Combat Tanks Collection Pt. 1 Allied WW2

A while back I subscribed to the 'Combat Tanks Collection' magazine by DeAgostini - the same folk who did the Lord of the Rings magazine with the GW figures - because they were going to be sending me two 1/72 tanks a month, with a magazine on each tank, for less than NZ$40 (including shipping).  It seemed like too good a deal to resist - so I didn't!

The collection, according to my initial research on it in 2010, was meant to run to around 60 issues, however it seems that models from another DeAgostini title 'The Panzer Collection' are being added into the collection. This may mean that the collection will run for at least another 60+ issues. It also means that many of the models will not be tanks, or as useful to me as a tank model - next issue No: 62 will see me gain another 222 armoured car.

British tanks for use in Africa.   Crusader II, Grant, and Matilda II.

Note the off centre roundel on the left.

A very nice sponson.

Side view of the Crusader II.

Side view of the Matilda II.

Allied armour for use in Western Europe.

Side view of the Churchill.

US M4A3 Sherman - armed with a 105mm gun. In CD 3 you need one of these for each US Tank battalion.

The mighty Pershing tank!

Cromwell tank.

Our Soviet friends.... T-34/76, IS-2, KV-1, SU-85.

SU-85 in the foreground.

KV-1

T-34/76

IS-2

 And, finally something amphibious! I managed to purchase two of these models in 2009 at the Riccarton Markets - except they were in a 'shopworn' condition and were green with red stars, with the legend 'The Bloody Trail' on each.

LVT(A)-1 very nice!

Rear view of the beast.

Note that the MG gun tubs are covered over. This will be rectified in due course.

 Next up with be the Axis vehicles.

News from the Bosnian Front Pt. IIV

The Republican spoiler attack into the Noddist rear was a success, despite costing a full company of T-55s. The attack destroyed a battery of Nod 122mm SPGs, and drew a company of Nod T-72s back from the frontlines.

A Republican T-34/85 company mounts a flank attack on Nod APCs in the woods.

The Civilian Militia hold off an attack by a company of Nod infantry.

Nod T-55s await orders before advancing further

Republican T-34/85s engage Nod APCs - destroying a platoon. A platoon of T-34/85s is lost to fire from a Nod auto cannon battery.

Nod ZU-23-2 battery, supported by two platoons of Nod APCs.

The Islamic volunteers die hard for the Republic....

...but are forced back deeper into the BUA, fortunately a company of of Republican regulars arrive to reinforce the defense.

Nod APC lossses mount as the Republican T-34/85s press home their attack.

However, the company is destroyed by a determined Nod counterattack.

Republican reinforcements secure the BUA.

Elsewhere the Civilian Militia repel the Nod assault...

...and purse the surviving Nod infantry into the woods....

....where Republican forces capture a company of Nod trucks.

Meanwhile Nod launches an armoured thrust up the left flank.

Republican regulars expel Nod from the BUA.

Republican resistance on the heights is spirited, but is overwhelmed by Noddist armour.

A company of Nod T-72s pours into the lowlands.

A company of Nod T-55s gets mauled by Republican anti tank fire.

Other Nod units join the advance.

Republican artillery units start shelling the heights.

Elsewhere, the HQ elements of Nod infantry units live up to their reputation for toughness.

A platoon of Nod T-55s is destroyed by fire from Republican T-55s.

Which in turn are destroyed by...

Noddist infantry armed with AT-4s.

Nod armour still attempts to advance through the burning wrecks on the heights.

Civilian Militia continue their rampage through the woods.

A Republican Motorcycle RPG team destroys a platoon of Nod APCs. Nods advance is halted in the centre.

Nod HQ elements remain defiant.

The Nod FAC element has been hit hard. No MiGs today.

Nod armour burning on the heights...

...burning in the lowlands...

...and burning in the woods.

 The forces of the Republic managed to halt the Noddist advance, and destroy a great deal of Noddist war material.