Monday, 15 February 2021

First Christmas builds finished - 20mm Elephant and Humber armoured car

 Two completed vehicles for the Germans.


First up, a Readytoroll Humber armoured car in German service.  This beute vehicle will provide a command vehicle for 9th SS recce, representing Grabner's vehicle for Arnhem.


The original model comes with a cast resin British commander, which I had to grind off with a Dremmel, so I replaced him for a Raventhorpe tank commander figure with side cap and headphones.


Artwork in the Rapid-Fire Market Garden book shows no markings other than loads of iron crosses, presumably to prevent friendly fire.  These decals are from Skytrex.


Slightly fuzzy detail of Grabner in the turret.


Grabner in better focus.


Then, the first of the World Armour Elefant tank destroyers, this one in dunkelgelb with sandy Rotbraun spots, best suited to the Eastern front.


The command figure is again Raventhorpe, wearing an officers hat.


Decals came with the kit although there weren't enough Balkankreuz for the rear, which is from Skytrex.


Propaganda shot of the big gun.


The commander in close up.


I like the way both models have turned out and they should hopefully be appearing on a table somewhere as soon as Covid restrictions are relaxed.

As ever, thanks for looking.

at

6 comments:

  1. Fire at Will15 February 2021 at 21:11

    Great work Andy. I always enjoy the debates on what Humber vehicle Graebner actually had was it an armoured car (which mark?) a scout car or even an ordinary staff car. Until they find some conclusive evidence the debate goes on. LOL

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    1. Andy Canham16 February 2021 at 08:16

      Thanks Will. I doubt that solution will come to light now - 9th SS veterans memoirs seem confused and contradictory and I doubt any of the British paratroopers were any clearer. I suspect Grabner must have had a good reason for preferring the beute vehicle to an SdKfz 250, 232, etc., but what that was is open to interpretation. In the Michael Caine film, they show him in what looks to be either a 250 or 251!

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  2. Just Jack16 February 2021 at 00:39

    Looking good, Andy. Whatcha gonna do with that gigantic Elefant?

    V/R,
    Jack

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    1. Andy Canham16 February 2021 at 08:19

      Thanks Jack - think its gonna try and shoot some T-34s. Ive a Rapid-Fire scenario book that calls for 2 in a Kursk scenario. But with Battlegroup planning a Sicily/Italian campaign book, it might come in handy for the defences of Anzio - the other one Im working on has the web-like camo scheme, so would be a better bet for Italy.

      Cheers, Andy

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  3. Tales from Shed HQ19 February 2021 at 11:37

    Excellent Mr C. Love the Humber! Looking forward to the Italian book when it's done 👍

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  4. Andy Canham20 February 2021 at 16:53

    Thanks Mr P. Me too for the Italy book.

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