Finished: 15mm Wespe and Hummel Gun Sections

Hi folks,

The last two vehicle units on my project sheet for my German Panzergrenadiers have been completed. After a week or so of sitting on my desk awaiting tufts, I've managed to motivate myself!

These two units do not form part of the Panzergrenadier force per say, but would be divisional support assets. 

First up, the Wespes:

My lack of motivation for these models meant I've not added any sort of foliage to them - something I'll probably fix when I come to paint and add crews. It was a bit of a cop out, but it's a time consuming step and I really just wanted to finish these off and start painting something else. 

From my research, these vehicles had no hull numbers, and few tactical markings other than the German cross. I've added a divisional badge sign on the rear (no easy place to put on on the front). Camo was done roughly using the same colours as the half-tracks and stippled to be a bit softer. 

I'll have two crew members to paint and add to these at a later date. 

Next the Hummels:

These are much bigger models than the Wespes, being very chonky (unsurprisingly, the same footprint as a Panzer IV, given they use the same hull). I've crew still to add to these, but as per above these will be done later. Also, no other tactical markings I could see historically in the period so pretty simple decal wise. 

These models also need foliage adding, which I'll do when I return to add the crew. I did make an attempt to paint the striped sticks - having first checked these were supposed to be striped. I'm still not convinced that there were not barrel cleaning poles. 

All six models are 15mm scale metal and resin kits from Battlefront. For the Wespes, this now gives me a unit of six. I doubt the Hummels will get much table time, but they were part of the divisional artillery for 12th SS as far as I can see. Also, something to worry players with during scenario games!

With these units done and off my table, I'm now moving on to painting something slightly more modern! 15mm Team Yankee Dutch!

Finished: 10 and 12 Kompanies, III Battalion, SS Panzergrenadierregiment 26 - Kampfgruppe Wünsche (7 - 8 August 1944)

Hi folks,

This is a bit of a follow up post to this one from September of last year, when I started this current project. While I've been mumping to myself about taking 6 months to get this done, in hindsight my previous painting projects seem to take a similar amount of time. I really should learn how to airbrush. 

However, in the past six months I have gone from this plan:

To this:

To be fair, I did make some alterations as I went - namely dropping the 2IC vehicle (not needed in v4 FoW) and the Pioneer vehicles (being expanded into their own kompanie). I've also painted limbered, not deployed, versions of the Pak40. 

I also still have a substantial amount of SS infantry to paint - however with my current German infantry collections I can field Panzergrenadiers now I've vehicles for them. 

Lastly, I've some self-propelled artillery on the painting table currently, which were on the plan. But they don't form part of the Kompanies the project was for, so I've left them out of the photo!

Hopefully, it won't been too long before I can get some pictures of these in action!

Finished: 15mm Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Ausf. D (Mortar) platoon

Hi folks,

With a final thump, and distant bang, the last* half-tracks for my  III/26. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment force have been completed. 

As per the title this is a unit of six 15mm scale Sd.Kfz. 251/2 Ausf. D 8cm mortar carriers. 

The models are mainly Battlefront plastic kits, upgraded with mortars from the PSC half-track upgrade sprue. Two of the models (on the left of the picture above) are 'proper' Battlefront metal and resin models, with 'correct' internal layouts for mortar halftracks. 

I've still crew to add - and possible some ammo crates and the likes for the more basic plastic kits. However the unit can be fielded on the table in it's current state. I may also add radio aerials, I'm just not 100% on the availability of those in the German forces. 

This unit is actually made up of half-tracks from three kompanies of the battalion. While FoW give the option to have the vehicles in more 'useful' larger units, from what I can find (and I have no huge in depth sources on this subject) these vehicles were attached two to a Panzergrenadier Kompanie as part of the integral heavy support. While the v3 FoW Atlantic Wall book states that the division received more of these vehicles, allowing them to field a battery of them, I've found no evidence of this. 

