tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9161006378069798162024-03-22T04:37:27.007+00:00Brushes and Bayonets...Occasionally I manage to squirrel away some free time. When a self confessed geek manages to combine an artistic temperament, an obsession with all things military and a little free time the inevitable result can only be one of two things; he will end up a gaming console addict or a wargamer and modeller of all things explosive! I went for the TNT!
This is my space to talk about all these projects!L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.comBlogger139125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-47023319551636206272020-03-30T00:44:00.002+01:002022-02-10T17:26:38.302+00:00Spanish Civil War: Asturianos Dinamiteros<div style="text-align: justify;">
After a long (and soon to be forcibly resumed) absence due to house renovations I have decided to break my silence with a small announcement.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4CdddCdoDihL3w1fXLva2VrXW58J2HKeR3N9cVR0c7skS2CcrGhEmHHXYdv9DmIQojemlXWj3Fj-P5pYFqVqgr3-tVqKWaMHa7shnOozYalMf3kevQFkH7bvXEBQyYVETlZ6ATsB0LTH/s1600/Dinamiteros+11+%2528Anarchist+Durruti+Column+Dinamiteros%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="457" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4CdddCdoDihL3w1fXLva2VrXW58J2HKeR3N9cVR0c7skS2CcrGhEmHHXYdv9DmIQojemlXWj3Fj-P5pYFqVqgr3-tVqKWaMHa7shnOozYalMf3kevQFkH7bvXEBQyYVETlZ6ATsB0LTH/s640/Dinamiteros+11+%2528Anarchist+Durruti+Column+Dinamiteros%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catalan Dinamiteros with the 'Durruti Column'</td></tr>
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There are those of us out there who simply cannot put down stuff to do with the Spanish Civil War. I am one of those people. For me the SCW represents the last European conflict with really flamboyant uniforms. A conflict that was not quite WW1 (if only because the Spanish proved themselves woefully resistant to digging proper trenches!) and yet not quite WW2 either. A conflict waged with colonial warfare savagery by the nationalists and by jingoist communist propaganda by the republicans. A war where mild steel was bolted together over cars and called tanks (well, actually they were called Sooty's [Tiznao's] but you get what I mean) and where the division between socialist ideology and fascist ideology is almost like holding up a mirror to the politics of today.</div>
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Now, I haven't actually painted anywhere near my complete collection for this stuff BUT it is something that will feature in a big way in the coming couple of years or so.</div>
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Because of the obscurity of some of the things that were used in this war, and the paucity of manufacturers supporting these needs in 1/100 (a.k.a. Gods One True Scale!), I have found myself having to go the extra mile for some of the things that I want for the Spain in Flames English version I am setting myself the task of writing in the coming days.</div>
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Other than Lluis and Minairons in Spain, and the newly resurfaced No Pasaran! range at QH Miniatures, Martin at Peter Pig is the only credible supplier of SCW stuff in the UK and following Martins willingness to sculpt the Slovak heads that saw such prolific use in my Slovakian army I was lucky enough to meet Martin at Aldersley Wargames Show earlier this month and chew the fat with him for a bit.</div>
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One area that his Republican, and more pointedly his Republican Basques (or Euzkadi's) are noticeably deficient are in the area of the iconic Dinamitero. I suggested to Martin that a small range of these would almost certainly find their way into peoples armies and that nobody else was doing them to which he suggested I come up with some sketches. We spoke about other stuff as well (more on these at another time maybe) but especially where the Dinamiteros are concerned he said that if I provided said sketches he would get straight to work sculpting them.</div>
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I thought you guys would like to have a preview of what I knocked up for him.</div>
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These are the sketches I sent to him, to which Martin duly responded with a confirmation that they are suitable and that he is busy sculpting them already...</div>
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Anyway I just thought you guys would like to take a peek at what I sketched and perhaps what the final sculpts will look like:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVKnbi5uTvgjzmHe4WYqaLWuwm4zrgc6YUPWYzaCrdcejQ7WCa1Qywmf5QYqPqCt43PRzfSEauyjz1iME3WeCqY2de6659L68YSwhtuQHc89VjusFmFfZvTMvSWszRR2VlQQ6ZT5g_9G/s1600/Asturian+Dinamitero+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="804" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kVKnbi5uTvgjzmHe4WYqaLWuwm4zrgc6YUPWYzaCrdcejQ7WCa1Qywmf5QYqPqCt43PRzfSEauyjz1iME3WeCqY2de6659L68YSwhtuQHc89VjusFmFfZvTMvSWszRR2VlQQ6ZT5g_9G/s640/Asturian+Dinamitero+01.jpg" width="344" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah OK, so the heads a bit big on this guy... he obviously has the brains of the outfit!</td></tr>
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So, the famed dinamiteros had a brief history dating back to the Asturian miners strikes of 1934 where the mining industry laid down its tools and to which the newly invested left wing government called in Colonel Francisco Franco to suppress it... this he did with some unbelievable savagery using the Spanish Foreign Legion against their own countrymen for the first, but by no means the last, time.</div>
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Just as in the miners strikes of '34 when the civil war broke out in '36 the Republic, the Catalans and the Basques were all short of arms as the Nationalists had managed to swipe most of them and maintain control of the areas where the country's main arms depots were located. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFia3nRnR028zHaYy56GwFINiH-VnhHohYx2YrzynkOMHlyFyEPO1kjS6c84nOXhP3150Zh9hm4GAXOeNL88kaaH0DYLTFz6t0M9w9XjUBwAVBu_sMbIzZu57TX3co4Tw3ee_AIP-CWDN/s1600/Asturian+Dinamitero+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="548" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFia3nRnR028zHaYy56GwFINiH-VnhHohYx2YrzynkOMHlyFyEPO1kjS6c84nOXhP3150Zh9hm4GAXOeNL88kaaH0DYLTFz6t0M9w9XjUBwAVBu_sMbIzZu57TX3co4Tw3ee_AIP-CWDN/s640/Asturian+Dinamitero+02.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking, carrying his sling and loosening one of the grenades from one of his pouches...</td></tr>
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Because of this paucity of arms the decision was made to form small cadres of troops who would become proficient with the sling, which they would use to hurl locally manufactured explosives... termed somewhat loosely 'grenades'. They were actually just tins packed with explosives with a fuse...</div>
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These guys quickly gained somewhat of a swashbuckling reputation, appearing to know no fear... and lets be honest; swinging those things around above your head with a homemade fuse we can well believe that these guys never went to school and learnt how to recognise danger!</div>
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It would seem that dinamiteros were principally from Asturia alongside the Basque territories and as such they were often to be seen fighting alongside the Euzkadi armed forces whom they were sent to assist. It would seem also that there were dinamiteros present with the Durruti Column of Buenaventura Durruti formed in Barcelona, fought a bit around Saragossa before heading south to the defence of Madrid so we know that dinamiteros were present in the Catalan forces as well. I can't find any reference to them being present in any other forces from further south such as Valencia, Madrid or Malaga. Jose Bueno made an image of a Dinamitero in the Communist 5th Regiment but it would seem that this was a mistaken deduction of an old photo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbZoYHZEcc4EIXs3vUr00kvkgKuIJQeJY0JCbb4rsrNTtSqlOJT3O6MbtfVzgUUMZRuJAfJpdJ3K2yixtJ0AmXlcRPool_5Gv4zYSGrZ22-UJxQ5xWTXCkRmAzUepInECyXr5avBpgcHu/s1600/Asturian+Dinamitero+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbZoYHZEcc4EIXs3vUr00kvkgKuIJQeJY0JCbb4rsrNTtSqlOJT3O6MbtfVzgUUMZRuJAfJpdJ3K2yixtJ0AmXlcRPool_5Gv4zYSGrZ22-UJxQ5xWTXCkRmAzUepInECyXr5avBpgcHu/s640/Asturian+Dinamitero+03.jpg" width="334" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always good to have one guy kneeling, again taking a grenade out of one of his pouches.</td></tr>
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One thing that is noticeable about the militia columns of the early days of the Republic before they all got militarised and amalgamated into a conventional field army in April 1937 was the lack of conventional uniforms. Blue overalls took a prominent place due to the availability but especially with the Asturian miners there was no such thing as an orthodox look. They wore normal clothes with the variety of looks and styles that this entailed.</div>
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There were certain areas that there were commonalities though and this was mainly in headwear and field webbing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4AoEIWrcFaIsPJ_ErwmgS0Od5zXXw6xkAldeXxHriuhnhDHJ9XklrmaPUack2GAdi0VrUsCOupMJb0BzCVpsAfLxWEyVsRXl9MEpYNEMAQKfIBakzwNN7eAQXXKlHupTDiVwNpiVXDwG/s1600/Dinamiteros+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4AoEIWrcFaIsPJ_ErwmgS0Od5zXXw6xkAldeXxHriuhnhDHJ9XklrmaPUack2GAdi0VrUsCOupMJb0BzCVpsAfLxWEyVsRXl9MEpYNEMAQKfIBakzwNN7eAQXXKlHupTDiVwNpiVXDwG/s640/Dinamiteros+05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great example of civilian clothing with the Pasamontana cap</td></tr>
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Where the headwear is concerned I have seen two common types of headwear in the photographs of dinamiteros and that is the ubiquitous basque beret and the pasamontana mountain cap. I've sketched all of mine with berets because I believe that the berets are the easiest to clip off and do a head replacement for the pasamontanas if necessary.</div>
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The next and perhaps most iconic item that the dinamiteros carried was the white canvas pouches that the local explosives would be carried in. Each of these packs would fit onto the belt and have pouches for three explosives and would be worn one on the left and one on the right of the belt buckle. The true lunatic fringe could/would also carry a third pack on their backs over their kidneys for a total of nine 'home made bombs'!!! Seriously? WTF?!?!?!</div>
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The webbing itself would be a very simple affair with a rugged thick leather belt akin to the US Sam Browne belt and either a 'Y' yolk or crossed belts over the shoulders.</div>
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One commonly carried item was a sling belt with multiple pouches on. I would jump at the conclusion that these pouches on the diagonally slung belts were used to carry rifle ammunition BUT the damning thing is that I have not seen a single picture of a dinamitero with any firearms with the exception of a single slinger with a pistol and holster. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDpiBL1N1APWigohwidP-gssQiQVna7C7EfBbWUE1e5KtO4cW7iqs42BUQIuo64_KL6DyaTFdPTsvxb8gq3NPRh8zjvv0HufNGGbCjA2pY7BBbIRVjKB1zHdraeFzFx2RvfL8xAKOteB0/s1600/Dinamiteros+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDpiBL1N1APWigohwidP-gssQiQVna7C7EfBbWUE1e5KtO4cW7iqs42BUQIuo64_KL6DyaTFdPTsvxb8gq3NPRh8zjvv0HufNGGbCjA2pY7BBbIRVjKB1zHdraeFzFx2RvfL8xAKOteB0/s640/Dinamiteros+09.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">witness the pistol and holster...</td></tr>
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My thoughts are they are used to carry the usual paraphernalia such as matches and oil for example due to a dearth of weapons </div>
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Everything else would be the normal mix of clothing and footwear...</div>
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All of this is obviously a work in progress and if anybody out there can shed a light on their organisation and/or deployments it would be a great help!</div>
L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-53039611338597948792019-12-12T18:27:00.002+00:002019-12-12T18:27:32.643+00:00FoW: Slovak Trucks, tractors and Staff Cars <div style="text-align: justify;">
... and so finally we come to the end of our Slovakian odyssey (of course that's not to say in the future I won't consider adding some Praga AV staff cars and some LT vz.38's and 40's) but for now? No!!! That's it! I'm done with all things Slovakian for a while.</div>
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I thought we would tie the rope around the neck of the project with a look into the vehicles that I actually sculpted and cast for the army. Just a short section on each, y'know a bit of history (as I am wont to do on occasion) a description of how I painted them and a couple of photos of them in production and finished.<br />
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Nothing too labour intensive! I want to finish on a high note if you know what I mean?</div>
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So what are we going to take a look at then?</div>
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Well first of all it has to be the backbone of the Slovak Mobile forces; the Praga RV truck of which I made three types; the canvas back, the box back and the pioneer truck.</div>
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Secondly we will look at the Praga T-9 artillery tractor. A big beast of a machine that sadly only saw a short service lift BUT looks great when its put with its heavy anti-aircraft batteries.</div>
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Finally we will take a look at the Tatra 57k 'Hadimrška' staff car. I chose this one over the larger six wheeled Praga AV staff car because primarily it was quicker and easier to knock out, secondly the Germans used plenty of them so they were a good analogue for a German staff car as well and by the time Slovakia marched across the border of the Soviet Union they were using so many different types of automobiles that I didn't think it made much difference what I chose.</div>
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So... let us begin!</div>
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<b>The Praga RV</b> </div>
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The Praga RV was an army off-road truck model that was designed and manufactured by Praga between 1935 and 1939. It was predominantly used for transporting military cargo and personnel, as an ambulance and for towing artillery in the Czechoslovakian and later Slovak, German and Romanian armies. A total of 3290 vehicles were slated for use in Czechoslovakia whilst the rest of a total of 5500 produced units, were exported to Iran, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey.<br />
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The Praga RV engine was able to work up 3468cc providing 68 horsepower at 2600 rpm. The fuel consumption was anything up to 35 litres per 100km which was a respectable figure (the German Opel Blitz for example used 30 litres per 100km which was one of the best in its class). The PRaga RV had three axles of which both rear axles were powered. It had four forward gears and one reverse gear so it was easy to drive too. It had a rated payload of 2000 kg and was capable of travelling at 43 mph for a total of 390 km without needing to stop to refuelling its 137 litre fuel tank.</div>
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When carrying infantry the typical capacity was 8-12 men with all of their equipment. 7-11 in the rear deck and one more in the cab with the driver.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7ZzLRS8TACHFNWAIF9fK8xlgCr2wlJqvZqI9ciiSLZXqR16aCPLTbcYIbah6qproZLy-z7Csyv0tMFeVp7XI8PHKCOuIzFOIyxoB1blkqfMjPJNmsiqyANMlnS-AgIyLQTFiohgnpH_C/s1600/Praga-RV-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="800" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7ZzLRS8TACHFNWAIF9fK8xlgCr2wlJqvZqI9ciiSLZXqR16aCPLTbcYIbah6qproZLy-z7Csyv0tMFeVp7XI8PHKCOuIzFOIyxoB1blkqfMjPJNmsiqyANMlnS-AgIyLQTFiohgnpH_C/s640/Praga-RV-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On top of all of this it was also capable of pulling a three ton trailer load, be that an artillery piece or other wheeled vehicles although with the trailer the fuel consumption did increase to 49 litres per 100 km.</div>
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In 1938 fifty nine of the trucks were chosen to be converted into radio communication vehicles for use with the Fast Divisions and motorised assets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM7iq4L0WxbSwnvKptmUx_rZRNhbf7cjuqVrzDEz3m6Lwc3oemCfuZ-X2kpS_ZxI5lOARSfDJ7ioohdVxzt5q0VXeTxcPjOnGa5jWh_dJsO5hoWqvXYSxkK63DIaf_AG8WdnWp9yYUy5f/s1600/Praga_RV.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1534" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM7iq4L0WxbSwnvKptmUx_rZRNhbf7cjuqVrzDEz3m6Lwc3oemCfuZ-X2kpS_ZxI5lOARSfDJ7ioohdVxzt5q0VXeTxcPjOnGa5jWh_dJsO5hoWqvXYSxkK63DIaf_AG8WdnWp9yYUy5f/s640/Praga_RV.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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Feedback on the use of these trucks under combat conditions was favourable with Maczeks Polish Black Brigade's reconnaissance battalion using a lot of them in their campaign across Southern Poland in 1939. The Slovakians kept a hold of these vehicles as long as they could due to their reliability and longevity whilst no complaints were heard from either the Germans or the Romanians!</div>
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<b>The Praga T-9 Artillery Tractor</b></div>
