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Showing posts from April, 2020

On the Workbench British Anti Tank Battery and M5 tows Tunisia 1943

These PSC M5 half tracks where bought for the big Market Garden weekend in 2018 (see a paint job to far). I have too many for  my small NW Europe  Irish Guards. So these I have found a use for in my main period - Italy and Tunisia in 1943.  The main use for the lend-lease half track in this theatre was in Royal Artillery particularly Anti-tank battalions. I will use these in Tunisia and Italy in 1943-1944 as tows for 17 pounder and 6 pounder anti tank guns as well as forward observers and resupply vehicles and, eventually, as a ride for my Royal Engineers.  This anthe M5 towing my 17/25 pounder Pheasant. I added the canvas tilts using PVA soaked tissue and brass rod.  Deployed 17/25 pounder with AB crew  Really enjoyed painting these as First Army crew  Crew from a different angle  Clse up of the 6 pounder gun battery on the move  A good view of the tilts cheap to do and quick I really like the effect/ The guns are the ea...

On the workbench - Churchill tanks 51 RTR

Just been upgrading and finishing my Churchill tanks mostly of 51 RTR 25 Tank brigade. This unit fought in Tunisia and Italy. Three gun tanks from A squadron Audacious, Agile and Achilles.  Two of these are Mk IV's from the PSC kit I added the Black Dog stowage to one and added Lancer British stowage to the other. The third is a Mk III mark up as the HQ is the Dragon kit. They're good for scale (unlike the diabolical Airfix Crocodile which is 1/76 not 1/72 as advertised just for a starter.) Churchill tanks of 51 RTR lined up below a crest near the River Foglia, 30 August 1944. The tanks were supporting infantry attacking across the river. Wikipedia accessed 2020.   I have just completed two conversions the first is A Churchill Mk I Close Support Tank from North Irish horse the senior regiment tom 51 RTR in 25 Tank Brigade. Each regiment had 6 of these Close support tanks in 51 RTR they where held with HQ squadron. The North Irish Horse had them ...

Scenario and AAR Operation Capri Campaign 3 The Hard Road to Hir Ksar Koutine

The Hard Road to Hir Ksar Koutine Our campaign map showing the progress of the Italian probe into the British position  Column Bari of the Italian Spezia Division advances toward the town Medenine after breaking through the pass at Kef Ahbdala. Historically the column was held  at Kef Abdala now however in our alternative history they are threatening 131 brigade HQ. The Italien player as winner chose the next scenario The Hard Road East. The Italians have now done better than they manage historically. We elected to fight the next battle for the small village at Hir Ksar Koutine on the main coastal highway where it crosses a deep wadi. The hastily assembled blocking force was from 131 Brigade with motorised infantry from the The Queens Regiment and Valentine tanks from the army reserve. British 8th Army 22nd Armour Brigade 1 platoon Motorised Infantry with 3" mortar from  A Company The Queen's Regiment 1 6 pounder AT gun 1 squadron Valantine...