flames of war Archives - Page 30 of 42

Underneath the Flames of War Cromwell IV

The Cromwell Tank was one of the most successful series of cruiser tanks fielded by Britain in World War II. The Cromwell first saw action in June 1944, with the reconnaissance regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Having given the Cromwells a white undercoat, I undercoated the underneath of the three tanks with Humbrol Dark Green. This will add shadow and depth to the main (top) base coat of Warpaint British Armour.

As you can see from the top view, the white undercoat is still mainly visible.

The next stage will be a base coat of Warpaint British Armour.

See the full workbench feature on the Flames of War Cromwell IV.

Undercoating the Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

The Sherman Firefly was a World War II British variant of the American Sherman tank, fitted with the powerful British 17 pounder anti-tank gun as its main weapon. Originally conceived as a stopgap until future British tank designs came into service, the Sherman Firefly became the most common vehicle with the 17 pounder in World War II.

Within the blister, as with a lot of FoW models, you get a resin hull and turret and metal tracks and accessories. Having constructed the Sherman I gave the model a white undercoat.

See the workbench feature on my Flames of War Sherman Firefly VC.

Undercoating the Flames of War Challenger A30

The Tank, Cruiser, Challenger (A30) was a British tank of World War 2. It mounted the 17 Pounder gun on the Cromwell chassis to add heavier anti-tank firepower to the cruiser tank units.

Having constructed the Challenger, the next stage as a white undercoat.

See the full workbench feature on my Challenger A30.

Flames of War Challenger A30

The Tank, Cruiser, Challenger (A30) was a British tank of World War 2. It mounted the 17 Pounder gun on the Cromwell chassis to add heavier anti-tank firepower to the cruiser tank units.

This is the Flames of War blister, as with a lot of FoW models, you get a resin hull and turret and metal tracks and accessories.

The parts go together quite well. There were two challenges, one was fitting the square turret hatch and the main weapon. The hatch was slightly too big and needed to be trimmed. Whilst the main weapon needs to be glued to the turret with care to ensure it fits straight.

The track guards are very similar to the Cromwell IV, though the tracks have six wheels over the five of the Cromwell.

See the full workbench feature on my Challenger A30.

Undercoating the Flames of War Cromwell IV

The Cromwell Tank was one of the most successful series of cruiser tanks fielded by Britain in World War II. The Cromwell tank, named after the English Civil War leader Oliver Cromwell, was the first tank in the British arsenal to combine a dual-purpose gun, high speed from the powerful and reliable Meteor engine, and reasonable armour, all in one balanced package. Its design formed the basis of the Comet tank. The Cromwell first saw action in June 1944, with the reconnaissance regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Having constructed the Cromwells, the next stage was to give them a white undercoat.

Unlike the boxed set my three models are all the same. So thinking I might put some stowage in them before undercoating them white. In the end though I didn’t.

See the full workbench feature on the Flames of War Cromwell IV.

Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

Reading the army lists I realised I needed a Sherman Firefly either to accompany my Shermans or my Cromwell IVs.

Though the British expected to have their own new tank models developed soon (and were loath to consider using American tanks), British Major George Brighty championed the already-rejected idea of mounting the 17 pounder in the existing Sherman. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge and despite official disapproval, he managed to get the concept accepted. This proved fortuitous, as both the Challenger and Cromwell tank designs experienced difficulties and delays.

After the problem of getting the gun to fit in the Sherman’s turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshal Montgomery’s forces for the Normandy landings. It soon became highly valued as the only British tank capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger tanks it faced in Normandy at standard combat ranges. In recognition of this, German tank and anti-tank gun crews were instructed to attack Fireflies first.

Within the blister, as with a lot of FoW models, you get a resin hull and turret and metal tracks and accessories.

The model does go together quite easily, though you have to watch as the main weapon (well mine did) needed straightening.

I was also concerned if the HMG on the turret would stay during a game, so I did drill the hole it goes into.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

See the workbench feature on my Flames of War Sherman Firefly VC.

15mm Cruiser, Mk III (A13)

The Tank, Cruiser, Mk III (A13) was a British cruiser tank of the Second World War. It was the first British cruiser tank to use the Christie suspension system which gave higher speeds and better cross-country performance, previous models of cruiser tanks having used triple wheeled bogie suspension. Like most British cruisers, the A 13 was fast but under-armoured and proved unreliable mechanically. Most were lost in the French campaign in 1940, but a few were used in Greece and the North African campaign in 1940-41.

I have had this tank for sometime. Don’t remember the manufacturer, though I think it may be an old SDD Miniatures model.

Using the Flames of War British Early War Paint Set I gave the model a basecoat of Cruiser Tank Green (202).

Might need a second coat.

See the full workbench feature on the A13.

15mm British Vickers Dutchman

I have had this tank for sometime. Don’t remember the manufacturer. It actually took me a while to work out which tank this was exactly… I used this site as a reference.

Mechanically similar to the Mark IV, though armament and other features were like the Mark II, the “Dutchmen” were a 1936 commercial version. 40 vehicles were sold to the Netherlands. All 40 were taken over by the War Office in 1939 before export. All vehicles were used for training only by the British Army. The term “Dutchmen” or “Dutchman” was an unofficial moniker.

Though never used in service, in the event of a German invasion (Operation Sealion) they probably would have been used to help defend the country.

After a bit of internet research I believe it is an old SDD miniature. Not convinced totally, but other miniatures in the box it was in carry SDD codes.

After giving the model a white undercoat, the next stage was a basecoat of Brown Violet (887).

As you can see it will need a second coat.

15mm Home Guard Bedford OXA

The Bedford OXA was a gun truck or improvised British heavy armoured car built during World War II by mounting an armoured body onto a Bedford OXD 1.5 ton truck chassis. 948 units were built in 1940-1941. The vehicle was used by British Home Guard units until 1942. As with many of my 15mm metal vehicles I don’t recall who the manufacturer was.

I gave the model a white undercoat. The next stage was a basecoat of Brown Violet (887).

This is a solid whitemetal casting.

I think it might need a second coat.

I also need to think about how best to “hold” the model so I can paint it more easily. Got use to painting models with bases for a while now, vehicles (especially small 15mm vehicles) take a bit of getting use to.

15mm Afrika Korps PzKpfw II

The Panzer II was the common name for a family of German tanks used in World War II. The official German designation was Panzerkampfwagen II (abbreviated PzKpfw II). Although the vehicle had originally been designed as a stopgap while more advanced tanks were developed, it nonetheless went on to play an important role in the early years of World War II, during the Polish and French campaigns. By the end of 1942 it had been largely removed from front line service, and production of the tank itself ceased by 1943.

Though you can buy a resin version of the Pz II I was plesantly surprised to find a plastic 1/100th scale kit of the Pz II in a model shop for just £1.25. Bargain!

Made my Zveda, a Russian firm, they also do a 1/100th scale RussianT-26. Alas the accompanying kits for infantry are 1/72nd and the aircraft are 1/144th. Would have been nice if the models were all in the same scale. It would appear from the back of the box that this was designed for some kind of miniatures game.