Finished: 15mm Battlefront command teams (with piper)

Hi folks,

Just a small post for my own documentation really. While my son J was visiting, I gave him some painting lessons and he worked on a couple of figures to add to a command team I'd planned. Specifically another piper for my Scottish infantry battalion. Ideally, I'd like one of these per company, not sure if this is my 3rd or 4th. 

J did most of the base colours on the two other models, while I did the highlighting. Excuse the poor quality of the image. We used a lot of Vallejo Xpress paints on these, specifically the new British Uniform and Khaki colours. 

The other team was a random character set I'd had in my spares pile - something from the old Italian Infantry Aces pack, I think.

Finished: 15mm CMP Quads

Hi folks,

As I mentioned in my last post, I did a little re-jigging of some of my units. Part of that process was the building and painting of four PSC CMP Quads, taken from the 25-pdr PSC kit. 

These quads were marked up as vehicles from 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, 51st Highland Division, replacing the halftracks which had been used for this unit previously. The halftracks will feature in a future blog article. 

While I was happy with how these models looked, it took some serious messing to put them together. Yet another example of a PSC kit not fitting correctly together. The roof just would not go on, and needed to be carved and filed on the inside to sit even close to correctly. 

I added a selection of stowage, just to individualise the models a little. Decals were my usual selection, though I've now used all my Doms Decals 51st HD markings, so I'm using some from Skytrex. The markings are somewhat covered by the weathering anyway, although they are a bit easier to see with the eye than the camera. 

These should probably have had the mickey mouse camo pattern on them, but I went with my plain green as it fits in better (and I didn't want to spend a lot of time working on transport vehicles that will barely see the table!).

Kitted out with limbered guns and the ammo trailers:

So another little scheme completed - one I'd been planning for a long time, having picked up the PSC box years ago. I do have a partial plan to mount and paint the PSC 25-pdrs in a limbered style, to be tagged onto the back of some BF quads... and maybe some Bofors guns... 

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. 

Finished: 15mm PSC Mortar Carriers

Hi folks,

Another element of my planned 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry squadron done, with the completion of six PSC 15mm plastic universal carriers. 

These were constructed to resemble my Battlefront models, which involved using some of the ammunition carrying parts from the 2" mortar version, with the rear equipment from the 3" mortar carrier. It appears that this layout is historically accurate, given some brief google searching. 

The models are nice enough and seem to scale well. As with most PSC models, these were a little fiddly to put together. The options are nice to have, but I dislike spending so much time putting small transport vehicles together. I've only gone with two crew members for these, but I'm not too bothered about this as I doubt these models will see much table time. Of course, I don't help myself by taking the time to slightly individualise each vehicle with stowage. 

I based these models on some small flames of war bases, but with little extra room for tufts. 

I'll do a comparison with my older Battlefront mortar carriers at some point. 

Decals are those used by 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry - white 41 on a green over blue square. The divisional sign is the Highland Division marking. Other than that, allied star on the sides and the WD markings for a tracked vehicle. While not visible in the photos, there is also a bridge weight marking of '4' on each vehicle as well. I didn't have a good enough flat upper surface for any air recognition stars. 

As I've not posted an update for a while, here's the updated painting chart for the whole squadron. Getting to the point that it's mainly infantry to paint aside from yet more universal carriers. I've also added a foot mounted Forward Air Controller (FAC) team and a larger (medium based) Forward Observers Bombardment (FOBs) - just for fun and scenario use. I may do a jeep for the FAC and a UC for the FOB, just to have some dedicated transport. 

Infantry are sorted out and base coated, awaiting their time in the queue. 

Progress continues!

Finished: 15mm RAF Liaison and Lt. Col. Jolly

Hi folks,

Progress slightly delayed due to a weeks holiday in a very sunny North Wales, however I have managed to finish more vehicles on my painting plan. 

On show today are two models from Battlefront - these came from a out of production pack 'Colonel Vandeleur & Forward Observer' (BR885) which were included in the old V3 Market Garden book for Guards Armoured Division. These have been more usefully repurposed to units which actually achieved something in NWE (yes, really - name one successful operation they took part in).

I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do with the figure in the Humber Scout, until I remembered recently seeing some footage of some 144th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps tanks being followed by a liaison vehicle. 

