The Wargamers Forum

 The Wargamers Forum 

After the demise of the 20mm Forum “the guild wargamers “ and the rise of Facebook PHP groups 

have died off in droves. But for those of us who like to make threads about our projects and leave information for others to use there is a bit of a drought with only LAF and The Wargamers Forum  being the only two locations I haunt now. 

The Wargamers forum was looking for admins to help with its running so I offered to run the group builds and generally help. So with this in mind I would like you to join us and let the fun begin! 

Cheers

Matt

30 Kits in 30 days, a kit building challenge

 

April 30 day Kit challenge!

So what is the 30 day kit challenge? Well, something I shamelessly copied from Gunbird and his blog "20mm and then some" back in 2017 when we chatted about doing something about our piles of shame.

When I moved to France I found I had a lot of unbuilt kits, particularly modern and ww2, plus some ww1 aircraft make up the majority plus all of the Perry and Warlord figures. I also suffer from half built kit syndrome, as I like to paint the interiors, the pilot then assemble the kit. So during the current lockdown looming in April in France due to rising cases of Covid in our region I have decided to have a kit build challenge to fix my problem in some way.  So with that in mind I'm starting the 30 day kit build, if you like join me and blog about it, steal the picture below if you like...........I have started the Prep sorting the kits that need finishing and then some new builds, building kits trying to stay within current build restrictions for my yearly goals but wherever the wind may blow of course!

Join me if you wish

Facebook, Blog and Instagram using the tag 

#30daykitchallenge 

Or join the fun on the 

The Wargamers Forum

RULES

Goals are simple, you will build your part built and new kits during the 30 day challenge:

• Any material (plastic, resin, metal, wood).
• New in the box or partially built, it matters not.
• Gun, tank, truck, aircraft, ship, figure animal? Your call.
• Kit must be basically finished, based if you prefer that, to qualify as a build.
• The completed kit must be ready for primer.
• Resin and metal upgradesets can be applied after the build.....the goal is to get kits built and ready for primer, not to finish them with paint and varnish etc.
• You decide how many kits/models you want to build in the 30 day period.
• You set the penalty for not meeting your goal (and after that it is the honor system)

Anything beyond that is up to you

My goal is the period from 1/4/2021 up to 30/4/21, each day I plan to work on a kit until I have completed my goal.  My goal is grand total of 30 kits, If I can build more kits n the month, then bonus.

My penalty is that if I don't make my target, is not to buy another kit for the rest of the year :(.

So, starting with Day #1 (1st April 2021), I'm starting with some 1/72 armourfast kits to kit off then onto some more tanks and aircraft.

Cheers
Matt

Russian KV1 markings

Russian KV1 markings KV 2 Tank Markings

While digging through looking fir some research pictures in one of my zip drives,  came across some eastern front 1942-43 KV1 and KV2 tank unit document. Some time ago I come across a piece I found on the net somewhere and I have edited it and added extra unit detail from my research pulling together a document I will continue to update as I can. Hopefully it will be useful to the Russian ww2 modellers and wargamers out there. 

I originally put it together three years ago when I was modelling some vehicles, and looking at the confusing mess of guards and non guard units. 

I love KV1 and KV2 tanks, but the markings have always been a puzzle, particularly KV2 as I have seen none in any photos of the Corps or brigade markings . 

I plan to add some photos of vehicles with the markings to give a visual reference also. Do not hold your breath as this is a working document at the moment and may be a year or two from completion. 

In order to more easily control and identify fighting and transport vehicles, the Commander of the Army's Armoured Forces Semyon Krivoshein gave the following order: For heavy tank units, the introduction the following identification marks:

 
1st Tank Corps : Rhombus
Each tank should be marked with a sequential number.
The numbers for tanks in the 1st Tank Corps: 1-210 unknown how allocated
1st tank corps wheeled transport, the following ranges: 1st Tank Corps: 1-600 (unknown how allocated)
Each brigade should have 70 numbers reserved, starting with the number of the brigade. The letter code should be the numerator and the number code should be the denominator inside the outline.

1st Guards Mechanized Rifle Brigade
2nd Guards Mechanized Rifle Brigade
3rd Guards Mechanized Rifle Brigade
16, 17, 18, 19 Guards Tank Regiments (combined into the 9th Guards Tank Brigade by 1945)

8th Guards Mechanised corps (raised October 43): Rhombus


26th Tank Corps (becomes the 1st Guards Tank Corps 8th December 1942) A Circle
A Circle in white paint on the side and rear of the turret. Each tank should also be marked with a sequential number. The 26th Tank corps numbers allocated were 280-490. Each brigade should have 70 numbers reserved, starting with the number of the brigade. The letter code should be the numerator (top) and the number code should be the denominator (bottom) inside the outline of the circle.

