Two shows down

First Partizan and then one nearer to home, just completed in two weeks. Unfortunately either the full time job or space at other shows is restricting me from carrying the display case around the country, and Crisis seems so far away. The Broadside show at Sittingbourne was the first time for this event. It was very well organized, and quite well attended. Sadly the evil Gerard Cronin was there with his 40mm Mexican American figures, which proved too tempting for my faithful assistant Gaz, and then after much cajoling I also succumbed.
http://www.gringo40s.com/

What am I doing? Yes, these are beautiful figures, from a colourful period, and Gerard is a very likeable chap, but they aren't 1940 28mm. I think I have lost the plot. Added to the ongoing Perry Miniatures Carlist War project, I fear that my green paints may dry up.
There is some good news. Once Rich has a restock of resin, the Bedford OY truck is being cast. Shouldn't be too long now.

Bedford OY 3 ton lorry

Scout Carrier

The Scout Carrier shouldn't be too long before general release either.
In the meantime look at the pictures :-)

This booklet is available on ebay. Lots of research has been carried out on the colourful aspects of BEF vehicles. Those little AoS markings can make all the difference to the camouflage green.
There is already plenty of information regarding the Armoured Brigades, but little about the infantry, artillery or support units. Hopefully this booklet will redress the balance.
Price £12 plus postage.

Bedford OY 3 Tonner

Work is nearly finished on the Bedford OY 3 ton lorry. It is a little more complete than the one in the attached photograph, which is of one at Cassel. The resin kit will be a based wheelset, chassis, planked load bed, canvas tilt, and the cab. I have made the windows in the cab thin skinned, so they can be removed for the open look.

A10 Cruiser

I have sent the A10 Cruiser off to Richard for casting. It has been a while in the making, mainly due to the amount of rivets, but also due to the full time job getting in the way. I hope to have these by Partizan.
I have a limited number of the Panzer II Ausf A/B/C in stock, and most of the bits for the Scout Carrier. Anyone who would be interested, email me.
The Belgian FN M12 motorcycle combination is also done, just waiting for Mike to finish the crew, and then that will be released.
On the Belgian front, I also have a few FRC 47mm AT guns and crew for anyone interested.

Sorry for the 4 months of near silence. 9 years to retirement and then I will have far too much time on my hands.
Crouchie

Just a quick reference for the British Armoured Formations.
Bridge weights and WD serial numbers-

Vickers Light Tank VIb- T1985 through 2084, T2087-2293, T2336-2429,T2431-2530,T3652-3715, T4166-4241,T4243-4308,T4456-4484, T4465-4715,T5085-5129,T5763-5773,T5813-5842.

Vickers Light Tank VIc- T4309-4342,T5130-5184,T5774-5812,T5843-5882.

Both bridge marking 6

A9 Cruiser MkI- T7196-7270 Bridge marking 13

A11 Matilda I- T3433-3542. T5551-T5610,T8101-8119. Bridge marking 12 (?)

A12 MkII Matilda II- T6729-T6868, T7271-7350,T7351-7390,T10034-10203
(The WD decided to serial number MkII,MkIII and IV plus the Scorpion and Baron, irrespective of their mark. I would settle for the lower numbers for France. T6906 Greenock, and T9732 Galahad are the two I can vouch for at the moment. I will keep looking for the other numbers for each of the named vehicles. All names began with G.) Bridge marking 25

To be continued.....

Not sure about using Belgian chocolate to make the tank and saddles.....

Interesting developments. I have secured the use of a rather nice scale bicycle, for use with the Belgians, and eventually the Dutch.
I'd like to throw it open to suggestions, but I thought that 2 mounted cyclists, a walking cyclist, and a spare bike might make a nice pack. Head and equipment swaps would assist in making the figures in the pack different.
I'd also like to get the Belgian Boys AT gunner done, and maybe a couple more Belgian infantry to make up the section numbers. Maybe some more "Tin Soldiers of Antwerp" characters to join Sergeant-majoor Willie.
The crew for the 47mm AT gun should arrive soon, and I will get that out asap.
I am working on the Hotchkiss MG, and ideally will also build an MG08 for the line infantry, with the FRC 76mm infantry gun/mortar, and the small DBT mortar.
Motorcycles are also in the pipeline for the Belgians, and for the BEF.

And here is the Cruiser A9. I'm halfway through the initial stock already. If only the German stuff sold as well :-)
The kit is a resin hull and turret with tracks, MG Turrets, and fittings in metal.

