Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Wyrmalla on April 25, 2020, 11:18:37 PM
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Over the past year or so I'd been collecting four Nation's forces and expanding my existing Winter terrains set. The plan's been to put together a Platoon of figures for each, with assosiated support elements and vehicles. Initially I'd started out with just two armies, but I found myself being distracted (when I already thought that I had enough work on my plate), and added two more.
They are:
German SS in Parkas
Soviets in Snow Suits
Romanians in ...whatever they could find.
Italian Alpini in Snow Suits
Of these I'll post what I've managed to paint for the Italians first. They're the latest Nation to be added to the collection, so have the least painted thus far ...ah, but are also the closest to hand or photographing. ::)
My Italian force represents soldiers from the Italian Social Republic (The RSI) - the Fascist regime established after the Allies invaded mainland Italy. Greece and Africa had been Musolini for most of the war, with those troops on the Eastern Front receiving token deployment of infantry and second tier tanks (or whatever tier you want to call them using pre-war tanks against T-34s...). With the decimation of the Italian army on the Eastern Front Italian soldiers mainly found themselves fighting in Italy, the Balkans, and later in parts of Western Europe. However, some limited elements continued fighting the Soviet Union in support of the other Axis troops there.
My RSI models are a platoon of Alpini in winter dress supported by some armoured elements. The Alpini come from a mix of sources, but I'm primarily using Perry and Empress Miniatures models as I'm not into the Heroic Scale many other ranges go for. These have been modified to alter their tropical uniforms into snow suits - mostly by filling in seams and removing shoulder boards. Along with giving them winter helmet covers and adding the distinctive Alpini feather.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056857-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20War%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056856-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20War%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
These so far are just the test models for the rest of the platoon. An officer, sniper team, LMG teams and a pair with a captured Boys Anti-Tank rifle (which there's record of them using in the Desert - and the Soviet Union received via lend-lease. Though I used it really just because I had one spare). The Alpini found themselves being improperly used as regular infantry, so won't be so out of place among the ruined industrial terrain which I use for my Winter games, rather than the mountains.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056858-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20War%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056860-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20War%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056861-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20War%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Along with these I'm starting to put together their vehicle pool. This has been a difficult subject to research, as most of the material out there in English focusses on the Desert, nor the RSI (and what there is on the RSI tends to cover their fighting in Italy - mainly with improvised armoured vehicles). As such I'm not looking for this part of the force to be totally accurate for the sake of having a more complete force - chalking it up to bad record keeping if a particular vehicle in pre-1943 service isn't recorded being used post-1943.
The bulk of the armoured cars in use by my Italians will be Autoblinda variants. So far just this AB-41 is painted, but I have the another 4 or so planned. This particular model's a 3D print by Paint and Glue miniatures which has had its barrel replaced with a plasticard tube.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056859-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Armoured%2C%20Autoblinda%2C%20Cars%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow.JPG)
As their first tank (as I await a delivery of more 3D prints) the Italians have nabbed themselves a Soviet T-26 Model 1939 tank. Historically sources place one of these painted with similar insignia earlier in the war, but it seems thematically correct. I'll be adding a M13/40 to fill a similar role later on too. This one's made by Rubicon Models.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056862-28mm%2C%20Alpini%2C%20Beutepanzer%2C%20Captured%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Ii%2C%20Italian%2C%20Snow%2C%20Soviet.JPG)
I have the rest of the platoon due for their base coat as I continue to work on my other projects. For those interested below I've posted a list of everything so far planned for the Italian vehicle pool at the end of this post. Ah, feel free to add any comments to that list btw. :)
As a last little tease, here's one of my German force's Panzer IVs. Its a model by Italeri/ Warlord Games. Nowhere near as nice as the one by Rubicon, but it was going spare. Ah, or rather bits of it were - as its cannibalised from parts leftover from my various alt-history projects. The commander's from Rubicon Models, spare tracks and stowage by Die Waffenkammer
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056864-Armor%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Extra%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Iv%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Tank%2C%20Tracks.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056866-Panzer%20IV.JPG)
Italian Armour:
Armoured Car - MG - Autoblinda AB 40 or Autoblinda Lince
Armoured Car - Autocannon - Autoblinda AB 41
Armoured Car - Light Gun - Autoblinda AB 43 with 47mm
Armoured Car - Radio Vehicle - Autoblinda AB-41 Posto comando
Tankette - MG - L3/33 or captured T-37
Light Tank 1- Light Gun - captured T-26 M.1939
Light Tank 2- Light Gun - captured BT-7M or M13/40
Light Tank - Autocannon -Carro Armato L6/40
Medium Tank - Light Gun - Carro Armato M15/42
Medium Tank 1- Medium Gun - Carro Armato Pesante P26/40 or captured T-34/76
Medium Tank 2- Medium Gun - Carro Armato Pesante P26/40
Heavy Tank - Medium Gun - KV-1-
Tank Destroyer 1- Medium Gun - Semovente da 75/34
Tank Destroyer 2- Medium Gun - Stug III Ausf.G or captured M3 Grant
Tank Destroyer - Heavy Gun - Semovente da 105/25
SPG - Light Gun - L3 47/32
Rocket Launcher - BM 13-16 mounted on SPA-Ansaldo TL-37 light tractor
Truck - Light Flak - Spa AS-37 flak
Armoured Truck - Light Gun - Autoprotetto S.37 with 47mm L.32 anti-tank gun or Camionetta AS 42 Cannone da 47/32
APC 1 - Fiat 665NM protetto
APC 2 - Fiat 665NM protetto
Light AT Gun - Cannone da 47/32 Elefantino
Medium AT Gun - Cannone da 75/39
(And yes, I'll add a suitable header image to this thread eventually so y'all aren't immediately greeted by a wall of text ::))
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Very nice.
Looking forward to following your posts on this project.
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Cracking job. Will be watching for more too. 👍
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This is a treat, and great to see these concept threads on the forum, plus to read about the background research invested to bring the project live!
I've got a modest winter-WW2 effort in mind (waiting for my TerrainCrate KS stuff yet to arrive), and so will be enjoying seeing your reveals here Wyrmalla!
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Nice work.
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I guess up next we'll have a look at some of my Soviets. At least the one which don't take shifting a whole pile of boxes to shuffle out.
Currently the Soviet infantry are in a state of flux as I consider replacing them with another range. Most of the figures are from Artizan Designs, which are looking a bit too large for where the rest of the models I'm using have been leaning. I've been replacing them with the odd smaller scale figure from Black Tree (with head/ hand swaps), but appropriately scaled models - particularly in snow suits are hard to come by.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057027-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Bad Squiddo Games do some female Soviets which I've picked up. They don't really lend themselves to being converted to wear snow suits from what I've managed though. But form about a third of the platoon so far. These too may wind up being replaced in the future.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057026-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Rubicon Models range may be an option - albeit an expensive one. Eureka could do as well. I know Offensive Miniatures have said they're considering doing Soviets as well. Its a pity the Perrys focus on the Western Desert and don't have a Soviet range. For now though my Soviet platoon's painted, so not a priority for replacement yet.
More infantry pictures to come once I get around to pulling their box out from under the stack of figures cases. Moving on, vehicles.
