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03 May 2019

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 and José María Manrique García some 104 of these outdated guns were delivered to Spain by Nazi Germany.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!

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful colors...and job!

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  2. It's that interesting 3-tone camo again. Looks great in the final paint job.

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  3. Lovely looking artillery piece and delightfully varied crew, splendidly painted as always!
    Best Iain

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  4. A lovely paint job sir...

    As always...

    All the best. Aly

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  5. Lovely piece ! Viva España!

    Cheers

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  6. Like I said that is one fantastic piece Nick and I really do want to see it!

    Christopher

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  7. What a fab model! Beautifully painted, well done Nick!
    Cheers
    Matt

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  8. She's a beaut, in an ugly sort of way - if you know what I mean. I really like the WWI cammo you went with.

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  9. Beautiful work. Really enjoying seeing your SCW stuff.

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  10. So sorry for the late comment, but I have to say how impressive your brushwork is as always!

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  11. How did I miss this? Sensational work Nick, just amazing.

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  12. The Spanish Civil War was used by the then military powers (e.g. Germany and Russia) to test out their new equipment, right? Through I've an interest in war during this period it's centered mainly around mid- to late-WW2 in the Eastern Front and I've never really paid much attention to the SCW. Really love watching pieces from that period painted by you. (thumbs up)

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  13. Incredible stuff as always Nick, great job.

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