"1/144 - Gearing Up" Topic

Encourage by Ed (Machinehead), and his recently-illustrated modelling threads on these WWII forums, I've decided to get some backlog painting done on a few North Africa-themed builds.

What was keeping me from tackling these German Sdkfz. 231 armored cars below, was the need to replace some barrels that were broken during shipping. I subsequently got some replacement 20mm Flak barrels off of ebay (little lathe-turned brass beauties), that I figured I could turn around and mount muzzle-first into each turret, and sort of get a similar look to the KwK 20mm cannons (and MGs).

Here's the WIP on these 1/144th scale resin Prints, showing some added stowage bits -

Next, after they've been primed. Since I use rare-earth magnets underneath a model for storage retention, I can also mount the models on paint boards with magnetic sheet on top, which will hold them for during spraying.

Now, need to fit these into that painting schedule. ;)

Where did you get the 3d prints from? They look really great! Same ? for the storage bits….

Skedaddle, these armored cars were from Anschluss Publishing out of the UK. They've got a healthy lineup of 1/144th scale WW2 AFVs and soft-skins. I've always gotten great service from them to here in the US, but decided instead of asking for replacement turrets, I'd 'gamer-proof' these models above with these retrofitted brass barrels instead -

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Stowage bits? – got these from 'all over'.

Pendraken has some suitable 10mm packs.
Scalefiend has a nice tarps, camo nets, and packs set -
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Arrowhead Miniatures had some of the best (now mostly out of business, except for some remaining [vehicles] inventory atm).

Every now and then you'll see some stowage appear from one of the ebay sellers – snatch it up if you're interested!

Maybe Machinehead and others here might have some other sources to recommend for storage bits too…..

Perhaps Tom D. (member Dye4minis), might bring out some stowage pack(s) with his expanding AIM line, that's also another source for resin Printed 1/144th scale models (servicing customers in the USA currently) -
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Dave, looking forward to seeing these all finished up. I've got a bunch of printed vehicles on order from Plastic Soldier Company that I'm really looking forward to. N scale railroad stuff can be used for stowage, just have to look around.
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Also some new stuff from Victrix for the Brits in North Africa.
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I never cease to be amazed by the detail possible on 3D prints. So far what I have seen has been 1/72 figures and the occasional Napoleonic vehicle. OK they are fragile and can suffer in the post, but the undercuts that are possible, chains with every link distinct, horse harnesses that are not chunks attached to their lower jaw, but separate strands.

Those DAK armoured cars are terrific.

I've got more stowage bits and spare parts than I know what to do with. :D

There you go Skeddadle, MH has some good sources there for stowage linked, and I completely forget to mention the Plastic Soldier Company has made their foray into 3D Prints for this scale now.

DeadHead, TY you bud!

On these armored cars – not until I got the primer coat on them, which took away the surface shine, did I realize how good their detail was (nice to have them look better after the undercoat, instead of the other way around). :)))

EDIT – just saw Ed's stowage stash here – ok, who's going to offer him that fir$t bid…….

As additional motivation, I often use a planned game scenario to work towards, to move along with some miniatures build project. For these German 8-wheelers here, I've found my scenario motivation in the wartime report prepared by the US War Department, on Operation Battleaxe – this should be available by online search titled – Special Bulletin No. 36, The Battle of Salum, June 15-17, 1941 (a really interesting read for fans of WWII I think).

In the report, the context for an encounter between light armor patrols, and with Mobile Columns (soon to be coined Jock Columns) in evidence, and this presented that historical inspiration for some future gaming potential -

Did I mention recently needing some Marmon-Herrington armored Cars? ;)

Dan, Those 231's look great! I got a few things from PSC and have been very pleased with them. The US modern infantry platoon is complete with support weapons but you have to cut them from their supports. The M-901 and 577 I was very happy with. Took forever to get. I got a rule set from Anschloss and a few vehicles- again pleased with what I got but again, took a long time to get.

I will see about some having some generic stowage for our little 1/144th guys.

Ed. When you get your Victrix Universal Carriers, please let us know your impression of the loads of figures enclosed in that set. Hope they do DAK and (gasp) Italian infantry in the near future.

Just to be up front, I am happy to see the interest in 1/144th (especially the African Campaign) pick up! Happy to see reviews of other 3D prints appear here. I am hoping Dan finds those M-H A/Cs to his liking. While Dark Horse got his order out fast, unfortunately the USPS is as fast as molassas in the winter at times! I have been waiting for several packages that arrive in the Denver area in decent time but to get them out for delivery is taking as much time to get to my house then it took to get to the Denver regional distro shed! Still faster than waiting from across the pond. Happy gaming all!

