Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Carrakon on 03 January 2017, 09:30:41 AM
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While I was pondering what vehicles to get for my Decima and waiting for a good deal on Ebay, I managed to get some work done on some Artizan Afrikakorps I got on Ebay a while ago:
A bunch of Riflemen:
(https://i.postimg.cc/G90fjRC8/rifles_2_zpsedh2zhpu.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Even more Riflemen. As I ended up with a couple of doubles, I modeled some scarves and googles:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Btftxj7r/rifles_zps9q9r5c7l.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Officer and NCOs
(https://i.postimg.cc/23RzLg9T/smg_zpsraitvupe.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
As I really had many doubles and already quite enough ordinary riflemen, I made a member of the Deutsch-Arabische Lehrabteilung, as having a local around seems like a reasonable thing to do. (and I somehow couldn't pass up the opportunity to make an African in Wehrmacht uniform ;D )
(https://i.postimg.cc/vDRFT92V/dal_zpsws2xdzw3.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
As the Artizan DAK figures have a rather cartoony feel to them (which I like), I decided to just run with that and go a little Hollywood on the vehicles as well - why should only the LRDG chaps get to ride in cool vehicles, eh? Also of course, creating field conversions seems to have been a rather popular hobby among German troops.
First the good old Kübelwagen - pretty much the LRDG design philosophy applied to German wheels. Now of course the Vilar-Perosa MG used here technically is of WW1-vintage, but I recently saw a documentary about archeology in the 30's which clearly showed that those guns were fitted to Biplanes by the Germans ;)
(https://i.postimg.cc/LhKxdVhn/kuumlbel_2_zpszsegaxfs.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Cdypvt8t/kuumlbel_1_zpsrp9dtl8q.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Second: A converted Sd.Kfz. 10/2. Given how short on vehicles the DAK was, I guess it'd seem like unaffordable luxury to keep dedicated chemical decontamination vehicles around. This version is interesting for my purposes as I offers a widened cargo bed, so I can place more miniatures inside:
(https://i.postimg.cc/G9wy37Fn/sdkfz_10_1_zpsckrtdlz1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0jTVR1cY/sdkfz_10_zpsqzn7bo6z.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I did however want one more vehicle in order to carry more troops. Now a while ago, I got a couple of old Bandai 1:48 vehicles dirt cheap on ebay, as they were already built and rather damaged. Among them, was an M3 Halftrack. This reminded me of the Vismodded Halftracks they used in Tobruk and I figured this would be just the vehicle to underline the Hollywood-theme of this force.
So some research into those Hollywood-vismods yielded these results:
The well-known pseudo-Sd.Kfz. from the 1967 movie Tobruk:
(http://www.imcdb.org/i604591.jpg)
An M3 with modified front from the series "the Rat Patrol":
(http://www.imcdb.org/i557917.jpg)
Another M3 from the same series:
(http://www.imcdb.org/i526587.jpg)
Now the last one seemed rather impractical and also looks too armored. I decided to go for the Tobruk-style cut-outs and the modded front.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Dm30hV71/m3_1_zpsoucyln40.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/br7LkRhq/m3_zpsprgzcxui.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Of course it had to be liberally covered in national insignia to show the viewer that this really is a German vehicle ;)
And just in case you were wondering why I left out much of the interior - especially the seats - that is so I can place miniatures inside, because I hate it when parked vehicles have a crew (or moving vehicles are empty) or when the crew doesn't fit the look of who's actually driving (e.g. German drivers, when the vehicle was captured by an allied player).
Here's a WIP shot of the vehicles mounted:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Rq5JX681/aufgesessen_zpsnof9hd69.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I hope you like 'em!
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Looks like a start of a very nice DAK force! 8)
Great conversion work with the minis and vehicles, good idea to "hide" the doubles with sunglasses and scarves.
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Lovely. Great work on the vehicles 8)
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Great work on the DAK, always nice to see the characterful Artizan minis & your strategy for dealing with the limited number of models is excellent.
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Great idea for a theme.
Good job on the figures and vehicles!
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Wonderful approach to this period. Nice idea on the vehicles.
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Great stuff - really like the way you have taken the cartoony look and carried it through as a theme for the whole force.
The idea of doing the interiors of the vehicles simple - but still with the significant features - so you can get the figures in and out is very clever.
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What a great idea! Now you just need an M24 or M48 for your tanks. :)
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Nice stuff!! ;)
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Thanks for the kind comments!
