Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Silent Invader on April 28, 2013, 11:40:00 PM
-
Joining the Perry WW2 WIP threads, this is my own contribition, with something a little bit different.
I have a bit of a thing for the Glider Pilot Regiment and for Airlanding in general (my username is a bit of a clue! ;)) and so the Perry's new Desert Rat minis have given me the opportunity to put together a Glider load (in this case of a Waco/Hadrian) of 2 pilots and 12 passengers for the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily.
The airborne landings are something of a story that I won't go into here, though if more info is desired the Pegasus Archive has a useful in-depth narrative.
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/sicily/frames.htm (http://www.pegasusarchive.org/sicily/frames.htm)
One feature of the landings was that many gliders landed way off course. From the Sicilian Skirmishes page of the Pegasus Archive:
The 56 gliders carrying the 1st Airlanding Brigade that reached Sicily were for the most part scattered all across the south-eastern corner of the island, and many spent the day trying to find their units, linking up with other small groups as they went along.
The activities of the remainder of the widely scattered 1st Airlanding Brigade on the 10th July can be simply summarised as a plethora of small-scale actions by groups of men who were lost or had landed too far from their objectives to be of any assistance to the main parties, roaming the Sicilian countryside, cutting telephone wires and attacking any enemy positions that could be found.
The foregoing lends itself to small unit skirmish games on maybe a 2 ft sq table with the opportunity to build some Sicilian terrain. :)
A few images of airlanding units before departure. I have other or better images in books but these give something of an idea as to how the weapons and equipment differed to the British/Commonwealth troops that came in by sea, which I think were pretty much as the Perry "Desert Rats" plastics.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154616-379351692.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154616-379361028.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154616-37934333.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154616-379332368.jpeg)
Differences in kit included multiple small packs, with the water bottle being inside one rather than slung at the hip, the pig-sticker bayonet and FS knife instead of the sword bayonet, the airborne helmet, the use of stens with sten bandoliers, and the carriage of entrenching tools.
So the figures, I have already opined on Captain Blood's fast growing "Magnum Opus of WW2 Perry Building", which (edited) was as follows:
I agree that they are on the small side so I hope the metal Italians and plastic Germans are similarly scaled. These are very much life-like proportions and so while they might be the same height as my original BAM paras, the heads, hands and crucially weapons are significantly finer. For many that won't matter and certainly isn't an issue for me as I won't be mixing these as mine will be a small project.
Aircav kindly sent me some Warlord STENs but these Perry minis do seem to be true 1:56. Without getting into scale debates, the Warlord STENs are about 3mm too long which doesn't sound much but to my eye seems too long when compared to the Perry No.4 rifles. The Warlord Stens could probably be cut back and I might still do this but will try another avenue first, of which more in a mo.
My force of 14 minis will compise:
Two glider pilots, for which I've used torsos with goggles, which I think are quite fitting:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160503-37943680.jpeg)
And an airlanding infantry section comprising a corporal, six rifles .....
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160503-379441251.jpeg)
.... plus a lance corporal with the bren group (to which I have added an additional bren team to fill what would otherwise be empty seats):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160503-379412002.jpeg)
All have had their water bottles and sword bayonets shaved away. All are mounted on 20mm plated steel washers.
I want to avoid using prostrate minis while having every mini different, so the above include a few 'cut and shut' jobs. These conversions were very easy to do, using a razor saw just above the pouch lid to use the lower half of a body and just below the pouch lid to use the upper half of a body, while matching up the straps in the small of the back. This does reduce the number of useable minis in the box, as the resulting spare parts have lost height to the thickness of the saw.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160503-379422177.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160538-37948951.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160538-379471593.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160538-37946515.jpeg)
I didn't want to use the grenade throwing pose, so I gave that mini a new pair of legs, cut immediately below the shorts.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319160538-37945660.jpeg)
Anyways, back to the parts required to convert these from regular infantry to airlanding infantry..... I was hoping to use Warlord and perhaps TAG bits but for my purposes the sizing isn't optimum so I'm having a go at sculpting my own 1:56 conversion bits (still WIP).
FS Knife and pigsticker bayonet combo, small pack for the back, small pack for the hip, airborne helmet (all WIP):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154713-379371819.jpeg)
Entrenching tool shaft and carrier and STEN bandolier (WIP):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154713-379401943.jpeg)
STEN (WIP):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154713-37939640.jpeg)
And something else for the Bren no 2 to carry, the spare barrel bag (WIP):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-050319154713-379381612.jpeg)
I'll be moving this project forward alongside my WotR and SSS projects, so progress won't be at lightening speed. :)
EDIT 5th March 2019 to recover images missing from this post
EDIT 6th March 2019 - I seem to have deleted or somehow mislaid quite a few of my posts after this point, as there are what are obviously replies without the preceding post to which they refer. As I cannot recreate posts that have vanished, the images to which the comments refer will be added back via my post on 18th May 2015, to be found here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=53270.msg964251#msg964251 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=53270.msg964251#msg964251)
-
Thank God - I can't see your handiwork!
Bring em on!
