A new look and a new painted miniature.

Hello there.
It is a long time ago that I posted something. Mostly because I hardly have been on the internet. If I was on the net then it was because I had to check something for work and so now and then I take a look at a few forums. But now it is time for a new post.
As you can see I changed the look of my blog. I first wanted to use a new dynamic version but i couldn't get it work the way I wanted it to work. So in the end I decided to change the look of my old blog with the look as it has now as a result.

After more then 6 months I did paint something.
It is a Renault AMR-35 that I had laying around and didn't know what to do with. First I wanted it to turn into an objective but later I decided to just paint it up because I can always use it as the HQ for the Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie instead of the Panhard AMD-35. This way I can have a bit of variation in the list.
Mostly bad pictures because of the light.

Also I started to work on the Infantry platoon for my Infantry Tank Company from the Dieppe PDF. It is still in an early phase. So far only the base colour and highlight of the uniforms are done.
The highlight can't be seen to well in the pictures.

Same goes for the Stretcher-bearers and medic for Battlegroup.

Thanks for looking and reading.

French 25mm Anti-tank Gun Platoon (EW)

Painted for my Early War Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie the French 25mm Anti-tank Gun Platoon (Colonial).
The platoon contains Platoon Commander Rifle team and three 25mm SA-34 Anti-tank guns.
With this platoon added my Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie is exactly 1550 points big. My complete list can be found below the pictures.

My Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie. (1550 points)

Headquarter
1 Panhard AMD-35

Combat Platoons
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35
Reconnaissance Platoon 3 Renault AMR-35 (7.5mm MG), 2 Renault AMR-35 (13.2mm MG)

Weapons platoons
Fusiliers Machine-gun Platoon Command rifle team, 4 8mm mle 1914 HMG
Fusiliers Mortar Platoon Command rifle team, Observer rifle team, 4 81mm mle 27/31 mortars

Divisional Support
Medium Combat Platoon 5 Somua S-35
Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon (Colonial) Command Rifle/MG team, 1 VB team, 6 Rifle/MG teams
25mm Anti-tank Gun Platoon (Colonial) Command Rifle team, 3 25mm SA-34 Anti-tank guns
All-terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery Command Rifle team, Staff team, Observer Rifle team, Motorcycle & Sidecar, 4 105mm C mle 1935B howitzers

Air Support
Sporadic Fighter Intercept Moraine Saulnier MS.406

Thanks for looking.

(I have noticed that a lot of the pictures on older blog posts have disappeared. What happened I don't know but I will move the pictures to Photobucket and insert them again. It will take some time)

Finally the long wait is over!

Although it was still cold outside and the wind was blowing the garage was, because the sun was shining through the windows, at a suitable temperature to prime my miniatures. So with no moment to loose I grabbed my black spray-can and my miniatures and went to the garage and started to spray. Finally after a long wait.


At the back we see from left to right, A staff team for my Canadian Artillery. This one was never painted because I didn't need it. Now with the new rules it may come in handy. Then in the middle there is a M18 Hellcat tank-destroyer and a scout car. These are the last models for my tank-destroyer platoon. The rest of the platoon I already painted about 5 years ago but because I never were going to use them I never painted the last models. Now this platoon can be used with my 101st Airborne Division from the NUTS book which give me reason to paint these models. At the right is a Stuka D for my Mid War 90. Leichte Afrika Division DAK army.
Next row we have 3 25mm SA-34 guns + Command team for a 25mm Anti-tank gun platoon. An addition for my Early War French Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie. These were a gift. Thanks Les.
In front of those we have a Rocket Battery, RCA with 4 Land Mattress and 2 Command teams and 2 Observers. For my Market Garden Canadian Infantry Company.
And last in the front row, Easy Company. An addition for my 101st Airborne Division. Also from the NUTS book.

The plan was to paint the M18 Hellcat and a scout car first but because the weather put me behind schedule and I am going to play in a small tournament in June using my Canadian Company, I have no choice then to paint the Rocket Battery, RCA first.

