Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: tancrede on December 11, 2019, 08:38:26 AM
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Hi, guys.
It's been a long time since I've started a new topic on this board, but I've been really busy painting for commission and for myself.
This project begun a year ago, after a long discussion with my father upon our family during WW2.
As I'm French (so excuse my bad english), my family was directly implicated in this period.
My grand-father was a sergent in an infantry regiment, and my grand-mother (and some other members of the family) in the Resistance and the Maquis.
So it was an evidence for me : alongside my german and US army for the late war, I wanted to do an early war french army based upon the 41è Regiment d'Infanterie, in which my grand-father commanded a section of mortar and was captured by the Germans fighting until his position was surrounded by ennemy troups.
And after the reading of this book, the project begun...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UBH9Ga-lyKM/XSLwPQyhKGI/AAAAAAAAJLs/Yo0aTkEAwzAgIjPWvDTBhMN8PZfklH8rQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lormiercommedeslions.jpg)
So enough of speaking, here are the pics :
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VrI-mHHTX0o/XL665MlZwiI/AAAAAAAAJDc/nMGIodU_u8gBklaKCTG3XdePGa7ptztTwCLcBGAs/s1600/https___www.machinegun.fr_im_140511_094233_nqhdncF5_imc1.jpg)(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VD6eudSVAxQ/Xb_a6amDGkI/AAAAAAAAJeE/G2BT4cXPDTMTPIaool5qkj7EZKSQa8dqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2fdb65f75b157e45c9cdc434bc9862e5.jpg)
- the first units of the army, of course, were the mortar and a command section (and in the back, you have some soldiers of the cavalry on foot) :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KK7HW06-Bi8/XQc00dFjCUI/AAAAAAAAJIg/mt1Kxyc-ZRUEH93Y45Pc6kfkBgOOWq_DwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0511.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Gww98DNRXk/XQc00t8DAfI/AAAAAAAAJIc/KgSFfKoYgMkS4CUXTaysN4-fdHMHTJNrgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG)
- then I added a Somua S35 (resin model from Warlord Games) a very nice toy feared by the Germans (sorry for the first pic, the real colors are on the second one):
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6yT-9lgir0M/XTqiDwR1PzI/AAAAAAAAJOg/a227mNcm_1AaFjJT1cQmmd0sS_Io0mUdgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8S8P6BZOv7E/XTqiDzL1TnI/AAAAAAAAJOo/dfbH83rDCfQJZGvfqdOly9cBaTcBuArUQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0604.JPG)
- and the first infantry section (Warlord Games) :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odiobP6YU94/XTqiWhUyqeI/AAAAAAAAJPA/3Fbjx9XSm_cBy_a6paG0larLcaYXa4OMgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0606.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WoCYWt6lwA/XTqiaLEjVwI/AAAAAAAAJPE/fJB8Wpm1SvAP5YogY4-aL1nqVczQzWo-gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0607.JPG)
- Then I added a little Renault R35 to the army. The model comes from the Rubicon resin range, and it's a real perfection : nearly nothing to clean and a pleasure to assemble as all the parts fit perfectly together :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIOwDxaGxp0/XTqhBmlvIrI/AAAAAAAAJOE/UUUuWzy7cMogCiIbuegW_5R9RU1l3_XZwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q3QVBicKsAE/XTqhBmal8ZI/AAAAAAAAJOA/HIqNeQ1VLRwsmXLvpC6hAJ41cDFCCnnKACEwYBhgL/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG)
- next was the addition of some firepower with a Hotchkiss machinegun team from the Warlord Games range :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDmH21xEnPM/Xb_Zv_EqNAI/AAAAAAAAJdk/T7Y4BkShfv8AEgFSzaLs5rRGOcYMYb7kwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG)
- and the last additions to this army are motorised troops from Crusader Miniatures : 3 side-cars with LMG (recon troops attached to an infantry division) and some "Dragon Portés" (mechanized troops from a mechanized division, as one of them have fighted alongside the 19ème DI in one occasion) :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFGUTL0-5R8/XfChbcvm5HI/AAAAAAAAJik/NdxklAmVaiERLjXdzwjCATWe11pxjz9XwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0794.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1SaM8_YxYg/XfChbGJbk6I/AAAAAAAAJic/nvkn49sP2YEHmZQp_htj8mjrUbd2_-rJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0795.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dS313l_XBgI/XcrZKatCwsI/AAAAAAAAJf4/b3xe5oe9W7gAymaP-xEc1ZW76rsrqQSEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1020720.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JNt1bBp2l4U/XcrZKbbmawI/AAAAAAAAJf8/9SPdxrNxTyA8oj9FMb-Sjilxs4hpil5XACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/P1020721.JPG)
Again, sorry for the bad quality of the pics.