I went with a pre-war BA-20 to fill the Machine Gun armed Armoured Car slot in my collection. The Soviets went fairly heavy with their Armoured Car's weaponry during the war, so finding this sort of thing has been a bit difficult (I'm considering going with captured foreign cars in order to find one armed with an autocannon). This model's a 3D print. ...I'll find wherever the gun went off to at some stage. ::)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057021-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Something else light - a T-38 Amphibious tank. Functioning as the force's tankette. I'll probably add a second one of these with a bedframe antenna to serve as an artillery observation vehicle in games at some stage. ...And well just an excuse to have more tankettes (Paint and Glue Miniatures, where I get most of my 3D prints, sells their tankettes pretty cheap too...). This is another 3D print - done up in a scheme used in Ukraine.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057030-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Breaking up the 3D prints a bit (don't worry, there's more coming - I've become a cheapskate in my old age), this is one of the latest "Soviet" tanks painted. A Panzer III under new management. In another life it had sloped armoured and was part of my alt-history collection. Tearing all the plasticard off I set about rebuilding the original vehicle - ah, which explains some of the inconsistencies. I have a spare turret so it can be used as a German vehicle too - though I have a Panzer III being painted for them as well (which is even more of a gypsy wagon). This one's by Rubicon Models with a commander by Bad Squiddo Games.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056874-Captured%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Iii%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056875-Captured%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Iii%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/25/1056873-Captured%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Iii%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank.JPG)
Right, back to the 3D prints. Before the Soviets made indigenous SU-76 tank destroyers they were converting captured Panzer IIIs; called the SU-76i. They only did this for so long before production could be ramped up on the T-70 based model however, similar to what happened with the SG-122 - a predecessor to the SU-122 which also used the Panzer III chassis (something else I have in the works). I'm a big fan of StuGs, so I had to fit this into the force somehow.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057020-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
And an actual Su-76. I left this one pretty basic, bar adding a tarp over the crew compartment to save the work bringing the 3D printed details up to snuff. Starting out I'd been leaving my Soviet vehicles with factory paint jobs so as to easily differentiate them from the white German vehicles in games. Now that I have more than two forces that's subject to change though.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057025-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
This one is the first vehicle I bought for the Soviets. Which may explain why it cost more than £10... Its a resin BT-7 from Warlord Games. A surprisingly long tank when compared to things like the Panzer 38(t) which its usually coming up against in games. The loveheart unit marking looks rather French - I nabbed it from a period photo though. No idea what the historical context was.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057024-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Another rehabilitated tank which had to be torn up and rebuilt as it was previously something else. Which has left this particular T-34 looking pretty rough. Ah, par for the course with T-34s then. On this and the next vehicle the invasion stripes may not be period correct (the white crosses were used at Berlin for identification by foreign Allied aircraft, as opposed to the single lines seen earlier in the war). However, whilst just there because they look cool, I'll explain them away as being a variant of the common markings in use with a particular unit.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057028-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057029-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Ah, now for something which was another case of "seemed like a cool idea". A rare IS-1 tank. Most of these would be converted into IS-2s fairly quickly in the real world, but those are a bit too heavy for the games I play, so I went ahead and downgraded a Warlord Games IS-2 kit into this. That involved remodelling the front of the hull and replacing the gun and mantlet cover. You'd not really notice unless placed besides an IS-2 to be fair. As with the Panzer III it also has a commander from Bad Squiddo (for even more historical accuracy!).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057022-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057023-Conversion%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Now that I've found another Panther for my Germans (...yeah I just find spare kits in my bits boxes...) this will likely be joined by something like an up-armoured KV-85 at some stage.
So far that's most of the completed Soviet vehicles. There's many more still in various states of completion to work through of course. At the end of this post again is the list of what I have planned for those interested. Admitedly its always the vehicles which I like collecting with each project, which is why there's just so many for such a small force. :P
Next up - the Germans I think. :)
So here's something German. Another case of - I have it so I'll use it - a captured Humber Scout Car now done up in their colours. I couldn't find any historical records of this happening - unless an old movie prop counts. Nor is there much explanation on how this thing made it to the Eastern Front (must have picked it up in Italy or something). But the Germans seemed like the most likely to have one of these out of my forces, so they're the ones who nabbed it. This one's by Warlord Games - sans the Michael Caine commander figure. ;)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/26/1057031-Humber%20Scout%20Car.JPG)
Soviet Vehicles:
Armoured Car - MG - BA-20
Armoured Car - Autocannon -Sd.kfz 222 or Landsverk L180/ L181
Armoured Car - Light Gun - BA-6
Armoured Car - Radio Vehicle - BA-20 Bed Frame antenna or T-38u
Tankette - MG - T-38
Light Tank 1- Light Gun - BT-7
Light Tank 2- Light Gun - BT-5
Light Tank - Autocannon - T-60
Light Tank - Flamethrower - KhT-133
Medium Tank - Light Gun - Panzer III
Medium Tank 1- Medium Gun - T-34/76
Medium Tank 2- Medium Gun - T-34/76
Medium Tank - Heavy Gun - T-34/85
Heavy Tank - Light Gun - *Matilda II
Heavy Tank - Medium Gun - Churchill III/ IV or Matilda II CS or KV-1
Heavy Tank - Heavy Gun - IS-1
Tank Destroyer 1- Medium Gun - SU-76i
Tank Destroyer 2- Medium Gun - SU-76i
Tank Destroyer - Heavy Gun - SU-85
SPG - Medium Gun 1 - SU-76M
SPG - Howitzer - SG 122
Rocket Launcher - T-40 Katushka
Truck - Light Flak - STZ-5 with Quad Maxim
Truck - Medium Flak - Gaz AAA with 37mm Flak
Armoured Truck - Light Gun - American Half Track 50mm SPG
Armoured Truck - Medium Gun - Zis 30
Light AT Gun - 45mm
Medium AT Gun - Zis-3
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You are to great start.
Fine painting on the Russia armor.
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Nice work.
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Now onto the Germans. :)
My German force are mostly based around Offensive Miniatures range. Kitted out in their distinctive parkhas. Originally I was using Heer46's similar line, but found them far too chunky for my tastes (some pictures of them below regardless). Their poses are a bit more interesting too. Along with these are some conversions of other ranges like the Perry's.
The old Heer46 models
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044457-Winter%20SS.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044451-SS%20Officier.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044452-SS%20SMG.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044454-SS%20Rifles%201.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044455-SS%20Rifles%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/2/7/1044453-SS%20MG.JPG)
And what I'm currently using:
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057285-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057289-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057270-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057272-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057271-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057275-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
As I'm going for a setting around about the start of 1944 (even if I'm willing to make that a bit fluid in cases) I had to retrograde a feel bits and pieces. My Panzerschreck for instances have what look like field produced blast shields, rather than the later factory made ones. I did this after the models were originally painted - otherwise I would have gone with Empress' Miniatures figures which are designed to represent these earlier models (as do they come with ammunition bearers. I'll likely wind up picking them up for my Romanians and modifying them. Eugh, though Romania used the later model with the blast shield). ::)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057287-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
And instead of Stg-44s I have a squad of figures aren't with experimental MKb 42(H) automatic rifles. They're made from Achtung Cthulhu! Black Sun troopers (ah, and in need of an updated paint job). Something like 10,000 of those guns were issued around the time of Stalingrad - for all that they're represented in wargames systems and the media (for all they just love automatic weaponry...). I have a squad of six of these guys for games as some specialist infantry to cover the German Platoon only having 3 squads compared to the Soviet 4 in a platoon.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057290-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
The medic's a conversion of a Perry Miniature paratrooper figure. On a note of specialist troops there's some plans for a few types. Germans and Soviets wearing armoured vests. Romanian Mountain troops in snow suits with berets. Perhaps some allied Cossacks for the Germans, or RNNA style troops wearing Soviet gear (though the RNNA was disbanded by this time, and later organisations wore German uniforms). Not sure what to go with for the Italians as they're already an elite force of Alpini.
My German riflemen need a last touch up before they're done, so it'll be a bit before I post more pictures of the platoon. That's fine though, as of course they have vehicles already painted for them. :P
Starting out with the heavies first. A KV-1 upgraded with a German Kwk 40 from a Panzer IV. Its inspired by a real field conversion - albeit with the commander's cupola mounted in the wrong place (...this is an old conversion). I touched up its paint job a bit and just need to find a suitable commander figure to call it done. This one's by Warlord Games.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057291-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
A Panther Ausf.D. I deliberately went with the early model so it could be used along with older vehicles. The model's from Rubicon and has a few innacuracies, which I mostly got around just by adding more stowage rather than messing with the details (adding a loader's hatch to the left of the turret for instance). Tsk, sorry for having just the rear facing image of this. There'll be more pictures of everything in future once I can get past this initial image dump. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057282-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
I have a second Panther - an Aus.A with Zimmerit - being built currently. Zimmerit's a difficult topic for this collection. For accuracy many of the models coming into service new in 1944 would have had it, as would existing ones be modified in the field. It wasn't universal either. So they can be used for earlier and later games I've chosen to leave it off of most of these models. Eugh, and its a right pain to sculpt at times. And similarly an arse to research which patterns were being used at which plants then match them to the vehicles (or just give up on that and apply it like it was in the field, looking like a right mess...).
