Afrikakorps Raiding force - Hollywood-style (Update: 13.07.17: Me109 finished)

[Ultravanillasmurf]

The Shadocks site has a reproduction tanks pdf (I might have linked to it and fallen foul of our host's reasonable terms and conditions, for which I am sorry).

Highlights include a Chaffee Panther, a BMP 2 Panzer III and any number of T34s and T55s.

[Carrakon]

There is also a Panzer 3 (in five and six wheel versions). You can order a 305mm to the foot version for about £38K if you want (?).

I see your point though. I have one of them, and it is going to be hard work to get it to look like a FV432.

Hmm... You do raise an interesting idea: Converting a model of the real thing to look like it had a different basis... I'll have to think about it...

Basically my requirements-checklist is as follows:

1) Display characteristic design features to make the goal of the modification apparent (like the Pz IV turret in my WIP).

2) Obviously do a bad job/not go far enough so it is apparent that it is not in fact the real thing. As a guideline: If you entered the living room and your sibling/spouse/roommate watched a war movie with the vehicle in it, it must be so bad that at a glance you'd realize that it's a conversion (This is where the Band of Brothers examples fail).

3) Bonus points if the basis is easily recognizable.

The Kelly's Heroes Tigers are a perfect example of what I'm aiming at, basically.

Thanks for the heads up about Shadocks - I didn't know that site before! It immediately gave me the idea of using a Universal Carrier as basis for an L6/40 - gotta make sure the Italians get some Hollywood treatment as well!

Speaking of expanding the Movie-theme to the others: The Allies obviously are problematic here as their gear was availlable for filming after the war. Anyone got ideas for them? So far I can only think of putting in anachronisms (for example a Cromwell tank instead of the Crusader)...

[FramFramson]

You could rebuild fake crusaders using German postwar light tanks like the SP1C, HWK, or Ru 251?

Not sure what might work for Matildas.

[Carrakon]

Alrighty I managed to finish the Natives - useable as robbers, native resistance or any other interested third party. Please excuse the image quality - the lighting is just atrocious today and I'm not a photographer.

First are the leaders of the bunch:

I'll have to make a flag for the guy in the center. Anyone got an idea for a suitably politically neutral (as in usable for Arabs allied to either Axis or Allies or neither)flag? Otherwise I'll just have to make something up.

Second are 2 Lewis gun teams to provide some real punch:


And lastly a bunch of riflemen to fill the ranks:


Hope you guys like 'em!

[wolfkarl]

Looking good! Check warflag.com they have a colonial section with Arab flags.

[FramFramson]

A tribal flag specific to the area might do.

[Helen]

Lovely work introducing Arabs in the fold for your desert meme.

[Carrakon]

Made some progress on theminiature front: I absolutely needed some regular British Army lads to use as defenders against the Axis raiders, so here goes:

First a load of riflemen. I didn't paint the non-covered helmets in a sandy colour because I like to have a little contrast:


And some automatic weapons: 2 Bren gunners and a Thompson:


And finally two officers:


As far as infantry is concerned, I only really have Italian Askaris on my wishlist, but that'll probably have to wait as I grew a bit tired of painting all those khaki uniforms. Americans would be a welcome change here, but to my knowledge noone makes them in early war Herringbone twill and I have an irrational and intense dislike for the Parsons jacket somehow 

I guess I'll need some unarmed civilians though. Other than that I'll need some more vehicles for the brits and perhaps some planes for all sides - gotta have something to blow up after all

[Gonvalon]

Michael Perry wants to make some Americans in his WW2 Africa Range.
So there is hope on the horizon.

[Carrakon]

Just finished the first armoured support for this project:A Sd.Kfz. 231 (6 wheels) armoured car:





It is a scratchbuilt vismodded BTR-152, as I always felt that this thing had a really German look to it. Modifications are
-different fenders
-closed crew compartment with turret
-different wheels, as the Sd.Kfz. had regular truck wheels.

Hope you like it!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Neat vismod/conversion.

[von Lucky]

I'm liking the feel you've created. Very nice conversions and painting.

[vodkafan]

This is an insane thread. I have to keep looking to see what you have done next. 

[Carrakon]

I apologize for not posting a proper update, but I just have to show off my newest buy which just is SO perfect for this Project:



I'm so happy right now!

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Excellent, it appears in so many different films, as does the 108.