Saving Private Ryan

[Sean Clark]

A parenting win last night. I got Ava to sit and watch Saving Private Ryan with me...and she loved it. Apart from the fact several of the main characters died. She was furious at the cowardly interpreter who could have saved Tom Hanks.

One question for the intelligentsia. In the final battle in Romelle, there is a Tiger tank and an open topped assault gun. Anyone know what the assault gun is? Also  the 20mm cannon thing that shoots up some of the US troops dealing with the Tiger...what is that? And can I find both in 15mm?

[Colonel Kilgore]

Good parenting result, Sean!

I'm sure Ava would love some brushes and paints for Christmas? 

Have you got any screenshots of the kit you are referring to?

Simon

[Sean Clark]

Thanks Simon.

No screenshots, but I'm now told they are a Marder 3 and a 2cm AA gun on wheeled carriage. I think it would make a great PBI game of 1 US platoon v a German company.

I'll start some planning now. Luckily I've just bought the Peter Pig double span bridge which would work excellently for the Ramelle bridge.

[John Watson]

They are a Marder III (one was an original, the other a mock up) and a 2cm Flak 38.
John

[Colonel Kilgore]

I tried asking CoPilot (a ChatGPT-type tool). It didn't help with the Marder, but did say:

The 20mm anti-aircraft gun featured in the Battle of Ramelle scene from "Saving Private Ryan" is the Flak 38. Although originally designed as an anti-aircraft weapon, its devastating effect on infantry can be clearly seen in the film. The Flak 38 was a modification of the earlier Flak 30 anti-aircraft cannon, manufactured by Mauser. During the intense battle in Ramelle, this weapon wreaked havoc on the paratroopers, dealing a devastating toll to an already small group.

Fun fact: One of the flak guns used in "Saving Private Ryan" belonged to the Second Battle Group, a UK-based World War II re-enactment and historical society.

Obviously all to be taken with a pinch of salt, but it may be right?


Minairons sells the Zvezda Marder 3.

PSC has a box that can be used to make a Marder SdKfz 139 or Marder SdKfz 138 Ausf H.


Simon

[Colonel Kilgore]

They are a Marder III (one was an original, the other a mock up) and a 2cm Flak 38.
John

You beat me to it, John.

Simon

[John Watson]

Flames of War and Forged In Battle also do a Marder III.
For information the Marder I was built on a French Lorraine chassis and were armed with captured Russian 76.2mm guns. The Marder II was built on a Panzer II chassis with a PAK40 75mm gun and the Marder III was built on a 38(t) chassis with a PAK40 gun. There were other less noticeable differences between them. The I had room for three crew in the gun area, the others only had room for two crew.
John

[Colonel Kilgore]

You are a font of knowledge, John, thank you 

Simon

[Smoking gun]

Sean, The Zvezda Marder iii is appropriate for Normandy, later type M with rear mounted casement, the Peter Pig SPG crew pack (intended for 1/2tracks) looks ideal as a source of crew figures.

Best wishes, Martin from Grimsby

[Smiley Miley 66]

Sean, If you looked at my German tanks years ago. I had a Tiger 1, a Marder 111 and a (x2) 2cm AA gun on its carriage.
Miles

[Panzer21]

Don't you mean 2x T-34s, a Swedish Sav M/43 Assault gun, a rebuilt Marder and flak 38? ☺

Neil

[Colonel Kilgore]

Sean, If you looked at my German tanks years ago. I had a Tiger 1, a Marder 111 and a (x2) 2cm AA gun on its carriage.
Miles

What happened to them, Miles?

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

I ve still got the vehicles, I gave you one of the 2cm AA to use at Beachhead this year ?
The accompanying German army I broke up to be repainted, but alas still awaiting paint !
I'll dig them out later and take a couple of pictures!
Miles

[Smiley Miley 66]

Here are a couple of quick pictures of the tanks.
Miles

[Colonel Kilgore]

I very much like the armoured bush 

Simon