(https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Ptqg1GZ.png)
Not quite so heavy. A Renault UE with a Wurframen rocket system. These found themselves being used at Kursk, possibly later. This one's the earlier model with the side mounted frame, as opposed to one over the rear cargo bed which Warlord makes a model of. I'd considered going for a H-35 or Panzer I as the basis for this system, but they seemed a bit overkill for games with its turret (this will likely just be an objective market though. I think they even stuck these on Panzer IIIs). Its a 3D print with Wurframen by Rubicon. Other forces will have their own rocket systems once I can do some research on them and find suitable models - the Soviets are getting a T-40 based one with the rockets on its turret.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057288-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
I probably aught to add some insignia on this thing looking at it now. ::)
An Sd.kfz 251 Ausf.D with sPzb 41 recoilless rifle. No official variant mounting this weapon was in service, but I found one conversion from Normady matching this, so it could happen I guess. The model's by Rubicon, and I threw it together really just as I had the bits there (you get two in a box).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057286-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
Another truck. ...Um, this one with tracks. This time it was originally Soviet. A Voroshilovets artillery tractor with a German quad flak on the back. Its a work in progress still needing more crew and stowage. A 3D print with a rebuilt cargo bed and gun from Rubicon Models. The first in a planned set of flak trucks (I have a Soviet one done too, sans the gun, as I try and source suitable pieces).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057284-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
Speaking of 3D prints. Horribly dated for front line service. I guess its performing recce or been dragged away from security duties. An Sd.kfz 221 - as well, the Germans withdrew most of their other machine gun armed armoured cars for training duties early on. I added some bits from Rubicon to the 3D print, along with a pile of stowage by Black Dog.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057280-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057281-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
A StuG III Ausf.C done up with concrete armour. Obviously modified in some shop somewhere to include elements of the later models. Again with stowage from Black Dog tat the back. Spare tracks are by Die Waffenkammer - and an element which I've been using to set my German vehicles apart from German vehicles in foreign service (ah, at least I intended to, but rule of cool doesn't always let me in the odd case...).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057278-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057279-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
A StuiG 33b. Still surviving after the Battle of Stalingrad. A few of these did in fact, though in retrospect I aught to have gone with a captured SU-122 or Sturmpanzer 43 (hell, I may do anyway). More Black Dog stowage at the back there (1/48th scale, which is really hit and miss with these 1/56th scale miniatures and needs work to fit).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057283-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.JPG)
Here's a fairly bedraggled looking Panzer 38(t). At this stage you may have noticed that I like a certain look with my vehicles. Grimy as hell and carrying everything and the kitchen sink (damn, I have 28mm sinks somewhere...). I've been meaning to replace the barrel, but haven't quite yet (the Soviets, among others, did consider upgrading the guns on these. This one just looks dumb though).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057276-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057277-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
And last here's the first German vehicle I made for this current iteration of my WWII collection. Warlord Game's Marder III. In case you wonder where the bar was set with the grime. I believe the crew started out as Warlord's Soviet figures, but its been a while. Since making this I've been wanting to make more of the Marder series in particular one of the pre-production prototypes fitted with a StuG's short 75mm which went off to the Eastern Front to fight. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057273-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057274-Germans%2C%20World%20War%202%2C%20World%20War%20Two.jpg)
More to come as its painted. Further posts aren't going to have as many models as I'm running out of the finished stuff. But I'll probably go more into the background of certain weird vehicles or random stuff once its less about just dumping all of these images. :P
Again here's the list of vehicles which I've been working from. I'm thinking of switching out the Panzer II for a Panzer 38(t) with 2cm autocannon which would be more period correct, then using the Panzer II for ...something (maybe that BA-10 which had bits of the II's turret stuck on).
Germany:
Armoured Car - MG - Sd.Kfz 221
Armoured Car - Autocannon - sd.kfz 234/1
Armoured Car - Light Gun - sd.kfz 234/2
Armoured Car - Radio Vehicle - Panzer I command or sd.kfz 223
Tankette - MG - AMR 35
Light Tank 1- Light Gun - Panzer 38t
Light Tank 2- Light Gun - 7TP
Light Tank - Autocannon - Panzer II
Medium Tank - Light Gun - Panzer III
Medium Tank 1- Medium Gun - Panzer IV
Medium Tank 2- Medium Gun - T-34/76
Medium Tank - Heavy Gun - T-34/85
Heavy Tank - Medium Gun - KV 1 mit L/40
Heavy Tank - Heavy Gun - Panther
Tank Destroyer 1- Medium Gun - StuG III
Tank Destroyer 2- Medium Gun - StuG IV
Tank Destroyer - Heavy Gun - SU-85 or Jagdpanzer IV L/70
SPG - Light Gun - komsomolets mit Pak 36
SPG - Medium Gun 1 - Marder III
SPG - Howitzer - Sig 33(b)
Rocket Launcher - Renault UE mit Wurframen 40
Truck - Light Flak -mRSO/ STZ with Flak 30
Truck - Medium Flak - Maultier with 20mm Quad Flak
Armoured Truck - Light Gun - Sd.kfz 251 panzerbusche 41
Armoured Truck - Medium Gun - Sd.kfz 234/4
APC 2 - Armoured Sd.kfz 6
Light AT Gun - Panzerbusche 41
Medium AT Gun - Pak 40
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Now onto the Romanians.
Thus far my Romanian force is something that's "coming along". Originally I was using the Great Escape Games figures in Winter Dress, but more recently have decided to replace them. I hadn't managed to finish painting the first lot though, so there's not much to show with them.
The other ranges which I'm now using aren't wearing Winter clothing which means that they're due to be converted. The plan's to kit them out wearing things like fur coats, rain ponchos and the odd snow suit. With the actual figures being a mix of Gothic Line and Tsuba Miniatures Romanians, with a few from other Nations by other companies.
With their vehicles I've spent a good amount of time scouring online sources and books trying to work out just what they actually used. Even the better material on the subject often conflicts with each other, isn't clear, or disproven when you find a random period photo on a random forum. Here's what I've managed to paint thus far.
Getting the silliness out of the way. Here's a Tiger I in Romanian service. Romania captured a pair of Tigers from the Germans after they had switched sides. They didn't see combat however as the Soviets quickly seized them. I had this Tiger going spare at the time so decided to do this up as a "what if".
As a historical note Romania did capture KV-1 and IS-2 from the Soviets. And received Panthers post-war. The Soviet tanks don't fit the profile I'm looking or, as am I trying to strive for each force having its own tanks rather than using Allied ones (which may have to change in future). If further research does come up with a heavy tank armed with a long 75mm, 85mm or 88mm gun though this will be replaced.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057313-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Right, now that little distraction is covered, here's something else with historical questionability. ...Ah, at least this one may have seen service. :P
Romania had stocks of R35s dating back before the war. When they actually got involved in the fighting they were obsolete. Plans were made to upgrade them, with eventually the Vânătorul de Care R35 project coming around. This involved fitting a T-26's 45mm gun in a modified R35 turret. Prior to that however there's speculation that prototypes were made fitting T-26 turrets to the chassis. Photographs of these may exist, but its speculated whether they represent Romanian or German conversions (who also performed a similar modification).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057308-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Ideally I want my Romanians to be equipped with vehicles suitable throughout the war. Which makes the production conversion less desirable as they were only used after Romania switched sides. This one's just a side project - I kept the original turret so it could be fielded as an original R35 in most games (I'll pull the turret for a captured BA-10 armoured car or something).
Here's a Polish WZ-34 in Romanian service. I managed to find one source claiming that Romania managed to seize these from fleeing Polish toops early in the war and went onto use them for internal security duties. Though it didn't go into detail on which particular model of the vehicle which was captured, so I chose to go with this one with the angled rear armour.
There's other accounts of Polish vehicles being seized by Romanian forces, but I couldn't find anything about it actually being used. So no 7TPs for Romania unfortunately.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057309-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057310-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
This one's a Czech built AH-IV tankette, with a modified version being known as the AH-IV-R or Praga R-1A in Romanian use. They were used for training by Romania and there's little information on their potential combat use. Without finding a suitable alternative to represent a turreted tankette though it was my best option (I did find some info on the Polish TKD tankette in Romanian use, but it lacks the turret. Germany did field loads of those things as armoured carriers though. As did Romania use captured Komsomolets armoured tractors).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057311-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057312-Romania%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Filling out the force's command vehicle role I went with a German Sd.kfz 250/5. Romania received a few Sd.kfz 250 an 251 of numerous variants late into the war from Germany, along with other things like Panzer III, IV , Stug III and Sd.kfz 222/223 (as was Romanian license building German trucks). Its painted in a generic scheme so it can also be used by my Germans as necessary - as did Romania leave their foreign provided equipment in its base paint scheme from what I've read (rather than painting it in their standard green). For games I’d like command vehicles to be quite obvious. Whilst I could go for whip antenna – as was popular later in the war – where possible I’m using these “bed frame” ones. Its a pain though as for the Soviets I’m having to go back to pre-war models for something suitable (and its just impossible with the Italians).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/27/1057343-Armoured%20Car%2C%20Command%2C%20Germans%2C%20Vehicle%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
So far that's what I've managed for my limited Romanian armoured section. Due to them now needing a complete re-do of their infantry the force has fallen down the priority list on my painting table. But I have a lot more Romanian vehicles than I do for my Italians, so its likely that they'll see combat before that force does.
