30cm Nebelwerfer - part 1

Perhaps inevitably there was a chat about Nebelwerfers over lunch during the Twin Villages game a few months ago.  It was agreed that the 30cm version was a relatively rare sight in wargames, so needless to say I took this as a challenge!  I knew I had some suitable(ish) rocket crates from a 1/43 halftrack model, so these were swiftly adapted and mated with a chassis frame and wheels.  Crew were sourced from a Tamiya gunners set. Dubious origins but really no worse than the real one. 

Charlottenlund Fort

Back to my trip to Europe now.  This was our 'home' for 4 nights - a campsite in a fort!  Charlottenlund Fort was built in the 1880s to help protect Copenhagen from dodgy foreigners.  Given how easily I got in it's not working well.

The fort still has it's full complement of 12 305mm guns which were

 installed when it was remodelled in 1911-12

As camping spots go, this one was pretty surreal!

Some later steel and concrete.

Sherman ARV - part 2

Here is the completed Sherman ARV.  Painted, marked, varnished and now confidently waiting for a (3D printed) Firefly to break down.

Sherman ARV - part 1

A few months ago I discovered that I 'needed' a British Sherman ARV.  A review of my fleet of 1/50 scale M4s revealed this plastic and diecast example which didn't really fit with either it's Solido or Corgi equivalents..  Off went the turret to the spares box. An mdf circular base covered the turret ring and various bits of stowage added.  Now for some paint...

Foy-Notre-Dame - part 2

 As we rejoin the action, Mark is still trying to get his radio to function.

The Americans have had a bloody nose trying to get into the village. 

The company of M5 Stuarts has found the minefield. The hard way. 

On the German left, while the AT gunners and Panzerfausts have had a good run, the infantry’s luck is in danger of running out. 

At last - here comes some US air support. So that’s who Mark has been calling up. 

Amazingly, one of the Panther platoons is hit!

Simon’s British Motor Co pushes into the village, assisted by fire from the accompanying tank sqn and carrier Plt. 

The German infantry headed for their getaway halftrack. 

One of the burning Shermans was John’s OP tank. Luckily a replacement OP has trudged through the woods to join the HQ troop. 

The Puma Plt gets off a cheeky shot before hiding in the woods. This allows John’s tanks to move forward. 

Here comes another flight of P-38s

A British tank sqn working its way round the flank of the Panthers. Much to Mark’s relief!

Boom! The surviving Panther Plt brews another troop of Shermans….

…but is finally seen off by the efforts of more Shermans. Note the burning Firefly troop.  

By now the Germans could read the writing on the wall and withdrew their surviving troops, allowing the Allies to consolidate in the village. An honourable draw and a very entertaining game to run. Well done everyone!