Troop of Shewe: The Historical Painting Service.

German Staff Car - Before and After......

2011-11-19T12:08:00.007Z

Another desk clear out (to ebay) item.

I picked these two resin models up at Colours two years ago, subsequently forgot about them, finished them about six months ago and then they got unceremoniously shoved in a drawer (Now that my gaming tastes have converted to 15mm).

I don't recall the manufacturer but these where amongst loads of fantasy and Sci-fi terrain so these seemed a little out of place. These are clearly 20mm, but can't really be called scale models as the detail is quite niave in places but they make really great terrain "fluff" and the one piece castings are ideal for gaming.

Interestingly, three of us at the same show, bought them independently, all thought they would be extremely usefull, subsequently I have seen quite a few scattered around gaming tables.

I am guessing these are some sort of generic Citroen-type civilian car, which as you can see, I have painted up as a German staff car, before and after an fatal incident, saboteur, assassin, ambush or low flying strafing, who knows....

Anyway up on ebay, one not so careful owner.....

( If anyone knows the manufacturer, can you let me know and i'll give them appropriate credit)

Hellcat

2011-11-18T10:24:00.000Z

Milicast Hellcat and crew, to be honest forgot i had this one lurking around, now off to ebay to fund Kiddies xmas presents, some more stuff coming up.

25 pdr Crew and Quad Gun Tractor

2011-10-30T09:31:00.002Z

As posted earlier, not much coming through recently, some issues at home that have diverted my painting time, so here's a post of a September Commision, not previously plastered up on the forums.

The Warlord 25pdr set, is lovely, I have modified the GT with the addition of canvas tilt and frame, traversing wheel brackets and some odds and sods. There was a requirement for removal of crew, so i knocked up a simple base, crew are on "penny" washers.

I have a boatload of German and Allied vehicles in progress, its just a bit slow at the moment.
As always flickr hosts my complete gallery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/sets/

neil

Slow Week - Unforseen Delays

2011-10-28T11:52:00.000+01:00

I had some holiday booked to complete some "almost there" commisions, unfortunately I have had some unforseen issues at home to deal with that has diverted my time this week. Good news is that things are on the mend, so hopefully I will be back up and running [painting] soon.

On another front, my foray into 15mm gaming has officially started. I intend using BFWW2 rules and will start with Normandy, although my heart is in the Ostfront. The BFWW2 forum has some excellent scenarios and OOBs, which allows me to concentrate on painting. I am focussing around Hill 112 scenarios, for starters and as you might expect will aim have the vehicles decaled and painted up for specific units. To that end my first carrier platoon has arrived from skytrex, and i must say i'm impressed. I intend to paint to fund this so will be doing paint-alongs as i go, so expect to see a lot more 15mm coming through next year.

I am also going to experiment with basing my 15mm vehicles, something I never thought I would say but i think will permit lovely little vignettes and ultimately tie in with the Infantry.

Normandy Tetrarch -1/56 - Warlord Games

2011-09-24T21:50:00.001+01:00

Tonight a welcome change from Dunkelgelb, British O.D in the guise of a Normandy Tetrarch.
Another popular kit from Warlord, and i'm sure i've painted more than actually saw any action. This one however, has the correct AoS marking (Its amazing what details reveal themselves once you've finished painting). Minor mods on this one, tarps and towing wire, and a commanders bren gun on the side of the turret. The track sections have been moulded in a way that facilitates removing the spaces between the road wheels, which is worthwhile doing. Maybe the next one i'll get to "open up".

Still have 28mm and 20mm stuff up on ebay, check out the link to the top right >>>>>>>

12 SS Panzer IV - 1/56th -

2011-09-23T23:48:00.000+01:00

First pictures up out of a large split commission depicting AFVs of the 12SS, specifically for Normandy onwards. This is a JTFM Panzer IV, with a Warlord TC head and various stowage, stock and green stuff.

Panzer II Ausf. L "Luchs" - another cutie!

2011-09-21T20:44:00.003+01:00

Another of my favs from JTFM. I have completed a couple of these to date, and i'm sure i'll do more.

It would seem the Aufklärungs guys get all the good looking toys, only thing is, I cant decide which I prefer this or the 8-RAD 234/1 or /2! but those pics are for later.

I have taken the weathering stages to the next step on these few commissions, not always apparent from the pictures but the recipients notice! I have slightly modified the basic kit with addition of Jerry can support brackets which are seen on a fair few of the examples. The TC is the Warlord "Herr Grabner" figure which suits the vehicle to a "T". And just for Jeff, the ubiquitous bucket/pail hanging off the rear (my all round favourite bit of stowage, until someone does a bicycle that is.....)

As always click on the pictures for full fat, I think you get a slideshow now with blogger, but if you click on the link in the bottom corner you get the original image. Alternatively, grab a coffee and go to my flickr gallery, it most be the most comprehensive painbted AFV gallery on the web.

BTW some bits and bobs up on ebay, need some space and its about time I fed the kids.........

251 Platoon "in action"

2011-09-18T20:48:00.000+01:00

Quite rare, these days, for me to show pictures of painted examples of my work actually on a gaming table! In the main, the last I see of them is when they are boxed up ready to ship off to the four corners. However, i'm pleased to announce that Neil Tew is busy managing a showcase standard demonstration game, incorporating my work on the AFVs, Toby at Artmaster studios on the figures and Dave at TM terrain, for not surprisingly the terrain! Whilst this is very much a WIP at the moment, Neil has sent me some quick shots of a game he had this weekend. Not the best quality pics (not my fault this time!), but enough to give a taster of things to come......

Pictures of the 251's can be seen in my flickr gallery, but will be the subject of a post in the near future.

Normandy Staghound - 1/56th- JTFM

2011-09-17T09:26:00.002+01:00

JTFM Staghound, painted for Normandy. Lovely kit this one, two crew figures and additional stowage come with the kit. Note i have added additional stowage so not an exact representation. Decals form DOM's Decals IIRC.

Not quite got the hang of the new camera, so contrast is a bit iffy.

