Kit Bash: British Infantry Artillery Forward Observer (Scale Histroy SLC Competition)

As part of the 'Captain Kitbash 2024 Contest' run by the youtube channel Scale History SLC (Channel here). The competition is a fun little one designed to encourage the creative use of kit bashing to make unique models. The ground rules are as follows:

1) Entries must be 1-3 28mm models from WW2/Korean war.

2) The conversion must be created after the announcement of the competition.

3) Entries must be painted (to at least 3 colours).

4) One entry per contestant.  

5) You must subscribe/follow ScaleHistroySLC on Youtube and Instagram.

I have decided to make a British Infantry Artillery observer as my entry into the comp. The model is meant to represent a late war (Maybe Operation Market Garden haha!) British Artillery Forward Observer. I wanted the conversion to be quite subtle and look like a model that could realistically exist in the Bolt Action range while still capturing the character of the unit it represents. I did an identical pose to my US army forward observer as I really liked how that model came out. In the spirit of the competition I also used a number of plastic kits to make this and put together the build below:

All the pieces I used to make the model.

I decided with the mustached head from the French Resistance kit from Wargames atlantic as it felt quite 'British' to me. The arms are mix of British Infantry and US Airborne and the radio hand piece is a German stick grenade with the head cut and re-positioned. The helmet comes from the British & Canadian infantry kit and the radio was made from a cut up US Airborne ammo box with some gun straps on the side. The antenna and radio wires are broom bristle brushes clipped and bent into position. Once happy with that I set to painting it using a simple Vallejo English Uniform for the uniform and Vallejo Green Gray for the webbing. The painted model is below:

Overall I'm very happy with how it's come together and this was my first time painting British Infantry uniform so I'm glad that I have a good recipe now to do the rest of my XXX corps army. The entries in last years competition were extremely good with many people sculpting their own pieces and uniforms and i'm not at that skill level (yet!) - but it was a fun exercise planning, making and painting the piece. Entries are due April 1st 2024 so I will keep you all posted on how I go.

Signing off,

Chewie.

Painting: SS Autumn Oak Leaf Camo

As an opposing side to my British Airborne I am making an SS force based around late 1944 Market Garden(ish) period. So far it has been fun doing the research and putting together the units and one thing that struck me was the interesting camouflage schemes used by the SS in the late war to blend into their surroundings. One of the most distinctive and iconic designs was the German Oakleaf Autumn Camouflage, characterised by its unique combination of dark brown and orange. This is a painting guide for my take on the iconic look.

Two German soldiers wear Autumn Leaf Camouflage smocks

Step 1: Applying the Base Coat. Start by applying a base coat to your miniature using a light, earthy tone, such as a mix of brown and green. I used Vallejo Beige Brown. This will serve as the foundation for your camouflage pattern. 

 

Step 2: Creating Dark Splotches. Using a small, fine-tipped brush and a darker shade of brown or green, apply irregularly shaped splotches onto the base coat. I used a 1:1 mix of Vallejo Flat Brown and Negro Black. These splotches should be random in size and placement, mimicking the patterns found in natural foliage. . Remember to keep the splotches relatively small and well-distributed to achieve a balanced and realistic effect. 

Step 3: Adding Orange Dots. To mimic the fallen autumn leaves, take an orange paint and create tiny dots on top of the dark splotches. These dots should be sporadic and irregular in shape and size. Use a small brush or even the tip of a toothpick to achieve precise and delicate dots. The orange color will provide a striking contrast against the darker background, capturing the essence of the autumn foliage. For this step I used Citadel Squig Orange.

 

Step 4: Applying Final Dark Splotches Now, return to the dark brown or green paint and carefully apply additional splotches over the orange dots and surrounding areas. This step helps to further blend and integrate the orange dots into the camouflage pattern, giving it a cohesive and realistic appearance. The final dark splotches should overlap slightly with the existing ones, creating a sense of depth and complexity.I then washed the model with Citadel Agrax Earthshade and filled in the other details.

I am by no means a great painter but I think it looks the part especially when the models will be viewed from arms length away on a gaming table! The process is rather time consuming and it is taking me some time to get through all the miniatures but when they are together in a squad they look quite striking (in my opinion!). Of course there were many different camouflage schemes during the war and this is serves as a guide of how I am doing mine. I will no doubt experiment with the look as this project goes on!

I hope other people find this guide helpful and use it as inspiration for their own hobby!

Signing out,

Chewie