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So, this is one of my favourite pieces in case you couldn't tell?</div>
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The Praga T-9 was a Czechoslovakian heavy artillery tractor designed in the late 1930's and was used by Slovakia and Germany during World War 2 in order to pull their heavy anti-aircraft artillery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MKYMJZ6TADrVL57ogxBAxMpMD5XvcncoZdvYDlfcJFFWnmLmOGb6J2YHpSP1EdRpMx_6SzN6yRC85r6S8ankZCxqDneS2qzFm8hwcZS1LD3sFtwqFVY95Pi4z6A8IILWdFCxFU7oFHpf/s1600/Praga+T9+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="648" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MKYMJZ6TADrVL57ogxBAxMpMD5XvcncoZdvYDlfcJFFWnmLmOGb6J2YHpSP1EdRpMx_6SzN6yRC85r6S8ankZCxqDneS2qzFm8hwcZS1LD3sFtwqFVY95Pi4z6A8IILWdFCxFU7oFHpf/s640/Praga+T9+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 1937 a heavy artillery tractor was developed at the Ceskomoravska Kolben Danek (CKD) plant in Prague for the Turkish army. This vehicle was designated T-9. Turkey ordered a total of 66 vehicles of this type but between 1937-1939 only 16 tractors had been manufactured and sent to Turkey (as seen in the image above).<br />
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After the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Germany in March 1939 further production of this vehicle was assumed by Germany and after completion an additional series of 10 vehicles was also produced. Production ceased completely in 1943 by which time a total of 76 T-9 tractors had been manufactured between 1937-1943.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDfVGBYAuJ9lAa5bShjUGwphXVzbXRArGbN5jojrNU4qIsp6Cxz4gyk5UPpVegMSrd_fK22-GbyYcIpBPchVz5_1OCZcAfPoQQ4Lu4JZZZykEg28v_k16tsDv1_zNhL2BxnUGRiasBpV1/s1600/Praga+T9+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDfVGBYAuJ9lAa5bShjUGwphXVzbXRArGbN5jojrNU4qIsp6Cxz4gyk5UPpVegMSrd_fK22-GbyYcIpBPchVz5_1OCZcAfPoQQ4Lu4JZZZykEg28v_k16tsDv1_zNhL2BxnUGRiasBpV1/s640/Praga+T9+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The tractors that were taken over by the Germans assumed the identity Schwerer Raupenschlepper T9(t).<br />
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16 of the tractors produced were supplied to the Turkish army whilst the Germans took 55 for themselves leaving Slovakia with a grand total of five where they were used to tow the newly provided 88mm anti-aircraft guns in the Slovak Fast Division.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG7umm84xQCFSJ5Rz97gYJTG4VqOXVDdohO-SpfMNgSmCZjrw3a1IGjq26OXLgDMLBnGWujE3pJpqwjRSd_dY9qwnI9lU98w8OLVIBLpkPKquNS_iDCHSHq87rMf24w1WGUfwScCDwS_K/s1600/Praga+T9+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="648" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmG7umm84xQCFSJ5Rz97gYJTG4VqOXVDdohO-SpfMNgSmCZjrw3a1IGjq26OXLgDMLBnGWujE3pJpqwjRSd_dY9qwnI9lU98w8OLVIBLpkPKquNS_iDCHSHq87rMf24w1WGUfwScCDwS_K/s640/Praga+T9+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The T-9 was constructed around a tracked chassis which supported an enclosed unarmoured crew cabin and a cargo compartment that could be covered with a tarpaulin. The cargo deck had room for six soldiers with all of their equipment.<br />
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It was equipped with a 6-cylinder petrol engine with a capacity of 14,230 cm cubed, was water cooled with 142 bhp and was adapted to tow a trailer or pull an artillery piece weighing up to ten tonnes as well as being able to carry a further ton of weight on its cargo deck.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkDCc3NbKV7Pi6wZ-COsYXAP_IQ_a5Lbfr2s8R-5EHfTmfT8Pnw4_y8ZAnGrdGeJhYeVZpUXBa3UsAEHJh9VR7zClffMkTUZ8t41EWVytPCqXVM2Y-6uSR74jzSL7MxPLvLQiD8VHIo9G/s1600/Praga+T9+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="646" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkDCc3NbKV7Pi6wZ-COsYXAP_IQ_a5Lbfr2s8R-5EHfTmfT8Pnw4_y8ZAnGrdGeJhYeVZpUXBa3UsAEHJh9VR7zClffMkTUZ8t41EWVytPCqXVM2Y-6uSR74jzSL7MxPLvLQiD8VHIo9G/s640/Praga+T9+%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Due to problems with the engine and transmission the Praga T-9 was withdrawn from service by the Slovaks towards the end of their campaign in the Soviet Union and replaced with German tractors instead.<br />
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<b>The Tatra 57k 'Hadimrška' staff car</b><br />
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So this innocuous little car was produced by the thousand by Czechoslovakian manufacturer Tatra. The 'k', from the German 'kubelwagon' was a military version of the Tatra 57 produced between 1941 and 1947.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSVikvvswS0RxljkTkiZj7oFlPF_8kHT792g5PyO-YAnR0CoJWr68inPezufAyWMC3ZlQn90kEYYtPsiMgb3-jOsfDquDGdVrE15XMBvxguscvoHUl1nxeHP-PZ8ZBe9czkvOM_s9nKwn/s1600/Tatra+57k+%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4hadimr%25C5%25A1ka%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4+%25281941%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifSVikvvswS0RxljkTkiZj7oFlPF_8kHT792g5PyO-YAnR0CoJWr68inPezufAyWMC3ZlQn90kEYYtPsiMgb3-jOsfDquDGdVrE15XMBvxguscvoHUl1nxeHP-PZ8ZBe9czkvOM_s9nKwn/s640/Tatra+57k+%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4hadimr%25C5%25A1ka%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4+%25281941%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The car was derived from the Tatra 57B, with the chassis being given greater ground clearance than the 57B to enable better terrain negotiation. This was achieved by adjusting the location of the front axle pins and using reinforced leaf springs on both axles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpy7zimW-zwtaTCXClU3VUX9KrHQmRCphmWzyPyeUyTENQICx9GWa4lKrvYOQliWARyEbOM71pggn2veFEgV72RQx8XOW9hkNAudwZAy9RU4pAtMSWg414JnJwel5Oxar6Mg63UPIF6fS/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="803" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpy7zimW-zwtaTCXClU3VUX9KrHQmRCphmWzyPyeUyTENQICx9GWa4lKrvYOQliWARyEbOM71pggn2veFEgV72RQx8XOW9hkNAudwZAy9RU4pAtMSWg414JnJwel5Oxar6Mg63UPIF6fS/s640/image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The front of the body almost matched the 57B but moving from the windscreen back there were a lot of differences between the cars. The angular five seater body had four small doors, a folding canvas roof and makeshift side windows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LQn0rJdmQJ_ZYN3VzzjEmv30GHDh6Fr582MRtda903rJkhwqNCx_iSGL7-xoP9KRygtGf6dN-4u-QpUWUYCKU7l53oY8phdQgi0SyRwLei9l2lBQS6gxj81rZU1ECozBrMMsddPcEZQf/s1600/08---tatra-57-k-6000-12-1943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="772" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LQn0rJdmQJ_ZYN3VzzjEmv30GHDh6Fr582MRtda903rJkhwqNCx_iSGL7-xoP9KRygtGf6dN-4u-QpUWUYCKU7l53oY8phdQgi0SyRwLei9l2lBQS6gxj81rZU1ECozBrMMsddPcEZQf/s640/08---tatra-57-k-6000-12-1943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A spare wheel and two 20 litre jerry cans were hung on the back on an upright tail wall. Some cars were also fitted with a folding windscreen. In addition to this the car was equipped with a dashboard lubrication pressure gauge, Furthermore, closures for direct dispensing of gasoline or ether were placed in the suction line to facilitate starting the engine in extremely cold weather.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYJZwXqeTp4kdmkrmAEbGZVeqf5GaiIGEJE7YrXDfC0dMoMPY-_AhGhY9QHO_kouGtjWuwjZOB4ASjVHwDS_D-tq7Mwnx66YtRW4S9KIIHk8QTFEMmwklOPbtwm9-uAW-4UKnQkeoPnhz/s1600/dsc02082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYJZwXqeTp4kdmkrmAEbGZVeqf5GaiIGEJE7YrXDfC0dMoMPY-_AhGhY9QHO_kouGtjWuwjZOB4ASjVHwDS_D-tq7Mwnx66YtRW4S9KIIHk8QTFEMmwklOPbtwm9-uAW-4UKnQkeoPnhz/s640/dsc02082.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The car was designed and manufactured at the Ringhoffer Tatra Werke AG factory for the Wehrmacht up until 1944 of which a number were provided to the Slovakian armed forces. During 1941, 200 T57k cars were produced, more than 2,000 the following year and more than 3,500 in 1943.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDAwt-cmVm2IIdkSptWkTqfHrPIaehWpeE1-FcLAVNs1YK5qmKf3y2zgZohWQ-Q-rnnxTQjnhmPmn8i0DkhCs3Eju5Rlowd73gNEj4NwsBwjEstZx4nE59PV9a3uV_KXCEWevXU54EiOj/s1600/05---tatra-57-k-09-1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="800" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDAwt-cmVm2IIdkSptWkTqfHrPIaehWpeE1-FcLAVNs1YK5qmKf3y2zgZohWQ-Q-rnnxTQjnhmPmn8i0DkhCs3Eju5Rlowd73gNEj4NwsBwjEstZx4nE59PV9a3uV_KXCEWevXU54EiOj/s640/05---tatra-57-k-09-1941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the war the production of the T57k series continued and amounted to the sum of a further 500 units by Tatra which were used by the newly reformed Czechoslovakian military and Ministry of the Interior before being gradually replaced.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO7yBZrQRdNEqo8ksTxSLjz92fi0WCF9psFpsk94e5KU5tEhHy5yfm-diMEHor78D9jSlKTveYDhtLUX8qL-jM7osKVtmrsuOvKx7g5W8Tj-s1N74AEv2dUeNcTs7_dqifWlOaGO2lqDf/s1600/Tatra+57k+%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4hadimr%25C5%25A1ka%25C2%25B4+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO7yBZrQRdNEqo8ksTxSLjz92fi0WCF9psFpsk94e5KU5tEhHy5yfm-diMEHor78D9jSlKTveYDhtLUX8qL-jM7osKVtmrsuOvKx7g5W8Tj-s1N74AEv2dUeNcTs7_dqifWlOaGO2lqDf/s640/Tatra+57k+%25C2%25B4%25C2%25B4hadimr%25C5%25A1ka%25C2%25B4+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It had a 1256cc overhead valve flat four cylinder engine that produced 24 bhp. Its fuel consumption was between 8-10 litres per 100 km and the bodies that were available included a four seat saloon, a four seat convertible and a two seat convertible. All versions had only two car doors.<br />
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So I think thats enough of the history, now why don't we crack on the with the modelling?<br />
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With regards to the sculpting and casting of these vehicles I would like to say that its a lot simpler than you may be inclined to think.<br />
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Essentially I work from schematics that have been scaled to the size of the piece that I want to produce and then I use different types of plastic sheet, rod and tubes, along with brass sheet, rod and tube and a selection of different sculpting resins to think my way around how to produce the shapes.<br />
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Below are examples of the types of schematics I use:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv2jDFAuoQRhtAiEKae0hH43MiivWe8_MbJD8dWaowL6BdhwykKkbeqdP9YEkEUNKsHyU782RupB820iKS5MNGObjSakSNI7C4zakuFoXXbf2jD4rKvEoTHmxulZFjywFVAvoc47ohInF/s1600/Praga+RV+Schematic+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv2jDFAuoQRhtAiEKae0hH43MiivWe8_MbJD8dWaowL6BdhwykKkbeqdP9YEkEUNKsHyU782RupB820iKS5MNGObjSakSNI7C4zakuFoXXbf2jD4rKvEoTHmxulZFjywFVAvoc47ohInF/s640/Praga+RV+Schematic+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQQoj7d6aOMURitTe11zKTIoMI8uvhUSQO_jSEJRih0oDWwV_f4ZbmZRvte3zVQBn2eNMKmxePNFquM5TgUB7y5kT9gQPdxP2GpnIcJDEhyphenhyphenb1kK5w5k0U_oh_3XMjqoDdY8AvbusM5Cq/s1600/Praga+T9+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="500" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBQQoj7d6aOMURitTe11zKTIoMI8uvhUSQO_jSEJRih0oDWwV_f4ZbmZRvte3zVQBn2eNMKmxePNFquM5TgUB7y5kT9gQPdxP2GpnIcJDEhyphenhyphenb1kK5w5k0U_oh_3XMjqoDdY8AvbusM5Cq/s640/Praga+T9+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the master has been produced I then need to create the mold for it and get them cast up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt4vxvy1xSel_eeA1ZTVOmSLLwuKqXoSx6bsLvWCecZKQJH9YQLX48QJuTagEFMjkiBiGZDkyUslThL1MrtWt-J9JLgK6IPQbTqOT2gxBkRXBYozvhUSJpF2FWP6vRfv6lQTSoCEf9tch/s1600/Praga+T-9+Artillery+Tractor+Prototype.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJt4vxvy1xSel_eeA1ZTVOmSLLwuKqXoSx6bsLvWCecZKQJH9YQLX48QJuTagEFMjkiBiGZDkyUslThL1MrtWt-J9JLgK6IPQbTqOT2gxBkRXBYozvhUSJpF2FWP6vRfv6lQTSoCEf9tch/s640/Praga+T-9+Artillery+Tractor+Prototype.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can see an example of one of my finished masters above; the Praga T-9 artillery tractor before the side plates for the track sections are applied to it. This was cast up in three separate pieces, with the main body and the two separate track sections.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPrIKIajNRrVAXtsqXCyXcHtNib7XZFuuPwVasyl2HHA0Gaahq8mWPCavHPDlUa9VerTkP-r1Omog6k3EugRmgic2sfGmuK9IklCmBgTp5-MpKox-dau9Qf1BQS9pJGEacwgnPtmoNHta/s1600/Tatra+57K+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPrIKIajNRrVAXtsqXCyXcHtNib7XZFuuPwVasyl2HHA0Gaahq8mWPCavHPDlUa9VerTkP-r1Omog6k3EugRmgic2sfGmuK9IklCmBgTp5-MpKox-dau9Qf1BQS9pJGEacwgnPtmoNHta/s640/Tatra+57K+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... and above you can see an example of a single piece casting. After I completed my Black Brigade project I reflected that one of the most problematic areas was the fact that I had cast all of the wheels separately which turned out to be a monster pain in the ass so when I was sculpting all of my new vehicles with a solid plinth which allowed me to place the wheels directly onto the master without an introduction of a weakness into the vehicle.<br />
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One of my previous posts is about the casting up of all of my Polish Black Brigade vehicles so I wont waste time with it here suffice to say that I use two part silicon to create the mold. It is poured over the vehicle I am making the mold for which is placed onto a blu-tack plinth on a wooden base board and surrounded with Lego walls.<br />
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When the silicon is poured the whole thing is then placed in a vacuum cylinder until the majority of the air bubbles are forced out of it. The whole thing is then placed on a shelf overnight until ready for the casting.<br />
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The casting is conducted in the same process as making the mold except this time instead of the Lego wall and wooden base board the two part resin is poured directly into the mold which is then immediately placed into the vacuum cylinder until the air is drawn out.<br />
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If you don't do this the final cured cast of the vehicle will be covered in tiny holes... not a nice end to your work.<br />
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Once all of these vehicles has been cast up and placed to one side they then need to be cleaned up. Without a doubt the messiest part of the job.<br />
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As you can see from the image above, all of the cast vehicles come out of their molds still mounted on a resin plinth. These need to be removed.<br />
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It is this particular part where all of the mess is concerned... a lesson that I had to learn the hard way! With over 40 vehicles to cut off of their plinths with my Dremel disc saw I certainly wasn't expecting what I got.<br />
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My work room was covered and I do mean COVERED in resin dust!!!<br />
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However the final results can't be argued with.<br />
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Truth be told though, after three hours or so of cleaning vehicles with a disc saw I walked out of my man cave somewhat covered and thanking God that I had a decent face mask... could really have done with some decent goggles though... Take note guys!<br />
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So the painting of these vehicles is where the real complexity begins, however one good thing is that the same paint scheme is used all the way across all of them. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these pieces as I kind of really like the clean but battered look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.<br />
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The main paint scheme is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...<br />
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry, wipe off any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.<br />
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.<br />
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The canvas backs on the Praga RV's and the Tatra 57k had a base coat of MIGs Khaki Green No.3 (Brit 1939-42). The first highlight was applied with Vallejo Model Color 821 German Camo Beige and a final highlight of Vallejo Model Color V819 Iraqi Sand<br />
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The windows are all painted the same way with a GW Base Abaddon Black with thin white lines (any white will do) to emulate reflections.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheels and tracks. The wheels are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.<br />
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The Praga T-9 tracks are somewhat of a different proposition though with a number of steps as follows:<br />
i) A basecoat of Vallejo Panzer Aces 304 Track Primer is applied all over the tracks<br />
ii) Vallejo Model Color 863 Gunmetal Grey is drybrushed across the tracks<br />
iii) A wash of AK Interactives 083 Track Wash is then applied across the tracks.<br />
iv) A light coating of AK Interactives 065 Afrika Korps Filter is then applied to the bogies<br />
v) Once the above coat is dry the profiling of the tracks and bogies can be done using AK Interactive's 075 Wash for NATO Camo Vehicles with the excess then wiped away and then left to dry<br />
vi) Now is the time to apply your weathering pigments if you choose to go this far,</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and just to finish everything off completely put a super gloss varnish over any windows that you have painted and that as they say is that!</div>
