Hello Everyone
As you can gather from the title, I need your advice. On what Cold War era paint scheme I should paint well rather decal this Rubicon Models 1/56 scale T-34/85 in. I’ve narrowed it down to a pair of African Paint Schemes.
Option A) a Somali T-34/85. Which was used by the Somali Army in a mixed T-55 and T-34 force against Marxist Ethiopia and its Cuban allies during the 1977-1978 Ogaden War. But due to the shipment of Soviet Military Aid and Cuban Troops to Ethiopia. The formerly Soviet allied Somalia was defeated. With a large number of Somali T-34/85s being lost in the sands of the Ogaden Desert.
Or would you like to see Option B) an Angolan T-34/85. Which was supplied to the communist MPLA faction by Cuba after Angolan Independence from Portugal in 1975. That the MPLA and its Cuban Allies used against the rival FNLA and UNITA factions, during the Angolan Civil War.
However the Angolan Civil war would become interwoven, with the Border War against South Africa. When the South African Defence Force began crossing the South West African-Angolan border. The MPLA T-34/85 often faced down modern South African Vehicles such as the Ratal 90 IFV. And air attacks from the South African Air Force fighter jets. With a lot of T-34’s being destroyed in these engagements with the South African forces.
By 1987 due to a mixture of losses in engagements with the SADF, and mechanical failures. The last of Angola’s T-34s were removed from front line service. With Cuba replacing the lost armour with large numbers of T-54 and T-55 tanks.
So, what should it be viewers option A) a Somali Army T-34/85. Or Option B) a Angolan T-34? The poll closes on October 31st 2022 (aka Halloween)
In the meantime, I’ve started to edit a long form video for this kit. With the idea of having, it split into a two-part video. With the first part dealing with how this model was made. With the second half depicting the painting of the tank and crew. Plus the making of the diorama. So expect to see that in near future. Until then thank you for your votes.
Good luck with all your ongoing scale modelling projects
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Shuttle Factory Scale Models