From GregB: IDF Tiran 5 Tanks in 15mm (24 points)

Tiran 5 MBTs in 15mm - models from Battlefront.

Here is something a little different for me - some Israeli Tiran 5 tanks in 15mm.  The models are from Battlefront, part of their "Fate of A Nation" figure range.

The silhouette of these tanks may seem oddly familiar...well the Tiran-5 is actually a Soviet T-55 tank.  The IDF captured a large number of T-55s during the Six Day War in 1967, and they were not going to waste these assets.  They took the captured tanks and replaced the engine, switched out the main gun (to a 105mm gun) and made other changes, and put them into the battle line, for use against their previous owners.

T-55 MBT with new engine, new main gun.

During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, an armoured brigade equipped with Tiran tanks fought in the Sinai against the Egyptian assault across the Suez Canal.  Later I believe Tiran tanks saw service in Lebanon.

I love the decals from Battlefront...

When I was first diving into gaming the Yom Kippur War many years ago, I learned of the Tirans and I thought it would be really cool to do a unit of these tanks.  Old Glory had a model available in 15mm, but the quality of the casting was poor, so I only painted one of the vehicles.  Once Battlefront came into the period with T-55s, I wrote them asking to see if I could order some bits separately to create these tanks myself...I was told I couldn't!

Notorious for their cramped interiors, the IDF added extra storage on the exterior for the crew to use.

Fast forward to 2018, and I see that "Fate Of A Nation" has been re-issued (to match up with the newer "Team Yankee" rules), and that a model has been released of the Tiran-5s! I couldn't wait to get a company of them painted up.

Lots of MGs on the cupola...

And where better than during a Painting Challenge? I had planned to paint 10 of these...and yet...well, again, you can see why I don't try to "plan" too much with my painting, particularly during the Painting Challenge.  I didn't finish the company, but I did finish these first three test models, enough to get me started...have to save some for next time, right? That's 24 more points...now...back to the brushes, to try and squeeze one more submission in.

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Wow, what an interesting background to those AFVs, Greg. I didn't know the Israelis modified them so heavily - the 105 gun and bolted-on exterior stowage gives them a very unique silhouette. Very cool and they all come with the excellent brushwork that we have come to expect from you. 

These two Tirans allow you to grind on, putting more distance on your 1200 point target. Brilliant job dude!

- Curt