asking the hive mind- Cuban Tanks

[flamingpig0]

Does anyone have any info on Cuban tank camouflage in the Ogaden and Angola?

[fsn]

Have you looked at Helion?


https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/war-of-intervention-in-angola-volume-1-angolan-and-cuban-forces-at-war-1975-1976.php?sid=18f9f61780eed72071cdc4d4283a2438


https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/war-of-intervention-in-angola-volume-2-angolan-and-cuban-forces-1976-1983.php?sid=18f9f61780eed72071cdc4d4283a2438

[fsn]

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9217.0

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/e5/2f/7fe52fefa26371b0a67bf421f69e39cd.jpg

Supposed to be a Cuban T55 captured by South Africans


Cuban T55 in Angola
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-decals.net%2Fimages%2F48-B1003_02.jpg&tbnid=uH6wVxdsZ_N5tM&vet=12ahUKEwjJxfT03rv_AhUumycCHZK_CsMQMyhFegQIARB3..i&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-decals.net%2F48-B1003.html&docid=GT2ppvc5pAriqM&w=596&h=841&q=cuban%20tank%20t55&ved=2ahUKEwjJxfT03rv_AhUumycCHZK_CsMQMyhFegQIARB3

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235094534-angolan-t-55-colour-and-tank-commander-uniforms-colour/
https://www.reddit.com/r/TankPorn/comments/zo1744/cubans_t55s_in_angola_during_the_angolan_war/


I just searched for Cuban T55s. I think the plain scheme seems to be the most common. 

[fred.]

This is a bit of history I have completely missed. What where Cuban's doing in Angola?

[fsn]

Would you believe me if I said selling cigars?



They were supporting the communist MPLA in the civil war. 1975 to sometime.

That's all I've got.

[kustenjaeger]

According to Wikipedia Cuba deployed up to 55,000 men at one point.

[Scorpio_Rocks]

The Ogaden War (Ethio-Somali War) is a fascinating conflict with loads of scope for games. Major and minor powers "interfering" (and often changing sides!) and poor Cuban conscripts on the otherside of the planet from home fighting a war even the locals dont fully understand!

[Sunray]

Q: Why are the Third World nations buying Soviet/WP tanks/apcs instead of British and Western models?

A: Cause they get a free Cuban with every tank! 

Popular mess joke in the BAOR circa 1978.

[Elliesdad]

This is a bit of history I have completely missed. What where Cuban's doing in Angola?

I believe that whereas Russian/European troops (or "advisors" if you want to call them that) might look out of place in Angola, the Cubans troops would visually look very much like the locals. The mix of Cuban troops would be some of black African heritage and others of Hispanic origin - all speaking Spanish. Although Angola had been a Portuguese colony most Spanish speaking people can understand Portuguese and vice versa. In addition comrade Fidel was in debt to the Russians, so would look to do favours to support his revolutionary brothers.

Cheers,

Geoff

[Sunray]

When Techno and I were researching the Middle East wars range, we made a witting effort in the case of Arab figures,to facilitate proxy applications such as African bush wars and Cubans.

Add to the mix, the proxy potential of Korea range - 40 Commando as "Mercs" and N Korean as Third world militia.

Game on!   

[toxicpixie]

When Techno and I were researching the Middle East wars range, we made a witting effort in the case of Arab figures,to facilitate proxy applications such as African bush wars and Cubans.

Add to the mix, the proxy potential of Korea range - 40 Commando as "Mercs" and N Korean as Third world militia.

Game on!   

Just to hijack this thread... would the Egyptians or any others work decently for Polish troops of the Cold War?

They have a somewhat more "western" look but with Sov Block weapons which staring at the website the Middle East stuff might fit...

[fsn]

When Techno and I were researching the Middle East wars range, we made a witting effort in the case of Arab figures,to facilitate proxy applications such as African bush wars and Cubans.

I must make it clear that I have a great respect and admiration of friend Techno. He has many great strengths and qualities that qualify him as a gentleman and a craftsman of the highest order, but and I don't want to seem as if I am doubting the word of Friend Sunray, but I have to question that Techno was an active part in the research process.

This is, I reiterate, not to denigrate Techno's capabilities in any way, shape or form, it just seems ... uncharacteristic.

 

[flamingpig0]

Just to hijack this thread... would the Egyptians or any others work decently for Polish troops of the Cold War?

They have a somewhat more "western" look but with Sov Block weapons which staring at the website the Middle East stuff might fit...

At 10mm I would say so

[toxicpixie]

Cheers, I think they should pass muster tbh. The later 80's Soviets with AKM/AK74 look reasonable too.

I think a green paint job instead of tan and no "smocks" should do it...

[Sunray]

I must make it clear that I have a great respect and admiration of friend Techno. He has many great strengths and qualities that qualify him as a gentleman and a craftsman of the highest order, but and I don't want to seem as if I am doubting the word of Friend Sunray, but I have to question that Techno was an active part in the research process.

This is, I reiterate, not to denigrate Techno's capabilities in any way, shape or form, it just seems ... uncharacteristic.

Phil/Techno and I have a good working relationship. I source info on uniforms and weapons. Sometimes I pass on a good pose I recall from other ranges/scales.
In the case of the Egyptians 1973 we captured the special vests for the assault on Suez that were unique to that stage of the campaign.

Phil takes these images and mocks up a figure or two. Sends me images - often coping in Leon- and we comment on it and sign off for the moulds. The design of the figures - based on my modest inputm - is 100% Techno. You will get no better sculpter in 10mm
 
The only gaff I made was in the Korean range. In the early Brits, I suggested to Techno that he copy the Vietnam Oz officer with the weapon held at high port. I neglected to tell him to make the weapon a Sten.