12SS Panzer IV - Mod'd Warlord

 

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

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"





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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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