Visit to Fort Canning - Singapore

Time for a bit of History

I was lucky enough to travel to Singapore for work recently and had a bit of time to walk around Fort Canning which was the Allied command bunker in WWII before it was captured by the Japanese. It was then abandoned after the war and rediscovered years later.  It has now been restored and is a museum. 

I have always interested by the odd mix of Allied equipment sent to fight in the Japanese theatre where the Allies believed they didn't need to use their best equipment. So, they used planes like the Brewster Buffalo which was seen very much as an outdated model by the time it entered service. 

There doesn't appear to be any brakes!

It was interesting to read about the Indians, that  the Japanese managed to persuade to fight against the Allies (& British in particular) including a Woman's regiment. 

Rob 

More Tanks

 And Even More Tanks from Tankfest

Not really a tank but a concrete bunker on wheels. Built for airfield defence in the case of German paratrooper attack. 

This Vickers Mark II really captures the transition between WWI and WWII tanks for me. Even the small Mark VI (the next tank below) looks a lot more modern in comparison. 

I don't think this was a real paint scheme?? but done for World of Tanks. 

Rob

Matilda I & Comet

Size Does Matter in Tanks

I was lucky enough to go Tankfest at Bovington Tank museum yesterday and the exhibit that stood out to me. Was the comparison between the Matilda I and the Comet tanks and stark contrast between them. You can see the similarities between the Centurion and the Comet, which only serves to highlight the huge advancement in tank design during the war.  And when you think about the difference between the Panzer I and the King Tiger the contrast is even more stark. More photos to follow. 

Rob

The French Connection

Entente Cordiale

Souma S-35 Cavalry tank

BUF panzers surprised by a mystery tank. 

The colour scheme of this tank wouldn't look out of place on the battlefields of WH40K. But is based on the one at the Bovington Tank museum so I assume is a 'real' period design. 

The Souma S-35 cavalry tank was designed by the Souma firm. This a was a modern tank design appearing at the beginning of 1935 and fitted with 47mm Sa35 gun (with over 100 rounds) and two 7.5mm Reibel machine guns. With a top speed of 29.2 mph on road and 14.3 mph cross country. With 40mm frontal armour. Making it a well armoured, armed and a fast tank. At the beginning of WWII over 260 were in service with the French army. Its limiting factor was a crew of only three, meaning the commander had to multi-task. 

It would have made a welcome addition to any of the warring factions in a VBCW. 

The colour scheme is based on the one
from Bovington Tank museum

Souma S35 from Bovington Tank museum. 

Renault Type UE Chenillette Supply Carrier
from Bovington tank Museum

Rob