T-54A Prague 1968 (Operation Danube)

Rui S
Mate, hope you don't mind me saying🙂 but if this 1 photo doesn't show a battle weathered tank, I don't know what more is necessary for that. The right fender is missing the left one is all bended the white band almost looks grey and also all over completely spleen😉

Cortex
hahaha you are right I shouldn't have put the first pic 😄 .. tanks that got attacked by mobs or burned after abandoned by crews had some serious damage on them. However, the majority were shiny when they rolled in like the ones in project cover photo, also recalling the fact that by 1968 the Warso T-54/T-55 army was relatively new, and large numbers were manufactured by that date.

USSR had a strategy to use same tanks for training, parade, and even combat to minimize the need of refurbishing units after the first 7000km. Thus when the need arouse to push great number of units to Prague most of them were new and they lost only few in action.

Rui S
Hi, Cortex471. I was just trying to help 🙂. Nice info there. Did you finish it in satin or gloss?

Cortex
Thanks you : ) .. honestly I wasn't in the mood to do a damaged model 😄
I used a glossy dark green spray can.

And here is the book I referred to during subject research
SCM Book:

Rui S
Ok, cortex471 🙂 I will take a look at it. But for the time being at my own risk, I hope you do not judge me pedantic about it mate, but in my most honest opinion I think a maximum of maxima I would use a satin varnish. 🙂

Rui S
I've checked the book. Colour plate A is nice, maybe you would find this link interesting nice colour photo, curious, same damage but not the same tank 😉:

ryszardsiwiec.com/prl_a_praska_wiosna_en.html

Cortex
Can I apply the varnish safely over the decals ? Never done that before

Photos are great : ) thanks!

Rui S
If the decals adhere well to the paint and are well fixed yes you can, dull or satin as you wish. I do it all the time. Do it careful with thin layers, in the beginning. cortex471 🙂 do you use decal fixer?

Kerry COX
Well cortex, I enjoyed your version of events and I am only here on my tour of all my "Mates" albums, dropping in on each one of you to see what you have posted and to get a better idea of what my friends/mates do and say G'day.
You have an impressive number of albums here Cortex and I am still yet to have a look at each ine, image by image.
But I must say what an experience it's been so far, a most enjoyable one.
Your very talented.
🙂 Cheers mate. 👍

Cortex
Thank you Kerry : )
I try to express my love to history through modelling (best hobby ever 👍 ), trying to learn as I go and also from expert modellers since I'm still no expert by any means 😄