As always, click on the pictures for full fat, more pictures in my extensive Flickr gallery.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/sets/

WIP Shot, not quite finished

Sdkfz 250/1 "Neu", Sdkfz 250/9 "Alte"

2011-09-15T19:47:00.001+01:00

Two 20mm MMS Sdkfz 250's, therefore base kist are metal and nice and robust for the gaming table. These two are painted in a late war hard edge scheme, suitable for Normandy to the Rhine.

Kitchen Table Update #5: Sdkfz 251/22 (Pak40)

2011-07-31T21:49:00.000+01:00

Been busy this weekend, instead of the painting shots here's some work I've done on converting a Warlord Sdkfz 251 into a 251/22 with Pak 40. This one has been sitting around for while, with out bits done here and there, however you would have thought this an easy conversion, it wasn't! The Warlord Pak40 itself has a horrible out of scale barrel and muzzle break, and the shield doesn't slip into the 251 body to well. I obtained a 1/48 75mm barrel and married it up with the "jobbed" pak40. The clearing the interior was also a pain as its a one piece cast. Also the thickness of the mudguards is significantly out of scale so these were also slimmed down.

The crew are chopped around Warlord Pak 40 crew, these have the separate head option which make up some nice figures in the end.

I intend to have this one modelled with foliage, so have added some field modified "chicken wire" support as so often seen in Normandy and onwards in responce to the allied air cover.

And finally, my kitchen sink! no prizes for guessing the contents! This is a mundane but vital part of the process, which i do after the initial clean up work. No magic ingredients, just washing up liquid and an old toothbrush.

Cold War T54's

2011-07-24T20:57:00.000+01:00

No excuses, bit of a theme here, some more cold war soviets, and still more to come. This time 20mm kit T54's, iconic tank this one. Again the premise was Cold War, therefore weathering limited to mud and dust, no rust streaks and ostfront scratching to fall back on. I will admit the weathering on these took 3-4 months on and off, i just wasn't happy and kept revising techniques untill i was satisfied ( so please no how-tos on these ones!). I can be a PITA sometimes with my work, commission or otherwise and have been known to re-paint even at some late stages. If i'm not happy with it, it won't go out the door!

And just to prove i'm fallible, i have (since posting) found a slight mistake on these, which i'm sure will be pointed out in bold when i hawk these over the forums.

As always click on the pics for warts and all pics.

2nd Panzer Div, Ardennes (in 15mm)

2011-07-20T20:46:00.001+01:00

Half of a commission here, bit of a mixture of manufacturers, Peter Pig ( Panthers), 8 Rads, Horches, Demags ( CD/Skytrex) and Kerr&King 251's with BF crews.

Warlord Bren Gun Carriers - without bases

2011-07-19T20:07:00.002+01:00

Lovely remodelling job from Warlord, these really do look the part now, painted with MTP camo, Guards Armoured, Normandy. They come with moulded in driver torso, seperate heads and two bren's, one for the AA mount and one "up front". All decals on these two are Dom's Decals, if you can make them out under the dust!

Warlord Churchill - Normandy Stalwart

2011-07-16T14:12:00.001+01:00

I really like the Churchill visually, probably my favorite Allied vehicle. As a painting canvas the straight surfaces and lines are great to show a variation of tonal finishes. Anyway, you've had the WIP shots, now here's the finished article. Painted as it comes, no mods (as per Warlord display criteria). Nice solid kit with no fiddly bits, just the Mg's, barrel and TC hatches to add on. The pictures show two different lighting settings, am not convinced which is best. I've spent some additional time distressing the paint finish, not the "en vogue" gamers huge over scale scratches (its depicted as Normandy, so not in theatre long enough for that Ostfront vibe!) but rather tone changes and fading combined with dust. Most pictures and movie reels show a heavy layer of dust, i am working up to this as i feel its difficult to pull off convincingly in 1/56th without it looking like a newbies bad hair day with MIG pigments (which incidentally guys, aren't the panacea everyone thinks they are!).

The TC is a Warlord figure but is not included in the kit (one of my stock dummies). Hopefully we'll see a Crocodile soon as well. I now have a raft of new Warlord Hun opposition awaiting a start date, so Normandy fans will be pleased over the next couple of months.

The techniques are subtle so warrant a full screen, please double click for "warts and all" or alternatively visit my flickr for maximum viewing pleasure.

ISU 152

2011-07-15T15:50:00.000+01:00

Plastic kit, actually painted as Cold War, but no discernable difference. Sorry cant recall make, but lovely AB crewmen.

as always click on for full fat pictures

"why do i get the 12.7mm all the time!"

Kitchen Table Update# 4 Allied 28mm

2011-07-14T18:08:00.001+01:00

Just a teaser today, but you should be able to see some progression between the WIP shots.
First up JTFM Staghound and Warlord Quad (converted), both at the final weathering and detailing stage. Note decals applied and sealed, crew started. The two crew come with the Staghound, I've chopped them down a bit but nice additions. The Quad, has had a canvas roof added, rear superstructure mounting arrangements and rear view mirrors.
(as always click on the pictures for full fat "warts and all" views)

Warlord Churchill, just after decaling, you can also see the effect of washes and oil paint fading. The Quad is the unconverted version, as it comes

Warlord Churchill, essentially post airbrushing, pretty plain huh!

Converted Quad alongside its standard cousin, you can see the effects of oil paint fading, sneaky Warlord Bren in progress, note no base!.

The next shot shows the painting detailing on the canvas tilts, prior to washes.

This little ensemble is the Warlord 25pdr set. I have mounted the figures on metal washers and fashioned the master bases to facilitate removal. The 25pdr has been slightly modified with the top shield replaced and modelled down.

And also hanging around, 12SS combo, two separate commissions. Heavily mod'd JTFM 251'Ds, mod'd JTFM 234/1, PzrIV and another lovely little Luchs ( with Warlord commander) more of these in later posts.

On to Berlin

2011-07-05T21:00:00.002+01:00

Late War Russians, T34/85s and ISU152. I believe these little beauties are SHQ, they are all metal, nice and robust gaming pieces. I have added crew, one Milicast and one AB. As always, more "full fat" pictures in my flickr galleries.

Now Sold

SAS Jeeps -

2011-06-30T11:11:00.001+01:00

Two 1/56th bespoke conversions of the excellent Warlord Airborne Jeeps, into the SAS configuration for NWE. Lots of work and loads of extra details packed into these little beauties, just persue the pictures in my flickr galleries.

