Finished Syrian ZSU-23-4 AAA Tank - 15mm Old Glory

ZSU-23-4 AAA Tank from Old Glory

Another vehicle finished for my Golan Heights Project - a Syrian ZSU-23-4, a 15mm model from Old Glory.  I used the same painting approach as I did for the T-55s from Peter Pig. I did not put any vehicle numbers or marking on this tank, however, as I was not sure where they would have been placed on the vehicle.

The quad 23mm canons on this model are barely hanging together

This model is nicer than the Old Glory T-62s, but not as nice as the stuff from Peter Pig (although check here for an interesting discussion on TMP about some shortcomings I was not aware of on their older T-55 models - I don't care, I still love them - but I digress).  This model had some nice bits of stowage - tow cables, a shovel, even a camo tarp stashed on the back.  But the quality of the casting leaves something to be desired - there was a lot of flash and bad mould lines.

I used weathering powders over the engine and the exhaust

Far and away the worst feature of the model is the very delicate, impossible to assemble quad 23mm cannons that serve as the focus of the vehicle.  They have the sturdiness of spaghetti and are basically hanging together by a prayer.  I doubt they will survive the first appearance on the table top....on this basis alone, I would not recommend this model to other gamers - but then I'm not sure there are many options out there.

This angle shows more of the weathering on the tracks and road wheels

These vehicles formed an important part of the Syrian's very effective air defences in the opening hours of the battle on the Golan Heights in 1973.  The pilots from the Israeli Air Force were not able to effectively counter the Syrian assault - between the SA-6s, SA-2s and ZSU-23-4s, the IAF A-4s were blown from the sky in large numbers.  This would change as Israel gradually reclaimed the initiative and took the battle to the Syrians, but for the first few days, tanks like this one extracted a heavy price from the IAF.

As a wargamer I have always thought the ZSU-23-4 is one of the coolest pieces of Soviet/Russian Cold War kit.  The quad cannons look downright ominous.  I find most gamers imagine using these weapons against opposing infantry and light vehicles, as opposed to the enemy aircraft, and I am no exception - this has happened a fair bit in our 28mm modern games - but I'm sure on the actual battlefield the crew was to keep their eyes on the sky, and not on the ground.

Ready to move out against the defenders of the Golan Heights

The Old Glory T-62s are up next.  Stay tuned!