As such, I added a pintle mounted Bren and a bit of a tarp cover over the stowage on the rear. I had previously added extra stowage. I decided the officer figure could represent my Grandfather's regimental commander, Lt. Col. Alan Jolly. I marked up the appropriate decals - including using some of those I had made specifically and that I plan to use when updating all the original 144RAC Shermans I have. 

Post painting, aerials and decals were applied. The whole model was then weathered (perhaps looking a little too dusty looking) but the weathering powder shows up more in the light from the pictures. 

The other vehicle is an M3 White Scout Car. The model comes with an RAF officer and a radio operator. 

I struggled a little with the blue of the RAF uniform colour. It should be more grey blue, but I went with what I had. I also added the numerous aerials and a few bits of stowage. I struggled for what markings this vehicle should have, before spotting that the infantry brigade HQ units included an RAF Liaison vehicle which was mounted in a truck or M3 White Scout Car. As such, this one has been marked with the HQ AoS of 154 Brigade (a white 94 on a browny green background), along with the Highland Division markings. 

Interestingly, it seems like the RAF officers with army units would tend to wear standard battledress due to the risk of friendly fire as the RAF uniforms were too similar to the German field grey. However, this model was clearly in RAF blues, so I went with that. 

I am, sadly, starting to run down my stock of decals. Doms Decals doesn't appear to be fulfilling orders. As such, there is a still a little to do with regards the WD numbers and I'm having to be a lot more careful with what I use and where. 

I also finished five M5 Halftracks for my 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry squadron. These are done with the exception of the crew and passengers, so I'll display them when these are finished. 

Oh, and bases - these are from Warbases. Flames of War medium base sized MDF with a pre-cut hole for a 2mm by 5mm magnet. This means I don't need to do anything else to magnetise these bases for my storage. My plan is to move the few other half-tracks I have painted to medium bases as well (mainly to reduce the space these models take in storage as well).  

Finished: 15mm British armoured car crew figures

Hi folks,

Another quick little side project done - crew figures for all the recently completed British armoured cars. 

The crew figures as a mix of Skytrex along with some very old and very new Battlefront figures. In line with my other recce models, each vehicle has a single crewman, while command vehicles have two (along with two aerials). This helps mark the command teams during play. Some of the crew are just peeping over the lip of the hatch, while others are sitting higher using radios, etc. 

I also added magnetic basing, so these are ready for storage... which I don't have. Primarily because I've filled up what I have either with my 15mm stuff or the 10mm Joshua project. Also because I recently purchased 5 platoons of rather nicely painted British infantry from a friend. Which leaves me one single platoon short of having a full battalion (4 rifle companies of 3 platoons + a support company). The only slight cheat being that some squads are 4 men strong rather than 5. I'll try to get some pictures soon!

Finished: 15mm Morris Quad Tractors

Hi folks,

Having been sidetracked into starting another batch of minis, I finally got the basing on my last few mini's I had prepped for the AHPC Challenge that finished last month. My final four (for now) Quad Tractors:

Nothing hugely special about these guys, as i have recently finished the other four for the battery. However, it was a nice moment for me to have the whole unit 'finished' to a certain degree.

However, as with most collections completed over a period of time, I did have cause to re-visit my artillery, and look again at what units I had decided to represent. I did have three troops of four guns, one troop for 126th (Highland) Field Regiment, RA (white '42' on red over blue) and two troops of 128th (Highland) Field Regiment, RA (white '44' on red over blue).  128th Field would have normally been allocated to 154 Brigade, whereas I didn't really have any attachment to 126th Field, and I'm not actually sure the reason I picked that unit initially.

Then there was the small issue of my earlier Quads being in my version of 'mickey mouse' camo, whereas the new Quads were not. So I decided to have a rethink.

As such, my 'new' Quads have gone on to form a battery of 128th (Highland) Field Regiment, to support my 7th Bat, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of 154 Brigade.

My 'old' Quads, and associated vehicles, have now been re-badged to make up 4th Field Regiment, RCA. These guns will support my Canadian Infantry Company from 2nd Canadian Infantry Division (Infantry Regiment is TBC), and represent guns which feature heavily in one of my favourite Normandy accounts, that of George Blackburn. His book, The Guns of War, is stunning. Eye opening, engaging and hard to put down. Well worth a read if you've not read it yet.

The complete gathering of Highland Division guns now looks like this (less OP, command and staff teams):

Nice little grouping of German prisoners, Jocks drinking tea and an infantry patrol. 

