SCW - 7,7cm Feldkanone 96 n.A.

Having only recently finished the T-26 tank I felt the urgent need to continue with the SCW theme. After all the miniatures are just superb. For quite a while already I had a hankering to do an artillery piece. These don't really feature in Chain of Command due to their range, but I figured I could get away with using it as a stand in for a PaK. After all both sides used their artillery in a direct firing role if the need arose.

Having had a 7,7cm Feldkanone 96 n.A. from Renegade Miniatures WW1 range lingering in the lead pile for way too long already, I thought it might be just what I was looking for. According to "Armas y Uniformas de la Guerra Civil española"  by Lucas Molino Franco (I wonder if there is a relationship?) and José María Manrique García some 104 of these outdated guns were delivered to Spain by Nazi Germany.  Four of which came with the Legion Condor while the rest was provided through HISMA / ROWAK. According to Molino those guns arrived in Spain only late in December 1938 and thus could not be used during the Battle of the Ebro. But despite their age and insufficiencies they were nonetheless welcome as they helped to ease the strain on the larger calibre guns of the Rebels.

The 7,7cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art as was its official name was introduced in 1904 as an upgrade, actually almost a complete redesign, of the even older 7,7cm Feldkanone 96. It combined the barrel of the latter with a new carriage, a new breech and above all a modern recoil system. It was lighter than both the French 75mm Schneider or the British QF 18 pounder guns but with a shorter range. In the opening days of World War 1 its higher mobility made it an highly praised asset in the swift advances through northern France. But once the sweeping maneuvers of August and September 1914 degenerated into the stalemate which came to symbolize the Great War, its deficiencies became all too apparent. Thus in 1916 it was upgraded again to become the 7,7cm Feldkanone 16. The 7,7cm Feldkanone (of both vintages) was one of the few artillery pieces the Germans were allowed to retain after the treaty of Versailles. Most guns were re-barreled to accept the new standard 75mm ammunition and soldiered on virtually to the end of WW2.

I'm not sure if the guns delivered to Spain were re-barrelled ones or if they simply were a few old dogs dragged out of storage to be disposed of in Spain. For this piece here I decided on the latter and to further enhance the impression of old equipment I went for a camouflage pattern as it was common during the Great War. Crew were sourced from different sets in Empress Miniatures vast range of Spanish Civil War Miniatures, chiefly from Republican and Nationalist AT-gun sets and the Italian 75/27 gun.

I'm still looking for some ammunition boxes to decorate the base but might just as well look out for a limber.
So, that's it for today. Stay safe and have a nice weekend!

Review - Perry Miniatures US Infantry 1942-45

Well, I don't normally do any reviews on here but I felt the latest plastic release by the Perry brothers warranting a change in routine.

But first things first:
Neither did I receive the miniatures for reviewing purposes, nor was I offered any compensations in order to do so. Also I don't have any affiliations to any of the companies named in this article. Thus all of the below is purely my (completely subjective) opinion and thus you may feel free to disagree with my conclusions.

Autoblinda 43 - SdKfz 203(i) - 3D print

My first forays into 3D printing are starting to pay off. I found the file for the Italian AB 43 armoured car over on Wargaming 3D and thought it'd be perfect to see how 3D printed models would work in 28mm. I have a few minor niggles with the spare wheels not looking like the real thing and there not being a choice for open or closed hatches being the biggest of my issues. Also it's lacking a few minor details like the antennae and headlights but other than that it's a very nice model and considering the file is available for free makes it a real steal. I added a few details (antennae, stowage and headlights) from my bits box and must say I'm rather pleased with how it turned out.

Last entry to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge: Curtgeld, French and a smattering of 15mm

The canal simply didn't fit into the booth

A last Hurrah of sorts really. Despite having reached my highest points total yet -most of it due to bonus points- I haven't been as productive by far as I'd have wished to. Especially when compared to what I managed to paint last year I'm a little disappointed  by my own efforts. Still it was a jolly good ride and an experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

Panzerjäger I

I'm once again back with more Panzergrau in tow, today in the form of the puny Panzerjäger I by Warlord Games. What struck me as rather odd with this vehicle was the lack of any crew besides the moulded in driver. Thus I had to press gang some Perry Miniatures from their DAK range. They're maybe a little scantily dressed for service in France, but they were the only figures I could find out there which seemed to fit.

T-26 tank

When Rubicon released their plastic T-26 late last year I kew I had to get me one of these iconic tanks. As with others of their kits I was rather impressed by both the quality and detail these guys have managed to put into this kit. Once I had chosen which of the ten possible variants I wanted to make the assembly was straightforward. It also came as a pleasant surprise that there were more than enough parts to build another turret to go with the tank.

1940 BEF

Having just added to my Early War Germans I felt it was about time to add a little to their opponents. Some of you might remember earlier efforts of mine (has it really been 4 years again?)  on much the same figures. Believe it or not it took me the best part of a month to get these fellas done and dusted. I blame a rather busy schedule with me being away from home for the most part of that time.

Last rites

"Nicht wofür wir kämpfen ist das Wesentliche, sondern wie wir kämpfen."

- Ernst Jünger -

Over the channel and far, far away...

Just a quick one today as I'm in a bit of a hurry really. At the moment I'm away with work most of the time and thus spare time with family and friends is at a premium. So, let's talk about channels today. When reading accounts about the fighting in Belgium, Northern France and especially Holland in 1940 what becomes clear immediately is the importance of streams, channels and similar water features as obstacles to the German onslaught.

It's a StuG life

Continuing on with my Panzergrau phase todays offering is a early StuG D.  While the diminutive Panzer I's and Panzer II's or their larger brethren the Panzer III's and IV's all have their individual appeal it's always been the StuG which impressed me the most. With its small shilouette and the boxy shape it simply looks both futuristic and menacing. And a StuG in the dark Panzergrau livery of the early days of WW2 is simply the king of 'Bad Ass'... in my books anyway.