"1/144th US pre-painted vehicles and figures?" Topic

Who sells Sturmgeschütz IV?

The M4A3 in winter camo was from WTM 8. The rest of what you are looking for M5, M7 etc… were not available in winter camo so if you want them that way you'll have to buy them and paint them yourself or have a painting service do them for you. Stug IV was made by Dragon Cando (prepaint) or unpainted Dragon Panzer Korps or Mini Armor. link
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Thank you machinehead.

And for the infantry,the artillery and hid crews, the self-propelled guns and their servants from both camps, how do I do it?

SPG, Dragon Cando made the Hummel and Popy made the Wespe but not in winter camo and both are almost impossible to get now. Arrowhead Miniatures make both but are unpainted metal kits. They also make the M7, M18, M10, M8 and M36 but they are as the above. I don't do figures or crewed artillery so maybe someone else can help you there.

Think you will be stuck with painting figures. Suggest Pendraken as they will have all you could want.
You can, or could, anyway, contact them if you only wanted the CREW figures from their various arty and not the guns… useful for SPGs or ATGs and 88s from Takara or others.H/T crews seated figs now in catalogue… along with tank commanders.
As any, (expensive for what you might get!), prepaint figures around, will be pretty basic as to painting standard… what you do is up to self… bus massive choice if figs to do it with!

For anyone doing Brits as well as US… I think the Victrix M3 H/T comes with both sets of crew figures… could be VERY useful, that!

Also Victrix has the Wespe and M7 Priest in the works. no idea when though.

Each Victrix M3 comes with 32 figures, 16 each of US and Brits.

Actually the WTM Series 8 also has a very nice M8 AC in winter cammo. I have a few and they are nicely done.

Marc33594, they are also very rare and expensive when you can find them, I only have 2 in my collection.

@ machinehead

SPG, Dragon Cando made the Hummel and Popy made the Wespe in pre-painted models ?

Victrix is not pre-painted !

@Heedless Horseman

Thank you but Pendraken, it's 10mm, not 1/144 !

@ all those who are interested !

I can not wait to know how the units are organized in the rule "The War on the Ground " – WW2 Rulebook – of Vitrix thus I will see more clearly

It's recently, I watched some documentaries on the Battle of the Bulge and it seems to me that during this battle, the Americans rarely have winter camouflage even on a thick layer of snow, is that regulatory?

And before the snow fell, the Germans didn't have any either, which is logical, but then what types of camouflage did they have ..?

Thank you

Paskal, yep. I have 6 of the Hummels but never was able to get any of the Wespe.

Plenty of discussions on TMP on 'Scales'… like 10mm vs 1/144. If using prepaints in 1/144… maybe, avoid '10mm' vehicles as some, 'metal', 'older' vehicles more 1/150… but some much closer to 1/144, nowadays.

10mm figures may be a trifle 'oversize / bulky' anyway…but often 'sized' against a 6' human. How many 6 footers around… and WW2 heights a little shorter? Smaller figs easier to fit into an SPG…bases will need cutting off anyway… and Guys 'Duck'!
Don't know whether you are intending to base your vehicles… but based 10mm foot… + figure base, (Unless 'sunk into base!)… ok with unbased vehicles. You seem to be hoping to avoid time consuming things such as basing vehicles… in 1/144, I would prefer not to, either!

As for snow camo… from what I gather… initial attack was in very cold, frosty conditions. Hill positions… may have had some snow… don't know.
Snow fell heavily after attack began… as far as I can tell.
Once attack underway… unprepared US armour FAR too busy to paint… and German columns 'on the move', unless 'stalled'.
So think much equipment still in 'non-winter' camo. No doubt, once heavy snowfall… they will have taken any chance to camo up… but might not have had the chance to, in 'early days'.

German camo… virtually any scheme apart from Dunkelgrau. From basic yellow, through green stripes, blotches… to 3 tone variants. May have been 'Ambush' scheme around, though, myself, I tend to associate it with a little earlier. Anything they had!

Others will have more info on most aspects than I… just 'My take' on things.I would also welcome other members knowledge on 'snow coverage' and camo!

Some Takara on ebay here… but EXPENSIVE! Think I've 'bagged' another Winter M4A3 though! lol
auction
Will have to take chances on import charges!