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So there we have it ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the end of my Slovakian adventure. We've covered a lot of ground and I hope that if there are any of you out there that want to do a Slovak army that all of these posts will provide you with a solid basis of being able to put your own one together...<br />
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Now go have fun and remember to pack your bayonets!<br />
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-72636926312933600152019-12-11T20:05:00.001+00:002019-12-11T20:05:22.752+00:00FoW: Slovak Artillery - 10cm vz.30 battery<div style="text-align: justify;">
Of all the weapons used by Slovakian troops through the Second World War perhaps the most iconic and identifiable as Slovakian is the 10cm vzor 1930 Houfnice with its massive curved gun shield and wide solid rubber tyres.</div>
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Nobody makes these beauties in 15mm scale so today I thought I would introduce my own humble offering and take you through the history of these guns and how it was I came to knock a battery together...</div>
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The requirement for a new light field howitzer was established by the Czechoslovakian army in the early '30's and in line with the military's requirements the 10cm vz.30 was the result. Based on specifications provided by the Institute of Military Technology the construction of the gun was began by Skoda, and who aimed to make it the most modern piece in its class.</div>
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Skoda had previously developed the FE Howitzer for Yugoslovia in the 1920's and used the mount for the development of the new artillery piece for the Czechoslovakian military. Due to the fact that the weapon used a circular underlay wheel, this automatically led to the use of a trunk carriage. However, by simply replacing the axle, it was possible to change the transportation mode from hippomobile to motor and vice versa.</div>
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The barrel of the gun itself was an auto-fretted mono-block affair, equipped with a sliding breech block with a liquid brake mounted on a spur headstock. The end of the barrel was fitted with a muzzle brake on one end and a four fuse, horizontal wedge at the other.</div>
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The gun was also fitted with an independent drum sight with telescope, automatic recoil dispersal and mechanical balance equalisers.</div>
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The gun carriage and trail were manufactured from steel and were split into the upper and lower carriage. The upper carriage made up the gun cradle and was kitted out with the liquid brake, the gun balancer, the recoil dispersal mechanisms and the control bars.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacbZ9mujUHroHzaD0TsI3bDWZW48oAjveQVxC6gcrM7E3r223-bnyUrkWV69CrA9QnX0UsovtHFLNsTnFEpW3pcKm_cT0zYBJ_V4qe43dys-kRNluF9vspl_-38G4k2W7Jmr4rNpGCKpo/s1600/tumblr_mwzck7T2cE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1117" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiacbZ9mujUHroHzaD0TsI3bDWZW48oAjveQVxC6gcrM7E3r223-bnyUrkWV69CrA9QnX0UsovtHFLNsTnFEpW3pcKm_cT0zYBJ_V4qe43dys-kRNluF9vspl_-38G4k2W7Jmr4rNpGCKpo/s640/tumblr_mwzck7T2cE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lower carriage supported the axle and wheels which were wooden spoked with either iron hoops for the hippotraction guns or else solid rubber wheels if motor traction was to be used.</div>
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In 1930 the army was equipped with a test battery, which was subjected to the usual rounds of rigorous testing, conducted by the army itself. Unfortunately these tests stretched on until 1933. Several modifications to the design were suggested. Most were not caused by design error but rather by the army continually changing the goal posts and modifying demands and requirements.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnDnjMy21MjgLdhR9WQ0TDL48F2dvoXp5SKFAG7Y8_hX9YRvIelCbF9jc7jyTMB026qkZYOIfD0geee79433jcjnvOjw3sZzrUGksDvhlRpnASL695hOsEzeib3yUOcBotX2SQc4O1-AJ/s1600/10-cm-h-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnDnjMy21MjgLdhR9WQ0TDL48F2dvoXp5SKFAG7Y8_hX9YRvIelCbF9jc7jyTMB026qkZYOIfD0geee79433jcjnvOjw3sZzrUGksDvhlRpnASL695hOsEzeib3yUOcBotX2SQc4O1-AJ/s640/10-cm-h-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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An example of one of these tests and the results would be that the removal of the muzzle brake when firing confirmed to all that the accuracy of the weapon deteriorated. Overall however, the weapon impressed and the artillery experts rated the weapon positively and recommended pushing it into production.</div>
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In July 1933 the new gun was introduced into the Czechoslovakian military inventory under the designation 10cm lehky houfnice vz.30 and made an initial order of 164 pieces to be crewed by seven men apiece.</div>
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The first pieces were delivered in 1935 although the entire order was only completed after Munich in '38.</div>
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With this weapon the Czechoslovakian army gained a world glass gun, however it was soon determined that the gun was a little too heavy to retain in its hippomobile function as its weight meant a sacrifice of mobility. Because of this fact most of the howitzers were concentrated in Motorised Artillery Regiments 51-54 which were a part of the army vanguard and separate artillery units within the new Rapid Divisions.</div>
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For towing the Czechs mainly used the Praga RV truck.</div>
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When Slovakia was all but forced to declare its independence in 1938 a number of this type were stationed within the borders of the new Slovakian state including Motorised Artillery Regiment 54 which was stationed at Nitra.</div>
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Following the German confiscations and appropriations by May 1939 the Slovakian state had been left a princely total of thirty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyprfIhRItyE8tPyqInZmcD5q2XPdUSU5yCgQl4oP76u7s7XsOw_5JPQK-DLl-cZWcbUMoiCQwrGTCxrHxqL48wi1ogqodSW5dlrTGoFxD-jI7MmPIeoFR6rtzhg3yyvCDh7y_RytFGi6b/s1600/10-cm-houfnice-vz30-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyprfIhRItyE8tPyqInZmcD5q2XPdUSU5yCgQl4oP76u7s7XsOw_5JPQK-DLl-cZWcbUMoiCQwrGTCxrHxqL48wi1ogqodSW5dlrTGoFxD-jI7MmPIeoFR6rtzhg3yyvCDh7y_RytFGi6b/s640/10-cm-houfnice-vz30-4.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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Following the artillery park reorganisations of 1939 the 10cm vz.30's were collected together into Artillery Regiment 51 comprising of three four-gun batteries of this type (along with others) and Artillery Regiment 52 with a further three four-gun batteries (with other types as well)</div>
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In November 1939 AR52 was disbanded with its guns being distributed amongst the other artillery regiments with AR51 moving to the Army reserve.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAInSdtJoaqPn0J94bsG2mJrljIv9W9CbqaYTTNecp5VZ9U8PGidTFp8XiEKhm7X84QQtRTnRhhDapsD0aqYzPymVbgJCKDzspqFz6JU9AVUrE2ZwHw7uyo1DgrCm4UfETORQIvwlpJ8T2/s1600/Baterie_10cm_houfnic_vz._30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="500" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAInSdtJoaqPn0J94bsG2mJrljIv9W9CbqaYTTNecp5VZ9U8PGidTFp8XiEKhm7X84QQtRTnRhhDapsD0aqYzPymVbgJCKDzspqFz6JU9AVUrE2ZwHw7uyo1DgrCm4UfETORQIvwlpJ8T2/s640/Baterie_10cm_houfnic_vz._30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The new Artillery Regiments 1 and 2 according to the new TO&E's each had three front line battalions each with four four-gun batteries. Battalion 1 had sixteen 8cm vz.30's and 10cm vz.30's whilst the fourth (reserve) battalion had another four 10cm vz.30 howitzers to hand.</div>
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Artillery Regiment 51, now in the Army Reserve now comprised had lost all of its 10cm vz.30's although the newly formed Artillery Regiment 11 (motor traction) had a mobilised strength of 27 10cm vz.30's.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVA3phd8YPphQGxU1fag9PIbdgEV7hdIB-MNlF5-JJ1nyiOrwFhlrVEnEhBW-ej59I6pFEe7dqQeED882QSuZdu_UDu3ZyXHEtYIhYVo1MARFKfMwbXXGr19qrbR8YiIQbDuYXSiWERZvF/s1600/k__pia_____k__pia_____10cm_skoda_vz.30_howitzer_being_towed_by_a_truck_in_lipowez_ukraine_kiew_%25281%2529.90813_160022_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="551" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVA3phd8YPphQGxU1fag9PIbdgEV7hdIB-MNlF5-JJ1nyiOrwFhlrVEnEhBW-ej59I6pFEe7dqQeED882QSuZdu_UDu3ZyXHEtYIhYVo1MARFKfMwbXXGr19qrbR8YiIQbDuYXSiWERZvF/s640/k__pia_____k__pia_____10cm_skoda_vz.30_howitzer_being_towed_by_a_truck_in_lipowez_ukraine_kiew_%25281%2529.90813_160022_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of the Russian campaign when I/11 went over the border with the Mobile Group it was equipped with three batteries of three 10cm vz.30's each. The other two battalions followed up with the Army headquarters.</div>
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When the Mobile Brigade was formed on 8 July 1941 I/11 was augmented with a further four 10cm vz.30's to bring the battalion strength of these guns up to three batteries of four guns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcA-6MgEDcAP1uCCb_-qBDArWXXgM8a9RMke_kOTlK3y5ugJtV-pFf7sWYnpUXV799RNW3njjQ6FzFf1Iet1JKCJZXlhvBk36PrgujUtcSYHqpkSjvhNYK_tdjZcXfY7Ysy-ZY-z1X9JT/s1600/k__pia_____k__pia_____k__pia_____k__pia_____10cm_skoda_vz.30_slovak_howitzer_and_trucks.90813_191214_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="553" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcA-6MgEDcAP1uCCb_-qBDArWXXgM8a9RMke_kOTlK3y5ugJtV-pFf7sWYnpUXV799RNW3njjQ6FzFf1Iet1JKCJZXlhvBk36PrgujUtcSYHqpkSjvhNYK_tdjZcXfY7Ysy-ZY-z1X9JT/s640/k__pia_____k__pia_____k__pia_____k__pia_____10cm_skoda_vz.30_slovak_howitzer_and_trucks.90813_191214_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 12 July 1941 the Brigade received the whole of AR11 with its full complement of 24 10cm vz.30's.</div>
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However, by the beginning of August AR11 was once again reduced in size, this time down to a single light battalion comprising three four-gun batteries of 10cm vz.30's and a combined gun battalion with a single battery of four 10cm vz.30's. The remaining guns were pulled back to Vinnitsa and left in reserve.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOGVKPqBjJtyzpKuQlAwvZFD-0r4fSlQw-Kr2uIoD_KShlEMtYzzdMUgDTYWipt8gCtk-VHaSiGqvq9U03Yzn7CkMCg47EiY6LuQSnY9VYSmJ9bW49rkvy84UexQgisQc-2Qfv_ntQzUP/s1600/se-10-cm-h-vz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="435" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOGVKPqBjJtyzpKuQlAwvZFD-0r4fSlQw-Kr2uIoD_KShlEMtYzzdMUgDTYWipt8gCtk-VHaSiGqvq9U03Yzn7CkMCg47EiY6LuQSnY9VYSmJ9bW49rkvy84UexQgisQc-2Qfv_ntQzUP/s640/se-10-cm-h-vz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Mobile Division was formed at the end of August and AR11 was incorporated into it again at full strength.</div>
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After the Security Division lost all of its artillery attempting to help the Germans in resisting the Soviet Kharkov counterstroke in May 1942 it was decided in July 1942 to attempt to partially refit it with the remaining two battalions of AR31 but in the end only one battalion was sent in August 1942 and in this battalion there was only a single battery of 10cm vz.30's two of which were then lost to partisans on the Pripet River in April 1943.</div>
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In October 1943 the Security Division was remodelled as a Technical Division, transported to Italy to build things and lost all of its artillery which was sent home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPY8IUFm9PFH9Eek9Wc8-CYj56lU0mNZW5qbjCHhocJuIzlc1vJ0e02VCVYs5ojQDq-9VeA5lpet324rpLHDwl4l4oudRtEJfS9lLpYfAs41aAdZ1V3g2gvSBpebyTnaUMLCWdadp-FS_/s1600/z_k__non___koda_vz._30_105mm_moje.50616_211707_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="553" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPY8IUFm9PFH9Eek9Wc8-CYj56lU0mNZW5qbjCHhocJuIzlc1vJ0e02VCVYs5ojQDq-9VeA5lpet324rpLHDwl4l4oudRtEJfS9lLpYfAs41aAdZ1V3g2gvSBpebyTnaUMLCWdadp-FS_/s640/z_k__non___koda_vz._30_105mm_moje.50616_211707_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the meantime the Mobile Division had also lost guns and by March 1942 Artillery Regiment 11 only had two three-gun batteries of its 10cm vz.30's remaining.</div>
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It was decided at the beginning of 1942, due to ammunition supply problems to again reorganise the Mobile Divisions artillery which started to replace the Slovak guns with German guns moving the remaining 10cm vz.30's into the reserve pool.</div>
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In the retreat of February 1943 the Division lost almost all of its guns including the six 10cm vz.30's. When it was reformed in the Crimea and by April 1943 the Division was again able to field three batteries, although the second battery comprised of only two 10cm vz.30's and the third (reserve) battery only three 10cm vz.30's.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlEiu27ba6shyCUqZmuUC3ykDDj5nDB0WHfWZwyg_wfyryMKQeULsXNPH6m_BusttaVnNTeOijW-ApG0Vp4w8yMxWEr-u8SZOS1vmv6rRWlfeLnOWrg62_PG5tA59Xaf_A_dg2BRvI27i/s1600/10-cm-houfnice-vz30-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="603" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlEiu27ba6shyCUqZmuUC3ykDDj5nDB0WHfWZwyg_wfyryMKQeULsXNPH6m_BusttaVnNTeOijW-ApG0Vp4w8yMxWEr-u8SZOS1vmv6rRWlfeLnOWrg62_PG5tA59Xaf_A_dg2BRvI27i/s640/10-cm-houfnice-vz30-3.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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In May 1943, whilst stationed in Simferopol the Germans started replacing the Mobile Divisions weapons with German guns and the entire remaining park of 10cm vz.30's were returned to Slovakia.</div>
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However that is not the end of the tale for the 10cm vbz.30 because when Germany occupied the rump of Czechoslovakia the Germans successfully snatched the majority of these guns from the Czech and Slovak artillery parks and they saw useful service throughout the war. Even in March 1945 there were still ten of these howitzers serving on the German front lines.</div>
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After the war there were still several surviving howitzers within Czechoslovakian territory and on the reformation of that country they were briefly included within the TO&E's of the newly reformed Czechoslovakian army where they soldiered on well into the '50's before being sent to the knackers yard to be melted down into glue! Oh wait, that was Boxer wasn't it?</div>
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So anyway, there is a bit of the history of this type of gun but how do we go about putting them together seeing as nobody has seen fit to actually manufacture a decent proxy in 15mm.</div>
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Well lets see shall we?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNi20yZZqOLL5bcbAtqvmVA_xBK0HdJKniqhl6w0iQpZ4kwV3hDRJEa9m6rM_0h6JJZ422G986biLhfYu1By59OL46790mQvUJGci5FbW1Hi34El44oBssHczCafTI1sB5tBmQgTKAlHJ/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNi20yZZqOLL5bcbAtqvmVA_xBK0HdJKniqhl6w0iQpZ4kwV3hDRJEa9m6rM_0h6JJZ422G986biLhfYu1By59OL46790mQvUJGci5FbW1Hi34El44oBssHczCafTI1sB5tBmQgTKAlHJ/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, first of all you should procure for yourself a box of Battlefronts plastic Italian 100mm Howitzers. These are actually REALLY nice and can serve as direct replacements for the appalling metal ones that Battlefront has been peddling for years (especially for the Polish, Hungarian and Romanian armies).<br />
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On each of these sprues you will need to keep the wheels, the rear of the chassis and the barrel. The shield can be ditched and you may want to keep the ammo boxes for a bit of extra business on the bases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aXc0ETIhns60HriqilAecZMPLaRkAurC6TkkPWlcIbNkfT6Ua7tU6oeShr6UJ-0GtlE_agdwxOMYKY-MK4DDZZEjHt7VFoAhd-PolbemgJqis0YkUfNehsLStM7R6wFKvxNft7nTKvw2/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aXc0ETIhns60HriqilAecZMPLaRkAurC6TkkPWlcIbNkfT6Ua7tU6oeShr6UJ-0GtlE_agdwxOMYKY-MK4DDZZEjHt7VFoAhd-PolbemgJqis0YkUfNehsLStM7R6wFKvxNft7nTKvw2/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, here is where the real modelling starts.<br />
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Get yourself a brass sheet no more than 0.5mm thick and slice off some rectangles 17mm by 20mm. I did a test model first and then put three more together afterwards but as Ive already done the heavy lifting for you, you may as well just go ahead and cut four of them out.<br />
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I chose brass for this part as brass is relatively easy to cut, bends well and holds its shape well once heated if bent. I decided it would make the ideal material to use on the gun shields which had massive curves on them... they would also be strong.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcLJ4nXHxVrgGrLltcB54yRPj6-wCzUZWPdkIxrtSp-GOfJmBoz2BB2NeRHdkgHaxEqp1RiaU0XW1l9GR32lqJ8v_VKjd4B2EUMPUsE9Aba2-KknV1fqHhQoAD8SWfiuzYrti_IBTIl0S/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcLJ4nXHxVrgGrLltcB54yRPj6-wCzUZWPdkIxrtSp-GOfJmBoz2BB2NeRHdkgHaxEqp1RiaU0XW1l9GR32lqJ8v_VKjd4B2EUMPUsE9Aba2-KknV1fqHhQoAD8SWfiuzYrti_IBTIl0S/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next thing to do is mark out the parts of the brass sheets that need to be cut out to create the gunshield shape.<br />
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The flat sections of the gunshield; the two tabs at the open end of the gunshield is 4mm deep by 6mm wide. Obviously if both tabs are 6mm wide then the channel that needs to be excised must be 5mm across as well.<br />
