From MartinN: Panzer IV Ausf. A (20 pts.)

We're just into the second week of this challenge and I already got a second entry in *enter canned applause here*. Somehow I doubt it'll last though...

One thing that was sorely lacking in my Early War German force was a Panzer IV of one of the earlier marks. For some obscure reason I settled onto an Ausführung A variant instead of the more usual B/ C/ or D variants, which were all around and in greater numbers for the Invasion of France. Be that as it may, on first sight this Ausf. A can do service as a D just as well, the overall shape being the same.

Also, nobody likes button (rivet - ed) counters anyway ;-)

The model is a 3D print from Night Sky Models over on www.wargaming3d.com and I can recommend their files for their quality. 

I should have probably gone for the grey-brown two tone camouflage it was only at the end of July of 1940 that Panzergrau was to be used as the only color. Yet, while some pictures clearly show the earlier two tone camouflage, just as many seem to show plain Panzergrau. Given that dark brown and grey would be hard to identify correctly on all but the best black and white pictures, it might just as well be that they all still sported two tone camouflage. And frankly, I couldn't be bothered to dig deeper into it.

As I wanted this latest addition to fit in with the rest of my early German motor pool, grey it was to be anyway.

The decals on the turret were a b*tch to apply, due to the curvature on the back and the vision ports on the front. But after many a swear word and a few failed attempts we got there thanks to the liberal use of Micr Sol and Micro Set. I might have overdone the weathering just a little bit, but by May 1940 this old warrior had in all likelihood already seen combat in Poland. As it helps to make the otherwise rather dull looking vehicle look more interesting, I think it's permissable to go a little overboard. 

1x 28mm vehicle = 20 pts.

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Fabulous work on this early Mark IV Nick! I've always like the look of the earlier panzers as they seemed less ferocious and more interesting in their design than the later cats. Your panzer grey looks spot on and I love the weathering that you've gone with, especially that dodgy exhaust system. While the decals may have given you some trouble you managed manfully and they look terrific. A lovely clanker, my friend, indomitable in France but doomed to be made into a smoking pile of slag on the Eastern Front. 

- Curt

RobH - Anyscale Models - RAM Kangaroos (110 points)

 

The RAM Kangaroo APCs were used until the end of the Second World War, notably during the campaigns in the Netherlands and Germany. The Kangaroos enabled the infantry to advance at the same pace as the tanks, which allowed better coordination with the other armoured vehicles. 

When I started to build my Canadian Bolt Action force, I knew that I would need some RAM Kangaroos to act as my armoured troop carriers. Looking around at the various options available I decided to purchase them from Anyscale Models. At the time, they offered the best price for my wallet.

I had purchased a box of Warlord Games WW2 British Infantry which I knew would be used to cannibalise the figures to provide removable infantry for my APCs. I used all the whole torsos that were available and then sliced another 6 bodies off at the waist.

These were first edition. I am not a model maker. My thumbs are too big and my eyes too weak to do justice to the work. I am happier just buying a complete metal figure. I couldn't manipulate the figures for the life of me to put weapons in their hands to to get them to fit in the opening in the top of the vehicle 

Points

3 - 28mm Vehicles  x 20 Points = 60 Points

12 - 28mm Foot x 5 Points = 60 Points (discretion of the minion for sure since they are chopped off at the knees)

Total 110 Points

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Lovely work Rob! I think the Kangaroos look excellent, but its your passenger kitbash which I think is truly inspired - well done! 

This post has personal interest for me as my great-uncle served in the Algonquin Regiment during WWII, and from my understanding the regiment was sometimes deployed in Kangaroos. I'll definitely think of your work here when I decide to add some Kangaroos to my force.

- Curt

RobH - Anyscale Models - RAM Badger (20 Points)

The Badger was a flamethrower equipped tank used in NW Europe by the Canadian Army. The first Badgers were Ram Kangaroos with the Wasp II flamethrowing equipment (as used on the Universal Carrier) installed in place of the bow MG. Later models were turreted Rams with the equipment in place of the main gun. 

 

I don't have a lot of experience with weathering vehicles so I went with a basic black (Vallejo German Grey) followed by brown (Vallejo Beastly Brown) washes. I made sure that some texture paint was smeared over the tacks and boogy wheels to represent the muddy conditions the army fought through in the fall-winter of 1944-45. 

According to Wikipedia, the Ram was a cruiser tank designed and built by Canada in the Second World War, based on the U.S. M3 Medium tank chassis. Due to standardization on the American Sherman tank for frontline units, it was used exclusively for training purposes and was never used in combat as a gun tank. The chassis was used for several other combat roles however, such as a flamethrower tank, observation post, and armoured personnel carrier.

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Excellent work, Rob! You've provided a great bit of Canadian armoured history here (I didn't know that they produced a flamethrowing variant). I think you've done a terrific job on the weathering, especially the cloying mud in the tracks and mechanicals. Well done.

- Curt