-
Well done! Nothing like a few inspirational pictures to fire one up. Your GS work is really nice. The barrel bag is a great touch.
-
Very nice work. Thank you for sharing your project.
Helen
-
Brilliant stuff Steve, shame the Stens are too big
-
Lovely work SI,fascinating subject too. I shall enjoy this thread.
British airlanding forces never get the credit they deserve in my opinion,from Norway ,Sicily,Pegasus bridge( what a waste of a unit,used as infantry afterwards as you know) to Arnhem. And as for the pilots themselves; flying the things,then mucking in with everyone else,unsung heroes in my book. And Chatterton a very interesting character,his book Wings of the Pegasus is a cracker.
Cheers
Wolfie
-
Question: Do you have Waco gliders in 1/56th scale? ;)
-
Hee hee, 1/56th Waco glider is high on my to-do list. I'm still plotting how to make it from wood (stick) but also hollow... Anyway, silent invader I love your project! JT
-
This is looking great.
Steve
-
A very cunning project Steve :)
Are you going to be casting those packs then? :D
-
TBH, I don't know why they didn't include a few packs and other bits and pieces on the sprues. There's plenty of room. Could have done with a few less shovels and a couple of back packs instead... :)
Obviously it's impossible to please all the people all of the time though :D
-
SI I've found using baking paper a good medium for sculpting on,the greenstuff will stick when not cured,when it has dried you just peel it away,works everytime even with superglue :)
Cheers
Guy
-
Great work, Steve :) Keep it up!
-
Brilliant thread! I do like all the interest in North Africa/Italy. One question though, do any of the bods wear the wooly-pully sweater?
-
Only one - the officer. Must admit, a couple more would have been useful...
-
Poor old Joe got a lobotomy...
Those look really awesome SI. Can't wait to see some painted up as I too am a sucker for the guys who fall from the skies.
-
They look great! The helmet is perfect,so hard to do too :)
-
This *is* very interesting 8) 8) 8).
I'd love to see how the castings come out if you go down that route.
Darrell.
-
Me too!
I need backpacks!
Very clever Steve :)
-
Well done - looking cool!
-
Fantastic!
-
Would sweaters have been worn in Hong Kong or Malaya?
Only one - the officer. Must admit, a couple more would have been useful...
-
if it was cold I guess so.....
-
What an amazing project. Great idea for a skirmish game and superb work on the gs.
Now, if Perrys did German FJ I would start Crete project....
-
they had FJ Brigade Ramcke in NA, so give them some time to breathe, will You ;)
-
Would sweaters have been worn in Hong Kong or Malaya?
Possibly. Thanks to you, I remembered about the Canadians at Hong Kong, pulled out my readings on that, so now I have something else to do with all my extra Perry figs!
Where to find the Wheeler Thornycroft armoured car? ;)
-
Wow! Most impressive!
-
:o
-
I like the pics as I am viewing from phone. They work fine!
-
This is so impressive! Good work, really inspirational!
-
Excellent Steve :o
These guys didn't travel light, did they?
-
I'm assuming you already have a spreadsheet showing the number of folding catrs you will be needing, and CAD plans prepared? ;)
-
:o
What a great project!
:-*
I do not know how I missed this but am really glad, in a weird kind of way, as I got to see all that progress at once.
Love the GS work to make the conversion kit.
Ingenius!
8)
Waiting eagerly for another update.
:D
-
Superb stuff Steve 8) :-*
-
Excellent stuff :o
Will be great to see the riflemen next.
-
Now you are just showing off! :)
Which you are fully entitled to, I should mention :D
-
Like I wrote, you have every reason to show off :D
-
Sorry - didn't mean to. Just a bit excitable...... Like a puppy :)
lol
Go for it, sir.
You should be happy as a pig in sh.....
-
Looking good Steve - looking good :)
So all those people who told me the Bren couldn't be fired from the hip, a la Clint Eastwood, were completely wrong then?!!! ;) lol
-
Brilliant stuff Steve 8)
-
Amazing stuff, and a huge amount of effort for 28mm! Look forward to seeing more.
-
So all those people who told me the Bren couldn't be fired from the hip, a la Clint Eastwood, were completely wrong then?!!! Wink Laugh
Richard, why do you think they created the NHS after the war, it was all due to firing stens from the hip...NHS = National Hip-replacement Service lol
-
lol that explains it!
-
Looking good Steve - looking good :)
So all those people who told me the Bren couldn't be fired from the hip, a la Clint Eastwood, were completely wrong then?!!! ;) lol
Of course it can. Like any automatic weapon you need to be properly braced/balanced for it to be a worthwhile exercise. I'm not sure that firing it with your right foot forward would be the best way to achieve that result but maybe the chap above is moving rather than firing.
-
Excellent Steve. Now all we need is some Germans, and we can have a game ;)
-
Oh you're only saying that... ;)
lol
-
Superb stuff Steve :-* :-*
-
Cracking work! I'm rather envious,smashing :-*
-
Great work, loving the conversions.
All the extra work you are putting in is really paying off.