Oh, and as a last thing, here's the Romanian Maresal Tank Destroyer which I had posted in the other thread here. There's more information over there about this vehicle for those who are interested. Suffice to say that this one may find itself used in games if I don't manage to discover a source confirming any SU-85s or similarly armed vehicles were ever fielded by Romania.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/4/20/1056222-1%252F56%2C%202%2C%2028mm%2C%20Axis%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Destroyer%2C%20Hetzer%2C%20Ii%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Romania.JPG)
Again here's a list of the current and projected vehicles I'm looking to have in this collection. In case anyone of you can give or need some pointers on the subject. :)
Romania:
Armoured Car - MG - Wz-34
Armoured Car - Autocannon - Autoblinda 41
Armoured Car - Light Gun - BA-10
Armoured Car - Radio Vehicle - sd.kfz 250/5
Tankette - MG - CKD Ro-1 (Praga R-1)
Light Tank 1- Light Gun - R35
Light Tank 2- Light Gun - m3 Stuart
Light Tank - Autocannon - T-60
Medium Tank - Light Gun - Valentine III or Turan
Medium Tank 1- Medium Gun - Panzer IV
Medium Tank 2- Medium Gun - Panzer IV
Heavy Tank - Medium Gun - KV-1
Heavy Tank - Heavy Gun - Tiger I (non historically accurate )
Tank Destroyer 1- Medium Gun - StuG III
Tank Destroyer 2- Medium Gun - StuG III
Tank Destroyer - Heavy Gun - Maresal (non historically accurate ) or SU-85 (no sources found)
SPG - Medium Gun - Tacam R2
SPG - Howitzer - 43M Zrínyi / SU-122(no sources found)
Rocket Launcher - STZ-5 with Katusyka(no sources found)
Truck - Light Flak - RSO with Flak 30(no sources found - did use RSO/ Flak 30 however)
Truck - Medium Flak - -Maultier with 40mm Bofors (gun might not be heavy enough) - again no sources found, but used both vehicles
Armoured Truck - Light Gun - Sd.kfz 250 Pak 36
Armoured Truck - Medium Gun - Sd.kfz 251 Stummel
APC 1 - Sd.kfz 251
APC 2 - Sd.kfz 251 / m3 half track
Light AT Gun - Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun
Medium AT Gun -75mm (F22)
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Following with interest! Looking great thus far!
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Well after anther "brief" period of procrastination, here's what I've been up to since my last time posting in this thread.
Over the past few months things have progressed a bit with this project. With the infantry I'm nearly done with the basic platoons - though that's been delayed a bit after deciding to re-do the Soviets with another set of figures. The vehicles are their sporadic selves, with just a bit of everything coming along. I've started on artillery pieces too. Terrain's been what's been the most static (and you may see a part of the railways I'm starting on in the background of some images - though its still a ways off from being done).
So, here's what I've been up to. Starting with the Soviets.
Odessa NI "Tanks"
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076047-Armoured%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tank%2C%20Tankette%2C%20Vehicle%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
During the siege of Odessa in 1941 the Soviets in Ukrainian were in dire need for armoured vehicles. With little in the way of assets they were forced to throw together these "tanks" based on the STZ-5 artillery tractor using what equipment was left over at the January Uprising Factory.
These vehicles followed the same general design and came with a mish mash of armaments mounted in pre-existing T-26 or manufactured turrets. Machine guns, autocannons, light tank cannons. Around 69 were built, with typically many being lost in the fighting.
(https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1071-1.jpg)
How that relates to this thread is that some of these survived the fighting. Falling into Romanian hands. Information on their use is rather scant however - with the most I've managed to find is them being mentioned as being in Romanian inventory at the end of 1942.
Its unlikely that they lasted much longer tha that, which perhaps means that they aren't so relevant for this 1943/44 project. The opportunity was there for me to add them to the collection though. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076069-Odessa%20Tanks.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076071-Odessa%20Tank.JPG)
Both of these are 3D printed vehicles, bought from Paint and Glue Miniatures. I'd replaced the printed turrets with ones from Rubicon's T-26 kit - fitted with machine guns (though the real vehicles had anything up to 45mm guns squeezed into those turrets). As potentially these could be used for both the Romanians and the Soviets I chose to leave off any insignia. They're obscure and distinctive enough a vehicle that it may not have been necessary in the field to bother with markings either anyway.
In games they'd be little better than tankettes, and that's how they'll be used. Enough to stop rifle or machine gun bullets and little else...
ZiS-30
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076048-Anti-tank%2C%20Artillery%2C%20Self%20Propelled%20Gun%2C%20Soviet%2C%20Tractor%2C%20Winter.JPG)
Another vehicle born out of necessity during the initial fighting in the Soviet Union. The Soviets produced this light tank destroyer by mounting a ZiS-2 artillery piece onto the T-20 Komsomolets Artillery Tractor in 1941.
Their guns were powerful, but that couldn't be said for defensive capabilities of the chassis, with the crew being suceptable to almost all forms of incomming enemy fire. And so whilst they proved themselves in combat, there was hardly any left in service by 1942 - through combat, or just breaking down. That said, some were still listed in inventory as late as 1944.
(https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/zis-30-winter1.jpg)
Paint and Glue sell a ZiS-30. I used that - mated with a ZiS-2 and its crew from Warlord Games to produce this. The gunshield and a few other details are plasticard. Warlord produces a Zis-30 themselves, however its rather pricey for such a small vehicle, and lacks several details the real vehicles had (being pretty much the original gun stuck on a modified tractor).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076067-Zis-2.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076068-Zis-2.JPG)
Originally I'd decided to make this just as I like the look of the tractors and wanted a few. It was only later with some researching that I turned up some evidence of some still fighting on into 1944 - which would make one suitable for this project. Like the real vehicles this sort of thing would be pretty dire in actual combat - outside of being used in ambushes - but still, that'd just mean it would need to be used correctly. :)
This isn't the only T-20 based gun carrier which I have planned. There's a German one finished as well. But I also came across another possible Soviet variant. One armed with a "45mm" gun. Its only the one source (found on the Axis History Forum), and the author may have been confusing the vehicles with those armed with the 57mm ZiS-2 the Zis-30 had. However its enough to go on to inspire a plausible field conversion. So one of those will be in the works once I can order another T-20.
The quote: "(PTO artillery (3SP) on "Komsomolets" tractors terrified the enemy, who took them for tanks and later against tank 45 mm. guns on "Komsomolets" tractors)"
BM-8-24 T-60
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076049-Artillery%2C%20Katyusha%2C%20Light%2C%20Rocket%2C%20Soviet%2C%20T-60%2C%20Tank%2C%20Winter.JPG)
In 1941 the Soviets converted around 44 T-40s and T-60s to mount the BM-8-24 Rocket system. Turning them into an armoured variant of the more common truck mounted "Katyusha"
Light tanks like the T-60 at the time weren't obsolete, and were roughly comparable or better to what other Nations at the time were using in a reconnaissance role. But this type of vehicle would fall out of favour in Soviet doctine - with heavier vehicles being proposed to replace them (such as the LTTB). In the T-60's original guise it would see use through to the end of the war, as would conversions based on the chassis.
(https://i.redd.it/qdvvmoedqdz21.jpg)
Another 3D print. The print comes without the rockets, which were made from plasticard. This is one which I may come back to and give a white wash. As it looks a bit too dirty for my tastes.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076063-T-60%20Katyusha.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076064-T-60%20Katyusha.JPG)
One of those "seems cool - I want one" projects. The model will more likely see use with its original Autocannon armed turret as a light tank. As, well, even with the rockets elevated to the horizontal position on the model, they'd still be firing at point blank range on a 6x4 table.
