Tanks everywhere

Latest update from Steven...

'Quick update. Decided to get some intensive practice with the air brush by doing the colour modulation on my German tanks... all 77 of them. Even though they are a long way from finished, they are still quite a sight. I like how the Maus' turret is larger than some of the smaller tanks in their entirety.'

Japanese officers and HMGs

 Representing the small amount of (poor quality) painting I've done recently...

Definitely minimum wargames standard! All figures Frontline.

I feel I should have at least tried with the senior officer! (didn't)

Officers set looks to have lots of uses, especially for artillery units?

Originally bought 4 HMGs but one kind of broke...

That pretty much finishes the Japanese until I get some field artllery.

Atlantic Wall fortifications painted

It gives me a roughly 4' defence line.

 

Nothing special about the paint job - sprayed it sand, then camo pattern sprayed on with green and brown.

I haven't done anything about the missing/damaged guns either, just leaving them as they were.

Of the pieces I suspect this one may actually prove to be most useful - not as 'powerful' as the others so probably able to be used in more types of scenario.

I suppose the ground below the emplacements should separately painted as grass or cliff or something, just didn't feel the need to do that - looks fine as it is.

Airfix Atlantic wall

 Don't know if it's a bias in looking or what, but having picked up those Atlantic wall buildings with the Airfix figures, came across another (good condition) one so put in the minimum bid...

Good condition apart from a couple of the AA gun barrels snapped off. Easily replaced (anyone seriously believe I'll do it?) Like the colour scheme but I'll need to do the embankment green!

Quite nice detail on the kit.

Together with the ones from the figure purchase it makes a pretty good set. Can't do a photo of everything set out properly at the moment - Japanese are taking up space on my wargames ready for an eventual Review - still a few more things to do for that, though will still need to add things after the Review.

Cheap home-made Japanese artillery.

 I've already mentioned these but since then I've done a bit more work. Also, this post will look at them in a little bit more detail.

The current batch - still working on some of the crews.

37mm anti tank gun. The one on the right was bought in an artillery set many years ago The one on the left is totally scratch built from card, plastic rod/tubing and Tiger tank road wheels.

Model 41 75mm infantry gun. One of these was in the artillery set mentioned earlier - I thought that was the gun on the right, now I'm not so sure, could be another scratch build... Again, some had Tiger wheels, some I did find spoked wheels for - used to have quite a few of these!

Model 92 70mm howitzer battalion gun. Again, Tiger wheels - should really have drilled a few holes in the wheels but didn't bother!

How crude do you want them? Matchstick trail, the wheels are drawing pins.

Model 11 37mm gun - about as simple as it's possible to get. As far as I can find this is the sole survivor of a considerable number!

Airfix have a number of figures that make useful gun crew. Likewise, the one on the right can be used for simple grenade launcher crew when not firing artillery pieces. Cut down the rifle of the one at the back and you get someone dropping a mortar bomb down the tube.

E Bay Airfix

 One thing I'm always doing is looking. In this case, I spotting a useful looking e bay auction and got it.

As they came in the box.

The DUKWs may be useful!

Likewise, given a bit of attention this lot should be appearing in an invasion at some point.

However, these are the reason I bought them, the rest are just freebies as far as I'm concerned.

Several different lots - these are the Japanese. A total of 777 figures - not full sets, most of the heavy weapons are missing for a start.

Important thing with these - cost. Assume a minimum these days of £5 for 50 figures normally - and I think that would normally be wishful thinking. That gives 10p a figure.

This lot? 777 figures cost me £37.75. Works at just under 5p a figure (4.86!). Including the 'extras', seemed like a good deal to me.

Japanese Infantry Platoon

 Platoon is now finished...

Rifle platoon consists of 3 rifle squads plus a grenade discharger section of 3 squads.

Platoon HQ of officer and sergeant - need to use a rifleman as the sergeant! - and the officers sword is steel, just the photo makes it look bronze!

Each rifle squad is a corporal, LMG gunner and 11 riflemen/privates.

Grenade discharger section has 3 squads of a corporal/squad leader, 2 privates and a grenade discharger. The section is commanded by a sergeant and there are 2 ammunition carriers. The ammunition carriers are place holders - I have some of this figure with a large balsa backpack to represent a bag/crate of mortar bombs/grenades.

There should be 3 platoons in a company. The company HQ is commanded by a captain - still building this up; for example there should be 4 buglers and 6 runners. Although the organisation doesn't include a standard bearer he is staying and may be joined by others!

Still building up the 'artillery' - 3 of these pieces are scratch built. Got a few more guns, still working on crews. Generally speaking the Airfix set seems to be best at providing crews!

Still building up - the figures at the front were just 'found' yesterday and include a converted 20mm anti tank rifle (prone rifleman with rifle replaced by a pin and card shield!).

At this rate, could be due an Army Review within a couple of weeks.