Bolt Action American Platoon

[Michael_Tems]

As of yet, we have no American Airborne in our gaming group, but who knows what the future holds?

And I will now have to retract this statement. Our Red Devils player decided to expand his collection with a set of Screaming Eagles, so I guess I better get a team together to go look for Ryan...

[Michael_Tems]

My compulsory Ranger Platoon has just been finished. Worth 13CE this should be enough for a minor skirmish, but support teams are also on their way!

Closeup of Headquarters Squad, led by Captain Mainland:


Closeup of 1st Squad:

Being light infantry these guys have replaced their .30 caliber for two BARs.

Closeup of 2nd Squad:

[Michael_Tems]

The first support team to reach the front is a 60mm Mortar:

Each model can be removed seperately as a casualty.

[Michael_Tems]

And the next support team is a Browning M2 .50 caliber heavy machinegun.





As with the mortar team, every soldier can be removed seperately.

[Michael_Tems]

This is a 1/43 Willys Jeep model, which is actually slightly too large for my platoon, but next to my 1/48 Sherman it looks quite right.




This was my very first attempt to paint a muddy windshield, and I think it adds a lot to the model.

[Michael_Tems]

This is the first of three M3 Half-tracks I will be using as transports for the platoon.
As the vehicles were completely identical from the box, I added some unique touches to each of them. First a group shot:


This one is supposed to be the platoon command vehicle and is sporting lots of antennae. I've also
built the characteristic gunshield for the HMG and hung some haversacks on the side (can't have such
a mess inside the command area). I also went with leather seating to make the vehicle a bit more
luxurious than the regular rubberized canvas. And of course the huge wooden box holding the command
tent and plenty of office supplies.


Next one is for transporting 1st squad. There is some extra entrenchment tools and barbed wire as well as two SMGs.


Final one is for 2nd squad. Preparing for a shower, they have covered the rear and taken off all equipment hanging outside.

The canvas was made from moist kleenex, attached with wood glue and covered in three layers of spray varnish before painting.

I am quite satisfied with the additions and overall painting, I am not fond of the model's tracks however as they are too loose.

[Michael_Tems]

I've added a few more pictures to the first post, most importantly my 2 .30 caliber LMG teams and my .30 caliber watercooled HMG-team.

[Michael_Tems]

I just laid the final hands on a M1 57mm Anti Tank Gun for my US Platoon.



The Gun has previously served with my British Platoon.

The model is a Bolt Action Metal Kit with Plastic Infantrymen fashioned as Crew. Heads are from Westwind Games.

[Mark at GEG]

Another great addition, can you get a pic of the whole force together?

Mark

[ReintertJ]

So the driver of the Sherman doesn't need to see where he is going, and the hull gunner is firing blind? Come on guys there are enough photos on line to help with this. It is nearly as bad as the painting guide for Americans, painting the wood grain on a Garand, you have got to be joking. At 28mm you are not going to see wood not grain. It is a bit like the old lace on 15mm tricorns bugbear. Full scale 1/4inch, at 15mm scale, well you work it out. I know my tired eyes would only see a smudge of possibly not so clean lace.