BG Tobruk - 88mm part 2

 So a bit of subtle chipping added.

BG Tobruk - DAK 88mm

 I bought 8 of these as I wanted some 88s for a 1945 themed game and at the time could only get the DAK variant so thought about just doing head swaps.  I put the first two together and then forgot about them.  With the renewed impetus on painting I dug them out to find out that I had actually used a figure in shorts so I will do a pair of the guns as DAK for BG Tobruk

Crete - Objective Markers Part 3 - Airborne Assault

So the four are now done. I have gone back and added some more rocks to the test piece and tried out some different ideas for the tree.

Crete - Objective Markers Part 2 - Airborne Assault

So I have managed to get things underway after the first one (far right). Another three made up and now just need the canister to be added and the parachute lines weighted down into the terrain. 

I have made two weapon/ammo containers and a general supplies one which is the four that I need for the scenario.  

I have tried a couple of different ideas out such as a tree. Just to break up the terrain while still keeping it semi arid.  Hopefully when I get these flocked up tomorrow it will all come together. Overall I am reasonably happy with how these have come out (effectively for free) using 3D Components and material I had around the workbench already.

In progressn with the UV Cured canopies being tested for fit to the MDF bases.

The Version 1 container which seems a little flat so will have a look at tufts when I do the other three tomorrow

Crete - Objective Markers Part 1 - Airborne Assault

For the Airborne Assault scenario in the Tobruk supplement you need four supply canisters to act as your objective markers. Assuming they haven't been captured then you could assume they should still be attached to parachutes and closed.  So....

Having access to the schematics made it easy to quickly make up these simple replicas on TinkerCAD.  I have made an error on the one on the left which should have six spokes. I will fix that tomorrow but for the time being I have just printed off four of each.

The containers can then be matched to the canopies.  I found a set on Thingiverse which are for 28mm(1/56) so I scaled them down and made these 45mm.  The real ones would scale at 66mm but as these are billowing I made them a little narrower.  They are allied canopies but will suffice until I find another solution.

The rigging lines are 8.5m long or 8.5cm ( I so like 1/100th as modelling scale for scratch building) and I will use white thread.  I will need 10 rigging strands per parachute.

I am toying with a couple of ideas, one of which is to leave the canopy and lines separate from the container so I can re-use these for Market Garden.

Colour wise

Food and Supplies - White
Medical Supplies - Yellow
Weapons and Ammo - Green

Other Colours/Variations
Officers - White capped (if camouflaged)
Officers - White capped (Black)
RZ-20 Parachute - Camouflaged

Building a Fallschirmjager Battlegroup for Crete using Peter Pig figures

Most people know I am a fan of Peter Pig's figures.  I think they have plenty of character and the newly released fallschirmjager are no different.  The new release are "early war" and definitely have the option for Crete with rolled up sleeves and helmet covers. There are twenty packs in the new range plus some of the old range (Packs 45, 50 and 377) give you a couple of additional figures if you are happy grabbing a pack just for one figure or pose.

Most of my WW2 gaming uses the Battlegroup rule set authored by Warwick Kinrade.  There is an option in the Tobruk book to create the forces needed to fight for the island of Crete in 1941.  This is my record of building a German FJ battlegroup for either Parachute or Glider deployment.

The BG army lists follow a standard pattern:

• Forward Headquarters:  Here you find the senior commander of your force, Air Liaison Officers, Signals Units, Communications teams and some themed activities (more of that later).  Taking units here lets you unlock options such as Logistics and Additional Fire Support which round out your force.
• Infantry Units:  Here you find the solid core of your battle group.  Platoons of troops with supporting elements such as tripod mounted MGs, Mortars, Medics and AT Rifles. You can also field additional sections of infantry if needed. 
• Tank Units: If you are permitted armour then platoons or troops of tanks as well as single vehicles can be added to your force.
• Artillery Units: This is the artillery and mortars that are dedicated to your battlegroup as well as your forward observers to control fire.
• Defences:  If you are a defending force then you have the option of adding defensive positions, snipers and possibly barbed wire and minefields.
• Engineer Support Units: If not an option as "infantry" you will find Assault pioneers and specialist engineering equipment needed to assist your troops.
• Reconnaissance Support Units:  Battlegroup is all about the combined arms approach and you will find Recce patrols, armoured cars and the like.
• Logistic Support:  Provides ammunition resupply and first aid for your force.  
• Specialist Support:  Where permitted this gives you the options to add those small units or weapons which are vital but don't fit anywhere else in the force structure.
• Additional Fire Support: This is where the higher level on call artillery can be found to supplement your dedicated support as well as the options to deliver counter battery fire and conduct some preparatory fire with both artillery and aircraft on planned missions (on call air power is covered as a game mechanic).

My Fallschirmjager (which includes the option to play as the Gerbirgjager for later engagements) get to draw up a sub set of the army list which reflects the method of entry onto the island and the scarcity of support at critical stages.  Each of the links below will take you to the respective section and some ideas of what you can build/take.

Forward HQ
Infantry Units
Defences
Engineer Support Units
Reconnaissance Support Units
Logistic Support
Additional Fire Support
Objective Markers

Crete 1941 - Peter Pig Early War Fallschirmjager

So with the reconfiguration of the house nearly complete it means I can gradually get back into BG and all things modelling.

The new FJ from Peter Pig came through the door the other day.  They are a joy to paint and I love the detail Martin has put on these.  The rolled up sleeves is a nice touch for Crete 1941. This is a 6 man rifle element for BG with a MP38 armed NCO.  Smocks are all Grey Green with Field Grey trousers. I did one helmet in a green as the use of "apple green" helmets did still happen.  I not on a lot of the photos that an attempt at camouflaging the surface had started to happen but at this scale I am not sure I can pull it off.

The only things I am not a fan of with these figures is the size of the boots. I might try some miliput to hide the height on a couple and see how that goes.

BG Tobruk - DAK Pz III

Airbrushed in VJ Drk Yellow and then a filter of green ochre

Then VJ Dark Sand for the chipping

VJ German Cam Black Drown

Dry rush of VJ Iraqui Sand and now just waiting for the crew and detailing

BG Tobruk

I did promise not to start something new. In my defence it is only a book as the plastic pile has all the vehicles and there is plenty of unpainted metal. I will NOT be doing both forces and the DAK will be the only force I do