What a great idea! Now you just need an M24 or M48 for your tanks. :)
I don't want to just use some different tank. Does anybody here have a pointer for movie with modified tanks used for the Germans? I'm only aware of the various Not-Tigers, which obviously aren't that suitable for Africa.
Other than that I'm thinking of buying a SdKfz 251 and giving it a closed roof, making it into an OT-810. Vismodding an actual German vehicle in order to make it look like a non-German vehicle, which was then used as a stand-in for the actual German vehicle would kind of close the circle of lunacy ;D
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I think you are watching too much of that TV show 'Rat Patrol!' lol lol lol lol lol
Looks good, keep at it!
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It's like a horrible traffic accident! You can't stop looking! lol
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Great stuff here!
I don't want to just use some different tank. Does anybody here have a pointer for movie with modified tanks used for the Germans? I'm only aware of the various Not-Tigers, which obviously aren't that suitable for Africa.
Well, it depends really. All the old movies had either M24s, M47s, or M60s. Only Kelly's Heroes stands out though so far as I know.
But there are some modified tanks in "Band of Brothers":
They turned the British FV32 APC into a Stug III.
(http://www.chrisbarrieclassicmachines.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/FV432APC.jpg)
(http://www.imcdb.org/i056758.jpg)
Or the T54 turned Jagdpanther:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/T-54A_Panzermuseum_Thun.jpg/800px-T-54A_Panzermuseum_Thun.jpg)
(http://www.imcdb.org/i056757.jpg)
Maybe if there are matching kits you could use the undercarriage of one tank and put the German upper body on top of it.
Also don't forget to include a helicopter in your army 8)
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During the weeks, I'm away in the middle of nowhere due to work, which leaves me with plenty of time to get some painting done. So here's some new toys:
First is a Not-Horch Kfz 15. It's a slightly vismodded Gaz 69 I had lying around:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Hj1Dndcs/KFZ_Front_zps8kvupbb1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/CdTSWjw1/KFZ_Heck_zpslcb9nmxk.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And then I decided to broaden the horizon of this project and include some italians, because why not?
Riflemen:
(https://i.postimg.cc/WtRqRC4r/Rifles_zpsvj5apudz.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Light Machine gun teams:
(https://i.postimg.cc/t7G9kHr1/LMGs_zpsijwcthv6.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
NCOs. The guy second from the right is a minor green stuff conversion because I wanted to include at least one guy wearing one of those hilariously oversized berets the italian special forces were so fond of:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Th80kkMN/NCOs_zps29c2dz1u.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Officers:
(https://i.postimg.cc/QC2nW8fz/Offiziere_zpsyb5xeyaf.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And another officer who I'm told looks like me, when I'm grumpy ;)
(https://i.postimg.cc/3WQ0Mmcw/Colonello_zpsjkjwscxb.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Obviously some vehicles were needed as well for those lads.
First is a Gaz-AA, which I'm using as a Fiat 621 (seriously: Was there anyone not license building model A's?)
(https://i.postimg.cc/pyb64VMH/Fiat_626_front_zpsqtvra0gn.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And loaded with the boys:
(https://i.postimg.cc/K4hgMwBf/Fiat_626_mit_Crew_zpsg4zyzz22.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The next is a converted Gaz-A, which looked suitable similar to the predecessor of the well-known Fiat 508 CM. I just modernized the spoked wheels, moved the spare tire to the front and added some stowage:
(https://i.postimg.cc/bdfpYTPK/Fiat_501_front_zpsaipwiqnp.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
The top is removable, so I can place miniatures inside as per my usual build-philosophy:
(https://i.postimg.cc/z3m8X1Kz/Fiat_501_heck_zpshtvq7lok.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And of course not including the AS 42 Sahariana would be a severe crime, so here it is:
(https://i.postimg.cc/DmkVqdCn/Sahariana_Front_zpsxdlhrft5.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/14htfFwN/Sahariana_Heck_zpsoslfrgzk.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Being 1:43 it's a tad big, but I think with the bulkier Artizan sculpts it works out OK - after all the real thing was quite a monster as well.
(https://i.postimg.cc/SYd2GQC9/Sahariana_mit_Crew_zps5uznntde.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SYd2GQC9)
Hope you like it!
As for armored support I'm still looking for ideas. The problem with Jericho's suggestions is that imho those look too good and I'm afraid the end result wouldn't look deliberate enough and more like a bad scratch-build. At the moment I'm toying with the idea of building something along the lines of the pseudo Sd.Kfz. 222 from the bridge assault in 'a bridge too far'.