As such, I've marked these models up using the hull numbers associated with each kompanie's vehicles. 144 - 145 for first, 244 - 245 for second and 344 - 345 for third kompanie. 

Each pair has a slightly different camo scheme, and different placement and quantity of foliage. I've stuck to my standard basing of these, so they will match in with the other vehicles in the collection. 

As per the other units, I used some Skytrex decals for the hull numbers, and some old Doms Decals for the hull numbers on the rear. Doms also provided the registration plates and the division signs (bought a long time ago). 

Weathering was applied in the form of the usual dust and dirt effects, and the same foliage attached to seafoam sprigs was used as per the other models. 

As for the progress tracking sheet, it now has a lot more green, with just the infantry and some 'optional' units outstanding (in blue):

Work has begun on the last two units - the self propelled artillery - which isn't part of the unit, but more a support option for the army. I've also realised I have some SS 120cm heavy mortars, so may add an 'optional' entry for those to the sheet, as they would require half-tracks. I'm sure someone must do models of the mortars being towed...

Anyway, with my existing painted German infantry I can field this force - hence my focus on the vehicles for now. I do have some of the old metal SS infantry figures, so will paint these at some point. For my own purposes though, I think I can count this project as 99% done! Group shot to follow at some point!

*Last other than a kompanie of 250 scout half-tracks, British/Canadian/Polish half-tracks and various additions to the Panzergrenadiers vehicles I may add in the future - like a Panzerpioneer kompanie. 

Finished: 3 x Limbered 15mm Pak40

Hi folks,

It appears that the end of the AHPC has snuck up on me this year - I thought it finished next Saturday, but apparently it ends this weekend. This does mean that my final unit of half-tracks won't be finished in enough time to be counted, but should still feature here in due course.

Thankfully, I had decided to make a quick entry this week, in the form of three limbered 15mm scale Pak40 anti-tank guns from Skytrex. These guns are to be pulled behind the three half-tracks I previously completed for this purpose. 

The guns look ok - possibly a bit blocky in places, especially around the area under the gun shield and around the wheels. But for what are basically just markers on the table, they will do!

Skytrex were also good enough to meet my request for all three guns to be limbered, rather than the advertised mix of limbered and deployed. 

These marked off another completed element of my project sheet, and should be some useful additions to the collection for our games. I've not applied any camo, so that they can match either my Heer guns or my still to be painted SS guns. Basing is my usual style, to match the other vehicles in my collection. 

Finished: 15mm PSC Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausf. D (Stummel) platoon

Hi folks,

Catching up on my completed AHPC entries for last week - more progress on my Panzergrenadier project. This time with six Sd.Kfz. 251/9 Ausf. D vehicles from the 12th 'Heavy' kompanie of III/26. SS Panzergrenadier Regiment, 12SS Panzer Division.

The 'mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen (7,5 cm)' (Sd. Kfz. 251/9) was created as a supporting vehicle for the mechanised infantry units of the German army and SS in mid 1942. Armed with an 7.5 cm K. 37 L/24 gun (the same 'short' 75mm gun that had been mounted on the early StuG and Panzer IVs, but later designated as 7.5 cm K. 51 (Sf.)), this vehicle lends some heavy direct firepower. In FoW terms, these vehicles are still dangerous to most allied tanks in the Normandy theatre. 

Still, they have negligible armour themselves - and being open topped are particular vulnerable to artillery and mortar fire.  

I've painted the six vehicles which (according to a full order of battle) would be assigned to the heavy support company of the battalion. For this, the hull numbers 443-448 have been used. 

Painting wise, I went with the same recipe as my other half-tracks. I used the Skytrex decals for the side and rear hull numbers, as the smaller ones I had used for this previously from Doms Decals didn't cover the number range I required. License plates and division symbol were also added. 

