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Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2021 10:53 pm
by Extra Crispy
Since this project will likely last a good few months, I thought I'd do a separate thread on it.

The conceit is this: summer, 1985 WW3 breaks out. The Politburo promises the war will be over by Christmas, with Soviet troops wintering in Spain. But the war does not go as planned, and drags on in to 1986, prompting wiser heads to comment "they never said Christmas of which year." A new reinforced tank brigade is being mustered and will be sent to a secondary front to hold the line as the major offensive is planned elsewhere. As a result, the high command has approved the use of camouflage for the new unit.

The story here is a friend downsized his collection, gifting me several hundred excess T64s. So what else to do with them but make a brigade at 1:1? but not just the tanks: I'm doing a complete unit. Aid station, decontamination unit, etc. So I'm going to end up needing a lot of trucks!

I have a tank battalion and BM-21 battalion completed. Loads of pictures can be seen here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmL8BUcy

I started last night on the 1st battery of the 2S1 battalion:

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Lots more to come.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:53 am
by panzergator
Looks like an enterprising and interesting project. Looking forward to follow-on posts.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:26 am
by nashorn88
Really nice looking paint job.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:54 am
by Extra Crispy
Thanks. At this point they are about 70% finished. Up next are the details - treads, windows, search lights, or whatever on the vehicle would not be camo. I also do rust on tow cables and such. Then comes the edging - I prefer it to dry brushing over camo as it makes the camo pop on the table. And yes, I know "camo that pops" is a bit of an oxymoron!

Once the paint is done it's just decals and basing.

Completed BM21s for comparison:

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Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:57 am
by chrisswim
Nice battle group. Few pictures of everything together.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:18 am
by Beagle
I dig the organization charts, I may have to try and appropriate that, but my division are pretty big….maybe I can make it work. Since I like to eye hustle peoples work benches, what’s the trebuchet for??.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 5:51 am
by Extra Crispy
Define pretty big? This unit once complete will have about a hundred tanks, and several hundred other vehicles. The org chart will take up several levels in my 12 x 18 storage boxes.

The trebuchet is for dealing with some 15mm Saxons giving me trouble.....

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 6:13 am
by Beagle
Pesky Saxons, you can never turn your back on em, especially in 15mm.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 8:26 am
by Extra Crispy
...and the smell!

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:58 am
by panzergator
Deleted

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:59 am
by panzergator
Spoken like a Roman... or a Norman.

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:57 am
by redleg
That's a beautiful unit, Mark! I love the backstory too - it provides a little flavor to your project. Lookin good!

I like the cards you have to organize the units too. Is that something you made?

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:16 pm
by Extra Crispy
Thanks.

Yes, the little cards are just something i whipped up in Powerpoint. In part so I can keep track of what purchases I need to make. I'm painting what I have for the most part, but as I tackle the various support units I'm at least buying the main kit - BMPs and so on. Eventually I'll get to all the trucks...

Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:57 am
by Extra Crispy
1st Firing Battery of the 2S1 battalion complete.

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Re: Extra Crispy's T64 Tank Brigade

Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:00 am
by Splod
Lovely work!

Although I see a lot more GAZ-66 in your future! :lol: