Pantserwagen M38 Landsverk 180

 

 Pantserwagen M38 Landsverk 180

Off the desk this week as I hit the painting desk again after returning from Australia. This last 5 days I have been building kits and airbrushing kits. I finally painted a large amount of vehicles that have been in the queue for some time. 

First up is Dutch M38 armoured card for my 1940 Dutch. I cannot recall the resin manufacturer as they been awaiting paint for at least four years as the kit was missing it’s doors, so I sat down and crafted some from plastic card, quite happy with my result. I also painted the markings as I could not find my Black Lion decals I purchased a long time ago. 

 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Army Part 3 - The Black Devils

The Black Devils

Established in 1665 Dutch Marines were the only volunteer regular unit in the Dutch ground forces. On the tenth of May the Marine Regiment was preparing to depart from Rotterdam to the Dutch East Indies and join the other marine units already posted there. About 650 marines were in the barracks in Rotterdam when the invasion began with a further 200 as part of the training and recruit centre. 

 They became famous for their action during the invasion when the marine regiment in Rotterdam consisting of 100 marines, some artillery, Armoured cars and Naval personnel defended the Willemsbrug traffic bridge across the Nieuwe Maas river and prevented the link up for four days against the German Fallschirmjager who had tried to take the bridges by surprise on the 10th of May. 

The name the black devils was thought to be christened by Oberstleutnant Von Choltitz “ die schwarzen Teufel ” when the 6 marines who were still alive defending the Willemsbrug bridge surrendered. 

I have decided to build a complete battalion for the regiment, structured at full strength like a infantry regiment with support elements, a 81mm mortar, MG section, AT rifle and RHQ and recon coy. The miniatures are all SHQ. 

Regimental Head Quarters 

Co plus 7, AT rifle, reconnaissance platoon cycles. 

RHQ command element, radio trailer and car to be added

Reece platoon

AT rifle platoon 

Battalion Head Qauters

BHQ OC plus 4

1st company

10 figures, Lewis lmg

2nd Company 

10 figs Lewis lmg 

3rd Company 

10 figs Lewis lmg

Support Heavy weapons

81mm mortar 4 crew

MMG 3 crew

Dutch Vickers 152mm Howitzers

 Vickers 152mm Howitzers

The next piece off the table is my heavy battery for my Dutch. 32 guns were purchased from the British government in 1920. One regiment was formed of three battalions was with the Vickers 152cm Lang Howitzer and were parceled out as Corps reserve artillery. Towed by farm tractors in tandem in the majority and resupply was by trucks. 

Gun and figures are from Early War Miniatures. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch 75mm Krupp Siderius field gun

 75mm Krupp Siderius 02/04 field gun

Off the desk today is two 75mm field guns, a limber with cassion and a observer element. The Dutch named the 75mm Krupp Siderius as the 7 veld gun, the guns served in both the Netherlands and in the Dutch East Indies. The 7 veld served the infantry divisions with 12 guns per battalion, and three battalions per division normally, two 7 veld and one 120mm or 150mm battalion per Infantry Division. 

Sixteen 7 velds were modified for the light division with rubber tyres and were towed by heavy cars, the remainder had wooden wheels. Only 2000 rounds in total were available for the 7 veld on the eve of the war so many division only carried one resupply for the guns. The 7 veld battalions where in the majority horse drawn for the war, along with horse drawn supply and associated services. 

The gun and miniatures are from Early War Miniatures, the cassion is from moonlight model works and Hat driver and horses. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch TL-1 Oerlikon 20mm

 Dutch TL-1 Oerlikon 20mm

TL 1 was the Dutch name for the Oerlikon 20mm light anti-aircraft canon. The single barrel Oerlikon was a fine anti-aircraft gun and was excellent in providing cover from low flying aircraft up to 1800m. The Dutch army place an order for these weapons in 1939 and 170 were delivered before the war started, these were issued to light anti-aircraft companies located in infantry divisions and reserve formations.

The gun and miniatures are from Early War Miniatures.


Cheers
Matt

Dutch WW2 Staff Car

 

Dutch Opel Staff Car 

I was looking for a suitable staff car for my Dutch when I chanced across a photo of them using a Opel car, so I went looking and found this resin 1/76th Wespe Models version, it was a fiddly kit, with a bit of work to get things to fit, and a little bit of flash, being resin you need to be gentle with the build and it may last some wargaming through gentle handling. 

The cobblestone base is scratch built and the driver is HAT plastic German, overall quite happy with the completed piece. It will join my Dutch command set. Next up some AA and tow. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Vickers Carden Lloyd

 

 Dutch armour

The Vickers Carden Llyod MG Carrier

A bit of a spanner in the works this weekend tested positive to Covid on Friday after feeling a little off. So last two days in bed, I thought today I may get a chance to do a bit on the desk, but concentration down to much to paint figures, but good enough for vehicles I thought. This vehicle has been part finished for some time all it needed was highlighting and marking up to complete. So on and off over a few hours I managed to get it done. Quite happy. The miniature is from the great Early War Miniatures range of Dutch.  

The Dutch had five of these for the invasion in 1940 and they were the only tracked vehicles in service. All of the Cardenas Llyod carriers were all named after big cats. I selected Cougar / Poema and painted it on by hand along with the Dutch triangle. As there were only 5 that is the total required for Rapid Fire Rules. 

Next up will be some more horse drawn equipment and some AA. 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Army part 2

 Dutch Army update part 2

Another Army I am working on at the moment is my Dutch. I have a lot in the part completed pile so quite a lot will make to end of the production line very soon. I would like to complete this little army this year.

Head Quarters element

I have a staff car, motorcycle to paint plus staff. I am planning a small diorama command stand. I plan to use my dovecote wagon, radio operator, command table and figures. 

Infantry

I want to add another standard infantry battalion to bring the total up to a regiment. The current battalion is also only party mobile on cycles, I want to add another two coys of cyclists from EWM to have one mounted and one dismounted. 

Naval Infantry

The black devils, I have half a battalion from SHQ painted that I used in a scenario once a long time ago,  I just need to fill out the rest of the battalion and add support weapons, these have been ordered.  

Hussars 

I want to build two companies on motorcycles mounted and dismounted plus a HQ element. This will make up my recon element.

Armoured cars 

I just need to paint 2 DAF Armoured cars and complete my Llyod armoured carrier. As the only armour for my Dutch quite important! 

Artillery battery

I have two medium guns and two heavy guns to paint along with crews in a fixed position, and guns with  tow trucks, just need to complete them! 

Anti aircraft battery 

I need to purchase some bofors crew possibly SHQ, complete the 20mm Oerlikon AA gun and the horse tow. I also want to scratch build a listening device for my airfield Defence, just because…..

Afdeling tegen luchtdoelen (Listening device ) 

Supply

Adding a few more supply wagons and trucks too! 

Aircraft

I want to complete my Fokker G1, which is built just needs a paint job! 

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Chevrolet truck

Dutch supply truck

Finally had some time this week as we are in the middle of a major restoration of the third floor of the house, 200sqm of dust to fight with over the next two weeks at least! I have decided to complete some pieces from my Dutch project this year so they are front line at the moment. 

First to be completed is the Minairons miniatures resin truck. Not the prettiest model, and it needs a lot of filling to fix but with a bit of work and some extra bits placed on it such as fuel tank, jack box and tow hook it gets closer to the Dutch model. A lot of filling of the resin and even after a few dunks in hot water I could not correct the bent truck bed. After enough fussing I decided to add some scratch built and 3d printed bits for a removable load and some SHQ metal pieces also, including the driver. The truck will join my HQ unit for the artillery. 

More Dutch coming this weekend as I need to complete my artillery build for the Wargamers forum. 
Cheers
Matt 

Dutch Greeb line bunker

Dutch Bunkers

Another one off the desk this month. I received this vacuform kit from a mate as a gift for my 1940 Dutch. The Dutch used these small bunkers on the Greeb line, mostly manned by reservists and the odd LMG. I am quite happy with the result. I think somebody may even mistake it as a house on the table.

Dutch Bunker

Sandbags may give it away...

