Finished: 15mm Battlefront Sdkfz 251/1D Panzergrenadier Company Transport

Hi folks,

Happy holidays!

As is traditional at this time of year, I have started the first week of the new Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge painting something which isn't for the challenge... but finishing off models I was already working on. 

I lost my mojo for painting German half-tracks for a few weeks, mainly while I prepped models for the next phase of the project - to be painted over the challenge. That was particularly unfortunate, as I didn't have much to do to finish them off. 

Still, with a need to move on to challenge task, progress has been forced and the last four half-tracks have been completed. 

These models are again all 15mm Battlefront metal and resin kits. The hull numbers for this platoon are 231-234. I've gone with a lighter camo pattern for this group, meaning that the models look lighter than those completed previously, who had more hull space taken up by camo areas. I also went light on the foliage. 

Crew figures will be painted and added at a later date. The unit paint planner currently looks like this:

With the accumulated vehicles for the HQ, 3 platoons and HMG platoon:

Given how insurmountable this project had seemed (one of the reasons I had been putting it off for so long), I am pleased to have gotten at least the transport done. These can be used with my existing painted German infantry to act as Panzer grenadiers for any games we manage to put on. It's also given me a bit of an insight into what painting my German Armoured Recon force will involve, and made that a little less daunting. 

I'm fairly happy with my formula for painting these now. For my own future reference:

1. 50/50 Dark Yellow (70.978) and Dark Sand (70.847) base (could/should be switched for Middlestone, given later steps post wash)

2. 50/50 mix of black and brown wash

3. Drybrush MIG light sand drybrush paint

4. Tidied with dark yellow/dark sand mix to leave just edge highlights from drybrush

5. Tracks saddle brown, wheels, tools and MGs German grey, seats + exhaust beige brown/mahogany, tool handles/MG stock and grip mahogany. Soft tone wash to these items when painted. 

6. Camo: reflective green/german camo medium brown diluted about 60/20/20 with dark yellow and dark sand. 

7. Stipple standard hull colour over camo to dull down/blend in camo if needed. 

8. Highlight tracks, tools and MGs with dark rubber, tool handles/MG wood/seats beige brown. 

9. Internal 'wall' painted black around drivers seat. 

10. Add 'tree' branches for foliage, paint mahogany brown (late in process as it was a late addition to the models - DO NOT add foliage before varnishing). 

11. Gloss for decals. Decals - side hull Skytrex numbers and Doms cross, rear - PSC numbers, front and rear number plates, front 12th SS symbol. Further washes if required. 

11. Decal treatements then matt varnish, then ultra matt. Decals weathered using hull colour post varnishes (varnish application will wash weathering off). 

12. Weather vehicle with weathering powders, add foliage to tree branches. 

Painting efforts now turn to this years Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, and meeting my personal target of 250 points (equivalent of painting thirty one 15mm vehicles between now and mid March...). I've a few things lined up, as usual, but I hope to make progress with the rest of the Panzer Grenadier project:

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season!

For Joshua and the Stockton Wargames Show

Hi folks,

This is a blog post I should have done a few weeks ago, but I kept putting it off - not for any particular reason. 

At the end of November myself, Martin and Dave - with help from John, Ian, Angus, StiG and Chris, took all the painted figures that have been received for the Joshua Project along to the Stockton Wargames Show. 

As regular blog followers will know, this project was a 10mm fantasy good vs evil collection in honour of my son Joshua, who was still-born in September 2019. All figures were painted and donated by gamers and friends all over the world. The aim is to raise some money for 4Louis and the North Tees NHS Patient charities.  

We'd set out a 12' by 6' table, with the help of some terrain from Dave's collection, and lined up the armies. 

Thanks to all the contributions, it was a pretty full table. 

While we didn't play a game with the figures (there was a lot going on), we did shift the figures about a bit:

We spoke to a few people who stopped by, giving out some of the business cards I'd had made ready for the 2020 show season! Interest in the project was fairly reasonable, and it was nice to encounter a few gamers who were really enthused by the look and mass of the armies on the table. It's always nice to hear something you've been part of has been inspirational. 

It looks like Covid is going to continue to have a bit of an effect on the wargaming shows moving forwards, so I'm planning to start doing something with the various armies now, and start raising money for the charities as originally intended. More news will be posted once I've sorted out what that will be. 

As ever, thanks to everyone who contributed, and who stopped and spoke to us on the day. 

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. 