I'll take some pics of these Marmon-Herrington armored car models when they arrive, before any painting (that paintin' might take some time yet).

There's solid enthusiasm on the forum for the North African campaign, and I think members like Yellow Admiral have dialed down on it for the 1/144th scale, and Cpt. Pete has shown his excellent desert painting schemes for vehicles he's gamed with in 1/285th scale.

In my game group, there's been guys who want to see the desert actions played more, with a few of them having small 15mm collections at the moment.

I believe Tom ^ was market-smart to zero in on doing vehicle types used in the North Africa campaign for his AIM line (and he switched to doing these instead in 1/144th scale from '10mm' for WWII, after his outreach on these forums) – that gets my support – at least because I got those M-H's I was needing to pick up (some of this probably wouldn't have happened without enthusiastic discussion input from guys here on TMP).

It is telling you something that this topic has had 318 views in 24 hours and this level of comment too. The site has generally been "quiet" of late, but this one got their attention!

Tell me you not going to pitch up those Marmon-Herringtons against a bunch of 231s. British armour was notoriously daft at this stage of the war (the old cavalry tradition of "Galloping at Everything") but they were not that dumb….surely?

Thanks, Dan. He will probably use those M-H to run down/eliminate those pesky Italian L-3's with! Those portable MG nests can be more than a nuisance when the Italians made 1,000 of them!

I have also noted the uptake in interest in the North African campaign here and on other sites. I have always wanted to explore that one as it is as close as one can get to be close to evenly matched in equipment, not so much in command and logistics and terrain a challenge to both.

DeadHead, here's my thoughts on what could be the basis for an interesting scenario featuring these inferior M-H armored cars (this was in discussion we were having back in March) -

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…One of the interesting tasks of the reconnaissance troops was attempting to observe where the enemy patrols moved along when they patrolled, to discover the gaps.

There's one battle report from Op. Battleaxe, where a British armored car troop with inferior Marmon-Harringtons was tasked with going toe-to-toe with heavier German 8-wheelers, just long enough to discern the path the enemy patrol used to approach and travel along in the forward position.

The Brits were bound to fail in their mission if they engaged in a protracted firefight with the 20mm-armed enemy cars – but they succeeded in getting back with the valuable info needed.

Always thought this type of mission would make for an interesting game – and needing some equally interesting victory conditions….

With the Mobile Columns in proximity to 11th Hussars on that map above, that gives me the chance of pulling their arty and 2-pdrs. into the scenario too – if a German player(s) would want to get aggressive with their 8-wheelers, and isn't it every armor gamer's desire to press home that advantage when they have it, so they can roll some more dice!

Such a scenario could evolve on the tabletop in stages, as each side calls on ever-heavier support to bail them out of their predicament (sometimes the Germans would reinforce the frontier recce units with a platoon of tanks being on standby too). ;)

Tom, Dan (my evil twin) would probably watch these forum thread counts, and especially for marketing, I could see knowing those numbers as being valuable.

Dave

Sorry, Dave. I have to. My request for a banner add here has gone "No Response" for over a month now! I learned long ago with GFI that TMP is NOT responsive enough to announce new releases. Or if you pay for the news…) By the time they get posted they are "old" releases and probably more new have come about. That discourages me from attempting more advert here….after 14 years, nothing seems to have changed. (sigh.)

Bummer!

"You're damned if you do, and damned if you don't"

Ain't that the truth, Dave. Just saw a notice that my figs from Trenchworx that my order is ready for shipment. I'll do a report here upon receipt. As for open hatches and Tank Commanders, Victrix has that option for Pz IV and Shermans. Might also be useable for other armored vehicles?

Tell you what. This shows how wargames can be so realistic. Those of us who never chuck dice think it is just Shermans against Tigers and maybe the odd 88 (never anything smaller).

Brad Pitt, head on and go for it.

But a recce role. Yes, that is what A/Cs do. Race back with the info and exploit where the UK Commonwealth Forces were always supreme. The Artillery. Maybe the Air on a good day and late on also. Inspired. Realistic. Even thought provoking for me!

