This article focuses on my completion of my heavy anti tank platoon. The unit is made up of the M5 Halftracks I've already featured a little (...!!!!) and four 17 Pounder Anti Tank guns - plus command.
I've built this as a troop of guns belonging to 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. Although one of the towing M5's currently has the wrong markings, which will be fixed shortly.
From Wiki:
"The Ordnance Quick-Firing 17-pounder (or just 17-pdr)[1] was a 76.2 mm (3 inch) gun developed by the United Kingdom during World War II. It was used as an anti-tank gun on its own carriage, as well as equipping a number of British tanks. It was the most effective Allied anti-tank gun of the war. Used with the APDS shot it was capable of defeating all but the thickest armour on German tanks. It was used to 'up-gun' some foreign-built vehicles in British service, notably to produce the Sherman Firefly variant of the US M4 Sherman tank, giving British tank units the ability to hold their own against their German counterparts."
The anti tank regiment in the Division provided 24 x 17 pounder and 24 x 6 pounder anti tank guns. From my research it seems that the unit was split over the division and troops assigned where they was most needed. The 17 pounders, being much bigger guns, tended to be brought forward after an attack (rather than accompanying it) and deployed to help hold gains.
In Flames of War these guns have the highest AT in the British list (at 14) and are immobile without their transport. Although they can be towed by many British tanks. In the Highland Division list these guys are Reluctant Veterans, making them hard to hit but hard to unpin.
Currently missing from the bases are the newly adopted flowers and the ammo cases which still have to be painted. I'd also like to do some empty shell casings but need to find the correct material to do these with.
Great fun using these guys, nice dishing out to the Germans what my poor Shermans normally suffer!
Very nice a productive weekend then!
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon - really this unit just needed the Halftracks. My first chance to take a picture of them all together! Still got one more completed unit to go!
ReplyDeleteFor the discarded shell cases, brass tubing might be an option.
ReplyDeleteNice work on the guns and half tracks
Thanks Tasmin, I had thought about that, but I'd be concerned that the metal ends would be visibly snipped? I need to get some of the plasticard tubing and stuff for some other projects. Other idea is thinly rolled green stuff.
DeleteBloody hell mate, you really have been painting hard and fast eh? Stuff gets better and better looking too.
ReplyDeleteThe brass for casings works and can be manipulated to remove the bent edges from cutting.