As you can see, four of the T-26s are the Pegasus 'E-Z Build' m1933s, while the lead tank in either company will be a lovely Mirage 1/72 m1939 variant of the T-26. Technically, the two Mirage tanks are slightly different variation of the T-26, but the differences are negligible.
I would have really liked to have gotten my hands on a Vickers 'T-26E' - this was a Finnish variation based on the British Vickers 6 Ton tank (the design on which the Soviet T-26 is based). But I just couldn't find an example of this in plastic, resin or diecast.
It's all a bit complicated but if you want to know all about the T-26 variants in Finnish use then visit this website for a detailed history: Jaegerplatoon.net - Vickers 6 Ton/T-26E tanks and Captured T-26 (ex-Soviet) tanks.
The 'E' in the Finnish T-26E stands for 'Englantilainen' (English/British), because of the Vickers heritage.
Now, I could have made a seventh T-26, as the Rapid Fire rules wargame rules specify an HQ tank for the armor brigade. But six similar vehicles was enough for me and so I am opting to make my HQ tank a captured Soviet T-50 light tank instead. (The Finns capture just one example of the T-50 light tank, and - as it happens - it was used as a command tank.)
I managed to find a diecast model of this less well-known tank on eBay for a nice price - so why the heck not.
I badgered Shaun at S-and-S models earlier this year about doing at least the turret for the T-26E, as he was on something of a roll with doing Resin conversions for quickbuild kits, but it's understandably a fairly low priority as something of a niche item, but at least one might see the light of day eventually...
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting news. I had wondered how hard it might be to fudge a T-26E turret myself. But it's not just the turret that might need modifying. Still, that would be great if it comes about. :)
DeleteThose Mirage kits are nasty on the eyesight Stephen, but the carpet monster loves them. Respect.
ReplyDeleteOh dear! I can see a session of curing coming up! ;)
Deleteminairons makes a T-26 also either Twin turret or single turret versions.Not very detailed though.
ReplyDelete