Progress on 15mm Sdkfz 251/1D project

Hi folks,

Another delay in providing updates to the blog - not for any particular reason. Progress has been made slowly and surely. 

First up, the 2nd platoon - hull numbers 221-224

Then we have the Company HQ transport - hull number 201. 

The transport for the HMG platoon were completed at the same time as the HQ transport. These have a different foliage layout as well as the two mounted machine guns - hull numbers 242 and 243. 

The 2nd platoon blended in relatively well with the first (prototype) one:

I've added foliage to all of these vehicles, to differing amounts (specifically, the MG halftracks only have some around the MG mount). The camo uses the same colours throughout, but I've varied the patterns a bit between vehicles and platoons. As per the first platoon, some vehicles have MG42s mounted, while others will have crew holding MG42s at a later date.

Crew and radio aerials will be added at a later point. At the moment, I have four more 251/1Ds to paint for this infantry transport. From there, I'll have a minimum of 24 more half-tracks to paint for all the support options(!). These will probably be seen as entries into the next Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, starting in December.

Of course, I've not done myself any favours, and have slowly built up a collection of Sdkfz 251/7D (Pioneer) half-tracks. So a Gepanzerte Panzerpionierkompanie (Armoured panerpioneer) company may appear at some point. 

15mm Universal Carriers (decal swap)

Hi folks,

Catching up on some of the projects on my painting table I've completed but not put away/photographed yet. This small bit of work came about following this post.

After laying out of the whole Highland infantry battalion, I had wanted to sort out Universal Carrier transports for my various infantry HQ units. As I've four infantry companies as well as a planned battalion HQ unit, I decided to repurpose some of the now 'spare' carriers from the FoW v3 organisations to provide company HQ transport. 

Of course, FoW has nothing for battalion HQ units, but given the size of my force I'm planning on having representation for the commander and his 2ic. 

This rework mainly consisted of replacing the existing markings with those of the relevant infantry battalion (in this case, 7th battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 154 Brigade, 51 Highland Division).

 

These vehicles were mainly previously marked up for various attachments from 1/7th battalion of the  Middlesex Regiment (the Divisional support battalion with Vickers MMGs and 4.2" Mortars). I believe that the Vickers MMG platoon HQ and 4.2" Mortar platoon HQ and OP transports were appropriated, as well as a carrier from one of the support platoon units.

This small bit of work means that I've correctly marked out transports for all my company HQ units, as well as transport for my battalion commander (when I get him painted). 

Otherwise, work continues of German half-tracks.