Foliage was added using seafoam 'branches' and leaf flock. I focussed this on the front of the vehicles, where foliage might have been added to camouflage the vehicle in a hedge or treeline. Basing has been done to the same style as the rest of my 15mm Normandy collection. 

For camo on these, I kept similar colours to those used before, but in a different camo pattern. I'm afraid I don't have the skills currently to airbrush, so the camo pattern is a little heavier and harder edged that I would have liked. However, at tabletop distances it will work. 

These models are 15mm Plastic Soldier Company kits (PSC) with the PSC upgrade sprue used to convert them into the 251/9 versions. Crew will be painted and added at a later date. 

This units completion leaves 12 more vehicles to finish on my planned Order of Battle (with 34 half-tracks or associated vehicles painted since November). 

Now on the painting table are the mortar half-tracks and towed (limbered) Pak40 guns. I am starting to flag with regards to half-track/German vehicle painting... Thankfully not much more to do. 

Finished: 15mm Grille H and K platoons

Hi folks,

Continuing on with my German Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadierkompanie project for 12SS in Normandy, I finished a couple of self-propelled infantry gun platoons. 

A long time ago, I was given a singe '15cm Schweres Infanteriegeschütz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (Sf) Ausf. M' (Grille Ausf. K) self propelled infantry gun. I later added to this single vehicle with another, giving me a unit of two. I also ignored the v3 requirements to have command and spotter vehicles in the unit. 

A little later, I discovered that the v3 Atlantik Wall book seemed to indicate that 12th SS actually had '15cm Schweres Infanteriegeschütz 33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. H' (Grille Ausf. H) self propelled infantry guns. Different looking versions of the same vehicle, effectively. At that time, Battlefront had released a new kit for this, so I picked up a couple. 

Being unclear as to which version the unit would have been equipped with, I did both. For the record, I have found mention of Grille Ks being issued to the unit during the fighting in Normandy, and they may have been equipped with the older Grille Hs before the invasion. So both might be correct!

First up, the two Grille H vehicles. 

Then the two Grille K vehicles. 

All four were painted in a similar style to my other half-tracks, with different camo patterns. Decals came from Skytrex and Doms Decals (old ones I still had). Light foliage camo has been added, as has some dust weathering. Crews still to be added at a later date. 

Hull numbers are in the 514-515 and 524-525 ranges for these.  

Finished: 15mm PSC Sd.kfz. 251/16D Armoured Flame-Thrower platoon

Hi folks,

Another catch up blog post - this time back to my German half-track project. These are Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) 15mm Sd.kfz. 251D half tracks, with the PSC upgrade kit applied to turn them into the 251/16D models. This involves an upgrade to the internals to include fuel tanks and fuel pump, as well as crew figures dressed in flame proof clothing and armed with flame-throwers. 

I've applied the usual decals, with hull numbers in the range 621-626 (making these part of the III/26 SS Panzergrenadiers 6th company - the pioneer company). I used Skytrex decals for the hull sides, Doms Decals for the crosses. Given the placement of other items on the hull, I didn't have room for my other usual markings.

I've again gone for a different camo scheme, using the same colours. Scorch/soot marks were added to the hull sides where the weapons would likely have been firing (flaming?). 

Another set of boxes completed on my project planning sheet! 

Since completing these, I moved on to painting the half-track tow vehicles for the 4th (heavy support) company's 75mm A/T guns, as well as the SP artillery from the 5th company. These are approaching completion, and I've begun working on the 251/9 (stummel) half-tracks. 

So only 18 out of 46 planned vehicles still to go, and six of those 18 are started...!

In other news, a new project has turned up - Team Yankee Dutch:

Finished: 15mm Battlefront Sdkfz 251/1D Panzergrenadier Company Transport

Hi folks,

Happy holidays!

As is traditional at this time of year, I have started the first week of the new Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge painting something which isn't for the challenge... but finishing off models I was already working on. 

