Hello,
I am planning to build my next diorama with Trumpeter PT-76. I would like to know
1.Are there any good color photo references for PT-76 during operation so that I can build my diorama
2.Would like to know if any high detail resin tank crew kits are available. (Had ICM soviet tank crew in my mind but the details don't look that sharp.)
3.What other vehicles would have been close by PT-76?
Any help will be greatly appreciated
Regards
V

Hi Vivek;

Your choices could be Endless, if you want too stick with the Amphibious type of theme then you could use the BMP-1 as it is also amphibious. And the two would look Great together, as for crewmen there are quite a few sets that you could use. The only problem that you mite Run Into is, or maybe the Time frame that you are Basing the Diorama on. Now again based on the time period, you could also use a T-55 or just about any of the other Soviet Vehicles that were used at the Peak of the PT-76 use. If you want too Go With a Conflict or Theater or Operations, then the Middle East would be the choice. The PT-76 Combat use in the Arab-Israeli War 1973. Both Egypt and Syria used the PT-76 & BMP-1.

GOOD LUCK; MIKE.

Vivek,

You could do worse than portray the classic Soviet recce trio of Motorcycle Combination (courtesy of Zvezda but updated as necessary with say, a different MG - look out for the Dragon Modern MG set), BRDM 1 or 2 (Arsenal for BRDM 1 but Revell or Trumpeter for BRDM 2); I recall that these 3 vehicles were all Combat Indicators of Soviet recce intent in the 70s and even 80s, or at least that was what we were taught in British Army of the Rhine back then!

The ICM crew figures may seem a little lacking but can be utilised; the now defunct Dragon modern Soviet Tank Crew figures are quite good and still available although you may have to dig around a bit. And of course, the ubiquitous Hornet Head sets will always add value. Soviet recce vehicle crews often wore camouflage smocks/coveralls and these can be fairly easily replicated with a Milliput model putty adaptation, and can look quite warlike in any setting.

Enjoy your build and the ideas.

Regards,

Brian

Mike,
Thanks for the reply and input.Appreciate it. I had more of the Soviet landscape in my mind for this diorama. Swampy, river bed perhaps. This is the type of pictures i am looking for. I found several which are in Black and white. The time period I had in my mind was more of the 60s 70s time frame.
PT-76 was used by us (India) in Indo-Pakistan war in Bangladesh also.
See link below
http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Galleries/Museums/TankMuseum/Russian
But I am more interested in the Soviet scenario.
Thanks
V

Brain, great input. Any photo resources availble for these trio convoy ? What is a MG (Machine Gun?) you are talking about? Was it in a motor cycle? Can you point me to the kit?
Thanks
V

What about a Russian one (Internal Troops) in Chechnya ?





H.P.

Henri,
Thanks for the pictures. The second picture is new for me. I like it . What marking is thereon the turret? is thats "CA" ?
Thanks
V

I can't tell for sure ...Here's the full size picture :

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/uploaded_images/article/93c2ec5d2368d084a0db98491872b830.jpg

Could be "BB" (= VV in cyrillics )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_Troops_of_Russia

H.P.

Thanks for the clarification

Hi Vivek,

Frenchy is correct as usual!! it is BB, as I have this in my stash to build as, i also think it is a great looking scene.

Cheers Mike

Yeah, I agree. Using what seems to be empty ammo boxes as cover is very unusual. I know PT-76's skin has no armor ,But still using ammo boxes as cover seems odd. Do they fill them with sand or something??
Also the paint scheme is not very clear. Is its Camo or the all green weathered that way...

No idea if they fill them with anything

Not sure if sand would be easy to hand....could maybe tho in city rubble for an idea???

I think it has a brown black camo over green....but not 100% on that

Toro Model has Polish PT-76 crew in offer : http://www.toro-model.com.pl/pliki/35f39e.htm

Internal Troops markings can be found in Bison Decals "Caucasus on Fire Part 1" set (#35099) :



H.P.

Thanks a lot Marcin .I will be getting the figures now...