AHPC7: 1st Painting Challenge Entry

Hi folks,

So this year, as I mentioned previously, I decided to enter the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I've gotten off to a slow start, what with moving the week of the Challenge starting. I didn't really pick up a brush again until the start of the New Year. My first aim was to get an entry into the 1st 'challenge' Bonus round. As this was 'Armour' I was able to fit it in with my 'Gunuary' focus. You can find my entry here.

My first entry was therefore four Sexton Mk. II Self Propelled Guns. These vehicles belong to 2 Pulk Artylerii Motorowej (2nd Polish Motorised Artillery Regiment) of the 1st Polish Armoured Division. They are to join my 24th Polish Lancers (and other planned Polish lists, including the Cromwells). 

The Sexton was a development brought about by the inability to fit a 25 Pdr gun into a M7 Priest. Using the Priests 105mm gun was causing supply problems, as the British and Commonwealth forces did not use this type of ammunition in any other weapon system - whereas the 25 Pdr was used in all of the 'Field' Artillery Regiments. 

With the M7 Priest unable to be converted, work was undertaken in Canada by the Canadian Army Engineering Design Branch, to create a vehicle similar to the M7. This was done by converting the hull of the Ram tank (which had been developed but was not used in a active combat role itself). This design proved to be successful, with two versions being produced - the Mk1 (based on a Ram hull) and the Mk II (based on a Canadian built Sherman hull - the Grizzly). A total of 2,150 of these vehicles were produced for the British and other Commonwealth armies. The name Sexton was chosen to continue the religious theme of the Priests these vehicles were based on (and previous SPG's such as the Deacon). The Sexton continued in operational use until 1956!

As usual, these vehicles have the relevant unit markings on them - with the exception of the gun battery specific markings (normally blue boxes with one quarter red, the quarter changing depending on the guns number within the battery, along with a letter and number combo). Bridge Classification on these SPGs are 27, and the AoS decal is a red over blue box with a white 76. On the front right is the Polish 1st Armoured 'winged hussar' symbol, while on the rear is the AoS box, the winged hussar symbol and the white oblong with 'PL' in black lettering. All decals came from Doms Decals. I also applied a small allied circle to the lover front hull, as there was no decent flat surface to put them on to be visible from above. 

On the sides of the hull are a medium sized white star, along with the WD numbers (starting with the letter S for a self propelled gun). 

The crew were painted separately and glued into place once the vehicle was completed. The FoW website actually has images with 4 crew in the vehicle, one of which is sitting on the gunners chair. However the article mentions that there were added by the painter and are not part of the kit - which is a shame!

Stowage was added as normal, being a mix of Battlefront, Peter Pig and Skytrex. 

I've already completed the OP tank for this unit, so just the (soon to be made obsolete in V4) command and staff teams to do. 

I also have some small fixes to do - adding some darker static grass to the rear of the base to show the tracks passage, and adding some spent shell casings as well. These will come later once I'm on track with the rest of Gunuary and the AHPC. 

Next up, the limbered 17 Pdrs and then the 5.5" guns - which are more or less done but need crew painting.

2016 Roundup

Hi folks,

I had a hectic week last week trying to get my first entry into the Analogue Painting Challenge done - my entry for the 'Armour' challenge can be found here.

This week I'm off work again (work required on the car means it's off the road, and I opted for using leave rather than public transport...) and will be trying to crack on with Gunuary and my next (first proper) challenge entry.

Today however, I was 'sorting' again. I moved all my books in from the garage due to concerns about how well they would keep outside. This lead to a shortage of space in my little room and Amy agreeing I could get another book case/shelf unit. One was acquired for the pretty decent price of £10 from a local charity furniture warehouse - 72" tall and 31.5" wide with 3 stout shelves. As such I'm re-jigging my room and trying to decide what will get to live where.

While this was going on, I had moved my models, and as I had them out anyway, decided to look at last years progress.

I made a short video, but have some still pictures which will follow:

2016 was quite a busy year for me, with a change in job at the start of the year leading to some pretty hectic days and late nights. There was also a small matter of a wedding! However, my painting continued at pace through various challenges and through the regular paint and chats I take part in. These really helped me focus on the hobby and meant I was working on something hobby related almost every night - something that also helped me deal with a very stressful year!

Almost all the 15mm models - excluding the Polish Shermans which wouldn't fit on the table!

The British/Canadian contingent

The Germans (with a stray Sherman)

The Polish contingent

I'm pretty pleased painting wise, although blogging wise my output fell slightly. Mainly due to the Facebook page and the general business of my weekends!

In total, my collection has expanded by several of these plastic boxes:

I think a major effort is going to be needed to start marking bases to help keep units together and clear... There is also some repair work needed and a 100 minor things I want to fix. I think I might take some time later in the year, after the challenge, to get my house in order a little!

Thanks to you all for your comments, visits, kind words and support over the year. All the best for 2017! Hopefully I can tempt some of you into joining in a Paint and Chat session at some point this year!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Folks!

I'm starting off the new year with my painting space starting to take shape:

I've still a bit to do and a visit to Ikea is planned for tomorrow to hopefully get another desk and make more of an L shape arrangement. But pictures are on the walls, bookcases is up and I have some handy little drawers under the desk for holding paints and stuff.

I've been cracking on with my Gunuary prep, having not got most of the first batch close to getting some primer on them. Just the stowage to go on the Sextons and I can start hand priming.

Feels like 'hunners' to do (as usual) and I have to have my first entry for the Analogue Painting Challenge submitted by the 20th - with the first bonus themed entry 'Armour' due on the 8th - so I will try to have the Sextons done for then!

Time to get cracking!