[Copland]

Definitely going to get the SU-100. The 1/35 tanks from Dragon are way over priced. I have 1, 1/35 Tiger I, Eastern Front. It was on sale for $40.00. That is the top end of the price scale for me. They come out ca. $89.99 and then sell at various sites for ca. $65.00 - $80.00. Nice models but not for that price.

[MoMo]

d

Good buy, Copeland, we never see them at a sale price that low on this side of the pond!

[chascbv]

You're right MoMo, that Bradley is a real gem, and I think every collector should get one!

As regards the Su-100, I've been studying the preliminary pictures by Dragon and the model seems very accurate in all aspects. The paint scheme represents a tank in the 7th Mechanized Corps in January 1945; at that time this unit was in the outskirts of Budapest, and was instrumental in stopping Operation Konrad (Konrad I), a fierce attempt to relieve the surrounded garrison of Budapest by German and Hungarian forces in which three Waffen-SS armoured divisions were involved. The Germans attempted three different moves (Konrad I, II, and III) on a landscape thickly covered with snow, their units emerging each time from a different point in the thick forest areas around the Danube. This Su-100 by Dragon was there in the snow to stop them!

[MoMo]

This Su-100 by Dragon was there in the snow to stop them! chascbv

Thanks for the information, chascbv. This suggests that the Su-100 is crewed by heroes and makes it a must for my collection.

[chascbv]

Of course, MoMo. It was manned by heroes who fought against heroes... Every time I see a tank I have the impression that you have to be a hero (or absolutely crazy) to just get in, pull the hatch down, and go to battle while undergoing the terrible noise, heat, bumping, and fear of it all!

Buy this one, and then add the late-production white-washed Jagdpanzer IV/70 by Dragon. It is from an "unidentified unit" in Hungary, 1945. However, chances are that this vehicle was involved in Operation Konrad, too. Specifically, 3.SS-Panzer Division "Totenkopf" had just received newly-delivered Jagdpanzers IV/70 for that battle, and they were particularly effective during the offensive.

[MoMo]

Thanks chascbv,

I have the Jagpanzer lVL/70, "LO1", ( late production ) Hungary, 1945 ( model no : 60231 ), which has been given its winter coat of white camo. I shall display it with the SU 100 when it appears on my shelves!

I'm sure that your correct in saying that you had to be some kind of hero to put up with the inherent dangers of being part of a tank crew, not the least of which was the nightmare of being trapped in a vehicle which had received a hit and was on fire.

One thing that I'm not sure of is this. I know that German camo grease/paint came in large, round tins and that you had to smear the camo coating on with a rag on top of the standard factory finish of sand/yellow. Did the winter white camo come in the same way, or was it merely a matter of finding some whitewash to do the job?

[chascbv]

Hi, MoMo

I think L01 is the right version for January 1945, and both vehicles will make a great display together!

Regarding paints, these were indeed supplied as paste in those tins you mention; however, they were intended to be thinned with water and sprayed on. Every vehicle had a spray gun to be connected to an engine-driven compressor, and spraying was in fact the most common form of application. The problem was that such water-thinned paints were highly unstable, and tended to be washed off by rain, etc. So it was recommended that they be thinned with fuel, and then sprayed on. As fuel shortages were common, many units had to use muddy water or waste oil, and the resulting mix, unsuitable for spraying as it was, was rather applied with rags, mops, brooms, brushes, or whatever tool was at hand.

A similar tin of white paste was supplied for winter camouflage. This paste was to be thinned with water, and then sprayed on. It was unstable on purpose, as it was intended to be a "washable" paint to be easily removed in the absence of snow. However, supplies of this paint seem to have been commonly sparse and problematic, and crews often had to turn to lime whitewashes that were scrubbed on with all sorts of improvised tools, including foliage, or rubbed on with rags, sponges, and the like.

Hope this helps!

[MoMo]

Thanks chascbv,

This really comprehensive account of how German AFVs applied their various camo coats is very helpful. I'm sure that many members who collect German tanks, SPGs and half-tracks may now appreciate the wonderful range of camo finishes which are available to us from companies like Dragon. If fact, far from complaining about the wide diversity of all the available versions of a given vehicle, we should be celebrating the fact that there is so much to choose from! ( I except, of course, all the Mauses! )

Cheers,

MoMo

[chascbv]

You're absolutely right, MoMo!

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by MoMo

Thanks chascbv,

This really comprehensive account of how German AFVs applied their various camo coats is very helpful. I'm sure that many members who collect German tanks, SPGs and half-tracks may now appreciate the wonderful range of camo finishes which are available to us from companies like Dragon. If fact, far from complaining about the wide diversity of all the available versions of a given vehicle, we should be celebrating the fact that there is so much to choose from! ( I except, of course, all the Mauses! )

Cheers,

MoMo

One Maus, many Mauses ...?