:-*
-
Glad to hear this is back on track. So many projects, so little time ;)
-
Only just found this thread, love what you are doing. Those are some very nice figures you are creating, your use of greenstuff is very impressive. Look forward to seeing them painted up.
-
Yeah, I'm now on a post-holiday spurt that will take in Scavenge Skirmish Survive, Wars of the Roses and Sicily 1943! For the time being I've parked Georgian London with its bawdy houses and ne'er do wells.... ;) :D
Soon, you will have almost as many projects on the go at once as the Bibble-Meister (although at last count, he was on 16, so your 4 is mere dabbling!)
Did you divest yourself entirely of F&IW?
And Aliens? Surely not??? :o :o :o
-
Looking good. Did they have rope toggles?
-
Truly spiffing Steve. Seen through with your customary dedication and attention to detail. Can't wait to see them finished.
P.S. I have a genuine Denison smock, bought from Silvermans Army Surplus in the Mile End Road in 1979 - although to be fair, I think it's a 50's/60's issue rather than WWII. But it has all the correct features - knitted cuffs, crotch strap mit poppers, etc etc.
-
Yep they sure did. I know I am remiss in not sculpting them: I considered it but couldn't face it.
Strength brother, I completely empathise ... you've got to draw the line somewhere. If you change your mind though, I've found that twisting some bits of thin electrical flex (from wire salvaged from any old electrical device destined for the skip) make a very passable attempt at rope. I've seen them worn across the shoulders, looped under the pack and also bundled as per your toggle in the picture and dangling off the belt.
While I've got your attention (and you seem to be the man on this kind of thing), do you know if non-para airborne troops wore any insignia on the denison other than rank badges (and pilot wings for the pilots)?
-
Back with this one as well, Steve?
You are pushing it a bit, arent you, what with SSS to get ready for BLAM?
:o
Great progress, sir.
These fellas look the business.
And if you are gonna sell that lovely Aliens stuff of yours in future, give me a shout.
I think I know somewhere that it would be happy to move to.
;)
-
Thanks for your advice re:markings, it was the way I was leaning, but it's always good to get confirmation.
The rope's looking good, perhaps just a little tighter twist though? The toggle ends you could make from any little peg if you don't fancy greenstuffing them - a bit of cocktail stick, a bit of plastic rod, whatever. I noticed when painting the paras that the toggle ends were kind of tucked away under the packs anyway and not easy to spot. I don't think a minor difference in shape or proportion is going to be noticed.
-
Looking good to me, Steve.
Not sure I would be really fussed about making the twists tighter, Cubs, as most things are 'larger than life' in miniature to make sure they get noticed.
I think that if the rope were to be made perfectly to scale, it may just appear as a chord rather than a rope.
This way it is also easier to paint and pick out the detail to help it stand out.
;)
-
Not sure I would be really fussed about making the twists tighter, Cubs, as most things are 'larger than life' in miniature to make sure they get noticed.
Like I say, everyone's got their limit as to where they draw the line about these things.
-
:-* :-* :-*An impressive conversion...so new pics of the figs with the wire rope???
-
Looking forward to seeing the results, Steve.
Like I say, everyone's got their limit as to where they draw the line about these things.
You are certainly right about that, mate.
Maybe I tend to go for the 'easy' option.
;)
-
Supoib!
-
Supoib!
Agreed!
8)
-
Super work and now the paint.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Terrific!
-
Nice work there!!!!!! Can't wait to see them painted up!
-
Thanks folks :D
Painting has started ....
Ah-ha! looking forward to seeing them! :)
Darrell.
-
EDIT 6th March 2019
I seem to have deleted or somehow mislaid quite a few of my posts before this point, as there are what are obviously replies without the preceding post to which they refer. As I cannot recreate posts that have vanished, the images to which the comments refer will be added back as part of this edit.
Finished greens of the kit:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319114328-37956160.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319114328-37955205.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319114328-379541002.jpeg)
And comparing the Perry rifle, the Warlord STEN and my STEN:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319114328-379491376.jpeg)
Lobotomised prior to fitting conversion parts:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121226-379582040.jpeg)
STEN fitted:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121226-37957629.jpeg)
BREN teams, parts fitted:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121226-379591504.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121226-379602414.jpeg)
Tidying up:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121837-379621619.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121837-3796184.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121837-379632480.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121837-37964487.jpeg)
Adding the toggle rope:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319121837-379651914.jpeg)
Well, 2 years ago I did say that this wouldn't be proceeding at lightening speed!
The Perry's announcement that they'll be adding Fallschirmjäger to their WW2 ranges has motivated me to tinker a little more with the project.
I've got a couple of vehicles coming and from the Afrika Korp plastics box have assembled a sergeant and two infantry sections. More work required but you get the idea ...
EDIT 6/3/19 - images missing - these replacements are nit the originals but give an idea of the WIP
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319125353-37967797.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/37/2031-060319125353-3796617.jpeg)
The vehicles have various crew and I'll be using the remaining plastics to make dismounted alternates.