Now Sold

Kitchen Table Update: Warlord Morris Gun Tractor "Quad"

2011-06-24T08:31:00.001+01:00

Have two of these on the bench, so decided to add some detail to the standard Warlord version. Minor additions are the canvas tilt, side mirrors and the frame and attachment points for stowing the 25pdr Gun platform.

Warlord's STuG III

2011-06-21T09:36:00.002+01:00

Another one off to the Warlord Emporium. As usual with their display vehicles, it is built as it comes, no mods or additions. Another nice and robust kit, consists of Hull, track sections and schurzen plus barrel and odds and sods in metal. Only minor quibble is there is no MG shield. All locate positively with each other and make up a nice little kit with very little assembly or cleaning up. I must commend Warlord with all their recent releases, in that, for the track sections, extra locating points have been added so the tracks sit where they should be, to be fair JTFM are very good at this as well, but with some other manufacturers' kits it can be hit and miss putting on the track sections. It also makes a more robust kit, after all these are gaming pieces.

I have a section of these coming through (just waiting on clearing some other commissions first though) so I can't wait to start piling on stowage and distressing the schurzen! As an interesting aside I have three AGN Stug III (paint alongs) that have been sidelined for a while, maybe I'll finish them all together?

If anyone is wondering why the hull camouflage style doesn't match the schurzen, its inspiration is taken from the Firefly Collection "Panzers in the Bocage" book, an excellent resource.

I have the Warlord Quad and 25 pdr coming through, with an additional "mod'd" one by me with crew, so watch this space. (Panthers behind that.....)

Finally, is there value in me posting pictures of the kits as they come unassembled? My focus is the finished article but interested in thoughts.

12SS Panzer IV - Mod'd Warlord

2011-06-19T16:02:00.000+01:00

Panthers and IV's are definitely the most common vehicles I've done over the years and its a challenge keeping each one in some way different from the previous. In this case i decided to modify the recent Warlord Pzr IV.

It is a really good kit, but like all 1/56th offerings it has room for improvement, so hopefully I've added some value, well for my tastes anyway.

First to go was the schurzen, nice robust moldings designed for gaming and handling. However, i wanted to bash mine around a bit so utilised spare JTFM plates and made up some rudimentary rails. The attachment points aren't strictly accurate but then I'm not doing a scale model after all. The next item for change was the turret. I felt it sits high so the underside was shaved to create a lower profile and some of the schurzen opened up.

After that, all was fairly standard, spare tracks (JTFM), attachment points and stowage. Some great points about the Warlord IV is the opening hatches and the zimmerit. I decided to try something different this time and instead of having it opened up with 1/2 figure crew hanging out, i wanted to model a more realistic "in-action" composition with the hatches opened up but with just the crews heads showing. In this case the commander is a Warlord head and the crew are Westwind, the commander has some miliput shoulders but the crew didn't need them. I quite like the hull gunner "shouting" pose, maybe he's spotted something the others hadn't?

The rest is just painting and weathering :o). Decals in this case are Archer dry rub transfers and Dom's decals for the 12SS insignia.

I've included a before and after picture to show the changes. As always loads more pictures in my Flickr gallery, and double click these for "full fat" pictures.

Neil

WW1 SPAD Squadron

2011-06-12T22:31:00.000+01:00

Totally new subject for me, bit tricky coordinating the airbrushing and assembly but now learnt the lessons for next time. These are 1/72 Revell kits, only additions being the wing cable struts. As always click on the pictures for full fat versions, more detailed pictures up on my flickr gallery

Sdkfz 250 "Neu"

2011-05-29T20:21:00.001+01:00

Stable favourite this one, painted in a late war three tone hard edge. Warlord will finally be getting round to it sans-base soon, the models they have modified so far are a vast improvement, BZ all round.

10 Hussars, A Sqn 3 Troop, 1st Armoured Division, BEF

2011-05-24T20:25:00.000+01:00

Nice little commision this one, Michael wanted specific vehicles and luckily for me had far more information on BEF markings than I. The Mk IVc's are original Chieftan Models, now BEF models from Crouchie. I added some minimal stowage, including a greatcoat, but also did some work to represent the aerial frame on the back of the turret, my reference being the Bovington vehicle. Two of the turrets were drilled and "opened up" to rx the tank commanders, one Crouchies and one from the Warlord range.

The 1st Amd Div, Weight class and AoS are Milicast 1/76 decals. The embarkation code and WD numbers are cut ups from Dom's Decals 1/56 range. The squadron triangles are painted over decals.

Trick with these was to try and under weather, they weren't around long enough for heavy wear and tear.

Not too happy with the pictures on these, subtle details dont stand out to well on PC monitors, you can click on the pictures but the flickr gallery should show them off a bit better.

T34/85 & 76 Section

2011-05-16T19:20:00.000+01:00

Last in the Russian batch for a while ( although two IS 2's planned down the line). These are the best (IMO) T34's available, 1/56 from Jeff at JTFM ( no bases hurrah!). I bought additional turrets so in fact there are only three hulls and six turrets. Crew figures are BAM/Warlord which fit nicely in the turret cupolas. Two of these are up for Sale.

As always, click for full size pictures or for more detailed pics and general eye candy peruse my gallery, link to the right >>>>>

KV1 Veteran

2011-05-13T18:28:00.001+01:00

Continuing the Russian theme, this is an AGN 1/56 offering, although my belt sander was applied to the base and some assorted minimal stowage applied. I wanted to do a KV2 as well but there wasn't one in Bob's store room!

As always click on the pics for larger views and many more in my flickr gallery link to the right>>>>>

Early series T34's - Tri Tone Camo

2011-05-09T19:40:00.001+01:00

These are Army Group North Early War T34 with, yes, legit three tone camo.

Ref: T-34/76 Camouflage and Markings, Skulski & Filipiuk.

Multi-colour patterns were developed in 1939, including olive green, dark brown & sand. These are based on an illustration of an early series T-34, depicted South West front, summer 1941.

Not much mod'd on these although next time I'd prefer to get my belt sander to the bases.

As always more pics in my flickr, or click on the pictures to examine the details.

