Finished: 15mm battalion HQ teams and Command Post

Hi folks,

Playing catch up on stuff I've finished and posted on the AHPC blog in the last two weeks. 

As I've enough British infantry for Flames of War to make a whole infantry battalion, I decided I needed some models to act as a higher level commander and 2ic. I also had a vague idea about some sort of command post diorama. 

While priming the various officer figures I had selected, one broke at the ankles. When I went looking for an alternative, I came across an old Battlefront resin command post model I had been gifted some time ago. I decided to make it look a big busier, add some clutter and make this into the CP model. I also completed a Battlefield3d Bedford MWR Radio Truck. 

The battalion commander is on a medium sized FoW base, just to make him stand out. 

While the CP didn't need basing due to the nature of the model. 

The CP model features a radio operator which was sculpted into the model, a peter pig table which came pre-detailed (I added a BF radio), a spare MMG ammo feed kneeling chap, a radio operator on a stool, an officer figure pointing and a runner 'arguing' (I think the runner figure is a rifleman from BF's old Commonwealth infantry set), as well as a 'guard' figure. I added bits of stowage from various sources, some radio aerials and a signpost (with decals for the unit and for a casualty clearing post). 

The radio truck is marked up in the 51st Highland Division's signals regiment markings. 

I think I've scratched my itch for tabletop representations of the command elements of the unit at this stage. I had thought it would be cool to have figures for the chaplain and medical officer, however I've nothing in the stash that would work for these, and it's tricky finding suitable 'non-combat' 15mm figures. Plus the medical officer is probably represented on the first aid post I painted years ago. 

    

Finished: 15mm logistics vehicles from Battlefield3d

Hi folks,

With this years Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge now well and truly rolling, my first entry this year was not - as I had planned - half-tracks. 

Instead, I painted up three of the recently acquired 3d printed models that were sitting on the painting shelf. These models have been decaled up as supply vehicles from 'A' echelon, 144RAC. 

These are (from left to right) a CMP F60 Lorry, a CMP 60L Water Tanker, and a CMP 60L Petrol Tanker. Vallejo bottle for some scale. 

When I saw that these models were available in resin print form, I knew I had to get some in order to represent the 'A' Echelon' troops of 144th battalion, Royal Armoured Corps. Each tank battalion was divided into three echelons, F, A and B. 

'F' echelon represented the fighting element and vehicles of the unit, which would go into battle. 'A' echelon represented vehicles and men which were needed to look after the immediate needs of the battalion - providing rations, fuel, ammunition, cooking facilities, etc. 'B' echelon represented vehicles and men normally deployed further from the fighting and looking after long term stores, admin and repairs. 

Often overlooked, the 'A' echelon troops often had an extremely dangerous and hard job, keeping the tanks supplied and traversing perilous roads, often at night in black out conditions which carrying dangerous cargos. The tanks may have been leaguered for the night at the forefront of the advance, miles beyond the previous front lines with very little in the way road security or protection offered to those brining forward supplies - possibly under fire. 

I added 'mickey mouse' style camo to the ammo lorry, just for some visual interest. It's a real bugger to paint, but I'm happy with how it came out. The models have the usual selection of decals, and are based in my standard fashion. I did place them a little back on the bases, however, in an effort to protect the front bumpers - these 3d prints are very brittle. 

These models will see service on the games table as set dressing, objectives or some other specific mission. They have the markings of 33 Armoured Brigade and 144RAC. For the challenge, this entry netted me 24 points (towards my 250 point target...). 

Finished: 15mm AVRE Fascine (PSC and S&S Models)

Hi folks,

Completing my years roundup earlier this month made me realise I had finished at least one model I hadn't posted - so for completeness sake, I'm doing that now. 

This was another PSC plastic Churchill kit with a Fascine conversion kit purchased from S&S Models. I'd previously completed one such vehicle back in November 2016 (see here). However with the large D-day game we had planned in August 2021 I decided I should have another, so that I could land two breaching groups.

Of course, the painting technique used doesn't match the older painted version. 

2016 version on the left, 2021 version on the right

Looking at the pictures of them side by side, I prefer the look of the 2016 model! But on a 17' by 6' table, the newer technique stands out a lot more and looks fine. That's the problem with looking at our hobby via a camera lens! To eye, the 2016 just looks dull and bland - a green blob!

At the same time I painted the new fascine layer, I also painted up two more standard AVREs - one shown here alongside its cousin. 

I did go a lot lighter on the stowage of the fascine carrier. Having dug these models out, I also realised that I had details to finish. The radio aerial was missing from the fascine tank, a tank commander is missing from the gun tank, etc. I'll spend a little time this week getting these minor things sorted before they get packed away again. 

