Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Buzzbomb on December 01, 2024, 05:44:18 PM

Title: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Buzzbomb on December 01, 2024, 05:44:18 PM
This is a quick repurposing of an older build.
In the Idea and Inspirations - Land Thread on the Wiesel, GTX mentioned the Wiesel in service in Ukraine. Looks like there have been none delivered yet, but who knows. A vehicle is a vehicle and it is certainly nippy.

So what if the Germans sent some surplus Wiesels and the Ukraine engineers used the Javelin instead of the fitted TOW launcher of some vehicles

I have a couple of old Wiesels builds, raging from the original AFV Club Release to the TOW version. Both pre loved and past their prime.
Plus a set of NATO weapons that has Javelins and Stingers
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8700nkk56yhct0qy9j3t6/WeiselUKR_1.JPG?rlkey=thoew451c84o86td9p7ow93qx&st=ly68q5le&raw=1)

Decided to Modify the TOW version as it makes more sense, plus has an interior. Why swap the TOW for Javelin, maybe the generational difference or perhaps getting reloads
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cvvxs5k4zv0aoy7so4s94/WeiselUKR_2.JPG?rlkey=s6gd41oraad6hy7iefpjj1lyx&st=qqoc98cw&raw=1)

Next will be a repaint and repair of falling offing bits. This one does have a full etch set as well

Went for a simple rack mount, so the weapon can be dismounted as well, so still manual reloads as designed. Sort of just adding mobility
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n45jag2x5y02diesgaapd/WeiselUKR_3.JPG?rlkey=r144ztfrdlvs56zl3kcetk2v9&st=434jed19&raw=1)

Dug up an ancient photo relic, the original Dio I had the Wiesels in way back in 2006. Lots of broken Dio rules there compared with today  :o
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vvp47vlbrdtr24u19wjo0/P6111016.JPG?rlkey=hkrsc5kryzqbtjgumz64t8ycf&st=z860wwyw&raw=1)
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: Old Wombat on December 01, 2024, 06:28:29 PM
One good reason for swapping to Javelin from TOW, is the fire-&-forget capability - makes shoot-&-scoot much easier & quicker (very useful in a hot environment). :smiley:



And re: the old dio ... Rules are made to be broken! ;)
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 02, 2024, 12:58:25 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: Frank3k on December 02, 2024, 02:47:44 AM
This is a great idea and repurpose. You can add a spare tube or two in addition to the ready to fire Javelin. Maybe throw in a couple of AT4s.
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: Claymore on December 02, 2024, 04:44:50 AM
Replacing TOW with Javelin makes eminent sense - perhaps with some ready-use NLAWs strapped to the outside for the PBI - although I appreciate there isn’t a lot of space.   :smiley:
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: Kerick on December 02, 2024, 09:10:22 AM
Last I heard in Ukraine there were using electric bikes to quietly approach the target, shoot and speed away. Of course that was many months ago.
Title: Re: Weisel for Ukraine
Post by: Buzzbomb on December 12, 2024, 07:01:38 PM
Bit more on this for a brief session during this busy time of the year

Javelin mount and an at hand reload. Wonky because it is only blue tac on at the moment
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/frx5mqh5xbfpa3kqmp1zd/WeiselUKR_4.JPG?rlkey=k7uoma6cpc9dxw9i79tlhqt0x&st=j75m0inq&raw=1)

(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r8acl9k3lvwpz5we28a4b/WeiselUKR_5.JPG?rlkey=c3970zzqkjmbsgr3oi56z6uwc&st=47sj7yga&raw=1)

Looking through my spares for a PK or PKM machine gun to give it a different look for the commander hatch area.


Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Ramba on December 12, 2024, 08:26:30 PM
Great job resurrecting that Wiesel. The Javelin looks good on it.
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Old Wombat on December 12, 2024, 09:51:46 PM
All Hail St Javelin! :icon_alabanza: :icon_alabanza:

Good rebuild, mate! :smiley:
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Kerick on December 12, 2024, 11:33:33 PM
What they said!
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Frank3k on December 13, 2024, 12:26:01 AM
Beautiful! Looks like it would work well as a scout vehicle. Dragon/DML had some very nice PKMs in their russian figure sets, but the ultimate - and a fantastic set of weapons - is the ICM Infantry weapons and chevrons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (https://icm.com.ua/technique/infantry-weapons-and-chevrons-of-the-armed-forces-of-ukraine/) You could even add a drone and controller.
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 13, 2024, 01:59:33 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Buzzbomb on December 19, 2024, 01:38:59 PM
Got this one done as well in the lull before the mayhem of next week

Might get some figure/s if I get some Ukraine guys, all I have in the stash is last century Russian figures and equipment has moved on since then

(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/44gcd96vyylq7pp2zac2b/WeiselUKR_6.JPG?rlkey=b2s6b3yvevgw229oo5rpb1fxd&st=yoed9do6&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/p4rdquwc161casszbs29z/WeiselUKR_7.JPG?rlkey=v3fzm4y7d16wtmhki5ei5699e&st=a39fwvab&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yayj7te06dts034pkezuq/WeiselUKR_8.JPG?rlkey=9b8qlhwsvdzqfe2lpye7dzc7v&st=dmrzwr6j&raw=1)
(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qfzo1nseiz3sv5nbhkdkn/WeiselUKR_9.JPG?rlkey=pd5rd77m37yrib4ubtp90rkkm&st=p8567l0f&raw=1)







Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on December 19, 2024, 02:27:51 PM
Just enough weathering on an outstanding idea that should be an actual vehicle. 
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Kerick on December 19, 2024, 02:47:02 PM
ICM does all kinds of Ukrainian figures including some female drone controllers.
I asked the folks from ICM at the Nationals if they had a figure set that included a beaver. I got a puzzled look until I showed the video of the “combat beaver” that refused to leave the trench the Ukrainian soldiers had just dug.
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: GTX_Admin on December 20, 2024, 01:13:52 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Frank3k on December 20, 2024, 01:38:57 AM
Great job! Very believable. The ICM figure sets have Ukrainian soldiers and tankers in their lineup. While many still use the old Russian TSh-4 soft helmet, I've seen pictures of tankers wearing modern NATO/US hard tanker helmets.
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Claymore on December 20, 2024, 06:53:47 AM
Very nice - as always!  :smiley:
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Ramba on December 20, 2024, 09:50:38 PM
Great job! Very believable. The ICM figure sets have Ukrainian soldiers and tankers in their lineup. While many still use the old Russian TSh-4 soft helmet, I've seen pictures of tankers wearing modern NATO/US hard tanker helmets.

I have noticed that the crews with the M1A1 SA use the US/NATO helmets but the crews with the Leopard 2's use the soft helmet.
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Ramba on December 20, 2024, 09:52:45 PM
Came out great!
Title: Re: Wiesel for Ukraine
Post by: Kerick on December 20, 2024, 11:00:58 PM
Great job! Very believable. The ICM figure sets have Ukrainian soldiers and tankers in their lineup. While many still use the old Russian TSh-4 soft helmet, I've seen pictures of tankers wearing modern NATO/US hard tanker helmets.

I have noticed that the crews with the M1A1 SA use the US/NATO helmets but the crews with the Leopard 2's use the soft helmet.

It may have more to do with the electrical connectors for the radio and intercom system.