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A Boy's Daydream

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Zapad 81 was the largest Warsaw Pact manoeuvres ever staged during the Cold War. Zapad 81 (West 81) took place in Poland from the 4th to the 11th of September 1981 and involved an estimated 150 000 troops. The infamous RSD10 (SS 20 Saber) nuclear missile was involved for the first time, along with the simulated use of tactical nuclear weapons.

In this scene, a small boy from a local collective watches in fascination as a platoon of T62 tanks clatters past under cover of an SA4 GANNEF SAM launcher. With his young imagination working overtime, he sees himself one day proudly standing in the turret of his own tank. But, in his excitement, he wanders a little too close for comfort. A Gannef crewman sees him and gently scolds him for wandering to close to the action and tells him to go home before he gets into trouble. After all, he remembers he was once the same age.

Both Trumpeter kits are pretty much the usual in way of fit and accuracy and are both recommended to any soviet armour fan. Resin figures from Tank and Stalingrad complete the picture.
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About the Author

About Mark wells (mwells63)
FROM: GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

I live in the city of gold otherwise known as johannesburg. I have been building models for more or less 45 years and still learning. Soviet and Germany armour are my main area of interest although I build just about any other kit that takes my interest. I simply cannot limit myself to only one subj...


Comments

My compliments on a really good piece of work! Thank you!
DEC 24, 2018 - 04:44 AM
Mark, this is an awesome diorama. I like the story line and the subjects. It is incredible to think that in the march of history from Zapad 81 to today, is the same as as VJ Day to 1982 - after this event!
DEC 24, 2018 - 12:33 PM
Really well-done with excellent dramatic construction and layout.
JAN 02, 2019 - 03:37 AM
Thanks guys. Been on and off the grid over December. Always appreciate the positive comments. Next diorama I'll be flying the South African flag for a change. Hoping to finish a Rooikat and Olifant MK2 dio by end of Feb. Makes a nice change from the usual russian stuff.
JAN 03, 2019 - 02:13 AM