Complete Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie

This is the complete Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie I painted. I only have to add a pair of objectives and maybe later I will also add trucks to those platoons who can take them.
It is a 1500 points company list and the company is built up using the following platoons:

Headquarters
1 Panhard AMD-35

Combat Platoons
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35
Reconnaissance Platoon 3 Renault AMR-35 (7.5mm MG), 2 Renault AMR-35 (13.2mm MG)

Weapons Platoons
Fusiliers Machine-gun Platoon
Fusiliers Mortar Platoon

Divisional Support Platoons
Medium Combat Platoon 5 Somua S-35
Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon (Colonial)
All-terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery

Air Support
Sporadic Fighter Intercept Moraine Saulnier MS.406

Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie

Headquarters
1 Panhard AMD-35

Combat Platoon #1
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35

Combat Platoon #2
Deep Reconnaissance Platoon 4 Panhard AMD-35

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 12: 2nd Panhard AMD-35 Combat Platoon.

Finally part 12 and the last part of this project. This project should have been finished more the 6 months ago but because of al kinds of trouble, like none available miniatures, it took a lot longer. At least I got them all painted in time, before the end of the year.

This is the 2nd Panhard AMD-35 Deep Reconnaissance combat platoon.
The colours used to paint this platoon are 895 Gunship Green, 983 Flat Earth, and black for the wheels.All Panhards have a thin black wash. Lastly I used 873 US Field Drab to give them a muddy look.
The difference between this Panhard AMD-35 Combat Platoon and the 1st Panhard AMD-35 Combat Platoon are the roundels on the side of the hull. On the 2nd platoon they are gone and replaced by the Unit symbols.
The Unit symbols that are placed more to the front just below the turret on the 1st platoon are gone on the 2nd platoon. I did this because I read somewhere that some units did replaced the roundel with the Unit symbol. This also became handy for me because I can now keep the 2 platoons apart.

Some technical details about the Panhard AMD-35:
Type: Armoured car
Place of origin: France
Service history
In service: April 1937 - 1964
Used by: France, Nazi Germany, Italy, Syria
Wars: World War II
Production history
Designer: Panhard
Designed: 1933-1937
Manufacturer: Panhard
Produced: February 1937 - ~October 1940
Number built: 729 "A" versions, 414 B version
Variants: Panhard 178B
Specifications
Weight: 8.2 metric tonnes
Length: 4.79 m with gun
Width: 2.01 m
Height: 2.31 m
Crew: 4
Armor: 20 mm
Main armament: 25 mm SA 35 cannon
Secondary armament: 7.5 mm Reibel machine gun
Engine: Panhard SK 105 hp
Suspension: leaf spring
Ground clearance: 0.35 m
Operational
range: 300 km
Speed: 72 km/h

Panhard AMD-35

Panhard AMD-35 Deep Reconnaissance platoon front view

Panhard AMD-35 Deep Reconnaissance platoon right side view

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 11: Medium combat platoon Somua S-35 cavalry tanks.

This is part 11 of my 2011 / 2012 FoW project.
The Medium combat platoon containing 5 Somua S-35 cavalry tanks. I already painted the commander for this platoon more then a year ago.
To paint this platoon I used the following Vallejo colours:895 Gunship Green, 983 Flat Earth, 912 Tan Yellow. For the tracks I used 995 German Grey with a highlight of 863 Gunmetal Grey. All tanks have a thin black wash. Lastly I used 873 US Field Drab to give them a muddy look.

