Featured work - Erhan's RBT-5 with rockets

I just had to post this picture up as the model is so unusual (I've never heard of this tank before). The RBT-5 with rockets, despite seeming quite an advanced notion for the time, seems to originate before WW2 and was an attempt to boost the range of engagement. I can't find any references about how successful this might have been or whether it was actually used in action.

Erhan has, again, done a very nice job so far (it isn't complete yet) and I can't wait to see the finished model. Follow Erhan's progress over at the MiniAFV blog

Shell Hole Scenic's M40 Nimrod - Part 1

As mentioned in my first post about the Shell Hole Scenic’s Hungarian Nimrod AA tank model I am more impressed with this product than I was with their awful T20. My main criticism of white metal models thus far has been about poor fitting and the surface pitting.

Left: A lovely shot of the Hungarian Nimrod. Source: WWII in Colour

But this model seems to fare better on both accounts. Additionally the level of detailing is quite nice, with additional smaller parts provided to make - what I assess to be - a fairly passable looking Hungarian Nimrod...

Featured work - Dave's Italeri ISU-122/152s

I've had the Pegasus Hobbies ISU-122/152 twin pack in my stash for a while now, with the intention of making one up as a Finnish example that was captured from the Soviets during the Continuation War. So it was interesting to see a post over on the Plastic Warriors blog showing Italeri's direct equivalent of this quick build set.

It seems a little unusual that two quick build makers cover the exact same subject in the exact same way - providing a 122mm and 152mm ISU option in the same box - and it really makes me want to crack open my Pegasus set to see what, if any, differences there might be between the two.

Check out the rest of Dave's photos of the Italeri versions here: Plastic Warriors - Italeri ISU 122 & 152

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Follow up -

Came across this really cool post on the MiniAFV blog where Erhan (the author) puts together the Pegasus Hobbies version of this set...

This post is in Turkish guys, but here's the Google Translated link: Pegasus Hobbies 1/72 "ISU 122 & 152 brothers"(Erhan Atalay) Page 1

I hope my Pegasus ISU-152 turns out this good!

Featured work - Erhan's Mirage Hobby 1/72 OT-130/2 Chemical Tank

Over at MiniAFV there is a very interesting model, it's the flame thrower version of the venerable T-26 Soviet tank. I recently saw this tank in the Finnish war movie 'The Winter War' ('Talvisota') and so it was great to see this lovely little model featured in-depth on this terrific blog.

Source: MiniAFV Blog

Of course, this is very relevant to my current project - WW2 Finnish Army - as the Finns were quite dependant to the T-26 (in either it's original Vicker's 6 tonne form or captured Soviet variant). Even as late as 1944 the Finnish Armoured Division included T-26s, and despite being obviously obsolete they did see action against the Germans during the Laplap War (1944-45) where the small size of the tank was an actual advantage.>

I don't know much about the flame thrower version - or 'chemical tank' as the Soviets called it - though I know that the Finns captures some of these and used them against their former owners.

Erhan's model is very nice and his posts about the build really give you a good impression of what the Mirrage Hobby model is like (very good as it tuns out). However, one criticism I have is that the Finnish decals are incorrect, the blue Hakenkreuz (Finnish swastika) should actually be black - though the Finnish Air Force of the time did use the blue version.

Check out the excellent photos of this model at the MiniAFV post.

What the posty brought - Shellhole's Nimrod

Ohhh, look what the posty just popped through my letter box (it arrived with a very hefty thud)! It's the Shellhole Scenic's Hungarian Nimrod AA tank.

I couldn't resist posting up a quick snapshot of the parts (note that I partially assembled the turret) and while not wanting to pre-empt my in-depth review I have to say I am quite impressed...

I've still got a bit of a nagging resistance to white metal as a material for modelling though and despite this model being obviously better quality that Shellhole's earlier T20 (which I was scathing about) there is still some pitting in the surfaces. This may be my opportunity (or excuse) to buy and experiment with another product I have been curious about called 'Mr. Surfacer', which I believe can help smooth out uneven or damaged model surfaces.

