Hello... ;)
I started a project a year and half ago, which is running slowly : the battle of Normandy, 1944...
I have already painted several houses, sceneries, ... in order to create a village and some "bocage" around.
The purpose is to play scenarios with the rule "Groupe Franc", written by Pierre (Camulogène).
The rules (in french) can be downloaded here : http://regles.wargames.monsite-orange.fr/sweattears20emesiecle/index.html (bottom of the web page).
So here are 2 command bases of US paratroopers.
It was really pleasant to paint as the PP sculpting is awesome !
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/paras_15.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/paras_16.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/paras_17.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/paras_18.jpg)
Next pictures will come later, when I make significant progress... ;)
Cheers
Xavier
Oooh - those are very nice indeed!
Simon
That is great work Alex. This site has a whole bunch of exceptional painters who contribute. Thanks to those.
May I also say that all pictures are very welcome. Don't let these superb painters hold your back :) Let us see them all please.
martin
Fantastic painting. I have to get back into my D-Day project.
What colour did you use for the main uniform ? It has that pre DDay look to it ?
Miles
I tried some colours from several sources I found on the web to reproduce the M1942 uniform... Not sure it is 100% accurate... :-[
After several tries, here are the ones I kept (Vallejo references) for U.S. paratroopers :
Primer and base colours
- Primer : brown colour.
- Whole main uniform : a mix of 50% Khaki (988), 50% Green Grey (886) and a little bit of black colour.
- Helmet & grenades : Brown Violet (887).
- Helmet camouflage : Flat Earth (983).
- Webbing and backpacks : a mix of 50% Pastel Green (885) and 50% Green Grey (886).
- Boots : Flat Brown (984).
- Belt & tool handles : Beige Brown (875).
- Rifles & weapons : a mix of 50% Beige Brown (875) and 50% of Cavalry Brown (982) + Gunmetal (G54).
- Faces and hands : Citadel Kishilev flesh.
Shades
- Faces and hands : Citadel Reikland Fleshshade.
- Everything else : Citadel Agrax Earthshade.
Layers and lightings
- Whole main uniform : a mix of 50% Khaki (988), 50% Green Grey (886) without black colour. Try to avoid applying this colour in the recesses.
- Helmet & grenades : Brown Violet (887).
- Canteen and shovel : a mix of 50% Brown Violet (887) and 50% of Pastel Green (885).
- Shovel handle : Cavalry Brown (982).
- Webbing and backpacks : Pastel Green (885).
- Rifles & weapons : Cavalry Brown (982) + highlight of Gunmetal (G54).
- Belt & tool handles : a mix of 80% Gold Brown (877) and 20% of Flat Brown (984).
- Helmet camouflage : Flat Earth (983).
- Boots : Leather Brown (940).
;)
Cheers
Xavier
Ok thank you, very useful, I will try that for my Paras soon.
Miles
Zavier
You are a real artist! 8)
martin
Hi... :D
I finished to paint my US paratroopers today... :) :)
I enjoyed painting them very much...
So here are a few pictures of the whole group...
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_113.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_210.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_211.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_212.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_213.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_214.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_215.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_217.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_216.jpg)
Same group, in a scenery (quickly) set up in order to take some pictures...
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_011.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_010.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_012.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_013.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_015.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_014.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_016.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_017.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_110.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_111.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/deco_112.jpg)
Voilà... ;)
I still have to paint some M4 Sherman (with some "cutting hedges"), jeeps, and 2 P47 Thunderbolt.
Then, when I finish, I think I will paint some more US infantry... ;)
Cheers,
Xavier
Wow, those are very nice indeed, Xavier!
Would you mind sharing some details on where you sourced your equally splendid buildings from?
This all qualifies very well as "eye candy "!
Simon
Thank you, Simon...
Here is the link to the store I found these buildings :
https://neveu.blog4ever.com/articles
Some parts of the website are translated in english.
About the buildings : they are made with resin and are a little bit... raw.
I mean when you buy them, there is a little bit work to do (as an example, I always had to file the top of the walls in order to allow roof to fit the building, etc.)... Once this is done, I think the buildings are really nice. And they look like the ones you can see in Normandy...
Excellent work Anatoli.
Hope that you enjoy using them in your PBI games.
The figures and buildings look excellent on your games table. very well done.
Thank you for showing us your work.
Best wishes,
Martin Buck
That's a great set up you've got there. Really like those buildings.
regards,
Nick
Very nice work all round.
Cheers,
Helen
Those are awesome buildings, could have done with the Atlantic Wall bunkers last year.
Looks like I will have to do some saving up.
Miles
Hi,
The Normandy project goes on... Here are a few pictures of the last vehicles I recently painted... 2 Jeeps and several tanks ! ;D
Reco Jeeps
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/jeep_010.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/jeep_012.jpg)
M4 Sherman (75 and 76 mm guns) :
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/m4_01-11.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/m4_21-10.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/m4_22-10.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/m4_24-10.jpg)
Next will be a 100% PP US infantry section, with support weapons... ;)
Cheers,
Xavier
Superb work, great looking figures and vehicles.
Dave & Ben
Xavier,
Those are really great - thanks for sharing!
Maybe a short article on how you achieve these results, for the next issue of The Mill...?
Simon
Amazing paintwork.
I think the gentlemen ahead of me said it all...amazing, great, superb work.
I will just second that....
Bb
Thank you gentlemen for your very kind comments... ;)
After paras and tanks, let's go on with a section of US infantry wearing the M1942 uniform.
I really enjoyed painting these miniatures... The sculpting is full of details...
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0110.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0210.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0310.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0410.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0510.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gis_0610.jpg)
Next to come will be their support weapons (mortars, LMG/MMG/HMG, bazookas...).
Cheers
Xavier
Xavier, amazing. Thanks for bringing them to life
martin :)
Xavier----Incredible, Almost makes me want to move on a few centuries in my gaming.
Terry
Lovely work - again - Xavier!
Simon
Hi... ;)
Back to my "Normandy 44" project, with some support weapon's bases... HMG, MMG, Mortars, BARs, ...
Next step : the starting of german side ! :P
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/5112.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/5212.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/5312.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/5412.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/5512.jpg)
Cheers,
Xavier
Great work, Xavier - I look forward to seeing what treatment you give the Germans!
Simon
They look amazing! ..must get my Band of Brothers box set out again...
Mike
Those are nice Xavier.
The US have nice colours too
martin :)
Fantastic WWII eye candy. Although not my period, I really like the way those figures have been painted and the depiction of wear and tear on the various vehicles.
Thank you very much for your very kind comments, gentlemen... ;)
@ Andy : I basicaly watched the following video and I found it very inspring...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqqdELXTTu0
so I tried to use more or less the same technic and made the tanks a little bit more dirty...
I like very much the "Sonic sledgehammer" videos : I find them really inspiring...
Lovely miniatures Xavier.
What rules are you intending to use?
Hi Leslie, ;)
Figures are mainly based for two sets of rules :
- "Groupe Franc" (rules we play in our local club, written by Pierre) ;
- "Blitzkrieg" (Onyx edition), another french rules set.
But they can be used for other rules, as the dimension of the bases is 3 cm x 3 cm...
Cheers,
Xavier
Hi... ;)
The Normandy project goes on with the first elements of panzergrenadiers...
They rush to the battlefield...
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_010.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_012.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_011.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_015.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_014.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_013.jpg)
Cheers,
Xavier
I know those castings well - another very nice job, Xavier!
Simon
Nice work on the Jerries Xavier.
I like the way you've done the "splinter" camo inventive.
Miles
That is nice Xavier.
It helps motivate me and others to get some Germans (late war) done.
thanks
martin :)
Hi... ;)
German reinforcements arrived on the battlefield...
The 8 new bases :
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_017.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_016.jpg)
The whole battle group (without their support weapons - Still WIP) :
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_110.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_111.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_112.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/pzgr_113.jpg)
More to come soon... :)
Cheers,
Xavier
More inspiring work ! Love seeing such well painted miniatures, cheers Alex
You've gotta stop making the rest of us feel so inadequate, Xavier :D
Lovely work!