This is a little idea.... Converting the Belgians to infantry wearing the Bonnet de Police is simple.
Paul Hicks, famous sculptor, and Mexican Peon impersonator, made these separate heads for Nigel Higgins (Anglian Miniatures). They are now owned by those nice people at Empress Miniatures, who will sell you four heads- (Code H4) for £1.50. Take the Belgian figures of your choice, and by gripping the head with small pliers, twist. The heads snap off quite cleanly. Drill a small hole, about 1.5mm in the top of the neck, and glue in the above heads. Painting the bonnet de Police in the green grey, and then picking out the lining and tassle in the chosen unit colour.

http://ww2armor.jexiste.fr/Files/Allies/Allies/2-Organization/Belgium/5-Uniforms/Uniforms.htm

is the link to the site with all the different lining colours.



Chasseur Ardennais Pack

Belgian Infantry Pack

Crisis in Antwerp was once again a very enjoyable show. Thanks to the Tin Soldiers for the invite.

The new Belgians were popular, and even a few of the A9 Cruisers went.

I would add the new stuff to the website, but my main PC has decided to stop working. I am relegated to the god-awful laptop. I have no ftp access on here.. It just about copes with spider solitaire. Anyone following on the blog who wishes to order these, contact me by email. I will get back to you on this silicon tea tray as quickly as possible.

We took the opportunity to visit the Belgian Army Museum in Brussels, along with Paul Hicks, Boycie and a few other chaps. It is worth a visit. A huge collection of militaria, uniforms, artillery,tanks and aircraft. Just don't try to measure anything on the open displays, as the alarm system is very good, and even detects a tape measure crossing the cordon wires. The security were very understanding, and we were able to continue our visit. We weren't alone, as Boycie's group also got the sirens wailing. Entry is free, photographs are permitted, and much of the heavy equipment is on open display....Just not the FN M12 Motorcycle and sidecar, which is protected by the alarm system.

Sneek peek of the Belgians

Once again my digital camera conspires to make my figure painting look awful.
The grey uniform is in fact grey-green, and the mustard coloured atire of the others is in fact a khaki brown. The only things that have stayed the same shade are the red Line Infantry collar tabs, and the scatter grass that I put on the bases.
That aside, you can see the general layout of the Belgians, with a Chasseur Ardennais Jager in the bottom left hand corner. The section support weapon is the FN Mle1930, a Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal version of the Browning Automatic Rifle. The NCO wears a bonnet de police, and wields a Mitrailette Modele 1934. Everyone else has the standard FN M1930 Geweer copy of the German Gew.98.

Cruiser Mk1 A9 -progressing

And I thought the 231 6-Rad was a complicated piece. The A9 hull is taking shape. Just the rear end trackguards and exhaust to finish, and then it is rivetting time. A bit of work is still needed on the front track guard ends to smooth out any gaps.
The MG turrets are separate pieces, which after many failed attempts with brass tube, were eventually constructed using Lego circular plates and tiles stacked to the right height and then skinned in plasticard. A spot of luck that my 4 year old placed some Lego bits on the table next to the plan drawings. They are the right height and diameter for these.
One of the fiddliest bits is the commander's hatch cover, which is a tent shaped structure that splits in half to open like a clam shell. It is done now.

The masters are here.. They will be available very soon.....

A9 - A10 track sets

Finished the A9- A10 Cruiser Tank track sets. I had to hunt around for the larger whee castings, as I had mislaid them amongst the wreckage of my parts bins.
These will go off to Griffin for casting in metal, as they are a bit delicate, hence the slight sagging in the top track run. The A9 is first. It is the more complex hull, which I have nearly completed the main structure.
I will look at working on the A10 in succesion, and would like to produce the two gun mantlets for the Mk1 and Mk1a. This will require two turrets being cast.
I do hope there will be some interest, as this pair are not going to be cheap to produce. I will still be looking at the usual £20 mark for pricing.

The 6 Rad.

I am working towards the Scout and Bren Carriers,the A9 and A10, and the Panzer II....And the Belgians are at the casters :-)

Kfz.15 Adler.

Vickers MG Team is now cast in sufficient numbers... Price £6.00.
Better than that, I have the Boys Anti tank rifleman and his erstwhile spotter as well. Price £3.00

I believe photos are already on the blog, but I shall snaffle around and find them again.
There is movement on the Char B1 bis front as well.. A very patient French customer has two on the way, and I am getting more in soon.

In the meantime the 6 Rad 231 is now grey all over and needs a bit of detailing paint work.
The 231 8 rad has been painted in the 2/3 grey, 1/3 brown.

I've been a bit quiet on here. No posts since early Summer. However, things have been moving forward with the range. I now have the facilities to cast figures and vehicle parts, thanks to Paul Hicks, and plenty of useful advice from Mike regarding what to do.
News for the range is that the Highlander pack is now available. I also have the Sd.Kfz 231 6 Rad for sale. Guy has been working to get the Char B1 bis back into production, and Nick Eyre (Northstar) has passed over the figure moulds, so that the Vickers MG team will soon be online.
I'll update with photos later.