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!

6MMRPC: Finished! Stuart III's and Universal Carriers

Hi folks,

As the challenge enters it's last month I've been trying to keep motivated with the aim of finishing off the models I had prepped prior to moving. As of today, I have my 2 Crusader AA tanks and some Universal Carriers still to do - which I will be starting next week, I hope.

This week I finished off the 3 M3A1 Light tanks (Stuart III's) and 6 Universal Carriers.

The M3A1's was an American light tank that was used by the British forces. By 1944 this tank was considered obsolete by the the Americans, and the British Armoured Divisions had upgraded to using the M5 and M5A1 (Stuart V's). However the independent armoured brigades still had the old kit in the form of the M3A1's.

The Battlefront models I used are the American versions, as there are no models available for late war Brits. The rear of the hull is different from the one shown in the pics and there are no visible bolts on the hull side - and there are also track guards, but otherwise I am happy enough with what I have done. Had I looked more closely at the pictures before hand I would have at least trimmed the bolts on the hull armour down.

I followed my usual process of marking out the command tank with 2 aerials and then added 2 crew members to the turret - this is mainly because I took the view that as recce tanks I would have a crew member visible in each turret, so the command tank has to have 2! Unfortunately I somehow managed to leave the gunners hatch rather than the commanders hatch open on one of the tanks - the commander must be off to an O-group or busy on the radio...

Again, sorry for the pics - some of them seem to wash the colour a bit making the tanks look a little pale. As usual these tanks are from 144RAC, 33 Armoured Brigade. They bear the markings of the Recce troop, part of RHQ Squadron. I've not included any tactical markings as it turns out that's what the regiment used the turret numbers for. I'm still trying to decide whether to remove the tac markings I have put on my Shermans. The turret numbers are also yellow rather than the white in the coloured book picture above. This is based on some comments I had seen that the turret numbers were not white in black and white pictures, and that they most likely were the colour that the regiments geometric tactical signs would have been.

 Other pics:

 I also finished (barring some crew figures) these 6 Forged in Battle Universal Carriers. These models include my 3 PIAT armed carriers - mainly using figures provided by Dai. There are also 2 .50 cal armed Carriers and a single double Bren Carrier. These guys are marked up as part of the 7th Bat. Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. I was going to make some of them 2nd Derbyshire Yeomanry for my Recce force, but will probably end up trying to get a hold of the new Battlefront Universal Carriers for them - assuming I can ever get my hands on any.

So on to the last of the vehicle crews to highlight and matt varnish as well as the last remaining vehicles.

6MMRPC: M10C, Wasps and Universal Carriers - Finished! (Tanktober Offering)

Following up from last nights post, I grabbed some shots of the various other vehicles I have been working on and managed to finish.

Again, crew figures have still to be done and added, but the rest of these models are done.

First up, my lonely M10 Self Propelled 17 Pounder gun (M10C). Bearing the markings of 6th Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery - this unit was the Corps level anti-tank regiment of 2nd Canadian Corps during Totalize. I managed to pick up the corps decal from Doms Decals, and the Arm of Service marking was a over painted field regiment decal.

Then we have 3 Wasps - flame throwing Universal Carriers. These guys have the markings of the Middlesex Regiment, 51st Highland Division. This unit also provided the 4.2" Mortars and Vickers MMG support to the Highland Division, and I was surprised to find that they operated the Wasps as well.

A very small and quick model to paint, these guys just need crew figures and they should be done.

Then we have 3 Universal Carriers. These guys are marked up and 7th Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, 51st Highland Division. They form one of the 'squads' of Universal Carriers for my infantry list. There are 1 with a .50 HMG and Bren, and 2 with two Brens.

And lastly, some more pictures of the Crocodiles:

So just crew to do and some turrets to be magnetised and that will be all these guys totally done. Next up I'm going to do some more Universal Carriers and my 3 M3A1 Stuarts. Hopefully I will make a start on them this week.