CHEAP VBCW TANKS (1)

If you're going to manoeuvre big VBCW tank forces (and who is not 'a tankie'?), then you need the tanks to be quick to build - and cheap. Hence, Hereford1938 has mostly taken a "Hollywood tank" approach to armoured warfare (well, this is alt-history), and scratched around for suitable 28mm-ish scale models/representations. Hong Kong/Japanese toys from the 1960s have been found to be 'just the thing':

A tinplate AND plastic creation from Japan, marketed as a "Yone tank".

This type (the "Skeet Tank") not only runs on a clockwork mechanism, but also
shoots "safe disks". Wow !

The tinplate upper is easily removable, allowing the wargamer to ditch the clockwork
mechanism, key and gear. The resulting holes are easy enough to disguise with a little
plasticard and filler. Then underspray and paint to taste..

Et voila - "French Lend-Lease" tank destroyers in use with the 
Ludlow Experimental Armoured Brigade. 28mm crew figures in Adrian Helmets.
Clearly waiting for suitable transfers/decals...

Going the other way, and no shortage of transfers/decals - BUF tank destroyers
 with 28mm crews head along the road to Ledbury, passing a parked up BUF Tank Brigade.

These "Yone/Skeet" tanks are particularly fun, as the "open top" allows for some characterful crew figures. One of the "Safe Disks" provides an exact fitting base. Both these "tank destroyers" were sourced from Ebay, where such "Yone/Skeet" tanks occasionally pop up at about £5 a piece. Warning - some sellers clearly think such tanks are made from "unobtainium", and price accordingly - obviously to be avoided. Most, however, realise that they simply have an old and mass produced cheap plastic toy for sale....