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K-2 Ironclad Battalion Army Deal (VPAAB01) Spotlight

K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) Contains nine plastic T-54 Tanks, two ZSU-57-2 Tanks and one decal sheet.

Maoist doctrine calls for three phases in a revolutionary war. In the first phase, the revolutionaries gain the support of the population. In the second phase, guerrilla forces attack military and other vital targets. In the third phase, the revolutionary forces switch to conventional warfare, defeating the military, seizing cities, and taking control of the country. By 1971, with the ‘Vietnamisation’ of the war and the withdrawal of Free World forces, the Nationalists believed that the time had come for the third phase. They started forming large conventional forces including armour and artillery and conducting combined-arms operations.

Check out The K-2 Ironclad Battalion in the Online Store…

K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
T-54 Tank (plastic) (x9)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
ZSU-57-2 (x2)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)

The K-2 Ironclad Battalion In ‘Nam
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01) K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)

Assembling The K-2 Ironclad Battalion In ‘Nam
K-2 Ironclad Battalion (VPAAB01)
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Sampan Boats (VPA822) Spotlight

VPABX12 Contains two Sampan boats and two crew figures

Free World forces in the Republic of Vietnam faced the day-to-day paranoia of dealing with a civilian population whose loyalties could not be guessed. Any man, woman, or child of the local populace could be working for the resistance, reporting on troop movements, providing false information, or sniping at the enemy.

Check out the Local Resistance in the online store here…


Sampan Boats

Sampans were shallow-draft boats generally used for transportation of goods or people, usually in rivers or coastal areas. It was unusual for a sampan to sail far from land as they did not have the means to survive rough weather. They strived in areas normal boats couldn’t easily sail in.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Chris Townley

VPABX12
VPABX12
VPABX12 VPABX12
VPABX12
VPABX12
VPABX12
VPABX12 VPABX12

Contents

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

VPABX12

Assembling the Sampan Boats (VPA822)

When assembling your sampan boats you have the option of using a rower or an engine operator. Below I will show you how to add either one.

Rower. Glue the feet of the rower to the back right of your Sampan boat as shown below. 

Tip: When assembling your models it’s always a good idea to dry fit your parts before glueing.
VPABX12 VPABX12
Engine operator. Glue the bottom the the engine operator to the back of the boat. Don’t forget to dry fit!
VPABX12 VPABX12

 

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BTR-50PK (VPA221) Spotlight

BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) includes one BTR-50PK Armoured Personnel Carrier

The three companies of a North Vietnamese armoured battalions were often equipped with different types of tanks. At first this was due to a shortage of modern tanks, but later combinations of tanks, amphibious tanks, and armoured personnel carriers allowed a battalion to undertake whatever role was assigned it without further support.

Check out the BTR-50PK Company in the online store here…

Most armoured battalions include a đại đội cơ giới bộ binh
(pronounced dai doy kur vay boh beeng), or mechanised infantry company. These operate Soviet BTR-50PK xe thiết giáp chở quân (pronounced ser tee-et harp chur kwun) armoured troop carriers. Their role is to use their mobility and armour to advance close behind the tanks, then dismount and assault on foot covered by fire from the tank’s guns. Their high proportion of B41 anti-tank weapons means that they can defend themselves if attacked by enemy tanks.Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
The BTR-50PK in ‘Nam
 
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
Most armoured battalions included a mechanised infantry company operating Soviet BTR-5OPK armoured troop carriers. Their role is to use their mobility and armour to advance close behind the tanks, then dismount and assault on foot covered by fire from the tank’s guns.
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04) BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
Contents of the BTR-50PK Company Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
Description of Components
a. Tank commander sprue.
b. Hatch sprue.
c.
.50cal AA MGs
d.
 Mudguard sprues.
e. Right-hand side tracks.
f.
 Left-hand side tracks.
g.
 Resin BTR-50PK hulls.
Assembling The BTR-50PK
Follow the diagram below to assemble the BTR-50PK correctly.

Tip: Use the figure of your choice from the tank commander sprue to identify the platoon command tank.

Below: The assembly diagram for the BTR-50PK.

BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
PAVN Tank Painting Guide
BTR-50PK Company (VPABX04)
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ZSU-57-2 (VPA161) Spotlight

ZSU-57-2 Anti-air Company (VPABX05) includes one ZSU-57-2 SP Anti-aircraft gun and one PAVN head sprue

The ZSU-57-2 was a Soviet-built self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that first came into service with the Red Army in 1955. The acronym ZSU stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka, which when translated means anti-aircraft self-propelled mount; 57 designates the calibre of the weapons and 2 states the number of gun barrels.

