Polish OOB 5.5

[Pibwl]

Guns


078 57mm AT-Gun (1965-96) - could be removed in this period at all IMO - from 1955 being replaced with 85 mm gun. Possibly stored in depots after 1965, but sure not longer, than end of 1970s due to limited capabilities. Anyway, better pic is 29439 (BTW, mine).

079 ZUR-23-2S JOD (Flak) - introduced in 1988 according to Polish Military Equipment book and nTW 9/2010 (now 1/95). Name is written "Jod" - this isn't abbreviation. Correct picture is 29273.

It should have somewhat lower FC, than #95 ZUR-23-KG (20), though higher, than basic ZU-23-2 (5) - 15 seems appropriate (it has Polish GP-1 gyroscope sight)

080 37mm AA-Gun - actually used until 2000 for airfield protection (now: 12/59) [Raport 6/2000]. It was used normally at least until mid-60s (until ZU-23 introduction).

Maybe there should be created a second unit, from some 1966-68, with 029 rifle and radio 91 or 93.

081 57mm AT-Gun (1946-64) - crew's armament should rather be 006 SMGs, than bolt rifles. Better picture is 29439.

082 85mm AT-Gun - according to Polish Military Equipment book, used from 1954 (now 1/55). It's hard to say, what gun a picture shows - better is 29428 or 29429. Crew's armament should rather be 006 SMGs, than AK rifles (especially in initial years).

083 M1944 100mm ATG (1968-89) - Last date seems OK, or could be several years earlier (in the 1960s they were withdrawn for training and mobilisation reserve). Correct pic is 29427 (or poor, but commonly used for this gun 11084) - now it's 85mm D-44.

084 M1944 100mm ATG - used from 1947 (1/55) [Poligon 3/2010]. Correct pic is 29427 (as above). Crew's armament should rather be 006 SMGs, than bolt rifles.

086 ZPU-2 AAMG - in Poland named PKMZ-2, though it's not necessary. Used until 2008 at least (12/96) [Raport 1/2005]. 006 SMG as crew's weapon will be closer to truth, than rifles (from mid-50s it was AK rifle). Alternative (maybe nicer) pic 29204 (probably even in Polish service photo).

087 ZPU-4 AAMG - used until end of 1980s at best (now: 12/96)

088 ZU-23 AA-Gun - precise name is ZU-23-2. Used from 1966 (1/65) [Polish Military Equipment] until 120 (12/109) - they won't be all replaced with newer variants. It's a detail, but crew is 5 (4) [same source]. Better crew's weapon is newer 029 rifle.

By the way: I strongly suggest to rename weapon 008 AKM Rifle to AK Rifle (basic model AK-47, adopted in 1952 - designation "47" was never used in Poland), and 029 AKMS Rifle to AKM Rifle (adopted in 1965).
AKM was a modernized AK-47, while AKMS was AKM with a folding stock (adopted in early 70s). Now we have two separate rifles of the same generation (AKM and AKMS), and no coverage of earlier weapon (AKM name in the 50s is anachronism). AK and AKM would cover also folding stock versions IMO (AKS and AKMS), without need of distinction.

089 57mm AA-Gun - used from 1955 only (1/50) [nTW 8/98]. Crew's weapon should be 008 AK(M) or 006 SMG rather.

090 76mm Field Gun - used from 1/46 (1/50) - WW2 leftovers. Maybe this weapon should have some AP ammo as well (pen=10, like weapon 235 76.2mm L41 F-34)?
Crew's weapon should be 006 SMG rather than bolt rifle.

091, 092 122mm Field Gun - could use some Heat ammo. First unit's crew should be armed with 006 SMGs rather than rifles. A border date between these units should be some 1962-1965, not 1954 - arming howitzers' crews with AK rifles wasn't a priority. Better pictures are 29403 or 29404.

There could be created third unit, from 1985, with 29285 picture (wz.38/85 modification, differing mostly in wheels) and 029 rifles.


095 ZUR-23-KG - precise name is ZUR-23-2KG, it could be named "ZUR23-2KG Jodek". Year 2002 is OK. Crew should have #28 wz.96 Beryl (M1930 rifles are probably just a mistake). At that time, new APDS ammo was developed in Poland, with increased penetration (may be as Sabot)

There should be created new unit with the same name, available from some 2006, with better FC, laser RF and night vision (with CP-1 computer sight/FCS; ordinary ZUR-23-2KG had CKE-2 colimator sight) [nTW 3/2006]

Michal