US Paras
These are painted in the M1943 Olive Drab uniforms - first worn by the US Airborne during Operation Market Garden. As far as I know the 82nd Airborne was completely in the new uniforms, but some of the 101st was still in the pale brown earlier uniforms.
Those figures represent a regimental strength battlegroup, the comprise of Pendraken 10mm figures. Mainly the D-Day codes, with some of the Ardennes paras mixed in to give a bit of variety. Dave at Pendraken was good enough to pick out the Ardennes paras in great-coats so that I only had to buy the figures I would use. A few jeeps need adding, I will probably use Pithead ones.
Regimental Overview
From left to right - 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, Support & CO, 3rd Battalion
1st Battalion in detail
Detail of the 1st Battalion - 9 platoons of infantry, 2 x 30cal MGs and 81mm mortar platoon, and HQ.
Now the Platoons in detail
30cal MGs and 81mm Mortars
Battalion HQ
57mm Anti-tank guns
Close up of some infantry
Link to my notes on the actions of 82nd Airborne at the start of Market Garden, and the organisation of the 82nd Airborne.
Painting Details
The figures were undercoated white, then given a wash of dark green (Vallejo Brown Violet, mixed with a little US Uniform). Bases and boots were washed with dark brown (Vallejo Game colour Burnt Earth and a little earth). Helmets and heavy weapons painted with normal strength Brown Violet. Weapons done black or dark brown as appropriate. Webbing done in a mix of colours, as seems to have been the case with issued webbing, some in Green-Brown, some in Russian Uniform and some in the same green as the uniforms. Finished with a wash of GW Dev lan Mud and a light dry brush of pale sand.
Bases were done with a new approach, rather than sand, then paint, I have used brown wood filler. It seems to stick the figures well, and doesn't need painting (YEAH!!!) and can be textured with a stiff brush or a knife point.
Probably the quickest figures I have painted - certainly much much quicker than British Paras in their camo smocks.
Photos
Most of the photos were taken in my new light tent, outside in fairly bright sunshine, which seems to have given good even bright light. Taken with Canon EOS450D using point light metering. The main overview picture was taken inside using a couple of desk lamps - hence the yellow cast to the photo.
Figure Counts
51 |
stands | |
255 |
figures | |
6 |
guns |