Panzer Lehr Normandy
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Completed 7 miniatures for my Customs border unit. These chaps are all Esci and Airfix. The figures are from the Esci ground crew (radio operator ) NATO troops man with hand up, and from the Airfix nato ground crew the dog and the three walking (minus their tool boxes). I also attempted the arm patches… sort of. My favourite is the radio operator figure. I have a vehicle to come for them.
The unit will be used for my skirmish and larger battles as opposition to my Soviet special forces. Perfect for airfields, checkpoints, waterways and port guards.
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| Bundeszollverwaltung - Customs patrol |
Cheers
Matt
Whilst on tour visiting the combat of the thirty site near Josselin we also visited the battlefield of Mauron on the return trip after lunch. Much of the site today is under housing but the road to Rennes and St Levy still exist so it is easily placed. The manor near the bridge still remains but is un-accessible and private, however the river Ivel can be walked in summer as it is not wide nor very marshy and has a walking path along the St Levy side.
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| Brembili Manor stables |
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| The memorial on the crossroads at Mauron. To the left to Rennes, to the right St Levy. |
Last week we hosted David Knight, a huge fan of everything medieval and one of the authors of Test of Resolve medieval ruleset. David was on his forth visit to us for holidays and wanted to tour some more of our local 100 years war battlefields, which I was only to happy to oblige being a huge HYW fan myself.
When the ground has been walked and the primary and secondary references are consulted the scenarios are written, the scenario will reflect the ground, references and some playability will be included. The first day tour visit was a visit to the real Rohan, the dukedom which is also the site of the Combat of the thirty, one of the most famous occurrences during the war of Breton succession. First a visit to Ploërmel for a coffee and walk of the city walls and medieval buildings in this flourishing city. Then a short drive to walk the battlefield site, a walk around the location visiting the 19th century column then a visit to the chapel of Saint Maud where three French-Bretons are buried, then the agreed meeting location at the fountain of Saint Maud, and finally the cross where the eight of the English Bretons are buried. Then an off the Josselin to have lunch, visit the chateau, then return to visit the battlefield of Mauron.
Some photos and description of our battlefield tour of the combat of the Thirty.
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| The Pyramid, the modern 19th century marker of combat of the thirty column |
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| Vanessa and Dāvīds turn |
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| The marker of the combat, destroyed during the revolution and replaced in 1848 |
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| The plaque which is quite good, we cleaned it, I regularly carry cleaner in the car for these. |
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| David and I on the edge of the battlefield, the stream in the trees is the boundary behind us. |
![]() The Olivier V de Clisson and his wife Marguerite de Rohan |
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| Josselin Castle |
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| Chateau Josselin, one of the castles of the Dukes of Rohan |
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| Chateau Josselin from the river |
Another table piece for my Cold War collection this time a camera crew covering the troubles along the border….. figures from Elhiem miniatures range.
Cheers
Matt
Completed some more crews for vehicles and Bren Carriers etc. another 30 odd figures to go. Again all figures are Britannia miniatures.
Cheers
Matt
Finally completed this during the week during my down time between guests I have been airbrushing and catching up on my kit builds during the year. I do need to add crew from elhiem when I find them in the pile of opportunity.
Additions for my Swedish army is a passenger truck, the Volvo C303 TGB11 these small vehicles were commonly referred to as the Puppy in Swedish service and were used in a variety of uses.
The C303 was designed and built by Volvo and was designated the Laplander L3314. It came in hard top, soft top and the specialized anti tank version. I picked up the Gecko heavy industries model, which to be frank is not that good for its price, with lots of air bubbles and a clear cabin in very hard resin. See my previous kit review Here
I am quite happy with the result though and was a simple dark green airbrush job then hand painted windscreens, tactical signs and lights etc.
Cheers
Matt
Elhiem miniatures have released a few pieces for the Nationale Volksarmee GDR East Germans. A simple start to my project coming up this year is a Trabant 601 car for some minor officer of the army. A nice start to kit off the army!
Cheers
Matt
One of my Bundesgrenzschutz units is a 1/72nd scale VW181 to complete my command platoon.
The Germania Figuren vehicle is made from resin and is a very nicely cast model. Hardly and flash and no bubbles. It comes with two options roof on or folded back, plus driver (which is a bonus) with four head variants. Assembly was quite simple and the cabin went together well, although take care with the windscreen removal, and fitting the back parcel shelf and seat which I fitted incorrectly!
It was a little pricey at €16.50 plus shipping but a great little kit never the less. A solid 9 out of ten, only mi us was the instructions and broken windscreen
A simple Tamiya nato green paint job, with highlight, then black lining. The driver was painted in bundesgrenschutz camo smock. Really happy with the result.
Cheers
Matt