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!

Finished!: 15mm Sherman Crab Flail tanks

Hi folks,

My various bases and magnets arrived following my State of the Collection video's, which has allowed me to finish off the Sherman Crab's I had been working on:

I had previously 2 of these tanks painted, along with the command vehicle. I actually painted these quite a while ago (2014), so there was a bit of a difference in painting style over my recent vehicles. I decided, while painting the three new additions, to re-work the old models. This included re-visiting my basing.

I was really taken by Dave's slightly smaller bases, so picked up some narrower 2mm thick mdf bases from Warbases. These included holes cut in them for 5mm x 2mm magnets, which will save me adding magnetic sheeting to the underside of the bases. These also more securely attach the bases to the sheeting in the boxes. These tanks are on 90mm by 40mm bases, while the command tank is on a 60mm by 40mm base (as opposed to 63mm by 50mm Battlefront large bases I previously used). The extra 13mm's shaved off the sides just looks a bit neater. This also means the vehicles are a little easier to store.

Markings are for the 22nd Dragoons, although I think the turret numbers were a bit of a guess. I can't find anything substantial regarding the use of the numbers.

Dust effects have been applied over the front hull and tracks. Old vehicles were updated and brought to a similar standard, all the bases were updated. The canvas gun mantlet was added by me. Chain are from cheap costume jewellery. Fishing line aerials.

So five flails done, which will help with our large scenario games. The command tank I'm also not sure about, I think the structure of the squadron was several troops of 5 flails, with an HQ of three Shermans for each squadron.

Big thanks go to DaveD, who contributed to the upgraded troop!