Converting PSC M5 into IDF Halftrack in 15mm

Here is what you need to have to convert the M5 into one used by the IDF in the Yom Kippur war.  First item is Battle Front M3 Halftrack Stowage AIS671

Before assembling the M5 you will need to do the following.

.

 

 RH window armor removed

 Removed door handle and tiedown handles.  The door

needs to be removed so the decal will not distort. 

Found that out the hard way.

 Side equipment add

 Rear stowage added

Front machine gun installed.

The M5 was painted with Tamiya paints. The mix is 

 33% XF-57
Buff
+
33% XF-59
Desert Yellow
+
33% XF-20
Medium Grey

  I got this mix of a IDF modeling sight.  This according the modelers there

   is the correct mix for the 73 war. Decals are for Battle front sets.  Need to paint the front roller     black. 

There are few more things to be painted before the M5 is ready for gaming table. Mud flaps, gas cans on the sides of the hood need to be added and the machine guns.  The books I used for reference are Israeli Half-track Vol 1& 2 by Tom Gannon.   The Halftracks after the Yom Kippur war where upgrade along with many changes where made to the interior.  The big visible change was the mount of the fuel track outside of the vehicle where the rear stowage is on.

Some more information on IDF uniform's

Thought I would post this on the blog.  One of the reader of my blog sent this information in a email.  This is very helpful to me in painting my IDF troop

Good morning Gary,

Are you still looking for IDF uniform info. I volunteered for logistical support for the IDF in 86-87. I still have my uniform and some photos from then. I will be happy to unearth them if you still need assistance. Not much had changed then from the 70's. Israel has a wonderful way of making things last and retooling kit and vehicles for continued 2nd and 3rd line use. I had worked on and serviced 30 and 50 cal MMG from the 40's, rode in and serviced old US WWII half tracks that were still very operational in the 80's!

The one basic thing I can tell you is that most of the IDF infantry uniforms at that time were made from a very similar clothe and color of our own US Army OD green type fatigues from the 60's. The variation in color is due to the elements and laundering. The tankers jump suit was a slightly brighter or lighter green with the infantry being a standard type of OD green. During the Arab Israeli Wars there are always reservists being called up. These troops have a more motley mix of color variations and kit as their stocks come from old storage, older kit, or directly from the soldiers personal closets and storage cabinets right into battle. A quick stop at the local base and supply depot to muster their units, then issued web gear, helmet, basic kit, rifle and ammunition and to the front lines. So basically for the earlier conflicts you really can't go wrong with different shades of OD green. Active military units will have newer and cleaner looking uniforms and kit, and the reservists will have more worn and faded uniforms and a mix of kit with some newer items added in, just as your photos have shown.

I hope this helps and doesn't make things more muddled.

Cheers,

JB

When I get more photos I will post them here.

Churchills and a NA75 conversion

It took forever to get my Churchill's.  It seems the whole world got them before I did.  PCS Churchill's are very well done.  Next to my battlefront Churchill where is no contest to which tank is the best.

Assembling the tank is pretty straight forward. The only part the is a beast to put together is the turret.  Trying to hold the parts together to glue gets a bit interesting. 

Painting the Churchill for the Normandy campaign I use White Ensign Paint number Olive drab BS987C SCC No. 15 (AR B 19).  Found this to be the correct color for this time frame.


You will see a NA75 turret. This was a quick conversion using bit left over from the Shermans.   I had to make a hatch cover for it using styrene sheet cut to size.  I wish PCS would of just put an extra hatch on it.

Now for the photos.

First the NA75 conversion.  Using parts left over from PCS Sherman kits:

and here are the rest of them,

 This a attempt to weather the tracks using migs dark earth powder.

The weathering effect was created using mud from Floquil. I just need to paint the commander.

Stick a fork in the T62 is done

 Well it didn't take a month of longer.   The T62 is finished! Found a left over Russian tank commander from Forged in battle T34. Now the T62 has a commander.  Kurasan T62 is really a nice tank. Not much weather on the tank.  These where brand new to the Syrians from the Russian.

Let me know what you think of the finished tank.  Sometimes I think no one reads this blog :( 
...

Syrian T62 by Khurasan

 Here are some pictures of Khurasan T62.   These are very nice models.  But you will need to do a few things first.  

Clean out the flash in between the road wheels and tracks.  On the turret there are some small steps that need to be removed from the 3d print process.  This can be done using sand paper. It only takes a few minutes.

The T62 where issued to the Syrians shortly before the start of the Yom Kippur war.  I planning not over do the weather. As these where destroy rather quickly in the opening hours of the war. The Soviets rushed fresh T62's to the Syrians during the conflict.  A surprising number are just green all over.   This T62 is a work in progress.  Should have a few completed by this coming weekend.

Now for pictures:

 One thing I wish I added where the sands bags over the external fuel tanks.  The Syrians had learned from other battles that the IDF air bursts.  Would puncture and set the fuels tanks on fire.

Here are some pictures of Syrian T62,T54 & T55:

 

Romans in 28mm

So far I have shown very much of what  ages of wargames I play.  When first started playing at friends house in  his basement. The game was WRG Ancients.  My army was a Carthaginian army battling Byzantines.   With a lot of lucky I managed a draw.  Needless to yes I was hooked.  That was in 1974.  Wow that was along time ago.  Plus a mountain of lead.

I thought I would post a picture of Roman Auxiliary.  The Romans are one of my favorite eras in history.