Kitchen Table Update #3

2011-05-07T12:59:00.001+01:00

Just some quick and dirty Work in Progress shots, stuff i can do in front of the telly, the Pacific dvd being the choice last night, hmmm..... how to do all that vegetation and faded OD.... anyway.
Firstly, rummaging i found this Hetzer, an original Crouchie one so all metal and decided to do some minor mods/ upgrades and convert into the command variant. I have an idea for a special type of camo for this one :o) , more later:

( as always you can click twice on all the pics to expand and actually see what I'm rattling on about)

Next up is another Stug IV (JTFM), minor mods again, some conversion of the BAM TC figure, and after studying pictures for inspiration, and always looked to provide that "value add" have added some strung wire and attachment points used for appending foliage to the superstructure and finally all the usual "ToSh"stuff really:

Another side project this one, a conversion of the BAM Sdkfz 7 into a Flak bed, still WIP but you can see where its going (hopefully!)

Next up, another BAM conversion, this time the ubiquitous scrim netting seen all adorning allied armour in Normandy, this example being a Cromwell. Its not quite finished though, do i do the hull as well?????

The Flak 38 is the Company B one, which is by far one of the best examples in 1/56 i have seen.

And lastly:

Stug IV

2011-04-26T20:31:00.000+01:00

another popular paint, i guess because it looks menacing and has a very low profile. Spent a bit of time on this to make it different to the previous ones. Added additional track sections ( JTFM stowage) together with attachment points ( most people forget that historically they weren't glued on!), loads of stowage on the rear deck, mainly JTFM IIRC. Schurzen is fiddly but now Jeff does seperate track and plate section, not for everybody but looks great when "distressed", note the salvaged plate hurriedly chucked on the rear deck so its not lost in the hedgerows. The TC is the Warlord "Wittman" figure in the infamous leather U-boat jacket. I've gone for a more subdued overall camo on this, i think this relects more realistic field conditions without looking like its been in a french scrapeyard for years. Bit more tricky to pull off but i'm happy with it, maybe not enough contrast for the gaming community though :o).

Aerials are my current choice of stretched sprues......

As always more detailed pics in my flickr galleries, link to the right .

Cutest AFV this Year!

2011-04-24T18:50:00.002+01:00

Been waiting on this one for a while ( and an RSO, anybody, anybody). JTFM goodness in the form of a 1/56th Luchs, should be popular this one ideal for skirmish level gaming. The TC, star aerial and bucket come with it along with some assorted stowage.

As always more detailed pictures in my flickr galleries: Troop of Shewe Gallery

Post publish note: the star aerial comes as a one piece resin cast, it is fragile and to be fair needs a little cleaning. In this case i removed the main shaft and replaced with wire, i then drilled the aerial mounting so the aerial can come out for posting. The turret aerial is flame stretched sprue, for gaming i recommend decorating brush hairs as they are very flexible but retain their shape.

"Ruckmarsch" Sdkfz 251/D

2011-04-20T20:06:00.002+01:00

I always enjoy a change from the norm, and this beauty from Bolt Action /Warlord Games pleased me no end. It is the BAM 251/D but with some well thought out and nicely sculpted battle damage (nice one Olaf). It depicts a vehicle hit several times, i assume low calibre, and then rifled by advancing troops. It comes as a two piece sculpt (Upper Chassis and Wheels and tracks base) and as you see it (but unpainted of course!) As usual with the BAM display models, nothing added by me bar the paper flotsam.

I've painted this generically, with no div marking or three digit ID, but just as common only the number plates and weight stencil (Archer). For the keen eyes amongst you, you will notice the SS number plate and therefore I've painted the draped canvas as belted up SS zeltbahn, distinctly different from the Wehrmacht cousins.

Click on the images for "full fat" or for more candy check the galleries link:

Troop of Shewe Galleries

SAS Jeeps North West Europe

2011-04-10T13:58:00.006+01:00

A side project for me, two conversions on the Bolt Action Airborne Jeep models into their SAS counterparts, as used in North West Europe. Perfect for those rearguard harassing actions and small scale skirmishes.

Modifications included the additional fuel tank(s) in the back, front and rear armoured plates, multiple K-guns mounts and bespoke stowage, even an "acquired" Luger in the back of one. The K guns are a mixture of spares box Company B on one model, and extra ones supplied by Paul at Warlord. I think the bren was a metal BAM one, but you can now get the plastic weapons sprues separately so I'd start there next time. The red/fluorescent patch on the command jeep is to assist recognition for air dropped supplies.

Click on the pictures for detailed views, else more extensive pictures in my Flickr galleries http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/sets

I've had my fun with them so they need new homes now, poa,

neil"at"troop-of-shewe.co.uk

1/56th Beasts!

2011-03-28T21:28:00.003+01:00

Whilst not the biggest vehicles painted to date (that accolade goes to the BEF Minis Char 2D) these two resin kits from JTFM are beauties. Minor mods on the track plates, but essentailly as they come. Hopefully Jeff will have some zimmeritted versions out soon for their earlier deployments.

Bolt Action Sdkfz 222

2011-03-27T22:26:00.004+01:00

A re-release from Warlord Games, this time without the base. I much prefer this no base approach and look forward to some more old favorites becoming so unencumbered! The 222 is a lovely little kit, here made with no mods at all, grenade screens modelled shut as requested. I do note however the Herr Grabner figure fits just nicely in the turret if you open them up, maybe a little project for the future.

Am i still working.....

2011-03-26T13:29:00.005Z

Answer is yes, I'm just not publicising my work as much. I am coming to the end of a lengthy house extension which has severely eaten into my painting time (i also have a real job). This has prolonged some scheduled commissions, and as i don't paint serially, oddly not affected others. Over the next couple of months i will be focussing on finishing these.

Additionally, moving forward I am reviewing my strategy on commission work, with a focus towards:

Existing Customers
Ensuring the Highest Quality available
Providing interest for myself
Appeasing my family
15mm WW2 gaming
Print articles

I expect this will result in a lower commission outturn, but with a focus on high quality and bespoke work, including conversions, and a start into 54mm and 90mm figure painting. I will however be painting 28mm, 15mm and 20mm AFVs as takes my interest, with a view on coherent projects ( i,e 15mm Villers Bocage vignette set) which will ultimately be for sale.

