There is rejoicing in the streets of that most democratic of the peoples' democracies the Democratic Republic of Forbodia following the arrival of the latest in anti-capitalist-aircraft technology*.
Delivered in a large packing crate, the device was placed in the hands of representatives of the Forbodian State in a pub car park in Twickenham by a shadowy figure known only by his code-name of Brian Carrick.
The immense packing case. What could it possibly contain?
It is indeed a ZSU-57-2. Designed in the early 1950s to sweep NATO nasties from Soviet skies. The complex design basically mated a pair of de-tuned 57mm AA guns with a lightened T-54 chassis.
Such is the technology that only older comrades may operate it.
The crate bore evidence of having been sourced in the workers' paradise.
Behold - in all it's 1/43-ish scale scratchy plastic glory!
Those metal gun barrels are hardly even rusty.
* in 1957.
Pneumant still make tyres you know...which they sell to horrid capitalists!
ReplyDeleteTim, Tim, Tim
ReplyDeleteBuying shoddy arms in the Pub car park. Shame on you!
Cheers, PD
Whilst touring a neighbouring state in Africa, 7 of us were faced with one of those and about 50 men on foot. An RPG from the smallest guy in our unit ended the ZSU's life, the rest fled courtesy of MAG encouragement. The wreck was still there years later, but a little rusted. Probably gome now for scrap value.
ReplyDeleteWe moved smartly back to our base, too, for fresh underwear.
You've been hiding your light under a bushel Arthur :-)
ReplyDeleteRegards, Chris.
Very nice!
ReplyDeleteLooking good there young Gow.
ReplyDeleteChris, the story grows inparts. I really remember there were only about 15 soldiers accompanying it, but others insist it was many more. Well, you see, we were just ordinary guys, not recces or sas or anything like that, which is why we had to change underwear. Recces and sas probably don't even wear underwear but I won't dwell on that.
ReplyDeleteThe rpg hit it under the track to the rear and there were only two crew who both fled. We had a look and it was carrying ammo boxes and kit inside. Probably couldn't even fire, but we didn't know that at first...
Hugh Walter
ReplyDeleteI shall look out for them - and avoid buying any!
Peter Douglas
ReplyDeleteI'd like to say this was the first time, but then....
Arthur
ReplyDeleteWhat exciting holidays you have! Lucky you remembered to pack the RPG..
It goes to prove that if only the other side has armour, then it matters little if it's only 15mm thick.
Chris Kemp
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing at a large bushel, rather than a small light...
Harry
ReplyDeleteAs bits of poor quality plastic go, it's an absolute joy!
Conrad Kinch
ReplyDeleteThe forces of progressive democracy are getting rather well tooled up.
Arthur
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there were at least half a dozen ZSUs and a full regiment of accompanying well drilled regulars.
Awesome addition. SGT York eat your heart out!
ReplyDeletePaul Foster
ReplyDeleteAll I need now is a 1/32 version of Arthur and his RPG....
No Tim, you want the brave bugger who fired the damn thing from the shadow of a large tree. His name was Gavin, surname faded. I was hosing with my FN (folding butt variety - soft gas, full auto, 3 round bursts approx, used 4 ammo mags, didn't hit a thing). The gas was the weapon, not me, but authorities may differ...
ReplyDeleteThe whole thing lasted about 20 minutes from locating the target (we had some intel from locals of a big green tractor with guns - I ask you with tears in my eyes), thru the ambush to a quick look inside and back to the 2 landies and home, which was about a 3 hour ride there and half that back again. Not even a grenade to try and blow the ammo it carried, fat chance. But we did have 2 MAG's which sound like angels singing when things look rough. Two of the target may have been wounded - we were not supermen and the bush was too thick to see clearly.
I am not sure how your model stacks up, but this ZSU is enormous, like a large furniture truck. When the dust and smoke from the RPG etc cleared the vehicle just was stopped off the track, no fire, nothing, no crew who bailed at speed. Perhaps if Gav hit it on the compartment the ammo may have lit off.
As I mentioned, it was still there years later after the war was over when I took a motorbike trip down memory lane.