Israeli special forces - IDF skin divers

IDF Skin Divers

Next few off my desk for my continued Arab-Israeli war build are some Israeli special forces, some 20mm skin divers from platoon 20 range, I will use these for other games also wherever a port facility or bridge needs to be taken out! 

I tried to paint camouflage on the faces in the typical 1980s vertical lines which was common in movies and magazines, the skin suits in black bit with some light grey joint lines which was common in 1970s skin diving suits. Overall pretty happy with the result 

cheers

Matt

ZSU 23-2 aa gun

 ZSU 23-2 AA gun

A 3d printed piece I purchased two months ago to give my rebels, Soviets and Egyptians some light AA cover.  

A simple speed paint and highlight, yet to purchase some 1/76 crew for it though. 

Cheers

Matt

IDF infantry Arab-Israeli war

 

 IDF infantry part 2

The new IDF battalion was completed this week when my basing colours arrived, this has held up a lot of posts this month so expect a lot of completed stuff this coming fortnight. 

I have done a painting guide also on my ww2-modern blog Kampfgruppe Willow for those interested it is  here. 

I still have some paratroopers, plus some support weapons, and a lot of vehicles to complete this project, but I am no rush to get the on the table until next years anniversary.

IDF battalion

My regimental colonel in a typical 80s pilots leather coat, with two female drivers! I need to add the 2 man radio section, jeeps and command half track at a later date

Two Browning M1919 MMG 

A basic squad, a mag 58, bazooka and mortar

Battalion HQ, missing  a radio man

my paint colours are 

Helmet with cover Vallejo khaki 988

Uniform Vallejo grey green 886

Webbing Vallejo Khaki 988

Boots and rubber Vallejo german grey

weapon stocks Vallejo mahogany brown

Barrels black Vallejo Black 

Rank stripes Vallejo shadow grey

ammunition Vallejo brass

cheers

Matt

M60a3 markings Cold War

 American M60a3 Cold War markings 

Cruising eBay which is always dangerous I picked up 6 Altaya M60a3 tanks at €3 a piece from Spain. This now gives me two M60a3 battalions to take on my Warpac for Cold War games.

 Even though they are marked up already for a infantry division it got me thinking about tactical markings for the M60a3 had things gone hot in the mid eighties in Europe. So the search has began!  

Cheers

Matt

Bundesgrenzschutz Kampfgruppe

 

Bundesgrenzschutz Kampfgruppe

Completed my first part of my kampfgruppe of Bundesgrenzschutz, the uniform of the Elheim figures works from 1967 to 1990. The Female figures are only suitable after 87. Very happy with my results even the shoulder patch’s worked out well. 

I have painted some in checkpoint colours and some in port and airport khaki trousers, so they will be suitable for Warpac SF raids . I still have two companies in camouflage to complete, plus support mortar, dog section, and bomb disposal. For vehicles I have one car, one VW van, an ambulance, and helicopter to complete the kampfgruppe. I also want to scratch build a armoured car. 

Bundesgrenzschutz painting guide

 

 Painting guide Bundesgrenzschutz 1976-1990

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Below is my Uniform colour suggestions for 20mm bundesgrenzschutz from 1976-1990.

M53 Helmet dark Green Vallejo German Camo dark Green 70979

Beret dark green Vallejo reflective green  70890

Service cap green, black visor and leatherwork Vallejo reflective green 70890

Dress Tunic green Vallejo reflective green 70890

tie green Vallejo 70967

reed green trousers Vallejo reflective green 70890

Khaki trousers (border crossing, customs and port and airport troops) Vallejo Khaki 70988

General service trousers green Vallejo Olive Green 70967

ochre yellow dress shirts Vallejo Green Ochre 70914

boots black grey Vallejo black grey 70 862

skirts (female) green Vallejo Reflective green 70890

leather belts, straps equipment black  Vallejo Black Grey 70862

Webbing black green  vallejo military green Vallejo 70975

bread bag green Vallejo Olive Green 70967

Water Bottle green Vallejo Olive Green 70967 or old style brown Vallejo Beige brown 70875 black cup 

mess tin black old Vallejo Black Grey 70862 or green new model reflective green 70890

shovel handle dark timber Vallejo flat Brown 70984, shovel black Vallejo Black Grey 70862

Great coat green Vallejo reflective green 70890

Waffenfarbe white vallejo 70951

Camouflage uniform 

The camouflage uniform was being phased out in the eighties and completely gone by 1987. The latest photo I have is 1983. 

My colours suggested are sumpfmuster camouflage uniforms
Basic Grey beige shade: RAL 1019 Vallejo German camo beige 821

Reddish spots: RAL 8012 red brown Vallejo 8012 red brown or Mahogany Brown 70846

Dark gray spots: RAL 7006 beige gray Vallejo beige brown 70875

cheers

Matt