Qayyuum's Soviet T34 tank

This is a friend's tank. It was not operational for a long time due to his preference to another tank, the Soviet KVI - leaving this machine here broken. Much of the parts inside were becoming oily and affected the electrical component as well as the board. What I did apparently was I dry cleaned everything, especially the electrical parts, the board and treatment for the gearbox. It's currently operational and ready for action. I took a few photos early in the morning before I return the tank.

A brief history of the T34:
The T34 tank is a medium type tank produced in the Soviet Union and fielded extensively by the Red Army throughout WWII, and continued to be used during the Cold War. It was produced by the KMBD, and is revolutionary to all tank designs during and after the Great Patriotic war. T34 tanks were formidable, and proved to be superior compared to earlier German medium type tanks such as the Panzer III and IV tanks - proven during the second half of Operation Barbarossa (June 1941 - January 1942). As it was relatively simple and cheap to produce, coupled with the Soviet abundant workforce and resources, the Soviet T34 tank reached a peak of more than 80,000 units produced, marking a history as the most produced tank in the world. Important to note, 39 other nations also used the T34 tanks post 1945.

A few photos:

Notice the antenna modification, which is positioned exactly in front of the commander's cupola. It's now slightly thicker and black in color.

A friend's Mid Production Tiger I tank

The Tiger I tank left a massive impact in the armored world; when it was introduced in late 1942 nothing on the field matched its design and performance.It was just ahead of its time. Like all German tanks, the Tiger also had variants, but not too much as the sub models of the Panzer III or the Panzer IV. The Tiger I tank had three different variants - all models were practically the same with some minor but slightly obvious revision. From 1942 to mid 1944, there were the Initial Tiger I, Mid Production Tiger I (pictured) and Late Production Tiger I. The latter had very apparent revision with the road wheels distinguished it from the two predecessor models. 

What we are seeing here is a friend's Mid Production Tiger. Historically, it was developed in 1943 and saw action during or after Italian Campaign and prior and during the Allied invasion of Normandy (June 1944). What distinguished it from the earlier model were the headlights location - the Mid Production Tiger had its headlight mounted on the middle, while the initial production had two headlights mounted on both sides. The cupola hatch and height were also revised, now became shorter and commanders opened the hatch by swinging it to the left in contrary to the previous version where commanders opened it the traditional way. Last but not least, the Feifel filters were completely removed.

The owner of this model bought this from Bremen, Germany. He decided not to modify this vehicle as it's considered rare here in Brunei. Our local dealer only sells the Early variant Tiger I - which I own around 3 units.

Attention to details is very impressive.

Tamiya 1/16th Wehrmacht machine gunner figure

A wonderful combination

The figure is precisely designed for 1/16th scale

The figure holds an MG34 machine gun

Rear view of the Tiger II. Notice the antenna relocation - historically correct!

German WWII tank destroyer Jagdpanther

The Jagdpather was a German tank destroyer, developed and fielded pretty late in the war and spanned over two variants over its production life, the early and late G model - altogether 415 units rolled off the assembly line. The Jagdpather used the hull and chassis of the existing Panther medium tank. At 45 tons and mounted with the powerful 88mm PAK gun, the Jagdpanther is considered to be the best tank destroyer of WWII. 

My 1/16th scale WWII German Jagdpanther tank from Heng Long brand. The model is a generic resemblance Jagdpanther issued to the 654 schwere Panzerjager Abteilung that participated during Germany's last major offensive in the West, the Ardennes Offensive or later developed to be the Battle of the Bulge. The offensive, together with a total of 45 strength Jagdpanther was launched in Europe's densely forested area of Belgium and Wallonia on the 16th December 1944. The High command of the German Army hoped to capture the strategically important port of Antwerp.

An artist's historical illustration

This is not a wartime photo, but that's exactly the camoflage pattern painted by crew during the war. The Jagdpanther was one of the Jagdpanthers participated in the 'Watch on the Rhine' or the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944. It was captured by the U.S Army and is currently preserved at Arbedeen tank ground in the United States.

Here is my Tiger II Henschel. The word Henschel actually refers to its turret, in which another variant of turret was also produced by Porsche mounted on the exact similar hull. Adolf Hitler chose Henschel design over Porsche because of the frontal 'round' shape of the Porsche turret which allows easier bullet access to the crew and disabling its rotation.

This one here is from Heng Long 1/16th line. It's still factory fresh and the only modification I made was the relocation of antenna, which I designed based on historical accuracy. Apparently, there are still plenty more to study. This will just take time.

Henschel King Tiger or Tiger II, historically and academically known as the 'Production turm'. Notice the figure over there - a highly detailed German Wehrmacht machine gunner carrying an MG34. A new transmitter over there as well.

Syafig's U.S Sherman's overhaul, cleaning and maintenance

My German Leopard 2A6 MBT

My German Leopard 2A6 MBT stops during a meet in 2014. An artillery could also be seen.

My Leopard 2A6 after mild weathering. I used Tamiya product.

The tank's rear view prior to firing test in 2014. 

A friend's Panther G

Panther G (late version). This model started as a stock, factory fresh Panther G model from Heng Long. Full historical attention for this model has been given to make it as historically precise as possible.

