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This is Juan Contreras' Vickers E Mk B. This is the Mirage kit No. 72621 built OOB. It is in 1/72 scale and represents a relatively dirty Vickers E Mk B in Bolivian use during the Chaco War. The Vickers E Mk B (known also as "6 Ton") was a successful design of the British industry back in the 1930's. Interestingly, it was not purchased by the British Army, but it was sold worldwide, with customers in China, Poland, Greece, Siam (now Thailand), Finland, Portugal, Bulgaria and Bolivia. It was even produced in the Soviet Union as the T-26 in many variants. There was also a Polish derivate, the 7TP. The British Army even took over a batch of these machines destined to Siam in the outbreak of WWII, and used them for training purposes. Soviet-built machines were deployed first in Spain against the Nationalists, and Germans learnt quite a few lessons during that conflict. Large numbers were again used by the Russians during WWII.
Chaco War
The Chaco War, a quite unknown conflict between Bolivia and Paraguay (1932-1935) saw these tanks in action. Bolivia deployed 3 of these machines, one twin turretted Mk A and two single turretted Mk B's, along with two Carden-Lloyd tankettes. This conflict originated after either country wanted control over the Paraguay river, and more clearly, at the time it was thought there was oil in the area. Later, it was found to be untrue. Paraguayan ill prepared forces inflicted more casualties (57000 over 100000 total casualties) and seized more territory than their Bolivian counterparts (2 thirds of the territory in dispute) even though they had a much smaller army and their training and equipment was poor. Bolivia employed some German WWI veterans to command their forces (i.e. General Hans Kundt) and received assistance from many countries, including British and Chilean. Paraguay, however, received assistance from Argentina, and purchased material from France and the USA. Interestingly, Argentina trialed the Vickers tanks, but finally chose not tu purchase them. After doing some research, I found that some 3000 to 5000 veterans of that conflict were still alive in 2004, and one of the Bolivian tank crew among them. He had been interviewed for a newspaper. From that article, I translated and condensed his story: Subteniente Juan Saavedra Acha started his career as an infantry soldier, at the age of 17 and after finishing his high school. He volunteered and served his country with distinction in Platanillos, near Boqueron; Arce, Aliguata, Kilometro 7, and Nanawa, the first action where the tanks were used. It is interesting to note that it was the first time tanks were ever used in Latin America. Saavedra Acha was chosen to man one of the Vickers because he was a driver (he drove trucks after being wounded in Kilometro 7) and served under a German officer, Capitan (Captain) Walter Kohn, the latter being a WWI veteran. This basic tank force was composed of 7 drivers and 3 mechanics, 2 of the latter being Chilean. Saavedra Acha learnt quickly and Kohn liked him, so they worked together, but after a minor offense he was ordered to man another tank (actually, one of the Mk B's) So his crew was made of Cabo (Corporal) Juan Saavedra Acha (commander, later promoted to subteniente), Cabo Nuņez (gunner), and Soldado (Private) Camacho (presumed driver) among others who acted as loaders.
Nanawa
On July 4th, 1933 the second attack against Paraguayan positions began at 5am (the first fought and lost to Paraguay on January the same year). The Bolivian army destroyed a part of the island using demolition charges. The tanks were grouped (remember, 3 Vickers and 2 tankettes) and supported by 3 infantry regiments. Because of the Paraguayan defensive efforts, the attack slowed down, and the head tank was destroyed, possibly by a grenade. Saavedra Acha remembers heat was a big problem, as the average temperature in the area was around +40ēC. This forced Walter Kohn to open his hatch and therefore exposing himself to enemy action.
Saavedra Acha managed to survive, where he later assaulted enemy positions, but was ordered to withdraw, as no reinforcements were close. When they finally arrived, the Paraguayan army had by then inflicted some 2000 casualties to the Bolivians, who were forced to withdraw altogether. Saavedra Acha later left his tank, and drove trucks for the remainder of the war. It is known the Paraguayan army captured two tanks, one twin turretted and the other single turretted. Other sources mention the fact that this sole Mk B was later sold to Spanish Republicans, but this information confronts the Paraguayan version that Saavedra Acha's tank was scrapped, and that his tank did nothing important at Nanawa. It is known that the Mk A (Twin turret) served as a memorial at the Paraguayan Military School, being later returned to Bolivia, where its fate is unknown.
Construction
The kit from Mirage is ok, but after purchasing a Skif one, I'd leave the Mirage one as asecond option: the Skif model has PE fenders, whereas the Mirage one has too thick fenders. They would normally won't allow the tracks so in my case I had to chop them and carefully weather the missing spot. At 1/72 the surgery it is barely noticeable. On the other side, Mirage kits are solid and nicely detailed, so I'm keen to put my hands on another model from this manufacturer. No other problems were found.
Marking and Colour
The tank was painted entirely green, although the right shade is unknown. I used Testors Model Master Forest Green and the usual weathering consisted of many colors, like black, raw umber, etc. I included artists' pastels for weathering and Tamiya weathering sticks, which seem ok for this scale. I'm not sure if it will work for 1/35. These tanks for sure had no towing cable, but I left the one that came with the box. In some photographs I had seen they had a box attached to the back of the turret base, but I'm not sure if the Mk B's had them. Other features are just guessing.
My second submission, this time of a rather unknown model. Apologies if the model is not up to the usual Track-Link high standard. Somebody else may pick the story of these tanks and build a better interpretation. Any suggestions or comments much apreciated.
Juan Contreras [View discussion] [Discuss my model]
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