:-)
-
Aha :)
-
Aha :)
Uttered with such dramatic effect :D
-
That's lovely revisiting an old project. Will look forward to the continuation of your project.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Great to see you back at this :D
-
I couldn't get my head in gear to make the German airborne but now that the Perry's are adding them the logjam will be cleared (though if only they were in shirtsleeves rather than smocks ......) :D
-
I couldn't get my head in gear to make the German airborne but now that the Perry's are adding them the logjam will be cleared (though if only they were in shirtsleeves rather than smocks ......) :D
I'll have a mix of Herman Goring and paras for Sicily, notwithstanding the Italians currently being painted at present.
-
I'll have a mix of Herman Goring and paras for Sicily, notwithstanding the Italians currently being painted at present.
The HG wore the para smock too, right? That'd be a good alternate use for the forthcoming minis. 8)
-
The HG wore the para smock too, right? That'd be a good alternate use for the forthcoming minis. 8)
I've photos of the HG in tropical uniform on Sicily from my reference library. Perhaps a SS smock, but hard to tell.
I intend to have some in their Luft blue jackets, helmets, caps etc. Just a little artistic licence so to speak as I can use them for Italy.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Regarding the para smocks, that'd be my misunderstanding (ok, ignorance) then! :D
-
Regarding the para smocks, that'd be my misunderstanding (ok, ignorance) then! :D
It's alright. I'm trying to scan as much of the web I can for any glimpses of uniforms for the HG in the campaign.
All the best,
Helen
-
Excellent post, this is the perfect post for me, interesting subject, great conversion work, really inspirational, I now have an urge to copy this in 20mm, so did you ever paint the Brit glider troops? Looking forward to seeing them painted up.
-
Thanks :)
The painting of the Brit glider troops is started but stalled. I need to make some Brit paras as well but I have some WW1 minis to go under the brush first ;)
-
So Helen you have inspired me 8)
(Which is the polite way of saying that's such a bloody good idea that I'm going to kind of copy it ..... I hope you don't mind :))
I'd already modded the Perry plastics to turn the 'jodhpurs' and high-laced boots into the baggy, bloused at the ankle trousers, with low boots and gaiters. Looking at illustrations of the HG in tan trousers, they all seem to have the 'para' patch pocket on the front right (as viewed) thigh. If in blue or tan tunics and steel helmets, this extra pocket to the trousers seems to be the only other alteration required... What do you think?
Thanks :)
-
So Helen you have inspired me 8)
(Which is the polite way of saying that's such a bloody good idea that I'm going to kind of copy it ..... I hope you don't mind :))
I'd already modded the Perry plastics to turn the 'jodhpurs' and high-laced boots into the baggy, bloused at the ankle trousers, with low boots and gaiters. Looking at illustrations of the HG in tan trousers, they all seem to have the 'para' patch pocket on the front right (as viewed) thigh. If in blue or tan tunics and steel helmets, this extra pocket to the trousers seems to be the only other alteration required... What do you think?
Thanks :)
Thanks, that could be so, however, I believe their tropical uniform was an identical cut to their European uniform. I'll check it out again. What you may see is the mix of FJ and HG on Sicily and in the same photo.
By the way Michael on the BoltAction Pod cast has indicated Brits Paras maybe on the radar sometime in the future alongside the Folgore.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Thanks and interesting re Brit paras. IIRC they fought as conventional infantry in southern Italy so do have multiple uses.
Reading a bit more about Luftwaffe uniforms, I *think* that the European and Tropical tunics were stylistically similar (EDIT: except that the latter did not have a central pleat to the lower pockets) but that the trousers differed: what I mistakenly referred to as para trousers above, actually being the Luftwaffe tropical trouser, a baggy fit, with ankle tabs and a thigh map pocket.
For what it's worth there's also this on TMP:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=170539 (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=170539)
In Tunisia and Sicily the troops of the HG div. wore the standard Luftwaffe tropical issue uniforms and also a smattering of W-SS camo smocks, around 10% of the HG troops were issued with them. They did not wear items of FJ uniform or helmets being closer to looking like the any of the Luftwaffe field divisions – the honorific title "FJ" wasn't bestowed on the Div until Jan 1944 anyway, and was only ever an honorific title and not a description of the formation.
And this:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=307767 (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=307767)
Only a few HG troops wore the SS Camo smocks. They did not have them as a general issue as some sources would have you believe. As a whole about 10% of the unit received the SS Camo smocks and those were pretty much only available to the divisional troops. Everyone else is going to have some mixture of the tropical and blue grey Luftwaffe uniforms.
-
Thank you for this. I'm not to phased about accuracy, but representation. Should be a real buzz with some blue thrown in with the tropics colour.
All the best,
Helen
-
Looking good with the additions. If you have not tried dry testing the cab roof for the blitz I think you will find the pillars are a little short. I had to build up the pillars in order to make the ruddy thing look right.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Thanks Helen :)
The pillars were a bit of a problem as dropped the front canopy and they snapped off. Ooops ! :D. I don't know if they were a tad short before but having been repaired they do seem to fit now - assembly will, of course, reveal if that's correct.