Nw stick to 1/144, nothing else for now.

But I bet that even at 1/144, from brand to brand there will be differences from one model to another for the same vehicle and that will force me to make units in relation to the brand of the models.

For the infantry I only found the Pegasus Hobbies pre-painted and only the US infantry can be used for the battle of the Bulge.

Apart from Pegasus Hobbies, no manufactures offer pre-painted infantry for the battle. of the Ardennes?

I don't want to base my vehicles it's too horrible…

For the infantry there is no choice!

I can't wait to see the Vitrix rule for lightening things up.

These are the only other prepainted 1/144 soldiers I know of.
combatgroupdynamix.com
They also have prepainted vehicles. I had forgotten about this manufacturer.

machinehead, thanks for your help, do you have any other great ideas like these?

I launched my collection on September 23, 2021 and yesterday October 04, 2021 I received my first models namely 30 figures of American infantry and two Sherman tanks designated as M4A3 from Pegasus Hobbies, but they are M4A1 (76) W, those with their fully cast upper hull, with a distinctive rounded appearance and the new T23 turret carrying an American made 76mm M1 caliber gun with muzzle brake, derived from the 3 inch already used on the M10 Wolverine tank destroyer.

I had never seen real characters and vehicles on this scale!

It's too good, much better than the 1/300 or the 1/72 nd, but not for my same reasons, but it will be necessary to be careful with the handling and I now understand why some glue them on bases, but I will not do it, that would be too ugly and then my American tanks and "Free French" will be able to fight in all weathers since they did not systematically wear a winter camouflage on snowy ground.

I also received the rules I ordered and am trying to find a time to read it.

But these rules only concerns the last year of the war on the north-west front.

Now, I am waiting for other models on this scale from other brands and I am afraid that there are differences in size for the same vehicle … We will see, case to be continued, but for now I am very happy!

Today, I received a Takara US M4A1 (76) W Sherman Winter Camou Model , those with their fully cast upper hull, with a distinctive rounded appearance and the new T23 turret (in fact I don't know because it is different from the M4A1 (76) W of Pegasus Hobbies carrying an American made 76mm M1 caliber gun derived from the 3 inch already used on the M10 Wolverine tank destroyer, but without muzzle brake as the models of Pegasus Hobbies et a Takara Heer Type38 Light Tank Destroyer Hetzer described as rare by the seller …

I will try to see why these turret differences on M4A1 (76) W.

Another question apart Vitrix, which sells decals at 1/144 for the "Free French" vehicles ?

This morning I found in my mailbox, 2 SdKfz 251/1, 1 SdKfz 251/9 and 1 SdKfz 251/22 from Pegasus Hobbies, all in winter camouflage and two unpainted M4A1 (76) W that I was given and they are really very beautiful…

I will have to inquire about the numbers that they do not have on the flanks, because I do not know if it works even for German tanks?

The numbers are increasing, but I absolutely need panzergrenadiers on the scale of my SdKfz!

Careful with the M4A1 76 and the M4A4, if you are planning 2e DB in France. They did not use either model (First Army did, landing and fighting through Southern France into Germany. 1e and 5e DBs that is).

The later turret could differ in its gunner's door hatch. The early one had a large round split cover. It was replaced by a much smaller oval hatch.

I do not know of suitable markings in your scale. Clem Dupuis of Braillestrike in Brussels is very open to suggestions though. He has, only recently, expanded from 1/72 to 1/35

The 1st and 5th DB have M4A1 76s and at M4A4, may not be the 2nd DB in France.

Thank you, I did not know or rather, I had forgotten because it has been years since I sold all that I had known about WWII in books, figures and models.

I started all over again since Sep 23, 2021 at 1/144 scale, because it had been working my mind for a few months for the battle of the Bulge, the campaign of Tunisia and the "Free French", but for the latter, alas , in the absence of decals, this risks slipping …

The 1/144 scale is really the ideal scale, better than all the other scales for my taste!

A lot of things are missing in pre-painted (I really don't have time to paint them myself if they are very small, but for what I'm looking for, see all my posts above and thank you for your help in the future) and it is therefore very exciting to seek them out!

The rear turret could differ by the hatch of the door of its gunner.