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Wonderful creations :-*
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Wow, great paintings. Love the windows and the nearly photorealistic paintings.
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Recently I started working on some opposition for my lads. Given their immense coolness, the LRDG was a must, of course. Since Warlord Games gave me a voucher, I decided to test their vehicle offering, despite not being a fan of 1:56 as a scale, but there's no alternative in the bigger scales at even halfway reasonable cost, so... :?
So without further ado, here's the vehicles (Crew, along with Artizan Brits is still on the painting table):
Obviously for colours, it is a must to use one of the LRDG's fantastically perverse schemes - I opted for the disgusting combination of pink and light blue ;D
Truck 1
(https://i.postimg.cc/SjFTwYrQ/chevy_1_front_zps1jtvuppt.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/14hw9p2T/chevy_1_heck_zpsqumxwpig.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Truck 2
(https://i.postimg.cc/hhRnpjQT/chevy_2_front_zpstgoxcrvx.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/mhx48S6m/chevy_2_heck_zps7jcwszji.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Jeep
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjB4Ytpy/jeep_front_zpsf7cqos3j.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjKyLDhz/jeep_heck_zpsjpqkyjkg.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Casting of the trucks was brilliant with almost no cleaning necessary, the Jeep was considerably more rough, but all in all worth the money. Only problem is that at 1/56, the Jeep looks comically small imho (less of an issue with bigger kit like the trucks).
Hope you guys like 'em!
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The next is a converted Gaz-A, which looked suitable similar to the predecessor of the well-known Fiat 508 CM. I just modernized the spoked wheels, moved the spare tire to the front and added some stowage:
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/Carrakon/WW%20II/Italians%20in%20Africa/Fiat%20501%20front_zpsaipwiqnp.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Carrakon/media/WW%20II/Italians%20in%20Africa/Fiat%20501%20front_zpsaipwiqnp.jpg.html)
If you don't mind, what's the size/scale of the Gaz A and where did you come upon it? Been trying to find a 1:56 A or similar for ages.
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Love it. Fabulous :-*
The camo scheme is positively psychedelic - brilliant!
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If you don't mind, what's the size/scale of the Gaz A and where did you come upon it? Been trying to find a 1:56 A or similar for ages.
It's 1:43. Got it for 2 bucks at a local Woolworth. I think it's part of a series which was sold with some Russian magazine. Don't know where you could get a 1:56 one, as using that scale with the LRDG was an emergency measure - I think it's too small and that especially shows with smaller cars.
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Great stuff, nice to see Italians.
I would really like Perry do some plastic italians. I would jump in ww2 straight away!
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Great looking bits, good job :)
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Here's some new progress to show:
First is the rest of the LRDG, that is the crew for the vehicles:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Yjc4YYNH/LRDG_mounted_front_zpsvvkjxjvo.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/vDRJyZyh/LRDG_mounted_rear_zpsy3fj877j.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Also I finished the Artizan LRDG on foot - wonderful models:
(https://i.postimg.cc/z3ZTF9w3/LRDG_on_foot_zpsgzarnixz.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Detail of the patterned headdresses:
(https://i.postimg.cc/nryR6SxQ/headgear_detail_zpsv3abof9x.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I also finished a little side project: Feldgendarmerie (military police) for use as checkpoints and a VW Kommandeurwagen:
(https://i.postimg.cc/PNnn6YjM/Feldgendarmerie_zpss5q5dinp.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Now the real thing was basically a Schwimmwagen with Beetle body, but in tune with the Hollywood theme, I used the opportunity to 'get it wrong' and just use a regular beetle - of course with a way too modern body, as evidenced by the rear window ;)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NLhFtK1N/beetle_rear_zpsgby17svo.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I also made some progress on the tank front. I was reluctant to do a Vismod with post-war tanks as that was the time when - compared to the Panzer III or IV - tanks started to get huge. I toyed with the idea of using a smaller scale tank but that didn't really sit well with me either. I then found some inspiration to get me back on track, namely the 1985 movie "Battle for Moscow", which has vismodded T-55's as Panzer Ivs:
(http://www.imfdb.org/images/c/c8/BitvaZaMoskvu-PzIV-2.jpg)
That got me back on track, as it dawned on me that I'm not really modelling a Pz IV, but rather a different tank which was modified to stand in for one - hence the bigger size being a non-issue. I then remembered the old East-German toy T-54 in 1/50 scale I had lying around for ages and started working. Here's a WIP shot of the progress so far:
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/Carrakon/Scratchbuilding/Pz%20IV%20WIP_zpsrtw1lup0.jpg) (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/Carrakon/media/Scratchbuilding/Pz%20IV%20WIP_zpsrtw1lup0.jpg.html)
I just added the casemate structure to the hull and scratchbuild the turret. I upscaled the turret to be roughly comparable in size to the original turret (scale of the turret should now be at about 1:40). I'm not sure whether I'll keep that turret or whether I'll build a 1/50 version and use that, so input would be appreciated.
