Tag Archives: miniart

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. D (MiniArt)

Posted on by

This is the MiniArt 35169 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. D’.

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. D

History

Panzer III was the common name of a medium tank that was developed in the 1930s by Germany and was used extensively in World War II.

The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen III Sd.Kfz.141 (abbreviated Pz.Kpfw.III) translating as “armoured fighting vehicle”. It was intended to fight other armoured fighting vehicles and serve alongside the infantry support Panzer IV.

From 1942, the last version of Panzer III mounted the 7.5 cm KwK 37 L/24, better suited for infantry support. Production of the Panzer III ended in 1943. However, the Panzer III’s capable chassis provided hulls for the Sturmgeschütz III assault gun until the end of the war.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. C (MiniArt)

Posted on by

This is the MiniArt 35162 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. C’.

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. C

History

The third vehicle in the development series, the Aust. C, was yet another attempt to improve the design of the suspension.

The Ausf. C still had eight road wheels on each side, with the first and last pairs on a short leaf spring, mounted parallel to the ground. The second and third pairs were supported by a longer leaf-spring assembly. Also featured were a servo-operated epicyclic clutch, brake steering and a new design for the drive sprocket and idler.

By 20 January 1938 there were only twenty-three Pz.Kpfw.III in the total Army Inventory. But this number had increased to forty-two by the end of March 1938. The Ausf. C saw action only in Poland. It was withdrawn from Panzer regiments in February 1940, before the start of the campaign in the West.

Source: MiniArt Website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian GAZ-AAA w/Quad M4 Maxim (MiniArt)

Posted on by

This is the MiniArt 35177 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian GAZ-AAA w/Quad M4 Maxim’.

Russian GAZ-AAA w/Quad M4 Maxim

History

During WWII more than 2000 ZPU (meaning “anti-aircraft machine gun mount”) were in service of Red Army. One of them was triaxial GAZ-AAA truck with mounted quad M4 Maxim machine gun.

The first dedicated Soviet mount for anti-aircraft machine guns was developed around 1928 by Tokarev and was adopted for service in 1931. It was a base for mounting up to four 7.62mm PM M1910 (Russian Maxim) guns. This was also called a ZPU, although the name М4 was also assigned to it.

M4 Maxim machine gun has the device of compulsory water circulation and bigger capacity of machine-gun tapes — 1000 cartridges, instead of usual 250.

Using antiaircraft ring sights, M4 was effective in fire on low-flying planes (at the height up to 1400 m at a speed up to 500 km/h). M4 was also often used for infantry support.

M4 served the Soviet armed forces in all major conflicts until 1945.

Source: MiniArt Website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. B (MiniArt)

Posted on by

This is the MiniArt 35162 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. B’.

German Pz.Kpfw.III Ausf. B

History

The Ausf. В was the second attempt at a design solution for a tank in the 15-ton class. Only a small number of these design series vehicles were produced to provide a gun-armed Pz.Kpfw for training.

The design of the suspension of the Ausf. В was completely different from that of the Ausf. A. In place of the five road wheels with coil springs, the Ausf. В had eight road wheels per side, divided into pairs, with long leaf springs supporting a pair of road wheels at each end. Further improvements were made by increasing the number of return rollers to three, redesigning the cupola, and altering the rear deck and engine air louvres.

The Ausf. В were issued to Panzer units in 1937. After action in Poland, they were all removed from combatant units in February 1940 because of their unsatisfactory suspension and 15mm armour. In October 1940, the five Ausf. В Fahrgestell, which had been used for the experimental (0-Serie) series of the Sturmgeschütz, were returned to the Armoured troops and used as training vehicles.

Source: MiniArt Website

Manufacturer

Where I got it

Russian Self Propelled Gun, SU-76M (MiniArt)

Posted on by

This is the MiniArt 35036 kit in 1/35 scale, of the ‘Russian Self Propelled Gun, SU-76M’.

Russian Self Propelled Gun, SU-76M

History

The SU-76 (Samokhodnaya Ustanovka 76) was a Soviet self-propelled gun used during and after World War II. The SU-76 was based on a lengthened and widened version of the T-70 tank chassis.

Its simple construction made it the second most produced Soviet armoured vehicle of World War II, after the T-34 tank.

Crews loved this vehicle for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use. Because of this and the steering which was regarded as cumbersome the vehicle was (un)affectionately called suka (“bitch”), Suchka (“little bitch”) by its crews.

Source: Wikipedia

Manufacturer

Where I got it

  • Hobbymesse 2014