Vehicles of the Desert

I'm back with another update. In fact I've got 10 models painted this weekend! This is significant as it picks up my progress this year, so far it hasn't been great for painting numbers.

First is 6 Panzer IIIs. These are Ausf Ls with the long 5cm gun, which is typical of the Tunesian period that these are for. They have been split into a HQ of 2 and a platoon of 4.

The models are the latest Battlefront plastics and are a nice kit, fairly quick to put together and nicely detailed.

Second are 4 jeeps with 106mm recoilless rifles for my Jordanians. These are Battlefront resin and metal models, and I think they have come out very well.

Adventures in Speed Paint

So, this month I picked up some Reaper Bones Bloodscale Kobolds (as they were 6 models for cheap), with the intention of experimenting with Zenithal highlights and speed paint on them.

I'm fairly happy with the results I got. The casts have a couple of issues, lacking crispness in some areas (round the feet being the worst case). However, making use of the zenithal highlight technique and the extensive use of speed paint, I got all 6 of these done in about 2.5 hours, about 25 minutes a figure.

The only 'proper' paints I've used are Vallejo Charred Brown (base edge), Iraqui Sand (teeth and claws),  Tinny Tin and Oily Steel (weapon metallics).

They have come out pretty well. Also painting 6 models in this time has shown me some definite advantages for speed paint, especially for items which arn't going to see the board that much or for a long period of time (critters, for example). I can see this approach getting used for more board game pieces (Rebellion, for example).

Below, the adventuring party encounter the Kobold clan in a dungeon passage way (my patio, another experiment).

Special Transport

 So I've been a bit quiet for this month. That's because I've been working on a special project. One of my employees has retired, and as his retirement present I have built him a British Railways FNA Nuclear Flask Wagon

These are easily available in OO scale, but less so in G, which is his scale. As such, I had to scratch build this one on a chassis off eBay. It was a lot of work, about 30 hours, but he was pleased with the end result, and I guess that's what counts!

Panzer IV Special

Today, after a long wait, we have 3 Tunisian period Panzer IV ausf G, the notorious "Panzer IV special". Famed for their hard hitting long 75mm gun, they are capable of knocking out any tank of the period.

These 3 are from Battlefront and are from the new plastic kit.

Mage

 So I've managed to complete my small project today as well.

This is a 3D fantasy print mage which I picked out of the bargain bin to practice with Army Painter Speed Paints on.

I've had to highlight up in a few areas from the base speed paints, particularly the flames and the skin, but all in all it's been an interesting model to paint, and a change from the WW2 stuff.

Goods for Transport

Small update today, it's been a busy month (another holiday, for example), and while I've done some painting, I've not done nearly as much as I should have.

What I have managed to paint is these Skytrex crates and wool bales for the railway. I have another small project I'm working on, but that isn't done yet.

April Update

Wow, it has been a while since I updated on here!

In between a skiing holiday, a bout of Covid after the skiing holiday and taking advantage of the nice weather to get out and do some walking and seeing friends, the modelling progress has dropped off a bit recently.

So what have I actually been able to do?

Well I've been doing a lot of building and priming largely. Of particular note are these Jordanian M48 tanks which have been heavily converted from Skytrex M48A1s to model the cupola-less turrets and the rear mounted external fuel tanks these vehicles had in Jordanian service. The rear fuel decks were scratch built out of Plasticard and spare fuel tanks from PSC M3 Stuarts, while the top hatch is from Battlefront Centurion tanks with a .50 cal MG and mount from an old Battlefront Sherman kit and an M113 respectively.

In addition, I've build other stuff, here you can see my Jordanian M47 and M48 tanks, Saladin Amoured Cars, Jeeps mounting 106mm Recoilless Rifles and there are also some M113s (built last year) to be airbrushed as well just off shot. In addition, I have the start of my new Tunisian German force with 6 Panzer III and 3 Panzer IV. These are Battlefront and despite the good quality are from the excellent value new Kasserine set. Finally there is a Wizard character, who I picked up out the bargain bin at Battlefield Hobbies as a test piece for the new Army Painter Speed Paints (I also picked up the Mega Set while I was there).

 

 

Here we have 10 wooden barrels, which I have finished for the railway. In the background you can see some crates and wool bales, which I still need to finish. All of these are from Skytrex.

 

Finally, I attended the Corrivalry Flames of War event at Battlefield Hobbies at the start of this month. I had a good time, coming 8th out of 20 overall. I also won Best Painted Army for my British Armour, who you can see below.