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davecov

Once the design of the diorama has been decided here, we will list in the second post below, all the various military components (excluding base) that will be placed on the diorama and who will make them. These components include tanks, aircraft, landing craft, paratroopers, pill-boxes etc

Dave
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davecov · Posted: Thu 12 Jul 2007 08:31 am Post subject:

Master list of Military Components
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davecov · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 11:03 am Post subject:

Just to prove that I haven't forgotten about this build, I have been doing some swotting up recently on what military/AFV Airfix kits could be used for this diorama. Having searched the Internet and reading up in my own books, instruction leaflets etc to see what marks or types would have been around (late 1940), I think the following items can be used. Some of them may need conversions or we may have to use other manufacturers - but remember, only where Airfix also made the subject.

GERMAN FORCES (Military)

Panzer III (Ausfs E to H?) (Conversion of Stu.G III - or other manufacturer)
Panzer III Tauchpanzer - (Conversion of Stu.G III - or other manufacturer)
Panzer IV (Ausf A to E? (Conversion - or other manufacturer)
Stu.G III (Ausfs A to B, based on Panzer III Ausf F? - or other manufacturer)
SdKfz 231
SdKfz 232
SdKfz 221
SdKfz 222
88mm Gun and Tractor
Kubelwagen
Opel Blitz and Pak40

BRITISH FORCES (Military)

25 pdr Field Gun and Quad
Matilda Tank
40mm Bofors Gun & Truck
Quad and Gun
Bren Carrier (but not 6 pdr gun)
Ambulance
Vickers Mk IV Light Tank

Anyway, if anybody can add to this list (Military Vehicles & AFVs only for now), correct what I have put or suggest alternative kits (so saving on conversions), then please post below.

Of course, we won't be able to use all of these on the diorama as it isn't big enough but we do need to know which ones are eligible now.

Dave

Edit: Vickers Mk IV Light Tank added following JB Models announcement.
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DavidM · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

No PaK 40

The Universal Carrier is a bit of a dodgy one as the Mark I was just coming into service and there were more Bren Carriers (the real ones) and Scout Carriers about. Neither is a difficult conversion from the Airfix Universal, and it's bound to have appeared in Airfix Magazing or one of the modelling guides.

The Bedford cab that comes with the RAF recovery set would also do for doing a 3-tonner lorry.

And the Katy ambulance without any conversion of course

David
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David Maynard. 1962-2009. Gone too soon but not forgotten.

joe · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 11:31 am Post subject:

Perfect! Now we just need to list the manufacturers that stock the kits, and think of more. Also, perhaps we could think about allied intervention aswell as british forces, perhaps? Research needs to be done into this, of course

Do we know what figures could be used?
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DavidM · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 11:51 am Post subject:

Since (given enough enthusiasm/red wine/whatever) it's possible to use the Airfix Carrier suspension to build a Vickers Mark VI, can we sneak the JB Models one in?

David
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joe · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

Wait a moment - it HAS to be airfix kits?
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davecov · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 12:14 pm Post subject:

No, Joe. This is the last of the Group/Joint Builds where we can use any manufacturer's kits - as long as Airfix also made the subject.

Dave
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joe · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 12:33 pm Post subject:

Good stuff - does the variant matter? As in an M4 sherman or an M4A1 variant ( only for instance ) could be used?
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airfixteen · Posted: Tue 07 Aug 2007 13:47 pm Post subject:

Is this going to be in 1/72 or 1/76 as there is a slight difference in size!

Really i think we should go for 1/72!
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Owen · Posted: Tue 14 Aug 2007 19:40 pm Post subject:

With 1/76 being the 'true' scale, I'd vote for it, but there are limited figures and AFV's in 1/76, mostly only by Airfix. 1/72 opens up the feild, and many more boats, AFV's and figures are availible by other manafacturers.

However, the difference isn't completely noticable when items are placed away from each other - for instance I have a mixture of 1/72 and /76 stuff on my D-Day diorama.

Although I like the Airfix and ex-Matchbox Tracked vehicles, if this is to be a very realistic diorama, I'd prefer it if we could stray away from the vinyl type tracks as I don't think they look particularly convincing, even after painting.
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joe · Posted: Wed 15 Aug 2007 10:33 am Post subject:

Matchbox figures are certainly great figures, whereas airfix ones...

Are'nt.

Check out these matcbox figures.

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=MBX&code=P5001
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=MBX&code=P5003
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=MBX&code=P5006

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Matchbox.html
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sat 13 Oct 2007 19:16 pm Post subject:

I hope I'm not butting in by posting from outside the GB, but if you were to allow fairly generous terms on Airfix kit-bashes, ie most of a Matchbox/Revell kit with Airfix parts and decals added you could build reasonable represtentations of many of the vehicles listed above.