Have you based your vehicles? The kubelwagon seems especially diminutive alongside a based mini so I think I shall do so.
I've not based the kubel, but did on the Fiat 502 with an Italian standing next to it. If you are on FB you would see my work. I won't be posting here on LAF.
Sorry to read about the canopy. I've four Opels from Perry and they all seem short. The first one I worked on I sawed the back tarp in two places to have a short version at the back. Green stuff and filing made the job look okay. Then I drilled out the bench seats to where the opening of the tarp is. Placed in some wood and mounted an AGN flak gun from their Sdkfz 10/4 pack. Used Perry miniatures for the crew. I'm in the process of painting it. Too busy on the farm at the moment, but having a break over winter to work on the collection covering Tunisia, Sicily and Italy.
I have had a rethink and will initially do some Germans covering the 10th Panzer Division in Tunisia. They will then double up as Panzer Grenadiers on Sicily or 15th Pz Div in Italy. The HG was attached to the 10th in Tunisia. I'll wait to see what Michael Perry does in the future for the HG, but will look at the FJ in the interim. Happy either way.
Cheers, H
-
Great stuff.
-
Nice work on the mod and using the extra webbing equipment.
By the way, my Kettenkrad is ready for undercoating with the IF8 trailer (valiant miniatures).
I noticed after our discussion that the Perry flak crew have the left trouser pocket so I'm going for a HG Opel flak truck. Truck is now finished an its now onto the flak followed by crew.
Thanks for sharing your update.
-
That all sounds really good Helen... I didn't realise a trailer could be had. And great idea on the flak crew.
I, however, an an idiot! :o
As I assembled the Kettenkrad I googled images to check the assembly. That's the way to do it. Sort of. As I seem to have rotated the vehicle during assembly as the tracks are reversed! Aaaargh!!
Fortunately, and thanks to a great spot by papawhisky, it's not to late to sort it.
And there folks, is one great reason to post wip shots on LAF. :D
Yikes, I should have seen that myself. :o
The trailer from Valiant miniatures is perfect scale for the Perry Ket. Even has the correct towbar. Just need to snip the hook on the Ket to fit the towbar in place. You get two in the box with other bits which you may find very handy for what you are doing. I also have the 105 early field howitzer which is once again perfect with the Perry miniatures.
Cheers, H
-
Is that the Valiant Minis plastic trailer that is supposedly 1/72?
-
Is that the Valiant Minis plastic trailer that is supposedly 1/72?
That's correct Pete. They are slightly larger than the scale as describe and perfect for Perry miniatures.
Cheers,
Helen
-
That's really interesting as pencilled-in for later in the project I quite fancied a pair of Kets for something like this....
Is the Ket towing a recoiless?
Cheers,
Helen
-
Thanks, Helen, I might grab a pack while I am OS.
That's correct Pete. They are slightly larger than the scale as describe and perfect for Perry miniatures.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Brilliant stuff, cant wait for the painted product.
-
1/72 and 1/56 ... houston we have a problem ...
your stuff is fantastic , don't make a scale mistake ;)
-
Thank you. Loads of potential from Valiant miniatures to consider.
Cheers,
Helen
-
Just to add further info. I received from Mad Bob my Renault UEs as part of the KS. What I was not aware of is that the Germans handed over to the Italians a number of them. Taken from Wiki: "Germany later delivered many UEs to its allies, such as Italy. The Italian army obtained 64 UE and UE2s in 1941 and used them as ammunition carriers. Some were used in Sicily, where in 1943 during the Allied invasion of Sicily several were captured and used by the US Army".
I guess I'll be using one of my UEs for the Italians on Sicily. Blizkrieg Miniatures have shown their latest wip of a French R35.
Cheers,
Helen
-
EDIT 5th March 2019
This project had comprised two threads, which were merged from this point
Bit of background : this is a long and slow-running project, started in 2013, stalled, restarted in 2015, stalled again, but with recent posts by Helen, Captain Blood and others having provided the necessary inspiration, I’m motivated to start again.
It’s a skirmish project setting airborne against airborne with scratch forces of Paras, Glider Pilots and Airlanding for the Brits versus Hermann Göring Panzer Grenadiers and Fallschirmjäger for the Germans.
To get going I’ve sketched out a pillbox and Tobruk Pit combination, which will give me an objective to battle around and over. I haven’t seen any images of Tobruk Pits in Sicily (most structures seem to have been domed) but that and the trench should make the games a bit more interesting. Thoughts are always appreciated.
By way of a reprise, I’ve also attached images of some of the figures that are so desperately calling for paint. For what it’s worth, I’m not sure that I’ll be putting any figures in smocks on the basis that it was so hot.
Thanks for looking. :)
-
Looks promising SI!
Just a question, where did you get all the helmets and other Para stuff from?
-
Build, build, build :D
-
Woo hoo, looking forward to this.
-
Thanks all :D
Just a question, where did you get all the helmets and other Para stuff from?
They’re my own sculpts and white metal casts from way back in 2013 (the mini - a GPR Pilot- was still WIP in the following images):
-
Great to see you’re back on this Steve. Another super creative project. Love the look of the strongpoint. Can’t wait to see that in creation 8)
-
Looking forward in reading more of your project.
