world war two Archives - Page 23 of 36

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.

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.

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.

Basecoat for the Universal Carriers

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

Having given them a white undercoat, the next stage was to spray a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow. The next stage was a basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

Full workbench feature on the Universal Carriers.

Flames of War Cromwell ARV

Having given a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow the next stage was to do the main basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

As you can see the basecoat has not coated the tank completely.

Looking at it, it might need a second coat, though I think a wash may solve some of the “white” problem.

Here’s the model with a second coat.

See the workbench feature on the Cromwell ARV.

Additional undercoat for the Universal Carriers

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by Allied forces during the Second World War. Universal Carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as machine gun platforms. With some 113,000 built in the United Kingdom and abroad, it was the most numerous armoured fighting vehicle in history.

As with some of my other metal models I can’t remember the manufacturer of these.These metal models are not as well defined as the Flames of War resin models, so in the end I might use them for scenery or objectives.

Having given them a white undercoat, the next stage was to spray a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow when I do the main basecoat.

The idea is the keep the main part of the model with a white undercoat and the undersides to be darker than the rest of the model.

Full workbench feature on the Universal Carriers.

Flames of War Cromwell ARV

Having constructed the Cromwell ARV, the next stage was a white undercoat. I then sprayed a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow when I do the main basecoat.

The idea is the keep the main part of the model with a white undercoat and the undersides to be darker than the rest of the model.

The view from the underside.

Next stage will be the main basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

See the workbench feature on the Cromwell ARV.

Flames of War German Panzergrenadier Headquarters

I purchased a Flames of War box of the German Panzergrenadier Headquarters. In the box you get a bunch of resin, plastic and metal. Having put them all together I gave the models 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.

This is how they look from underneath.

I then sprayed the models with Warpaint German Armour.

As my can came without a nozzle, I have had a few issues using the temporary nozzle and as a result I oversprayed the model.

Not many problems, but as you can see in this view, one of the tracks on one of the models got a little too much paint.

I will probably see if I can “remove” the excess paint, otherwise this will be a very muddy SdKfz 251.

One thing I do like about FoW models is that in this set you get three different half track hulls rather than three of a single mould.

One of the key questions I am facing now is how will I do the camouflage. The consensus ont the web is to use an airbrush. I would like to avoid that if possible as it isn’t as convenient or as quick as I would like.

See the workbench feature on this boxed set.