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The channel is excised down to 3mm from the bottom of the gunshield.<br />
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The next thing to do is to bend the lower gun-shield leaving the two tabs at the top straight. You can see the profile of the bend in the blu-tack just below the gun-shields.<br />
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First score a line across the front and the back of the gun-shield along the line where the flat tabs will join the curve.<br />
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To achieve the bend in the shield I used a Staedler Technical Liner pen and kept rolling the shield back and forth until I achieved the shape that I wanted.<br />
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Once the curved shape was achieved I then used needle pliers to bend the tabs away from the curve to the correct degree.</div>
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So these were my first attempts at building the forward sections of the guns chassis but after cutting the first pair out and test fitting them I determined that they were too low and had an incorrect shape so I scrapped these and went back to the drawing board.</div>
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I redrew the design on 1mm thick plastic card which had 20mm x 10mm rectangles cut out of it.<br />
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The design, as shown above was drawn onto the card and care was taken to cut out the templates exactly so that they could be perfectly matched up in pairs.<br />
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I cant give you the exact measurements as there are all sorts of funny angles and curves on this but I would recommend you study the above image and replicate as close as possible.</div>
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By now you should have four (or three if you have done a test model) gun-shields and twice as many forward chassis attachments.</div>
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It was time to start collecting all of the pieces together now prior to actually assembling the guns.<br />
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You will notice that on the inverse angle on each of the forward chassis attachment about half way along the total length (about 10mm) a small notch is taken out of each piece. This will be where your guns wheel axle will rest.<br />
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You will also need an axle for each of your guns made from 1mm diameter brass rod with a total length of 17mm</div>
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Now you need to prepare the plastic styrene pieces prior to assembly.<br />
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Firstly take your gun barrel and slice off the end of the barrel down to the barrel locking collar taking care to pay attention to the inverted curve that will form the upper front edge of the recoil cylinder.<br />
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The new extended barrel will be made from styrene tubes with a diameter of 2mm and a length of 11mm.<br />
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The front of the gun chassis is cut away where the solid tail of the trail separates into two arms that carry forwards to the chassis front.The front edge of the solid trail is filed flat ready to accept the new chassis structures.<br />
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The seats are cut from the now discarded front of the chassis and set aside temporarily. </div>
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Each pair of wheels is now joined together by supergluing the brass axles into a 1mm diameter bore at the inside centre of each of these wheels.<br />
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A pair of new chassis sides are taken and each of the short arms are glued to the front outside edges of the flat chassis rear that were saved taking care that the chassis shape now forms an angle like that of a shallow roof of a house.<br />
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The two new forward chassis pieces are bridged and stabilised using a 3mm wide piece of styrene plastic just a couple of millimetres back from the front edges of each of the chassis fronts.<br />
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Please note at this point that the leading edge of each of the new styrene chassis arms has a slightly inclined edge in order to accept the curved gun-shield.<br />
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The seats, previously removed from the supplied gun chassis are both now reattached in the same approximate position.</div>
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The new barrel is now constructed by cutting away each of the mounting pins from either side of the barrel rear and a 1mm diameter hole is drilled in its place.<br />
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The new styrene plastic tube barrel is now also glued to the front of the existing barrel, breech block and recoil tube.<br />
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This new barrel extends 11mm past the front of the existing locking collar.<br />
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Use a very VERY thin styrene strip no more than 2mm wide to wrap around the end of the barrel to create the muzzle brake (although I'm not sure that something like this would qualify as a muzzle brake and may in fact be called the barrel fillet).</div>
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The gun-shields ribs and top arc are now created.<br />
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The top arc which almost looks like the profile of an old stone humpback bridge is cut out to the same width as your gun shield with the inside arc being as wide as the gap in the shield centre with a consistent diameter all the way around the arc.<br />
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This piece is glued at about 100 degrees to the flat tabs on the gun shield so that when the gun-shield is mounted on the gun itself this top arc will remain horizontal to the horizon.<br />
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A 2mm wide strip of extremely thin styrene now needs to be glued along the inside edge of the top arcs inner curve and glued up against the gun shield. Be careful here because slight angles will need to be shaved off of each front edge of each of these strips.</div>
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In this image you can clearly see the shield rib that braces the curved shield from top to bottom.<br />
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This one is actually relatively simple to execute. 2.5mm wide thin styrene strips are glued along the inside edge of the barrel channel on the shield with one end extending over the shield on the bottom and up to and against the inner curving rib of the top arc.</div>
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Once all of these pieces have been allowed to dry completely the front edges of the ribs that protrude out from the front face of the shield are cut away and filed down to leave a flush edge as illustrated in the photograph above.</div>
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We now assemble all of the main guns pieces together, mounting the gun by way of pushing a brass rod through holes drilled into the top of the forward chassis arms within the curve of the gun cradle.<br />
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The ends of this brass rod are then cut off and filed flat.</div>
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The wheels and axle can now be mounted in the notches that were created on the bottom of the chassis.</div>
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The furniture for all of the guns is now created.<br />
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The shield seat's sides are made from angled pieces of plastic styrene sheet that have been filed to follow the curves of the gun-shields with a small styrene square bridged between them to create the seat.<br />
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A piece of 0.3mm brass rod only 1mm in length is glued at a 45 degree angle on the top leading edge of each seat side to represent the shield seat handles.<br />
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The same brass rod is then used to create an open ended rectangle 5mm wide and 5mm long with 2mm of each of the ends drilled and glued into the shield seat sides.<br />
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For the hand wheel that sits under each of the shield seats I used a load of Adler Miniatures 6mm Napoleonic Artillery Caisson wheels with half of the spokes cut away mounted on a small piece of 2mm styrene rod glued against the shield body to make the hand wheel sit almost as proud as the seat itself.<br />
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The brass handle on the left hand side of the gun shield half way down its arc is also made from thin brass rod cut into 4mm lengths with just the very ends of the rod bent down in 90 degrees using needle pliers.<br />
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Finally a small vision port is constructed out of very thin styrene sheets that each have a measurement of 2mm x 3mm with tiny styrene triangles glued against the upper and lower right hand edge to emulate the hinges. This is all glued to the right hand tab on the upper gun-shield. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_e5BAxrYhvGdGFRSgF-J2X1h7_FCOocLK0Gmy6mxwmqZ9DoCNm227EW2q-WTCzWDY2UBD7dfnz0RcUzvzUzwSQ9QmGWjp7UQxmK6cdvmxpyMtYbN4aqxd_n5TVie9BsVVMYSYmyZhqmS/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_e5BAxrYhvGdGFRSgF-J2X1h7_FCOocLK0Gmy6mxwmqZ9DoCNm227EW2q-WTCzWDY2UBD7dfnz0RcUzvzUzwSQ9QmGWjp7UQxmK6cdvmxpyMtYbN4aqxd_n5TVie9BsVVMYSYmyZhqmS/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3019.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These last pieces are just a bit of architecture to break up the flat space on the side of the chassis front. The large discs are 3mm in diameter whilst the smaller discs are 2mm.<br />
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They are stacked the 2mm on top of the 3mm and then glued over the points where the brass rod extending from the cradle would be.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwx_PvVj5comFCi_TneadIz5UbeWTIEEVtLQSRryjfDEgJN9UrHgq9eXr83UBOHApFJJQlWEFHLR5JCm5r1neyD0jP8w0761ViIc3ao3M-z_blAiupv7msIZ7-CXbiaayB8yi_GoloQH_/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwx_PvVj5comFCi_TneadIz5UbeWTIEEVtLQSRryjfDEgJN9UrHgq9eXr83UBOHApFJJQlWEFHLR5JCm5r1neyD0jP8w0761ViIc3ao3M-z_blAiupv7msIZ7-CXbiaayB8yi_GoloQH_/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Your gun-shields are then mounted on the front of the guns with the bottom solid band of the gun shield being glued directly to the slightly inclined forward facing ends of the newly constructed forward chassis arms. </div>
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The degree of inclination will directly effect how close the curve of the gun-shield follows the wheels (and you should be aiming for a uniform 1-2mm gap all the way around)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8e7HzDbLPJB2ix4dGHNLzwmwasu8h9jh0J3xJXNo423Hnb_sP2bLfCkK_SIgAVBDlPcbfi3SdHkqbCU2so6KNotaV_GBz4QQbBY_n9jXdU8Gjisbzsxhgy53LLK4K-vhdoFVsKJyZvl/s1600/Trial+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="850" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1X8e7HzDbLPJB2ix4dGHNLzwmwasu8h9jh0J3xJXNo423Hnb_sP2bLfCkK_SIgAVBDlPcbfi3SdHkqbCU2so6KNotaV_GBz4QQbBY_n9jXdU8Gjisbzsxhgy53LLK4K-vhdoFVsKJyZvl/s640/Trial+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think the guns would actually have had bracing struts going from the inside of the shield to the top of the wheel axle as well in order to support the shield properly but I have not been able to find any evidence of this and as such just satisfied myself with gluing them to the chassis arms...<br />
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...a decision I may come to regret later I think...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2i056RHxdyG9sKUBnB8VM4nttXJbz8MyzrKub7L18Bgs7m2A6V6oR-HWHXat0rJrFQZD56PyZvTtNX-K4jC3eiGn-X63KYpNb-vw35BGIAkqKA8Tuly2PTEFOEsKyzQ1utqFHvtRjRyC/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2i056RHxdyG9sKUBnB8VM4nttXJbz8MyzrKub7L18Bgs7m2A6V6oR-HWHXat0rJrFQZD56PyZvTtNX-K4jC3eiGn-X63KYpNb-vw35BGIAkqKA8Tuly2PTEFOEsKyzQ1utqFHvtRjRyC/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So anyway, you should now have four completed beauties with which to complement your Slovak army with.<br />
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Lets move onto the paining and modelling of the battery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUazr9owu3aNT2uZxSaeQzAgvTIj-Ag5KakpxSonc9r8SgnMnb_IVHIXvQBV3O8of-n0Rv41GhZsowmBrNt050A7DLOPVKpuBsA781AHlSxXklHDMfEZsgAu8qS-OQqC78PJQXnA6H5vL/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUazr9owu3aNT2uZxSaeQzAgvTIj-Ag5KakpxSonc9r8SgnMnb_IVHIXvQBV3O8of-n0Rv41GhZsowmBrNt050A7DLOPVKpuBsA781AHlSxXklHDMfEZsgAu8qS-OQqC78PJQXnA6H5vL/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and there we have it. Above is an example of a completely painted battery of these beauties! I will take you through the painting colour schemes and methodology that I employ. A bit complex but personally I love the results so I'm happy with what I've got :)</div>
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Before we go any further I should also point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclgXfl_MXEIPBomPpmt4cuHMksN3aEWYpB7Gq1WBvASjG9D-WxBy-GjmeQvcOZvDHR8JzE0NKRKzfMbk73oaiAJnW5tzwjg8kiPZJO2ydKjULE3-9yhcvs-MOKgvyXK0aG_m_xo3wti-E/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiclgXfl_MXEIPBomPpmt4cuHMksN3aEWYpB7Gq1WBvASjG9D-WxBy-GjmeQvcOZvDHR8JzE0NKRKzfMbk73oaiAJnW5tzwjg8kiPZJO2ydKjULE3-9yhcvs-MOKgvyXK0aG_m_xo3wti-E/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to actually paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!<br />
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscYwkoAIA1Xbaa8nNZiCuP1nk61AWfpSACvzI6vLWS2stvq2H4Itdi94XbKBwiSyr8VZHORede5fEkJ8R6ivtcCkSPefMudxu3bWf6wcD6y-uS68vIfJwzflhAbRGLV1yDUBWcNlHIJr-/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscYwkoAIA1Xbaa8nNZiCuP1nk61AWfpSACvzI6vLWS2stvq2H4Itdi94XbKBwiSyr8VZHORede5fEkJ8R6ivtcCkSPefMudxu3bWf6wcD6y-uS68vIfJwzflhAbRGLV1yDUBWcNlHIJr-/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0UcSUj7xmMz0qIxxfM28EAsIz3cXkeOQT8zPiY9AQEfYlu5_Q-jCyX3Zxbd3IvmueRuoxyDauftWsH3_t5WVVhkIfzlfLbJb_SteRI0P2AqA1MhzIPI1E170Kh80ChljUdDyjiMtBcnZ/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0UcSUj7xmMz0qIxxfM28EAsIz3cXkeOQT8zPiY9AQEfYlu5_Q-jCyX3Zxbd3IvmueRuoxyDauftWsH3_t5WVVhkIfzlfLbJb_SteRI0P2AqA1MhzIPI1E170Kh80ChljUdDyjiMtBcnZ/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo. Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo. Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh14jg-2bqLeHTDSmOfq88lQuzC23qgUqDKxKGo3cb1PmzP2cYNibeJu_Djv5ItFZtiWnojRkNsVOw7t1j3Afupr0KSGUE3erJmEy9pT99uH6pRxCFD38MbyFC8IegVwTEtpWrImYCVJ2h/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh14jg-2bqLeHTDSmOfq88lQuzC23qgUqDKxKGo3cb1PmzP2cYNibeJu_Djv5ItFZtiWnojRkNsVOw7t1j3Afupr0KSGUE3erJmEy9pT99uH6pRxCFD38MbyFC8IegVwTEtpWrImYCVJ2h/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsRDjItZttk7fwlAmagZIsRFAG0hcAeN5OGcq5djXCybIdaJUJ44fZLPa9gQ4pWymaBjDb82LJBihR0EU0kOwqDC8N-tcH7ZVa-8Di9J75tQv3eN15TUPRQStG-FM1w3ITk4RxEMkxTQd/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsRDjItZttk7fwlAmagZIsRFAG0hcAeN5OGcq5djXCybIdaJUJ44fZLPa9gQ4pWymaBjDb82LJBihR0EU0kOwqDC8N-tcH7ZVa-8Di9J75tQv3eN15TUPRQStG-FM1w3ITk4RxEMkxTQd/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...<br />
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYmd1eCK4QrLCBAOU8hShsSpmvlGGensd9dkYM2_43Ax8Q-Tryf8Hkvl6mqGeTvTif-Zqwni7AcNYs9nTToPdPNOPWlPnf78hJ7_wXxNeWZX0vB_Suute6hVS1GJmYbrHWRCvM1prUnLl/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYmd1eCK4QrLCBAOU8hShsSpmvlGGensd9dkYM2_43Ax8Q-Tryf8Hkvl6mqGeTvTif-Zqwni7AcNYs9nTToPdPNOPWlPnf78hJ7_wXxNeWZX0vB_Suute6hVS1GJmYbrHWRCvM1prUnLl/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesnt matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO-x_LVToVRZ-23cRCP_nw6er7npLjCa618im1i-tJA7CXohfnRs40CmT0wWG7Pwu-4UR8JpcaA_ipptydZeWIpp-zugvGiVgQpQ20s-Tp5On5laxfrjMq97PuEJZj59RhH6e-ErVBq7P/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO-x_LVToVRZ-23cRCP_nw6er7npLjCa618im1i-tJA7CXohfnRs40CmT0wWG7Pwu-4UR8JpcaA_ipptydZeWIpp-zugvGiVgQpQ20s-Tp5On5laxfrjMq97PuEJZj59RhH6e-ErVBq7P/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHntyRKR9jtxdX6q1iHNuuKHjlxlyNhgIfY0EhuC7wTFSXetY4kYrHKQr1-SlmCMb6v0vS_lJkGZCblbcxrFclzxqGgATIb8lcm3tPDNEBC5e2uExRmrRpfdT37-vi5RVhHWIQ_LaXavnv/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.3035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHntyRKR9jtxdX6q1iHNuuKHjlxlyNhgIfY0EhuC7wTFSXetY4kYrHKQr1-SlmCMb6v0vS_lJkGZCblbcxrFclzxqGgATIb8lcm3tPDNEBC5e2uExRmrRpfdT37-vi5RVhHWIQ_LaXavnv/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.3035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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Go have fun!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-11399560701616466122019-12-10T18:25:00.000+00:002019-12-10T18:25:51.146+00:00FoW: Slovak Infantry - Mortar Platoons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So... here we are again!.</div>
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So, lets carry on knocking down the blog posts eh?</div>
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Today, let me introduce you all to one of Slovakia's man portable artillery pieces; the 81mm vz.36 Mortar.</div>