With regard to Owen's point about the problematical tracks, are the vehicles going to be permanently attached to their bases? If so a great deal could be covered up with mud and the like.

Some notes and additions to the list:
German
PzIII - Almost all are likely to have been 37mm armed Ausf F or early Ausf G, some Ausf G with 50mm would also be present. (MB/Revell Airfix kit-bash + surgery)
PzIV - Mostly would have been Ausf C through E also I believe there was a Tauchpanzer IV but I have no reference pictures. (Airfix + surgery)
SdKfz 222 - This kit can provide the basis for several similar vehicles, notably the 221 & 223. (Airfix with minor surgery + scratch-built turret)
SdKfz 231 & 232 (8-Rad) It might be possible to bash these out of Airfix and Matchbox parts but it'd be a helluva job!

Both the SdKfz 231 & 232 (6-Rad) can be built from the MB/Revell kit.....Maybe add Airfix details?
PzII - Same goes as for the 231 & 232 (6-Rad) but with the minor complication that the MB kit was of an Ausf F and an Ausf C or earlier is what you would really need. Backdating is possible but will call for surgery.
Beutepanzers - The MB/Revell Char B1-Bis springs to mind as a really scary monster when you only have a 2pdr to stop it!
The Germans could also take almost anything (except the Covenanter) from the British list .....We left plenty behind at Dunkirk!

British
Scammel Tank Transporter (+Pioneer etc.)
The Airfix Crusader can be converted into an A13 MkIII Covenanter with a kit available from Matador models.
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/7413/a13iii.html
No Shermans!

I know that the wholesale inclusion of MB/Revell or JB Models kits is a 'no-no' and understand completely the reasons for that decision. However since the recent Hornby/Airfix/JB Models news I've restarted work on my own BEF force again (with some German opposition and a few French allies) and I have taken a new interest in 1/76 armour generally. I have come to the conclusion that whether knowingly or not Airfix and Matchbox produced ranges that complimented each other splendidly. JB & countless resin manufacturers filled in the gaps a few years later.....Those were truly the glory days!

Just a thought or two, I hope some of it will help!

All the very best

joe · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

As i said before, the matchbox figures look like the best choice as from the pictures on plastic soldier review, there are some good poses with little flash.

what do you guys think?

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

I hadn't even considered figures!

I'm not too good on 1/76 figures, but I do vaguely remember at least some of the old MB 1/76 range as being pretty good.....Are they available?

One suggestion I would make is the Pegasus 1/76 'German Army Infantry 1939' as these are truly beautiful miniatures and are to scale with the Airfix & Revell/MB vehicle ranges.

All the best

joe · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

Those figures are awesome, Sarge!

perfect for the scenario's, too

Ratch · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

I'd like to be very careful not to repeat any poses (except perhaps for men on Parade) if at all possible. After all, how often do you really see two people in exactly the same pose

Of course, poses could be repeated on different boards

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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 13:06 pm Post subject:

All of the Pegasus 1/72 figures that I have are multipart mouldings, giving a greater degree of flexibility in their pose than is the norm for small scale figures. I don't have the Pegasus 1/76 'German Army Infantry 1939' set, so I'm not sure if the same is true for them, but I'd expect it to be so.

For what it's worth & all the best

joe · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 13:28 pm Post subject:

this would make the dio very believeable indeed, particularly if men are in similar running poses etc.

stuzzar · Posted: Sun 27 Jan 2008 13:50 pm Post subject:

I think the Pegasus figures would be ideal along with some Airfix and perhaps Matchbox figures, should give plenty of scope.

For Falschirmjaeger's we could also supplement the Airfix figures with those from Orion

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=ORI&code=72018

It is the early war British Infantry that I am worried about, I know that Battlefield miniatures make some nice sets in white metal.

http://www.battlefieldminiatures....h%20expeditionary%20force.rev.htm

SHQ also do a nice and quite extensive range in white metal

http://www.shqminiatures.co.uk/Ra...?UID=20080127144623194.83.242.250

But there isn't much available in plastic.

The Airfix British Infantry are armed with late war weapons and appear to be wearing lycra ski pants

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=AIR&code=01703

The Matchbox chaps are also armed with late war weapons and a bazooka

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.asp?manu=MBX&code=P5001

We could always put up a French Infantry unit, plenty were rescued at Dunkirk. The Airifx WW1 French Infantry would suffice or Pegasus are, I believe, going to be releasing a set of early war French troops.

Cheers

Stu