Hi Guys,

One of the things I was looking for for my airborne dio were kneeling/crouching figures. I wanted some chaps who could either be unloading the airborne containers or perhaps setting up a Vickers MG.

No bespoke para cerw exist for the Vickers MG so I had a look at the possible figure options that might work.

The Resicast 75mm Gun Crew is a 4 figure set, with 3 kneeling and one bend at the waist figure and I though they might do.

Two of the figures are close to two of the crew form the mortar set, but with subtle differences, the 3rd kneeling figure is new to me and the 4th bend figure a slight reworking of an earlier figure.

Looking at the dress and make up of the set, two of the kneeling figures have webbing, the 3rd just a para smock and the 4th bend figure is in BD.

The two with the webbing could I think be used with the vickers MG, in the act of setting it up. The chap with the para smock might make a good doctor/medic or alternatively be used unloading the containers. The 4th chap I'm a bit unsure of but no doubt will find a home.

The only alteration that should ne necessary is the replacement of the hands, which come cast to the shells for the 75mm.



Al

Hi folks,

Well here some of the bits I'll use.

Firstly the Vickers MG set. I confess to having several of these sets as I want to use the MGs on the LDRG trucks I have when I get to them.





Next the crew from the 75mm Pack Howitzer Crew. These two I think will work for the MG Crew. Both require simple construction by just adding the arms and heads. Both are in skelton battle order, the kneeling chaps arms are moulded to the body. Sorry about the pics I though I had photographed them in the raw, but didn't, so both have had a basic clean up and a first primer coat of paint.

I have a set fo replacement hands so nothing ground breaking there.





Of the remaining two, the chap without the webbing in the smock should make a good medic for the injured troops I have and the 2nd in BD is a slightly re-worked figure with a new arm that I'll find a home for too.



Again apologies for the pics, but you'll get the idea.

Al

Hi Guys

Got a little work done today on the last day of my hols;

Some painting on the figures, cleaned up some of the storage boxes and ammo/water cans.

I'll build a boxed MG and folded stand and a mounted gun, then see what works best with the 2 figs.

It just occurred to me the chap bent at the waist looks a bit priest like!



Al

the Guns:



Possible cominations using the two figs:





Al

Hi Alan

these look great

can i ask what colours your using to do the combat jackets for your paras??
and how you make the colour faded ??

my paras are looking very different to yours maybe im doing something wrong??

good work on the MG's and the crew these are looking magnificent as usual!
keep up the good work ill be keeping my eye on this!
tony

Hi Tony,

The kneeling chap is quite small even for Resicast figures but hopefully they will work OK for my purpose. I haven't settled on the arms for the gunner yet. hence they are not finished.

On colours, I use Tamiya XF 49 Khaki as a base coat for the jackets. Camo is XF 64 Red Brown, XF 58 Olive Greeen, and XF 60 Dark Yellow. All are applied in a very trhin water coat. To blend them in and dull the brightness, I've been using MIG 402 Brown for Desert Yellow and I've done a few with P245 Brown for Dark Green although I prefer the first Filter.

I doubt if these colours are exact but they seem to work for me and at 1/35 with webbing and kit on should be OK. The main thing I see with these jackets is gettting the colours to blend into each other and the Filters are good for that, apply them almost directly after painting the camo and the blend is much better.

Al

Alan,
Another great piece of work you got going again,just looking forward to seeing it come all together.
Any more news about MB releasing the horsa yet as still trying to finish my 1.
Just keep the brill work up.
Shauny

Hi Shauny,

Thanks, not much more done this past week or so, got the guns painted and some work done on the boxes last week.

I would think it would be some time before the Horsa and C47 will appear, providing MB don't change their mind.

Cheers

Al