I am working on creating a Normandy scenario for a What a Tanker© game that I plan to run at a monthly gaming session at both the Mass Pikemen Gaming Club and the Historical Gaming Club of Uxbridge. With the 75th Anniversary of D-Day coming up in little more than a month, I thought that would be appropriate.
My challenge was that I really did not have enough historically-appropriate tanks and tank destroyers for such a scenario. I did have 9 plastic British Shermans and 2 Fireflies that I bought on eBay that were well-painted. I also had 2 resin Shermans and 2 resin Stuarts that I got from a guy who makes his own models and sells them already painted. The British stuff came with a bunch of infantry that I sold, so the nice plastic British armor ended up costing me net only $1.40 each! The US tanks were OK for the tabletop, and for the price (about $5-6 as I remember), a relative bargain – but I wanted better. I also had no Germans for that theater, so that is part 2 of the project. For this part, I am focused on five US vehicles. Together, I will have enough to make a joint US/UK force.
Three of the five vehicles came from Battlefront and were metal and resin and some plastic: one M3A1 Stuart (#US003); one M4A2 Sherman (#US045); and one M10 Wolverine tank destroyer (#US102). The other two were M24 Chaffee tanks that did not make it to D-Day, but replaced Stuarts starting in the latter part of 1944. These two were 3D printed models from somebody on eBay – and not great detail-wise. But, the M24 was the tank my grandfather, Marcus C. Delaney, drove in Europe during WWII, so I thought I’d work on those at the same time. I used many of the same research books that I have cited before – and I did not take pictures as these are more recognizable to most gamers and modelers.
Above, you can see the group – below is a group shot after assembly.
I mostly used my airbrush for painting – and on the M24’s I tried to minimize the 3D printer lines with paints, washes, and weathering. I decided to try a few Vallejo weathering products that caught my eye – I made a test of them first. Of course, these are applied with a brush!
It’s now time to share some eye candy of the completed tanks and the tank destroyer. Of course, I am also using these 5 as the first entry for a monthly painting challenge from Australia’s own Azazel – this being “Mechanismo May ’19 Community Painting Challenge“.
Now I have 18 US/UK vehicles for Normandy – which should be plenty. I also know that some folks are bringing some DD Shermans and a couple of Churchill’s. I have 6 German tanks and tank destroyers for Normandy and 11 for the Eastern Front (all about 60% completed), with 3 more to assemble (plus 5 scout cars). That should be enough for a couple of fun games. Stay tuned as I’m hoping to complete the Germans soon.
Thanks for checking this out – below are the paints etc. Let me know your thoughts if you would!
PAINTS, INKS, GLAZES, SHADES, WASHES, PIGMENTS AND FLOCKING USED ON THESE VEHICLES:
- Vallejo “Flow Improver”
- Vallejo “Airbrush Thinner”
- Vallejo “Surface Primer – Black”
- Testors “Universal Acrylic Thinner”
- Vallejo Model Air “US Olive Drab”
- Vallejo Game Air “Black”
- Battlefront “Black”
- Battlefront “Dark Gunmetal”
- Battlefront “European Flesh”
- Battlefront “Skin Shade”
- Vallejo Model Air “Bright Brass”
- Vallejo “Base Grey Primer”
- Vallejo “Neutral Grey”
- Army Painter “Military Shader”
- Vallejo Model Air “Wood”
- Polly S “Rust”
- Vallejo Mecha Color “Light Rust Wash” (wash)
- Gorilla Glue
- Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Gloss Varnish”
- Microscale Micro-Set
- Microscale Micro-Sol
- Microscale Liquid Decal Film
- Microscale Satin
- 1/8″ rare earth neodymium magnets
- Appropriate decals from Battlefront
- Vallejo “European Mud” (Thick Mud)
- Vallejo “European Slash Mud” (Splash Mud)
- Vallejo “Crushed Grass”
- Vallejo Mecha Varnish “Matt Varnish”
- Aleene’s poster tack
Mark A. Morin 
Very nicely done indeed, and I’m so pleased you’ve finally got M24s painted! I do like the weathering and shading on them all – it’s come out very well indeed (I’m assuming it’s the Army Painter Military Shader you’ve used as a wash on them). Love the M10, I think I need to get one! Will be good to see them in an a 75th anniversary game for sure!
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Thanks John, yes, it was either you and/or Pete who made me aware of the AP Military Shader. I really like it. The M10 you see here is resin, and that is now OOP but they do make plastic ones now. Appreciate the kind words!
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It must have been Pete, since I’m a bit behind the times with washes for shading! I must admit, seeing yours has made me think about getting an M10!
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Very cool, Mark. I love seeing your grungy armour go through the production line and onto the tabletop. I think I’m going to have to seek out those Vallejo Weathering products from my usual paint sources as well!
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I think you’ll like them, I thought that they worked pretty well. The jars are big (40 ml) and a little goes a long way. The product line is quite extensive too, to include moss and lichens and more mud, oil, etc. https://acrylicosvallejo.com/en/categoria/hobby/weathering-effects-en/.
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Hmm…. looks like good stuff!
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Seriously good modelling skills old boy! Those mud splashes are definately a must-have!
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Glad you like them! Yes, tanks and mud go along together well!
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The last time I tried I used Tamiya powders- And when I varnished them, the powders just washed off. Showroom condition for my Americans😢
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I have previously used Vallejo pigments for my desert tanks, and fixed the powders with airbrush thinner. I think that blowing or washing off can be an issue with pigments. I still will use pigments, but it’s nice to have another option, plus these do not need to be fixed. I like showroom in a museum, and dirty on the tabletop!
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Nicely done! I have used some 3D printed fittings for detailing 1/72 ships, I think the technology is still one generation away in resolution and price from being truly revolutionary for the modeling world. The resin printing technology is promising though!
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I hope so – as someone who is more attuned to working with metal and resin (heavier models) I prefer some heft to my tanks. When I finish my Germans, you will see that I actually filled the plastic hulls with different types of steel to weigh them down. I thought I’d give the models a try, it was last year and I was just getting going building and collecting AFV’s for What a Tanker, and I really wanted some M24’s. Of course, I always could just buy more, make molds, and cast them in metal! Appreciate your taking a look and the feedback!
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Those look great. The weathering looks spot on. The tester card to try them out is a great idea too. I use old plastic figures to being able to compare them side by side is a big help.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Thanks Pete and I now know (thanks to John’s previous comments) that you were the one to turn me on the Army Painter Military Shader. Thanks as that helped. I have now a sheet with all of my washes to see which one I want to use.
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Really glad it helped you Mark. I’m finding I’m using it a lot myself now, the IS7 for example.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Brilliant mate – especially impressed that the 3D printed ones came out so well, given the inevitable print lines. That crushed grass effect paint looks brilliant!
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Cheers Alex! The crushed grass stuff is very nice to work with.
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Great mate ,yep the crushed grass is great I’ll steal that idea! The Vallejo weather was shown to me my model shop guy but they are big pots and came in packs so for me and my odd little tank or two it wasn’t worth it ,shame they seem to work well ,and of course the little Stuart looks a treat .
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Thanks Pat – I was thinking that the products were likely to be very useful for dioramas too. These sold separately which was nice.
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