But I'm not being negative, I'm actually quite happy with some of the nice detail that is already apparent on this model. (I should start getting the review together over this coming week.)

Note on scale: Basically I've no idea - this could be 20mm or 1/72, I can't find any drawings or dimension of the real tank online to make an accurate assessment. Hopefully I will know more by the time I do my review.

Featured work - Steve's Panzer WIPs

It's great to look at smart finished models, all decorated and weathered and photographed expertly, but I especially enjoy seeing works in progress. As a novice it's really useful to see how other modellers go about putting together or paint a kit, if only to confirm that I am 'doing it right' myself!

Over at the Regeln des Krieges blog Steve (the author) has posted up this terrific photo or a brace of Armourfast Panzer III/IVs going through his camo painting process. It looks like he hand paints the camo - rather than spraying which I have started to do - and I have to say he looks to have a very steady and expert brush hand!

Post title: 'Armourfast kits: A bit more progress'

As a graphic designer I actually like this clean flat painted stage, though as a modeller it's what he does next - during the pin washing and weathering - that's probably more exciting.

Check out his blog as there's loads of really interesting things to see - including some wonderful buildings: Regeln des Krieges - Keeping wargames simple!

Planning a Finnish War Game Army - Part 3

Finnish soldiers with Panzerfausts in Tali-Ihantala. Destroyed T-34s. Source: Wikipedia

Here's my first attempt at a comprehensive army list, very loosely based on the Rapid Fire! rules. Obviously this isn't a 'legal' army - there aren't any Finnish Continuation War supplements for me to draw upon - but I tried to be logical.


FINNISH ARMY 1944

INFANTRY DIVISION

1. REGIMENTAL HQ

> 6 figures (3 on 2 bases), staff car and radio truck
> Recce & Pioneer Platoon - 10 figures (5 Pioneers), 1 Panzerfaust

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2. INFANTRY BATTALION (39 FIGURES)

> HQ - CO & 5 figures

> 1st Company: 8 figures, 1 with Panzerfaust
> 2nd Coy: ditto
> 3rd Coy: ditto
> 4th (Heavy) Company: 9 figures, 2 x Maxims, 1 x 81mm mortar

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3. SUPPORT COMPANIES (17 FIGURES)

> Gun Company:
- 3 figs, 152mm gun, 1 artillery tractor
- 3 figs, 76mm gun, 1 light truck

> Anti-Tank Company:
- 4 figs, 2 Panzerschreckes (2 figs per base)
- 6 figs, 2 x 45mm AT guns and 2 light artillery tractors

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4. BATTALIONS (2) DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY REGIMENT

> HQ - 3 figs (1 base) & 1 radio truck

> 1st Battalion:
- 8 gunners (4 per gun)
- 2 x 105mm howitzers
- 2 x medium trucks
- 2 fig OP team

> 2nd Battalion: As above

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5. ANTI-TANK COMPANY:

> 2 x Pak40 AT guns (8 gunners & 2 medium trucks)

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Finnish StuG III Ausf. Gs. Source Wikipedia

ARMOURED DIVISION

1. REGIMENTAL HQ

> Command Tank (T-50)
> 20mm Flak 38 and light truck
> Sd. Kfz. 9 "FAMO" Recovery vehicle

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2. RECCE COMPANY ('Panssariautojoukkue')

> 2 x BAF-B (BA-6) Armoured cars

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3. HEAVY TANK COMPANY

> T-34/85
> T-34/76

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4. HEAVY TANK COMPANY

> T-34/85
> T-34/76

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5. ANTI-TANK COMPANY

> 2 x StuG III
> 1 x ISU-122

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6. SP ANTI-AIRCRAFT COMPANY

> 2 x Landsverk Anti II AA-tank

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...I still have a LOT of work to do on this! Particularly on the Armoured Division.