The first had a large round slit blanket.

It was replaced by a much smaller oval hatch.

Thank you for the information…

I have to hang out on wikipedia where I buy myself a ton of Ospreys!

For the moment only Vitrix makes decals at 1/144 scale for the "Free French" but I have not yet checked for which DB.

This morning I received the Königstiger from Takara, the SS mobilization continues slowly …

Initially, the first fifty examples were fitted with the Krupp turret developed for the Porsche model. Where and how were these first fifty Königstiger used?

Thank you.

Decals. I-94 available from Pendraken do a VERY basic sheet of Red French Lorraine Crosses and Tricolore in mixed scales… some might be useful.

Porsche Tiger II. Afraid, no definite info, but think several 'lost' NW front late '44 from photos.

I have no idea about current stocks, but this was a VERY CHEAP UK source for some non winter GERMAN + ATG Takara prepaints!
link

If relying on prepaints… and you like the models… I would not get 'bogged down' too much with variants and markings. I tend to… and do not get very far! lol.

You can find 1/144th-1/160th armor decals here, though, unfortunately, not much help for your French
link

Don't know if you aware of it, but this site can be very useful. I hadn't actually looked up Tiger II before, but loads of operational info there!
tanks-encyclopedia.com
Could be of help with Free French, also.

Sometimes can take a while for a 'click' to work… but worth it.

@Heedless Horseman

Thank you,

For the Porsche Tiger II, since there were only 50 turrets built, in my opinion they were scattered throughout the battalions.

Anyway, given the small size of the models, the markings, true or false do not bother me and I will especially not touch my models by wanting to modify things on them, that even if it is done well, we will see the difference with the pre-painte part ..

Magister Militum doesn't have many models to sell anymore and none that interest me.

Thanks for Pendraken and tanks-encyclopedia.com infs, I'll check it out.

@ Marc33594, thank you too.

The case of decals at 1/144 for my "Free French" risks reducing their workforce, unless once in place the names given to the tanks remain illegible, given the small size of the models and decals, in which case I .will be able to force-feed me.

This morning I received six figures of 1/144 WWII German Grenadiers / w Anorak jacket for the end of the war, a 1/144 Takara World Tank Museum / M20 armored personnel carrier (magnificent), a 1/144 Takara World Tank Museum / Heer Panther G type [designated as Rare by the seller, and which is barely shorter and less wide than the Königstiger received yesterday] and also a War Room 1/144 M4A1 US Sherman Tank, with this last model, there is a problem, because it is a little longer and wider than the other models whereas it is designated at 1/144 like the others? Will we have to avoid the War Room models? First little annoyance in this collection …

Panther was a big tank.
Panther 6.87m x 3.27m
Konigstiger 7.38m x 3.75m
so not much in it for size.

War Room Shermans did seem 'large' alongside others. As prepaints for Tunisia, might be ok by themselves, nice models…but wouldn't mix with others IMHO.

Lucky to get M20! Panther not really 'rare'… I suggest ignore 'rare' as a selling point. My first prepaint was an Elephant, so described… looked great, (And it is!)… but found loads on sale later. 'That' got me buying 1/144 Takara. lol.
Initially, I had only intended a limited 'skirmish' between 'old' Pendraken Panthers and M18 Hellcats! Bank balance has suffered. lol!

Takara M4A3 75mm + others on ebay. These models ARE rare… but rather expensive…
auction

My M20 is green but I am expecting an M8 Greyhound in winter camouflage this time.

For the infantry and its support weapons, as well as for the towed artillery and its servants, the 1/144 is a real problem, especially in pre-painted, Heedless Horseman you have no ideas?

War Room is at what scale then?

Why do you say "As prepaints for Tunisia"?

My War Room 1/144 M4A1 US Sherman Tank is in winter camouflage!

Fortunately, I will try not to disperse myself…

First of all, it is the Battle of the Bulge of 1944 that interests me …

Afraid no idea about War Room scales, only seem a little 'big' compared to other manufacturers. I thought you had a 'posisble interest' in Tunisia US.

auction

auction

Arty…apart from the Takara ATG sets and 88s… and 88s and Sdkfz7 from CanDo , sorry, do not know of any prepaints.

