AMX-13s

The AMX-13 is one of the more interesting post-war designs. The French attempt to add a large calibre gun to the lightest possible vehicle, utilising German WW2 developments (the 75mm gun was apparently derived from that on the Panther).

The Israelis acquired several hundred and used them in the 1956 and 1967 wars, before selling them off to Singapore and elsewhere once it was realised they were no match for Arab T-54s. Exact numbers vary, but by 1967 there were around 184 in 6 units of varying size, 2-3 of which were territorial reserve (as oppose to general reserve) units (Ga'Shap).

I was initially hampered by the lack of availability in 1:87. Existing models were expensive and this pre-dated the availability offered by 3D printing in recent years. 

I stumbled across a "made in Italy" toy from an Italian eBay seller as well as a crude French toy (the real joy and usefulness of eBay) which were in the right scale. This allowed for a couple of scratch-bodge models using parts from Roco and Eko /Rospak.

My Italian seller then offered me several more. On the principle of "buy it when you see it, not when you need it" I took the plunge and bought his stock as I was not guaranteed to ever see any again (and never have).

They are toys and require wheels removing from under the model (to allow it to roll) which provide some useful parts. The tracks are solid, the turret hatch needs replacing and various details added, but they capture the essence of this quirky tank.

Progress so far on the latest batch.

Troubling times

This has been a difficult post to write, not only due to the conflicting emotions any thoughtful wargamer has when confronted with the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine, but in part due to posts on others blogs.

I have deleted some of my responses, partly due out of a wish to not involve the blog  owner in any acrimonious debate, and partly out of the fear that my response was an emotional one due to not understanding the poster 's position.

The posts in question appear to accept Putin's arguments wholesale and attach any blame to the Ukraine or the west. 

While I accept a counter narrative can be useful in arriving at the "truth" (which sadly will always be relative not absolute) and am well aware of and do not necessarily condone the UK and US (and to a lesser extent NATO) involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have found myself very conflicted at these posts, especially as I have a lot of respect for at least one of the posters.

I have studied the various wars in the post-Soviet republics and states, have a reasonable grasp of Russian history and their psyche and am well aware of some of the issues in the Ukraine and elsewhere around what happened in WW2 and the neo-Nazi movements the have sprung up in eastern Europe.

I am also cynical enough to know the media can slant a report to reflect whatever opinion they wish to portray.

Despite this, I find I am unable to accept that the invasion of Ukraine is the responsibility of anyone other than Putin and his clique. It is simply not true that he " had no other choice" or that it is due to NATO aggression. Had he sent peacekeepers into Donbass it's unlikely the west would have reacted as severely, but instead he CHOSE to invade a sovereign nation, that whatever it's faults is more democratic than Russia is at present.

if people are unable to see this, I don't know what to say to you. I doubt anything would convince you in any case. We live in a world where the internet spreads dubious and often dangerous opinions without a shred of truth or supporting evidence.

There is a truism that you should never discuss politics or religion; we should probably add belief to that, as these days there are so many "alternative facts" and it is simply too easy to dismiss uncomfortable truths as " fake news".

Whatever your beliefs it's hard to see recent events as anything other than a tragedy for both the Ukrainian and Russian people. I only hope we don't all suffer (yet again) from the actions of one man with a distorted world view, happy to sacrifice the youth of several nations in the cause of realpolitik.

Enough; this blog is about toy soldiers. Normal service will resume in next post.