While my Canadian Troop now looks like this:

Meanwhile, the Canadians have found a chicken and barrel of something interesting...

While their comrades prepare to survey another gun position. 

This has neatly allowed me to separate out different styles of painting and gun basing, into different units.

I've a bit more work to do updating bases and possibly highlighting old Quads, but on the whole, I'm happy I took the time and effort to sort out the new unit markings.

On the building queue just now are 6 Sherman DD's and three Sherman Crabs. Tonight I also dug out my 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry Humbers, as I'd like to add more recce to my Brits. Meanwhile, Dave is cracking on with some fantastic American D-Day stuff for our mega Utah Beach game on the 2nd of June. Stay tuned!

Finished!: Morris CDSW Bofors Tractors

Hi folks,

Following up from these being posted on the AHPC blog on Tuesday, I thought I'd had better show these off here as well.

With the guns I'd finished a while ago (as can be told by the faded static grass), these trucks fill out my Anti-Aircraft Battery from the 40th Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

I painted six in total, and they were pretty reasonable to do. I do like the mix of khaki and green. Again, I decided not to go with the mickey mouse style camo, and go with something a bit plainer.

When I took the first batch of pictures of these for the challenge, I noticed I had used the wrong decals - somehow I'd picked up a British Armoured Division support sheet, and had marked the vehicles up with the AoS number for that (73 on blue over red), rather than the infantry divisions 47 on blue over red. I quickly corrected this, but still need to weather that decal.

Not too sure how much use these will see on the battlefield, but the completionist in me is happy that the full unit is now painted.

I'd also point out providing the transport for these guns is pretty expensive. I'm not sure Battlefront currently has these Morris trucks on their site (following a bit of a cull on what they are offering following the recent sale), but these kits were selling for £14 for a pack of two. Making these six trucks (at £42 for the unit) one of the most expensive units in the army when you take into account the cost of the guns. Suffice to say, I didn't pay that full amount, although it was still costly for something that might only see the table once in a blue moon.

Still, one more little part of the project done!

State of the collection 2017 - Part 3 - British Infantry and Support

Hi folks,

Trudging forward, my next table full of mini's is my infantry. Now up to 2 rifle companies and 1 support company, I'm one rifle company short of having the whole battalion as at Operation Totalize start on 7/8/44!

For the record (and because I bothered to count!) I currently have 34 painted Universal Carriers and 10 Loyd carriers. There are still more to do, with 2 more Universal Carrier currently on my painting desk (to be part of my planned aid post). And there's good few more in the lead mountain!

A and B Companies, 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division

Support units: starting back left: medical support from 176 Field Ambulance, RAF Typhoon, Provosts/MP's,  Armoured Cars from 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry, Royal Engineer Field Platoon, 4.2" Mortars, Wasps and Vickers MMG's from 1st/7th Middlesex Regiment. 

S Company, 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: Carrier Platoon, 6 Pdr A/T Platoon, 3" Mortar Platoon, Pioneer Platoon.

A and B Companies, with A Company's De-frocked Priests at the rear. 

State of the collection 2017 - Part 2 - British/Polish Artillery

Hi folks,

Moving swiftly on from my previous post, I'm now showcasing my artillery collection.

Take a deep breath - mistakes were made!

Now, before you judge me, bear in mind that a) I'm not done yet, dammit! and b) the Royal Artillery was one of the largest combat arms in Normandy, with more men serving in RA units than in infantry units...

Regular readers will be aware of the episode now known as '25 Pdr gate'... this is the horrific results!

On a more serious note, I've had this line running through my head this morning. I first read it in George Blackburns 'The Guns of War'.

"Ubique means the warnin' grunt the perished linesman knows,

When o'er 'is strung an' sufferin' front the shrapnel sprays 'is foes,

An' as their firin' dies away the 'usky whisper runs

From lips that 'aven't drunk all day: 'The Guns! Thank Gawd, the Guns!'"

Half a regiment of 25 Pdrs - 128th (Highland) Field Regiment, 51st Highland Division

1st Polish Mechanised Artillery Regiment, 1st Polish Armoured Division (Sextons) and 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery (17 Pdrs). With a signals unit from 51st Highland Division, and a spotter Auster!

17 Pdrs deployed and limbered

79th (The Scottish Horse) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery - 4AGRA. 

40th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, 51st Highland Division