Takara ATG set. US 57mm did differ from UK 6pdr ATG…but would 'do' if not too bothered. Annoying thing about Takara sets is that 'description' is vague about colour for guns. I bought a couple of each set from Mag Mil… given the price .

Thanks for the links !

Well I keep looking, next week I will have new models.

OK, unpainted metal, but another source for guns and inf.
link

Guns. Few blasts of Olive Drab from a can and couple of minutes brushwork with an 'off black', (Revell Anthracite?) for tyres… and a bit of 'mud' to hide blushes!

This morning I found in my mailbox, 2 from Pegasus Hobbies, two unpainted M4A1 (76) W from Pegasus Hobbies that I was given again and they are really very beautiful…

That makes me 6 including 4 to paint !!!

This morning I also received 8 Takara:

A Takara 1/144 WTM 3 World Tank Museum USA US Sherman Firefly Winter Wash [Which will be of no use to me, since the Americans did not use them …].

A Takara 1/144 WTM 2 World Tank Museum Model German Hetzer Winter White [That makes me two …].

A Takara 1/144 WTM 5 World Tank Museum German Jagdtiger Winter Figure Model …

Three 1/144 Takara Kaiyodo World Tank Museum 3 German PANTHER Ausf.G Winter Camo model [That makes me four …].

A Takara 1/144 WTM 8 World Tank Museum German Panzer IV / 70 Figure Model B Winter Camo model.

A Takara 1/144 World Tank Museum WTM 8 US M4 Sherman Winter Camou Model with 75 mm barrel.[Makes me one, it's tun M4A3! It's beautiful, needs a lot more].

I expect more this week.

I was lucky and got in on many of these early including getting pretty big deals on Ebay. I was able to get one of the Wespe's shown above (although in Pz Gray, not as useful as the dunkelgelb) and even the rarer Wespe ammunition carrier. Need to get with someone over some trades perhaps.

Arrowhead makes a nice Wespe and one is in the works from Victrix.
link

Sounds like you have definitely caught ' the bug' for 1/144!
Just a thought about the unwanted Sherman Firefly. If you wanted to, you could 'pen' in German crosses? Might not be historically accurate for Bulge, but…

This morning I found in my mailbox :

Two 1/144 Takara World Tank Museum 2 GERMAN JAGDPANTHER WINTER CAMO model.

One 1/144 Takara World Tank Museum 1 German TIGER 1 Heavy Tank Winter Camo model.

One 1/144 Takara World Tank Museum 2 GERMAN HETZER WINTER CAMO model [That makes me three…]

And a 1/144 Takara Kaiyodo World Tank Museum 3 German Panther Ausf. Model G Winter Camouflage, a little different from the 4 others I own, it has no skirts on the sides, the cupola on the turret is smaller and is different and the details on the hull have been carved differently which gives the impression that they are different from my 4 other panthers, it is also whiter and the front is slightly brown…

It is from the same brand as my other Panther's, but not from the same series[that's why it may be different?] because It is exactly the same width but a little longer than my 4 other panthers …

@ machinehead

Thanks but if Arrowhead is metal and not painted, I don't want it …

@Heedless Horseman

The firefly shermans fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the British ranks…

Are the American firefly shermans the same as the British firefly shermans?

Because the American units adopt it, 80 of the US army M4A3 being thus transformed but, arriving too late in the theater of operation, they will never be used in combat.

I don't think Firefly ever used by US… may have been considered… but a UK conversion. I have never heard of US conversions before!

Not something that you will want to do, Paskal, but I 'converted' several Takara Fireflies into 'makeshift' 75mm British Sherman V's, (M4A4), by cutting turret stowage box off, then radio extension from turret, reattaching stowage box, carving away turret loaders hatch, adding hull mg… and cutting/filing down gun!!!
Not used by US in NWE.

With prepaints, the camo does tend to vary… and turret may have been painted by another production line worker to hull!
I am not keen on some of the 'winter' camo schemes as they do not seem to 'fit' together, but… prepaints.

Don't you think Firefly was ever used by the United States… maybe it was considered… You're right but they bought 80 of them!