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Now as we all know, Slovakia was not the richest of countries on its founding, on top of which Nazi Germany swept in and appropriated fully half of the arms and munitions that was left there so there wasn't much left... well actually there was loads! In fact Slovakia had a lot more artillery pieces than trained crew... and this presented quite the problem.</div>
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The 81mm vz.36 mortars provided some much needed artillery support for the foot sloggers... and whats more; one that was easy to get the uneducated masses of troops up to scratch on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB0EjZaD6tgcR1XP7Z39qrRcATAF1V7Fdl2eyDrFtvhSIL2ZdNenvIDr2WbLVsfxVuDCyTflXaTXUHff_kiFlPRE5PHiNwJB2QDmHFP45IbLSLEhjHy5OMRMNo_f1_xxT40-laJPmWpsU/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB0EjZaD6tgcR1XP7Z39qrRcATAF1V7Fdl2eyDrFtvhSIL2ZdNenvIDr2WbLVsfxVuDCyTflXaTXUHff_kiFlPRE5PHiNwJB2QDmHFP45IbLSLEhjHy5OMRMNo_f1_xxT40-laJPmWpsU/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As is so frequently the case with our Slovakian adventure if we need to know any details about them we must first dip a little further back in time to the Czechoslovakian army.</div>
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The 81mm vz.36 Mortar was one of the most modern weapons in the Czech inventory. With the introduction of it into the Czech equipment lists the infantry gained a very effective means of local fire support and was justifiably considered one of the best in its class worldwide.</div>
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Its design was based on the French Stokes-Brandt model although the designers at Pilsen improved the weapon through several significant innovations. The vz.36 represented the first of a lengthy series of successful mortar designs that Pilsen-Skoda developed terminating in the 8.2cm vz.52 mortar which is still in service with the Czech Republic.</div>
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When construction engineer Frederick Wilfred Scott Stokes, working as a railway bridge designer, was unsuccessfully offering his British military armaments project to the British War Department at the start of WW1, he had no idea that his idea would fundamentally influence military arms development over the next century. Fortunately, despite the fact that the British military authorities were so short sighted, the Stokes mortar did not escape the attention of artillery experts around Europe. The British Armaments Commission took the step of recommending its introduction into the European armed forces despite their original negative opinion. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g9jqlAgp6O3I5DP7dYQvYOMg7GYVSGBfr2zR3DmKyBBnd_eAB2xe-pAzZBSw3Kf188m52WXOMmij37t85p1z3zX_jv15Vew2QQv_SPQ_VFzZcoy2ACOnR9QvNVB7rTAblCqGFzXllXiW/s1600/80mm+minomet+vz.36+%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="236" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4g9jqlAgp6O3I5DP7dYQvYOMg7GYVSGBfr2zR3DmKyBBnd_eAB2xe-pAzZBSw3Kf188m52WXOMmij37t85p1z3zX_jv15Vew2QQv_SPQ_VFzZcoy2ACOnR9QvNVB7rTAblCqGFzXllXiW/s640/80mm+minomet+vz.36+%255B1%255D.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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Officers that had front line experience were immediately able to recognise the simplicity and genius of the design and pushed through its production. From 1915 the British army was supplied with the most advanced mortar system in the world, while other armies fighting against them were struggling to find a weapon that could even approach the Stokes mortar's effectiveness.</div>
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When the opening moves of the Great War were concluded the troops were hiding in ever increasing and improved trench systems. These trench lines could not easily be breached the war fell into an uneasy stalemate punctuated with projects of mass carnage. All sides therefore were desperately searching for some weapon that would be capable of destroying trenches, shelters and firing positions. As a result of this a number of various different types of mortars, bomb launchers, grenade launchers and mine throwers were created. </div>
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The mortar had, by this time, already seen front line service in wartime. The first mortar had been invented and tested during the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and similar weapons had been introduced to virtually all fighting forces around the world. However they were mostly heavy weapons mounted on massive bearings, whose accuracy and effects were not in line with the mass of the weapon system in question, despite an often respectable character. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX-FBXUcMlmog0QwihsPBbyvOE8uG-0RLgHrG11F48mRkGbzii2D8ZopPyJzo2mODMvP_P0MUus57vv7JO5dYe3zSpAvTcCxO7Ilfwyh4xt_F5mxqK-gqd0Ct3uJWFSCGYIFXoQEE5CxQ/s1600/M-vz36-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX-FBXUcMlmog0QwihsPBbyvOE8uG-0RLgHrG11F48mRkGbzii2D8ZopPyJzo2mODMvP_P0MUus57vv7JO5dYe3zSpAvTcCxO7Ilfwyh4xt_F5mxqK-gqd0Ct3uJWFSCGYIFXoQEE5CxQ/s640/M-vz36-2.jpg" width="564" /></a></div>
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Stokes design was therefore meant to completely revolutionise this field of arms development. The initial designs however were inflicted with a number of teething problems which took the rest of the war to completely resolve. The most serious of these problems being low accuracy and a lack of a decent tactical range. These problems were only really solved after the Great War with the collaboration of French military designer Brandt. Whilst still in his twenties he achieved the design of a stabilised mine as well as a new type of sighting system. Modified mortars with these new attachments and rounds were introduced into the French army under the designation Stokes-Brandt M.27 and subsequently after minor adjustments the Stokes-Brandt M.27/31.</div>
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This model of mortar became the base model of virtually all medium mortars throughout the interbellum. These weapons were manufactured under license by countries such as the United States, the Soviet Union, Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and of course France and the UK.</div>
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Almost as soon as the state was founded the Czechs had begun to address the issue of providing infantry formations with a close support weapon. Initially a series of small infantry guns, of often interesting designs, were tested in order to develop the so called Battalion Howitzers from Skoda. The final design of one of these howitzers was indeed a remarkable weapon but in order to provide versatility its sacrifice was in performance. </div>
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Eventually after much testing, and under mounting pressure from the General Staff, the Ministry opted to provide the army with a mortar and an anti tank gun. The development of the mortar was, as was to be expected, entrusted to Skoda which on the advice of the Ministry obtained a license to produce the Stokes-Brandt mortar. However the weapon was not just taken without adjustment and the designers at Skoda designed several fundamental improvements. </div>
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Work on the new model, designated B5, progressed quickly and the weapon was soon ready to conduct its tests by the military, along with its new types of ammunition. It passed its test with flying colours. The initial tests alone proved definitively that the new mortar exceeded the abilities of the 9cm vz.17 which was the current main infantry light support weapon. The test committee approved of the simplicity and reliability of construction. The mortars mobility, ease of operation and the relative cheapness of the weapon combined with its accuracy and effectiveness all contributed to its high ratings within military circles.</div>
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The mortar itself consisted of four principal parts. The barrel, the baseplate, the bipod and the sights. Compared to the French model the most significant adjustments were made to the bipod, which hereafter acquired the characteristic shape used on all other Skoda mortars. The baseplate was also subjected to minor modifications whilst the flaws with the sights were also addressed.</div>
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For transportation the mortar was mounted in a special frame that fixed individual parts of the mortars body to itself, whilst the whole frame was mounted onto a modified vz.24 horse drawn cart. The new version was designated 'vz.24/35'. This cart, with mortar mounted could also be drawn by motor vehicles. Over short distances the mortar was transported in its constituent parts along with emergency supplies of ammunition. </div>
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Where the ammunition for the mortar is concerned the Defence Ministry instigated the development of two new basic types of round. These were termed light and heavy mines. The light rounds weighed in at 3.26 kg and were designed to be fired over open sights. The heavy rounds weighed in at 6.85 kg and were designed to be used at ranges of up to 1200 mtrs and were considered capable of destroying field positions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGUtXrnRGOy1qtcMw_wABUIyadXeBxLNp0agDZDdr40w7FNYAQWW-CYADJchNnk2Rtws9TdqgG7WWMAY0IKUgDlzpac2s7Eo8QzkrSAtiZDGT5fVxRynq5OonVohq-86n0HgpJkZ_9xh3/s1600/80mm+minomet+vz.36+%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="709" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGUtXrnRGOy1qtcMw_wABUIyadXeBxLNp0agDZDdr40w7FNYAQWW-CYADJchNnk2Rtws9TdqgG7WWMAY0IKUgDlzpac2s7Eo8QzkrSAtiZDGT5fVxRynq5OonVohq-86n0HgpJkZ_9xh3/s640/80mm+minomet+vz.36+%255B3%255D.jpg" width="542" /></a></div>
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During the traditionally strict and difficult field tests by the troops, which took place on the shooting ranges at Hlbokem there was only a single issue encountered when using the new ammunition prior to its introduction into general use by the armed forces. The firing dispersal was considered too focused and the rounds failed to achieve the dispersal required by the military administration. Skoda attempted to address the issue but only achieved a slight improvement. They then worked on the problem with VTLU but, despite a number of attempts no appreciable improvements were achieved. Skoda eventually contested the tender claiming that the tender specifications were based around Brandst's rather whimsical advertising materials and were essentially unobtainable in a real world situation. The final attempt to rectify this, perhaps incorrectly perceived deficiency was conducted in December 1938. The Commission conceded the points, returned the mortar to the field test ranges and instead satisfied themselves with a range of smaller test and adjustments as the mortar was recognised as already meeting the lions share of the criteria set by the tender, and overwhelmingly met the strict requirements set by the military administration, in many cases even overcoming them, in one example actually achieving over 25 rounds fired in a minute. The test committee therefore proposed the introduction of Mortar B5 into the army's equipment rolls and which the Ministry subsequently introduced the new weapon under the designation 8cm Mortar vz.36.</div>
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In the summer of 1936 the Ministry of Defence issued an official order and a production authorisation. Despite the considerable workload which faced them, Skoda were still able to quickly prepare the production line in the Skoda plant and proceed with production. By the end of 1936 the first 123 mortars had left the production line and had been test fired at the new firing ranges at Nekmir, with the entire order being subsequently completed during 1937.</div>
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There is no definitive source that agrees on the numbers of these mortars produced during this time but general consensus is that the most quoted number is 902 pieces, which the army had in service by March 1939. The perceived war needs for this model mortar was set in 1938 as 951 pieces although by the end of 1938 a further 48 mortars were still on order so the likely total could be in the region of 950.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hgJm2_u1djRDLZcMcFsmMejekItRyIVQflNDbIqLEqgav4Dua5a6Jo3ah6IPOmzhiNKGEudO_du48x0cErMEAOoGf5-PSdnEw0Zsc1kclpftMDwJ25SRx06_IDZQsVxHeIkgb3-rvLz7/s1600/8-cm-minomet-vz36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hgJm2_u1djRDLZcMcFsmMejekItRyIVQflNDbIqLEqgav4Dua5a6Jo3ah6IPOmzhiNKGEudO_du48x0cErMEAOoGf5-PSdnEw0Zsc1kclpftMDwJ25SRx06_IDZQsVxHeIkgb3-rvLz7/s640/8-cm-minomet-vz36.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small; vertical-align: inherit;">1-barrel, 2-butt barrel, 3-barrel gasket ring, 4-fuse, 6-screw fuse filler, 7-fuse gasket ring, 12-barrel butt plug, 13- firing pin, 14- bearings, 15-ball bearing pin, 16- bearing support, 17- bearing support, 18- bearing support reinforcement, 19- bearing grip hinge, 20- bearing grip, 21- leather grip cover, 22- collar, 23- collar cover, 24- shooting table, 25- pin collar bolt, 26- collar clamping bolt, 27- clamping bolt nut, 29- collar guide pin, 30- securing bolt to guide mandrel, 31- collar damping collar, 32- securing pin to guide mandrel, 33- securing bolt to collar guide mandrel nut</span></span></span></td></tr>
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In early 1937 the new model mortars reached the first troops allocated to receive them. The first troops that received them were the technical organisations within the infantry regiments who had provisions of 9cm vz.17 mortars. From the end of 1935 infantry regiments had their technical support troops reorganised into weapons companies which included the mortar platoons, which on mobilisation would be expanded to a full company.</div>
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According to the mortar unit construction program a total of 110 mortar companies and 32 separate independent mortar units, intended for border guards and cyclist battalions, were to be built. Only 8 companies were fully motorised however, having been constructed to equip the newly established fast divisions along with a further 12 platoons.</div>
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In 1937 intensive training for the troops intended for service within these units was begun,. Above all however, were the unit commanders, who were specially selected infantry officers who had been put through special courses. The choice of these officers was by no means coincidental, as the prevailing view in the Ministry and the Military was that light mortars had to perform tasks solely for the benefit of the infantry, and therefore the officers in charge had to be perfectly acquainted with its needs and capabilities.</div>
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The intensive training courses for the mortar troops ended with the target shooting courses which also achieved good results despite the relatively short time-frame which this was conducted over, providing a strong indication of the quality of the weapon and level of capabilities of the Czechoslovak soldiery.</div>
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Along with the orders for the mortars that the Ministry placed, orders for ammunition was also placed, covering both new types of rounds that had been developed. </div>
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<a href="https://delostrelectvocsarmady1918-1939.estranky.cz/img/picture/460/pt-38-8-cm-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="pt-38-8- cm-m.jpg" border="0" class="text-picture" height="640" src="https://delostrelectvocsarmady1918-1939.estranky.cz/img/picture/460/pt-38-8-cm-m.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="514" /></a><br />
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The existing technology utilised a brass press for the body of the round but this was relatively expensive and the Defence Ministry insisted on the introduction of mosaic production practices which gave a greater chance of continuing supply of ammunition throughout conflict periods. Due to the now possible potentials for smaller production plants the ammunition shell casing was now to be produced by casting. During the firing tests conducted in the Spring of 1938 however it was found that the ballistic properties of rounds produced in this fashion had been changed resulting in a requirement of a brass plate with the new firing characteristics of the ammunition attached to the mortar containing the modified firing table.</div>
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Despite the fact that the full system of mosaic production was never realised by March 1937 a total of 343,697 rounds of both types had still been delivered. It should also be noted here that the development of both smoke and incendiary rounds was also being conducted by Skoda but never reached completion. This is an important point because the Slovak mortar platoons went to war without any smoke or incendiary shells and had to support the infantry with nothing more than HE shells. </div>
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Through the critical days of the September 1938 crisis, the Czechoslovakian Army was equipped with an appreciable number of these mortars but chiefly in the front line units. Those units formed or completed during mobilisation unfortunately never received any and in any case there was a lack of qualified troops capable of using these new weapons in these units.</div>
