Wak zis-30

[CharlieC]

When WAK released their T-20 artillery tractor model I wondered if they would rework the T-20 model as a ZIS-30 - they did.

At the start of the GPW the Red Army did not have any SP guns to slow or defeat Wehrmacht armour. The conventional towed anti-tank guns could not be moved fast enough to keep ahead of the Wehrmacht advances. As a desperation measure T-20 tractors were withdrawn from Red Army units, refurbished and fitted with the 57mm ZIS-4 gun. Some 100 T-20s were converted into the ZIS-30 tank destroyer. The ZIS-30 was used in the defence of Moscow in 1941 but by mid-1942 most had gone. It was surprisingly successful since the ZIS-4 gun could destroy German tanks at long range. However the lack of protection for the crew and overloaded chassis meant that it was never anything but a desperation measure.

The ZIS-30 model is designed by Jerzy Janukowicz - one of the co-authors of the T-20 model.

The kit consists of:

1 A4 page of Polish text with instructions
1 page of 80 gsm with the frame parts and the band tracks.
3 pages of diagrams - a style similar to Halinski is used.
1 page showing the wire parts and their location on the model.
4 pages of about 160gsm parts.

Tracks are modeled as individual links which look to be quite challenging to cut out. The model parts are packed in quite tightly so some care will have to be taken when cutting out parts. The 57mm gun model appears to be adequate without being outstanding.

The model is finished in irregular stripes of pale ochre, green and red-brown. This is a change from the usual 4B0 green of most Soviet armour but appears to be an authentic camouflage scheme. There's no shading or weathering on the model.

This model looks as if it build into a credible model of a rare and unusual Soviet vehicle. Probably not for a beginner though.

Regards,

Charlie

[eatcrow2]

Great review Charlie...