*Disclaimer: This is NOT a current events topic, just thought the armor was worth discussing.

When I read the Venezuelans and Colombians were moving "tanks" to their mutual border I went over to globalsecurity.org and checked out what they had to move.
The Venezuelans have 75 M18 Hellcats in their active inventory. I have one of these in the stash and think I will build a Venezuelan version.
Even more odd, the Colombians have M3A1 Stuarts, M3A2 halftracks and M8 Greyhounds. They upgrading the Greyhounds, mounting TOW launchers on the turrets. Now there would be a head turner for someone to mash together and take to AMPS.

Shaun

Linkage:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/colombia/colombia_army.htm

Shaun I’m not aware of any Stuarts in use by Colombia. I believe you're thinking of the M3 Bradleys? They have a small number to deploy as anti tank platforms.

Must admit they have some nice armor down in those countries. been thinking about building some of it myself if i ever get around to it.

Jacob,
I was shocked too but this is from the website, which is usually pretty reliable:
Quote:
"According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the major military equipment in service with the Colombian army in 1988 (in addition to the new acquisitions noted above) included twelve M-3A1 Stuart light tanks."

And, you know if it is on the internet it must be true.

Shaun

Hi everybody, you should check the following links, they contain interesting information on Venezuela and Colombia armed forces, including some pictures,especially of the modified M2, M8 and M35 used in Colombia, I havent been able to find info or pics of the stuarts.
I hope you find them usefull, and post the built models soon.
Gonzalo
http://fuerzasmilitares.net/index.html
http://www.fav-club.com/articulos/blindcolombianos.htm
http://www.fav-club.com/galeriafotos/main.php http://put.url.here linkname

According to the info you can find HERE , Colombia received some Stuarts in 1947 that served until the mid 70's...

Frenchy

Thanks Shaun.
I’ll have to look into that better. I have a bit of an interest in the militarys in that part of the world.
I tend to trust global security’s info so perhaps they still have some running that could be used.

Sure wouldn’t want to have to face AMX 30 in one of those old things.

Aloha!!

Another vehicle in use with the Colombian army, and in fact is being produced their, is the BTR-80's. I did a Google search and came across a You Tube video showing both BTR-80's and BTR80A's.

Happy Modelling!!!

Regarding the Global Security page: every time is talking about the 80's and 1988 is a frequent returning number. So, IMHO, it is not totally reliable any more....
Just my 2 Eurocents...

I agree, 20 yr old intel is worthless. After all, if you went with 20 yr old info, the the US was equipped with Shermans inton the 1970s!

John

I wonder how useful armour would be in a mountainous jungle landscape which makes up most of Colombia... helicopters would be more useful I think.

Anyway, according to this website - http://www.globaldefence.net/projekt_streitkraefte_der_welt/amerika/ - Colombia would have just 13 light tanks (no type specified), where as Venezuela would have 81 AMX-30's and Equador 81 AMX-13's and those 30 M3 Bradley's mentioned earlier.

If those figures are true, then Colombia would have a problem if it would come to war.