Finished: 15mm Polish Cromwell OP

Hi folks,

Another random unit completed. 

I'd found myself with a spare Cromwell kit from PSC and decided to turn it into an artillery observation post tank. 

I snipped the normal muzzle from the 75mm gun, making it look (hopefully) like a fake gun. 

While I don't think it's historically accurate, I've marked this model up as a OP tank from 2 Pulk Artylerii Motorowej (2nd Polish Motorised Artillery Regiment) of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. I've already completed a Sherman OP tank for this unit, but thought it was a good use of this spare hull. 

I've used my usual combination of decals, added a fishing line aerial and based using my usual basing technique. 

Finished: 15mm PSC Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausf. D (Stummel) platoon

Hi folks,

Catching up on my completed AHPC entries for last week - more progress on my Panzergrenadier project. This time with six Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausf. D vehicles from the 12th 'Heavy' kompanie of III/26. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment, 12SS Panzer Division.

The 'mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (7,5 cm)' (Sd. Kfz. 251/9) was created as a supporting vehicle for the mechanised infantry units of the German army and SS in mid 1942. Armed with an 7.5 cm K. 37 L/24 gun (the same 'short' 75mm gun that had been mounted on the early StuG and Panzer IVs, but later designated as 7.5 cm K. 51 (Sf.)), this vehicle lends some heavy direct firepower. In FoW terms, these vehicles are still dangerous to most allied tanks in the Normandy theatre. 

Still, they have negligible armour themselves - and being open topped are particular vulnerable to artillery and mortar fire.  

I've painted the six vehicles which (according to a full order of battle) would be assigned to the heavy support company of the battalion. For this, the hull numbers 443-448 have been used. 

Painting wise, I went with the same recipe as my other half-tracks. I used the Skytrex decals for the side and rear hull numbers, as the smaller ones I had used for this previously from Doms Decals didn't cover the number range I required. License plates and division symbol were also added. 

Foliage was added using seafoam 'branches' and leaf flock. I focussed this on the front of the vehicles, where foliage might have been added to camouflage the vehicle in a hedge or treeline. Basing has been done to the same style as the rest of my 15mm Normandy collection. 

For camo on these, I kept similar colours to those used before, but in a different camo pattern. I'm afraid I don't have the skills currently to airbrush, so the camo pattern is a little heavier and harder edged that I would have liked. However, at tabletop distances it will work. 

These models are 15mm Plastic Soldier Company kits (PSC) with the PSC upgrade sprue used to convert them into the 251/9 versions. Crew will be painted and added at a later date. 

This units completion leaves 12 more vehicles to finish on my planned Order of Battle (with 34 half-tracks or associated vehicles painted since November). 

Now on the painting table are the mortar half-tracks and towed (limbered) Pak40 guns. I am starting to flag with regards to half-track/German vehicle painting... Thankfully not much more to do. 

Finished: 15mm PSC Sd.kfz. 251/16D Armoured Flame-Thrower platoon

Hi folks,

Another catch up blog post - this time back to my German half-track project. These are Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) 15mm Sd.kfz. 251D half tracks, with the PSC upgrade kit applied to turn them into the 251/16D models. This involves an upgrade to the internals to include fuel tanks and fuel pump, as well as crew figures dressed in flame proof clothing and armed with flame-throwers. 

I've applied the usual decals, with hull numbers in the range 621-626 (making these part of the III/26 SS Panzergrenadiers 6th company - the pioneer company). I used Skytrex decals for the hull sides, Doms Decals for the crosses. Given the placement of other items on the hull, I didn't have room for my other usual markings.

I've again gone for a different camo scheme, using the same colours. Scorch/soot marks were added to the hull sides where the weapons would likely have been firing (flaming?). 

Another set of boxes completed on my project planning sheet! 

Since completing these, I moved on to painting the half-track tow vehicles for the 4th (heavy support) company's 75mm A/T guns, as well as the SP artillery from the 5th company. These are approaching completion, and I've begun working on the 251/9 (stummel) half-tracks. 

So only 18 out of 46 planned vehicles still to go, and six of those 18 are started...!

In other news, a new project has turned up - Team Yankee Dutch:

Finished: 15mm Polish Cromwells #2 Troop

Hi folks,

I've been continuing to use what spare time I can get beyond the demands of parenthood to focus on my Polish Cromwell project over the last few weeks. While progress has been a bit slow on getting this particular troop completed, I've also done a small amount of work on troop #4 and a reasonable amount on troop #3.

As I covered in my previous blogs (1, 2 and 3) regarding this project, these are 15mm Plastic Soldier Company Cromwell tanks representing vehicles from No.2 troop, C Squadron, 10 Pulk Strzelcow Konnych, 1st Polish Armoured Division around the 8th August 1944.