I will do better one in a near future, as I have some more troops coming.
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Lovely work on those, they look great.
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Really lovely work :) I have a stranded fondness for the Char bis, I think I will need to sci do some up!
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Excellent work. I particularly like the vehicles (but I always do).
This style of vibrant, strongly-shaded colours is really groing on me. Those motorcycle combos are awesome.
EDIT: May I ask who makes the infantry (apologies if I missed it)? Are those Warlord Games figures, or the old range from Crusader?
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Wow! Superb!
For sale?
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Excellent! Seriously nice-looking unit taking shape there.
-Michael
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Thanks for comments, guys !
EDIT: May I ask who makes the infantry (apologies if I missed it)? Are those Warlord Games figures, or the old range from Crusader?
The "standard" infantry is Warlord Games (and I will certainly do all my 41è RI from WG), and the Dragons Portés are from Crusader (and I must buy more for mechanized platoon as they are really nicely sculpted and easy to paint.
For sale?
Not yet, but I accept some commission work (even if not for the moment as I have a lot of minis to achieve).
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Very nice work, I've recently completed a French platoon (using mainly Crusader), plus supports for 1940, using the Chain of Command rules, and I must look out for the Rubicon kit. It looks like a very nice addition.
One comment is on the photographs. The first uniform photograph shows a diagonal strap from right shoulder on the front view, but it isn't visible on the rear view?
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Yes, I think you are right on the pic...
(https://previews.123rf.com/images/philipimage/philipimage1701/philipimage170100373/70072722-le-soldat-fran%C3%A7ais-en-1940-uniforme-vue-de-face-de-c%C3%B4t%C3%A9-et-arri%C3%A8re.jpg)
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What a nice collection :-*
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These look really nice indeed. Lovely looking models, great painting skills.
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I do like what you have done. I have a soft spot for armies that
didn't seem to get their share of the good luck. I do have some
fall of France French, but in 20mm. If I was starting it now I
think I would choose 28mm.
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Very well done. A nice force you have there :-*
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A very nicely presented force! Tres bein!
I've got a 1940 French force in 10mm, I find they do pretty well in battles - well those at a tactical level at least.
I like the camo scheme on the R35 not seen the light shades on the turret before, might have to add that to some of mine, which are a bit boring in green and brown.
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The pale shades were for the sky :)
I attempted it here (https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5406c773e4b087d8052ef58b/1575192368742-MUDZLHZTR76YCY26UA3K/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kMfmDRYjq1DZOEzXkNqalv5Zw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWQUxwkmyExglNqGp0IvTJZamWLI2zvYWH8K3-s_4yszcp2ryTI0HqTOaaUohrI8PIRIOrN9Lwzue3jE9EJrEKbcm05EfEhgk2e9tLgFnY20YKMshLAGzx4R3EDFOm1kBS/french_armour1.jpg?format=500w)
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Oh yes. Those do look good. I’ve been going down the 20mm road for French for years. I struggled for figures and equipment for ages, but thank goodness, there’s more on the market now a days.
Keep up the great work.
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@Shahbahraz :
Very nice models, sir !
I like the camo scheme on the R35 not seen the light shades on the turret before, might have to add that to some of mine, which are a bit boring in green and brown.
For the camo, it's the "real early war" camo scheme, painted on the tanks before the war, but some can be seen on tanks during the Battle of France.