Some technical details about this tank:
Type: Cavalry tank
Service history
In service: 1936 - 1945
Used by: France, Germany, Italy
Production history
Manufacturer: SOMUA
Produced: 1935 - June 1940
Number built: 430
Specifications
Weight: 19.5 t (19.2 long tons)
Length: 5.38 m (17 ft 8 in)
Width: 2.12 m (6 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.62 m (8 ft 7 in)
Crew: 3 (driver, radio operator/purveyor, commander/gunner)
Armor: 47 mm
Main armament: 47 mm SA 35 gun
Secondary armament: 7.5 mm Mitrailleuse mle 1931 optionally coaxial
Engine: SOMUA V-8 petrol 190 hp (140 kW)
Power/weight: 9.7 hp/t
Suspension: leaf spring bogies
Fuel capacity: 510 litres
Operational
range: off-road ~130 km, road ~230 km
Speed: 40.7 km/h (25.3 mph) off-road: 32.2 km/h (20.0 mph)

Somua S-35

Somua S-35 platoon

Somua S-35 platoon front view

Somua S-35 platoon side view

Somua S-35 platoon back view

Somua S-35 front view close up

Somua S-35 side view close up

Somua S-35 side view close up

Thanks for looking.

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 10: All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery.

Finally finished the All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery for my early war French Escadron de Reconnaissance company. The battery consist of four 105mm C mle 1935B guns, Staff-team, Command team, Observer and a motorcycle and sidecar.
Before the pictures of the painted Artillery battery there is a picture of an original 105mm C mle 1935B gun. Something I will try to add each time I have painted a new platoon for my FoW army's.
Sorry for the crappy pictures.

105mm C mle 1935B gun with crew

All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery

All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery

WIP All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery.

At the moment working on my All-Terrain Towed 105mm Artillery Battery for my early war French Escadron de Reconnaissance company. The 105mm C mle 1935B guns are all painted just as the motorcycle and sidecar.

The guns. I went for a "dirty" look. For this a used a black wash and no "bright" colour for highlighting. When the guns are based they will also get a muddy look.

The motorcicle. It was horrible to put this one together. The handlebar with hands is a separate piece and before painting I had to dry fit everything to make it fit when it is painted and put together. Same "dirty" look like the guns. The mud effect will be added at the same time when I do the rest of the platoon. Also have to rework the skin-tone and add some details.

Next will be the gun crew, staff team, command team and observer.

Thanks for looking.

Getting back to the painting table.

Now that the temperature is dropping around here it is time to pick up my paintbrushes again instead of sitting outside in the sun with a cool drink in my hand. Not that there is something wrong about that.
On the painting table can be found the following platoon for my French Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie.

Also another great thing about this beautiful weather is that you can prime your miniatures outside instead of some indoor room where you have to make sure that there is enough ventilation.

In the background a Firefly VC can be seen. This one will be included in the Guards Armoured platoon for my 101st Airborne division.

Thanks for reading.

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 9: Renault AMR-35 Reconnaissance Platoon.

The next platoon for my Early War Escadron de Reconnaissance Company is painted.
It is a Reconnaissance platoon with 5 Renault AMR-35. From these five Renault AMR-35 three are equipped with a 7.5mm MG and two of them have a 13.2mm MG as there main weapon.
As usual the biggest problem was adding the decals. For the French the decals are so tiny that you can hardly see them. Also you have the feeling it takes ages to apply them to the vehicles. Where you normally have the decals applied in a few minutes I think that these took me about 15 minutes per vehicle. And then who ever came with the bright idea to make the roundels in 2 parts, white + red circle and the blue dot, should be fired immediately. I almost went insane when I had to apply these to the vehicles.
Anyway here are the pictures. They are a bit shiny but that is because the lighting wasn't optimal.

Reconnaissance Platoon with 5 Renault AMR-35

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 8: Fusiliers Mortar Platoon.

Before we go to the pictures I want to tell something. Some of you may have noticed that I don't post much and also that I give hardly or no comments to anybody else's posts. Thing is that at the moment my life is going to a rough period with some problems. That makes it that for now I don't have much desire to post and give comments. I try to read as much blog posts as possible though. Even my painting suffers from all this. It took me weeks to get this platoon painted. I don't even like to work on new army files even now BF have made a lot of their free pdf briefings V3 approved. I even wonder if I will get the spirit back to work on these army files.

Now on to the subject. The quality of the minis is in my eyes below any level. They have bulky hands and faces you can hardly call faces. Even the feet are out of proportion. I always liked the quality of the BF minis but these are not in line with the minis they normally sell.