-
Very nice.
-
Thanks folks.
Hope to start the build soon alongside some more Old West stuff (it’ll use the same board)
-
I'm so happy you took up this project again! very inspirational (I would love to build the Sicily bridges in 20mm one day).
If you search on google images in Italian, you will find loads of useful modern day pictures of the many remaining bunkers on Sicily.
Don
-
Any prospect of casting up some more helmets for sale? There’s another chap interested over here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=108220.msg1352515#msg1352515
And I’d be interested in a platoon’s worth myself.
-
Cheers Don, advice and encouragement much appreciated. At some point I expect I’ll want to add a second strongpoint and the file of reference images is starting to build. :)
Any prospect of casting up some more helmets for sale? There’s another chap interested over here:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=108220.msg1352515#msg1352515
And I’d be interested in a platoon’s worth myself.
Hi Carlos, the OP had already been in touch but unfortunately I don’t have a stock at the mo and my casting gear is presently inaccessible. If the situation changes and I can cast in the near future I will bear it in mind though I’d stress that these were made to fit the Perry minis and so are smaller than some might expect (for example, I don’t think they’d work with Warlord figures). :)
-
This is like wargaming in the ‘70s! If there isn’t a manufacturer making the figures you want, convert your own (and let’s be honest, there wasn’t a lot of choice back then). Lovely stuff.
-
Thanks Steve! Looking at some Perry figures and some Voldemort ones I’m not sure the size difference of their noggins is completely a lost cause.
-
:)
It’s only now that I’ve started painting the minis that I’ve realised they’ve got the no3 rifle rather than to no4. I’ve resolved that by simply shaving off the extra gubbins on top, which without correcting the muzzle end means they’re still a bit wrong but I will live with that.
-
Bit of a tease- first 14 are painted so now need just varnish and foliage.
In the end, I added the protruded muzzles to properly convert the rifles to No4s (it was fiddly :o)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110418142408.jpeg)
Btw, the first 14 comprise a full WACO load, of 2 GPR and 12 Airlanding.
Obviously they went into action in Denisons but there’s images of them without their smocks on (it was hot!), which gave me an excuse to use the Perry plastics.
-
Looking good 8)
Didn’t notice the gun mod though lol
-
Looking good 8)
Didn’t notice the gun mod though lol
lol
The gun mod is very,very tiny
-
Nice.
-
Thanks. :)
I just realised I’d painted the scarves white when I should have painted then as (Airborne) green/brown scrim. Omission now corrected.
-
Lovely work SI.
-
Very fine painting.
Interesting period of WW2.
Glad to see you doing an area of the war not usually done.
-
Thanks Helen and Mac. :)
Have started on the strongpoint plus a few other scenario bits and pieces not pictured.
Next step on the bunker will be to plaster the ground levels
-
Finally have got the first 14 minis varnished and based. These represent a British full WACO load of 2 Glider Pilots and a reinforced Airlanding infantry section of 12.
Apologies that some of the images are overly warm, they were all taken against the same white background - it’s a mystery to me as to why (perhaps its the hot Sicilian sun)
As mentioned before: I’ve kept the glider troops in shirt sleeves (though they wore Dennisons for the landings); as and when I do a few paras to add to the scratch force they’ll be in BD trousers and possibly the smocks to differentiate.
The two pilots from the GPR, a Staff Sergeant and Sergeant, compared to the infantry they have a slightly different equipment array:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418184259-323242048.jpeg)
The Airlanding infantry section command, a Corporal and Lance Corporal:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418184259-32323115.jpeg)
Gun Group with a BREN MK2:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418184259-32322287.jpeg)
An additional Gun Group (sections were sometimes bulked out in this way depending on available resources, operational needs and glider capacity), thus time with a BREN Mk1 (chromed barrel and folding barrel handle):
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418183800-32313631.jpeg)
Half of the Rifle Group:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418183800-32312779.jpeg)
Rest of the Rifle Group:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418183800-323112031.jpeg)
A before and after showing some of the kit that was added to the 8th Army figure:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-130418183800-323091562.jpeg)
Btw, they were originally on 20mm bases but I rebased to 25mm
As to what’s next, I’m undecided on doing a second section (plus platoon resources of a 2” mortar man and a PIAT team) or some opposition in the form of Herman Goerring Panzer Grenadiers or Falschies.
-
Very nice.
-
Painted up a treat, lovely work SI.
-
Love them.
For the other side,
do Herman Goering guys,
that would be a little different.
-
Excellent work Steve with an impressive attention to detail.
-
They look great Steve.
Very far from boring ;)
-
Thanks folks. It took me nearly 5 years to feel I could do a good enough job painting them and I’m really pleased they’re finally done.
For the other side,
do Herman Goering guys,
that would be a little different.
I think you’re right. 😁 The HG PG it will be.