Your green and brown is the later one. And I agree, it's not the sexiest one ! ^^
Here you can see some examples :
- early one, and as you can see, the colours can be even more weird :
(http://www.minitracks.fr/Focus50.jpg)
- later one :
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a3/82/82/a38282dbfed3ae6bce6a06c1d9902165.jpg)
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Thanks for sharing the drawings - that is a particularly vivid scheme, more like WWI aircraft. I like the note on the picture that says the colours are only indicative!!
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Those look superb, and nothing wrong with the photos either. The 1940 campaign is one of my favourites, I’ve a 20mm French army that manages to hold its own despite my dice rolling.
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Fantastic paintjobs on these
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Brilliant stuff
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It's cool to see this beautiful army here ;)
But everybody had to know, the more Tancrede's army is beautiful, the less he's lucky during the game :D !
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It's cool to see this beautiful army here ;)
But everybody had to know, the more Tancrede's army is beautiful, the less he's lucky during the game :D !
Always true. The new and beautiful lose. Or as a friend once told me, 'age and treachery always triumphs over youth and inexperience'. Sorry - google tells me: 'l'âge et la trahison triomphent toujours de la jeunesse et de l'inexpérience'
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Maybe they thought if the Germans saw those Renault's with the psychedelic paint job they would think they had been on the Absinthe and leave them alone? lol
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Maybe they thought if the Germans saw those Renault's with the psychedelic paint job they would think they had been on the Absinthe and leave them alone? lol
You haven't seen anything until you've seen Fantastique!
(https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/images/stories/galery-b/fantasque-251/fantasque%2001.jpg) from https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/14-classement-individuel/char-b/227-251-fantasque
Lovely work on these figures and vehicles BTW!
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I have seen it and often wondered if it actually worked.....
"Herr General, there appears to be a large French Impressionist painting moving across our lines!"
8)
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Nice work.
I look forward to seeing more.
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Terrific work 👍
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Nice looking French force!
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Awesome :o
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Fabulous brushwork on those,
It is great you are honouring your Grandfather with a splendid project. Do you know where they were in the line?
I also really enjoy painting French also, particulatly French tanks and armoured cars, the camouflage schemes are fabulous, all of them are 20mm.
Will you be adding a 25mm or 47mm anti tank gun?
Salut
Matt
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@Etranger :
Yes, "Le Fantasque" was painted with one of the weirdest camo scheme of all the time ! ^^
But for my own B1, I will stay more classical... :D
@Bluewillow :
For the 41è RI (one of the oldest regiment in the french army as it was founded in 1634), it was part of the 19è Division d'Infanterie, part if the 6th french army.
To make it quick :
It was stationned in Alsace, then in the Somme in the middle of May 1940.
During the german attack, the 41è RI hold his positions during nearly 2 weeks from the 23 May until the 7 June.
After the order was received to fall back in order, the 19è DI begun to retreat to new positions but many troops were surrounded by the Germans and many surrender after firing all their munitions (and nearly 30 prisonners were killed by SS).
Then, the 41è RI retreat to the Oise, then the Marne river, then the Cher and finally in Cahors.
The regiment was disbanded in Limoges in July.
(For a little history, the regiment was recreated in 1944 using members of french maquis in Brittany and took part of the fightings for Lorient and Saint-Nazaire in 1945. It was part of the french forces of occupation in Deutschland in 1945 and early 46. And the regiment is still active yet).
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Insigne_régimentaire_du_41e_Régiment_d’Infanterie.jpg?uselang=fr)
So as you can see, it will be difficult to know where my grandfather was in line and captured, but the french army has a huge archive, and I must make an official demand, and I have not do that yet.
For the AT guns, I will certainly add some, mainly 25mm as it was the standard dotation of an infantry regiment (even if the real dotation in AT guns was often very far below the theorical dotation).
@moiterei_1984 :
Thank you, sir, as I'm a real fan of your work, especially for the Spanish War and Early WW2.
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beautiful stuff!
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Absolutely superb, like others I love the cam schemes on the vehiclez but am really impressed with the infantry they look amazing, tres bein!! :-*
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Amazing work! Chapeau! :D
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Thanks for comments, guys !