Battlefield3d - 15mm Valentine Bridgelayer

Hi folks,

A few weeks ago I spotted a blog post showing off a 15mm 3d printed Valentine bridge layer and stating that one of the better known 3d model designers (Marco Bergman) had made it available. I contacted Phil at Battlefield3d, who has a license for Marco Bergman's stuff. Phil confirmed he had the model, and added it to his site for me. 

He also sorted the model so that the bridge has a hinge, and can be shown folded or deployed. 

As usual with Battlefield3d's stuff, the print quality and detail is excellent. I had only to remove one or two delicate print supports, but the model was more or less primer ready when I opened the box. No assembly required by me other than to mount the bridge on the tank. 

I'm really pleased to be able to add one of these vehicles to my collections. My plan is to eventually paint this one up as a part of 33 Armoured Brigades HQ unit, possibly along with some Sherman I's. I may even pick up another two at some point, as I believe that three of these tanks formed the bridging section of the Armoured Brigade HQ. 

Whether they will ever see the table is secondary to how cool I think they are!

I also had Battlefield3d print a M4 Sherman from one of the other designers they have a license for, and I'll show off some pictures of that model alongside a Battlefront resin and metal M4 at a later date. 

Initial 15mm Sdkfz 251/1D platoon

Hi folks,

A bit of time has been spent over the last two weeks trying to get my first unit of German half-tracks to a state I was happy with. Unfortunately, this turned out to be more of a chore than I was expecting. I'm still not 100% happy, but seeing them based up tonight they actually look ok. Painting British stuff is a lot easier!

These are older Battlefront 15mm resin kits, with plastic tracks and wheels. 

I've still to add crew to them, which will come much later. Two will have machine gunners and passengers, while the other two will have passengers. 

I've based in my standard style, and added some foliage to the vehicles in the form of seafoam sprigs and leaf scatter. Not hugely keen on how this looks, but it helps break up the camo pattern a little. It also fits in with by SS tank units.  

Decals have been applies as usual, a mix of Skytrex, Doms Decals and PSC. 

Looking at them now, I've forgotten to add my usual dust weathering powder on the wheels and tracks, so will have to sort that. 

I really struggled with these, mainly I think because I went too bold with the camo colours, used the wrong brown, had to work to bring up the yellow more and to make the camo more subtle. My earlier attempts looked much more like the very late war hard edged stripes, rather than the more subtle Normandy camo. Still, the images I used as reference showed that this unit used a lot of brown and green on their vehicles, with only small amounts of base yellow showing. This is very different from the common schemes people use with a yellow base and small splotches of green and brown. I eventually tried multiple times, before resorting to using thinned down yellow and a stippling effect to tone down the camo pattern.

They look much better on bases, and I will use these as templates for the next lot. Thankfully, there isn't a lot of painting on them, if you know what you're doing!

 

Finished (again): 15mm 5.5" Battery, 79 (Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment RA, 4 AGRA

Hi folks,

Doing a bit of procrastinating before starting painting German stuff. A while ago (January 2017), I painted up a Flames of War v3 British medium artillery battery. This unit was completed, with the exception of the correct markings for my chosen unit - 79 (Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment Royal Artillery. 

Unsurprisingly, this unit took part in Operation Totalize. In addition, it has a Scottish connection. 4AGRA was actually formed in Bothwell, not far from my hometown, while the 79th was formed from 'The Scottish Horse', which was a Dunkeld (Highland) based unit. 

I managed to find someone to do some custom decals for me. While the process was expensive, I managed to get a few different units done - including this one.

https://tank-markings.blogspot.com/p/europe-higher-formation-organisation.html

I retrieved the whole unit from it's tray, and spent an evening cutting out small bits of decal paper (and searching for dropped bits).  

A minor task completed, but one that has needed done for a long time.   

Next painting project - 10 and 12 Kompanies, III Battalion, SS Panzergrenadierregiment 26 - Kampfgruppe Wünsche (7 - 8 August 1944)

Hi folks,

The last few weeks has been spent prepping and researching (a lot of researching) into my next major painting project. This will be one armoured infantry company (#10 company) alongside the heavy (support) company (#12 company). In addition, platoons from various other support elements within III Battalion, SS Panzergrenadierregiment 26 as well as the divisions artillery and support units. 

Once the infantry is painted, this force (less half-tracks) will also fill in for the dismounted motorised troops of SS Panzergrenadierregiment 25. Although I may have to add dismounted SS support units, such as mortars and infantry guns.

At the time of Operation Totalize, this battalion, less #9 Company, were part of Kampfgruppe Wünsche. 

