Australians in the far east - A Battlewagons favorite!

[BattlewagonBruce]

In response to a reply from a LAFer down under I thought I would start a topic on the Aussies in WW2. I am going to start with some photos I took in the National War Memorial and a few WIP shot of Battlewagon projects inspired by them.

First Morshead's command wagon from Tobruk- I am using an Austrux 1/50 diecast CMP as the cab and running gear.







I am going to do a 25 pounder with open topped CMP tow and will post a scan of the WW2 photo which inspired it.

Heres some diggers for now:





regards

BB

[BattlewagonBruce]

I will get round to doing one of these in 1/56 at at some point - greta looking truck.









Chevy with a cpature Italian Breda 35 a/a gun if I am not wrong. Does anyone do one in 1/56 (I have the truck in hand) Probably part of the Bush Artillery.

[Marine0846]

Some interesting photos, thanks for posting them.
Really think your figures are sweet.
You don't see much artillery, yours are ace.
Love them.

[fluffy05]

Hi Mate,

Found it!


Consider me subscribed 

Looking forward to more of your excellent work!

As well as seeing some of your sculpted Slouch Hats 


Happy Gaming,

Allan

[BattlewagonBruce]

Thanks guys.

Here's some shots of my slouch hats. I also did a crusher cap, R Irish Hussar tent hat, Caubeen, Service cap, tin helmet(Brit), and a Tam O Shanter, and of course a Arab shemagh for my SAS crews.



Battered and new slouch hats and my driver wearing one


new slouch hat


a veteran slouch hat - looks better painted!

I sell these for £3.95 for a bag of 8.

regards Bruce

[stone-cold-lead]

Excellent models there. 

[Bloodsbane]

Great stuff!
Is that howitzer tractor with accessible interior available for sale somewhere? I would love to have one of those to play around with!

[BattlewagonBruce]

Yes it is. I use them for my artillery sets. They re old toy castings, and I have a range of white metal components to complete them to a nice standard.

I sell the old castings and my own components if you are interested. The tractor kit (original casting, cleaned and striped, new wheel hubs) is £17. I do complete painted sets, tractor gun and limber to your spec from £75, with crew extra.

regards

BB




A QL Portee I do as well.


7.2 Inch Heavy set I do too!

I also do the 5.5/4.5 inch gun sets, all using old diecast models - so they are tough.

[Sunray61]

Excellent work.

I was delighted to see that the divisional sign on the tractor and gun - a boomerang surmounted by a kangaroo - is that of the Australian 6th Infantry Division.  This was the first division raised of the Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) in World War II.

The 6th Division fought four of the King's enemies during the war: the Italians in North Africa at Bardia and Tobruk (1941); the Germans in Greece and Crete (1941); the Vichy French in Syria (1941); and the Japanese in Papua on the Kokoda Track and in the Buna-Gona beachhead (1942), and in New Guinea in the Salamaua-Lae campaign (1943) and in the Wewak-Aitape area (1944-45).

The Artillery component of the division was:

2/1st Field Regiment

2/2nd Field Regiment

2/3rd Field Regiment

2/1st Anti-Tank Regiment

In the Wewak-Aitape campaign some of the batteries of the Field Regiments were equipped with the Australian-designed Short 25-pounder.  Other batteries retained the standard 25-pounder.  The Short 25-pounder was designed to fit into the C47 Dakota (DC3) aircraft.  It could also be broken down into components and parachuted from the aircraft.  It was normally towed by the 1/4 ton Jeep.

In the same campaign the 2/1st Anti-Tank regiment was equipped with the US 75 mm pack howitzer in addition to its normal 6-pounder anti-tank guns.

Anybody wargaming the Wewak-Aitape campaign has the choice of four different guns for the Australian divisional artillery.

Sunray61

[BattlewagonBruce]

G'day

I am reading Kokoda at present as it happens. I am about to do some more Aussie artillery, namely the short barreled 25 pounders.

Here's some shots of one I took in Oz called Snifter.







and an aussie 25 pounder



Fair Dinkum!

regards

BB

[Helen]

Nice work BB, and the baby 25 pdr would be an excellent addition.

Cheers,

Helen

[BattlewagonBruce]

Thanks Helen

I have the wheel hubs already. I mastered them for the Mark 1 airborne trailer a while back but they were not quite right. By chance they are spot on for the baby 25 pounder with the addition of the quick release handles.

So - She'l be right!

regards

Bruce, BB

[pat007]

May I ask where you took the pictures of "Snifter"

[BattlewagonBruce]

I have sent you a PM about this. The photo was taken in the National Australian War Memorial Museum in Canberra when I was last over. Going back to Oz in March 13, can't wait!

The aussie projects on hold at present due to a lot of commision work and contentrating on working with Offensive Miniatures. I will get round to them at some time! My work for Warlord features in the new Bolt Action rule books (my name in print, fame at last, well minorly well known maybe at most!)

The original photo of Snifter is in the Osprey Book on the Australian Army in WW2 by the way.

To UK LAFers - See you at Smoggycon if you are there!!

I would love to do one of these Australian Scout cars, but it might just be a labour of love as they did not see action much I think.

[Gothic Line]

 Fantastic!!!