Simon
They look splendid.
Hi... :)
Back to my Normandy project with 4 new tanks. They are 1940 french tanks captured by german forces and they were spread in the 21.Pz Division. They suffered heavy casualties in the early days of the Normandy battle when facing US and british tanks.
The following tanks consist in :
- 1 Somua S.35 (PP - Range WW2 - 32. French S35 tank) ;
- 2 Hotchkiss H.39 (PP - Range WW2 - 33. French H39 Tank) ;
- 1 Renault R.35 (PP - Range WW2 - 24. French R35 tank).
The sculpting of these vehicules is truely a pure wonder ! There are many details and it was a real pleasure to paint them...
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/chars_14.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/chars_15.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/chars_16.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/chars_17.jpg)
Markings are not historical... I did not have the right decals... :-[
Next to come : infantry support weapons and heavy tanks ! :)
Cheers,
Xavier
Lovely job, Xavier, as always!
Simon
Quote from: Anatoli on April 10, 2023, 10:22:41 AM
Hi... :)
Back to my Normandy project with 4 new tanks. They are 1940 french tanks captured by german forces and they were spread in the 21.Pz Division. They suffered heavy casualties in the early days of the Normandy battle when facing US and british tanks.
The following tanks consist in :
- 1 Somua S.35 (PP - Range WW2 - 32. French S35 tank) ;
- 2 Hotchkiss H.39 (PP - Range WW2 - 33. French H39 Tank) ;
- 1 Renault R.35 (PP - Range WW2 - 24. French R35 tank).
The sculpting of these vehicules is truely a pure wonder ! There are many details and it was a real pleasure to paint them...
Markings are not historical... I did not have the right decals... :-[
Next to come : infantry support weapons and heavy tanks ! :)
Cheers,
Xavier
Sad to say the evidence for combat use of French tanks by 21 Panzer is non-existent.
They appear in the records for 1 June but most authorities indicate the crews had been sent for training on Panthers.
The only evidence suggests they used Panzer IV in Normandy, along with all sorts of ex-French conversions, just not tanks.
Ex-French armour did serve in the Cotentin with IIRC 202 Panzer Brigade fighting against US forces.
Neil
Thx for the informations... I thought they fought in the Caen sector ...
So they will be reasigned in Pz.Abt.206... ;D
I read Pz.Abt.206 had 2 R.35, 28 Hotchkiss, 10 S.35 and 6 B1bis...
Cheers
Xavier
And don't forget the Panzer Ersatz und Ausbildungs Abteilung 100, equipped with R 35, H 39, one S 35 and one B1bis. The unit fought the US paras in the La Fiere sector on on the 5/6th June night, and fought until the fall of Cherbourg.
Pierre
Quote from: Anatoli on April 10, 2023, 12:46:23 PM
Thx for the informations... I thought they fought in the Caen sector ...
So they will be reasigned in Pz.Abt.206... ;D
I read Pz.Abt.206 had 2 R.35, 28 Hotchkiss, 10 S.35 and 6 B1bis...
Cheers
Xavier
That's the unit I was thinking of! Never trust memory...
The issue of 21 Panzer's ex-French armour has been the subject of much debate due to it appearing in the Gleiderung for June 1944. Many have assigned it to the division, especially wargamers in search of the exotic; it appeared in Rapid Fire, FoW etc.
There is little information on what happened to it. It may have gone back to Panzer Brigade 100 from which 21 Panzer had been partly formed.
Against it, there are no attributed pictures either in action or wrecks; no contemporary accounts mention it and the OOB for 6 June has 2nd btn with a single company. It is known personnel left for Germany to retrain from this btn.
They may have used several Panzer IV D or E with the short 75mm.
There was lots of ex-French kit in use: Becker converted Unic and Somua halftracks, Hotchkiss SPG conversions, Lorraine SPG and numerous softskins. It still makes for an exotic formation.
Neil
Hi,
Just some few pictures of the support weapons of my Panzergrenadiers unit.
