From BenitoV: Panzer I Ausf A with 20mm Breda Gun (20 points)

In my final entry for this year's challenge, I present one of those armour "rarities" from the Spanish Civil War - the Panzer I A tank with a modified turret designed to mount an Italian Bread 20mm gun. This tank was primarily used by Franco's forces.

The history of this model is closely linked to the T 26 tank. During the Battle of Seseña in October 1936, the rebels were taken aback by the firepower of the Russian T 26, which outmatched the lightly armed Panzer I and CV 35 tanks supplied by Germany and Italy at the beginning of the war.

The response to a new threat was to mount the Bread 20mm gun on a Panzer I hull, which had the capacity to penetrate a frontal 40mm armour plate. Four tanks were quickly converted in 1936. However, after the Nationalist army captured and put into service a significant number of T 26s, the project was abandoned. 

Hence, the Breda Panzer was rarely seen on the real battlefields of Spain in the late 30s. Nevertheless, it will make a nice addition to my gaming table.

This is an Eskice 3D printed model in 28 mm. Although it has a simple design with not a lot of detail, it is enough to add something different to my table. Most Panzer Is used I Spain were painted in the typical panzer grey color of the Wehrmacht. However, I have found evidence that at least one of the Breda models was painted with the cammo scheme used in my model, a sort of yellow-ochre tone (the sources are unclear) over the original grey.  

This entry adds 20 points to this year's Challenge scoring.

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Very interesting research behind this model, Benito. I find it fascinating reading about in-theatre weapon system design as you sense the almost frantic readjustment of plans as events unfold at the front lines. I also really like the one-off camo scheme that you've reflectet here. I think I may have to hunt down this STL file for my own SCW collection. Finally, thank you for joining us this year, Benito. It is always a pleasure to have you in the Challenge.

- Curt 

From BenitoV: First entry, New Acquisitions and Happy New Year (40 points)

Today I officially start the Painting Challenge this year, overrunning my planned schedule due to a busier festivities calendar than anticipated.

My opening contribution is this small but attractive little vehicle "Luchs" or "Lynx", used by the Wermacht during the Second World War.

This AFV was an evolution of the early war's Panzer II and was officially named as Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf L. The Lynx saw service until mid-1943 in the recon units of the German divisions, but had a limited production (around 100 units in total according to Wikipedia).

Mine is a 28mm resin 3D printed model from Eskice miniatures with a nice level of detail. Painted in sand yellow with a faded and worn 2-color cammo scheme, it will see action mainly in my future Normandy 44 theater games.

This is a (relatively?) new acquired (and printed) model (early November) that I reserved specifically for the Challenge, where I'm planning to submit a series of WW2 recon vehicles over the next weeks. I'm going to count it for the "New Acquisitions" section of the Library (should Curt agree on this).

Therefore my initial scoring will 40 points: 20 points for a 28mm vehicle plus 20 points "New Acquisitions" bonus.

I take this opportunity to wish all fellow Challengers, their relatives and friends a great 2024, and kkep those dice rolling! 

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It's wonderful to see you back, Benito! 

This Luchs is a great little model and you've done a very nice job with it (some of the newer 3D prints for vehicles are first rate). I like your addition of the aerial and decals to properly finish it off. Great work and a Happy New Year to you and yours!

- Curt

  

From BenitoV: Last Jump on the Landing Zone (20 points)

It's Father's Day in Spain today and family duties (including the traditional lunch with the extended family) kept me busier than initially expected this weekend. Despite that, I've managed to paint  4 Fallschirmjager in early war uniform, and believe or not, I have finished with the a project started during the lockdown in 2020.

 

The LMG team is a 3D printed model (in one piece) from Eskice Miniatures. The individula model with the ammo box is from the plastic Warlord range.

I have to say that Eskice's FJs are not the best designed models from this manufacturer (unlike for example the German motorbikes). The uniform is not exactly historical (the jumping boots for example look more American than German) and some of the gear elements were not used by the Fallschirmjager in 1940-41 

In any case I liked this model in particular because of the animated poses and sense of action. 

 

 

This is my last contribution to the XIII Challenge. A total of 4 28mm models @5 points each = 20 points. 

 

I'm really happy with my participation in the Challenge this year. both from my own contributions but also enjoying the very talented paint works of mots of the challengers.  I hope to see you around again next December.

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A wonderful last entry, Benito. As you say, the gun crew may be a bit ahistorical, but the pose and setting are excellent, and your excellent brushwork goes a long way to forgive these small sins. Well done, Happy Father's Day and see you next winter!

- Curt

From BenitoV: A Motorbike and Some Green Devils (35 points)

In this very final lap of the Challenge I continued with the WW2 Germans. On the one hand, I have painted the last motorbike with sidecar for my Chain of Command motorized infantry unit.

 

As in the previous two weeks, this a resin 3D printed model from Eskice

 

 

This week I have recovered some leftovers from an old project in our club to recreate the airborne attack on Crete in 1940. I painted and officer and a couple of LMGs in the early war jumpsuit gear. 

Unfortunately, I did not notice until today that one of the weapons is a German MG model 42....impossible to have jumped on Crete. The mistake originated in the Warlord's plastic German paratroopers box, which combines both early and later war models. When I assembled the models, I distributed in two boxes the early and the late, but I may have mixed up this specific model. In any case, too late.

