Note To Self: PSC Hanomag 251/23 Conversion (20mm PSC Kit)

Need to do this too - I have the parts in the spares box (see link):
https://gary-oldsargeswargameandmodelblog.blogspot.com/2014/03/making-25123-half-track-using-pcs-model.html

Final pictures of 2016 ... Half Tracks II (and just made the ton up: 100 posts)

On the other side of the "transport track" is the redoutable M3 Allied half-track from Plastic Soldier Company (PSC), not as sexy as a Hanomag perhaps but functional (see below, three M3 half-tracks full of Tommies):

PSC also provide the US with a crew version to complement the British (see below, full of GIs):

This fills out a platoon or company worth of armoured infantry (depending if you play Chain of Command or Command Decision) In addition to PSC, Academy do a M3 half track which gives nice variation in models (see below, side mounted 30 cals being of interest, so points it to the US forces):

A couple of extra shots of the German Hanomags mentioned in the previous post (see below):

Another close up of the Hanomag 251/2 81mm mortar (see below):

That's a few plastic boxes of models shifted from the loft to the "to be painted" boxes in the cupboard ;)

A final note for 2016: 

I seemed to "struggle" with the blog this year, barely making 100 posts. Lots happening, mostly good, moving jobs and a growing (as in kids getting older) family makes inroads into hobby time. HAd fun and used some games to keep in touch with some old friends which was good

Best wishes to one and all in advance of 2017 ;)

Cleaning up 2016 .. some more plastic "put-togethers" (PSC WW2 Hanomag 251/1, 251/2 and 251/10 Half Tracks)

Little bits and pieces that I did in 2016 ,,, seems right I post then in 2016!

As half-track transports are needed for the fourth scenario in Airfix Battles and being in a fidgeting mood, earlier in the month  I slapped together the PSC Hanomags that had be queued in the "to do" pile for the last six months. The beauty of PSC is that they go together very, very nicely with good detail in double quick time. The PSC pack I was putting together was the "special variety pack" however on reflection I really just needed the standard variants (already having two old Esci engineering Hanomags, a Hasagawa Stummel short 75mm and an old Esci version of the flame-throwing beast) but the Mortar carrying variant (251/2) was a must.

I started the builds with a standard 251/1 (see below, nicely packed with troops and extra kit on the side):

Next the 251/10 Commander A/T variant  (see below, likewise pleasantly cluttered with extras):

Another standard 251/1 APC, with plenty of extra's to ornament the sides a busy looking  (see below):

Finally the 'strange' 251/2 Mortar variant (see below):

That leaves me with a lot of German camo painting in 2017, but I am pretty much there for my Command Decision German armoured infantry (Panzer Grenadiers) OrBat.

PSC Hanomag 251/1 and 251/10 Ausf D

"Hanomag City" here we come courtesy of a PSC boxed set of three and a spare donated to me from a friend who is moving from 20mm to 28mm. The spare came assembled, so I covered it in Airfix undercoat and then Vallejo "Black-Washed" it (see below):

I then made up my "packet of three" with of course the 251/10 37mm "Command Version" (see below):

Plenty of spare tracks, wheels and clutter to go round. The crew ain't too bad either ;)

October Project: Day 29 "Panzer Grenadier Parade Ground with 251 Transport"

The final force composition for a Chain of Command German Panzer Grenadier Platoon (Normandy):

Four Hanomag 251 Half-Tracks:

• Hanomag 251/10 (37mm AT) x 1: Platoon Commander Half Track
• Platoon Commander and PzShreck Team (2 Men) 
• Hanomag 251/1 x 3: Squad 
• Team 1: Squad Leader + MG Team (2 Men) + Two Rifles
• Team 2: MG Team (2 Men) + Three Rifles

Parade Ground Formation (see below):

The one comment I would make is that the Order of Battle is for Normandy 1944 (which means for 1943 and earlier scenarios you'll end up dropping the PzSchrek team and maybe replace it with something as interesting as an AT rifle tean or the like). Also the Hanomag paint scheme is 1939-42 (early war), so I will (eventually) paint another platoon in 1944-45 three-tone "ambush" camouflage colours. Also yes, only one out of four vehicles has been decalled, but there's nothing new there for me ;)

I now pronounce this formation "battle ready" for a Chain of Command outing ... watch this space :)

Next: The Paints Used Recap and Review

German Late War Infantry, not quite Panzer Grenadiers

Another sample PVA primer experimental batch was carried out on the Revell opponents to the US Infantry  (see previous post) as shown below. Slightly repeating myself, the loss detail was slightly disappointing but for wargame figures they will do. Note to self: Next time, apply less PVA, watered down more.

Looking at the painting scheme it seems a little too green, not the field green-gray I was expecting. I will have to double check this. Again lots of other bare plastics of this type exist in my collection and they are a target for a factory style painting approach some approaching winter's day/night. Also shown, albeit with an early war paint scheme, is a  Esci Hanomag 251/10, though please note it does have the added (almost unique amongst my model AFV's) attraction of decals ;)

While posing the above photo I was reminded of a quibble I have with the Command Decision rules, particularly in 20mm, namely you are expected to have a Half-Track vehicle for each stand in your mechanised company. Not only is this expensive but it creates a visual problem when some twelve figures could be inside it and only two pop out of it. Scale wise there is an issue as in 20mm the half track takes up far more room than it should. In 1/300 or 1/200 it is on the same size base as that of infantry. Hence I am tempted to abstract this sort of transport from the individual stand level up to the company level. It also stops over aggressive use of Hanomags and American M3 Half Tracks being pointed machine gun facing the enemy pretending to be a light tank.