20mm WW2 Early War

The Discovery

While waiting for my Norwegians I have started to do some research into the Operation Weserübung Nord, the invasion of Norway. I came across a site called Weapons and Warfare, that has an excellent 4 part article about the Fallschirmjäger in Norway. Unfortunately the site doesn’t have any references, but it seems accurate. I’ve read about the events from other sources, although not with the same level of detail.

It is the events at Fornebu airport that have caught my interest. Seems the bulk of the Fallschirmjäger had to turn back, while in flight due to the weather. However, a few Ju52s, in the second wave, and their ME 110 Escorts didn’t turn back. Upon arrival the Ju 52s landed at Fornebu. The first plane coming under fire and taking casualties among the passenger, took off again. The second Ju 52 to land were the company staff squad/plt, which assaulted out of the airplane. A short while later, the ME 110s landed, because they didn’t have enough fuel to return. So they didn’t really have much of a choice. The pilots of the ME 110 turned their aircraft so the tail gunners could fire on the Norweigen. As far as I can remember they didn’t have to because the fighting was over in a short while.

Reading about the ME110s my memory was triggered again. There was an old ME 110 in my old 1/72 collection. I dug it out. Of course I have to use it in a scenario based on the events of the capture of Fornebu airport.

It badly needs a repaint and some new transfers. If you look closely at the picture you can see the dust it’s collected in the years being tucked away. I’ll see if I can remove the canopy and do something about the interior too. Really happy I get to reuse my old models in this project. I didn’t find any Ju52 hiding in the box, so I might have to get one of those…

The British

Work has continued on the British for Operation Mercury, the invasion of Crete. I’m happy with how they have turned out. Having picked out the details with a base color, I then gave them a light wash of Army Painter Strong Tone. The detail on the ESCI figures is really amazing, knowing they were released in 1982, and I think they have turned out really good.

I now have to think about the bases. So far they have a base colour, a drybrush and a wash. I think it works, but maybe a few bushes, some stones and a patch of dirt might give them a bit more life. In all I have 7 playable miniatures and 1 support base, to use with Five Men at Kursk rules. Together with the Fallschirmjäger, it’s starting to be time to plan a test run of the rules.

In an extraordinary stroke of unexpected events, both my Norwegians and some Bobbies and Spanish republicans (to use for VBCW) have been delayed from two different companies. Which both informed me the same day. But as the Swedish proverb says, “the one who waits for something good, doesn’t wait too long”. I therefore made a quick change of plans. After all, I do have enough 1/72 scale figures to last for many hobby hours.

Looking at my collection, my ESCI 8th Army British could work for Operation Mercury, the invasion of Crete. The Fallschirmjägers were already done. After a bit of open source research it seemed that the troops in shorts would be okey. Time to dig out the British.

Turns out I tried to paint the British 8th Army in the early 90’s. The evidence suggests I used enamel paints, probably a too big brush and most certainly one thick coat. About half of the figures are covered in old enamel color. Any suggestions on how to strip enamel colors?

After some more research on the uniforms, I have opted to go for a color scheme that makes them viable for both Crete and North Africa. As far as I’ve been able to make out the British uniforms on Crete seem to be a mix of the brown and khaki uniforms.

I have sprayed the British in Army Painter Desert Yellow and then given them a drybrush of Skeleton Bone. There is a bit of difference between my painting skills in the early 1990s and 2020.

After drybrushing the miniatures I started to pick out the details with other colors. It’s at this point I notice that there are moldlines that I didn’t remove. Moldlines seem to be a reoccuring problem with 1/72 scale figures. Not to worry, Im doing these to game with, and at tabletop distance I can’t see them. Turns out painting 20mm/1/72 scale figures is really fun.

The Revell Fallschirmjägers have quickly reached a tabletop standard. They have been given base colours, a wash and highlights to bring out some brighter colours. Im happy enough with them to use them in a game. Most of all Im happy to have finished my first 1/72 scale figures in 35 years.

Im not entirely happy with the bases. They only have a mix of green basing material and look to plain. I’ll have to upgrade them with some stones, static grass or tutfs, maybe even some flowers if I have some.

The Fallschirmjäger must have been added late to my collection since they were realesed in 1989.

They set has some nice extra figures with a radio operator, 2 paratroopers that just landed and 2 equipment containers guarded by a paratrooper. These can be turned into suitable markers or objectives. The radio operator will be added to a command element, if I expand my force to Five Core Company Command size.

A friend of mine sent me a link to the scene in The King’s Choice, where Norwegian coastal artillery sinks the Blücher in the early morning of April 9, 1940. Thereby delaying the occupation of Oslo, and contributing to the King’s escape. This sparked my interest, and after having seen the movie I had to do some WW2 gaming of Operation Weserübung.

Turns out there are Norwegians in 20mm, and I just happen to have a 2L of 1/72 scale figures. Litterally 2L. They were stored in an old ice cream box. I fondly remembered a set of Revell Fallschirmjägers. After a vist to the attic all my 1/72 figures and models were transfered to the hobby room.

A couple of hobby hours later I had started the project. While waiting for the Norwegians I’ve started painting the Fallschirmjägers.

My aim is to play a small games inspired by the real events during the fighting in Norway. The Fallschirmjäger are Mounted on 15mm bases with the fire support team on 40mm bases. Most probably I’ll be using the Five Men at Kursk rules.

The miniatures have had a base coat and are awaiting a wash. After that I’ll give them a highlight to bring out some colors. Nothing fancy, just aiming to get them on to the table quickly.

Being at least 35 year old sculpts, I don’t mind the variation in quality. That I didn’t have any sharp scalple also contributed to a sloppy clean up. Given their age and being 1/72 figures  I can over look the obvious size difference.

The first battles that I plan to run is the airborne landings at the Norwegian airport and the King’s flight as the German invasion developed. At Fornebu, Oslo airport, there was a firefight before it fell to the Germans. This will be the inspiration for the first battle.

Looking forward to the journey that started 35 years ago!