T-34
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076050-Medium%2C%20Soviet%2C%20T-34%2C%20Tank%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
By late 1943/ early 1944, the T-34/85 hadn't yet entered service. And so to that end the bulk of my T-34s will be armed with the 76mm guns. Originally this one had actually been a late model T-34/57. However I reconsidered and converted it back to being a 76mm armed variant so it could see more use.
This particular model is the so called model 1942, though its really just a mish mash of parts. It was originally made from Rubicon's kit, and in another life was going to be used for my alt-history collection. With some time spent turning it back into a bog stanadard T-34, that left me with this slightly decrepit looking tank (though perhaps in a bit better state than the other one I have). I'd actually painted it up as a beutepanzer first, before giving it a white wash and returning it to Soviet use. Thinking back, I should have left the German cupola - as some did see service them after being re-captured. It would have been an odd little detail. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076065-T-34.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076066-T-34.JPG)
STZ-5 with Quad Maxim
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076058-28mm%2C%20Aa%2C%20Flak%2C%20Maxim%2C%20Tractor.JPG)
Lastly for what's done so far for the Soviet's vehicle pool - some AA support. In this case an STZ-5 artillery tractor in its original guise - instead of being turned into a NI Tank.
With this collection I'd like to represent some unarmoured vehicles, not just the usual tanks and assault guns. As I'm not looking to put together forces which care too much about a points system or what's the best unit out there. Its fine to play with asymmetric forces. One side could be a reconnaisance section, whilst the other's say a ressuply element for a tank group - its who takes the game's objectives which matters more. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076061-STZ-5%20Quad%20Flak.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076062-STZ-5%20with%20Quad%20Maxim.JPG)
This model's one more 3D print, with the gun and crew being out the box Rubicon models. The Maxim was a complete arse to put together, and with Rubicon no longer selling them pre-assembled I don't think that I'll be buying another (you know your kits complicated when you need to sell it half built...). Oh, and I'd rebuilt the rear bed out of plasticard as the original print's was as chunky as lego.
Just one more Flak truck. All of my forces will hopefully have something like this (armed with light or heavier guns) - we'll just have to see if being completely unarmoured makes them popular. There was one field conversion sticking a Zis-3 on one of these I believe, ah, but that may be a bit silly.
(Oh, did I mention that I'm making a Pak 38 stuck onto a RSO tractor? They had to tear the top of the cab off to make it fit...)
That's your lot for my Soviets at the moment. Progress is being made on the infantry - after I decided to sell off the Artizan figures (pictured earlier in this thread), as they just don't match my tastes with their proportions. A series of artillery pieces are in the works now too. The main hurdle with them is finding appropriate crew. The Soviets oddly don't seem to be that popular when it comes to companies making artillery pieces for them - at least compared to the Germans (though that's a given). So finding suitable crews isn't always ideal, especially in Winter clothing. I'm managing though. They just aren't a priority compared to all the tanks... ::)
Right, I'll take a break and write up a post for what I've managed for some of the other armies I've been collecting. There's your lot for tonight (well, maybe not). ;)
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Very nice work but there wasn't much of the ENR fighting in Russia in 1944 and I'm reasonably sure none of the handful that remained were Alpini, engineers and non-combat forces as I understood it. Most of the Italian forces were withdrawn in early 1943 after the disaster at Stalingrad and Italy surrendered in Sept '43.
The rump fascists had rather too much on their hands to send significant forces to Russia even had they been so inclined.
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Oh exactly. These RSI are more aimed for anti-partisan fighting to be honest. And are to an extent fictitious to suit having a force at all.
Though I do recall reading that there were Italians fighting the Soviets till the end of the war. Having been caught up with the Germans throughout their retreat. Making it as far as the battles in Germany. So these are perhaps more of an Italian force under German command, than directly under the RSI.
Would those forces have been as coherent as what I'm representing? Probably not. In a given game though it'd just be some infantry with possibly the the odd vehicle. Hardly a substantive fighting force in the scheme of things. I am fudging things a bit by allowing them certain things though. As objectively the better equipment the RSI did have was limited to the fighting in Italy. Altogether however, most of the vehicles which my Italians have are all pre-1943, with one or two exceptions.
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Missed this thread earlier in the year, so with the update, I’ve had loads of eye candy to work through. What a great set of models and troops, I really like the grimey snowy look you have with them, and also the wide variety of kit you are bringing in. The Humber made me do a double take - but the Germans used everything they could get their hands on, and its small enough to have been loaded on a train and shipped with the troops (perhaps!)
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@fred Heh, the Humber was just a bit of silliness. The model was there, so why not do something with it? Realistically though, that sort of thing would only have been used on the Western Front (unlike say some Soviet equipment which was transferred all over). The furthest East one of those probably went was in one post-war film set in Norway where one was standing in for a German armoured car. (The model's been since sold off to another owner anyway) :D
And yes, typically I cover all of my models in grime for that realistic "how the hell has an officer not reprimanded these soldiers for being so dirty? Oh right, because they were shot three weeks ago..." look. ::)
Right, now onto what's been happening with the Germans.
As far as what's actually painted, this is where the most movement's been. The majority of which has again been on their vehicles - that's just down to my tastes. The infantry remain in the same state they were when I first posted this thread actually, however as I'm yet to finish off any of my force's infantry platoons, they'll remain un-prioritised till wargaming clubs here can restart.
Here's what I've managed so far. Minus a few more vehicles which need the finishing touches on them, but I'll save those for another post (when I'm not throwing up so much stuff in one day that is).
T-20 with Pak 36
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076056-Artillery%2C%20Captured%2C%20Germans%2C%20T-20%2C%20Tractor%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Perhaps another anachronism for the time period. Germay (and the other Axis powers - particularly Romania) captured many of these artillery tractors. I believe that the Soviets stopped producing them not that long into the war, but there was enough around for sites like beutepanzer.ru to have pages of them in German service alone.
This particular vehicle is inspired by a few field conversions. Its not as developed as most, just a Pak 36 attached to a T-20; without having extended the gun shield to offer more production to the crew (similar to the ZiS-30's larger shied). Let's call it field expedient.
By 1944 this sort of thing may still have been around. Whilst the Pak 36 was obsolete by this point, it continued to be used, even mounted on vehicles. As well, a gun's a gun when facing targets which it can damage, and it could still be capable against enemies without adequate armoured or artillery support. One more vehicle to stick in the historically plausible bin, just maybe not quite so historically accurate.
(https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/komsomolets-w-3.7cm-pak-mounted.jpg)
I said it in the earlier post. I'm a fan of the T-20. Whether one will turn up here in its original configuration, without a dirty big gun stuck on it is another matter (I suppose the Romanians did use them as tankettes).
This one originally was going to be just a regular artillery tractor. I'd even made it as far as building up the rear seats with sculpted on cushions. But you make the mistake of look at some old photographs and this sort of thing comes out... ::)
The model's by Paint and Glue Miniatures, with crew and gun from Rubicon. I can't say that I'm entirely sure on the fellow on the right of the vehicle moving an ammution crate. Maybe sighting in the gun would be more appropriate, though as it is it looks like the other figure's surveying the area, as the gunner re-arranges the ammunition (on the rather tight fighting area).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076078-T-20%20with%20Pak%2036.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076079-T-20%20with%20Pak%2036.JPG)
More T-20s to come as I find excuses to pick up more... Maybe some other small vehicles with guns strapped to them as well ( I have seen artist's impression of a Romanian Renault UE with a 47mm gun plonked onto it...). ;)
Panzerbefehiswagen II Conversion
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076057-28mm%2C%20Command%2C%20Ii%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter.JPG)
Some form of field modification done on a Panzer II chassis to offer a command vehicle for a Marder SPG equipped unit.
I couldn't find any further information on this vehicle other than two photographs. It appears to have been pictured prior to the German military changing their vehicle colour from grey to tan at least. One more case of something which could potentially seen service in the period I'm covering - but with no evidence to back it up. It seemed interesting though, and I had a Panzer II (intended for another project) available, so it was donated to this conversion.