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When the schism came and the Slovaks declared their independence the Wehrmacht was able to lay their grubby paws on over 600 mortars which were essentially based on the same pattern as the existing 8cm granatwerfer 34 which was already serving in the Germany army. The Czech mortars entered service as the Granatwerfer 36(t) of which the Germans had 514 pieces in service at the start of the war along with at least 236,500 rounds of both designs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB0EjZaD6tgcR1XP7Z39qrRcATAF1V7Fdl2eyDrFtvhSIL2ZdNenvIDr2WbLVsfxVuDCyTflXaTXUHff_kiFlPRE5PHiNwJB2QDmHFP45IbLSLEhjHy5OMRMNo_f1_xxT40-laJPmWpsU/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="1600" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwB0EjZaD6tgcR1XP7Z39qrRcATAF1V7Fdl2eyDrFtvhSIL2ZdNenvIDr2WbLVsfxVuDCyTflXaTXUHff_kiFlPRE5PHiNwJB2QDmHFP45IbLSLEhjHy5OMRMNo_f1_xxT40-laJPmWpsU/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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According to existing documentation covering the confiscation of hardware that was left on Slovak soil over 300 of these mortars apparently remained for use by the Slovaks, although however only 150 were reported as usable by the Slovak authorities and as such it seems likely that the Germans had claimed over 600 units.</div>
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Of these numbers however, the numbers actually allocated to the front line troops never approached anywhere near this number.</div>
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At the conclusion of the Polish campaign, on 27th September 1939 the returns of the field units indicate that the 1st Division had 10 on its rolls, the 2nd Division had 20 whilst the 3rd Division had 16. The Rapid Group that went over the border had an allocation of only two attached to its motorised infantry battalion. These numbers indicate a total of 48 of 150 mortars deployed with front line units.</div>
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The Rapid Group that crossed the Polish border in September had an allocation of two of these mortars for its single motorised infantry battalion and if we extrapolate this number of mortars to each infantry battalion in the Slovak army the number roughly match up, except with the 1st Division having just over half of its establishment provision. This seems to be a number that can be carried forwards through the Slovak involvement on the Eastern Front, except for the Rapid formations whose provision steadily increased until its destruction in the Crimea in 1943.</div>
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On the 26th June 1941 the Slovak Expeditionary Group had only 36 Skoda 8cm vz.36's allocated to it, although it is possible that this number increased to reach the required wartime strengths.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPjxER5-xD_Kabmk4xueXW7rcI4WCNIeh34GCHvKepy7Quia4SOVpBzz2qQp2aVochRmKNY8INUUqCtytVnYWcnJahzw5QtB-CBhZqKROxgpCQ3R1HltSuvBsmumFSxk3Jgo5HFZixMWr/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPjxER5-xD_Kabmk4xueXW7rcI4WCNIeh34GCHvKepy7Quia4SOVpBzz2qQp2aVochRmKNY8INUUqCtytVnYWcnJahzw5QtB-CBhZqKROxgpCQ3R1HltSuvBsmumFSxk3Jgo5HFZixMWr/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Rapid Group, on crossing the border had no allocation of mortars according to the returns of 25th June 1941. On its transformation to the Rapid Brigade the returns of 8th July 1941 indicate a provision of two, which would seem to fit with the idea of two mortars per battalion. On expansion to the Rapid Division where a single battalion essentially became four battalions (I/20 & II/20 and I/21 & II/21), it can be seen on the returns of 22nd August 1941 that a complement of 22 mortars had been provided, which would seem to indicate a provision of four mortars per battalion with a couple held back as spares. Through 1942 and as indicated by a number of returns across various dates a provision of 24 mortars was present indicating either there was a now a provision of either four mortars per battalion with spares or it was now six per battalion but no spares unless added to through war spoils. At the start of 1943 it would seem that the Rapid Division had an allocation of 32 mortars although by the 2nd March 1943 following the collapse in the Crimea and the loss of all of its heavy materials the Division had only a single mortar left on its rolls.</div>
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The other major Slovak field formation; the Security Division's returns tell a similar story.</div>
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When the Slovak field army crossed the border in July 1941 it included the 1st and 2nd Divisions. Each of these comprised three regiments of two battalions each. six battalions! Each of these divisions had a provision of 18 mortars indicating a possible provision of three mortars per battalion</div>
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As soon as the Field Army had been split and reorganised into the Fast and Security Divisions' the Security Division also had a complement of two regiments (101 and 102) comprising a total of 4 infantry battalions. Through 1942 there was a steady complement of 25 mortars in the Security Division which rose to 31 by July 1943.</div>
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Following the collapse of the Slovak forces in the Crimea the Security Division was kept in the field for a while longer but morale had collapsed and they were eventually redistributed as labour divisions helping to build the defences of the Reich.</div>
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These mortars can be seen to have participated in almost all of the battles that the Slovak field forces contributed to, especially the campaign in Russia.The numbers of these mortars steadily increased over time right up until they were all either lost in the Crimea or handed over to the German Wehrmacht.</div>
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In the second half of their involvement however the Slovaks also had to deal with a thinning munitions supply as the facilities producing the ammunition had stopped production so other measures had to be found. What can be said however is that wherever this mortar was to be found the Slovak infantry were sure that they had an angel on their shoulder looking out for them.</div>
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So that's a snap shot of the history so now lets take you through how I put them all together...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4Im2NZ8ymU0GQnZZgBSScfvagZc9bEkLbPrerCePjiiHSq-88MGssX3KdFZKQ0QcqXcO3IF3sWPOk_eO9glj36eywfqSx5IynT4yon1atX5fdFSxxJKGfJgCIb01I8d48h261Nw8Kdxh/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4Im2NZ8ymU0GQnZZgBSScfvagZc9bEkLbPrerCePjiiHSq-88MGssX3KdFZKQ0QcqXcO3IF3sWPOk_eO9glj36eywfqSx5IynT4yon1atX5fdFSxxJKGfJgCIb01I8d48h261Nw8Kdxh/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this company was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps.</div>
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I should also point out that the trucks will be dealt with in another post and that due to the easy availability I opted to use the Battlefront Polish Mortars for all of my teams.</div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably kick you in the cubes but from an arms length away they look splendid!(even if I do say so myself!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrBN8nCA3RpGGoBXU2iUl5Ub16yCQOJuNawrREYxuWpXeo1BMdZeZpHqP40VvGJOTZKa-mT2-Soi2MNPOvztX6hnWM12f7o5I9iRrA70PJcZlEcECuB5FbDg9A3v5xYcyhdHK3i3P0b49/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrBN8nCA3RpGGoBXU2iUl5Ub16yCQOJuNawrREYxuWpXeo1BMdZeZpHqP40VvGJOTZKa-mT2-Soi2MNPOvztX6hnWM12f7o5I9iRrA70PJcZlEcECuB5FbDg9A3v5xYcyhdHK3i3P0b49/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first step is to prime the miniatures, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate for the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgioNWwrivLkthg1gB-_O7TNC21bcU8aMQcpRxNb6DNsqikvccg-_UGMS4wKC8GWLCuxjojL6eA3zCjr77kN9RTWbB6D_ZyjXY5ki5BCPN-A1QBfbc9z0fgGGjiSmhmsteMGZIc1nmHTnJ/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgioNWwrivLkthg1gB-_O7TNC21bcU8aMQcpRxNb6DNsqikvccg-_UGMS4wKC8GWLCuxjojL6eA3zCjr77kN9RTWbB6D_ZyjXY5ki5BCPN-A1QBfbc9z0fgGGjiSmhmsteMGZIc1nmHTnJ/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else has jam on both sides after painting the uniform.<br />
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.<br />
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.<br />
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.<br />
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-JFNf7ENShjiAu5aGv4l0B9C5wyJ9BFN1Bqoz0XA57kSyFGRfEMxK0V1I1phaccfdB3n0vMTWRy6gvvbGjlmjtKQB3i_G0iQRLuqNtyrH8VzOhNyt29lAEBiNE6C24m25KeI4BGxTM6K/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1477" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-JFNf7ENShjiAu5aGv4l0B9C5wyJ9BFN1Bqoz0XA57kSyFGRfEMxK0V1I1phaccfdB3n0vMTWRy6gvvbGjlmjtKQB3i_G0iQRLuqNtyrH8VzOhNyt29lAEBiNE6C24m25KeI4BGxTM6K/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface to enhance the grout adhesion.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ql2F3BpBZ6ZM3eM5gaAk9z5Fwa1yE7Jf228BHE9RtFA8OeH8pox2OM32VdjRfoT52xsJgm3Lg08gEc3hHNB86EvhDXIQTv7JEFV_FKcdQK7OjvZep1QqSRS9ZKxo0ccpVvqBCDfsdcsD/s1600/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ql2F3BpBZ6ZM3eM5gaAk9z5Fwa1yE7Jf228BHE9RtFA8OeH8pox2OM32VdjRfoT52xsJgm3Lg08gEc3hHNB86EvhDXIQTv7JEFV_FKcdQK7OjvZep1QqSRS9ZKxo0ccpVvqBCDfsdcsD/s640/Slovak+Mortar+Platoon07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stages of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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...and there we have it. Once more we reach the end of another post about guys in green with tubes, bombs... and BAYONETS!!!!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-1390305796701256282019-12-09T15:33:00.000+00:002019-12-09T15:33:34.806+00:00FoW: Slovak Armour (LT vz.35 tanks)<div style="text-align: justify;">
Finally we have reached that part of our Slovakian odyssey that was such a draw for me in the first place; the funky armour with its funky colours! The Skoda CKD LT vz.35 light tank.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-Dv2B2wt2HELnZcjYB5pwJgtdFJbmGmQVWsEuWhTXRXAtrPBFuFLuQL5ghQYGX7LRHplTW0c3vVZhxZV9V7OnLOgMZsONOO58xALVfDHnAzuDsJHPixJlAgkrkC376P0oUKbGr4BHhiK/s1600/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-Dv2B2wt2HELnZcjYB5pwJgtdFJbmGmQVWsEuWhTXRXAtrPBFuFLuQL5ghQYGX7LRHplTW0c3vVZhxZV9V7OnLOgMZsONOO58xALVfDHnAzuDsJHPixJlAgkrkC376P0oUKbGr4BHhiK/s640/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now there are those out there that will claim that this tank was no less than the best tank in the world when it rolled off of the production lines, and whilst I may categorically disagree with this claim it is a matter of historical record that this tank was good enough early in the war to comprise almost the entire armour park of the Slovakian army, took centre stage in the Romanian and Bulgarian armoured services, provided the base model for the Hungarian Turan II and III and formed almost 10% of the total German tank strength being seen as a good proxy for the Panzer III until such times as German manufacturing could meet the Heers needs.</div>
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A total of 434 of these tanks were built by Skoda by the time the Reich had occupied Czechoslovakia and production ceased. The Germans immediately appropriated 244 of them in March 1939. </div>
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When Slovakia were pushed into declaring their independence they were able to retain the 52 LT vz.35's that were a part of the incomplete 3rd Fast Division.</div>
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It was constructed with a framework of steel 'angle iron' beams onto which armoured plates were riveted. A 4mm firewall separated the engine block from the crew compartment and the engine block also allowed access via a number of mesh coverings which also served to assist in keeping the engine cool. The engine also assisted the general cooling of the vehicle by drawing air through the commanders cupola.</div>
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This was an advantageous feature insofar as dispersing gunfire combustion fumes but also proved to be problematic in that the draft generated by the engine would only serve to exacerbate the freezing weather conditions and there was an increased risk of engine fires reaching the crew compartment. The noise of the engine and the heat that it gave off also appreciably affected the crews fatigue levels.</div>
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The driver sat on the right hand side of the crew compartment using a 15.4 in by 3.5 in vision port protected by 2.0 in of bulletproof glass. </div>
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Communication with the driver was via a three coloured light system. The radio operator sat to the left of the driver using a vision port with a 5.9 in by 3.0 in slit using the same protection as the drivers. The radios were mounted on the left hand wall of the crew compartment whilst the hull machine gun was mounted in a ball mount with 30 deg traverse, 25 deg elevation and 10 deg depression. Most of the barrel protruded from the ball mount although the ball and body were protected by an armoured trough. The ball mount had an integrated spotting scope although if a hull plug was removed it could be fired over open sites as well. If it became necessary the driver himself could lock the machine gun in position and fire it himself by using a 'Bowden Cable'. </div>
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One weak spot however was the drivers access hatch which stood proud of the hull and could be damaged by incoming fire.<br />
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The turret ring had a relatively tight diameter of only 49.9 inches. The turret itself had a flat frontal face in the centre of which was mounted the 37mm main armament to the right of which was another 7.92mm machine gun in another ball mount.</div>
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The commander had four episcopes in his cupola and a monocular mirror with a periscope which the commander could extend once he had removed its armoured cover in the vehicles hatch, to give vision whilst 'buttoned up'.</div>
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The tanks 8.62 litre Skoda T-11/0 four cylinder, water cooled engine produced 120 horsepower at 1,800 rpm. Two fuel tanks were fitted, the main tank with a capacity of 124 litres on the left hand side of the engine and the auxiliary tank, carrying a further 29 litres on the other side. The engine was capable of running on gasoline, an alcohol-gasoline mixture and 'Dynalkohol'; an alcohol benzine mixture.</div>
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The engine was mounted in the rear alongside the six speed transmission which drove the rear mounted drive sprockets. The tanks suspension originated with the Vickers 6-Ton tank, eight small pairs of road wheels on four bogie assemblies per side with each pair of bogies sprung with a single leaf spring, a front idler wheel and four track return wheels. An unsprung road wheel was located directly underneath the idler wheel to improve obstacle crossing.</div>
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The transmission, brakes and steering were all mechanically assisted using compressed air, reducing driver fatigue. This feature proved problematic in the extreme environmental conditions of the Eastern Front.</div>
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The main armament was a Skoda UV vz.34 gun with a pepperpot muzzle brake and a prominent armoured recoil cylinder above the barrel designated A3 by Skoda. It fired a 0.815 kg armour piercing shell at 690 m/s. At a 30 deg inclination the AP round could penetrate 37mm at 100m, 31mm at 500m, 26mm at 1000m and 22mm at 1500m. Kliment and Francev recorded a penetrative ability of 45mm of vertical plate at 500mm.</div>
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The machine guns ball mount could be either coupled to the main gun or operated independently. Both weapons could elevate 25 deg and depress by 10 deg. Initially the tanks were supplied with the Zbrojovka Brno ZB vz.35 machine guns although in 1938 they were all exchanged for the more modern ZB vz.37's (commonly known in British armoured circles as the Besa HMG).</div>
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The tank was equipped with 78 rounds of ammunition (24 AP and 54 HE) along with 2700 rounds of HMG ammunition.</div>
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The gun mantle had an armour thickness of 25mm which was concurrent with the thickness of all other frontal armour across the vehicle. The sides and rear areas were almost all 16mm thick although the Hull rear had 19mm of armour and the turret side had only 15mm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b-7JTjOUY_1RXyf2CR-ONcD6ZAkasyhPdFitoNolErkq8AUKaSWnZirnCpxbigA2eYRi3YDppdk2ZvC526VvhhReiLxVSqbgbRgRmwSjHbBC9liSoaxdt-o4kT8is7ImRrvIFZ4-5Ny_/s1600/k__pia_____podkarpatsk__-rus-1938-008.210414_150751_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="555" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9b-7JTjOUY_1RXyf2CR-ONcD6ZAkasyhPdFitoNolErkq8AUKaSWnZirnCpxbigA2eYRi3YDppdk2ZvC526VvhhReiLxVSqbgbRgRmwSjHbBC9liSoaxdt-o4kT8is7ImRrvIFZ4-5Ny_/s640/k__pia_____podkarpatsk__-rus-1938-008.210414_150751_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the Germans forced the Slovaks to declare their independence the nascent, and vastly understrength 3rd Fast Division was stationed within Slovakian borders although its strength was much depleted due to the exodus of the Czechs serving in the 3rd and its assets were garrisoned around Slovakia and not concentrated at any one point.</div>
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The Division had started to receive its new LT vz.35's as early as September 1937 just after establishment and by March 1939 had received 52 of them although when Germany annexed the Czech rump nine of the tanks were in Pilsen for repairs. The Germans immediately confiscated these and transferred them to Paderborn to become a part of Panzer Regiment 11. However, very soon after the loss of these nine vehicles a further nine were secured by transfer from the 2nd Armoured Regiment.</div>
