John Plzak

Dec 5, 2024 | finescale.com | John Plzak

Molded in dark gray plastic, the all-new Tamiya 1/35 scale PzKpfw I Ausf B plastic model kit features excellent detail including link-and-length styrene tracks with molded sag. Decals are provided for three different vehicles: two from the 4th Panzer Division — one in Poland in 1939, the other from France, 1940 — and a third from an unknown unit in Russia in 1941. Also included is a partial — from the knees up — commander figure to pose in the main hatch.

Apr 11, 2024 | finescale.com | John Plzak

The M60 tank first went into service in 1960 and became the U.S. Marines’ main battle tank in 1963. Over 15,000 were built. The first combat use of the M60 tank designated the Magach 6, was by the Israelis in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. The US retired the M60 from mainline service after Operation Desert Storm, but the National Guard continued use until 1997. The M60 was also sold to many foreign countries.

Sep 12, 2023 | finescale.com | John Plzak

Development began on the 9A52-2 Smerch (a Russian word meaning tornado or whirlwind) in the early 1980s, and the vehicle entered service in 1987. The M version includes major updates to the original vehicle’s fire control system, allowing it to fire individual missiles or salvos of some or all of its missiles as needed. The base vehicle is the MAZ543M 8x8 chassis with two steerable front axles.

Aug 17, 2023 | finescale.com | John Plzak

The Topol-M is an updated version of the Topol ICBM, including the ability to maneuver during flight, and was equipped with onboard active and passive decoys. In 1998, the Topol-M began service deployed in missile silos, but in 2006, the first mobile launchers entered service. Based on the MZKT-79221 chassis built by MAZ in Belarus, the massive 16-wheeled vehicle has all eight axles driven, with the front and rear three axles steerable. Despite its size, the vehicle is quite maneuverable.

Aug 3, 2023 | finescale.com | John Plzak

During the war in Iraq, U.S. forces needed to protect their convoys. Standard M1070 8x8 tractors were converted into gun trucks with the addition of the Heavy Equipment Transporter Urban Survivability Kit (HUSK) to the cab. This included an anti-fragmentation floor, a fire extinguishing system, and armor plating for the cab. An armored compartment with two gun pits was added to the tractor’s rear. The Takom 1/72 scale M1070 gun truck is well-molded in gray plastic and features excellent detail.