(https://preview.redd.it/5950c9mhcie51.jpg?width=856&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cec50811ed166bb7eb447675c2cf4d7917c855f)
The model's again a 3D print. With a superstructure made from plasticard and antenna from Rubicon (its actually from a Sd.kfz 250, though with this being a field modification that may be permissable. I'm assuming however that the real vehicle used the Panzer II antenna - it may even have originally been a Panzer II command vehicle. They just wanted more space for radios, so removed the turret).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076074-Panzer%20II%20Command.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076075-Panzer%20II%20Command.JPG)
When modelling this I chose to go for an enclosed crew compartment. The one photographed appears to have an open box attached to the hull. Though for ease in making the model (i.e. not having to build up an interior) I went with one which was covered by a tarp. It seemed like a thing the real vehicle would have considering its pictured in Winter.
This conversion, whilst unique, does seem to follow a trend in German command vehicles. There's more mass produced vehicles which resemble this built on French chassis, and in the case of the below example - they've taken a SPG and removed the gun, replaced it with a machine gun, then presumably used the spare space for additional equipment.
(https://cs10.pikabu.ru/post_img/2020/03/19/7/1584614625169669173.jpg)
Command vehicles are something I want to represent in games - primarily on light tank and armoured car chassis. They'll offer an additional model to relay commands using the Star Wars: Legion system; in which only models within a command radius of an officer or a radio can act immediately without having to rely on their turn being randomly drawn. With something like this giving the opportunity to move up with troops instead of sitting behind cover for most of the game till the coast's clear (though practically speaking, this will probably do the same. It could just take a more hits than an infantry figure).
AMR-35
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076076-AMR-35.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076077-AMR-35.JPG)
A captured French tankette serving in second line duties. Most of these were kept out of the fighting, though with the Panzer I which I had being requestered for another project, I had to find an alternative.
Honestly by the mid-war period the Germans had stopped using tankettes in most locations. This one's more representing a vehicle which has been caught up in the fighting, rather than actually being sent to the front. I was looking for a tankette with a turret, and well anything would do as all sorts of older stuff was being used in second line duties till the end of the war on one forgotten front or other... (ah, no historians quote me on that).
The Model's another from Paint and Glue. With its exhaust replaced with plasticard to save filling in the print lines. I'm a fan of tankettes. Whilst they're not ideal as far as the historical setting goes, they're just gun to make models of. There'll be more of these to follow as I can course more.
Oh, and in games tankettes share the same armour category as armoured cars and armoured trucks. Whilst their size and small armament makes them something most would look down on, when compared to these other vehicles, putting a vehicle proof against rifle fire in such a small package may actually may these desireable to use in our games. Vehicles in the modified Star Wars: Legion rules which I'm using for these WWII games can be "armoured". What this means is that unless a weapon has the tag "impact X", it does no damage to the vehicle. So one of these could quite happily take fire from infantry all day - so long as they don't have an anti-tank weapon or throw some grenades at it.
Panzer I with MG 151/20
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076059-Flak%2C%20Germans%2C%20I%2C%20Panzer.JPG)
Now onto what happened to that Panzer I.
I came across an image of a Panzer I somewhere in Europe (judging by the houses in the background) fitted with an MG 151/20 "Drilling". The image was presumably taken late in the war given how late the Drilling came into service and non-Eastern European setting. Which leaves this particular model being posted at the bottom of this thread, as its not appropriate for the period which I'm trying to keep to.
I'm fine (to an extent) featuring vehicles which saw service prior to 1943/44, as some may have still been around. But its a bit difficult to field something which wasn't even built till Months later at least. :P
(https://i.redd.it/1h2e4081s9z41.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076072-Panzer%20I%20with%20MG%20151%252F20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076073-Panzer%20I%20with%20MG%20151%252F20.JPG)
When I saw this image I just had to make one. Its a pity then that the MG 151/20 which Rubicon had shown off wouldn't be released till Months later.
The Panzer I itself is from Blitzkrieg Miniatures - having bought it years ago when they'd had a sale, as well for a few quid, why not? I'd drilled out the crew compartment and fitted the machine gun into it. Though found that even with cutting down the mount, and removing parts of the gunner's controls, it still was a tight fit. Which led to the gunner being positioned sitting on the rear of the vehicle - watching for targets - instead of manning the gun.
This may not ever see any use in games. I've not considered covering later in the war, as that would lead me to forking out for Offensive Miniature's Last Levy figures, then throwing together even more absurd conversions. A Sd.kfz 234/4 has somehow found itself onto my painting table as well, another late- 44 vehicle (I'll take some photos when I post the few German tanks which didn't make the cut for this post). Both of these may wind up being sold off if I can't stop myself from wanting a Winter of 44/45 force. ::)
That's the end of another post for now. Next up I'll cover what I managed for the Romanians and Italians. The bulk of the vehicles that I have for them are still being tidied up before painting, thus just the one post for the two of them. After that though I'll see what infantry's available for some pictures. :)
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Woops. It seems someone forgot to post the rest of these figures. ::)
The last batch of the current finished vehicles include a few Romanian and one Italian piece. Which currently is most of what's actually painted for those forces. Though with more to follow of course - and a whole load of bits sitting piled up waiting for paint.
Maybe its just the lack of big crosses or stars. The other Axis powers I have just take me longer to paint. I suppose the Romanian insignia is a bit more complex - with their pointy crosses with flags inside them and rondels. Or just that there's less photographs of them out there, making finding inspiration not as simple. You always feel like you're not getting the full picture with what little there is to work with.
Right, models.
Tacam R-2
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076051-Romanian%2C%20Tank%20Destroyer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Late into the war Romania was finding that what they had just wasn't capable any longer of competiting with their enemies. Sure they should have realised this going into the war - armed with all their pre-war light tanks - where similar vehicles hadn't faired too well in France - but Romania was still using WWII tactics at the time. I suppose after losing so many men in human wave attacks someone questioned how come the enemy had so many tanks left over after these inspired command decisions.
The Tacam series of vehicles was similar to the Marder conversions undertaken by the Germans, and similar prototypes going on with other Axis Nations. They took an outdated vehicle, removed the turret, and fitted a larger artillery piece in what space was freed up, then made a casement out of cannibalised armour from captured tanks (as opposed to newly made armour plates - Romania didn't have the best industry at the time). Romania had projects going on for the 35T, 38T, T-60 and Praga R1 tankettes. However only the 35T and T-60 saw any production.
(https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/romania/photos/TacamR2.jpg)
I've read sources that the Germans were surprised that the Romanians could come up with this sort of vehicle. At the time the conversions were born out of desparation for any modern vehicles - having at best to make do with some Panzers and StuGs provided by the Germans. The war just wasn't going their way by that point, and whilst there could be what ifs about where these projects could have gone - there wasn't much hope for them with the Soviet Union at the border. Still, imagining that things like Tacam R2s fitted with 88s is just fodder for alternative history modellers. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076086-Tacam%20R2.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076087-Tacam%20R2.JPG)
This model's another 3D print from Paint and Glue Miniatures. Great Escape Games also does a resin one, but the 3D print's quality's fine for me once its touched up. I'd replaced the gun with a spare barrel from a StuG. It doesn't have a historically accurate muzzle brake (which should be a Soviet one), though who's going to notice. One crew member's from Great Escape games, the other's a motorbike rider from Black Tree (I think).
Some of you may notice the big tarp sitting on the front of the vehicle. ...Obscuring the driver's vision and hull MG. Well, ah, that front plate was a bit of a pain to clean up from the 3D print. Having looked at some photographs I'd noticed that for some reason on a few Tank Destroyers the driver couldn't see on the real vehicles either. I guess one of the other crew members was directing them. Which seems quite silly. That was enough to excuse doing the same with this vehicle (I hope). :/
Oh, and for the period, only the Tacam R2 seems correct for my Romanians. Other Romanian attempts to up gun their tanks didn't really see service till the Summer of '44 - after they'd switched to the Allies. Particularly meaning that I'd have to change the national insignia to a red star. I'm not sure if that was done on all vehicles in service - though to be honest the Romanians had that little by then its probably moot to wonder.
TAs III
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076053-Germans%2C%20Iii%2C%20Romanian%2C%20Snow%2C%20Stug%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
StuG IIIs - known as TAs III in Romanian service - were provided by Germany to resupply Romanian's decimated and obsolete armoured forces. Those which they were given, along with Panzer III & IV, arrived in the usual sorry state Germany's tanks did when provided to foreign powers. Still, when the mainstray of Romanian tanks at the time was the 38(t), anything built after 1940 would probably have been an improvement.