This morning I found in my mailbox:
1/144 TAKARA Tomy WTM 8 Figure German M8 GREYHOUND Schwingwagen Winter vehicle …

It's thin, but these two vehicles are magnificent, look forward to tomorrow!

Paskal. Curiosity? Have you got a 'Battlemat' for your stuff?

The US favoured the 76 gun on an M4A1 or M4A3 hull in a new turret. They preferred petrol to diesel and nothing beat the Ford GAA engine of the M4A3.

The M4A2s and M4A4s went to Lease Lend (or Marines for the former). Fireflies were based on M4s, M4 hybrids and especially the M4A4 but had their disadvantages, however great for armour piercing. The biggest was the lack of an effective HE round, which really reflected the greater role of tanks in NW Europe. Not against tanks but against buildings, hedgerows and bunkers….unless of course you did suddenly find yourself facing a Tiger.

Not for snowy ground, but it will come, moreover I will have agglomerations and trees on this scale …

I have to find a rule on another scale so as not to always play the same thing …

I also need to learn more about the battles orders of the Battle of the Bulge, for the moment I use the GMT games, it seems that it is reliable ..?

I had completely forgotten that the first week of this battle, there was no snow and therefore that the German vehicles were not in winter camouflage and those of the Americans even less, I will need 4 armies ..?

This afternoon, someone brought me my first "Wespe", it's so cute, I forgot it was a Panzer II chassis.

UK mainly used a 4 tank Troop, (Platoon), by 1944, with the 17pdr Firefly acting as 'overwatch' for armoured threats, while the 75mm armed tanks, (who also had hull MG which was removed from Firefly), got 'stuck in' against infantry, etc.
A good combination… lack of HE 17pdr round not so much of an issue as Firefly was there to protect against AFVs.

17pdr not all that accurate and had a huge 'blast'… but, if it did hit an AFV, it was Dead.

The problem with 'Winter' battlefields is the roads.
Plenty of very nice latex roads around… but none for snow!

I did ask a good maker if he could 'winterise' his wares… he agreed to produce a sample… but nothing came of it.

So… probably have to dry-brush 'frost' on what is availble.

Winter camo for Bulge? I have asked the same question on different forums but never got a definite answer.

Think, normal paint for first day or two… then snow and white wash… but when crews able to do it! So ok to use non winter camo for early offensive… and a mix for later!

Thanks Heedless Horseman,

This morning I found in my mailbox a Takara 1/144 World Tank Museum 2. German StuG III. In winter camouflage, it's not much, I hope to receive 'more this afternoon…

If the American Fireflies were identical to the British ones, I keep it because the British also participated in this battle.

You know if the American Fireflies were identical to the British ones?

My problem is not with the battlefields " winter " but at what scale I'm going to play and with what rules, you have no ideas?

"Think, normal paint for first day or two…

Then snow and white wash… but when crews able to do it! So ok to use non winter camo for early offensive… and a mix for later!" , then I'm going to need two German armies!

For Americans according to documentaries and period photos, winter camouflage was not a priority …

And then I don't know if this type of camouflage was effective?

Except maybe for a vehicle stopped at long distance, at the edge of a forest and which does not shoot …

No idea about US Fireflies… had not heard of them apart from testing. Maybe Tank Encyclopedia' link?

Cannot help with Rules…I do not 'Game' as such. In my youth, LONG ago, I liked the WRG… but much more available now. As for 'scale'… if you mean the forces engaged… best start small… and enjoy it! A 'skirmish' can give you the 'feel', whereas a 'big' battle can be a disapointment as you try to understand rules!

At least no probs getting prepaints without winter camo!

As for tank camo… two main purposes.

Disruptive… to 'blurr' vehicle againtst identification and aiming points for weak spots.

Concealment.A moving tank is pretty noticeable… a big, moving object…often with clouds of exhaust smoke!
Camo is for when stationary in firing position or resting up.
Have read of a couple of G.Is strolling down a lane and about to have a smoke. Brit Tankie startled them by tossing a box of matches! They hadn't realised that 'bush' was a tank!
Winter camo for Bulge? This was pretty much the last gasp for the Luftwaffe… but efforts mainly directed against airfields. Allied airforces got in some strikes… but poor weather a major factor in Germans getting as far as they did. Air observation is main point of camo… winter camo can help… but best camo was tree branches and netting.
Think US commander in Bastogne made a plea to populace for white bed sheets for troops and vehicles. Got a good response! VERY difficult to model this!
Actual snow fall best cover for vehicles… but again…very difficult to do well on small models.

