I was thinking the exact same thing! Those book bags used to be sort of mandatory, but were not really enforced by the schools. Like all the other cool kids, I just went for a backpack and naturally I used to “one strap” it.
I feel old now.
4 Likes
Slightly related. Apparently, Zimi is reworking the Dragon Kpz-70 with new 3D parts as a Beta test of their new Drami line of ex-Dragon kits.
From Zimi:
“…the first Beta version Drami kit KPZ-70 was released this month in the Changchun Model Exhibition, which includes new metal barrel for the weapon station and the whole 3d print version of the weapon station as well…”
7 Likes
Well, that’s good news I suppose! If the lacking details are lacking in the 20mm cannon station and have been addressed, then great. I have yet to tackle that in my models as the weapon is portrayed as closed down.
Also a bit late in the day for me too, as I have several in the stash; arguably what they could have down was to provide a US hull (most of the work if one wanted a US turret is pretty much done I feel), revamp the turret a little and re-issue as a genuine “MBT-70”. I’m aware I’m over-simplifying somewhat here(!) I might just combine a Dragon turret with a Commander Models hull, that way I can crew a US version. Hmmm.
But this is certainly a step in the right direction and will, I’m sure, draw attention to the AFV, so good for Zimi.
A good time for being a modeller, especially if the Cold War is one’s thing.
1 Like
It’s hard to make out from that photo, but the three tanks with the blue turrets appear to have hulls with deep-wading snorkels. The middle one at least also looks like it has an American rear plate.
1 Like
I’ve enlarged as much as I could given my limited copy & paste skills, but I still can’t discern any schnorkels.
I can see however, the US-looking rear hull, and a few extraneous remote weapon stations; though I often thought about the possibilities of that in lieu of the 20mm station, I wouldn’t have put anything else on the turret, after all the 20mm weapon on the MBT-70 must have been one of the first of its kind in concept if nothing else.
1 Like
One never knows, do one?
1 Like
Forgive my spelling - I seem to have become dyslexic these days. Of course, “done” not “down”.
1 Like
Join the crew.
There are many perpetrators of creative spelling in these here forums ..
2 Likes
Sorry, I was not too clear: I meant hulls with vertical sides to the engine area, which were there to house the snorkels for deep-wading. Not that the models had the snorkels raised 
1 Like
Thank you Robin, that was very merciful,
1 Like
Aha, yes. One of my (fantasy) options would be to portray one as a USMC vehicle - a lot of work and I think I’ve only ever seen the one image:
I mean, would that be it? Just the two schnorkels at the rear?
1 Like
Plugs in all sorts of openings, I would expect. Gun muzzle, the holes for the coax and telescope in the gun mantlet, probably covers over some of the optics, etc.
1 Like
it’s always been the bracing wires/cables that have deterred me - your waterproofing all logical of course. Nothing like the German efforts with a tower perhaps? Not that it matters much, though at the back of my mind I can still see one emerging onto a beach Lebanon 58 style. And would it have been in a particular Marine Corps colour I wonder? Have I really got the time/inclination to bother with a USMC What-If?
However, I further wonder if 2026 is turning into the “year of the MBT-70” from a modelling perspective of course. There would seem to be enough interest - I think - but on the other hand, perhaps not(!)
2 Likes
I finally managed to get the little DAF into Gelboliv, and have installed some details; more work to follow, including installing the canopy:
11 Likes
I love the details, especially the Operator’s Manual (or is it the driver’s guestbook?)! Just one question though: is the 20 L can’s spout mounted the right way round? The ones I had the pleasure of opening had the ‘hollow’ part pointing at the carrying handles - the pics just don’t show it too clearly.
1 Like
The book seems to have pale green covers, which would mean it’s not a vehicle manual. All Cold War Dutch military handbooks I’ve ever seen, have had medium grey covers, either thin card or vinyl-covered very thick card — see an earlier post of mine in this thread for an example of the former. (Incidentally, these look like books, but they’re actually loose-leaf binders with 8-cm twin perforations.)
1 Like
Peter, thanks; sadly |I think you’re right, I’ve got it wrong. I’ll have to see what I can do re damage limitation.
1 Like
No it isn’t.
Pull handle forward, locking bows rotate out (two green arrows), push the whole contraption towards the handles to clear the spout, pour.
The blue arrow points at the pivot where the locking mechanism pushes the lid straight down
Open with pouring “tube” attached, the pouring “tube” locks into the same openings
as the standard lock/lid but from the other direction.
Open without the pouring “tube”
The trick to avoid glugging and sudden gushes is to hold the can sideways with the
spout-side up to pour the first two fifths, then hold it sideways with the spout-side
down for the next two fifths and finally vertical (bottoms up, spout down) to get the
last drops.
Switching grip provides some relief for the arms AND the can is easier to
grip and hold sideways due to the orientation of the handles. Pouring sideways also
prevents the lid from interfering with the pouring.
The little tube visible inside the spout leads air back/up into the rear upper corner
of the can, into the little volume behind the handles.
This prevents glugging but the can is still easier to lift if the pouring starts sideways.
1 Like
Well, I looked until I couldn’t see! God knows I’ve used the things enough.
As I was half way thought a now, pointless repair, I’ll have to glue it back on - the right war round as it was!
2 Likes
Um - I thought the hinge bit pointed towards the handle when the lid was closed and secured. As it’s stowed in the back of a VIP staff car I doubt it would be open! So yes Brian, it needs turned, or perhaps covered with a casually-tossed jacket etc?
1 Like