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I love this thread, you're doing some cool stuff. Your LRDG need a Michael Caine and Nigel Davenport figure, in German uniforms of coarse, to give it the "Play Dirty" feel. A couple of Arab scouts also.
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Not the same actors but Perry do Ice Cold in Alex as a set. There are some Arab figures armed with .303 SMLE rifles as well. Edit - Just found them, Artizan WW1 range.
I love this thread, you're doing some cool stuff. Your LRDG need a Michael Caine and Nigel Davenport figure, in German uniforms of coarse, to give it the "Play Dirty" feel. A couple of Arab scouts also.
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Sloppy Jalopy do a 1/56 scale FV423, which in real life doubles as a number of World (and Weird) War 2 vehicles in films.
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Cracking stuff mate.
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Love the paint jobs on the vehicles.
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And here I was withholding information about what's on my painting table at the moment ;)
Of course I realized the need for Arabs for use as either native scouts or - in the spirit of 1960's Hollywood - Indian-equivalents in funny and exotic clothing ;)
The Artizan Arab Revolt minis are really nice and great fun to paint - I'm confident that I'll be able to post pictures this or next week.
As for Allies in German uniforms, the problem is imho that on the table they'd obviously be indistinguishable from actual Germans (So why bother?). Of course combining plastics accordingly (i.e. Germans with allied weapons/heads) would be a possibility, but I don't see the Perry plastics fitting into my Artizan lot (both size and stilistic issues). Maybe Warlord's Blitzkrieg Germans would be a suitable basis as the jackboots can easily be painted as tropical canvas boots as I did with the Feldgendarmes above...
Then again with the uniforms of the various armies in the desert looking very much alike (especially due to use of captured stocks) I might be overthinking the problem - I'm thinking of the opening scene in play dirty (I think it was) here, where the uniform change is achieved simply by changing the cap and switching the radio station. :)
I'm of course grateful for any suggestions which would lead to the disguised lads to be recognizable as both not really German AND clad as Germans.
Sloppy Jalopy do a 1/56 scale FV423, which in real life doubles as a number of World (and Weird) War 2 vehicles in films.
The only example I know of that vehicle is the StuG posted earlier in this thread and I gotta say that vismod is just too good to work for this project, as it would imho just look like I did a scratchbuild and couldn't be bothered to do it right. I'm by far more comfortable with the route of copying the more lackluster attempts found in some movies, where the quality of the conversion is far away from a good job and instead dangerously close to the "why did you guys even bother?!"-territory ;)
So basically what could have been a light-hearted project turned into one where I'm doing about as much research into bad movie-vehicles as I would have otherwise invested into actual history research in order to 'get it right'. Kind of an anti-rivet-counter project for a different kind of rivet-counting ;D
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There is also a Panzer 3 (in five and six wheel versions). You can order a 305mm to the foot version for about £38K if you want (?).
I see your point though. I have one of them, and it is going to be hard work to get it to look like a FV432.
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The Shadocks site has a reproduction tanks pdf (I might have linked to it and fallen foul of our host's reasonable terms and conditions, for which I am sorry).
Highlights include a Chaffee Panther, a BMP 2 Panzer III and any number of T34s and T55s.
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There is also a Panzer 3 (in five and six wheel versions). You can order a 305mm to the foot version for about £38K if you want (?).
I see your point though. I have one of them, and it is going to be hard work to get it to look like a FV432.
Hmm... You do raise an interesting idea: Converting a model of the real thing to look like it had a different basis... I'll have to think about it...
Basically my requirements-checklist is as follows:
1) Display characteristic design features to make the goal of the modification apparent (like the Pz IV turret in my WIP).
2) Obviously do a bad job/not go far enough so it is apparent that it is not in fact the real thing. As a guideline: If you entered the living room and your sibling/spouse/roommate watched a war movie with the vehicle in it, it must be so bad that at a glance you'd realize that it's a conversion (This is where the Band of Brothers examples fail).
