So having set myself the task of building up a mid-war force, here is what is on the table so far. One can almost hear the clank of cranes and conveyor belts, the rat-tat-tat of riveting guns, and the shouts of the foremen. Not to mention the stern warnings of the factory commissars, as they exhort the workers to strive to meet the production quotas set by Comrade Stalin. Or else...
Five T-34's in the front row, two completed, one almost done, and two just starting along the production line. Behind them are four KV-1s heavy tanks, one completed. In their shadow are six BT-light tanks. One has been finished, the others need some more work but are quick to do. Not a priority at this stage, though.
In the background is a BA-7 heavy armoured car, a Gaz truck, and the beginnings of the SU-152 Heavy Assault Gun Regiment.
Some village buildings in the far distance. I really want to get started on these, but I need a large block of free time to work on them, as terrain making is messy stuff.
Look up- way up, and you can see the flying tank. The Il-2m Sturmovik, on a stand I made from a plastic disk and some Plexiglas rods and tubing.
I find I prefer to work on many different models at the same time. This allows me to stay sane by not having to repeating the same model assembly over and over again in one go. It also means that sub-assemblies have the time for cement and putty to dry out thoroughly before I start handling them, as in the meantime I can work on a different vehicle.
Here is the plan. Now, I know from bitter experience that plans have a way of being kicked about like deflated footballs by the evil Gnomes of Circumstance. But failure to plan is planning to fail, as the saying goes.
Plastic model production, in order of priority:
Phase 1:
- 6x T-34/76' Medium Tanks (one battalion)
- 4x KV-1s Heavy Tanks (one regiment)
- 4x BT-7 light tanks (two companies)
- 1x Il-2m Sturmovik
- 1x quad AA gun
- 1x 37mm AA gun
- The village!
Phase 2:
- 4x SU-152 self-propelled assault guns (one regiment)
- 6x Lend-lease trucks (on their way from Hannants)
- 2x Lend-lease jeeps (also on their way from Hannants)
- 1x 76.2mm a/t gun + truck
Apart from the SU-152's, most of the above to make up the motorized rifle battalion of the tank brigade, along with a headquarters unit. I haven't decided yet which vehicles to use for the latter, though.
When done, this will mean that the following units will be ready to take the field:
- 68th Independent Tank Brigade (1942-43 configuration)
- 12th Guards Heavy Tank Breakthrough Regiment
- 1539th SU Regiment
And of course, I still need to finish off an artillery battalion as well as assorted infantry odd 'n sods, but I should be able to sneak in an hour here and there for painting to break the tedium of being surrounded by liquid cement fumes and plastic shavings.
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