At times it seemed like I'd never get there, but at long last I've finally completed all the items I acquired for my Airborne platoon, and here's the last of them.
It's all scenic scatter, so not really necessary for the campaign, but I knew if didn't do it now they'd never find their way to the front of the painting queue.
The Airspeed Horsa was of course the biggest drain on my time, and, at times, my enthusiasm, but I'm happy with the finished item. I must admit that when I bought the kit[1] I had no idea how big the Horsa glider was. It's as big as a four-engine bomber; I'd imagined something smaller that takes up less space. It took ages carefully scoring out the control surfaces[2] to separate them from the wings and tail to get that sagged wreck look but I like a modelling challenge now and then, it increases the sense of 'ownership' in the finished product.
My agonising over my poor attempt at invasion stripes was greatly eased when I discovered this photo of the real thing - makes mine look rather good.
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| Rommelspargel |
I don't have an answer as to why there's just this one lonely 'asparagus' that my glider has come a cropper on; in reality they filled entire fields with them.
The three parts of the glider have all been put on ferro-bases to hold it securely in the magnetised box-file being used for storage ...
... along with the parachute canopies (paracord added using 'invisble' quilting thread courtesy of my better half).
The canopies are from Empress Miniatures, as are most of the supply containers; the unopened ones being intended for use as jump-off points (JOPs).
The out of focus empty basket by the canister in the foreground of the above image will be used to indicate it has been tested for as a Replen[ishment] Point but failed i.e., there are no munitions there. Open canisters with weapons etc. inside will indicate one that has become a Replen Point.
And finally, as a nod to 'that film', an alternative marker for a failed Replen Point.
Notes:
[1.] It's a very old kit and quiet crude compared to current Airfix products; many parts don't even have locating lugs to hold them in place while glued. Even worse, some of the bits are just wrong e.g. the passengers doors on the real thing slide up inside the glider and don't, as modelled in the kit, swing down with in-built steps.
[2.] The wings and tail surface were solid one-piece mouldings.
Absolutely love the various and sundry details with all of this! With the addition of a few glider infantry standing around in situ (maybe an NCO or junior officer with a few men), you'd have a fantastic period vignette. My grandfather, among other things, trained and served for a while as glider infantry before volunteering (!) to retrain as a paratrooper. Scary stuff!
ReplyDeleteKind Regards,
Stokes
(Michigan, USA)
Thanks, maybe I'll do a vignette photo or two when the campaign starts. Which unit did your grandfather serve in and where? I assume he was an American para?
DeleteWhat a lovely bit of modelling, but yes, gliders are very big. My Horsas are all 6mm and they are still huge. I use them as LZ markers with my 15mm stuff. At least you didn't try a Hamilcar!
ReplyDeleteI went and had a quick look at your blog; I see what you mean, the 6mm Horsa gliders take up most of a Hexon tile. I also looked up the Hamilcar, the wingspan with another 22ft would be another 3.6" in 1/72, OTOH it's only 1ft (1/6th of an inch) longer.
DeleteI’m very tempted to acquire a glider myself. The modelling aspect certainly appeals but, like you, I’m not sure how to accommodate such a big footprint on the table.
ReplyDeleteI expect it'll get put right on the edge of the playing area, and partially off it to form more of a backdrop and not take up too much space. I still have to decide what to do about the first game in the von Luck campaign as it calls for almost the entire table to be cornfield - that's a lot of coir matting, if I go that way.
Delete