I will stick to Waterloo, but really enjoy reading the posts here. My attic is filling with every mark of 1/72 M4 ever seen (not yet got a DD mind you, but on order tomorrow). I must try making some, I even have all the Free French Decals for the vehicles they did use. (and the Piper Cub for artillery spotting)

Like DeadHead mentioned, pound per pound, the German Sdkfz. 231 had it all over the standard Marmon-Herrington Mk. II armored cars.

In this photo matchup though, with Anschluss Publishing's 8-wheeler on the left (extra stowage added) vs. Armies In Miniature's M-H on the right, there would be no points scored particularly either way – for quality of model detailing…..maybe a slight nod to the M-H (this might be because the resin used seems very hard).

Gimme a choice of vehicle to ride in, never mind (I was going to phrase that more strongly) the detail, I know which roof hatch I would rather climb into (even it meant I was a nasty Nazi, with all that went with that insanity).

The photos are great here. It is something that many folk tend to ignore strangely. Depth of focus, lighting, background, all very well shown here. The sort of thing that took me about an hour ten years ago, with a traditional SLR. Mind you 20-40 years ago with a 35mm camera (Ring flash, macro lens to die for, motor drive etc etc) it was totally obsolete five years ago. I bought it for £800.00 GBP in 1987 and gave it to a Charity shop, perfect working order (eBay value about £35.00 GBP). Sob.

My phone does better these days. Great modelling here mate!

Dave, Thanks for posting those pictures here of the 8 Rad and the M/H we put out.

Indeed, my phone takes better pics than my Cannon AE-1 with close-up rings , Kodak 3.5 inch floppy and even ,my Nikon. Your pic is nice, crisp and sharp!

There are many exciting events to be discovered in the Sahara where if you can keep moving you are winning! Was reading about the shortage (of everything) of German paint pigment and where mud (mixed into a slurry and even applied by hand!) was sand blasted in a short amount of time regardless of side. (Ref: Panzer Colors I) The German "Dark Yellow" quickly turned several shades toward white thanks to sand blasting by nature.

Guys,

I'll also be using the sun-bleach affect on pigments, as my excuse to keep using the sky-blue color in my rendition of the Caunter camo pattern for much of this 1941-period armor (that, and the fact I like the light blue look better – and that all my other early desert stuff is already painted with that blue). ;)

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I did up a 1/160th Matilda in that scheme once. That's about 2 too many for me! Probably why I have stuck to solid, but weathered, color schemes. Hat's off to the guy that can turn out a Company in such a scheme. He'll have lots more patience than me!

I look forward to seeing more of your Afrika Korps stuff in the future, FlyXwire!

I have another 4 Sdkfz 222s and 2 223s to add to my recon elements. I need to get the Sdkfz 231/232s painted up … one of these days.

I am working on 6 1/285th scale GHQ Panzer IIIs right now.

Just received my US and German Tank crews from Trenchworx today. They are printed in black and come needing cut from the plate they are printed on. Each set of half figs are printed on a 3/4 by 1/2 inch (eyeballing that) "plate". Supports are still attached. First impressions are that they are pretty well detailed. They certainly will fit into our open hatches! (No trimming to make them fit in girth.) These are really small, but look to be 12mm/1-144th scale.

Considering they print on demand, it took me about 10 days from ordering to receipt thanks to the USPS. My first impression was "That was a long wait for 2 very small pieces, but that is the situation we face. Considering all this, "I" felt the quality and time taken to get seemed reasonable. Moral is "Plan Ahead of your needs". Will take some before and after pics when I can.

Hope this helps.

Tom and Pete, I think I'll play it safe on painting these armored car Caunter schemes, by avoiding posting any pics till I see their final results. :)))

Good info on those arrived tank crewmen Prints, and looking forward to Tom's pics.

German 8-Wheelers along The Wire

Great work there, Dave. Now if we only had some infantry….

Lot's of great mini and info here thanks :)

Excellent work on those Sdkfz 232s and 233s, FlyXwire

Tom, Chris, and Pete – thank you Sirs!

If I get good [final] results, I'll have a pic of a Western Desert terrain piece to upload here – for your viewing pleasure. :)

Nice looking armored cars Dave. Looking forward to the rest of your painted up Western Desert stuff. More pictures! :D

Thanks Ed!

I do have one complaint about these AIM Marmon-Herringtons……the model resin is so dense it's like drillin' thru metal. :)))

Beautiful resource for WDF/8th Army armored cars –

o5m6.de/western/ArmCars.php

Let's bed-roll…..

A quick look through my archives and I found these. I'm not sure which is which though as I didn't label them.

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