forthcoming attack, the well-known and bloody »Berlin Operation«.
The spectacle was later described as most impressive although the resulting effect was largely decreased by the dense spring fog so typical for the oder lowlands.

Meng Model 1/72 Merkava Mk.4M w/Trophy Active Protection System **review and compare** by Erhan Atalay

 

Hello friends,

The Merkava series of tanks has always intrigued me. But as a model, I certainly don't approve of their current use.

When Meng Model released the 1/72 scale Merkava 4D model, I wanted to review it. During the review and assembly process, I made comparisons with the HobbyBoss Merkava IV kit. It's definitely the best molded plastic model kit ever. I highly recommend it. I'll share my impressions below.

Erhan.. 

Summary of parts on diagram..

Sprue A parts...

Sprue B parts

Chains and balls.. A characteristic detail for the Merkava. This detail was previously only available on the Revell Merkava III. For example, it's not available in HobbyBoss kits. Alternatively, only the PE aftermarket kit is available.During the assembly stage, I compared Revell and Meng.

Barrel..

Comparison with HobbyBoss Merkava Mk IV barrel (bottom barrel is HobbyBoss)

Sprue C x2 

The details of the tracks are very nice and easy to assemble...

The turret mold is of very high quality, the details are striking...

HobbyBoss turret for comparison...

I liked the tank hull..

HobbyBoss hull for comparison..

Decal...

We started the assembly.. Suspension system in detail...

The Meng suspension is made of 12 parts, while HobbyBoss provided it as a single piece attached to the body. Easy and quick assembly.  Result: HobbyBoss on top, Meng on bottom...Which one do you prefer?

Wheels and tracks...You assemble it with 58 parts in Meng. Only 18 parts in HobbyBoss. Most importantly, the track comes in one piece in HobbyBoss.

Chains and balls.. Meng on top, Revell on bottom...

and the result.. Meng molded a nice kit, well done...