Sunday, 2 January 2022

Some ZSU-57-2 SPAAG For You

 A couple of years ago I ordered some ZSU-57-2s  from S&S Models (product located here), with the intention of painting them up in a way that would let me us them as a support element for a range of forces. 

Note that there are only four road wheels, as opposed to the T-54's five.

Recently, as part of an effort to finish off a number of projects that have been left half done on my work bench, I decided that they would be the next models to complete. 

I gave the crew a mix of brown and black headgear.

The resin turrets, hulls, and track sides cleaned up nicely and the white metal components were nice casts with a minimum of flash to clean.


Despite having been replaced in Soviet service by the ZSU-23-4 Shilka in the early 1970s, the ZSU-7-2 soldiered on in other armies. The Wikipedia page here has information on both previous and current operators.


Of course, in addition to the obvious Anti Air role, the ZSU-57-2 is capable of engaging ground targets. I suspect that will be their major employment on the tabletop as the twin 57mm guns look to be useful against targets such as soft vehicles, and troops occupying buildings. This fire support role was their main use during the wars in Yugoslavia (click here for the history of the ZSU-57-2 in Yugoslavia).

The business end of a pair of ZSU-57-2s.
 


Now that these have been completed, I will need to find another project to finish so that I can continue procrastinating about painting figures for Volley and Bayonet.

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5 comments:

  1. Neil Patterson3 January 2022 at 09:37

    Very nice. I've just made a start on modelling a pair in 1/87th scale. Pictures on my blog.
    Neil

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    Replies
    1. Uncle Brian12 January 2022 at 20:15

      Thanks Neil!
      I've checked out your growing Egyptian army. I really like how the Platoon 20 figures have turned out using the GD contrast paints.

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  2. Archduke Piccolo3 January 2022 at 16:20

    Tasty looking fellows those. One feels that these guys are probably better suited to a ground support role. Just how effective an air defence system were they?

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    Replies
    1. Neil Patterson4 January 2022 at 02:30

      Apparently not very good - they were designed as an upgrade to WW2 systems so lacked radar, which was a huge problem when most aircraft became jets....
      The Chinese did an upgrade for the Iraquis including radar and managed to down a couple of Tornadoes.
      A lot of third-world nations still use them....
      Neil

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    2. Uncle Brian12 January 2022 at 20:30

      Both Iran and Iraqi claimed that they were useful against attack helicopters, however most of the expert commentary I've read tends to disagree with that conclusion. I suspect that it is difference between analysing the weapon performance throughout the war as part of an overall system, versus the performance of the weapon in individual encounters. Rotary wing performing close support without using nape of earth flying techniques tends to be a good target for AA weapons with proximity fuses.

      Delete

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