operation unthinkable Archives - Page 3 of 5

Building one more IS-3 tank

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks. There are three IS-3 tanks included in the boxed set.

This is the GF9 finished model.

The IS-3 is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks.

I had already constructed two of the IS-3 tanks, so it was a relatively easy process of constructing another one. This one I added a commander figure to the cupola on the turret.

A view of two of the IS-3 tanks.

The three IS-3 tanks.

The next stage was a white undercoat.

Constructing some more Centurion Mk3

One of the Clash of Steel Starter Sets have been on my wants list ever since I found out about them at the beginning of the year. I ordered Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. There are 17 tanks in the box, of which four are the Centurion Tanks. They can be constructed as a range of variants.

The Centurion tank was one of the most successful post-war tank designs. It was introduced in 1945, just too late to see combat in the Second World War. However, it went on to serve in a number of conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Arab-Israeli wars. The Centurion was a well-balanced tank with a good mix of armament, armour, and mobility. It was armed with a 105mm rifled gun, which was capable of firing both high-explosive and armour-piercing rounds. The Centurion’s armour was also very effective, and it was able to withstand the fire of most enemy tanks. The tank was also highly mobile, and it was able to keep up with the latest advances in tank warfare.

For the first model I put together, I went with the Mk3.

I did think about the Mk1 initially, but I did think I would initially model two Mk3 tanks and two Mk1 tanks, however in the end I decided I would model all four models as Mk3 Centurions.

This is the GF9 finished model.

This is the sprue

There are various parts to the model, however it goes together very easily.

The finished models prior to a white undercoat. This model has damaged skirts.

This version has missing skirts and a commander figure.

This version has skirts.

Two of the tanks.

Constructing more Panzer IV/70

One of the Clash of Steel Starter Sets have been on my wants list ever since I found out about them at the beginning of the year. I ordered Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. It contains 17 tanks, three of which are the Panzer IV/70 tank destroyer.

The Panzer IV/70, was a German tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis, it was armed with the 7.5 cm Pak 42 L/70. Officially, only the L/48-armed vehicle was named Jagdpanzer IV. The L/70-armed vehicle was named Panzer IV/70.

This is the GF9 finished model.

This is the sprue. It has the parts to make the L/48-armed vehicle as well.

I had constructed one of the models already. So, the next thing I did was construct the other two.

The first stage was constructing the hull and tracks. Then the main weaponry was added and the side armour. With these models I decided one would have missing skirts, whilst the other one would have damaged skirts.

Here are all three models.

Next stage will be a white undercoat.

Constructing the ISU-152

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks.

The kit also allows you to build the ISU-122 and ISU-152 variants as well. As there are five kits I think I will mix and match the different variants.

The ISU-152, is a tank destroyer based on the IS-2 chassis armed with a 152.4 mm ML-20S gun-howitzer. Since the ISU-152’s gun was mounted in a casemate, aiming it was awkward, and had to be done by repositioning the entire vehicle using the tracks. Therefore, it was used as mobile artillery to support more mobile infantry and armour attacks. It continued service into the 1970s and was used in several campaigns and countries.

The process of constructing the ISU-152 was virtually the same process as building the ISU-130, the main different is the shorter gun barrel.

This is the track sprue.

The kit also allows you to build the ISU-122 and ISU-152 variants as well.

Here are two of the models together.

The next stage is a white undercoat.

Constructing another T28 Super Heavy Tank

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks. In this box there are two T28 Super Heavy Tanks.

The T28 super-heavy tank was an American super-heavy tank/assault gun designed for the United States Army during World War II. It was originally designed to break through German defenses of the Siegfried Line and was later considered as a possible participant in the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland.

This is the GF9 finished model.

This is the sprue.

The kit is relatively easy to construct. I had made one of these up already. I made the second model. Having said it was easy the tracks can be a bit of a challenge.

Here is the finished model.

Here are the two T28 Super Heavy Tanks.

Next stage will be a white undercoat.

Building another IS-3 tank

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks. There are three IS-3 tanks included in the boxed set.

The IS-3 is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks.

I had already constructed one of the IS-3 tanks, so it was a relatively easy process of constructing another one.

Constructing one more King Tiger

One of the Clash of Steel Starter Sets have been on my wants list ever since I found out about them at the beginning of the year. I ordered Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. It contains 17 tanks, two of which are the King Tiger tank.

The Tiger II (or as was informally known to the Germans who fought in it, Königstiger), was a 70 tonne heavy tank.

Having constructed one of the King Tiger models, I started making the second one.

Having had a few issues with magnets recently, for this model I decided not to use magnets on this model.

As with the other Operation Unthinkable models, it is quite simple to construct. The next stage will be a white undercoat.

Constructing the 15mm Comet (A34)

The Comet (A34) was a British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of World War II. It was designed to provide greater anti-tank capability to Cromwell tank squadrons. It was armed with a 77mm HV, a derivative of the 17 pounder, with the result it was one of the few British tanks with the firepower to challenge late war German designs.

I have the Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. The GF9 Operation Unthinkable boxed set, the British versus German, contains 17 tanks, three of which are the A34 Comet Cruiser Tank.

This is the GF9 finished model.

This the sprue.

With three models I decided I would vary construction. One would be as indicated in the instructions.

For the other two I decided I would add some commanders (which are included in the Operation Unthinkable boxed set). I also used the stowage from the American tanks I got in the other box.

For one model I did add significant amounts of stowage.

The other less so.

Here are the three constructed Comet tanks.

I decided to use magnets with the turrets, and I kind of wish I hadn’t. I had trouble getting them to both fit and when glueing them into position I eventually got it sorted.

The next step will be a white undercoat.

I do have four more plastic Comet Flames of War kits on the workbench as well.

Constructing another King Tiger

One of the Clash of Steel Starter Sets have been on my wants list ever since I found out about them at the beginning of the year. I ordered Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. It contains 17 tanks, two of which are the King Tiger tank.

The Tiger II (or as was informally known to the Germans who fought in it, Königstiger), was a 70 tonne heavy tank.

Having constructed one of the King Tiger models, I started making the second one.

As with the other Operation Unthinkable models, it is quite simple to construct. Once finished,the next stage will be a white undercoat.

Another Tortoise Heavy Assault Tank

There are 17 tanks, two of which are the Tortoise heavy assault tank. One I had already constructed, decided to put together the second one as well.

The Tortoise heavy assault tank (A39) was a British heavy assault gun design developed during the Second World War, but never put into mass production. It was developed for the task of clearing heavily fortified areas such as the Siegfried Line and as a result favoured armour protection over mobility.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.