And Richard: very funny! 😂
-
Btw, I whacked some filler onto the stronghold so it’s starting to look more like the sketch
I’ll milliput the concrete walls before adding sand to the ground
-
Great stuff Steve :D :D 8) 8)
-
Cheers Keith :D
Bit more progress with the strongpoint, including the first pass of milliput (the pot that provides the structure for the main bunker is quite flexible so this lot needs to harden off before a final skim)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-150418162951-323291517.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-150418162950-323251623.jpeg)
I might have made the opening in the main bunker too big; I need to have a think about that.
-
A bit more progress. Just need to level the base with a bead of milliput then it’s time for painting
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-200418195727-323951111.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-200418195727-32394250.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-200418195727-323931652.jpeg)
-
Coming along nicely there Steve
-
Brill :)
-
That's looking really good Steve.
-
I like the two firing ports.
Well done.
-
Many thanks chaps.
I’m thinking a crew of 10. A LMG crew of 3 in the Tobruk and two tripod-mounted LMG crews of 3 with a commander in the Pillbox.
-
Lovely! Puts me in mind a little of those old Airfix sets my little plastic men fought so hard over in the 1970s. :)
-
Lovely! Puts me in mind a little of those old Airfix sets my little plastic men fought so hard over in the 1970s. :)
:D
I’ve still got the remnants of 8th Army and Afrika Korps that were my first ever sets and who saw much similar action.
-
Lovely! Puts me in mind a little of those old Airfix sets my little plastic men fought so hard over in the 1970s. :)
Happy days.
Incredibly, they still make it! Good old Airfix... ;)
It's coming together nicely Steve.
-
Great stuff Steve, can't wait to see it coloured in :)
-
Thanks Jeff. :)
It took me a lot longer than I expected but it’s now coloured in.
I haven’t finished any of the German HG PzG yet, so for size comparison it’s some of the British Airborne.
I contemplated a battle-worn look but this is for a coup-de-main type game, so everything is peaceful until ....
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114913-329852260.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114913-32984708.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114834-329831458.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114834-32982478.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114834-329811796.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114833-329801177.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114833-32979364.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114715-32978969.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114715-32977996.jpeg)
The necessary barbed wire ....
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114715-329762098.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114715-32975449.jpeg)
Some caches of supplies
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114715-32974290.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114627-329731690.jpeg)
Area terrain - scrub - Also to be used Old West, Peninsular War, etc
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114627-32972522.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114627-32971412.jpeg)
Area terrain - copse - Also to be used Old West, Peninsular War, etc
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114627-329701962.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/32/2031-110518114626-32969118.jpeg)
Next up will likely be some of the HG PzG. :)
-
Splendid work 8)
-
Lovely work Steve.
-
Wow, great to see the bunker finished.
Love it.
Also all the other terrain is very well done.
Perfect for your guys to fight over.
-
Thanks folks 😁
I’ve since added a bit more vegetation to the scrub and copse as when I looked at the photos I realised they didn’t quite match the similar pieces already made. ::)
-
It’s a fine looking piece Steve :-*
-
That's really rather good Steve, excellent in fact. The colours work well and, as you say, the scrub would easily transfer to a Peninsula settling.
-
Yep,all terrific stuff Steve :-*
Cheers
Keith
-
Excellent centre piece to any table :-*
-
Great work.
-
Thanks folks - much appreciated
For completeness, here are the 3 pieces of area terrain having had more of the ‘flock’ mix, to better match the 4th piece that is also in shot. I plan to make a third copse of three trees idc.
-
Nice loose tesselation on those 8)
-
Nice loose tesselation on those 8)
😂
-
Those are great looking pieces of terrain. Really!
-
Very good.
-
Superb stuff :D 8)
-
this is Wonderful and very inspiring! Yes it can be set almost to any battlefield. Thanks for posting
-
Thanks very much folks
Now just need to paint some Germans ..... :)
-
Just found this, superb terrain. Looking forward to seeing more of this. :-*
-
Thanks Martin - there’s definitely more to come :D
EDIT
Prior to 5th March 2019 the project was in two threads, with the next post having been against the original, first thread, which at that time had lost its images
-
I know this is threadomancy but the old pics seem to have disappeared?
-
It’s not threadomancy as this is still a live project :D (it might take me 15 years though at this rate!)
I’m not sure what happened with the photos. There’s still a bunch of them in my Gallery and when I get a mo I’ll remake the links
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=1124;u=2031 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=1124;u=2031)
Though that’s not all of them - maybe I deleted the folder at done point. I’ll search out replacements when I get that moment.
EDIT: I’ve got back up photos, yay
-
Gosh, I got excited for a moment there Steve. I thought you'd jolted this project back into life :D
Come on! WW2! Yay! Ignore the naysayers... ;)
-
It’s on my painting list for this year ;)
-
Awesome, thanks, Steve.