Romania had tried to start up domestic tank production in the pre-war years. And had contracts to build French vehicles. During war time they'd attempted to start producing a domestic copy of the T-34. However by that point their industry just wasn't capable. The whole country winding up just being considered a big oil well by the Germans. Had the Germans treated their allies better then perhaps we'd have seen the Romanian industry in a better state. With what little they had though they still managed to make the odd viable piece of equipment (the Resita 75mm anti-tank gun for instance was still in use till 1998).
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0d/16/4e/0d164e6f6212441fd7d12191d4fdb0c1.jpg)
The opportunity to make StuGs is really why I collect any of this. If the Italians had actually used any of their StuG III's in combat I'd have give one to them as well. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076082-Tas-III.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076083-Tas-III.JPG)
Tsk. Another 3D print (in fact everything in this post is 3D printed). Being a foreign StuG, rather than a German one, I'd decided to go with some choices to differentiate it. Particularly with adding sand bags to the front of the vehicle - rather than spare tracks. As do my German StuGs lack schruzen. The winter camo as well is made up of various dabs of paint - rather than a full white wash.
With this one I'd gone for just the outline of a cross for the Insignia; rather than one filled in with the Romanian flag. In retrospect I should have gone with one which contrasted more. Painting these crosses (and German ones) which usually have a white outline on mostly white vehicles has been a challenge. Looking at real vehicles they tend to just have crude insignia painted over the white wash - or leave a gap in the white wash around these areas. That crudeness however is something which doesn't translate well when being painted, at least in my case, and looks like a mistake rather than being deliberate.
Maybe I should apply more unit specific identifiers to break up these markings a bit. I just don't like tying vehicles to specific historical locations if I can avoid it. I'd rather go for fictional numbering, than try and depict a real vehicle and get it wrong. :/
Carul de Luptă R35
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076052-French%2C%20Light%2C%20Romanian%2C%20Tank%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Just a quick note on this one to say that I've since returned the R35 with T-26 turret conversion back to an original R35. In game terms they both function the same, and the regular vehicle was much more common in Romanian service (its questioned if the one with the new turret was even Romanian). The T-26 turret's been nabbed instead for a Soviet armoured car. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076084-R-35.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076085-R-35.JPG)
(https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/12795137_913671625414647_3708765575111928808_o.jpg)
(the lead vehicles have a stripe around the turret as rank markings in case you were wondering - ah, though even that's debated)
TK-3
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076060-Polish%2C%20Romanian%2C%20Tankette%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Last up for the Romanians - (the mghty) Polish TK-3 tankette. When Poland fell, troops fled to Romanian for refuge. The Romanians seized their equipment, and in some cases put it into use for security duties when war came. There's very little information on this topic out there- and is disputed in some sources. As a situation which may have happened though, its enough to justify me using these vehicles.
Polish vehicles were actually captured and used by both Germany and the Soviet Union. Obviously they're the sort of thing which likely wouildn't have been around even a year after the start of Barbarossa. However the Soviets were still using things like pre-war tankettes in rear duties, so things like these may have been around till then. Even if they'd mostly been used for driver training or artillery tractors by that point. In Romania's case however they had so few tanks that they'd classified the T-20 artillery tractor as a tankette, so perhaps something like this would have seen some frontline action (if that is they actually had any to begin with).
(https://www.ww2incolor.com/d/332405-4/tancuri1)
This image purportedly does show Romanian soldiers with Polish tankettes however. Note the Romanian rondels on the side of the vehicles.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076088-TK-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076089-TK-3.JPG)
(apologies for the orang tint in a few of these images)
Winning the competition for the smallest armoured vehicle in my collection (just beating out some Italian tankettes). As a mobile machine gun pillbox these may actually turn out functional in games. They wouldn't last against anything larger than a rifle bullet - and even then against enough shots they'd go down - but with how armour works in the rules I'm using one of these may actually last long enough to do damage against enemy infantry.
And tankettes are cool. I don't need any excuse to make more of these...
Spa AS-37 flak
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076055-Aa%2C%20Flak%2C%20Italian%2C%20Truck%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Finally something for my Italians. A regular truck fitted with a Breda autocannon.
Italian made wide use of gun trucks in WWII. Mostly in Africa of course, but taking inspiration from those I'd include something similar for their European forces. Its not like flak trucks were uncommon at the time. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076080-Spa%20AS-37%20flak.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/4/1076081-Spa%20AS-37%20flak.JPG)
This one's a mix between a 3D print, a gun from Offensive Miniatures, and a bit of plasticard. The gun comes with its original tripod mount - rather than a vehicle fitted one. I'd made one myself then in the style of what was used on Italy's armoured cars (which this weapon was also used on). The crewman's originally a British figure - with a snow suit sculpted on, and a German mountaineer's head (which perhaps he found somewhere).
Its plausible that Italy would have used this sort of thing. With my Italian's I'm seeing them more as a force operating in the second line outside of the Soviet Union or being caught up in the German retreat somewhere. I can admit that of the Nation's which I'm representing they're the one which I'm reaching with the most. Being the most wargaming force out of the lot of the one. Oh well, I'm committed now.
Next up its time to take some pictures of what infantry have come about. Romanians probably. :)
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I said that I'd post some infantry in my update didn't I? Naturally here's some Panzers then. :D
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078792-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Finally having made it around to adding some more medium armour to my Germans - other than the StuG III and Panzer IV which I'd made before lockdown here. I'd bought some vehicle kits from Rubicon Models over the past few Months. Not so much at times out of necessity to fill in the blanks in my collection (though I can always add new things to the list to excuse that). More so that they're lovely kits, and always a treat to put one together. (Even if the tolerences on parts mean there's usually some gap filling regardless of how careful you are).
Panzer IV Ausf. F1
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078789-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Being paired with the existing Panzer IV I'd made, this one's kind of a development of what I was trying with that one. Instead of being made from Warlord's kit, this Rubicon one was so much less of a chore to get the most out of. The details are so much better - to the point that I may have to go back and swap out some things on the other one to bring it up to snuff (particularly the single piece road wheels).
Now the eagle eyed may right away note some anachronisms with how this Panzer IV was built. Its an F1 model, yet it has schurzen and winterketten (tracks). Which didn't really come in or would have been rare at the time this model was being produced. Rather its intended to be an older vehicle which has been modified in the field to current standards (rather than the factory - otherwise the gun would have likely been replaced). The idea came from a photograph I'd seen and some discussion on the use of winterketten on older tanks, all in all just to put together an unusual vehicle. Which was more of a fun project that something I was actually looking to use in games. But it should give some utility alongside the long 75mms.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d8/c7/b5/d8c7b562d26e8f90d87445b4a8044bdd.jpg)
Particularly Rubicon's new Winterketten were a must buy for me. I'd have preferred if they'd made Ostketten (a wider form of tracks, rather than one with cleats), but that any 1/56th scale manufacturer is making winter tracks is a dream. The two sets which I'd bought came to the cost of a whole tank. For their unique look I think they were worth it - even if my own painting standards don't quite do them justice.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078795-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078803-Panzer%20IV%20Ausf.%20F1%20%28minus%20flag%29.JPG)
You can see yet again that my predisposition to want to cover all my vehicles in tracks are reaching fetishistic levels. Maybe its from starting my current modelling career with Post Apocalyptic settings. Or just that I dislike out of the box kits and want to do as much to make my vehicles look lived in as I can (bordering on them looking like the car from the Beverly Hillbillies).
Having watched The Tank Museum's recent video on the Panzer IV on their Youtube channel (well recent at the time of drafting this - it takes me forever to photograph things). I'm kind of in the mood to make an Eastern Front rendition of the Panzer IV Ausf.D they have in their collection. A vehicle which had been returned to the factory and modernised - whilst retaining the older model's features. Giving it a long 75mm, schurzen, etc. Again just to break up the usual Ausf. F2s and Hs you see being modelled.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/12/b7/0f/12b70fd16b79da97b3b9e04957a1bcbd.jpg)
For me these vehicles stand on their own as modelling projects - rather than at times trying to be a coherent historically accurate force. I'm always a modeller first and well, historian coming in at a late third or fourth. If something looks interesting and "could" have been potentially around at the time, then its open season for me. :P
StuG IV
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078791-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Please accept that I also have a thing for StuGs and this forum's an outlet for that. Its self destructive, and I need help, but there'll likely be more of these bloody things to come...
...