III Battalion made up the only armoured infantry battalion in the Division at the time, with 4 companies mounted in sdkfz 251 half-tracks. I have no idea at the moment what the strength was of the unit at the time of Totalize, but I am willing to bet it was nowhere near full strength. Collection wise, better to have more which can go futher! The presence of half-tracks in this unit also explains why I decided to cover troops from a 2nd (different) Kampfgruppe. 

This Kampfgruppe also took part in the German counter attacks against the allied break-in on 8th August 1944, and included Tigers from Schwere Panzerabteilung 101, Panthers from I/12 SS Panzer Regiment and Panzer IVs from II/12 SS Panzer Regiments 8th company. 

My collection already includes 7th company Panzer IVs, and some Panthers marked up with partially hidden identification numbers. The Tigers are another future project. My existing models are for Kampfgruppe Waldermuller, who were supported by the dismounted troops of I/SS-Panzergrenadierregiment 25. 

My main focus for this project will be on the vehicles initially, and primarily on the standard half-tracks. I've found that in recent large games I've had to borrow these models from others in order to represent German units, so figured it was about time I painted my own. Unfortunately, this full unit (which I'm building to a rather unhistorical full strength), has a lot of vehicles. More when all the support elements are included. Around 40 vehicles in total. 

So far, I am working on the infantry carriers, command and HMG carriers (16 half-tracks in total). 

My current thinking is to do these in batches of 4 vehicles. Infantry I will worry about in the future! I've still to work out whether any of these should have additional weapons, such as 37mm A/T guns. 

A large part of my issue has been checking I have the required decals before I start, which led me to having serious issues establishing what the hull numbers should be. Some help on the Flames of War German Forces Facebook group gave me a starting point, in the form of images of this unit being inspected prior to D-Day. The visible hull numbers allowed me to determine the layout for the unit. Young David then came to my rescue with a graphic for another Panzer Divisions numbering system, which matched what I had found. I've been updating my painting plan with these numbers as I find them. 

I'd note here that I am aware the 12th SS tank units 'added five' to the hull numbers. However, I've no evidence that this was done by the Panzergrenadiers and the copy of the order I have seen refers only to Panzers. The images of these vehicles from May 1944 shows them with the numbers I've used in my plan. 

Note that yellow = WiP. 

I have had to guess hull numbers for some platoons, such as the Grilles (6 of which were delivered to the Division in July 1944). I've included flamethrower half-tracks, which some sources state were not present in Normandy - although I have read a Canadian account of being attacked by these vehicles while fighting 12th SS. I'm unsure of hull numbers for these currently. Also in this plan are 3 more Wespes, 3 Hummels and some Panzerpioniers (which may be upgraded to their own small company, although this may involve more halftracks). Three Pak40s and tow vehicles have been added, and I'm planning a full unit of six 8cm half-tracks (again, issues with sources here, the BF books say the unit had double the number in the normal OOB - so I may decal these as a mix of 3 different companies). 

For Flames of War fans, the plan was initially done for v3 using the Atlantik Wall book. However, I've made the decision to largely switch to v4 unit organisations (which drop HQ teams and vehicles for  support platoons), mainly due to wanting to save money and painting time on command vehicles and teams for support units. It was a hard decision, but easy to fix in the future if I need to, and easier on me in the short term. As an example of what this means, in v3 a battery of Wespes would have also required a Kubelwagon and OP team per platoon, and a HQ section with command and staff teams, truck and Kfz 15 field car (a total of 4 additions vehicles and 4 infantry teams). In v4, you only represent the six 'fighting' vehicles. 

All in all, this is a bigger project than my more recent allied ones - from a research, motivation and painting perspective. Painting German kit, especially camo'ed German kit, will take longer. There is a personal issue with making a start, due to some indecision paralysis. Then there is the foliage needed. The infantry is also harder work - while I have the nice older metal SS figures, they are also wearing camo. And don't get me started on storage space.

But you eat an elephant one bite at a time, so I'd best get started (but don't worry, I have a few random British vehicles and teams to paint as I go, just to mix things up a bit). 

Finished: PSC 15mm Stuart VIs

Hi folks,

After a few weeks of building models and slowly building up my painting again, I managed to complete not just a unit, but a project tab on my spreadsheet. Huzzah. 

These tanks represent three Stuart VI light tanks from the HQ Squadron of 24th Polish Lancers, 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade, 1st Polish Armoured Division. 

Along with the recently completed Sherman ARV, this project is 100% complete. 

The Shermans from this project (who form 'A' Squadron) had been reclaimed, rebuilt and repainted way back in December 2016. Most of the Shermans were old 'Open Fire' plastic models I'd picked up already (poorly) assembled. These models are still the worst plastic kits I've even built. 

