"Cold War vehicle markings- why only on front?" Topic
9 Posts
All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.
Please remember that some of our members are children, and act appropriately.
For more information, see the TMP FAQ.
Back to the Modern Discussion (1946 to 2013) Message Board
Areas of InterestModern
Featured Hobby News Article
Featured Link
Featured Ruleset
Featured Showcase Article At Christmas, the good kids get presents. Ever wondered what happened to the bad kids?
Featured Profile Article
Current Poll
|
| RexMcL | 10 Apr 2013 1:14 p.m. PST |
I was just flipping through a copy of the old Osprey Tank War – Central Front and I realized that, at least on the Warsaw Pact vehicles, national insignia are mostly restricted to the front facing of the vehicle in comparison to WW2 where markings are mostly on the sides. It seems to me that friendly fire would be more likely to come from the flanks so was there any particular logic to why this was done? |
| Sparker | 10 Apr 2013 1:48 p.m. PST |
I actually don't think friendly fire was a major concern for the WarPact forces. Quite apart from a 'stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap' approach to casualties, the silhouette and profile of their tanks was markedly different from the taller, boxier Western armour anyway. Aside from the c/s numbers, I think insignia were purely for ceremonial reasons… |
| Mako11 | 10 Apr 2013 2:16 p.m. PST |
Perhaps they know how bad the aim of their mates are. |
| HistoryPhD | 10 Apr 2013 2:50 p.m. PST |
If I recall from those days, East German tanks generally had their roundel on the side of the turret. Not centered, but toward the front |
| Jemima Fawr | 10 Apr 2013 3:33 p.m. PST |
All the Warpac national markings I've ever seen have been on the turret-sides (hull-sides in the case of turretless vehicles). Poland:
Romania:
East Germany:
Czechoslovakia:
The only marking I can think of on a Warpac vehicle front is the Soviet Airborne parade marking.
|
| RexMcL | 10 Apr 2013 7:13 p.m. PST |
Mark- Most of the color plates in that book seem to have small national markings either on the front/sides of the turret (they usually seem to be more forward than the Polish example you provided) or on the spotlight(?) next to the gun. This is a new period for me so it's easily possible I don't know what I'm talking about.
i.imgur.com/VJr7Knb.png
 |
| Jemima Fawr | 10 Apr 2013 10:26 p.m. PST |
Ah, I see what you mean. I think that's down to them being round turrets and the turret numbers being painted centrally on the turret sides. Once they've done that, the national marking ends up 'wrapping round' to the front-quarters of the turret. If they were square turrets like Challenger or Abrams, they'd be painted on the sides of the turret, like this modern Romanian Gepard:
|
| Lion in the Stars | 10 Apr 2013 10:53 p.m. PST |
Does anyone make decals of that Soviet Airborne marking in 15mm? |
|
speculates about post-Innsmouth gaming.
