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.

WW2 1/56th scale U.S. M5 3inch Anti-tank gun

 This is a monster of a gun compared to the smaller 6 pounder anti-tank gun though not as effective, it comes with crew of 4, it should have the potential of punching through any armour in the open, especially seeing as the tiny Panzerfaust was capable of knocking out any WW2 tank! 

The M5 was issued exclusively to U.S. tank destroyer battalions from 1943. I'll be using the M3 halftrack as its tow vehicle, it saw service in Italy and Northwest Europe notably at the battle of the Bulge.  

Next will be the 2nd Infantry squad, then on with the Germans while I wait for the U.S. halftracks to be delivered from the manufacturer.  

All the Best and Happy Painting,

Peter.

WW2 1/56th scale U.S. 60mm mortar team

Providing indirect supporting fire, this fire team is equipped with an 60mm mortar and crewed by 3-4 men and commanded by a Corporal. 

I used the same paint scheme as for the other U.S. infantry on my previous posts. I should produce a colour reference card because it's better than relying on memory.

The Sandbags and trench works are from the Baueda range of resin casts forming a makeshift mortar pit.

The miniatures are from Warlord Games Bolt Action range with cold weather clothing, anyhow I think I have at least 1 or 2 more infantry squads and a U.S. M5 3inch anti-tank gun to do, before starting the transports which will probably be M3 halftracks.

All the Best,

Peter.

WW2 1/56th scale U.S. Infantry Platoon Headquarters.

 This post covers the U.S. Infantry Platoon Headquarters squad for my tiny 28mm U.S. battlegroup. The commander is a Lieutenant supported by a Platoon Sergeant, a radio Op and a medic, the rest carry an assortment of weapons including Garand rifles, carbines and a BAR rifle.

The Lieutenant has a stripe on the back of his helmet, the medic has the usual red cross arm bands and the sergeant has stripes.  

All Warlord Games Bolt Action minis in cold weather gear, based on 25mm diameter plastic bases with homemade grass tufts.

Colours are various Olive Drab greens, Khaki Drill and Khaki Drab for the uniforms, Khaki for the webbing and burnt Umber mixed with Khaki for the Greatcoats. Steel helmets are dark uniform green mixed with black.

Next will be a supporting U.S. mortar team.

All the Best,

Peter.

WW2 1/56th scale U.S. Infantry Squad 1

 Hi,

This is Squad 1 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 extra 'bang'. I had to work out a formula for the uniform colour schemes which took a lot longer than painting them.

I have noticed the shiny effect on some of these minis, that'll be due to the spotlight, I used to use 'Testors Dullcote' matt varnish but the manufacturer stopped making it, so I'm using 'Humbrol' matt varnish at the moment, I find Army painters matt varnish isn't any better.

I'll detail an army list after the Platoon an supporting arms are finished.

Anyhow next will be the Platoon Head Quarters and also an anti-tank gun, plus I must get some platoon vehicles in the near future.

All the Best,

Peter.