Saturday 25 February 2012

Soviet 152mm Howitzer

Recently added to lower the tone of my 20mm Soviet forces were this 152mm howitzer and it's tractor.  The gun is a Matchbox toy with some minor modifications, and the tractor a lightly hacked about Majorette bulldozer.  Simple and effective. 
A few self-styled 'proper' wargamers may be annoyed by such things.  Good!

25 comments:

Don M said...

I like it!

Ken H said...

I think you should pat yourself on the back in a smiling comradeship manner. I spotted the photo first and was going to ask who supplied them. In fairness I've always warmed to the improper wargamer.

Giano said...

Hi! good ideas!
I'm planning to do the same thing to an old matchbox bulldozer I have. just don't know how to get new tracks (the old ones are missing since ages).

about accuracy, my motto is "100% if it's possible, 90% if it's needed, 0% if it's fun"

Hugh Walter said...

Looks good to me...now you just need a battery of them!

Milgeek said...

I think that's terrific! It looks like it was lots of fun to do, and it will certainly be a conversation piece when you pop it on the table!

Chris Kemp said...

It passes the 'NQM' test with flying colours Tim :O)

Al said...

I like it too, great innovation. Also, thanks for the 76s, a most welcome addition and something I didn't have

Robert (Bob) Cordery said...

Tim,

A very simple but extremely effective 'conversion'.

All the bet,

Bob

Tim Gow said...

Don M
A brief but clearly heartfelt comment Don!

Tim Gow said...

Ken H
...thus proving that I can fool some of the people some of the time!

Tim Gow said...

Giano
Get some tracks out of the spares box and get them glued on!

Tim Gow said...

Maverick Collecting
A battery? In Megablitz terms this is a regiment!

Tim Gow said...

Stephen Beat
Welcome. Yes is was rather fun - and is possibly unique in its own rather cheesy way.

Tim Gow said...

Chris Kemp
If looks cheap enough for you it's good enough for me Chris!

Tim Gow said...

Al
Good old Socialist improvisation in the face of the Fascist onslaught. Glad the 76s have gone to a good home - they're too good for Paul.

Tim Gow said...

Bob Cordery
Calling it a conversion is laying it on a bit thick. Like the paint in fact....

Sun of York said...

Brilliant! I've got a tracor like that in my spares box that I intend to do something simliar with, just don't have a 152mm equivalent yet.

Paul said...

Too good for Paul...You are probably right there Tim.

I like the Matchbox Gun and have often harboured thoughts on its use as a L5 105mm, which I think it is.

I have not seen any L5's in plastic ever!

Lovely work.

Tim Gow said...

Sun of York
Toy bulldozers have a long and glorious history in my armies. It helps that they're so cheap....

Tim Gow said...

Paul
There is an other die cast around which looks rather like an L5. I think I have one serving in a Panzergrenadier division.... I'll keep an eye out for another.

Hugh Walter said...

Teach me to be 'not a wargamer'!! But three would look so much better!...dig out the Terry Wise rules...get a bigger table?

Tim Gow said...

Maverick Collecting
Rest assured that I have plenty more ridiculous Soviet artillery...

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Russian Beef!

You would not want to tangle with that ugly big thing!!!!

Tim Gow said...

Geordie
I'm sure it will be tangled with!

Uncle Brian said...

This is fantastic! I am very tempted to follow Don's example and do something similar with my old Matchbox field guns.