And for a happy new year, here is a little AT-gun for my french army :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SmJyuhfPkpE/XhLlVRyjLMI/AAAAAAAAJkM/Z38h0ywNlbMTRMGKS7mRl8dlTML28le3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0812.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kp8lyXcP_l8/XhLlVWnMEMI/AAAAAAAAJkE/fOc-mJHGO70v3wWhD_ahdNj6_FbLnyaHACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0813.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uqwDpVs-MVY/XhLlVaJ5cGI/AAAAAAAAJkI/IeHh2WuXcu0heYRUNa2h7FxpVtgZ3DD2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG)
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Very nice indeed. I decided to do mine in some camouflage, but yours look superb.
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Mine is plain green, same color as my sidecars, and it will be the same colors for other pieces of the army (Laffly on other transports, for exemple).
Inspiration pics came from the Hotchkiss 25mm in the Saumur museum :
(http://www.plagesdu6juin1944.com/medias/images/p5089975.jpg)
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That colour looks very dark, do you know if it is original? I based mine from colours on equipment at the Musée de l'Armée. But I was working largely from memory as it has been a few years since my last visit.
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Superb, really great.
The detail on the rifles is great.
I was planning to do a French force myself later this year. I was hoping there was a range available from some manufacturer that do Chauchat LMG's and Berthier rifles and carbines so I can convert gun crews and cavalry.
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That colour looks very dark, do you know if it is original? I based mine from colours on equipment at the Musée de l'Armée. But I was working largely from memory as it has been a few years since my last visit.
The AT guns looks very dark on each color pictures of actual models I've seen.
But the colors faded with the sun...
(http://img.over-blog.com/500x280/0/30/25/91/Decembre-2010/canon-de-47.jpg)
I was planning to do a French force myself later this year. I was hoping there was a range available from some manufacturer that do Chauchat LMG's and Berthier rifles and carbines so I can convert gun crews and cavalry.
For the Chauchat, I haven't seen any model yet.
Maybe 3D printing.
But for the Berthier rifle, I think the Warlord Games cavalrymen can do the job as thea have some carbine, and not the Lebel rifle.
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Stunningly beautiful painting - well done.
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Stunningly beautiful painting - well done.
I'll second that!
:-*
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Excellent looking force! 8)
Christopher
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Hi guys !
Sorry for the lack of update on this topic, but I've been working on many projects for the last few months.
Here is the second infantry section, now finished :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhUaAFIelcI/XslXelrJBDI/AAAAAAAAJvA/gE-o8QuC6vwQ3uWE1U21GEVMwmQzz6vGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_1038.JPG)
And a little pic of my fully painted 750pts french army for the Battle of France :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVPmwfTMgE4/XslXedONsDI/AAAAAAAAJu8/yfmcjHeFbzYH5bdw0GgHxC_Ua5VCFzVngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSC_1041.JPG)
Expect more to come soon, as I want to add a 75mm artillery, and some more "dragon portés".
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That's a great looking group of minis! :-*
Well done!
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That infantry section is great, lovely painting on some very dynamic figures
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Excellent.
Much nicer than the usual Warlord Games WW2 figures. Less grotesque. More natural looking. I like them very much. Bravo.
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wonderful project - well done
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Hi guys.
No painting for today, but some WIP of the coming minis :
- 75mm, 3D printed from https://www.jjgprint3d.com/ (https://www.jjgprint3d.com/). Painting in progress, but still some work to do :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIg_tn6NVaM/X1iDO2Wst1I/AAAAAAAAKBc/3gq3tRseeK8T6vpM_LufZ-KgOKU0WHRewCLcBGAsYHQ/s909/DSC_1172.JPG)
- chenillette Renault UE with 25mm AT gun (minis from Mad Bob Miniatures, stowage from Rubicon Models) :
(https://jolstatic.fr/www/captures/1223/4/85214-480.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBVOC-kXVm4/X1iFMorFxAI/AAAAAAAAKBk/fiwFQVRV7Vk5WsnxuKvlfoMNtAyDwiMfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s950/DSC_1181.JPG)
- UNIC P107 with 75mm gun. Vehicle converted from Mad Bob Miniatures model (stowage from Warlord Games and Rubicon Models, plasticard), but the driver and the 75mm gun are 3D printed by JJG Print :
(https://galerie.valka.cz/data/348/medium/IMG_3869.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dE0xUe3RdtU/X1iI4_5P-EI/AAAAAAAAKBs/EzWhK_oIsB4BK3sBQkVpM0RnQUKYXMOsACLcBGAsYHQ/s943/DSC_1179.JPG)
Some work to do, but it goes in the good direction ! :D
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You are building a fabulous little collection, I’m enjoying this thread .