Again, very pleasant miniatures to paint, full of details and various positions... This gave me an idea for my command unit (coming soon...) ;)
I really enjoyed painting these miniatures. The beautiful sculpting helps a lot !
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0210.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0310.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0510.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0610.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0710.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/g0810.jpg)
Cheers,
Xavier
Very nice indeed.
They are indeed nice sculpts, and beautifully painted!
Simon
Lovely job of paint!
Great to see some WW2 chaps.
Thanks.
martin :)
Hi... ;)
The project goes forward with the painting of a new wehrmacht regular infantry combat group (and their support weapons)...
These PP miniatures are terrific : dynamic poses, full of details... A pleasure to paint !!
Here are some few pictures of this combat group...
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0210.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0310.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0410.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0610.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0710.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0810.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_0910.jpg)
(https://i87.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/gc_1010.jpg)
Next to come : command bases, anti tank guns, StuG III...
They are nice to paint, and you've made a lovely job of doing so!
Simon
Oh - and the scenery is very nice too!
Simon
;D ;D ;D
Thank you, Simon... ;)
Again, these minis are fantastic : there are many different poses which give a variety of basing options... Details on the miniatures are also incredible ! I got a great time painting them. Really.
The "Normandy 44" project in going on well : I should be able to have a game next october. Everything should be ready for that time...
I am working on some early battle of Normandy scenarios.
Cheers,
Xavier
Hi...
Here are some pictures of 2 StuG IIIG (PP - metal) and a P47 "Razorback". I am working to replace the P47 base... ;)
I quickly painted these tanks and plane ; this is not a super paint job, but they are ready to play !! ;D
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/stug_010.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/stug_011.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/p47_0210.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/p47_0310.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/p47_0410.jpg)
Next to come : command bases !! ;)
Cheers,
Xavier
Very nice, Xavier.
For the StuGs, I'd say that you have no need to slow down!
And I like the "grittiness" of the Thunderbolt.
Lovely stuff as usual - thank you for sharing.
Simon
They look great - I wish my lot was as good. :)
Anatoli - apologies a bit late to the thread but inspirational stuff; your Normandy project sounds excellent. Who makes the walled farm building? I really like the colour scheme - that particular grey I find hard to replicate but yours is perfect and I really like the building (I can think of a few settings it would be fine in).
I love Martins miniatures as they portray such character that (due to the clarity of sculpt) they're easy to paint even to a basic standard yet each could be a little artwork if that's your wish. The addition of a goodly range of poses and the fantastic head range to allow a huge number of possibilities for conversion or just subtle repositioning (I tend to re-head a lot as I like the variety and posing the little chaps).
I agree with Col.Kilgore that P47 looks like it's actually flown, really nice.
Thank you for posting, looking forwards to seeing what's next....
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
Thank you, Andrew... ;)
I agree with you : Martin's miniatures are a pleasure to paint. I really like their various positions and attitudes : it gives inspiration in painting and basing.
Here are some links for the buildings I use for this Normandy battlefield : they are made in France by Loïc Neveu.
ww2 range : https://neveu.blog4ever.com/articles/world-war-ii-seconde-guerre-mondiale-15-et-20-mm
The farm : https://neveu.blog4ever.com/decors-ferme-normandie-1944
Most of his website is in french language, but there are some in english too...
Cheers,
Xavier
Xavier thank you - the French website is one I'd forgotten and had recently been wracking my brain as to what the site was called as there were a few bits I'd like.
Andrew
Wow - those are some impressive buildings that Loïc produces, Xavier! Thanks for sharing the links.
Simon
Hi...
This is the end of the paintig in order to play the 1st scenario of my Normandy campaign...
- Command bases
- PaK 40
- Infantry.
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_010.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0011.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0110.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0210.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0310.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0410.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0510.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0610.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0710.jpg)
(https://i.servimg.com/u/f87/19/91/06/23/car_0810.jpg)
Next pictures : in game !! ;)
They look beautiful!
Thanks for using PP and making them look great.
More pictures when you get some gaming in.
martin :)
Excellent painting on those German troops. I particularly like the camo helmets.
Very very nice - you've got a lot of detail onto such small models!
Simon