3) Bonus points if the basis is easily recognizable.
The Kelly's Heroes Tigers are a perfect example of what I'm aiming at, basically.
Thanks for the heads up about Shadocks - I didn't know that site before! It immediately gave me the idea of using a Universal Carrier as basis for an L6/40 - gotta make sure the Italians get some Hollywood treatment as well!
Speaking of expanding the Movie-theme to the others: The Allies obviously are problematic here as their gear was availlable for filming after the war. Anyone got ideas for them? So far I can only think of putting in anachronisms (for example a Cromwell tank instead of the Crusader)...
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You could rebuild fake crusaders using German postwar light tanks like the SP1C, HWK, or Ru 251?
Not sure what might work for Matildas.
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Alrighty I managed to finish the Natives - useable as robbers, native resistance or any other interested third party. Please excuse the image quality - the lighting is just atrocious today and I'm not a photographer.
First are the leaders of the bunch:
(https://i.postimg.cc/BtWJp1Sc/Arab_Leaders_zpspyufrj2a.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'll have to make a flag for the guy in the center. Anyone got an idea for a suitably politically neutral (as in usable for Arabs allied to either Axis or Allies or neither)flag? Otherwise I'll just have to make something up.
Second are 2 Lewis gun teams to provide some real punch:
(https://i.postimg.cc/j2pFmHJ2/Arab_Lewis_Gunners_zpshutziqta.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And lastly a bunch of riflemen to fill the ranks:
(https://i.postimg.cc/bdX2nJ44/Arab_Riflemen_zpsw3crbf86.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
Hope you guys like 'em!
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Looking good! Check warflag.com they have a colonial section with Arab flags.
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A tribal flag specific to the area might do.
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Lovely work introducing Arabs in the fold for your desert meme.
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Made some progress on theminiature front: I absolutely needed some regular British Army lads to use as defenders against the Axis raiders, so here goes:
First a load of riflemen. I didn't paint the non-covered helmets in a sandy colour because I like to have a little contrast:
(https://i.postimg.cc/Sj0rRXJX/rifles_zpssfpxlxcb.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And some automatic weapons: 2 Bren gunners and a Thompson:
(https://i.postimg.cc/ThMYyQRV/automatics_zpsufturpqi.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
And finally two officers:
(https://i.postimg.cc/jC0S1TF0/officers_zpsacvucwyb.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
As far as infantry is concerned, I only really have Italian Askaris on my wishlist, but that'll probably have to wait as I grew a bit tired of painting all those khaki uniforms. Americans would be a welcome change here, but to my knowledge noone makes them in early war Herringbone twill and I have an irrational and intense dislike for the Parsons jacket somehow :?
I guess I'll need some unarmed civilians though. Other than that I'll need some more vehicles for the brits and perhaps some planes for all sides - gotta have something to blow up after all :)
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Michael Perry wants to make some Americans in his WW2 Africa Range.
So there is hope on the horizon.
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Just finished the first armoured support for this project:A Sd.Kfz. 231 (6 wheels) armoured car:
(https://i.postimg.cc/0rgrpVy5/6rad_front_zps3ddardlv.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hhWMTG16/6rad_back_zpsqa97hejc.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
It is a scratchbuilt vismodded BTR-152, as I always felt that this thing had a really German look to it. Modifications are
-different fenders
-closed crew compartment with turret
-different wheels, as the Sd.Kfz. had regular truck wheels.
Hope you like it!
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Neat vismod/conversion.
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I'm liking the feel you've created. Very nice conversions and painting.
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This is an insane thread. I have to keep looking to see what you have done next. o_o
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I apologize for not posting a proper update, but I just have to show off my newest buy which just is SO perfect for this Project:
(https://i.postimg.cc/jCYbwJqB/hispano.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I'm so happy right now!
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Excellent, it appears in so many different films, as does the 108.
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Lovely work (I'd no idea that someone made a Buchon in 'Battle Of Britain' livery) :)
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Alright, I finally finished the Movie-Messerschmitt:
(https://i.postimg.cc/4nkgyHQQ/Me109.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
I went for the rather plain Khaki-scheme as opposed to the way cooler african camouflage as I was afraid the camo might hide the unusual and a-historic shape of the nose. Also taking inspiration from Marseille's plane sounds about right for a movie production - kind of like how every German WWI fighter is painted red ;)
Now I only need to decide on a suitably cool Allied bird so the Axis in turn also gets something to blow up - I'm open for suggestions.