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Cool stuff, the Renault UE are so dinky are not they! And the wheels on the 75mm are huge, you wonder if they looked at the old spoked wheels and said, make one like that but with rubber tyres.
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(https://www.materielsterrestres39-45.fr/fr/images/avantapres/guerreterr/guerreterrfrance/lorraine/hackenberg/16%20A%20Canon%20de%2075%20mm%20%20modle%201897%202011.jpg)
(https://www.secondeguerre.net/images/articles/artillerie/fr/le/canonde75mm.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f17/10/09/43/41/img_0011.jpg)
Yes, the wheels are really big, but many 75mm guns were modified in 1938 to have rubber tyres on metal wheels (first pic : open metal wheel with a solid rubber band, or second pic : plain metal wheel with inflatable tyre). So they can be towed by trucks without using undercarriage (third image, very bad pic, I know).
So this gun represent a 75mm model 1897, with a gun carriage in service after 1933, and plain metal wheels and inflatable tyres.
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I've done some painting last days :
- 75mm gun :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgLdXE54psA/X2jyahwTYpI/AAAAAAAAKDw/VJJHKJcKtMQ1pylOC0dXmB8WJ6fhnllbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s851/DSC_1166%2B-%2BCopie.JPG)
- Unic P107 with gun :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMNxZPsvmKw/X2jzYWHW5rI/AAAAAAAAKEM/Igrr8344pgscu5Jad5Br0g2CeOiV6_mbACLcBGAsYHQ/s917/DSC_1160%2B-%2BCopie.JPG)
- Renault UE
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8vq6uIbswI/X2j0MbEHHXI/AAAAAAAAKEs/0U_2UDhPjRcfohqxqhJe8QVBXGK2kASaQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1005/DSC_1164%2B-%2BCopie.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m8hcH7fEhEY/X2j0Mt_J1LI/AAAAAAAAKEw/DhHsjo2Sub0SFYb5aCQwkAdbGr2VmOuTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s826/DSC_1165%2B-%2BCopie.JPG)
And a little pic, with the boys in the woods ! ^^
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C4i5gzXOvSA/X2j01SPJNsI/AAAAAAAAKFU/q3IkVmpaV7cR_vBWiJY-btNCrMZVmba_wCLcBGAsYHQ/s842/DSC_1170%2B-%2BCopie.JPG)
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The woodwork on those ammunition crates is amazing. What's your exact technique?
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For the ammunition crates, I use a simple technic :
- base in brown (here, some GW "steel legion drab", but you can use some other brown)
- wash with GW black wash
- once dry, the panels are painted with basing color
- then, with a good pencil, you paint some lines with a mix of the basing color and beige/white
- next step is to add some beige/white to the mix, and add more thin lines on the panels, on and aside the first lines
- final highlight with some beige/white and a few basing colors on the upper edges.
- last step is a wash of the whole crate using a brown ink.
Said like this, it may seems very difficult, but it isn't, as you don't have to work with precision on the wood grain, and it can be done very quickly.
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Thank you very much for the detailed instructions. I assume any normal pencil will do, and that you would only need one for the lines whatever their widths? And is the brown ink differing from the GW wash?
The weather on those oil drums is also very well done.
And by the by, did the UEs ever sport camouflage?
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As long as your pencil is in a good shape, and you work carefully, I think it's ok.
For my work, I use 8413 Raphael pencils, size 1.
I said brown ink, as I use whatever I can grab on my desk : GW agrax earthshade, AP dark tone quickshade wash, AP brown ink, PA,...
You can use different tones of brown and wash to add more variety to your crates.
