SdKfz 234/1

Note to self: get more Hasegawa kits! This was an excellent model to make, everything lined up perfectly and there were no deformed parts, instructions were also very good

This dates from 1944, 20L55 cannon and a single machinegun, at least a couple of hundred were produced by the end of the war

The colours are the usual mix of Vellejo paints and Citadel washes

Modeled without a command figure as the hatch area is quite full already; though if I ever add another of these I'll model it 'unbuttoned'and include one

Simple decals, no particular unit chosen

My late war collection hasn't had anything added for a while so this is a nice inclusion.

This appears in several different formations between 1944-5 but mostly it is a dedicated recon component.

Engineer Platoon

Finished this little addition last week, just didn't have time to post before leaving for the big smoke

More of the excellent Zevezda BEF figures, holding suitably engineer type stuff... a shovel (apologies to my old mate Jackie Adams from 16 Air Assault, R.E) :):):)

Most British infantry formations of this era had a dedicated engineer platoon

Eventually I'd like a fully independent company of engineers but need to finish the infantry battalions first

Here they included in a typical support company from the early war era, which includes: command section, engineers, mortar platoon and a light anti aircraft machinegun platoon

Another variation, with the AALMG platoon swapped out for a medium machinegun unit, though this was far less common

Yet another variation still, this one includes a Boys anti tank rifle platoon. I now have one complete BEF infantry battalion, one down, two to go.

Progress

Off to Brisbane for another weekend with the team from Greenslopes :) but before I go, just a little progress on my latest project to share with you all...

Superbly engineered, this is the first kit by Hasegawa I have ever made

Unusual wheel assembly took some time to get right but well worth the effort, all nice and straight see? Have a great weekend all, cheers

BEF Mortar Platoon

Another addition to my BEF collection, this time the excellent Zevezda 3" mortar

This, plus the engineer platoon I'm still working on, completes the first full battalion

These are great figures. Next I would like to get a couple of 2lb anti tank guns, but will hold off on them until I have finished the infantry battalions.

New Cruiser

Had some time earlier this week to put together one of the latest additions to my early war collection

Base coated and washed on sprue

Clear, simple instructions giving two options: 'buttoned' or 'unbuttoned'

A few brass parts, a couple of which I actually used :)

The whole kit went together in about ten minutes

Extremely well engineered, no flash

Nice to have the correct markings for a change, the kit comes with several options

Here it is between my only other cruisers (SHQ) for comparison

This last picture is of the memorial to the fallen at Rainbow Beach, where I have just spent the last four days on retreat with other veterans from my course. 

Airfix Gurkha

Finished this unit in preparation for a couple of small games, set in the far east.

Battalion HQ

One of the rifle companies

Support company

A few of the rifle platoons 

The full battalion, plus an additional two rifle companies. I've actually trained with some of these guys a couple of times, and in my experience they are extremely professional and reliable soldiers; every bit the stuff of legend, they seemed to like working with us too.

Airfix Saladin

Been working on this off and on for a couple of weeks

Nicely engineered, zero flash

Modeled it 'unbuttoned' it will also be the command platoon if I end up getting others at a later stage

I left off the .30 and second antennae. It looked too crowded once I opened the hatch and added the figure, and the machinegun was not that well modeled in any case 

A great recon addition for my cold war British.