Check out the ZSU-57-2 SP Anti-aircraft Gun in the online store here…

Built on the chassis of the T-54 tank, the twin S-68 57mm cannons were mounted in an open-topped turret which only offered the crew inside a minimum level of armour protection. Manned by a crew of six (driver, commander, gunner, dedicated sight adjuster and a pair of loaders), the ZSU-57-2 was limited to only engaging aircraft that the crew could actually see.  Once an aircraft was spotted, the sight adjustor had to correctly calibrate the gun sight before the target could be engaged; making the vehicle virtually useless during nighttime operations.
ZSU-57-2 ZSU-57-2
The war in Vietnam was the first recorded service for the ZSU-57-2 in a combat zone. But the North Vietnamese quickly learnt that the ZSU-57-2 was just as effective in providing fire support for infantry attacks as it was sweeping the air of enemy aircraft.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster
ZSU-57-2 ZSU-57-2
The ZSU-57-2 in ‘Nam
 ZSU-57-2
ZSU-57-2 ZSU-57-2
ZSU-57-2 ZSU-57-2
The ZSU-57-2 anti-aircraft tank is the chassis of a T-54 battle tank mounting twin 57mm anti-aircraft guns in an open-topped turret. Its rate of fire makes it deadly to aircraft and helicopters, while its high-velocity, long-barrelled guns punch through light armour with ease.
ZSU-57-2 ZSU-57-2
Contents of the ZSU-57-2 Blister
ZSU-57-2
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Assembling The ZSU-57-2
Follow the diagram to the below to correctly assemble the ZSU-57-2.
ZSU-57-2

 

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Assembling The K-3 (PT-76) (VPA031)

Step 1. Begin assembly with the tracks.

Tip: Each track is stamped with the letter ‘R’ or ‘L’ to indicate correct orientation.

Step 2. Attach the tracks to the resin hull.

Tip: When referring to left or right-hand side in regards to a Flames Of War miniature, the orientation is determined as if looking at the vehicle from the rear.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Step 3. Next, attach the mudguards to the front and rear of the hull.

Tip: The mudguards are generic so can be used in anywhere on the hull.

Below: Both front mudguards attached to the hull.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Step 4. Attach the mudguards to the rear of the hull. Below: Both rear mudguards attached to the hull.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Step 5. Next, attach the main gun to the front of the turret. Below: The main gun attached to the front of the turret.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Step 6. Attach the turret hatch to the top of the turret. Step 7. Finally, attach a AA machine-gun the rear of the turret.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Adding A Tank Commander
Step 1. Attach the commander’s hatch to the turret in the open position. Step 2. Add the tank commander figure of your choice. Tip: It may be necessary to reposition the AA machine-gun to accommodate the tank commander and the open hatch.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Below: The fully-assembled K-3 (PT-76) with and without a commander.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
PAVN Tank Painting Guide
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
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K-3 (PT-76) (VPA031) Spotlight

K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) includes one K-3 (PT-76) Armoured Personnel Carrier and one Tank Commander sprue.

The People’s Army committed their armour into battle in battalions, Tiểu Đoàn Thiết Giáp (pronounced thee-ow doh‑ahn tee-et harp), and grouped these into entire regiments.

Check out the K-3 (PT-76) in the online store here…

As aid from China and the Soviet Union increased, their armoured strength grew rapidly from a single battalion in 1965 to three armoured regiments in 1971. This gave them a significant advantage over the puppet forces as each battalion had more tanks than an entire ARVN armoured brigade.

The Vietnamese term xe thiết giáp (ironclad vehicle) is used to refer to tanks. However, the influence of the English word ‘tank’ has also led to the use of xe tăng (pronounced ser tung), or simply tăng as well. Confusingly, tăng itself means increase or up.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster

The K-3 (PT-76) in ‘Nam
 
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Built as a amphibious light tank, the K-3 (Soviet designation PT-76) was ideal for operations in Vietnam where its light armour and mobility allowed it to manoeuvre through terrain that would stop other vehicles. Armed with a 76mm gun it could knock out enemy gun positions, but was less reliable against enemy armour.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03) K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
The K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company Advance
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
K-3 (PT-76) Ironclad Company (VPABX03)
Description of Components
b. 1x Tank commander sprue.
c. 5x Turret hatches.
d. 5x Main guns.
e.
5x .50cal AA MGs.
f. 5x Mudguard sprues.
g. 5x Left-hand side tracks.
h. 5x Right-hand side tracks.
i. 5x Resin K-4 (PT-76) turrets & hulls.