If you are interested in finding out when these are available, as they are available, then drop me a line and i'll notify you as and when. This is probably the easiest and quickest method of owning some of my work.

I am also clearing out my projects ( painted and unpainted) that just will never see the light of day, mainly on ebay, so keep a look out.

As always my flickr account (gallery link) contains all recent work, including increasingly work in progress (WIP) pictures. The photstream to the right contains the latest pictures.

Neil

20mm Porsche Tiger B

2010-09-06T18:02:00.006+01:00

1/72 (20mm) Dragon King Tiger with Porsche turret, invaluable for all those popular Normandy scenarios. Minor Mods, Dragon crew. As usual extensive and larger pictures in my flickr galleries.

French in Indochina

2010-09-06T17:33:00.006+01:00

I always like a change, 12SS for Normandy does get repetitive :o). So when this commission came in i jumped at it. American kit in Indochina as used by the French. Tim wanted to represent the armoured element of GM 100 in the central Vietnam Highlands, circa 1954.

Kits and figures are Milicast, very minor mods by me, lovely little ensemble, if i say so myself. As usual extensive pictures in my flickr galleries ( link at the top of the page)

20mm Kitties

2010-08-28T11:08:00.002+01:00

20mm Dragon, commission work. Posted these around the forums so pretty well publicized. Some of best work to date, will have some others of a similar quality within this batch for sale, contact for details.

Kitchen Table Update - WIP #2

2010-08-28T10:12:00.007+01:00

Time for another update, combining most of my 28mm builds at the moment. I tinker in the evenings on the kitchen table. Currently the shots show,

BAM Pzr IV , Schwimwagen and Sdkfz 9,
JTFM Pzr IV, Puma and 234 8-Rads, 251/D's
Army Group North , Stug III's
Company B - Adler

All have mods some more than others. Following some comments, i will add that these additions and alterations are not always necesary and not a true reflection on the basic kit. I position my work at showcase standard and continually try and improve, hence all the mods and extras.

Panzer IVs, not much more done to these, fiddled around with some more stowage and completed the schurzen on the JTFM one. Am toying with some camo nets but cant get it just right.
Schwimwagen, i love this kit! although theres not to much you can do with a four seater. Added generic stowage, zeltbahn cover ( use of lead foil from posh wine, thanks Julia! ( who still looks at me funny when i ask for it!) and rope drop rope for the motor.
SDkfz 9, this will be a SCW version so had to disguise some of the late war stowage, hopefully effectively with a "green stuff" discarded jacket.
8- RADs - I love these as well. These are just me playing, will be very late war schemes i thing. Metal foil fule can straps added and helmets and their straps
251/D - quite a bit of work here and very much WIP. The JTFM is the best 251 available and has lovely interior details. Downside is the assembling, i should really do a two part paint for these but that would double the time and increase the price accordingly. You will see green modellers putty on the body joints, still working on these. Have added internal rod bars for kit stowage and started to add green stuff kit etc. Nice advantage with these is that the rear doors can be cut open with a little bit of work.
The Stugs are almost there. Interesting point with these, and my work in general, is where do you stop. I could do more, noticably the tools dont have any securing points which is bugging me but will stop on these now.
Adler, not much added at the moment, added a BAM schwim/kubel driver. This will probably move right with a Horch which has just arrived.

Finishing: you'll notice several different finishes, from grey primer, to balck undercoat, to white metal and resin. With modern resins it is important to clean and prime correctly. I use an enamel plastic primer ( hence the grey) and then a black primer undercoat. Some have this already as they were "around" when spraying. These will all receive another primer grey and black undercoat. This will then be touched up with enamel ( Humbrol).

I havent posted pics of all the mods talked about here, however there is now a WIP folder up on my flickr gallery, which has more.

Panzer IV - WIP

2010-08-21T11:00:00.003+01:00

Following on the heels of the Stugs are these two Pzr IVs. One JTFM (in black), one Warlord (in grey). The JTFM pzrIV is realtively straight forward build for me, i've done loads of these and bar distressing the schurzen and stowage nothing much else is needed. The Warlord is a more robust kit but has a couple of aspects i'm not too fond of. So i've altered the following:

1) replace schurzen totally, add rail and JTFM plates
2) Lower turret profile bay shaving off under the turret about a mm.
3) added mud paste to the wheel sections to add some detail.

the rest is the usual bitza stowage on both, with predominately JTFM extra track stowage. Still some work to do, you'll notice the new style of "heads" - what does everyone think?, will post up more pics as i go.

STUG III Ensemble WIP

2010-08-19T23:37:00.002+01:00

Having a bit of fun with three Army Group North Stug II G's. One assembling as it comes, the second as a 75mm with Saukopf and the third as one of the 105mm Sturmhaubitze seen in the colour footage on the Seelowe heights. The saukopf mantlets are from the JTFM STUG III set (cheers Jeff), the Sturmhaubitze Schurzen is scratch built the other is JTFM again. Doing something new with crew figs, wanted to show the "in combat" mode with heads just peeking out. Using a mixture of BAM and westwind heads. I am currently modifying the Sturnhaubutze hatches as they are wrong at the moment.

neil

15mm Panzer Grenadier Company(ies)

2009-10-25T19:35:00.002Z

Battlefront models, Kerr and King bases.

Bolt Action Tetrarch

2009-10-25T19:32:00.004Z

Latest from BAM/Warlord, lovely little crisp cast.

2009-10-17T09:21:00.004+01:00

A little experiment for me, 20mm M10s ETO, these are now for Sale, so poa.

Rhine Crossing

2009-09-18T17:19:00.004+01:00

Nice little flotilla, one Grand Manner LCM and two JTFM LCVP "Higgins" boats, all 1/56. These have been painted and decalled for the Rhine crossing, hence the stars and OD upper decks. The kits are what you would expect, GM heavy and robust, JTFM fine and detailed. All have been drilled to facilitate the ramps moving up and down, some pinned as well as the resin doesn't really help this. As usual more pics in my flikcr galleries ( link at the top of the page) or click on the images for the "warts 'n all" pics.