I am really pleased with how this turned out

Dutch bunker

Dutch Bunker with house camouflage 

The Dutch Bunker my model is based on 

Dutch Bunker camouflaged as a house

Cheers
Matt

WW2 Dutch Army part 1

Dutch Army 1940

I have added more Dutch to add to the growing collection of 1940 troops, I still have quite a lot to do to complete the army, predominantly infantry, motorcycles and some armour.

1st up are some Dutch Hussars, converted from Minairons Republican cavalry, The Dutch hussars had three regiments in service, but I cannot find if any were mounted, but I suspect some were used for scouting and reconnaissance. 

WW2 Dutch Hussars

Dutch cyclists from EWM, lovely models I am picking up another 20 odd of these to make the whole battalion mounted!

1940 Dutch Cyclists

EWM 20mm Dutch Cyclists

The 7 veld infantry gun, limbered artillery, gun and limber Moonlight models, horses and crew Revell.

Dutch 7 veld artillery piece

Dutch 7 Veld, the moonlight model is no longer available unfortunately 

Hope you enjoy these

Cheers
Matt

Dutch Airforce Fokker D XXIII MPM 1/72

Fokker D XXIII

A very rare plane for my Dutch, although only one was built and flying at the time of the invasion it never flew in anger and it was destroyed at the airfield at schiphol  I decided to build this lovely kit by MPM just because I had to have it!

1/72 Fokker D XXIII

Cheers

Matt

Dutch Airforce Koolhoven F.K 51

Dutch Koolhoven FK51 

Another unusual aircraft of the desk a Dutch airforce Koolhoven FK51, an observer for my artillery. 

1/72 Koolhoven FK51

The Koolhoven FK 51 and the enclosed FK52 was a Dutch designed two seater reconnaissance plane, used by Holland and the Spanish Republicans. In May 1940 only sixteen obsolete biplanes were flying when the invasion commenced, only four survived the german air strikes on the air fields in the first few days, one at Hilversum and one at Ruigenhoek, one at Ypenburg and one at Gilze Rijen.

Koolhaven FK51 

The kit is from Special Hobby and was a reasonably easy build, then engine cowling was a difficult fit. The pilots are from the airfix range.

cheers

Matt

Fokker G1

Fokker G1 Reaper 1/72

Part 1

After searching for about 6 months I have found a model of the Fokker G1, unfortunately it is a Vacform kit. I have not built one for about 6 years and they can be a challenge to get looking right, but I am confident I can do it!

The Fokker was nominated one of the top ten fighters of ww2, and possibly was in 1940. My Dutch look forward to the skies being protected with this beauty. MPM also make a kit but yet to find one.

I will be adding resin cowlings and props will be wargame style clear, the wheels will be built up so it can fly over the wargames table.

Fokker G1 Reaper

Rare Plane Fokker G1 Reaper

Dutch Army Duif Leger wagon

Dutch Pigeon Communications wagon

Next on my Dutch army build is Dove trailer (Duif Leger wagon), the Dutch still had a strong reliance on pigeons for messages, especially the reserve divisions. In my research I came across a lot of different documents, I have cherry picked a few of them and added them below.
My WIP is well underway with the wagon built from a german wagon bottom and Russian workshop on top.

Locations of Pigeon carriers

Eenheid               Bericht- houder   Mand aanvals, Mand loopgraaf, Mand ransel, Mand rijwiel

Reg infanterie            10                    1                     1                                                     2

Grensbat Inf.              25                    4                     2                                                    1

Reg. Wielrijders         20                    6                                                                            2

Reg. Huzaren            20                    2                      1

Reg Huz Moterr         15                                                                          2                      1

KMA                           5                     1                       1                            1                      1

SROI                          5                     1                       1                                                    1

Kaderbat Laren         10                    4                       2                             1                     2

2e R. G.. Tr.*                                                                                             1

* 1x Gaskast

Tabel 1: Materieel voor postduiven ingedeeld bij een aantal opleidingseenheden 

I am not sure how I will add this to the table, so it will join my Dutch Brigade headqauters  unit.

cheers

Matt