Thanks for reading and looking.

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 7: 1st Panhard AMD-35 Combat Platoon.

Because of the cold weather we had in this country, lot of work and problems at work I had a minimum of time to get some painting done. But now there is finally an other platoon for my Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie painted. The first of two Panhard AMD-35 Combat Platoons.
Personally I think the models came out right although the pictures don't do them justice. If I can think of something that could have done different than it would have been the camo.







As I like to have some variation in painting, the next platoon for my Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie will be the Fusiliers Mortar Platoon. Looking at the minis I noticed that these will need some work because there is a lot of flash and mold lines to be removed.

Now I like to welcome all the people who have decided and taken the risk to follow my blog. I hope you will like it here.

Thanks for looking and reading.

Time for the next platoon to get painted.

Now that my 90. Leichte Afrika Division Schützen Kompanie is done it is time to concentrate me more on my French Escadron de Reconnaissance Early War force.
The platoon that is ready to get painted is a Deep Reconnaissance platoon with 4 Panhard AMD 35.

What will follow after this platoon is a bit unclear as the weather forecast is showing that the temperature will drop below the 0 degrees Celsius. So this means I can't give new platoons a layer of primer or even get painted platoons sealed with varnish because, when it is freezing, I don't have a room with a warm enough temperature to use a spray-can and get a good result. I don't think it is wise to go and spray in the living room or kitchen. Oh well I can't do nothing more then wait and see what happens. Maybe I find a way to solve this problem.

Thanks for reading!

The Christmas present that I bought for myself.

I and the family never buy or bought presents for Christmas. This because of the fact that a few weeks ago it was my birthday and not only mine and at the beginning of December in the Netherlands we celebrate an other feast called Sinterklaas, a childerens feast. Although more and more people, mostly grown ups, instead of celebrating Sinterklaas are now give presents with Christmas.
Because of the fact that I and the family don't give presents I usually buy something for myself around Christmas time. This year the choice fell on some FoW blisters.

On the picture you can see 4 blisters with Panhard AMD-35, 2 Blisters with Renault AMR-35 and 1 Blister with a mortar platoon. All are for my French Early War company from the Blitzkrieg book.
With the blisters I can build: 1 Panhard AMD-35 platoon, 1 Renault AMR-25 platoon and 1 Mortar platoon.
This brings me 1 step closer to the end of a complete Escadron de Reconnaissance company.
Now all I have to do is to find time to paint it all.

Thanks for reading.

My 2011 / 2012 FoW project 6: Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon (Colonial) painted.

First Sorry for the long wait but there is finally an update for this blog. I had some trouble at work that had to be solved first. Next I like to welcome all new followers of this blog.
What we have is a painted Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon (Colonial) for my France Early War Escadron de Reconnaissance army. Just like the Fusiliers Machine-gun Platoon this platoon is not from Battlefront but from Forced in Battle.
The colors I used are all Vallejo.
Uniform and great coat: Green Brown (879)
Helmet: Olive Green (888)
Pack: German Camo Orange Ochre (824)
Blanket: Flat Earth (983)
Boots: Chocalate Brown (872)
Webbing, Canteen: German Camo Beige (821)
Gun stocks: Beige Brown (875)
Gun metal and tin-can on back: first German Grey (995) then drybrushed with Gunmetal (863)
When all the basecoats where done they all did get a wash of Game Color smoke with a few drops of the basecoat color added to this wash thinned down with water. After that a little drybrush is done using the basecoat color.
Base: Is painted using US Field Drap (873). Then after this has dried I used a mixture of GaleForce nine Spring Undergrowth (GFS010) + some cheap flock Fibres Medium Green, to flock my base. Also some real small pebbles are added. All this together gave a sort of rough terrain look.
With this platoon painted I now have 2 completed platoons.

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon front

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon back

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon Command team

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon VB team

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon Rifle/MG team

Fusiliers-Voltigeurs Platoon Rifle/MG team

Thanks for looking.