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These nine vehicles had fought against the Hungarians in Transcarpathian Ruthenia and after the latter was occupied these vehicles had retreated into Slovakia where the authorities confiscated them and subsequently handed them to the 3rd Armoured Regiment as replacements.</div>
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Following the return home of the Czech manpower from the 3rd Fast Division, the Slovaks were left with all of the equipment but hardly any qualified staff to man and repair it. The senior remaining officer was Staff Captain Cani who was instructed by the Defence Ministry to reform what was left into an armoured battalion. On 28 April 1939 he submitted his organisational proposal to the ministry for the battalion which was to include two tank companies of LT vz.35's. Due to the manpower shortages however he was forced to request a further 288 men who had some mechanical experience.</div>
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The Ministry gave the green light! Army headquarters instructed Infantry Regiments 1-5 to provide the requisite manpower that Cani needed.</div>
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By 6 July 1939 Cani had received most of his personnel draft but was forced to complain bitterly that only 28% of the provided manpower had any mechanical experience at all. Some units had even attempted to pass him illiterate soldiers, and even gypsies which he unceremoniously refused.</div>
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The battalion was renamed 'Martin', after the home base it was stationed in and started to repair, reorganise and train its staff and equipment. With regards to the repair and maintenance of the tanks Cani was forced to request that Skoda assigned some qualified mechanics to help the new mechanical staff to master the complicated systems of the LT vz.35's.</div>
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Skoda dispatched four mechanics who had the entire vehicle park up and running in no time!</div>
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In the autumn of 1939 after the limited exposure during the Polish campaign, the battalion was reorganised again, this time having its armoured complement expanded from two to three companies of LT vz.35's with the third company serving as a 'reserves' company. Additional reinforcements meant that the battalion now, once again, became an armoured regiment.</div>
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At this time however there were some organisational complications as the battalions had been farmed out in support of the infantry divisions whilst the armoured cars had been attached to the cavalry. This situation ended in May 1940 when all mechanical assets were once again collected together under the regimental umbrella.</div>
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At this time the low level organisational structure of the regiment was changed from the old Czech structure to fall in line with German tactical doctrine with the numbers of platoons in a company changing from three to five, although the strength within the platoons went down from five tanks to three. The overall strength therefore did not change but the tactical flexibility did. The strength of the company remained the same at 16 tanks. Five platoons of three and one command vehicle.</div>
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This changed in 1941 to 19 vehicles with the addition of a commanders group of three tanks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajj89pRsCZ7MRGjW2qutINZiroIlXzt8eXZHQKiIR2kqyeWJDgNBCDDWy0RG0nkUUtjVbUh9EUCyI9g3Qdk6OB0LV_7Ah8MuC7BXFcPYVPm6FSd9JiFqljQfKlNLsrAxIoreqBEnORjdE/s1600/lt-vz-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="800" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajj89pRsCZ7MRGjW2qutINZiroIlXzt8eXZHQKiIR2kqyeWJDgNBCDDWy0RG0nkUUtjVbUh9EUCyI9g3Qdk6OB0LV_7Ah8MuC7BXFcPYVPm6FSd9JiFqljQfKlNLsrAxIoreqBEnORjdE/s640/lt-vz-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As early as September 1939 the Defence Ministry inquired of Skoda about the purchase of a further ten tanks but Germany sat on the permission until April 1940 by which time production of the LT vz.35's had ceased and the Ministry had to look elsewhere.</div>
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Through 1940 the regiment was training under peacetime conditions and the tank drivers were first taught in tankettes, then progressing to the obsolete LT vz.34's before finally graduating to the LT vz.35's. The regimental testing track was in nearby Bukovina, live firing was carried out on the ranges at Oremov Laz. The regiment was also providing details for parades in areas such as Bratislava, Michalovce, Banska Bystrica and Martin.</div>
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On one occasion they even had to provide a detail of four LT vz.35's to assist in suppressing a miners strike in Handlova in late 1940. Thankfully this was quelled peacefully before the armoured assets even arrived on site.</div>
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From January 1941 there was another new organisation with all three armoured companies being collected into their own battalion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNNrXl3x1BPA2e3Ih4fQlW4EznCmJ1CzYxHy4xCczTdbqGXDceh3RRBNrLEtnepoBIRAnlmtw-ISg1MG6gA_mmmGaIHHmPnIVJSgGEKQy8uDKgf50a_qKS9U28bprM4w3VouNODgdoJp7/s1600/tumblr_mx4tinbhYT1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1132" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNNrXl3x1BPA2e3Ih4fQlW4EznCmJ1CzYxHy4xCczTdbqGXDceh3RRBNrLEtnepoBIRAnlmtw-ISg1MG6gA_mmmGaIHHmPnIVJSgGEKQy8uDKgf50a_qKS9U28bprM4w3VouNODgdoJp7/s640/tumblr_mx4tinbhYT1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When Germany invaded the Soviet Union the Slovaks sent a combined group of 47 tanks over the border as a part of Brigade Pilfousek a.k.a The Mobile Brigade. Of these 47 tanks 30 were LT vz.35's. At this time the tanks really proved their worth and despite the mountain of technical obstacles that needed to be overcome it seems that by July 1941 these issues had all been resolved and the tanks were running true.</div>
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Within the ranks of the Slovak field army at this time however were many officers with very strong anti fascist sympathies who from the beginning had strong connections back home with the nationalist underground. They were strongly of the opinion that the tanks would be better served at home in preparation for an uprising against the regime rather than being frittered away on the Eastern Front serving Nazi Germany. For these reasons members of the 1st Tank Company were able to sabotage the engines of three of their tanks and have them shipped home.</div>
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In the meantime the Mobile Group was steaming ahead, having lost a single LT vz.35 which plunged off of a bridge at Wojtovka. The crew did manage to survive however. A further ten LT vz.35's had to be left behind due to mechanical failures or sabotage. All of these ended up being shipped back to Slovakia for extensive repairs.</div>
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The Mobile Brigade was reorganised on 8 July 1941 with its tank battalion now being named 'Diamant' and containing twenty LT vz.35's out of a total of thirty six tanks. A further seven LT vz.35's were assigned to Diamant from the Field Army's former Tank Company 11 for a total of forty three tanks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGP-VeE0O8ebKQph_XJCEkghD2F8mPBBdCm2qoQt5zoVMrA9t5qDf_EA6rnhmSoeu_fs0wlejqsK-sIuPLHWcMg3PyQwO1CNdsDKHBkjl8iK3ZZ9xDRILh9JshCRyzSs4WeSBSzw_NL5A/s1600/tumblr_nc77lyVHqi1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="689" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWGP-VeE0O8ebKQph_XJCEkghD2F8mPBBdCm2qoQt5zoVMrA9t5qDf_EA6rnhmSoeu_fs0wlejqsK-sIuPLHWcMg3PyQwO1CNdsDKHBkjl8iK3ZZ9xDRILh9JshCRyzSs4WeSBSzw_NL5A/s640/tumblr_nc77lyVHqi1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the battle for Lipovec, the Mobile Brigades first real contact with the enemy they lost their first LT vz.35 to a mine, abandoning it to the Red Army who destroyed it during their night retreat. Another LT vz.35 got bogged down and had to be abandoned by its crew. This was also destroyed by the Soviets during the night and they lost a third LT vz.35 during their retrograde movement from Lipovec.</div>
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The fighting within Lipovec proper was a stiff fought affair however and a further five LT vz.35's suffered heavy damage in the close quarter fighting.</div>
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The tank repair shop under Lieutenant Herha was a part of the conspiracy to preserve the nations armoured vehicles. Though perfectly capable of repairing the vehicles in the field, Lieutenant Herha, in collusion with the regiments commander Major Dobrotka, managed to persuade the Mobile Brigades headquarters, and even a German commission that all of the vehicles had to be returned to Slovakia to have repairs conducted there.</div>
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After the return of the vehicles to Turciansky sv.Martin the Armoured Regiment started to conduct its repairs which due to the reasons already mentioned progressed exceptionally slowly...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAue957UlA8eBKexxzRBkAYDrT29_j-WPkygn35w0kjrXY8N8r2RFg9HvGeEYFoU2zqX2IQh9O2yAa_55agD1TY0bfehsj0Vn1YRnagZVnUcpk2Xgo92JysjQ0z2Hjrjc0jsNqzzWXqTB/s1600/tumblr_nl672zQRrN1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="664" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAue957UlA8eBKexxzRBkAYDrT29_j-WPkygn35w0kjrXY8N8r2RFg9HvGeEYFoU2zqX2IQh9O2yAa_55agD1TY0bfehsj0Vn1YRnagZVnUcpk2Xgo92JysjQ0z2Hjrjc0jsNqzzWXqTB/s640/tumblr_nl672zQRrN1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
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On 23 July 1941 General Catlos decided to reorganise all Slovak field forces into a Mobile Division and a Security Division. The Security Division never had any LT vz.35's assigned to it and by the time of the establishment of the Mobile Division all of the armoured assets had been shipped back to Slovakia.</div>
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By January 1942 the regiment still had a great many of its armoured vehicles out of commission. Out of forty nine LT vz.35's only seven were serviceable and capable of being in the field. Obviously the accuracy of the term 'out of commission' where these vehicles were concerned was extremely liberal with the majority within the abilities of the mechanical engineering teams to repair in the field, let alone at a home servicing depot.</div>
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By the time of the Soviet offensive of January 1943 the Mobile Division still had no LT vz.35's assigned to it only having been assigned two platoons of LT vz.38's and LT vz.40's. Only one of these vehicles survived the retreat to the Crimea and eventually found its way back to Slovakia.</div>
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The Slovakian LT vz.35's did see some limited action within the National Uprising but apart from that their story has pretty much run its course so lets now turn our attention to how we go about painting these little beauties.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QRVfnBaJW-Ky5jeLoL7Kf-Eq0FdRoOSwUQUB6RrpOZ5vfFJcR9wlTC2zc_r7IxTYIF_D-Eah5YIHbuZjzyzMQPrQ8dBoEqmafYp82O46-Cx8gf79B1e9jjX7Bal4MDEoegJ70fqPmZXV/s1600/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1600" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QRVfnBaJW-Ky5jeLoL7Kf-Eq0FdRoOSwUQUB6RrpOZ5vfFJcR9wlTC2zc_r7IxTYIF_D-Eah5YIHbuZjzyzMQPrQ8dBoEqmafYp82O46-Cx8gf79B1e9jjX7Bal4MDEoegJ70fqPmZXV/s640/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that I do on any of my vehicles is always the green base colour.</div>
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The main paint scheme for these tanks is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAYMxFFnHDt-skS1J8TMA5m-0yLH_pHJnZj8f55VmN6p6vYxuhsxEV4Gx-Va34sD3PIIJA9BtxzeCd1-sar3CPKv2u_YEP9Qtyd5-RQk1Hho8kpg-DQ-DBlaOWnTWAgoOAsIor24Vc_F6/s1600/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1327" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAYMxFFnHDt-skS1J8TMA5m-0yLH_pHJnZj8f55VmN6p6vYxuhsxEV4Gx-Va34sD3PIIJA9BtxzeCd1-sar3CPKv2u_YEP9Qtyd5-RQk1Hho8kpg-DQ-DBlaOWnTWAgoOAsIor24Vc_F6/s640/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the vehicle that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours in an intentionally smoothed edge blotted pattern.</div>
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vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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xiii) The last thing to do with paint (if you want to; I chose to omit this step with these tanks as I like the camo scheme too much to just cover it all up with mud!) is to lightly airbrush a layer of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown across the wheels and the lower third of the vehicle. This layer has a highlight of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre mixed in whatever ratio you want with the German Camo Medium Brown already in the airbrush and is then applied in splotches to provide some variance in the muddy weathering.</div>
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xiv) A final varnishing is applied to the vehicle which are then finally fixed to their bases.</div>
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xv) ...and so we come to the very last thing that I needed to do for these Slovak additions... the decals.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc9FQFW4oadvnBc0N3-am9Bgt7f0tin4GHnJnDJAuEju0Yo_Y8M5mCs6FAqR05tZmirPNgWAz4Sw9_UpnIrlSWk1cQ6eExAghJfjKylVaHEwjOOWUdvsv2Ywp1ArHM8lkuI_TgnODzkdr/s1600/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1499" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc9FQFW4oadvnBc0N3-am9Bgt7f0tin4GHnJnDJAuEju0Yo_Y8M5mCs6FAqR05tZmirPNgWAz4Sw9_UpnIrlSWk1cQ6eExAghJfjKylVaHEwjOOWUdvsv2Ywp1ArHM8lkuI_TgnODzkdr/s640/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, I am capable of making my own decals BUT the experience that I have had so far has led to decals that are uncomfortably thick and ones that cannot include white unless as an overall substrate to the total image and so one of my Polish friends suggested I approach a gentleman in Poland that both he and his father had used to produce specialist decals.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I thus contracted one Bogdan Zolnierowicz through Facebook to produce for me a decal sheet with enough Slovak aircraft and tank markings to polish off everything that I thought I would need. Along with a couple of sheets of numbers and letters I had enough to produce the exact representation that I wanted and Bogdan's decals were exactly what the doctor ordered.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkpjE5VCBMitM0mgYEgYe6yMERtRN8-HHEN_Go5gOkgySwzwofWV3_LJLaNykCErfNrcFuk8PWXTHgcry6ecVS2PXEN-CIXqNE-Cyx2zBO0AXKOIovyZQJBLNCTX5Ew3e0mkIxfUslr_v/s1600/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkpjE5VCBMitM0mgYEgYe6yMERtRN8-HHEN_Go5gOkgySwzwofWV3_LJLaNykCErfNrcFuk8PWXTHgcry6ecVS2PXEN-CIXqNE-Cyx2zBO0AXKOIovyZQJBLNCTX5Ew3e0mkIxfUslr_v/s640/Finished+LT+vz.35+Tanks02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Incidentally if you want to approach Bogdan for help with decals he says you are all welcome to do so. He may not respond quickly but he will eventually and he is the only one on Facebook with the name.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span>He knocked out a sheet with a stack of tiny Slovak crosses for me which duly made it to the turrets of these armoured vehicles.</div>
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So there we have it ladies and gents. Another mini project finished and one (read twelve) more items to place onto the table alongside the rest of my Slovak Mobile forces</div>
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Onwards and Upwards!</div>
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Fix bayonets!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-61196781318802427662019-12-08T19:42:00.001+00:002019-12-08T19:42:06.944+00:00FoW: Slovak Artillery - Skoda 10.5cm vz.35 battery<div style="text-align: justify;">
Today I would like to introduce you to what was the most cutting edge piece of artillery in the Slovakian arsenal at the start of the war. Designed purely for motor traction, and used almost exclusively by the elite mobile groups at the start of the conflict, this gun really stood the test of time... if only they had more of them eh?!?!?!?</div>
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Ladies and Gents; I give you the Skoda 10.5cm vz.35 Light Howitzer!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYs2gaOWY_zKoM9V0t7CFxhgVSF9fMdGTTgYiKxrDUj-noMxNZROQwNSIXlJ45hb3FcT6CT7CNNgOs_w2LINBVBX_bopyMpSFCfGtGFWKty56Y95eGQbajyqynCLncag-f8usIa7wZTKI/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYs2gaOWY_zKoM9V0t7CFxhgVSF9fMdGTTgYiKxrDUj-noMxNZROQwNSIXlJ45hb3FcT6CT7CNNgOs_w2LINBVBX_bopyMpSFCfGtGFWKty56Y95eGQbajyqynCLncag-f8usIa7wZTKI/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The most modern of Slovakia's artillery pieces that they were able to field was the Skoda 10.5cm vz.35 heavy artillery piece... and as can be expected it was a piece that was inherited from the Czechoslovakian artillery park.</div>