Neil

Aug/Sept Update - lots

2009-09-15T18:58:00.006+01:00

Some good news and bad... good news i have broken the back of some commissions recently so am back on track, bad news; sprained my right wrist Sunday, so i'm out of action for a week or so.

And something interesting, New Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi. This is a 3D prototyping model ( no green stuff involved!), lots of armament options, hopefully i'll have more of these to come.

As always, click on the pics for larger detail ones, but remember the actual size of these pieces. More pics in my Flickr galleries, link at the top of the page

Several Commisions Complete

2009-09-01T00:03:00.004+01:00

A few days off has allowed me to clear some more commisions, so i'm taking on new stuff if interested. I'll smatter these over the forums over the next couple of weeks, so a few teaser shots:
a) 15mm FOW Battlefront Anti-tank Battalion
b) two 1/56 Company B Stuarts, M5A1 Guards Armoured, Normandy
c) 1/56 Force of Arms/Army Group North T28, a lovely kit.
d) 20mm Trumpeteer Kits, modern USMC LAV25's + TOW launcher, fiddly kits but worked out lovely in the end. The crewed kit was a conversion, hatches drilled and new ones made.

n

RMASG Centaur & Arnhem "Beute" HumberIV

2009-08-30T18:40:00.004+01:00

These have been completed for a while, although held back as they are BAM/Warlords show ones. Two releases , Humber painted as Grabners Humber (conjecture) for Arnhem and a Centaur painted as 2 Battery RMASG ( Royal Marine Armoured Assualt Group). I used 1/76 Dan Taylor modelworks transfers, quiet fiddly but seeing as i was crowbariing 1/76 onto 1/56 it was expected.

Click on the Images for full size, full detail views.

more pics in my flickr galleries.

Turkish Brigade - Russo Turkish War

2009-08-16T13:56:00.003+01:00

Another in a continuing commission, majority Outpost Miniatures, run down as follows:

Foot General - Askari Miniatures
Mounted Command - Perry Miniatures
Field Gun - Old Glory
Artillery crew - Askari Miniatures
Foot Officer waving sword - Eureka Miniatures
All other foot and officers - Outpost Wargames Services.

The Outpost sculptor, Martin Baker, has certainly excelled with these figures. They have lovely detail, poising and style, recommended.

The horses and standards are my first run with the airbrush on non-AFVs, certainly the way forward.

n

Eureka moments.......and Ultrasonic Baths!

2009-08-01T19:02:00.004+01:00

After some hesitancy, and in the pouring rain, i trooped down to the garden shed to do some airbrushing. Its a job i had put off for a while as it was "new territory" for me - Horses! For a while now i have been noticing the excellent results Ioannis (leuthan journal) has been acheiving by airbrushing his horses and knew i had to try it out. I suppose the problem isn't really the airbrushing but getting the combination of colours right and a fine enough spray for final detailing, this was the problem as i'm setup for OD and dunkelgelb. Anyways, i got started and whilst not perfect first time round it is clearly the only way to go, subtle transitions suit horses down to a "T", definatley 100% converted. ( pics mid week).

Whilst on a reasonable high i thought i'd also try out my lastest ebay purchase, an Ultrasonic Cleaner. I diligently cleaned the airbrush as normal and quiet simply put it in the ultrasonic bath for a three minute cycle. On reopening i was surprised at the accumulation of crud that it had removed, and i thought it was clean! This will now become a regular routine as well. Recommended.

Battered and Bruised T-34's

2009-08-01T08:24:00.004+01:00

Army Group North, Early Version T34's. Painted to represent an amalgamated troop, there is subtle changes in shade, wear and tear and markings between the vehicles to betray their original units, although not too sure the pics show that off too well. click on the images for bigger pictures, as always more pics in my flickr galleries

Brigade Games - Schneider CA-1 - S.C.W

2009-07-26T10:56:00.003+01:00

Brigade Games 1/56 WW1 Schneider painted for Spanish Civil War. Minor updetailing added such as crew climb holds, roof racking and some stowage. As always more details in my galleries.

Website Retiring Disordered.....

2009-06-12T20:58:00.002+01:00

Well the time has finally come, the old web site is due to be removed. I've kept it going (although not updated) basically for nostalgic reasons. I'm sorry to see it go but it no longer accurately reflects the services ( or prices!) on offer these days.

This blog will serve as the main portal with the flickr galleries as, well my gallery! which is really what people want to see afterall. I'll keep www.troop-of-shewe.co.uk up for another couple of days, after that i'll redirect all here....

More 15mm Eye Candy

2009-06-12T20:50:00.003+01:00

As the title says some more BF offerings. Some minor mods, replacement schurzen for the Panthers, distressed for the Pzr Ivs crewmen etc. Will hit the forums with the full sets soon, more pics in my flickr galleries

F.A.Q - New feature

2009-05-04T09:48:00.004+01:00

I always try and share tips and techniques, unfortunately most of the answers are distributed in private emails and across various fora. I will now try and post the answers here, any questions just email me. I will add these will be just my take on things, i'm sure there are hundreds of ways for skinning these particular cats

Scratches and Scrapes

I also use an airbrush for the basecoat on my WWII tanks, then, for Germans, airbrush the camo on. From there, I usually drybrush with a lighter shade of Dunkelgelb, drybrush on dirt, then I’m done.I notice with YOUR models you have lot’s of small “nicks”, which seem to be black. Also, I’ve seen your models with great scratches running along the sides, just like a modern car would if it was driving through the woods. How do you achieve these effects?

[Troop writes] I have been experimenting with the well known technique of "dabbing" paint by using blister pack foam. Simply load the foam, dry off and dab on areas of high wear, less is more. This is then augmented with balck/hull red/dark brown applied with a detail brush. This part is laborious and best done in stages, put down, leave and then revisit. Its far to easy to overdo these bits. Finally scratches are "highlighted" using a light tone ( grey, light olive, khaki and yellow all work for OD) . This is just to give a light edge to some of the scratches, this is an out of scale technique but adds to the overall effect.

BLOWING PANELS/PRE-SHADING

Also, I’m guessing from looking at your models you’re using the airbrush for shading? I’d love to hear how you pull that off as well.