After completion

Post paiting and pre weathering

The owner built this Panther G as a particular vehicle that participated in the last German offensive in WWII, in particular the Operation Spring Awakening of March 1945 in Hungary. Almost 500,000 German troops were involved as well as Germany's final reserves including units withdrawn from the 1944 Ardennes offensive. The area served the oil reserve of Hitler's war effort.

The Panther's wartime photo (above) and an illustration.

Tiger I (continuation)

As promised, here are two photos of the Tiger I tank. It was in a horrible state when it was first bought from the previous owner and now looks much better with high end quality paint and heavy weathering. I used Tamiya product.

Front view of the Tiger. Tigers deployed to the North African theatre however had minor differences compared to standard Tiger. One obvious difference is the frontal part on the fender. This particular Tiger I is a generic replica of the Tiger I turret #712 fighting in Tunisia.

Aerial view.
A much better view to see level of weathering. Notice the homemade National Socialist Germany's flag. The accessories have been applied with maximum weathering. Most of the accessories are after market accessories as previous owner seemed careless with the model. Roughly, the model lost 70% of its parts and accessories. The good thing with this is I was able to buy it at a very low price.

This is the real thing, notice the #712 on the turret. The tank is currently preserved in the United States.

Its wartime photo. Amazing.

Tiger I heavy tank

My Tiger I crosses a bridge.
Brief history on the Tiger I
The term Tiger tank actually refers to three different types of Tigers - the Tiger I, the successor Tiger II as well as the Tiger manufactured by Porsche. When Germany invaded Soviet Union on the 22nd June 1941, Adolf Hitler assumed the Red Army did not have any tanks superior to its German rivals. This thought was based on Hitler's superior Panzers (tanks) performance on the battle on the West prior to Operation Barbarossa; German tanks smashed through Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg (Low Countries) and finally France up to the French Coast (until British retreat to Dunkirk). On the first half of the invasion of the USSR, German troops encountered the Soviet's formidable T34 tanks and the deadly KVI and KVII tanks, where many of the German Panzer III and IV tanks fell victims - at this point Hitler realized his previous statistic was wrong and that he needed something to counter the growing threat. Based on the experience of the tank crew, Hitler drafted two contracts to build a German heavy tank - one was given to Porsche, another to Henschel. The latter won the contract and started to mass produce the Tiger, which needed huge labor force. The first company of Tigers was deployed to Leningrad (today's St. Petersburg) as part of the Army's plan to cut off the city from Moscow in November - December 1942. The Tigers however suffered mechanical breakdown due to its weight but improved considerably over times. According to Alan Hamby, (a professional site that discusses primarily of the Tiger's paint scheme and pattern), most of the Tigers fielded to Leningrad were painted Panzergrau (grey). My model above is almost exactly the paint. Throughout times, camouflage patterns were applied according to the unit as well as the seasons.

The Tiger I after detail revision.
This particular Tiger I received a number of revision in terms of its details and measurement so as to meet the Tiger's real measurement. First of all, this is a second hand Tiger I bought from someone who is not interested with tanks or military history but only with RC. I studied that (thanks to a German friend) the Tiger manufactured by Heng Long (above) does not have a precise measurement of gun barrel. This has been overcame, as you can see the barrel has been slightly extended. The headlights had been replaced with my own designed 'minus' headlight to replicate BOSCH headlights as mounted on the real Tiger tanks. Wires connecting the headlights to its source have been replicated as well. Cupola has been re-positioned,  in addition I attached a cupola's holder. The antenna has been relocated from the near engine deck to the right side of the turret. The picture was taken before my order for the Tiger arrived such as the smoke launchers. Last but not least, I painted the whole tank to a Panzergrau (literally translated to grey in German). I know it looks bluish but that is what the color's name is. By the way, this Tiger is not the one crossing the bridge in the above photo.

A cousin's Tiger. Heavily weathered. The model is intended to be a generic Tiger participating on the North African campaign 1942.
Ok, this one has a sad history. It's a second hand acquisition as well. This Tiger looked horrible when my cousin first sent me the Tiger, so I and a friend looked over of what could be done.  Moreover, it lost many of its accessories. I did not think too much on the model because what I had in mind was to build this Tiger as the tank that participated in North Africa with turret 712. I simply painted it Olive Green (using Tamiya product) and applied heavy weathering. Missing parts have been replaced and scratch build. Now it looks much better and battle worn. I'll post more photos of this Tiger I in the future.

Soviet's company

There are around five KVs in the group, comprising of four KVIs and a single KVII. Not to mention one T34.
Brief history of the KVs
The KVs were Red Army's heavy tanks during WWII, named after Soviet defense commissar Kliment Vorosilov. The tanks were superior compared to German workhorses of Panzer III and Panzer IV during Operation Barbarossa (22nd June 1941), and continued to be so until Germany finally manufactured and deployed their first heavy tank the Tiger I tank, which was first deployed in a relatively small company at Leningrad as part of Germany's plan to cut off the city from Moscow.

Here is a line up of KVs, taken during our recent meet on 7/12/2015 at Rimba Park. On the background are German King Tigers and a line of U.S tanks. We will get into those tanks.

The KVII heavy tank. This is owned by Saiful, who worked on scratchbuilding the turret and mounting it on an existing Heng Long's standard KVI hull. It's the only KVII for now.

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