Treasure of Vix

 We visited Burgundy two weeks ago and as usual we spent time visiting museums, charming villages, sampling the local food and drinking wine. One of the visits we planned was to Châtillon-sur-Seine and the treasure of Vix. Now I had seen images of the vase and burial pieces, but like Sutton Hoo I was unprepared into how fabulous it was. The vase stands at 1.64m (5.4ft) and has the most fantastic carving and motifs surrounding the handles and rim. The gold Torc is also incredible, with the finest gold working I have seen on a la Tene period piece. The burial representation also was fantastic especially the reconstruction of the chariot wheels. The museum also houses a large number of Roman period pieces and items of Marshal Marmont who was locally born and is also buried in Châtillon-sur-Seine. 

I would certainly encourage you to visit this museum, it is a real gem. 

Fahnenflüchtige- Deserters

 

 Fahnenflüchtige- Deserters

A grim diorama table piece for my 44-45 defence of the Reich. Made by Battlefield miniatures, I am not sure it will improve my rolling…..

75mm French artillery

 

 French 75mm artillery 

Completed another 75mm French artillery piece, 3d resin gun with battlefield/ blitz crew, painted with the new AK French uniform colour which I really like, it looks really green in the photo but it is more khaki, but not as light as English uniform. Planning on painting my Simons soldiers French in the coming weeks. 

Cheers

Matt

ME 163

 

 ME 163 Komet 

Another kit completed from my MAYDAY build, it has been finished for three weeks or so, but I mislaid the canopy, which I found yesterday…… a simple build, the paint job is part airbrush part hand painted as I had masking tape tear so a sand back then brush job to complete, added decals from the kit, pilot is a supplied one. Not much use for wargaming but I knew I had to have one. When I worked at the Australian war memorial as a guide I often would take my guided group past the one in the memorial reminding people that this little jet was really a glider that was often a one way ticket. 

Cheers

Matt

P38J droop snoop

 370th Fighter Group P38 part 2

Finally got some time to complete this model, the P-38J from the 401st reconnaissance squadron of the  370th fighter group USAAF.  I have always wanted to build one of these for my European theatre ground air support as this unit was the close support for Pattons 3rd Armys breakout through Pays de Loire in August 1944. The droop snoot nosed aircraft was used coordination for targeting and low level rockets and bombing by the rest of the group, targeting the German support elememts and retreating convoys to the north and east into the Falaise pocket. 

As Wargamers we like to think that air support was easily available, with ground to air contact regularly. Pattons 3rd army was the first time that units at the front had direct radio liaison between the ground and the target liaison aircraft during the breakout. US aircraft were available every 8 mins to be targeted on the Germans units directed by these aircraft in constant contact with the lead elements of Pattons Armoured units. The P38s were flying out of Cardonville in Normandy so were over targets in the Mayenne region in around 5 mins as they chased the German 7th army east towards Paris then the border. The unit was also the first to drop Napalm incendiary bombs in Normandy on the 17th of July on a German fuel depot at Coutances west of St Lo. 

My kit is the superb Dragon model, only complaint no pilot….. so a Revell one was used, markings are for the 401st squadron of the 370th Fighter Group, fuselage code 7F. 

Cheers

Matt

Painting Spot

  We have been renovating for 8 years now, so finally I will get a full time painting spot by the end of August (if things go to plan). My current space will change (in a bathroom with no natural light) to a 3rd floor office space. Hopefully in before autumn begins. Still will not be as good a view as my first location view on the first floor, but very close! 

Cheers

Matt 

Wehrmacht Bus

 

 Wehrmacht Bus 

This month cracking on completing some late war transport for my Wehrmacht. The first Sicherung Division transport was predominantly buses. The buses though will be also used for any unit may require them. I have  four more to complete, 3 French Paris buses and a Mercedes Ambulance.  

Cheers

Matt

HYW mounted archers

 HYW mounted archers 

Completed a few generic HYW mounted archers for my English, Scots or French. Figures are from the Perry miniatures plastic range, mounted knights and foot archers pieces. 

Cheers 

Matt

Terrain Tuesday

 Some more bits another wayside cross, a statue of the Madonna and some hay stacks  

Cheers

Matt

Wehrmacht transport

 Wehrmacht Trucks

A few pieces completed this week as additional  transport for my 708th Infantry Division. 

Two resin and one plastic, I have another resin and plastic still on the workbench. I plan to add removable passengers also. 

 

Terrain Tuesday - Hot Food Van

 

 Hot Food Van

A Citroen Hot Wheels car was picked up a few weeks ago whilst shopping, I opted to paint it in split colours. I do intend adding a table and garbage bin on the grassed area as soon as I find them in my model railway bits box, it will join my Cold War collection. Now I need a name for it! My wife suggested to call it Matts chew and spew….. as she detests take away….

Happy with the results 

Cheers

Matt

A-10 Thunderbolt

 

 A-10 Thunderbolt Hog 

A academy A-10 Thunderbolt kit I have had laying around for more than ten years built but not painted pile of shame. This month I have been airbrushing madly to complete a lot of built kits, this chap made it to the front of the line last week. 

Reasonably happy with the results, marked up for Europe. I have another kit unbuilt, I will build that for Iraq in the future. 

Cheers

Matt