I think I've found a solution to my recent photo lighting problem, and it appears to be related to the standard photo app on my Google Pixel 4 phone. I tried a different app, and the pictures came out a lot lighter, suggesting the app is doing something to make my photos much darker. 

In keeping with previous project posts, here is the painting plan with the most recent changes marked:

It's nice to be able to track myself crawling towards completion. I'm finding that the much more limited free time I have is focusing me a bit more. I'm not going to claim that I'm getting more done, by any means, but I feel like I spent a lot less time messing on with things and more time concentrating on using my time efficiently. If only I could do the same thing in my actual work...

I'm also at the stage where I am thinking about what come next. There are a few different things tickling my fancy, but one of the main things will be to revisit a previous project - my 24th Polish Lancers:

I'd previously painted three Stuarts for this list, before realising the Poles used the Stuart VI not the Stuart V's I'd painted. So I gained my first Canadian tanks, and these Poles are still missing their recce section. Revisiting may also be an opportunity to switch to 60x40mm bases on the Sherman tanks, which will free up storage space. Very much an admin job, but one I can achieve fairly quickly. 

Finished: 15mm PSC Polish Cromwells (Command elements)

Hi folks,

As part of the AHPC this year, my goal is to make progress with my planned 15mm Cromwell tanks squadron as part of my Polish Armoured Division for Operation Totalize. Over the Christmas period I made some progress with the first five vehicles of this squadron, making up the HQ element, close support 95mm armed Cromwell section and an ARV Cromwell. 

These tanks are all decaled up to be part of C Squadron, 10 Pulk Strzelcow Konnych (10th Polish Mounted Rifle Regiment), 1st Polish Armoured Division. I'm representing this unit as of it's initial entry into combat in Normandy on 8 August 1944.

Thankfully from a modelling perspective, at the time of Operation Totalize this unit had only been in France for a short time. As such, period photos from 8 August 1944 show these tanks as being devoid of much stowage or any other paraphernalia. Photos from later in the campaign show a huge accumulation of additional track armour, stowage, etc. But to keep the painting simple, I only had to contend with a seemingly standard bundle of camo netting on the right rear deck. 

In keeping with my standard style, the command tanks have been given two aerials to help mark them out on the table. The Squadron commander will also be in the open hatch, once a suitable model is painted. These and the 95mm armed version are PSC models. 

The 95mm armed close support tanks have not been given a crew figure, but one of the two has been given twin aerials incase that becomes relevant during a game. In the v4 rules the CS tanks form part of the troop with the HQ tanks, rather than an individual unit. This may change in our home games. 

The ARV model was an old Battlefront resin and metal kit I had picked up years ago (the PSC tanks were assembled in 2016). No use for these rules wise now, but I will find a use for it on the table!

I've 12 more Cromwells to paint, along with 3 Stuarts to round out this force. I have picked up some Crusader AA tanks as well, which I am waiting on, and may add a Cromwell OP tank as I have a spare PSC kit. Not sure how much progress will be made before March - that will depend on the baby I suspect!

Painting plan wise, progress looks like this:

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 Recce 6-pdr Platoon (PSC)

Hi folks,

As usual, a bit more of a delay between my last post and this one. The sunny weather, my dabbling with other bits and generally my lack of enthusiasm for these models all led to me taking a little longer than expected on these guys. 

On the plus side, another unit marked off the painting chart!

These guys are 15mm Plastic Soldier Company 15mm Loyd Carriers and 6-pdr anti-tank guns marked up as a platoon from 2nd Debyshire Yeomanry, 51st Highland Division. 

I've used a mix of different stowage options on the Loyd carriers just to individualise them a little. The carriers themselves I had little issue with. They are decent models and I've added them to FoW medium plastic bases which will be magnetised for storage. 

My main issue with these models were the guns and gun crew figures. The guns are light and fiddly, and the joint between the gun and trailer is a definite weak point. It was tricky to get the guns to sit with a more flat trajectory without them appearing to break off every time I looked at them. Similarly, the crew figures - while they look decent painted - have no bases. As such, painting them was an issue as they have barely any surface area connecting them to a surface. I fully expect that I am going to lose crew figures from the bases as there is just no decent way of securing them. 

The details on the crew were also fairly soft, placement of water bottles on the webbing is wrong on half the models and generally they are nowhere near as nice as metal figures (but we all knew that already). For the price, I suppose they are a good buy. They certainly look like they will fit in with the rest of my collection. 

Crew figures for the carriers are very slight, especially compared to the gun crew. 

I've used my standard basing technique, but the lack of bases mean the crew figures have just had to be glued directly onto the basing material. 

