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

Desert buildings

We have returned from a very pleasant and relaxing  5 week holiday in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland. When I got home I had a number of Christmas gifts waiting and books, amounts to these gifts was some 15mm/20mm hovels desert dwellings which are very nice but a little small to go with my existing middle eastern buildings. I still painted them as it was a easy thing to do when I sat down at my desk.

Cheers
Matt

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

Dutch artillery tractor

Dutch Artillery Tractors

To start my Dutch artillery park I have part scratch built a model based on this picture.

The tractor I used is a "Oxford" 1/87 model with scratch built hubs, SHQ box and tarp, early war miniatures driver, the limber is a "Minarions" piece with the seat from the bits box, boxes etc from airfix.

this vehicle will tow my single heavy artillery piece. I have added a model railway plastic base.

Cheers
Matt

28mm Rhodesian Light Infantry and Alouette III G car

I really like these Eureka figures and they were a joy to paint, I have an original RLI camo jacket in my collection (belonged to my uncle Ken) so I had a very good idea about the  camouflage, I loved the patrol pose and the weapons are superb sculpts, I used a SLR  and mag 58 during my service so happy to see them so well done.

The Alouette III  G car helicopter proved to be a much tougher model with a lot of fiddling to get it correct, I strengthened the blade connection with wire and plastic card, I have also made a stand for the beast as it is too heavy for the wheels, I am very happy with the result also. A great kit but needs some work and patience. 

Vallejo colours German Camo beige, cavalry browm, olive green, Luftwaffe green.