In Remembrance

My thoughts this morning will be with the fallen of all wars, past and present. Specifically though I'll be thinking of the men of 144RAC.

As the dedication on the first page of 'Blue Flash' states:

"To all who served in the Regiment

"I had rather have,
Such men my friends than enemies."

Julius Caesar, Act V, Sc. iv."

Lest we forget.

15mm Ambulance Jeep - WiP

Part of my painting chart for the 6 Months Metal Mountain Reduction Painting Challenge is an ambulance jeep, for use with Battlegroup Overlord. And also because I thought it would be interesting to do as a project, and would fit in with the other wartime medical models I was planning on doing.

The original plan had been to use the stretcher models from the Skytrex medic's packs I had bought. However, having prepared one of them for the model I became concerned that it would make the model look a little too busy. So the other night I began 'constructing' this:

 

These were done using some of the styrene I had ordered via ebay a few months ago. The pack contained various lengths and thicknesses of styrene. Combined with some thin plasticard I had, I built two stretchers and then a framework for the hood of the Jeep.

The reason for the framework was that I realised that in order to paint the jeep and get the decals I want to put on in place, I would have to add the stretchers once the jeep was finished.

Obviously, the stretcher poles and supports still have to be trimmed!

The Jeep itself needed a couple of extras. I don't think I would be able to work with styrene thin enough to make the pole like supports. I should have mentioned I am using a 20mm model from Milicast as a guide (pic found here). However, I may give using the thinner stuff a try depending on how I feel once all the bits are done.

The supports at the front still need to be trimmed to the correct length to support the front of the stretchers.

And a (very rough) assembly of all the bits:

The metal support in the centre is in the pack as a post for an optional machine gun, but I had thought it could be trimmed to act as additional support for the rear stretcher. I'm still not sure on that (and can't find my clippers currently - another victim of the house move) and may remove it.

So that's the plan so far - hopefully I can get it looking decent once all the bits are trimmed and fitted. But it does give me something to work on while I wait for a chance to varnish the small tank horde I currently have sitting on my desk. When it comes to painting this up I will also do the other two jeeps - one which will be a MP jeep and the other which is part of the HQ for my Bofors unit.

#6MMRPC Update

Hi folks,

So having put 112 hours into Wasteland 2 (a truly excellent game) I thought it was time to break out the brushes properly and try to crack on with this painting challenge.

Still no completed units painted but I'm getting there. All the main colours are now blocked in, I've spent some time peering at them closely to find mistakes... but so far all good. No doubt more bright blotches in the wrong area will turn up post Armypainter varnish.

So at this point, no shading, highlights or washes!!!

Here's the WiP shots. 3 Sherman Fireflys, 5 Sherman I's, 2 Humber Scout Cars and 1 D7 Armoured Bulldozer.

And the pre painting shot:

Closer shots: