We have a great project going in our gaming group at the moment to do up some armies for Battle Group Tobruk in 15mm. I have the Brits, and these are the first painted models I have to show for it.
I remember as a little chap poring over the Airfix catalogue and loving the appearance of the Crusader tank. I never made a model of one before, but now I have made nine. These are all Flames of War models, painted to represent Crusader IIs from the 3rd County of London Yeomanry during Operation Crusader.
I had some fun with the crew figures, and I am particularly pleased with the infantry officer up consulting with the commander on one of the vehicles.
Five of the models are the new Flames of War plastic kits, and four the old resin and metal ones. The plastic ones are really great, showing up the shortcomings of the resin kits, particularly in the dimensions of the turret. (The plastic kit is the one on the left, below).
I'm really looking forward to getting these on the table!
That should be 54 points for the nine tanks, and maybe another 6 for the crew? Whatever our friendly minion decides.
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What a fine submission, Alan! The Crusader really was a wonderful looking tank. These something about those angular lines on the turret and the long sleek profile. Maybe its also because we only think of them, in our mind's eye, as rolling over endless horizons of desert sand and dust. Like you, that Airfix Catalogue of many years gone-by had a strong hold on my imagination as a young boy!
You've done wonders with both the fine Battlefront kit and also the older resin ones. Both will look brilliant on the tabletop. I love the crew commanders, poking up and scanning the horizon, and the infantry officer hopping on the tank to shout instructions is just wonderful.
Definitely 54 points for the tanks, half-points for each tank commander and crewman (legs hidden), and full points for the infantry officer. So I make that 54 points and 15 points, for a grand total of 69 points. Great work, Sir!