Currently the collection included two armoured D7 dozers, a Churchill SBG layer, two fascine layers and 4 plain AVREs. Plus five Sherman Crabs. I may add some other bits in the future, as there are more options available via 3d printing. Perhaps a Churchill Ark or something!

2021 Roundup

Hi folks,

Taking the time today to think back over the last year - and undertake the usual measure of my hobby productivity. 2021 started with the arrival of Alexander, which did have an impact on life in general. So lets see!

In January, I had started on my 'Polish Cromwell' project, finishing off the HQ, 95mm troop and an ARV. I also finished a Ram OP tank for my Canadians and some Stuarts for my Poles.

In February, I'd made a start on the Cromwell troops. I believe that while only one was finished this month, I had made progress on others - not bad for a sleep deprived new father. 

Followed in March by two more Cromwell troops and some 28mm ghouls:

When the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge finishing in March, I had my usual decline in painting, and instead turned towards other hobby work. This included rebasing all my vehicles throughout April, fixing some paint jobs and historical inaccuracies and generally housekeeping. I also added crew figures to the various Cromwell tanks needing one. 

As an example of the rebasing/reworking, my Polish Sherman squadron went from this:

To this:

This work continued into May, and included swapping 17-pdr barrels on Fireflies for thinner plastic versions and getting all the decals on my 144RAC squadron sorted. I also based some of the 10mm For Joshua figures I had been sent and painted a 10mm Trebuchet. 

In addition, I painted a couple of 3mm scale Warhound Scout Titans for my sci-fi army. And published an article on my blog about the correct markings for 33 Armoured Brigade 1944-1945. 

The pile of replaced bases...

June consisted of a single post, and the completion of a Cruel Seas 1/300 scale armed trawler for by British fleet. I had a holiday, built some models and started prep for the D-Day game planned for August 2021 - which included building some 5cm KwK guns from scratch. 

In July I was busy prepping for our D-Day game, and finished off some Battlefront DD-Shermans. I also painted three Churchill AVREs (one of which has a fascine, and never appeared on the blog), a Sherman ARV, some surrendering Germans and German beach defences with crews. I somehow also found the time to paint two mdf landing craft and a bunker...

In August I was knackered after the D-Day game, and went on holiday for a week to Devon, which included a visit to the Cobbaton Collection. I spent a load of hobby time sorting out and building German half-tracks, and building other models for future projects (Churchills and Sherman Vs - some of these models were built in June):

In September, it was back to painting - more Stuarts for my Poles (for the Sherman unit, who's Stuarts were painting as Canadians due to a mix up over who had what mark of tank), and getting started on the German half-tracks. I also did some housekeeping in the form of applying the correct unit markings to my battery of 5.5" guns. 

In October, I completed the first unit of half-tracks. This was a soul destroying process as I had lost my previous 'recipe' for painting Germans and could not get the unit to look the way I wanted. I finally settled on something I felt I was happy with, but it took several re-works and repaints. I also wrote an article for the Flames of War website which was published in December, and set up a table along with Dave for some photos to use in it. 

In November I got the second platoon of half-tracks completed, along with the HQ transport and the HMG transport. I also re-decalled some Universal Carriers so that my various infantry company commanders would have transport. 

While December saw me prep the various support option half-tracks, complete the last half-track infantry transport platoon and take the 10mm For Joshua figures to the Stockton Wargames Show. I also played a 28mm Vietnam game at the club, and started prepping some British bits to be painted for the AHPC, which started on the 21st and I've yet to paint anything for!

And that's it for another year! I can say that looking back, I achieved a decent amount. Getting the Cromwell unit completed and re-basing more or less my whole large vehicle collection were both major projects which had been looming over me for some time. Similarly, the German half-track project seemed like an insurmountable task. However, progress has been made! 

In addition, I've almost painted a whole squadron of DD Sherman tanks, with only 4 more to go (and the Covid factory shutdown and subsequent stock catchup on Battlefront's side preventing me from getting the required models). 

What dips in painting I have had, I've tried to use constructively by either prepping for future projects or doing hobby housekeeping. There always seems to be something to do, whether it be decals to fix or repairs. Sometimes this is not a benefit however, as the threat of yet more painting to be done can be a bit of a de-motivator. 

In the coming months, I'm planning on keeping chipping away at the German half-tracks, painting up some odds and ends for my Brits and then having a think about what the next project might be for the collection. No games planned for next year yet, what with the current ongoing public health emergency. 

I hope everyone had a happy holiday period, and happy new year!