Finished: 15mm Team Yankee Dutch M106

Hi folks,

The third unit 'finished' from my recent batch of Team Yankee models. These take the form of a unit of three Battlefront 15mm plastic M106 self propelled heavy mortars. 

I believe that the Dutch only used the M106 armed with a 107mm heavy mortar as part of their recce units, whereas in Team Yankee the option exists to also use 120mm armed version instead of the towed 120mm mortars used by infantry formations. The justification being that as war approached the Dutch may have found a way to mount their 120mm mortars in these vehicles (or purchased the up-gunned version). But really Battlefront are just avoiding towed artillery in Team Yankee. 

While I have painted the mortars for this unit (the 107mm version), I've no issues with doing a 'counts as' if required. I do still have gun crew to paint, and the mortars to add into the vehicles. But the vehicles are tabletop ready at the moment, so I'm counting them as done. 

The Battlefront plastic M113 kit is pretty nice to build and paint. A cool and iconic looking vehicle that goes together nice and easily. I've another three of these in the APC configuration to paint for the recce troops transport. 

Finished: 15mm Team Yankee Dutch YPR-765 PRATs

Hi folks,

Another small unit (soon to be expanded) for my Dutch Team Yankee force. This time a variant of the YPR-765 hull mounting an Emerson TUA (TOW Under Armor turret). This vehicle filled the same role in Dutch forces as the M901 did in the US Army. PRAT stands for Pantser-Rups-Anti Tank (armoured tracked anti tank, I think). 

These models are actually resin 3d prints from Butlers Printed Models. I've included some comparison pictures with the Battlefront models mounting the TOW turret later in the post. I have another two of these models in the painting queue. 

The two BPM models:

While detail is lacking on the 3d prints in comparison to the Battlefront kits (especially the tracks and turret vision blocks, etc) I did find that once painted you would be hard pressed to spot any real difference. Especially on the table at gaming distances. 

However - and this is a big however - I found that after paying postage and an extra surcharge for having these four models printed in resin, I'd have paid almost the same for a box of five Battlefront minis. Which is disappointing when the quality is not the same. 

Butlers Printed Models: £6.36 x 4 = £25.44, Postage = £5 (actually £10 for me, as I bought two batches of two), Total: £30.44 for four, or £36.80 for five. 

Battlefront box of 5 = ~£35 (including postage) for five higher quality minis. 

I don't feel that the lack of assembly makes up for the lack of details of the 3d printed model enough to justify the similarity in price. Certainly something to consider in the future, and proof that 3d printed is not necessarily cheaper. In their favour has been the helpfulness, quick response times and friendliness of BPM. 

Some comparisons with a Battlefront model mounting the Battlefront plastic TOW turret. 

BPM model at the front. 

BPM model at the front, notice it isn't as tall as the BF model behind. Both are on the same bases. 

Side by side, with the BPM model on the left. As you can see, detail is less but not bad at tabletop distances. 

Finished: 15mm Team Yankee Dutch YPR-765s

Hi folks,

Another belated update on the progress of my 15mm Team Yankee Dutch project. 

There is a larger discussion here about painting progress, timing and batch sizes. I like to keep things rolling painting wise and generally expect to complete one platoon every two weeks. But currently I'm painting in larger batches (the last bunch being 10 models, or 3 different units), and this delay irks me and makes me feel like I'm not being productive. It certainly means I post less on blogger and other social media about my progress. 

Anyway, while I ponder my painting ambition and goals moving forward, here are another five Dutch YPR-765 vehicles. These are the standard IFVs for my armoured infantry. These are Battlefront metal and resin 15mm kits. 

I have managed to find enough spare M113 hatches to construct some of the .50cal armed turrets used on these vehicles as well. My hope is to have some more lightly armed options to represent reservist/2nd line troops. These alternative turrets are also magnetised and awaiting painting. 

Four of these vehicles will form one platoons transport, while the fifth will be a spare. 

As per my previous attempt at these, I enjoyed adding some of the more modern touches, such as the rear brake and indicator lights. Aerials are my usual fishing line solution.