Taz

Hi Adam, Have you seen the Wiki articles on the Polish Squadrons? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._317_Polish_Fighter_Squadron Further down under related content are further links to various other Polish Wings, squadrons and other units. Regards Eddie.

Well Rick I was looking around for info on what that actually entails and came up with some interesting details. Firstly it seems that the Union has had its name updated or changed to include: Trabajador de las Comunicaciones, la Inform?tica y la Electr?nica (workers of the communications, computer science and electronics) Secondly a point which I think I have mentioned before, women recive Distinctions for 20 years and men for 25 years service.( I've seen roughly the same for the Distinction Nico Lopez) Here part of a translated Cuban web page: "The Distinction Mario Mu?oz Monroy was granted to a group of workers of the sector, for 20 years the women and 25 the men, who maintained uninterrupted and commendable work within the communications sector". With regards to who this might include, certainly Radio and television.

Just the one Rick, I passed on the boxed one because I had already decided to buy the one in the scan. An interesting detail in this Medal which dosen't show up well in the scans is that the Medal is actually concave in shape, the lowest point being the center of the star on the obverse. No other Cuban Medal has this distictive shape, at least none we have seen so far. Regards Eddie.

The Distinction ?Mario Mu?oz? is given to Cuban citizens in recognition of reached merits during 25 or more years, in the communications field and had kept an exemplary and matching attitude to revolutionary principles. Also, in exceptional cases, it can be awarded to other workers or to foreign citizens who had contributed noticeably to the development of this field. The Distinction ?Mario Mu?oz? will be awarded by the Excecutive Secretariat of the National Syndicate of the Communications? Workers together with the Communications Minister.

For merit during 25 or more years, in the communications field

Another of todays additions.

Just in today, the Castro version.

Very nice! This is an award not included in the original Decreto Ley #30, because it was it was instituted in the 80's. So we don't really have a lot of information on it right now with regards to the award critaria. The Brigades of Production and Defense [brigadas de Producci?n y Defensa] constitute an armed organization which arranges the Defense council of the Zone. It develops the participation of citizens in two basic tasks during exceptional situations, production and defense. In addition they fulfill measures of civil defense and internal security procedures. The Brigades of Production and Defense are created in time of peace at work centers and in the places of residence of the population. They are created from the citizens who voluntarily express their desires to participate in the activities of production and defense during exceptional situations and that for different reasons do not belong to the regular troops (FAR), to the Military services of Territorial Troops (MTT), the organs and units of the Department of the Interior (MININT) or to the organs of work of the Defense councils. Over 3.5 million citizens are members of more than 60,000 Brigades of Production and Defense. Regards Eddie.

Try as best you can to make a photo and post it if you can, many Tiger battalions had specific unit field modifications that could help to ID yours. That damage would seem to put 131 out of the race because a shell from one of the Churchills blocked it's turret traverse during the fight and the crew bailed out without destroying the tank as was ordered. Regards Eddie

Leigh, that certainly must be a possibility, Tiger 131, was captured after a fight with Churchills of the British 48th RTR at Scorpion Gap in Red Cap Alley, Tunisia in May 1943. Markings of the British First Army and 25th Army Tank Brigade were later added. This tank was restored and is the only remaining, running Tiger and is now on show at the Bovington Tank Museum. Regards Eddie

Your welcome, but it seems unlikely that a "Tiger" would be in a StuG Brigade. The emblem below is from StuG Brigade 201. As you can see also with a cross on a shield. I would tend to hazard a guess that it is a simplified SPzAbt 506 emblem rather than that of a StuG Brgd. Could you please try your best and post a photo? Regards Eddie.

Aha, So it is the SPzAbt 506? If not its sure to be in the link here: http://germandressdaggers.com/Panzer%20Menu.htm or in this one: http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/abzeichen/pz.htm Regards Eddie

Hi Rich, Here is a link to Tiger Battalions, a nice site BTW. More of a help to see what it isn't than what it is i'm afraid, unless it's the SPzAbt 506 1944 emblem. http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/tigers.htm Regards Eddie

Another nice kit, any idea why the built model hasn't got the CIP panels fitted? Regards Eddie

Lorenzo, Another top class model, the paintwork shown on the vehicles in this thread so far has been really outstanding. As you say though, the Stryker needs some serious upgrading to the armour. The slat armour upgrade shown on the stryker below is a good example. Regards Eddie

Your welcome Lorenzo, That Verlinden made model is excellent!! Regards Eddie.

Land Rover XD WOLF 'Truck Utility Medium' (TUM) fitted out as the General Service (GS) version with 'Soft top' canvas removed and anti-riot screens and wire cutter added for patrol in IRAQ http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct...;manufacturer=0 Notice the road signs etc.

More photos of the finished model here: http://www.alwayshobbies.com/Store/Wheeled...Telic-Iraq-2003 Rear view

Trumpeter British Challenger 2 MBT, Operation Telic, Iraq 2003 Specifications Scale - 1:35 Dimensions - Length 333mm, Width 114mm & Height 87mm Number of parts - 435 Decal markings - Iraqi Freedom Operation Telic

Here is another one for you. A lot of info on the VC in this site. http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/vcross.htm and here. http://www.victoriacrosssociety.com/ Regards Eddie.

Hi, Does this help at all? http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...ctoriacross.asp Regards Eddie

Indeed Rick, This is interesting, notice that it is not in the Decreto ley #30 so must have been added at a later date to the awards system. Maybe Lukasz had the critaria which stated the order of precedence to work from for the ribbon page. My therory at the moment is that this Medal was awarded to members of the original columns of the Rebel Army. The use of the dark olive-green for the ribbon the same as, for example: Orden "Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberaci?n" Medalla "Combatiente de la Guerra de Liberaci?n" Medalla " Combatiente de la Lucha Clandestina" Medalla "Combatiente de la Columna Uno Jos? Mart?" Indicates to me that this medal was reserved for the "Old Guard" and that the Distinguished Service Medal was for members of the FAR at a later date. Regards Eddie

The Arctic Medal turned out as an Arctic Badge in the the end They campaigned for a medal rather than an emblem to be awarded but a decision was made in 1946 not to create any more medals for WWII campaigns. The 40th year Anniversary of Victory Medals awarded in the 80's were only allowed to be worn officialy at MOD celebrations after 1994, when the Queen recognised the need for closer relations after the Cold War.

Boxed example.

Medal Ribbon