I lost my mojo for painting German half-tracks for a few weeks, mainly while I prepped models for the next phase of the project - to be painted over the challenge. That was particularly unfortunate, as I didn't have much to do to finish them off. 

Still, with a need to move on to challenge task, progress has been forced and the last four half-tracks have been completed. 

These models are again all 15mm Battlefront metal and resin kits. The hull numbers for this platoon are 231-234. I've gone with a lighter camo pattern for this group, meaning that the models look lighter than those completed previously, who had more hull space taken up by camo areas. I also went light on the foliage. 

Crew figures will be painted and added at a later date. The unit paint planner currently looks like this:

With the accumulated vehicles for the HQ, 3 platoons and HMG platoon:

Given how insurmountable this project had seemed (one of the reasons I had been putting it off for so long), I am pleased to have gotten at least the transport done. These can be used with my existing painted German infantry to act as Panzer grenadiers for any games we manage to put on. It's also given me a bit of an insight into what painting my German Armoured Recon force will involve, and made that a little less daunting. 

I'm fairly happy with my formula for painting these now. For my own future reference:

1. 50/50 Dark Yellow (70.978) and Dark Sand (70.847) base (could/should be switched for Middlestone, given later steps post wash)

2. 50/50 mix of black and brown wash

3. Drybrush MIG light sand drybrush paint

4. Tidied with dark yellow/dark sand mix to leave just edge highlights from drybrush

5. Tracks saddle brown, wheels, tools and MGs German grey, seats + exhaust beige brown/mahogany, tool handles/MG stock and grip mahogany. Soft tone wash to these items when painted. 

6. Camo: reflective green/german camo medium brown diluted about 60/20/20 with dark yellow and dark sand. 

7. Stipple standard hull colour over camo to dull down/blend in camo if needed. 

8. Highlight tracks, tools and MGs with dark rubber, tool handles/MG wood/seats beige brown. 

9. Internal 'wall' painted black around drivers seat. 

10. Add 'tree' branches for foliage, paint mahogany brown (late in process as it was a late addition to the models - DO NOT add foliage before varnishing). 

11. Gloss for decals. Decals - side hull Skytrex numbers and Doms cross, rear - PSC numbers, front and rear number plates, front 12th SS symbol. Further washes if required. 

11. Decal treatements then matt varnish, then ultra matt. Decals weathered using hull colour post varnishes (varnish application will wash weathering off). 

12. Weather vehicle with weathering powders, add foliage to tree branches. 

Painting efforts now turn to this years Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, and meeting my personal target of 250 points (equivalent of painting thirty one 15mm vehicles between now and mid March...). I've a few things lined up, as usual, but I hope to make progress with the rest of the Panzer Grenadier project:

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season!

Progress on 15mm Sdkfz 251/1D project

Hi folks,

Another delay in providing updates to the blog - not for any particular reason. Progress has been made slowly and surely. 

First up, the 2nd platoon - hull numbers 221-224

Then we have the Company HQ transport - hull number 201. 

The transport for the HMG platoon were completed at the same time as the HQ transport. These have a different foliage layout as well as the two mounted machine guns - hull numbers 242 and 243. 

The 2nd platoon blended in relatively well with the first (prototype) one:

I've added foliage to all of these vehicles, to differing amounts (specifically, the MG halftracks only have some around the MG mount). The camo uses the same colours throughout, but I've varied the patterns a bit between vehicles and platoons. As per the first platoon, some vehicles have MG42s mounted, while others will have crew holding MG42s at a later date.

Crew and radio aerials will be added at a later point. At the moment, I have four more 251/1Ds to paint for this infantry transport. From there, I'll have a minimum of 24 more half-tracks to paint for all the support options(!). These will probably be seen as entries into the next Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, starting in December.

Of course, I've not done myself any favours, and have slowly built up a collection of Sdkfz 251/7D (Pioneer) half-tracks. So a Gepanzerte Panzerpionierkompanie (Armoured panerpioneer) company may appear at some point.