Earlier this year they were rebased and I changed the colour of the aerial recognition panels to something more historically accurate. I also hit them again with ultra matt varnish. Looking at the tanks tonight, I may also revisit the Fireflies and rearm them with the thinner and better looking barrels from the modern BF kit. 

However, I had been lacking recce Stuarts and an ARV for this unit to complete the old FoW v3 squadron list. Tonight's completed tanks rectifies that failing. 

Apologies for the over-exposure on these pictures, still struggling with lighting for photos. 

I added an orange Aerial Recognition panel to the commanders Stuart, in keeping with the Shermans of the unit. These panels were added to the unit to stand out from my other British and Canadian Sherman squadrons, and because in August 1944 the Poles were bombed several times by both US and British heavy bombers as part of the Totalize and Tractable operations, so I felt the Poles might be a bit twitchy about allied aircraft. 

These Stuarts are plastic PSC models, assembled to represent mid to late production Stuart VIs. Again, this choice was just to make them a little different from the other unit of Polish Stuart VIs in the collection. It does mean they have more tools than they should have, but consider those extra stowage to help the crew dig in faster at night.  

Two crew figures were added to the command vehicles turret (in keeping with my theme of having recce vehicles 'unbuttoned'), along with two aerials. The other tanks have a single command figure and a single aerial. These tanks are based as per my current basing scheme, on an MDF base sized as a FoW 'medium' base, which has been magnetised. 

Stowage has been added from a variety of sources, including Battlefront, Debris of War and PSC. Decals are from Doms Decals (purchased many years ago). 

The final project sheet:

The army list for this unit came from the old v3 Polish booklet, which can still be found here and contains lots of useful info on the division. I believe that other than the Sherman ARV, this unit could be built using v4 rules from D-Day British, although you would need to drop the HQ troop Firefly to make it work by the book (and field four 75mm Shermans). The Poles used this structure due to manpower shortages. 

Excuse the Canadian Stuarts (bottom left) and a Naafi truck sharing the tray. Sextons are stored elsewhere.  

You could also apply the 'Black Devils' command card, increasing the points by +2 per unit, but giving all units 'Fearless 3+' motivation. You could also apply the 'Sexton' command card to a unit of Priests from this book (in formation support) and add an OP Sherman. Point wise in v4 this list would be 105 points.

However, my intention was to build A Squadron, 24th Polish Lancers, with some attachments from HQ Squadron and 1st Polish Motorized Artillery Regiment, rather than worry about points of on table effectiveness! 

I've no more Polish armoured units planned, but still have Polish mechanised and motorised infantry companies planned. I may revisit the need for the motorised unit given I have a full battalion of British infantry in FoW at this point. 

Possibly some German halftracks next. Possibly.     

 

Holiday 2021 - Cobbaton Combat Collection visit

Hi folks,

I wanted to just do a quick blog post showing off some of the pictures I took at the Cobbaton Combat Collection during my visit in late August. 

Painting wise, August was a bit of a washout for a variety of reasons. I also normally take models to build when going on holiday, but a back pain issue for most of the week saw me achieve very little. I'm now working to get over my usual post holiday slump and actually get some Polish Stuarts done. 

Anyway, this museum is located in North Devon and was only 30 minutes from where we were staying. It consists of a few small buildings crammed with the usual selection of weapons, kit and vehicles. I took a few pictures, which don't really show everything that was there. 

Churchill VIII 'Crocodile' 

Sexton

White Scout Car

Centaur

C15TA ambulance

A Windsor carrier, larger Canadian successor to the Loyd carrier

Daimler Armoured Car

Cromwell turret

Churchill IV AVRE turret

There was a few other oddities, as well as some stuff in desert paint jobs I didn't pay too much attention to. For example, there was also a Loyd carrier, Morris Quad and 25-pdr, Universal carrier, a Bofors SP and a Canadian build AA tractor, a Hippo, Dingo and a few others later tanks. I also caught a glimpse of the Ram hull that is under restoration. Unsure if this will be a Kangaroo or a Ram tank - there did appear to be a Ram turret outside. 

I was aware of not wanting to keep Amy on her feet too long, and that the wee man was likely to get shouty if not kept occupied. Generally, over the course of the holiday we took very few pictures...

Still, onwards and upwards. One of the things the museum did make me think about were fire extinguishers on tanks:

I've always just left these green, but it seems they perhaps should be other colours. Also, jerry can colours. Again, I tend to leave these green, but the collections showed a range of colours for oil, kerosene, diesel and water - more research required I think!