Burma British 1944/45

To help out the British a little Vultee Vengeance…

…and as a more general aircraft for Battlegroup Pacific, a quick Japanese Zero done up. Very few in Burma in 1944, but this will do as a stand in for all games, it does have markings for the Akagi flight, but it’s the venerable Airfix kit and a pretty decal!

Continuing with the force, time to add some air support, and something a little less well known – The US built Vultee Vengeance.

Supplied to the British, largely as the US thought it was a bit crap, utilising saw service into 1944 before finally they were able to get rid of it!

That said, the pilots did sterling work using it for ground attack operations and as I have a fondness for the more unusual items, it seemed a fitting additional.

Shame it’s a horrific kit to make, but it’s coming along!

Well every figure from the starting batch is now completed, giving a good sized force to play with…

Time to have a rummage and see what I can add…

The Indian Platoon is now done…

Snuck in a little game of Battlegroup using what was completed already…

Miraculously they avoid the usual ‘Curse of the New Paintjob’ and beat the Japanese!

Now well on the way with the Indian Platoon too…

First this week, two more recce options – two Tiger Patrols and two snipers – one for the Indian platoon…

Then the support options – a single 3″ Mortar for on-table support, especially as in Battlegroup Pacific the British mortars get the Direct Lay special rule and a Vickers MMG Section…

Next up, a Forward Artillery Observer team and the officer to lead my Indian Platoon…

After doing the speed painted British Platoon… a little treat before launching into the Indian platoon.

Shellhole Scenics lovely 3.7″ Mountain Howitzer model with an AB crew.

Finished the first platoon and it’s support unit off.

Flesh was done after the dip and I think this lifts the overall effect.

Now have the flesh base colour on the entire British Platoon now. Aiming to get this one done and finished up next…

So with the dip dry, I’ve pulled out the Forward HQ, the Comms Team and a Tiger Patrol to see how they look with the flesh painted and matt varnish applied.

The aim is for a good tabletop standard, that look nice and neat at gaming distance and reflects the look of the real life counterparts…

It’s dipping time!

While wearing my MC Hammer trousers, I used an old can of Army Painter Strong Tone and brushed on the dip.

I’m going to do the flesh afterwards, my usual way, as I’m hoping this will lift the final look, and I’m not keen on dip for flesh work.

Next job was blocking in all the headgear and then doing the weapons. That got them to stage where they were all ready for the Dip…

Now begins the tedious job of blocking in various colours on the 90+ figures!

Webbing was first with a canvas tone as the majority colour, with certain items picked out in a light Khaki, a dark olive or a dark brown to add some variation.

Rifle slings were done in a variety of colours, and I began blocking in all equipment and items.

First job was an all over spray using the ‘German Field Grey’ spray from The Plastic Soldier Company.

This gives a nice base colour for British jungle green fatigues in use during the later period of the war in the Far East.

Once dry, they got a drybrush with a light uniform green to add a little depth to the tone.

The force I’m aiming to get done comprises of all AB Figures, built for an army list using the British lists from Battlegroup Pacific.

First job was to clean it all up and get it based up. The aim is to complete this using a speed painting method rather than my usual style. I hope this will allow for a far faster rate of production.

So the force is one Platoon of ‘British’ in Jungle Hats and a second Platoon using turban and helmet types… which would be wrong for most Indian Army units as companies and battalions tended to be of a single ethnic group.

However, I want to refight Shangshak in 1944 and for that I need to represent a unit from 152 (Indian) Parachute Battalion, and this unit was formed from Indian volunteers from 19 different regiments, and was really onenof very few ethnically mixed units in the Indian Army. Therefore I’ve used the mix of turbans and helmets to give it that feel.

The force comprises;

Forward HQ

Comms Relay Team

Forward Artillery Observer

British Platoon with 2″ Mortar, PIAT/AT Rifle support

Indian Platoon with 2″ Mortar, AT Rifle support

2 x Snipers

3 x Recce Tiger Patrols

MMG Section of two Vickers MMGs

3″ Mortar Team

3.7″ Mountain Howitzer

Still need to have a think of doing some vehicles up. I have an urge for some Grants… but want to sort infantry first.