-
Come on! WW2! Yay! Ignore the naysayers... ;)
World Bore Two! ;)
-
Thanks MODS (Captain Blood?) for merging the two threads. I have now recovered images to the first post and will be attending to more over the next few days. Fortunately I’d found a back up file of images where they shouldn’t have been. ;D
World Bore Two! ;)
You wander back to your VSF!! ;) :D
-
Not me. Must’ve been Chris? :)
World bore two indeed. Said the Mexican Martian Vampire dilettante! lol
-
Not me. Must’ve been Chris? :)
World bore two indeed. Said the Mexican Martian Vampire dilettante! lol
In that case, thank you Chris :)
Edit 6/3 I’ve added back all the missing images I could find
-
Just found this thread, love the creativity, those mods to the Perry figures are just superb. I love the fact you have managed to create something unique and very much your own.
All the best
-
Thanks very much :)
The interest has spurred me back into action and I’ve been working on the HG panzer grenadiers today. When they’re done (1) I’ll be able to have a game and (2) will reward myself by making more British Airborne. :D
-
Thanks very much :)
The interest has spurred me back into action and I’ve been working on the HG panzer grenadiers today. When they’re done (1) I’ll be able to have a game and (2) will reward myself by making more British Airborne. :D
When you do, please share, I have been playing Chain of Command and loving it, but there is a lot of focus on Normandy and after, and I would like to see some attention paid to Sicily, Italy and other campaigns. In wargaming terms it's like the 14th army, but there is so much potential for gaming scenarios from Salerno to the Gothic Line (and beyond)
-
I will indeed share :)
-
This is a very cool project! I like the conversions and your ability to sculpt some gear. I bet it took a long time to out fit a platoon with all that gear. Good stuff!
-
Thanks. I can’t deny though that at times progress has been glacial :D
I’m presently working on the Hermann Göring Panzergrenadiers, which have a mix of transports.
The project is subtitled ‘Airborne in Sicily’ (I realise the HG weren’t Airborne but the Luftwaffe connection will do :D) so British Parachutists, a token of one each of RAF and USAF downed aircrew, and of course Fallschirmjäger will follow. I’ve also read reports of British Airborne bumping into misdropped US paras while I believe there were some Italian paratroopers attached to the Falschie. I expect it’ll be quite a while before they’re started let alone finished. :)
-
Italian paratroopers attached to the Falschie - Love to read about that, do you have a reference? I happen to have a newly painted platoon of Itie Paras that are itching for some action and my Sicily Brit Paras arrived last week but need a fair bit of work including some heads with bare Brit helmets which are sadly lacking in production. Otherwise it will all be some with scrim and the rest in berets.
Thanks. I can’t deny though that at times progress has been glacial :D
I’m presently working on the Hermann Göring Panzergrenadiers, which have a mix of transports.
The project is subtitled ‘Airborne in Sicily’ (I realise the HG weren’t Airborne but the Luftwaffe connection will do :D) so British Parachutists, a token of one each of RAF and USAF downed aircrew, and of course Fallschirmjäger will follow. I’ve also read reports of British Airborne bumping into misdropped US paras while I believe there were some Italian paratroopers attached to the Falschie. I expect it’ll be quite a while before they’re started let alone finished. :)
-
The attachment of the Italian paras to the German paras requires more research but here’s my starting point:
“Nembo appears again in Sicily, but only 185. Fought under German command, alongside German troops, arriving alongside the German paras (at least in the German lists). It remains under German command until the armistice, being part of the troops opposing the allied (Canadian mostly, as it was) advance.”
From:
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/46945-nembo-parachute-division/ (http://community.battlefront.com/topic/46945-nembo-parachute-division/)
There are less informative references on Wikipedia (yes I know) etc but finding quality references has thus far been elusive.
-
Thank you.
The attachment of the Italian paras to the German paras requires more research but here’s my starting point:
“Nembo appears again in Sicily, but only 185. Fought under German command, alongside German troops, arriving alongside the German paras (at least in the German lists). It remains under German command until the armistice, being part of the troops opposing the allied (Canadian mostly, as it was) advance.”
From:
http://community.battlefront.com/topic/46945-nembo-parachute-division/ (http://community.battlefront.com/topic/46945-nembo-parachute-division/)
There are less informative references on Wikipedia (yes I know) etc but finding quality references has thus far been elusive.
-
I’ve been cracking on with building the Hermann Göring Panzergrenadiers of which IIRC there are 33 (including 6 drivers), all transported in a soft vehicle convoy comprising of
Motorcycle/sidecar
Kettankrad with trailer
Kubelwagon
Morris CS8 truck
Steyr 1500 truck
Opel Blitz truck
I’ve yet to paint any of them but I have just finished assembling (bar a little GS, such as on the passenger’s left hip) the Morris, which represents a captured British truck recycled into German use. It is allocated to the 3 man 81mm mortar team.
The British driver is a very easy convert to German. Much more fiddly was adding the passenger who is assembled from about 10 parts. I’ll fix the cab roof in place after the crew are painted. Btw I also dropped the cab windows and shaved off the British 303 moulded to the driver’s side.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/38/2031-300319020931-383061582.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/38/2031-300319020931-383072283.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/38/2031-300319020931-383052114.jpeg)
-
Nice work, is it painted yet? ^__^
-
Splendid converting Steve 8)
-
lol give me a few years lol
Soon. They’re now on a shelf in front of me, guilting me for any lack of attention