WW2 1/56th scale German artillery Forward Observation Officer, Horch Field car and RSO tow vehicle.

 Continuing on with my German Panzer Grenadier supporting units are a FOO - Forward Observation Officer to direct artillery fire together with their command vehicle. I've chosen a Horch Field car to transport the FOO, also there's a RSO tow & crew vehicle for the 10.5cm gun leFH18 on my previous post. 

The Kfz69/70 Horch Field is a nice vehicle with enough room for a small squad. The retractable middle set of wheels add to its off road capabilities. The field car was provided by 'Warlord Games' sadly they will be discontinuing their resin vehicle ranges soon.

I picked the RSO - 'Raupenschlepper Ost' after seeing it paired with the leFH18 artillery gun in a war photograph on the Western front 1944. The RSO is made out of resin by 'Diewaffenkamer' in Canada.

The glass windscreens were cut out of clear scrap from a blister pack, the windscreen wipers from scrap etched brass, the dirt on the glass is 'AK interactive sienna soil' brushed on. I may airbrush the effect if I think I can improve it, maybe make it a bit sharper than it is at the moment.

Anyhow, next are the infantry squads and maybe an Opel Blitz truck or two.

All the Best,

Peter.

WW2 1/56th scale German 10.5cm leFH18 Howitzer

 Hi, I thought I'd continue with a German big hitter, the 105mm leFH18 Howitzer, the raw kit is available from 'Warlord Games'. The crew are in cold weather kit, I'd rather not have them caked in snow because I think it looks better that way, there doesn't have to snow on the ground for it to be very cold.

This will provide adequate support for my Wehrmacht Panzer Grenadier platoon, which is currently half finished on my painting bench, it'll need a dedicated tow vehicle, probably an RSO which is almost complete.

I wouldn't normally place this on the gaming table except for special scenarios such as; a counterbattery fire mission, a behind enemy lines commando scenario, or a campaign game in a last ditch scenario etc.

The sandbag gun emplacements were sourced from Baueda miniatures, made out of resin they paint up nicely. The oval base is plastic 115mm x 85mm, winter grass tufts are homemade. 

Anyhow next will be an Forward Observation team and the RSO tow vehicle.

Happy painting,

Peter.

 

WW2 1/56th scale German Pak40 75mm anti-tank gun

 I sold my SS Panzer Grenadier platoon quite some time ago, so I now need to paint a new force as an opponent for my Allied Platoons. 

Starting with a Wehrmacht German Panzer Grenadier Platoon, as usual I like to create a few vignettes to create a bit of an  atmosphere for the subject. I'm concentrating on the supports first, firstly a 75mm anti-tank gun, a pak40 from Warlord Games.  

The ammo box is scratch built out of plasticard, the plastic base an oval 115mm x 85mm with textured grass, static grass clumps made by yours truly and some rocks. 

Here comes the nerdy bit, I'm only going to put on the 'tank kills' stripe(s) when they occur in a game, I think it'll give the vignette a bit more life.

Anyhow I have a variety of German tow vehicles to finish off together with a towed 10.5cm leFH18 howitzer for the next post.  

Happy painting :)

Peter.

WW2 1/56th scale U.S. Infantry Squad 2 + FOO team

Hi, fresh from a recent panzer IVH kill this is Infantry Squad 2 of my U.S. infantry Platoon in cold weather kit, the 28mm figures are 'Warlord Games' miniatures and painted in enamels, oils and acrylics. 

There are 12 men per squad and include a MMG squad automatic weapon, a M1918 BAR and I've added a bazooka for each squad.

I'm not sure whether I'll acquire a third infantry squad before I tackle the M3 halftracks, I'll see how it goes.

Also the Forward Observer team for the  Platoons' Fire Support to call down mortar or artillery fire on enemy targets. 

These dudes seem to have brought some of the terrain into the house they're operating from on their boots.

Anyhow next will be the German Panzer grenadiers platoon with supporting arms including a pak40 anti-tank gun.

All the Best,

Peter.

28mm Imperial Roman Gladiators

 And Now for something completely different!

These Gladiators were sitting on the painting bench for a while now waiting for a few splashes of colour, so they've been completed this week with some more Early Imperial Roman legionaries and Praetorians I'll post these to follow before the end of April.

The  Playmat is homemade, I tried to get a sand blown ripple effect using acrylics rolled onto sealed linen material, looking at the Jordanian desert I think the colour scheme works for me anyway. If I make another playmat I'll blog instructions on  how I did it with the colour palette etc. Flexible playmats are Great if you have storage issues like I do.

Dude Behind You!

All the miniatures are 'Wargames Foundry' figures from their Gladiator range, painted in Oils, enamels and acrylics. I'm going to have to retouch my older gladiators to match in with these dudes.

I was hoping to include these figures in a vignette set in a small fighting pit on the edge of the Roman Empire, scratch built out of plasticard, wood etc. to resemble a rustic mini collosseum. Maybe I'll start it over Summer.

Anyhow I'll upload the rest of the Romans soon, and the WW2 stuff.

All the Best,

Peter.