Ps: Have you seen these DVDs? Some. with the 'presenter team', Pretty Good.
link

I did not know these DvDs, there are at least 4 of them on the Battle of the Bulge …

I had thought of the Megablitz rules, but I can't find one for sale?

Some information on US Firefly:
link

Thank you Marc 33594,

In fact I did not quit with the Battle of the Bulge and today bought myself , Battle Of The Bulge: Hitler's Ardennes Offensive, 1944-1945 by Parker, Danny and Hitler's Last Gamble: The Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-January 1945 , Trevor Nevitt Dupuy and some time ago the GMT Ardennes '44, 3rd Edition…

Forthe US Firefly, conversions of 75mm armed US Sherman took place starting in March of 45. The US conversions were different in a few ways. The armored box on the rear of the turret was a little bigger to fit US radios, and the M2 machine gun brackets were welded to the end of the radio box. The tanks chosen for the conversions were all M4s and M4A3. It's possible some large hatch final production Shermans with all the improvements were a part of the 160 to 200 that were converted before the program was suspended.

In fact I also read that there were only 80 of them, but now with this article we see that they were different from the British ones, so alas the US Firefly model at 1/144 scale is not not valid for making British Firefly!

Well, those US Fireflies new to me! Thanks to both.
Could be of interest to modellers / converters or those wishing to extend WW2 for a bit longer and go up against the German 'projects'!
Takara Brit Firefly V a lot different.

Marc 33594. Any idea what that US Firefly actually was? Rear hull looks welded, Front cast… so Hybrid… but looks like 'Large Hatch'… so not the Brit hybrid! Has side 'fenders' but cannot see suspension type. Possibly a prototype?
Others unclear, but either early M4, M4 Hybrid or M4A4 hulls…
SHERMANS!!! LOL!
Not all that bothered! Just curious.

Heedless Horseman,

Possibly a prototype?

No, the Sherman with its 75 mm gun shows its limits against the most modern German tanks like the Panthers or the Tigers. The first test is British, with the 17-pounder gun being mounted in a standard Sherman turret. Known under the name "Sherman Firefly" (firefly), it is particularly successful, and is instrumental in the fight against German tanks, during operations in France and Italy. So much so that even the American units adopted it, 80 copies of M4A3 being thus transformed (but, having arrived too late in the theater of operation, they would never be used in combat …).

Source: Steven Zaloga, M4 (76 mm) Sherman Medium Tank 1943-65, Osprey Publishing Ltd, 2003. p. 34-35.

This morning I found in my mailbox:

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII USA M15 37mm AA Gun green (8396).

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII USA CCKW Xylophone Launcher green (8398).

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII German Sdkfz233 armored car gray (8025C).

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII USA M24 Chaffee Tank green (8360).

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII German Henschel 33 Truck gray (8384).

A Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII USA M-16 AA Gun green (8395).

And a Panzer Depot 1/144 WWII USA Solders green (8127).

Now I'm going to Osprey's site to buy more books on the Battle of the Bulge.

In his book Armored Thunderbolt Steven Zaloga has the same picture with part of the caption reading: "About 100 M4 and M4A3 were rearmed with 17-pounder guns by the British arsenals in the spring of 1945. They had a number of differences from the British Fireflies…"

He has quite a bit on the program including this paragraph: "The dormant American 17-pounder Firefly program was revived in the wake of the Battle of the Bulge. The program began in February 1945, and the American M4 (17-pounder) differed from its British counterparts in a number of small details, such as radio fittings. Two U.S> M4A3 (17-pounder) pilots were completed on March 15, 1945, and the first shipments of M4 medium tanks from France back to England for conversion arrived in Southampton on March 9, 1945. The initial order was for 160 conversions, to be completed by April 30. The M4A3 with wet ammunition stowage was preferred for the conversion, but th M4 was also used. A total of eleven conversions were completed by the end of March, and the first batch of five converted M4 (17-pounder) tanks departed Southampton for the continent on March 31."

As I said, quite a bit more.