The Rising Sun

As you can see one of my upcoming projects will be Japanese related.I plan on doing the Japanese in WWII with an idea of basing them off the "Teishin Shudan" which were Japanese paratroopers.It's a rough outline and I need to do more research first before anything is completely decided.The time period will take place during and after the Philippines campaign where their uniform was basically the same as other Japanese infantry as they already discarded the paratroop look as their role became more as elite light infantry then as para's.
Some may be asking why Japanese WWII and the answer is threefold.The first is due to Helen Bachaus( http://tankgirl666.blogspot.com/)wonderful WWII Japanese which got my attention to this not often seen troop type.Some helpful hints would be nice Helen.:-) The second is the HBO series The Pacific which did a fine job of portraying the gritty reality of combat in this theater.Last but not least is TAG's offer of free miniatures to painters who will paint up some TAG miniatures and send the photo's in.With all three of these factors I just couldn't resist.As if that's hard to do.
For those following the German Fallschirmjäger in 28mm this is not a replacement project,but rather in addition to.I'm currently painting 15mm Fallschirnjäger while I'm waiting for ANGRIFF which is a DH supplement to figure out the platoon organization before continuing one with Fallschirmjäger in 28mm.Basically,just a short pause.The Japanese project will start small and I'll see how it goes if I want it to grow into something larger.

Cheers
Christopher

Eagles on the move

Now that I worked out the camo schemes for my Fallschirmjäger I now opted for a group shot.This represents half of my first squad with the other half still in production.
Here the obergefreiter(corporal) is overseeing the placement of the squads MG 42 .The scene is taking place somewhere in Normandy.

Corporal in Splittermuster(Splinter Pattern) & Sumpfmuster(Marsh Pattern) camouflage.

MG 42 Gunner in Sumpfmuster 43'(Marsh Pattern)

Assitant MG 42 gunner in Sumpfmuster 44'(Marsh/Water pattern)

Jäger in Splttermuster(Splinter Pattern)

More is discussed on previous posts regarding each Jägers uniform for those interested.I'm currently working on the second half of the squad add will posts results when completed.I hope some of you are enjoying this project and thanks for viewing.:-)
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs

Fallschirmjäger test figure #4 in Sumpfmuster 43'(Marsh Pattern) & Splittermuster(Splinter Pattern)

This will be my last test figure and then I'll move on to painting them in small groups.Just a reminder that these test patterns are not to decide which pattern I'll be using,because I'll be using them all,but rather it it designed to see if the patterns and colors are working and that they look the part.
This Fallschirmjäger is wearing a Splinttermuster(Splinter Pattern) top and Sumpfmuster 43'(Marsh Pattern) trousers that also became more popular as the war progressed,but of course the Field Grey trousers remained the most wide spread throughout the war.Another feature is the Luftwaffe blue helmet that was used early in the war and was largely replaced by painted on field gray and camouflaged covers in the splinter pattern,but this veteran has continued to use the Luftwaffe blue variant.Eagles were also on the helmets for a short period at the beginning of the war,but were replaced with the eagle off and by the time of Normandy they really wouldn't be present and so I didn't add one.I also added a bit of weathering damage to the helmets and I hope it looks right.
He is also carrying the MP40 machine pistol(machine gun) that was a popular weapon carried by the Fallschirmjäger as it suited their role as close assault troops.
On to more Jeägers!
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs

Fallschirmjäger test figure #3 in Sumpfmuster 43(Marsh Pattern)

This Fallschirmjäger is also wearing Sumpfmuster(Marsh Pattern)although of an earlier date(43').The pattern base is a bit lighter then the 44' version.Another interesting point is the Luftwaffe blue trousers which is a bone of contention and some controversy among historians.Many site that the Fallschirmjäger were never issued this type of trousers although others contend they were.I decided to include them as the Fallschirmjäger's regiments were at times filled out by other Luftwaffe ranks(either as support or processed and trained) that did include blue trousers and also of course the variety it offers in painting the platoon.
He is also wearing a camouflaged helmet cover in the splinter pattern as the marsh pattern was not produced or at least not issued for helmet covers.In addition he is wearing gaiters,but often these were removed for comfort.
This particular Jäger is carrying the much feared MG 42 that was a highly successful machine gun which was easy to transport due to it's relatively light weight in relation to it's size. When firing it had quite a distinct sound like a saw due to it's extreme rapid rate of fire at around 1200 to 1500 rounds a minute!This high rate of fire was both positive and negative in that on the positive side fire superiority could be achieved,but to maintain this was costly in terms of ammunition and over heating barrels.Many veteran gunners learned to control the bursts and were able to get the best results from this fearsome piece of equipment.
I need to do one more test figure and then I'll start painting them in groups of 3 or 4 which is a small amount,but I think best due to the complexity of painting these type of troops.(Complex for me at least)On to the next Jäger!:-)
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs

Fallschirmjäger test figure #2 in Sumpfmuster 44(Marsh Pattern)

This is my second Fallschirmjäger figure,but this time in Sumpfmuster 44(Marsh/Water pattern) which tends to look more brownish then the Splinter pattern.Also,the camouflage pattern is more rounded and softer in apperance.Like I mentioned before I also wanted to try out the tropical pants to show a veteran of the Italian campaigns who hasn't had time,availibilty or the desire to get some fatigues in field grey just yet.I added more scratches to the painted metal and I hope it looks right.
I plan to mix up my entire platoon in various stages of fallschirmjäger dress from the period of the Italian campaigns up to Market garden.This is for several reasons in that I think it was quite likely they did appear mixed as from personal experience as an ex-soldier I know supply can be late in getting replacement uniforms and couple that with the soldiers desire to keep his best uniform in his duffel bag for inspections and his older stuff for field operations leads me to suspect I'm not far off the mark.....hopefully.
My second reason is versality in that I can use the platoon for campaigns in both Normandy and Italy.
Lastly and probably my biggest reason is I enjoy painting several types and mixing and matching them which in turn will of course have me searching for any excuse I can find to paint them how I want!:-)
My next test Fallschirmjäger I'll do in another marsh pattern,but an earlier version that has a lighter camo pattern then the one above.Once that is finished I think I'll have worked out my camoflage patterns for the platoon and therefore able to do more then one at a time.
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs

Fallschirmjäger test figure in Splittermuster(Splinter pattern)

This is my first WWII miniature in 28mm and these Artizan figures are a real joy to paint.The complicated camo scheme is a real challenge,but rewards the painter in the end if carefully done.To this end I hope I succeeded.
I've painted 15mm WWII Germans and I've discovered that different techniques are required then 28mm when painting this period.The 15mm Germans using the 2 to 3 tone layered technique works quite well,but at 28mm the difference is too strong and so a blending of tones is required.Because of this it does take a while to work your way through the colors to get the right mix.The trick is to keep the tones subdued,but at the same time noticeable,but not overly so as the troops are trying to blend in to their environment.
This Fallschirmjäger trooper is wearing a Luftwaffe splintermuster camo smock,Luftwaffe blue cap,breadbag,and standard German field grey trousers and painted helmet.I tried to add a little wear and tear to the helmet.
The next test figure I might add some tropical issue pants from a veteran of Italy yet to receive some replacement clothing and sumpfmuster(marsh/water) patterned smock.I'll see how it comes along.Fingers crossed.
Still working on my photography skills which is a weak point for myself.Individual pictures I'll keep with the white background,but when I do group shots I'll add some terrain to the background.
In addition to painting troops,I think I'll also give some period terrain a go with some ruins in mind and then of course some tanks in the future and,and,and................
The last two pics are duplicates that are a bit larger for those who may want a closer view.
Miniature Company-Artizan Designs

Storming Eagles

Soon I will be posting some German Fallschirmjäger(paratroopers) from Artizan designs in 28mm to battle a friends British paratroopers.I'm working on my first test model now.They will be used for the Disposable Heroes rule system initially.It's not a large project with just 30-50 models in total,but a difficult one with the camo scheme involved.As many WWII painters have pointed out that the splinter camo scheme is quite hard to do,but looks great if pulled off.
The background will be from the 6th Fallschirmjägerregiment of the 2nd Fallschirmjägerdivision during their actions in Normandy and Holland commanded by Oberstleutnant Freiherr von der Heydte.The regiment at it's core was formed of veterans from Crete,North Africa and Italy with the addition of Luftwaffe ground personnel in 1944 at Köln-Wahn.At this point they acted more in the role as elite light infantry then actual paratroopers,because of the heavy losses the Fallschirmjäger units and battalions sustained on a para drop campaign in Crete.However, they did keep the honorific title Fallschirmjäger to instill a sense of being part of an elite formation.
They saw action at Sainte Maris du Mont,Saint-Mere-Eglise,Carentan where they fought so hard their enemy nick named them "The lions of Carentan",battle of the bocage,The raid on St. Germain-sur-Seves,Operation Lüttich,and finally Market Garden in Holland.
The Fallschirmjäger in this time frame is very nice for painters as it offers a chance to change up the uniform.Many of the veterans were still wearing the plain olive green jump smocks in addition to the splinter and marsh camo smocks with luftwaffe blue trossers becoming more common in addition to the field gray.The bluse could found in field gray and luftwaffe blue with the the new recruits wearing more of the luftwaffe blue respectively.As a result, the appearance of the troopers will be quite mixed for reasons given above.
I've never painted Fallschirmjäger before,so my fingers are crossed they will turn out and I won't have pulled any hair out in frustration.