Another 35 points bagged today and getting very close now to my 700 points target in the Challenge. I expect to reach the mark during the Saturday and Sunday frenzy.

Those all look fantastic, Benito! I wouldn't worry over much about the MG42 - at tabletop viewing distance it probably won't be noticed.

Tamsin

From BenitoV: More German Motorbikes (20 points)

As a continuation with the topic of my submission of last week, I bring for this Tuesday more German Early War goodies, in the form of a motorbike with sidecar, to be used as the LMG support for my motorized unit.

 

I have a second model in store but I could not finish basing the model in time. Actually the support unit was supposed to be a total of three of these bikes with sidecars ... but it seems that I forgot to print the third file and unfortunately I have the printer in my family's vacation house (closed until Spring).

 

As with the motorbikes presented last week, this is a Eskice model. Nice detail and very dynamic poses as usual, although the face sculpting is slightly cartoonie.

 

So small addition to my Challenge score this week: after requesting clarification from the minion-in-charge, I was told this model will be worth 20 points, as it comprises two vehicles with two riders (each 10 points)  

That's a nice looking motorcycle combo, Benito. It's a shame you missed printing the third file and can't access your 3D printer at the moment.

Tamsin

From BenitoV: Go West! (85 points)

It took some time to think out what I could paint that was properly aligned with the Western Studio... until in a friendly discussion with some of my club mates about our next Chain of Command project, someone said " Why don't we go West and invade France?"... and suddenly EUREKA!

So today I bring the first models of my German Blitzkrieg-era Army motorbike unit!

 

This is the first batch of the my squad, with the individual motorbike riders. Next in line will be the some motorbikes with sidecars and LMGs.

 

The models are 3D printed and are designed by Eskice miniatures. This is a French designer that has released an impressive array of 2WW related models (infantry, armour, vehicles, artillery, support units)  including a very complete early war French range, Polish, early War Germans and British, and many more. Worth taking a look of you are in the 3D printing side (or to buy the printed models too).

The sculpting style (specially the faces) is a little bit cartoony but full of character. Some of you may remember a previous submission from this same brand with some German Fallschirmjager models.

 

 

With the submission today I score 82 points, calculated as follows:

• 6 x 28mm models riding motorbikes @10 points each = 60 points
• + 2 points for a second rider in one of the motorbikes = 2 points
• Western Studios Bonus = 20 points
• Total 82 points   
  

 

 

Those look great, Benito - a smashing start to your new project. I'm counting the pillion rider as a full figure for scoring, so that's 85 points total.

Tamsin

  

From BenitoV: Panzers Marsch! ... and a Troll (60 points)

Changing my focus from the Ancient period of previous entries to Second World War now: a few bits and pieces from other yet-to-complete projects lining up for painting.

Firstly,  a Panzer IV with the short barrel and the grey color scheme typical of the 1939 to mid-1943 period. 

 

This is a critical armoured support asset in my German Army Blitzkrieg-period unit for Chain of Comand 

The tank is a Rubicon plastic model at 1/56 scale Pz IV D/E. This is a brand that I favour over the Warlord/Italeri range for the quality of the moulding and the attention to detail. It includes for example the piece displayed as the flag for aerial identification over the tank turret.

The tank commander on the other hand is a 3D resin printed model from Trenchworx German Tank Commanders series. These are superbly sculpted models and I have also acquired a few of its 2WW AFV range to print and paint in 2023.

 

The complementary batch of 2WW minis in this post are these Fallaschirmjager minis, an officer and a sniper team.

 

The models are also 3D printed,  from the Eskice range in 28mm. They are a little bit cartoonie and not 100% historically accurate (for example the trench spade of the officer, the odd jumping boots or the gas mask cannister, not used by the paratroopers in jump missions) but I found them original and fun to display on a table.

 

See for example the sniper model grabing a wartermelon in the rifle to attract enemy fire to reveal its position.

The color scheme is that of early war as well, with the jump suit in field grey/ gray green tones. These will be part of the force for a Crete campaign planned in the club for mid 2023.

 And now moving to a complete different topic... 

"Dawn take you all, and be stone to you!" said a voice that sounded like William's. But it wasn't. For just at that moment the light came over the hill... William never spoke for he stood turned to stone as he stooped" The Hobbit - Chapter 2 Roast Mutton

And here we have William in its last act before converting into rock

 

I have painted this venerable metal troll model from the Ral Partha stable acquired in the early 80s, at a time when I was playing D&D and Warhammer Ancient Fantasy. I thought it was a good candidate for the Black & White studio, removing the old paint layer and providing it with a new life.

 

I have used three layers of grey to paint the monster (in all senses of the word, as it is a towering 40+ mm height) in its last act before attempting to munch the poor captured dwarfes.

 

If my maths are correct I shoud be adding 60 points to my Challenge score:

• 1x AFV @20 points = 20 points
•  + 1 x tank commander in 28mm = 3 points (not a full model)
• + 1 x FJs officer @5 points = 5 points
• + 2 x FJs sniper team (prone) @2.5 points = 5 points
• + 1 x Troll 40mm @7 points = 7 points
• + Bonus Black & White Studio = 20 points 
  
•  = Total 60 points

I should also be awarded 1 point in the Squirrel duel with the German Early War Army entry (33 points)

 

 

Lovely work on the Panzer and the Fallschirmjager, Benito! Nicely done with the troll as well.

Tamsin