For the drums, it's the weathering is done by "sponging" dark brown on the drums, then sponging a mix of the basing color with white.
Final step is a large wash of Army Painter quickshade wash, in dark tone. You can leave large spots or streaks of it here and there, and it finally gives this impression.
For the Renault UE, I've never seen a camouflaged one in french service (as technically, the supply vehicles are plain green) but it doesn't means that they never received some camo, especially the brown/green camo from the Renault factories, just as this one (but is it an original camo scheme or was the vehicle repainted after...).
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s1feuGGP2Jk/U_ZVIz7N_nI/AAAAAAAABMQ/YuhnpSejJ9I/s1600/IMG_1161-3.jpg)
This one is a modified version for Indochina, but only a handful were built (and captured by japanese army, if I remember correctly) :
(http://ost-front.ru/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/467413_10150645588082389_1580639336_o.jpg)
But those in german services were repainted as the other vehicles, first field grey then camo.
(https://ost-front.ru/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Renault-UE-41.jpg)
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Thanks again, tancrede! Really appreciate the detailed answers. I was indeed wondering about the unarmed carriers, and have to admit to being somewhat disappointed that the camo isn't as colourful as they could have been!
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Brilliant thread! Excellent brushwork.
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Excellent work. I particularly like the touch of colour you've added with the Shell barrel. :D
And I've never seen the picture about the conversion for Indochina before! Thank you for sharing! :o
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Really enjoying this project as I am planning a 1940 French platoon and supports myself, for Chain of Command. My platoon is going to be Senegalese, but wearing helmets except for one or two senior NCOs in fez to distinguish them.
I have a question: were the lighter (25mm) anti-tank guns integral to the infantry regiment, or were they separate as part of the artillery; and was this equally true for Colonial units - in other words, would the crew be drawn from the regiment (and therefore be black)?
Many thanks.
BvW
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Excellent work. I particularly like the touch of colour you've added with the Shell barrel. :D
And I've never seen the picture about the conversion for Indochina before! Thank you for sharing! :o
Yes, I haven't seen this myself before doing some research for this thread.
Only some versions with light machineguns (both french and german service) and with some portee AT guns.
Really enjoying this project as I am planning a 1940 French platoon and supports myself, for Chain of Command. My platoon is going to be Senegalese, but wearing helmets except for one or two senior NCOs in fez to distinguish them.
I have a question: were the lighter (25mm) anti-tank guns integral to the infantry regiment, or were they separate as part of the artillery; and was this equally true for Colonial units - in other words, would the crew be drawn from the regiment (and therefore be black)?
Many thanks.
BvW
I hope to see this project soon, as colonial troops from Africa were of high value during all the conflicts. And helmeted soldiers is more historical than Fez.
If you want, this seller has 3D printed african heads with adrian helmets :
https://www.jjgprint3d.com/ (https://www.jjgprint3d.com/)
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a560fa_190bd7a95866435cb1adf6ca4f87415b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/a560fa_190bd7a95866435cb1adf6ca4f87415b~mv2.webp)
Do you have an idea of the regiment/division you want to build ?
I'm not an expert of colonial troops, but as far as I now (you can find some docs, but mainly in french), theorical dotation is the following (real dotation is often really worse):
- colonial infantry regiments are mainly horse-drawn : 190 horse carts, but also 60 vehicles (including 9 "chenillettes") and 40 motrobikes;
- guns are mainly rifles (Lebel) and FM (like the MAC 24/29), but some MAS 36 can be in dotation for defense (and of course for "groupes francs")
- 1x60mm mortar and 8x81mm mortars
- technically, a colonial infantry regiment may have been equiped with 25mm AT guns, but they were often short of supply with this gun and use some other AT guns (37mm, but of poor efficiency)
So some 25mm with senegalese crew seems to be historical.
Artillery companies from the division can also field some 47mm At guns, and even 75mm (some of them from WW1) used as AT guns (with AP shells).
Just remind you than during the Battle of France, it was a real mess for supply, dotation, mouvements,...
