I've ordered Trumpeter's new BRDM-2, and while browsing around for a good scheme I found this vehicle. The pic was taken when Hamas seized control of Gaza from al Fatah. Can anyone offer a translation of the inscription? Looks to me like the script to the right of the insigne begins with the Arabic numerals for 17, and the insigne itself seems to bear the same 17, but in Hindu numerals, unless I'm mistaken. Force 17?
Interesting, isn't it?

Wow ! Nice find !
The mat green colour is interesting and the crest even more.
Thanks !
Sorry, but I can't help you for the translation.

Hi

this BRDM-2 belong to the MP-17 president security guards.

from right sid MP-17 than the sigen with nummber 17 in the middel of it.. than... president security guards.

Thanks Jino. I found another Gaza BRDM, looking very sharp in black and yellow.

Charlli (JINO) is right... on the right side of the insignia it says "Force 17".. and on the left side it says "President Security"... in the middle of the insignia itself is the number 17 where the seven in Arabic is on the right, of course, and on the left is the one- but in the shape of the map of the whole of Israel.

Hisham

Here's a clear pic of what the emblem in the middle looks like. And again on the top in white it says "Force 17" and on the very bottom in yellow it says "President Security"

By the way, just to clarify something.. we write and read Arabic from right to left.



Hisham

Thanks Hisham! I appreciate your help.
The crossed rifles emblem on the black BRDM, encircled by sheaves of wheat, is interesting too; too bad it's not clearer.
If only I could reproduce these insignia, and print them in white ink! Maybe one of the aftermarket decal companies will surprise us, with a nice sheet for this vehicle.

I found a couple more pics, but still nothing clear enough

The insignia in the last pic is the one on the BRDM in the second pic with the flat tire.. and it says "President's Personal Guard"

The other one seems to be, I believe, for the police force in Rafah.. or something called "The Executive Force" which clashed with the president's guard back in 2007.

Anyway, I'll keep looking.. interesting research material







Hisham

This is the best I could enlarge.. not clear at all, but it seems to have a drawing of a vehicle in the middle with something written at the bottom.

Maybe someone else can have better luck finding a clear pic of this insignia, then I can translate what it says.



Hisham

A different angle.. still not clear enough





Hisham

Those are some great pics, better than anything I've been able to find, and could provide inspiration for a diorama. I've seen figures, Palestinian irregulars, that would be suitable (they seem to substituted a black kaffiyeh for the checked version, and a good thing too, it'll be easier to paint). Too bad we can't get a better shot of that emblem, though.
Did you notice the spotlight mounted on a couple of the black vehicles, that's interesting.

I'm still trying with that insignia.. who knows

I noticed the search light and I was wondering what to use for it. I'm searching in my spares box for something similar.

As for the fighters, that's not a black Koufiyah, it's just a black mask.. like you'll find on the figures in Masterbox's insurgents set.. and you're right about the painting being easier

In addition to Masterbox's set, there's these guys from Evolution that I think can be used as is (or with some conversion) to portray paramilitary fighters. I have these figures and they're really nice.







Hisham

I've seen those Evolution miniatures selling on eBay; I think I'm going to order some next month. The quality and selection of figures and head sets has improved impressively in the last few years.