26th Tank Corps wheeled transport, establish the following ranges:: 750-1200 (unknown how allocated)

19th Tank Brigade (becomes the 16th guards tank brigade on 8th December 1942): ?

157th Tank Brigade (becomes the 17th guards tank brigade on 8th December 1942): Ж

216th Tank Brigade (becomes the 15th guards tank brigade on 8th December 1942): З


14th Motor Rifle Brigade (becomes the 1st guards rifle brigade on 8th December 1942)?


4th Tank Corps: (becomes the 5th guards tank corps in Feb 43) Square
A Square drawn on in white paint on the side and rear of the turret. The size of the marks is 50 cm, with a 5 cm thick outline. 4 Tank Corps tank numbers allocated: 4th Tank Corps: 490-700 unknown how allocated.  Each brigade should have 70 numbers reserved, starting with the number of the brigade. The letter code should be the numerator and the number code should be the denominator inside the outline.

4th tank corps wheeled transport 1200-1600

Assign the following letters to brigades:
89th Tank Brigade: А
117th Tank Brigade: Б
158th Tank Brigade:
159th Tank Brigade: В

 
3rd Guards Tank Brigade: Г

3rd Guards Tank Brigade tanks allocated numbers: 210-280

3rd Guards Tank Brigade wheeled transport: 600-750

 

44th Motor Brigade: Д
29th Tank Brigade: Е
14th Motor Brigade: И
45th Tank Brigade: К
69th Tank Brigade: Л
102nd Tank Brigade: М
4th Motor Brigade: Н
22nd Motor Brigade: О
1st Guards .TP: П
2nd Guards TP: Р
4th Guards TP: С

Yet to be place and labeled 
133rd Tank Brigade (11th Guards tank Brigade)
16th Guards tank Brigade
20th heavy tank brigade (46th Guards Separate Heavy tank assault regiment)
25th Guards Tank Brigade
15th Tank Brigade
4580th Separate Heavy Tank Battalion
13th Heavy Tank Regiment
4th Tank Brigade
89th Separate Heavy Tank Battalion
57th Guards Separate Heavy Tank regiment
178th Tank Brigade
6th Guards Tank Brigade
220th Tank Brigade
1st Tank Division
5th Tank Division
53rd Guards Tank brigade
178th Tank Brigade
4th Tank Brigade
16th Tank Brigade
13th Guards Separate Heavy Tank Regiment
23rd Tank Brigade
47th Tank Brigade
36th Guards Tank Brigade

 
cheers
Matt

Argentinian Dassault Mirage IIIEA 1/72 part IV complete

 Argentinian Dassault Mirage IIIeA 

Completed, really happy with the build, went together ok, did need some putty, but sadly my squadron putty had dried out and I tried to resurrect it, sort of successfully. I added a wire through the centreline to attach to my flight stands for jet aircraft. If I was building a display piece I may of spent more time on it, but this model is a poor example of the dassault Mirage III, requiring major changes (wheel hub location, rear tail alignment, panel scribe detail and tail deflectors etc. The paint went on well and happy with my camo work, added the extra fins to the missiles to make them look more like the magic 550 missile. I did fek up with the clear varnish and forgot to mask the canopy for the matt finish.....oh well still serviceable. Decals were the biggest problem but saved by and a big thanks to my mate Robin for saving me, as Hannants are not delivering to France at the moment. 

Built as a Mirage from Grupo 8 de caza I-1003 with the yellow tail marking for the falklands war

I will get around to a Harrier soon, but onto some ww2 stuff for the next three weeks!

cheers

Matt

French Wargame Holidays 2021 Subscription

 French Wargame Holidays 2021

Newsletter subscription 

This year we are rolling out a email newsletter to keep in touch with our customers along with other media, FB and youtube etc. We intend to have an update on what our special Wargame and Tour Holiday offers are, upcoming historical events, plus free Wargame Scenarios from various periods and our new products and New Ruleset. 

We look forward to offering you the very best experience of a Wargames Holiday and battlefield tours available, and welcoming you to l'hotel de Hercé

“ Walk the battlefield in the morning, Wargame in the afternoon”™ 

To join us click here 

cheers

Matt and Vanessa