If you can read french, just take a look here, as it seems to be the most complete doc I've found upon the organisation of colonial troops I've found (from French Defense Ministry) :
http://67400.free.fr/monsiteweb/les%20troupes%20coloniales%20en%201939-1940.htm (http://67400.free.fr/monsiteweb/les%20troupes%20coloniales%20en%201939-1940.htm)
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Thank you very much for all that info - and for the link, which I found useful (my French is good enough for reading, but too slow for conversation!).
I'm not good with "head swaps" but I might have a look at those 3D African heads in helmets.
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Last update for this army (but I will certainly add more minis in the future as I want to field more vehicles or special troops in this army) :
First is the 3rd infantry squad, from Warlord Games, straight from the box :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05h-zvUMfd4/X37Im0Mdr6I/AAAAAAAAKLU/5adsRmAj3Fs5cfJuG5B2oLnsTv7zR86sgCLcBGAsYHQ/s973/DSC_1174.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--u98aKTWBx0/X37Im33KhTI/AAAAAAAAKLQ/ox2bbmykHlERruQKKcBF6zcK36oFIvjggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1025/DSC_1175.JPG)
The last infantry unit is a veteran unit coming from a Corps Franc. They are battle hardened vets, well armed, and ready for some brutal action in the frontline.
I used 3 blisters from Crusader Miniatures to represent soldiers coming from different units under the command of a junior officer, with some headswaps. 4 SMG and 2 LMG make a decent firepower, I think... :D
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/36/da/f8/36daf8e6645540fce3229f937b7f7e6f.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1bpQYXdcaaE/X37K7W-wSRI/AAAAAAAAKLk/ZbCgEJAJmZQL1OhfSRo6668_4hUzOoPFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s941/DSC_1176.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JjZeQrgkHhU/X37K480VAAI/AAAAAAAAKLg/AZx7PsABiO0wOwHweydp9BliHNDSa6E7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s847/DSC_1177.JPG)
And the last unit of the army is a Critroën T45 truck, wearing the factory camo. It's difficult to find color pics of trucks in this camo scheme, but I think I painted this camo a little too yellow. It matches the ocre color on my Somua, and I don't want to repaint it ! ^^
(https://i.skyrock.net/7888/28887888/pics/3051232715_1_5_Z2NLICZw.jpg)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gjRbXnR1ZyU/X37NE16BMgI/AAAAAAAAKL4/b5eyP3nKxV4dBNuM7-aHd4S1BDUcz3VjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s799/DSC_1179.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfzhOYgzhAA/X37NEnPib8I/AAAAAAAAKLw/O6v4M7UdHxYt92e6s9TWpjRSRJ7ua97WACLcBGAsYHQ/s751/DSC_1181.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4o0PIPgD2jg/X37NEzqiUII/AAAAAAAAKL0/Q4QZVu3bIngLpl8x8jRqbuJY1t5NVtcxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s708/DSC_1180.JPG)
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Nice minis! :-*
And the truck came out really well too! ;D
Excellent project! Well done, mate!
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Really nice painting, Tancrede.
Just out of interest, which do you prefer (or think is more accurate) in representing French infantry - the Warlord range or the Crusader range? I'm tending towards the latter with Warlord vehicles.
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Thanks guys.
@Baron W :
It's difficult to say, just basing on painting. They are very different, and I really love the Warlord ones : good sculpt, lots of personnality and full of details, just as I like.
But for me, Warlord Games ranges lacks some basic troops to field a typical french army for 39/40 :
- no Dragons Portés (and it's really surprising, as WG has a Lorraine carrier and a Laffly)
- no motorbikes or sidecars for motorised troops or GRDI
- no bikes
- no horse-drawn artillery
- no Corps Francs
- no Chasseurs Alpins
- you have a Citroen T45, but not the more common Citroen U23 (and both were massively used by the Germans after 1940).
- artillery crews does not wear the long coat and full package
So yes, the minis are really cool, but there are many things to add to give the players a real choice.
The Crusader range, otherwise, allows you to field Dragons Portés, motorised troops, Senegalese, standard infantry, but no artillery or special weapons such as snipers (and the Germans knows of deadly they were, ready to sacrifice themselves to kill another ennemy before dying). I loke to paint them, but some details (especially faces) are sometimes not very good. The package is less detailed, so easier to paint.
