Pheasants

 Today's post is 4 "Pheasant" 17/25 pdr anti-tank guns for my Desert British.

In 1943 the British had a problem. They had developed the highly effective 17pdr anti-tank gun, and urgently wanted to get it into service to counter the Tiger tanks which were starting to appear. Unfortunately, they hadn't designed the carriage for the gun yet yet. The solution? Mount some of the guns on the carriage for the 25 Pdr artillery piece. While a tall mount for an anti tank gun and hard to conceal, it could handle the recoil generated by the new gun. 

These guns were christened the 17/25 pdr or "Pheasant" and used in Tunesia from February 43. Some probably survived into the Italian theatre and were likely eventually phased out and replaced by the 'proper' 17 pdr coming into British service from late 43.

Broken Down

So I've got a bit behind on the painting front. However I've got a few bits done so far this month, so update time!

Firstly I've painted some tank traps. Nothing complex, just a black undercoat, and silver drybrush, but it's better than bare gray plastic.

 

 

Secondly, I've painted two Morris C8 'Quad' artillery tractor, which are under repair. These were made from PSC kits which I had to borrow some spares from. As such, I decided to model these as being under repair, having a wheel change (on blocks) and having the radiator replaced/repaired. These will be scenary on my desert table, probably parked next to a building.

 

A Small Update

 Just as stated, the first model of 2021 is done! I've painted a wall for my desert terrain!

2020 - A year in review

 So this year has been.... interesting.

It started of with me promising myself that I would squeeze more wargaming in....

Then came a busy period of work, then the Covid pandemic and as a result I think I've had 3 wargames this year, one game each of Flames of War, Team Yankee and Star Wars Armada.

One the plus side with all the lookdowns, I've had a lot more time to model, build and paint stuff. This has meant I've completed a career best 203 models completed this year, which I think is more than I've bought this year!

It started off last year with Zombicide, where I completed all my models for this game. Other notable milestones:

- Completing all my built, unpainted Soviet Vehicles (I acquired a lot second hand)

- Finally finishing my Desert Honey Stuarts, which were a project which had dragged on way too long. Using this as motivation to get all my Desert British stuff painted.

- Painting all my Team Yankee British stuff (Then buying more, doh!)

- Completing the Necromunda models and having a big photo session

- Starting to paint some different stuff as a palate cleanser (Trains, Fantasy Figures, Roman officers) 

- Finally, starting a model railway.

I've finished the year with a monster building session, as I'd like to get the airbrush out while I'm on leave, and there's lots of stuff I want to paint with it, largely German and Jordanian vehicles, I've also used this to get some other projects ready to go, like the US Glider infantry, to complete my US Parachute force (Although I could see myself acquiring a Sherman Platoon for them at some point).

As a result, I should hopefully be able to make a good start getting some stuff painted in the new year. Hopefully I can maintain the progress and have this lot painted up by mid-year. Hopefully the new year will have more gaming and less plague!

Fantasy Couple

While stocking up on spray paint in Element Games, I also picked up a couple of Reaper Bones minatures. I thought these looked like a warrior couple. I also liked how the women's armour was fairly practical, rather than the more common female armour which just about succeeds in protecting modesty.... and little else.

The models are Duke Gerard and Trista, the White Wolf. They've been finished early as I needed a break for 25 pounders

For a paint scheme I went with purple, as it's a colour I don't often paint. I also decided to give them dark skin as I don't think I'd ever painted it before, so I wanted to give it a go.

I'm quite pleased with how they have come out. Here they are fending off my Reaper Bones Scorpions that got painted earlier this year.

 

Jordanian Infantry

So, I've finished off my Jordanian Infantry Platoon. As you can no longer get the Battlefront Jordanian infantry blister in the UK, these are Forged in Battle early war British infantry. Most of the weapons are correct for 1967 (2" Light Mortar, Brens, although the Lee Enfield rifles would probably be Garands). I did have to convert the Boys AT Rifle figure into an M20 Super Bazooka figure however, which I'm quite pleased with. 

 

Oiled up Big Guns

 So, a couple of bits for you today. Firstly the big guns, 4 SU-122 assault guns. These were made by an unknown manufacturer, and have come out well, considering the last set of these I painted had the paint flake off, due to the crap resin.

Secondly, I've scratch built and painted an Oil Rig for Team Yankee.

Next up, I'm putting together a batch of stuff for airbrushing so expect to see 1967-era Jordanians or Germans next.