Erm. Looking for a second StuG to add to my Germans, I wanted to do something different. Not another StuG III, otherwise I'd be up to having 6 of them in the collection now (not that I'm looking for excuses to add more...). Instead I wanted one which I could approach from another angle. A StuG IV or early Jagdpanzer IV perhaps.
Well it would be pushing things to have a Jagdpanzer IV in service in the 43 into 44 time period which I'm attempting to fit within, so I'd decided to go with a StuG IV. Now I didn't want to go ahead and buy a resin one when I knew that I had the spare bits there to put together one myself. So I raided some of my failed projects and found a Warlord Panzer IV hull. Together with parts from Rubicon's StuG III - and a load of plasticard, I threw this together.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078797-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078798-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
The build was a bit of a bodge. I was replacing as much as I could from Warlord's kit with parts from Rubicons - till only really was parts of the front hull visible from their original kit. Put alongside a Rubicon Panzer IV the differences are minor now, which was worth the effort in keeping all the Warlord parts to areas which aren't really seen (the inner drive sprockets for instance).
It having an underlying Warlord kit did mean that by the time it came to fitting the Rubicon winter tracks that the fit needed some work - i.e. replacing pretty much everything but the inner drive sprocket. Still once it was all over though I was satisfied in having probably one of the few plastic StuG IV models in 1/56th on the planet. :D
Between the StuG III & IV I'm kind of into the Frankenstein nature of the IV more. Again being a fan of the more Mad Max style of vehicles out there (why else do I build modern technicals too...). Still, I've came across some weird looking field conversions for extra armour on StuGs, so more opportunities for seeing what that chassis has to offer to suite my own tastes are always there. A future StuG project's sticking schurzen on StuG with a short 75mm - similar to what happened with the Panzer IV above. :)
Panzer III Ausf. M
https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078790-(http://1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
Here's another Panzer III which I'd reclaimed from my Alternative History project. Being that the upper hull was a bit of a mess after I'd removed the offending components which had given this sloped armour originally, adding that extra layer of stowage was necessary to reduce my workload.
Again then we have one more tank covered with everything a crew will need to sucessfully advance to the rear in 194. Only about 5 tarps for the crew to huddle up in at night unfortunately, but I'm sure all the random crates could be used to light a fire to keep them warm...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078793-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078794-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
This was one of Rubicon's original run of Panzer IIIs. Which had some issues with accuracy. The stowage covers those issues up hopefully. I'm not even sure if its an Ausf.M or some hodge podge of variants.
Their newly releaesd kits look subperb. And you can see that they put the effort into their research this time around differentiating the various production models (even if they don't quite fit the sort of excentricities you'll see with the 1/35th crowd when it comes to individual differences in short runs from particular factories. Because they don't want to waste money quite that badly...). I mean three plastic kits to represent the variants of one tank by a 28mm manufacurer isn't normal right?
Unfortunately Rubicon don't make a set of winter tracks for their Panzer III. Nor will they be in the immediate future either till they can sort out some production issues with their resin tracks. This seems to be the reason why the original Panzer IV winterketten took so long to be released. A shame for modellers like me, however I can accept that they have other less niche products to work on. And I can always just buy more Panzer IVs... ::)
Speaking about Rubicon's new Panzer III kits. I was considering adding Panzer III Ausf.N to my German or Romanian forces. The problem is that with how I have the stats set up they'd be kind of redundant for my Germans at least. As in game terms their profile would be the same as the Panzer IV Ausf.F1 with the same armour and gun stats. Romania then may be the only recieptient of one then. Still, they look like nice kits.
Tsk, but I have so many more tanks I've already bought to paint. Finishing them first may be in order. ¬¬
Sd.kfz 234/4
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078801-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078802-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
The first thought in seeing this (other than why are all your vehicles so bloody dirty" is probably that none of these were built till a year after the winter of 1943. And you're right. Like the Panzer I in my earlier posts this is another case of having the model around, but nowhere to really show it off other than in this thread. Here it is then. Don't all yell at me at once. ;)
This one is Warlord's plastic kit mixed with Rubicon's Pak 40 Sd.Kfz 251 conversion. Both of which had been salvaged from other vehicles - parts of which having been taken for other projects. So with what was left over I'd merged the bits to make this thing.
Despite having made it this far though, I haven't added the crew. See I've come to the conclusion that at least for now I need to tell myself off from making this late war stuff. Otherwise I'll start collecting more of it and sooner of later I'll be doing a Battle of Berlin force (nobody mention that Ardelt Waffentrager sitting on my shelf). So if you've looked at my thread in the Bazaar you'll see this for sale there. Better to get rid of it entirely instead of having it gnawing at the back of my mind to make some nice Volksgrenadiers to go with it...
Armoured Sd.kfz 11
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078799-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2020/9/23/1078800-1%252F56%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Germans%2C%20Improvised%2C%20Panzer%2C%20Winter%2C%20World%20War%202.JPG)
A while ago I turned up some WWII bits at a flea market. Among them was what I assume to have been the remains of a diecast Sd.kfz 7 or other larger German half track. It wasn't in the best state, and the wrong scale, but I knew I'd find a use for it somewhere.
German half-tracks of the period tended to have a similar look to them. So a large truck in 1/72nd would be a medium one in 1/56. Using what was left of the diecast as a starting point I needed an idea of what to turn it into. Looking for what would require the least amount of precise work - otherwise I may as well have just bought a resin kit and thrown this thing away - I came across a pair of field conversions.
(https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=553x10000:format=jpg/path/se301e7031d62a5e0/image/i59da7073e7ebd6d2/version/1449856942/image.jpg)
The article they appeared in says that they're Sd.kfz 6. The model I had's a little bit smaller than those, so this one had to be an Sd.kfz 11 or something. Though its difficult for me to judge the scale of the vehicles in the photographs (ah, because all German half tracks look the same...).
https://www.customscale.de/customscale-modell-historie/35052-sdkfz-6-mit-gebirgsflak-feldumbau/
Given that these appear to be unique conversions, and in use by mountain troops, they're perhaps not suitable for my own forces. Just a side project. Whilst there were other field conversions adding armour to German half tracks, having this one doesn't sit right with me thematically. Which means that yes, I've stuck this model into the bazaar as well. I'll buy some Sd.kfz 251s to replace it eventually.
There's your lot for this post. I'll try and have the infantry up for next time. Which I'd thought that I'd had all painted, but it turns out that a few of them are only half done. Otherwise I'll just post something else. I have loads of this crap. ;)
(seriously I have a problem. Send help. Or maybe just a few Panzer IIIs you may have spare. I'll take even just a little tankette...)
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Fantastic!
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Nice collection of kit.
I look forward to the next batch.
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The test model for the Bulgarian Paratroopers I'd mentioned elsewhere here. Hopefully the model's convincingly not German?
(https://i.redd.it/hsyd1ecxqmp51.jpg)
The model's a German Paratrooper from Artizan Designs (I think, or Copplestone). With his gun replaced with a ZB vz.26 - made from a Bren Gun with a modified stock and some vents put into the barrel (the magazine on the Czech gun was straight, rather than curved on the Bren, but its not noticeable as the figure's reloading).
I then added a Soviet head from Warlord. The Warlord heads are oversized, which was perfect for the type of helmet the Bulgarians used. Reshaping was required - giving the front and back a more pronouced lip, adding a rib to the top, and bolts to the front. The head was given a beard too. Because the Warlord faces look a bit silly (look how small the nose is).
I'd also removed some of the gear like the bread bag, canteen and gas mask cannister. None of the images I've seen of Bulgarian Paratroopers had any of these. In fact most just had ammunition pouches, knives and pistols. I guess to stop things being caught on those horrible German parachutes they used.
Bulgaria used a similar uniform to the Germans, but their camouflage was slightly different. Clearly inspired by the Splinter pattern , though there was a bit of brown in all of the colours.
He looks all right to me. Going forward I'll likely use the Perry Miniatures figures as a basis for future figures (unless some other range comes up - realistic proportions are key. This chunkier figure is just what was to hand). Primarily as they're sold in smaller packs instead of full squads. Which factors in given the number of SMGs I need (being the Bulgarian's primary weapon rather than rifles), and the Perry's sell a pack of six. There will have to be some duplication though, and even with changing up the heads, I couldn't source enough figures that way without the poses being too samey. So the idea's to use a few few figures with rifles for SMGs - altering the rifles to look like Czech ZK-383s.