[Troop writes] For the OD vehicles, i start from a base black coat. Then use a darkened OD and spray out from the centre of any panels. The effect you are after is to leave some of the black showing through around the panel edges. Then use OD and do exactly the same but leaving some of the darkened OD showing, as you lighten the OD you get to a light point in the centre of the panel. If you get confident you can also lighten the top edges of panels and top surfaces for extra fading. An alternative method is to use your normal OD coat and then spray a wash colour ( raw umber) around the panel edges. This needs to be heavily thinned and is a bit more tricky, again less is more and work up to taste!. I also find the paint can often dry a lighter colour than when spraying so often stop and let dry to see the effect.

Paints

I'm experimneting with various diferent paints, Tamiya, Model Air and Vallejo Air. Tamiya is by far the easiest to work with, the other two have better colours but are very thin, this means a several sweep approach that can can be tricky on the smaller scale german camo.

Cleaning and Storage

Ref storage, i clean through as normal, each clean i pull the needle as well. Start with ditching the paint left in the cup, fill the cup with water dilute reside and ditch x 2. Hopefully i then have no paint bits in the cup i then use airbrush cleaner dilute and ditch, when confident no stray bits, blow through. As a final touch i spray some of the foaming airbrush cleaner in a can. Dissassemble and clean. On resassembly again some cleaner then half a cup blown through of water. As i can leave set up in the shed and its used frequently i usually leave some cleaner in the cup put the lid on and store upright in a holder. Its rarely put away dry, but woudljust miss the last step if i did.

Commissions

2009-05-03T17:48:00.005+01:00

I'm afraid i'm going to have to shut shop to new customers.

My existing customers and a couple of new guys and girls mean my time is fully booked for a couple of months. Whilst most people know i dont operate a production line, rather batch work according to colours and techniques, i feel i'll loose any flexibility i have if I take on anything else.

As always i will try and accomodate existing customers, and that includes any recent email discussions.

Some finished commissions in my flickr galleries, a large 15mm Peter Pig Kampfgruppe and three commissions worth of Ardennes Armour, mainly Company B and BAM. More sets close on their heels and the first finished units for next years Salute.

Salute - 09 - Shewe best of Show!

2009-04-05T10:30:00.006+01:00

It seems the hard work and hours expended paid off in the end, my Nomonhan game was presented with Best of Show and Best Demonstration Game. My thanks to Ian, Stewart, James, and Tim for their unfailing support with the game on numerous occasions.

I'll taking a break from Troop of Shewe demos for the rest of year although i will be supporting some Escape Committee Games. I will be back with a humdinger at Salute 2010 and a secret Project X -20mm game in conjunction with Stewart......

I also completed a vignette for Outpost Wargames Services for their Russo-Turkish war range. Martins sculpts really are coming along now, lovely detail in particular the faces. Jeff has ensured that for each pose there is a variety of different head types.

I also completed some 11 hour new releases for both BAM/Warlord and JTFM, both Shermans. Both sets are lovely in their own right, The BAM tracks are particularily good and the JTFM kits have stacks of stowage included, nice work Paul and Jeff.

As always pictures of all my commisions including the demos can be found in mt flickr galleries, link at the top of the page.

2009-03-23T20:06:00.004Z

A quick preview of some non-WW2 painting, a Bugarian Vignette for the new Outpost Wargames Services range.

More JTFM Panthers and Panzer IVs

2009-02-05T16:14:00.015Z

Ok guys and girls, I'm beginning to loose count of the numbers of each of these little beauties I've done, I'm sure Jeff T can build a nice extension to his log cabin with the sales just of these two. Anyway, thought I'd try a little different camo on each than normal. Am particularly pleased with the Panthers, they look Kursk-ish ( yes i know they're late war!). In this case i have used Archer rub down transfers which are simply superb, fiddly but superb. Of note whereas the VVV crosses ( and all waterslide decals) work better on a gloss finish, the Archer work better on a Matt finish, so a little more planning and prep is needed. The 251 is Bolt Action/Warlord and part of a separate commission. Having issues with lighting again, there are two different styles here, let me know which people prefer on the web and i'll know next time.

Getting my skates on now for Salute, some 11hr painting with Six Company B IJA Type 89's winging there way over the Atlantic for my Salute demo, also some advance Bolt Action/Warlord Shermans for Chris Thompsons demo, two vignettes for Outpost, alongside 6ft of Nomonhan Terrain to finish!

As an appetizer i also have some lovely 1/48 kits just in, now these are gonna be special, but under wraps for now!

As always full sizes pictures in my flickr galleries.

- early evening update, I now have six Japanese imports! Type 89's courtesy of Brent and Bruce at Company B (and Jeff at JTFM), currently scrubbing the resin prior to primeing tomorrow, will keep you posted......

Jan Commissions

2009-01-29T11:33:00.003Z

Managed to clear a backlog over Christmas, lots completed, notibly some lovely 15mm FOW and a lareg batch of 1/56th Goodness form JTFM, BAM and ex-Chieftan models

Company B Sumida & Chi Ha

2008-12-14T20:42:00.005Z

New package has arrived, 28mm Japanese Sumida Rail Car and Chi Ha. Both lovely kits. I have up-detailed both, the addition of the aerial on one of the Chi Ha's and general bits and bobs on the Rail Car, both track and wheel varients. This will be pride of place on my rail track addition to the Nomonhan Demo for Salute, watch this space for more info.

Also a Hellcat and two HMCs extra detailed and stowed.

Kubelwagen

2008-08-31T10:06:00.002+01:00

Off to Brent at Company B, this lovely little cast, all available from Brent. Certainly the best "28mm" Kuble i've made and the "crew" fit lovely, which makes a change ;o)

Wild Faeries!!!!

2008-08-31T10:00:00.002+01:00

Ok, a change for me this time. Two sculpts bought on a whim from Eureka Miniatures Avalons Burning range. I had fun painting these, trying for a forest theme with autuman hair colourings and deep shading the skin green. The bases are from the excellent back2basix range, which i thoroughly recommend. These little sprites look great in the flesh, although as you can see i had several problems with the photography. These are now on ebay, should be easy to find.

Charlie Company

2008-08-31T09:56:00.003+01:00

Lots completed this month, check the flickr folders for full details. Particularily impressed with "Charlie Company", consisting of BAM M3s and M8s, suitabley updetailed.

