SturmGeschütz III ausf G variants 1942-45

 SturmGeschütz III ausf G variants

A chart I came across on the airfix taptalk forum, posting it here for my own reference really!

A big thanks to user Huib who made this up and posted it on the forum.

Summary Stug III Variations

December 1942 to March 1943

1. Drivers periscope
2. No schurzen 
3. Bolt on frontal armour 
4. No shot deflector on the front cupola
5. Machine gun shield
6. Box model mantlet without co-ax MG
7. Rubber rimmed return rollers
8. No zimmeret

Mid Production December 43- February 44

1. No drivers periscope 
2. Early production schürzen (tended to fall off easily)
3. With or without shot deflector on cupola
4. Welded frontal armour
5. MG shield 
6. Box model mantlet or Saukopf mantlet without co-ax MG
7. All steel return rollers
8. Zimmeret

Late Production October 1944-April 45

1. No driver periscope 
2. Improved Shürzen mounts
3. Welded frontal armour
4. Shot deflector on cupola
5. Rotating machine gun mount
6. Box mantlet or saukopf manlet with co-ax MG
7. All steel return rollers
8. No zimmeret 
9. Concrete add on armour to mantlet option

The airfix Stug III suits October /November 43 but needs shürzen added at least, with a later Saukopf manlet. Bolt on frontal armour needs to be adjusted also. 

Cheers

Matt

Allied Fighter Aircraft over Normandy III P51B-5

Allied aircraft build III.

Currently adding more aircraft to the allied air support of operation Cobra and the breakout east through Mayenne to Le Mans, then the push north to close the Falaise pocket. So research first for squadrons etc who flew in the area in support of the US troops, plus those who bombed and strafed the retreating germans through the pocket area.

I build all of my kits in the wheels up mode, and add a hole in the bottom for my plane bracket to fit into. I also like to add pilots, as most kits do not supply these I need to hunt around my friends who build static kits or buy resin and metal pilots.

Third build is a mister craft 1/72 P51B-5 Mustang often referred to as the MKIII by the RAF and RCAF. It is quite a basic kit went together very well with very little clean up, I managed to remember to paint the interior, but have not attached the transfers for the instrument panel, will add this later before I place the pilot in. (I am thinking about second Mustang of these but a P51D model!)

Options I am thinking for my aircraft


122 squadron RAF
flew Mk III until 1945

65 Squadron RAF (withdrawn in September to refit to MkIV or P-51D models)

315 squadron RAF (polish )

316 squadron RAF (Polish)

cheers
Matt

Allied Fighter Aircraft II - P-47D over Normandy 1944 Build II

Allied Fighter aircraft II - P-47 over Normandy 1944 build II

I want to build specific aircraft to the allied and axis air support of operation Cobra and the breakout east through Mayenne to Le Mans then the push north to close the Falaise pocket. So research first for squadrons etc who flew in the area in support of the US troops, English, Canadian and Polish troops plus those who bombed and strafed the retreating germans through the pocket area.

I build all of my kits in the wheels up mode, and add a hole in the bottom for my plane bracket to fit into, this then mounts on my WWI/SCW canvas eagles telescopic stands. On the new table I am thinking about a mount that plugs into the edge of the permanent table and can swivel and be set at different heights. I also like to add pilots, as most kits do not supply these I need to hunt around my friends who build static kits or buy resin or even metal pilots.

Up for my second build is an 1/72nd Academy P-47D. A little longer build on this one, a beautiful kit with very little clean up though. This time I did not forget to paint the interior, before assembly. I will place the pilot in when I paint him, in the next few days, then I paint the rest of the plane.

Painting to come when some paints arrive from MIG, as I am trying the new real colours on my allied aircraft to see how it performs.

USAF squadrons

389th Fighter Squadron

P47D "jenny rebel" 42-76347

84th Fighter Squadron 

56th Fighter group

82nd Fighter Squadron

cheers
Matt

Allied Fighter Aircraft- Hawker Typhoon over Normandy 1944 build I

Allied Fighter Aircraft-Hawker Typhoon over Normandy 1944  build I.

During the shutdown I have been beavering away painting medievals on my painting desk, but on my build desk I have been building 1/72 kits. Last week I ventured up to the third floor and decided to get out my box of shame, predominantly armour kits, but quite a few aircraft.

I want to add specific aircraft to the allied and axis air support of operation Cobra and the breakout east through Mayenne to Le Mans then the push north to close the Falaise pocket. So research first for squadrons etc who flew in the area in support of the US troops, plus those who bombed and strafed the retreating germans through the pocket area.

I build all of my kits in the wheels up mode, and add a hole in the bottom for my plane bracket to fit into, this bracket id for my Canvas eagles WW1 and SCW air collections. With the construction of the new table I am building brackets on the table, that swivel over the table. I also like to add pilots, as most kits do not supply these I need to hunt around my friends who build static kits or buy resin and metal pilots.

First up a quick build Hobby boss Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB,  as RAF or RAAF support. I think had it built in possibly an hour, with very little clean up, I did forget to paint the interior, but will do this later before I place the pilot in. The pilot is on the painting desk behind some other 100 years war figures .

Painting to come when some paints arrive from MIG, as I am trying the new real colours on my allied aircraft.

Options I am considering

Yves Ezanno OC 198 Sqaudron July 44

Yves Ezanno WW2 record

F Lt Walter Dring, 183sqn B Flight,  IB R8884 HF-L

Cheers

Matt

WW2 building boom part 7

Another completed building off the desk last week, two more to go before I switch back to miniatures again. This was a birthday gift two year’s ago and is a 3D filament print. After a lot of clean up I think it looks pretty good. I copied a paint job of a building near the old railway line here in Mayenne, the red and yellow brick is regularly used here but mostly on rendered buildings, a late 19th century fashion. The building interior also had printed pieces which look pretty good too.

 

Cheers
Matt

Salon de Guerre wargames room part 1

Just a little excited!

This week we have started the redecoration of the 18th century  “salon de Guerre”. The Wargames room on the first floor, using the name borrowed from Versailles Salon de Guerre, although it is has later  baroque interior. The Salon has unique curved corners and  door, squared 18th century panels and timber rails and a deep decorative cornice.

When we were looking for a house for the business twe were looking for a building with three entertaining salons. L'Hotel de Hercé (the houses name) fully met the requirements with two salons for entertaining guests on the ground floor and this Salon on our first floor.  

Every Wargamers dream is a permanent location for the Wargames table, miniatures and militaria collection, I used to in Australia, have a shed for storage and table or used the dining room table for gaming, but had no permanent location for wargaming.

I am quite excited to finally have such a fantastic room and permanent location for my collection of miniatures and militaria I have collected over the years. It will be a great asset for the business to have such a unique room for a wargames table that all of our Wargame Holidays and B&B guests can enjoy.

I have been planning this room since we purchased the house in 2017, researching colours and the layout of what I want to achieve, I am seeking a sort of gentlemans club feel, but also practical, and a inspiration for all of the wargaming community also. 

And some images

The curved entrance door

The curved corners

Curved corners

Above the fireplace, the typical 18th century panels