Friday, August 30, 2013

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.



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

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.


Friday, August 23, 2013

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


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

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.


Saturday, August 17, 2013

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. 


Monday, August 12, 2013

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.

Friday, August 9, 2013

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.