26th May - General Update

2008-05-26T11:16:00.002+01:00

Sorry, no pictures again but frantic activity behind the scenes. Firstly my laptop died so i'm selling off bits and pieces to get another one, hence picture updates will be delayed. The two M10s are the start of this, also hope to have finished ready for sale in a week or so:
BAM M3 x3
BAM M8 x2
BAM 251x 3 inc 37mm mounting
Ebob Opel Blitz
S and S 251 Engineer
S and S 251/22? the one with the 20mm recce turret.

Commisions in the pipeline are as listed previously , although there are some lovely JTFM Panthers ad Panzer IVs ( commisions) . Picked up some lovely vehicles from Ian at Chieftan models, named BT5's, Marder and Humber, looking forward to the Stug and Staghound.

On the demo front, finished the bulk of the terrain for Bovington, just airbrushing go, a bit different this time. Called in some favours from the talented brushes of Rene ( paint-in.com) and Mark (red line painting), will credit fully when i have pictures for upload. Enough for now.

General Update

2008-03-27T17:34:00.003Z

Currently tiling the bathroom so a few things are on hold. Just had some lovely battlefront Panzer IVs with Schutzen arrive together with some Tigers, so will slip them in somewhere. Current projects on the go, of varying priority and in no particular order :

Continuing 15mm German force for Normandy, loads of Artillery and Infantry, nice King and Kerr Bases
15mm Eastern Phanlagites
15mm Russian FOW, are order that slipped....
28mm Prince Rupert and Ensign
28mm Company B Hellcats, HMCs, Kubels, 37mm and Howitzers
28mm BAM 251s to finish off
Just started - up detailing SnS Models 28mm Jadgpanther with two Tigers
28mm Russo-Japanese
Neils Top Secret 28mm Demo project....

Orders in the pipeline from Company B and JTFM, pick order from BAM at Salute.

M10s & Achilles - Simple Updetailing

2008-03-16T11:23:00.000Z

A Simple Project
The basic resin kit is 1/60 and from S and S models. The same hull and turret suffices for both the M10 and the Achilles, with substitute breech and barrels dependant on the version you get. I have been informed the kit represents a late variant without the armour attachment points ( circles on hull and turret) and rear stowage racks. I have made several of these in this configuration and they've came out fine, however they are distinctive elements of the vehicles so i decided on some simple up detailing for a commission Achilles and two M10s. I will add this is not a scale conversion, but simple modifications that most of us can do with a little effort. If i was doing a single top notch kit i would approach things differently.

The Hull
I first started with the racking on the rear sides, this is a simple affair using plastic strips from my spares box. I obtained extra Sherman tracks from Shaun and the only point of note is to make the spaces between vertical racking correct to fit track links. Next came the armour securing points these were slithers of plastic rod. I found getting square edges on the cut surfaces difficult so i super glued these in place by eye and filed flat once dry. Its adequate but I'm sure there's better methods out there. As with most things i then looked at my references and thought there's something missing..... the hull headlamps and what are presumably Turret and Hull slinging points. The slinging points where made from brass rod bent around the edge of some snipe nosed pliers. Once snipped to size the edges were dremeled flat and simply glued in the appropriate positions. These leaves the lamps, again the trusty wire was bent and dremeled and appropriate headlamps were found.
Note: I would now approach either BAM or Brent at Company B for either the M3 headlamps or the excellent set for the Company B hellcat and HMC. I'm not sure they are available separately but you can only ask :o)
Finally, all the barrels were replaced with brass tubing, unfortunatley the original barrels have poor definition.

Stowage
Now the hard bits were done i added the stowage. This was a rummage through my spares box which has been recharged with bits from the following ranges:

Chieftain Models, Bolt Action, Company B, S and S Models, Skytrex ( 20mm but a tarpaulin is a tarpaulin...), Hovels ( boxes)

I recommend picking up stowage whenever you can, I'm forever running out and mixing and matching produces the best results. Besides the gun barrel and breech the only things that separate the three models are the BAM helmets, British for the Achilles and you can guess the rest. A point on scale here, the kit is 1/60, i've used spares and parts from 1/56 ranges and stowage from 1/72 ranges, its all good. The .50 cals are BAM and are the best i've seen.

The sandbags were simple milliput rolls, roll a sausage and cut into equal segments. the action of the blade creates as suitable edge for the sandbag. These were then positioned around the vehicles and stitch lines added with a sculpting tool.

Painting
Not the intention of this update but the kits were then primed fully using spray black and touched up with Humbrol Black to create a solid coat. It is important to have a solid base coat ( whatever colour you choose) as a base for further painting. The kits were then airbrushed using Tamiya olive green and furthered detailed with lighter shadings. Once happy with your basic tones, cover with Johnsons Klear ( Future). This produces a sheen but dont worry, it gives a solid coat for further washing techniques. Various pin washes were added (concentrating on the detail recesses) stains and scratching etc.
At this stage i then paint the details, tracks, wheel rims, stowage and .50 cals. The weathering process for the vehicle is always seperate to the stowage. Pigments were applied at various stages and fixed with white spirit. Once happy the model was sprayed with Testors ( RIP - what am i going to use now!).
note: don't start burnishing the tracks and 50 cals until after the testors, understandably it dulls the burnish!

And finally additional pigments are used to "pull" the model together. I'm quiet happy with the results. The Achilles is off to a happy customer in Australia, the M10s are up for grabs, contact me for details. Both the finished kits and Work in Progress (WIP) shots can be found below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/troop-of-shewe/collections/

neil"at"troop-of-shewe.co.uk

Almost There....

2008-03-08T23:36:00.002Z

Been a slow start to the new year, although I'm now finally clearing some major backlogs. Finishing this weekend are 15mm FOW, 28mm German 12 SS Normandy and 28mm British Normandy. Pics of the following available in the Photo Album ( link above)

15mm Battlefront- Panthers, Stugs, Horch, Kubels, Opel Blitz, Sdkfz 11
28mm Bolt Action - Sdkfz 251 ( Engineer, Stummel, Platoon Command), Sdkfz 250 ( destroyed, troop carrier, 20mm), AEC Armoured car, 222 Armoured car.
28mm Company B- Kubels
28mm Westwind - Wirbelwind