Looking back at 2022

As 2022 begins to fade into 2023 (no I don't know where that year went either) a bit of a look back at what I managed to achieve.

The Imperial Estavian Army came into existence. From some initial crude sketches back in the late 1990s an army of white coated infantry with more colourful cavalry and guards appeared. Lets not forget the striking "Zircus Artillerie" either!

It owes its existence to a fifth force for the Soldier King game, not determined by the names and heraldry of the game, so created entirely from imagination and influences.

Obviously, Austria was one, but I was conscious to avoid it becoming a clone. The Saxons provided a greater range of facing colours for the infantry, so I ran with that. I also wanted a Spanish and Neapolitan vibe, so indulged myself with crimson and purple guards and gaudy flags.

It is the largest of the armies and at times all that white was a challenge. I have some ideas for expansion should that prove necessary.

My other focus was on Arab-Israeli; it was more "occasional dabble" rather than focus if I'm honest. I seem to have flitted from one army to another without finishing anything! That said, it means less work is necessary to complete the IDF, Egyptians and Jordanians.

So what's the plans for 2023?

I have already started on the Electoral Army for SK and the AIW stuff needs finishing. I'd love to tackle some unfinished projects (15mm Italian Wars) and some new (WW2 Western Desert, 15mm Flodden and ECW) as well as 28mm ancients especially for Commands and Colors. It might be nice to actually have a game!

So rather than definite plans, I'll aim for vague aspirations; if the last few years have taught me anything, it's that life is more unpredictable.

I'm also mindful that a hobby is supposed to be enjoyed and not become a work project.

Progress report

A quick update on painting progress for the first of the Electoral Army, units of Naervaron.

We have the Erbprinz Leibgarde, modelled on the Erbprinz Regiment from "Charge". Instead of Stadden 30mm, these are Spencer Smith plastic grenadiers with a mitre cap from the later ranges and added Green Stuff.

Next a line regiment "Weiss".

And finally the Erbprinz himself, Christian Fischreiher.

Saturnalia Greetings!

We find ourselves once more at that time of the year, be it Yultide, Christmas or whichever religious or non-religious holiday you celebrate.

Wishing all my blog readers and those who drop by the compliments of the season as we celebrate with friends and family and remember those no longer with us.

I have taken the opportunity to do a little painting, making a start on the Leibgarde of Naervaron, modelled on the Erbprinz Regiment from Charge or how to play wargames.

The Prince of Naervaron as colonel in chief of the regiment, has received the same colours as mixed for the foot with a fetching grey horse.

And a festive photo of Sophie getting into the festive spirit (she has taken a liking as only cats can to a bag of tinsel!)

Egyptian Centurion

Another addition to the eclectic mix of Egyptian armour for 1967.

As indicated in a previous post, the Egyptians had about 29-30 Mk 1 and Mk2 Centurions with the 17pdr gun. Unsubstantiated sources give Mk3 as well.

The most likely recipient was the 6th Division; often listed as "Mechanised" I think this is due to confusion with the 6th Mechanised Brigade. Arabic military formation terms are notoriously imprecise with the same word being used for different sized formations. The CIA report for 1967 lists the 6th Division as infantry, as do some of the earlier sources.

In any case, IDF tankers from Yoffe's Ugdah came across abandoned Centurions from an unidentified unit which were incorporated after modification in the IDF.

The model is something of a "Frankenstein creation" the upper hull and turret are from a Roco Minitanks Centurion, the turret had half the stowage bins removed so a Roco German Ostwind turret was cut up to provide replacement parts. The lower hull and tracks are from a Roco Chieftain . The gun and mantlet were donated by a Zylmex diecast Centurion with a muzzle break from an Airfix Panzer IV. Various bits of scrap and spares were used for turret hatch and smoke dischargers. The turret was lowered.

Egyptian experiments

This weekend sees an attempt to make a start on the Egyptian armour for 1967.

I've never been entirely happy with the Roco Minitanks models; the T-54 /55 is OK but needs some detailing added, but the JS-3 and T-34/85 were never "quite right". All are some of the earlier models in the Roco line and are quite crude.

The JS-3 was first; it comes with an extremely weedy gun barrel, the turret is too small and sits too far back and the JS-3M supplied to Egypt had sand shields. I corrected some of the more obvious problems and added detail, but it still didn't look right. Adding some height and width to the turret has helped. It's still not perfect and I may try adding a bit more Miliput to the turret. There's a limit to how much it can be improved and some would say "why bother?" My response is that this project is not about buying something off the shelf; it's as much about satisfying my "inner modeller" to see what I can accomplish. I've already surprised myself with what I've produced from limited means to create something unique.

JS-3M

As indicated, I was conscious the T-34/85 was "off" but couldn't quite see why or how. I put it down to the crude model, but wasn't entirely happy. I realised the problem was the turret was too far back. The same model is used for the 76mm T-34 with a different turret. While the 85mm turret is a bit too angular, the position is too far back due to the hole for the turret pin being central. Roco used a common chassis with alternative turret in many of their earlier models (T-54 /T-44, M-60). Here the issue is compounded by the bottom circular part of the turret being moulded to the chassis, not the turret.

Ideally, the turret "pin" needs to be moved backwards. This would create a weakness and would require a plastic card roof inside the turret, as the ideal position interferes with the turret hatch; there is nowhere to secure the pin to on the original turret. The alternative is to drill a new hole. Unfortunately, I see now why Roco didn't do this as they did on other models such as the T-54. Because the hole is no longer central, when the turret turns it does not match the circular turret bottom on the chassis making everything off centre. Moving the pin would avoid this. Using a new hole means the turret is fine when in the forward position. I've gone with drilling new holes at present.

T-34/85

The current fleet with T-54 and Egyptian Sherman with AMX-13 turret lurking in the background. I need to tackle the T-54 / 55 and produce a Centurion. Yes the Egyptians had around 30 Mk 1 to 3 Centurions deployed in Sinai which were captured by the Israelis without firing a shot.