Category: world war two

Undercoating the Flames of War Renault FT-17

The Renault FT or Automitrailleuse à chenilles Renault FT modèle 1917, inexactly known as the FT-17 or FT17, was a French light tank; it is among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history. France still had several thousand First World War Renault FT tanks in 1940. Over 500 of them were still in service in independent bataillons de chars de combat (BCC) tank battalions in the front lines. Although adequate for infantry support, they were totally outclassed by German tanks in a mobile battle.

Having constructed the tanks the next stage was a white undercoat.

Underneath the Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39

Despite having been designed from 1933 as a rather slow but well-armoured light infantry support tank, the type was initially rejected by the French Infantry because it proved difficult to steer while driving cross-country, instead being adopted in 1936 by the French Cavalry. From 1938 an improved version was produced with a stronger engine, the Char léger modèle 1935 H modifié 39, that from 1940 was also fitted with a longer, more powerful 37 mm gun.

Having made up the models, and having given the models a white undercoat, the next stage was to basecoat the models. In order to add shadow I gave the underneath of all three models a spray of Warpaint German Armour.

Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39

Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39

See the workbench feature on the Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39.

Flames of War Street Barricades

Within the Flames of War Street Barricades box you get two identical street sections, one overturned Opel Blitz and one pile of barricade, both designed to fill the gaps in the street sections. All are made from resin.

The first thing I did after washing the resin models to remove any remaining mould lubribicant was give the model a white undercoat. I then gave the model a basecoat.

I gave the street sections a basecoat of Humbrol Sea Grey.

The separate barricades, the truck and short barricade were given a basecoat of Warpaint German Armour.

See the workbench feature on the Street Barricades.

There are also a couple of Battlefront painting guides available.

15mm German SdKfz 251 Half Track

The SdKfz 251 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug 251) half-track was an armored fighting vehicle designed and first built by Germany’s Hanomag company during World War II. One of the most common, and best armoured of the wartime half-tracks, the SdKfz 251 was designed to transport the panzergrenadiers of the German mechanized infantry corps into battle. Widely known simply as “Hanomags” by both German and Allied forces.

This is an old metal model that I think was made by SDD. I have used it as a testbed for which painting method I should use with my Flames of War resin models.

See the workbench feature on the German SdKfz 251 Armoured Half Track.

Flames of War Panther G

On the 26th May, Flames of War will release the (late war) Panther G boxed set.

Panther is the common name of a medium tank fielded by Nazi Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. It was intended as a counter to the T-34, and to replace the Panzer III and Panzer IV; while never replacing the latter, it served alongside it as well as the heavier Tiger tanks until the end of the war. The Panther’s excellent combination of firepower, mobility, and protection served as a benchmark for other nations’ late war and immediate post-war tank designs, and it is frequently regarded as one of the best tank designs of World War II.

I do like the ambush camo used on the models on the back of the boxed set.

Flames of War M36 Jackson

The 12th May sees the release of the M36 Jackson from Flames of War.

Flames of War M36 Jackson

The M36 tank destroyer was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 first served in combat in Europe in September 1944, and served until the end of the war; it also served during the Korean War, and in the armies of several other countries.

The 90mm gun finally gives the Americans the firepower to take out a Panther from the “front”.

Flames of War Rolls Royce Armoured Cars

The Rolls-Royce armoured car was a British armoured car developed in 1914 and used in World War I and in the early part of World War II.

Having undercoated my two Flames of War Rolls Royce Armoured Cars, I gave the models a basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

See the workbench feature on the Rolls Royce Armoured Car.

Basecoating the Flames of War Jagdpanther

The Jagdpanther was a tank destroyer built by Nazi Germany during World War II based on the chassis of the Panther tank. It entered service late in the war and saw service on the Eastern and Western fronts. Many military historians consider the Jagdpanther to be one of the best tank destroyers of the war due to the combination of the very powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 cannon and the characteristically excellent armor and suspension of the Panther chassis.

The kit consists of a resin hull and metal components such as tracks and track guards. After constructing the model I gave it a white undercoat. The next stage was to give the underbody a dark brown basecoat. This will add shadow to the underneath of the model, and then gave the model a basecoat of Flames of War Warpaint Late War German Armour.

See the workbench feature on the  Jagdpanther.