All in all, a useful little 4 gun platoon, which takes my total of (deployed) 6-pdrs up to 10! I'll try to get some pic's of these next to my Battlefront and Forged in Battle Loyds now they are all painted and based. 

The painting chart is starting to fill with more green. Part of the delay on these guys has been the work of the crew figures for the armoured cars - which should be done shortly. 

As for other diversions, I was sent some MDF kits to test build. I've been chasing Pendraken for these since before lockdown! Pretty sure Leon was sick of me bugging him about them every few weeks. These are 15mm Redvector kits that Pendraken will hopefully be stocking some time soon. 

British LCI(S) in early configuration (I've converted mine to be a later variety)

A busy table with my conversion to the LCI(S) and a test of how many 60x40mm bases the 15mm LCT can fit (some sanding was required for the bases, unbased tanks will have no issue). 

Finished: AHPC entries 1 and 2

Hi folks,

I managed to get myself organised and finish off the first couple of models for 2020 and the first entries to this years Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I've set myself a bruising target of 1250 points this year, and these guys combined were worth less than 100 (including a bonus!). I better get a shift on!

First up a 15mm diorama I painted for Dave's collection (as my entry fee for this years challenge). Dave will have to complete the 'X marks the spot' challenge to qualify... I wanted to stick to my strengths and paint something WW2 related, so in the end went for an American command/signals post.

The truck, trailer and jeeps are all from Skytrex, while the infantry figures and passengers are all Battlefront metals. The base is a 'coaster' sized and shaped 2mm MDF base - the same as what I used for my Aid Post back in 2017.

I also submitted a couple of tanks I had painted for Martin - 15mm Plastic Soldier Company Fireflys to be precise. These were a donation to Martin's British armour collection following his purchase of the 'Hit the Beach' box. I decided to build and paint them for him as a thank you.

Very plain, limited decals, no bases and no weathering. I'll let Martin add what he likes to match these in with what he's doing.

Now, I just need to get on with the 10mm stuff on my desk...

Holidays 2018 - Dorset and Wales

Hi folks,

Sorry for the lack of posting recently, I've been off gallivanting around the south of England and the middle of Wales!

Hobby wise, I had the chance to pick up the new Team Yankee book 'Free Nations' as well as a few FoW bits and bobs which have been sequestered away by the lady wife for my birthday. I also managed to pick up a few interesting books - 'Fighting the Invasion', which is full of translated German reports relating to D-Day and 'Assault Crossing', which covers the 49th Wessex Divisions crossing of the Seine. '6 Armies in Normandy' is also interesting, covering the perspective of various forces fighting in Normandy. From the Tank Museum, I also picked up some copies of documents regarding my grandfathers regiment and a book about modelling Sherman tanks.

Hobby wise, as usual I took along some stuff to build - having first asked permission! I find that taking some stuff with me to assemble in an evening means I then don't have to spent as much time building models at home when I could be painting them...

German halftracks from PSC and Battlefront (the Battlefront ones were by far the easier to assemble). 4 of the PSC ones are built as 'Stummels' using the PSC upgrade kit, while one is built as a 'standard' 251/1D transport. Two of the PSC ones will be HMG carriers while the other two have been upgraded to Mortar carriers, again using the PSC upgrade sprues.

Another 5 German Panzer IV's, from PSC, And a single Tiger, also from PSC. All now filed away awaiting their turn in the painting queue. Having just painted 12 Panzer IV's I do feel like I should start on those I've just built, but at the same time I'm a pit sick of painting Panzer IV's and I've still got German armour in the painting queue currently!

Locations wise, I got to spend a day in the archives at the Tank Museum and Bovington as well as a visit to the Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovil.

I also stumbled across a 'vintage vehicle rally' which had a load of WW2 stuff:

And a couple of random plinths in some of the seaside villages we visited:

As well as the obligatory Welsh castle - which also included an ECW battlefield:

View of the Battlefield site from the castle grounds

All that remains of the castle...

 And with views like this:

It's easy to see why someone would build a Castle up there in the first place! It offered views into both England and Wales, I understand.

I also saw a load of these both on the ground and in the air:

As well as F-15's, V-22 Ospreys, Chinooks and Hawks in flight over Wales and Dorset.

Other than the hobby and military stuff (which is, as usual, my main focus when it's about), we had a lovely time in both countries, with the weather being amazing in the second week and the only failing of the Welsh holiday home being the internet - but it had a pool and a hottub, which made up for that slightly. It was also set in a very rural location up on a hillside with some stunning views. We travelled a lot to the seaside, ate bucket loads of ice cream and tried to keep cool! Great couple of weeks!