So for your army, I think it depends on what kind of army you want to field.
If you want a standard infantry regiment, Warlord is a good choice, as you can have the whole army from one manufacturer (if you can find artillery crews without the full infantry equipment).
But if you want to field a DLM (Division Légère Mécanisée), you need some Dragons Portés in vehicles to escort your B1, R35 and Somua, and so Crusader is the only choice ! ^^
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I just went for a 'standard' infantry platoon with supports and used mainly Crusader with some warlord supports. I think they mixed ok?
http://aleadodyssey.blogspot.com/2019/02/ew-french-for-coc-in-28mm.html (http://aleadodyssey.blogspot.com/2019/02/ew-french-for-coc-in-28mm.html)
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@Shahbahraz :
At gaming distance, they mis very well, and you have a nice army (I consider myself adding some units for CoC, but a friend of mine must make me a demo game before).
But at closer range, I think Crusader Miniatures are bulkier, and the helmet is not really accurate for WW2 :
mod 1915 :
(https://static.weezbe.com/normandyaccessories/Images/products/p_130G_200402154819.png)
mod 1926 :
(https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/133350567824_/Casque-Adrian-Mod%C3%A8le-1926-Rondache-1937-G%C3%A9nie-France.jpg)
But it's just a detail, and for me, no manufacturer has an exact model in range.
And as I always say : it's for gaming, not for the show. So this kind of details is not really important, and I agree with you, the ranges can mix well at gaming distance.
What matters really is the "feeling" of bringing an army on the table.
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Superb read, inspirational and characterful army. I hope you get to fill the gaps you want.
Nice project.
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Thanks for comments, Digits.
To fill the gaps in the ranges, there is no real solution : a manufacturer does the job, or someone must do some 3D renders to print them...
But for the moment, this army will stay like this.
No work yesterday, so I use some of my time doing some "action pics" of the army, using some generic scenery as I have not begun to work on my WW2 terrain :
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IOK3iysDAE/X4VRPrAahYI/AAAAAAAAKMc/fHCy0bMicHA5gKA1hfNL0oSDWfCfLRlogCLcBGAsYHQ/s856/P1030156.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OuVidohMbWU/X4VRQhIZHtI/AAAAAAAAKMg/Z1v5h9AUJwMCfLgR7dg98TsQqcSkRLI8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s860/P1030158.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VIBng0_xz3Y/X4VRRA9YPSI/AAAAAAAAKMs/aN0ITujiq6w1psrfs1MrGlcnoW28SslnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s803/P1030161.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cgDfRJTRDqU/X4VRRnFeW_I/AAAAAAAAKM0/0TXvK0ZN1HYRvu112TZCVelC0YoTV50swCLcBGAsYHQ/s913/P1030163.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t0YAhrAbeSg/X4VRR5wwumI/AAAAAAAAKM4/tBUon_DYgCEKujqYKWpteMxWwaNsUi3kQCLcBGAsYHQ/s904/P1030164.JPG)
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I just went for a 'standard' infantry platoon with supports and used mainly Crusader with some warlord supports. I think they mixed ok?
Yes, they certainly did - nice force.
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That's a one great looking force on maneuvers. :D
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Super duper! :-*
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Cracking job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Superb painting as usual. What brown did you use to outline the splotches, and what is your technique for painting windows?
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Thanks guys.
Superb painting as usual. What brown did you use to outline the splotches, and what is your technique for painting windows?
To outline the brown splotches, I used GW bark dryad, with a thin line of Prince August Game Color n°154 "extra opaque sienna".
For painting windows on the truck, I used nearly the same method as for painting gems :
- blue-grey base color (GW "the fang" from their base range)
- add some black to the color and paint an uper corner (you can add more and more black to the mix until you have nearly pure black in the extreme edge)
- then you add some white to the base color (for me, it's Prince August "ivory", my favorite color for highlights) and paint the opposite corner, nearly to pure white.
- next step is to add some white dots in the dark corner, and some thin lines on the window.
Hope this helps, and I'm clear enough...