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At the time of its creation this remarkable cannon was undoubtedly one of, if not THE best cannons in its weight category anywhere across the globe. The birth of this formidable weapon was, however, plagued with problems and it took almost ten years from the release of the requirement specifications from the Czechoslovakian Defence Ministry, to be realised.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg0QaOD2jlYfMpe1DUB5Kmq5ThjHbE3TH1OP0Fl6-brmHeXUuOnq7bdzpyztTGRI9JOheq16GDT1WeqEfkoPHPdPj7rmUNd5OnA1kowqVJKD31dO8GrdbmHm-lKJoQCpJ8ZI8UxFKgLlZ/s1600/36139bfc83d12a6e5a6df238358de098e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="787" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLg0QaOD2jlYfMpe1DUB5Kmq5ThjHbE3TH1OP0Fl6-brmHeXUuOnq7bdzpyztTGRI9JOheq16GDT1WeqEfkoPHPdPj7rmUNd5OnA1kowqVJKD31dO8GrdbmHm-lKJoQCpJ8ZI8UxFKgLlZ/s640/36139bfc83d12a6e5a6df238358de098e.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cannon had no competition at all when entered into the Czech equipment lists and was advanced enough before the way to influence the construction of medium artillery pieces well into the post war period. The cannon was officially entered into the Czechoslovakian equipment rolls as the 10.5cm hruby kanon vzor 1935 in December 1935.</div>
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This gun was designed solely for motor traction which was still unusual for the day and included a whole raft of advanced features.</div>
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The gun weighed in at just over 4 tonnes, had a muzzel velocity of 730m/sec, fired HE, Cannister and AT and was designed to be able to fire at the enemy over open sites as a part of its perceived anti tank role on the battlefield.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPnDvHcVwaLZVW6MZmMqaGtmqitnCEFyM_DpBDS53vPQ9pUB8GGRo9au6zRYPq326fcpl-7waOt8lbPLEFF4WaKmWtQMvhB6zNZp_9suv02hpLmGT421MzKTSa2feOmN0u4sMYCHffIYk/s1600/HKB+s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPnDvHcVwaLZVW6MZmMqaGtmqitnCEFyM_DpBDS53vPQ9pUB8GGRo9au6zRYPq326fcpl-7waOt8lbPLEFF4WaKmWtQMvhB6zNZp_9suv02hpLmGT421MzKTSa2feOmN0u4sMYCHffIYk/s640/HKB+s-l1600.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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In 1937 Skoda delivered the first 36 completed to the army, and production continued unabated. </div>
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In March 1939 the Wehrmacht took over the Czechoslovakian Armaments Technical Office in Pilsen appropriating 66 of the existing 107 pieces from the Czech army. Of the remaining weapons, 36 from this extant park remained in Slovakia and was introduced into the nascent Slovakian artillery regiments, whilst the Germans took a further delivery of another 36 pieces.</div>
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The Germans ended up with more than a hundred pieces of this weapon, serving primarily through the Battle of France and during the invasion of the Soviet Union, throughout the combat on the Eastern Front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrtVZWFlOEWVwMUxqKL3gwg-l877RtGCsBgq-y1EkMT3dCvSsIyEXRozm5qMuxgVeam3FeC6VEvRd3sLYBskl72ppQ-JMdf0nzrjeSvZ2q04PwWhdWdCwcKb64_hxIVIW7CiD5myi5lIT/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252801%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrtVZWFlOEWVwMUxqKL3gwg-l877RtGCsBgq-y1EkMT3dCvSsIyEXRozm5qMuxgVeam3FeC6VEvRd3sLYBskl72ppQ-JMdf0nzrjeSvZ2q04PwWhdWdCwcKb64_hxIVIW7CiD5myi5lIT/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252801%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the Slovaks first reorganised their artillery regiments in the Summer of 1939 the 10.5cm vz.35's were all allocated to Artillery Regiment 51 with its first battalion receiving four batteries of four guns each and the reserve battalion receiving a single battery of a further four guns.</div>
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The artillery reorganisations were complete by late 1940 with all of the 10.5cm vz.35's being allocated to Artillery Regiment 11, as the armys only completely motorised artillery regiment, with a wartime strength of 27 of the 10.5cm vz.35's, This strength obviously fluctuated and in March 1942 Artillery Regiment 11 had only one battery of three of these guns on its rolls although by March 1943 this number had climbed although still there were only 16 on the rolls, although the German 10.5cm leFH.18 had started to arrive.</div>
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When the Slovak Mobile Group crossed the Soviet border on 8 July 1941 it took with it only the first battalion of Artillery Regiment 11 augmented by a single battery of four of these guns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oOXfnoLP2M51I89wMJCgVhdDoAPwakXrYu_fQ0lxCmPOeiAyA5LOtwsGMM43i9zobw5S4tsd4YBaZWxzZSeZ9Kj22WVSGBmqrFW4B-WT9vQMhcCZZDzX9ZXnRuqFSnDdDdIh3wtGuTY9/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252802%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="800" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oOXfnoLP2M51I89wMJCgVhdDoAPwakXrYu_fQ0lxCmPOeiAyA5LOtwsGMM43i9zobw5S4tsd4YBaZWxzZSeZ9Kj22WVSGBmqrFW4B-WT9vQMhcCZZDzX9ZXnRuqFSnDdDdIh3wtGuTY9/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252802%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 12 July 1941 the first battalion was bumped up to the entirety of AR11 with its constituent three batteries of 10.5cm vz.35, a total of twelve guns.</div>
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At the beginning of August 1941 AR11 was reduced to one light battalion and one combined battalion only with a single battery of these guns, the rest being pulled back to Slovakia and into reserve.</div>
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The Mobile Division was formed at the end of August 1940 and once again AR11 took the field in full strength as it had been in the Mobile Brigade in the previous month.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUleafwFRDODIEnXiri3GOsuJNA7WgmvQJDve8ohdFZvUJ2UKoEZ7yhEcLk_lICc8G0gzDNHsoUOEALutd97Q76M2ShIXzonB1e0u6Qr36WawM0KL2TviK-XDG1I-ixGnpWi1h2wTSWkp/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252806%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="1260" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUleafwFRDODIEnXiri3GOsuJNA7WgmvQJDve8ohdFZvUJ2UKoEZ7yhEcLk_lICc8G0gzDNHsoUOEALutd97Q76M2ShIXzonB1e0u6Qr36WawM0KL2TviK-XDG1I-ixGnpWi1h2wTSWkp/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252806%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Owing to the problems that the Slovak Fast Division was experiencing the artillery was again reorganised in June 1942 as a result of the decision to rearm with German artillery pieces taken in March. Of the 24 pieces which arrived, all but four were sent straight to the front where they supplanted all but one battery in the first battalion left with the 10.5cm vz.35's.</div>
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In the chaotic withdrawal from the Kerch into the Crimea in February 1943 the Fast Division lost almost all of its artillery but significantly did not lose a single 10.5cm vz.35, instead handing over the remaining five pieces to allied German and Romanian troops instead. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsBP_YR36V5vK0UbpzJsPGHvLUZY9io8qTEs7ibGSoeTmXg75u3_nE2SyDkPT3IqOl9R1tE9y6FAGs3qaBgAhERvQxgVEaczSKnwdjEUJr49Ik8ByJcNIMjtycvqM8tCyFwiMbUP1YA2O/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252807%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="800" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsBP_YR36V5vK0UbpzJsPGHvLUZY9io8qTEs7ibGSoeTmXg75u3_nE2SyDkPT3IqOl9R1tE9y6FAGs3qaBgAhERvQxgVEaczSKnwdjEUJr49Ik8ByJcNIMjtycvqM8tCyFwiMbUP1YA2O/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252807%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Following the loss of all of the Security Divisions artillery pieces during the Soviet counterattack around Kharkov in 1942, the Slovak government made an attempt at re-equipping it and a small complement of two 10.5cm vz.35's found their way into the complement. By October 1943 however the Security Division had collapsing morale and had been reassigned as a Construction Division in Italy. </div>
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When the Fast Division was rebuilt in the Crimea in April 1943 more artillery was again assigned to them with a total of only three batteries, the first being a half battery of two 10.5cm vz.35's only.</div>
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The personnel of Artillery Regiment 31 were eventually amalgamated with those of Artillery Regiment 11 with 1st battalion's 3rd battery only remaining equipped with the 10.5cm vz.35.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsunrVpgnye22l58CD6m7ReyKRgmr__YaqvEoBwiMx53qpgZpm_vJRsfYkZOs6GvLM8aIoaAy6XWhft8qRkWuEZvqu5aRsdapowGb48ArhyphenhyphenFwOZO8jPfWjdNyARotGtgLk-hGcRes2EKA/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252808%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="800" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsunrVpgnye22l58CD6m7ReyKRgmr__YaqvEoBwiMx53qpgZpm_vJRsfYkZOs6GvLM8aIoaAy6XWhft8qRkWuEZvqu5aRsdapowGb48ArhyphenhyphenFwOZO8jPfWjdNyARotGtgLk-hGcRes2EKA/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252808%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Following further retreats across the sandy terrain in October 1943 the artillery regiment lost all but two of its German guns in the soft sands to Soviet armoured attacks. No further examples of the 10.5cm vz.35's were allocated to the Slovak field army and their Slovakian front line adventure comes to an end here.</div>
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However the story of this weapon did not terminate here. The Slovaks were able to rebuild their forces following the 1943 disasters and a further 28 10.5cm vz.35's were allocated to the newly rebuilt AR11 with a further three being assigned to the Army Headquarters although none of these allocations made it to the front before the Uprising began.<br />
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During the Slovak uprising in 1944 the Slovak insurgents were known to have fielded a couple of batteries of this weapon around their defensive line Grun-Kosariska-Janosikovo-Panosina although all would have been lost to the Germans in their retreats and eventual collapse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdjd8dOkoRa2Gsgbv3OOG7M1orsGG1pA11uIgn2-IJaF6bTYFtaqp0RV7GWZmaPScuHgmObAlgWN1d1A7Dk-dG7nOaKOh2NXqegpe_1Xpcza5G3HVzJwWl94C0EHFKBZzDPU_lMq0j9_V/s1600/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252814%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="829" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdjd8dOkoRa2Gsgbv3OOG7M1orsGG1pA11uIgn2-IJaF6bTYFtaqp0RV7GWZmaPScuHgmObAlgWN1d1A7Dk-dG7nOaKOh2NXqegpe_1Xpcza5G3HVzJwWl94C0EHFKBZzDPU_lMq0j9_V/s640/Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In other areas of use their could have been an extensive export market for this weapon but for the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia. In 1935 Yugoslavia and Lithuania had placed orders for 24 cannon. 20 had been produced before the Nazi's confiscated the order in 1940. Interest was also shown by the Dutch and the Soviet Union although both trade negotiations failed due to the outbreak of hostilities.</div>
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As a final hurrah, after the war ended and the Czechoslovakian state was reformed a number of these guns found their way back into service and continuing to serve well into the Fifties.<br />
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So there we have it. A short potted history of one of the best guns in Axis service throughout the Second World War... now lets see how we can put a battery of these together ourselves... as nobody makes them...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXlHqm7SOJwFEDPLZEcS6XPMhwjsmdJWB20jcvRVOWL5Wbe7QvatASa6MGbMUZuwMJYukDk46scHW3qMwiil0lScY3in_zhAtwoZBWOKGBK0rplOTgabH4oqeWggIdR-UWva792bynomU/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXlHqm7SOJwFEDPLZEcS6XPMhwjsmdJWB20jcvRVOWL5Wbe7QvatASa6MGbMUZuwMJYukDk46scHW3qMwiil0lScY3in_zhAtwoZBWOKGBK0rplOTgabH4oqeWggIdR-UWva792bynomU/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So these particular miniatures use Battlefronts, currently out of production, RO585 Romanian Schneider 105mm M36 guns. Two blisters of two guns for a complete battery.<br />
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The first step is the take the gun shields and completely file away any detail. The bottom end of the shield fork that sits over the barrel need to be rolled over a 10mm diameter pen to a 45 degree angle.<br />
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Once this is done an observation flap is constructed for the top right of the shield. This consists of a square of very thin plastic card measuring 3mm x 3mm. This has two 1mm lengths of plastic rod glued alongside the top and bottom of the right edge of the flap to replicate the hinges on the front face of the shield.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsVoe2qgGJcLQtuiUdKTxM4fYA0EsfU8u1jjTCuwQiQnCptmJf1u3bT9-FYy7q8GuntTwqQyxS7WQIp5erU7KwZaJw4sJHymZpj7x0WVKJ9oHDDJKizOt7L0aXO5AgpiMi8qUhPGeAMI7/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsVoe2qgGJcLQtuiUdKTxM4fYA0EsfU8u1jjTCuwQiQnCptmJf1u3bT9-FYy7q8GuntTwqQyxS7WQIp5erU7KwZaJw4sJHymZpj7x0WVKJ9oHDDJKizOt7L0aXO5AgpiMi8qUhPGeAMI7/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also filed away a lot of the detail on each leg of the split trail as well as well as filing off the muzzle brake as the Skoda weapon had a smooth barrel with no muzzle brake apparent.<br />
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DO NOT GLUE THE WHEELS ON YET! This gun had some pretty advanced suspension technology applied to its construction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwrSjV7a8eeFuzBnBECECLbU4qUgWXchKDMCLHvfYwS_97vpAwurDu6P6vYlUONUieQPXcJWuP53F-Y5Hhecjsg9SX35xsCnPqMhRa7cH6SqrR97hfYeO2RSjKVvbFFz-gPd27AHRQeL9/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwrSjV7a8eeFuzBnBECECLbU4qUgWXchKDMCLHvfYwS_97vpAwurDu6P6vYlUONUieQPXcJWuP53F-Y5Hhecjsg9SX35xsCnPqMhRa7cH6SqrR97hfYeO2RSjKVvbFFz-gPd27AHRQeL9/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately I did not photograph the process that I went through when I constructed the suspension and chassis frame for this gun so I'll just try to talk you through it.<br />
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So in between each wheel and the chassis proper is the addition of a new spring suspension mechanism. I manufactured this around a 1mm diameter brass rod 13mm in length. This rod is bracketed above and below by a concave arc of plastic 1.5mm thick with each end of the arc having flat 'feet'. If you imagine the profile of a thick shallow clay bowl with Really thick walls this could be a good approximation. These sections each need to be 15mm long. The rod fits in the middle of these two which are put together feet to feet with the arc of each length creating an oval central hole with squared off ends (in which the rod sits).<br />
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These are left to dry for a while and are then glued horizontally between chassis and wheel.<br />
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Once set in place they each have a small brass hook created out of thin brass rod and glued into the frontal edge to create the tow hooks.<br />
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Along the front edge of the chassis are now two parallel lengths of white metal. A thin plastic disc with a 3mm diameter is glued centrally bridging both lengths whilst two smaller discs the width of each horizontal length (1mm) are then glued one on either side of the central disc half way along each lower length of white metal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTxsKYc8Pr_mRp3e4gWCPfd-tq2kMxuMPrrS3S_ZmfpzC0g2QGWSuqx49UJGoFj0Pdx0RYeS778T5Bojma8-zqxO1qUsBVtr23EZ9v8crwHrzjvmF18gXZ05uvnwKzDu3dVqlrAAo92_b/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTxsKYc8Pr_mRp3e4gWCPfd-tq2kMxuMPrrS3S_ZmfpzC0g2QGWSuqx49UJGoFj0Pdx0RYeS778T5Bojma8-zqxO1qUsBVtr23EZ9v8crwHrzjvmF18gXZ05uvnwKzDu3dVqlrAAo92_b/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and there you have it! Your very own Skoda 10.5cm vz.35 artillery piece. The most advanced artillery piece in the Slovak arsenal...<br />
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Now go make three more!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdyZcAEupT6RhhMRzz500pL6aRxm3EXB6usa0-qJUb0exEWCrFtTrqb59o1R9NsDtDopMgmOjYQMF-gMgEVS8-n_NhHYhygNtzYUB29xoROEpYo84xmZb3ys8SWtf_C6GdNC5xbAcC8X_/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdyZcAEupT6RhhMRzz500pL6aRxm3EXB6usa0-qJUb0exEWCrFtTrqb59o1R9NsDtDopMgmOjYQMF-gMgEVS8-n_NhHYhygNtzYUB29xoROEpYo84xmZb3ys8SWtf_C6GdNC5xbAcC8X_/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So there we have it. Above is an example of a completely painted battery of these beauties! I will take you through the painting colour schemes and methodology that I employ as well. A bit complex but personally I love the results so I'm happy with what I've got :)<br />
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Before we go any further I should also point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WW9tJoWfL_5KwOVP0roXmEDCzm5jB_CALkFxzuvbkdHrEhLXzs9DBnH8cewfEmMKOx7IvTJccoC_Qz-DZqMYzpR7MtG3NStSxm41-tAzb-2XPbchw8ahE325A6uEeMUD9jmJrR8xfW7i/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WW9tJoWfL_5KwOVP0roXmEDCzm5jB_CALkFxzuvbkdHrEhLXzs9DBnH8cewfEmMKOx7IvTJccoC_Qz-DZqMYzpR7MtG3NStSxm41-tAzb-2XPbchw8ahE325A6uEeMUD9jmJrR8xfW7i/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to actually paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!<br />
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo6SpMvbiKAXRS0Ptf22YZ_Pjtzq7zCGmfNKeNxbdOI69H9CPepacIF1OhyMgIe6jKNmFYCoV8j5Fwpy0LmXUsVT1Zxzxb-CmW3kxGg3IKh2V4jMh_9ubVkV1Q7_h64eyd41LsY6vGeYo/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo6SpMvbiKAXRS0Ptf22YZ_Pjtzq7zCGmfNKeNxbdOI69H9CPepacIF1OhyMgIe6jKNmFYCoV8j5Fwpy0LmXUsVT1Zxzxb-CmW3kxGg3IKh2V4jMh_9ubVkV1Q7_h64eyd41LsY6vGeYo/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNR1D0ee4AS8dj5K0SvjQ-wvq8TjpbPmSJLD6Qnx5hDC-pIELitWu5bYgYY_fuiT2jDjieT52oMTJdGKMcG6TCR-lYgPtr-0oIllflo3XlqdDansM-cSKWH8QIgkeJSCBuYpseweChm40J/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNR1D0ee4AS8dj5K0SvjQ-wvq8TjpbPmSJLD6Qnx5hDC-pIELitWu5bYgYY_fuiT2jDjieT52oMTJdGKMcG6TCR-lYgPtr-0oIllflo3XlqdDansM-cSKWH8QIgkeJSCBuYpseweChm40J/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaO9H4yGc-ak-ao019t3yBC8Tw8XZ9K591cWMQzcPhyphenhyphencZ-cEw-MGIzN1wHDJRqS35Me7EzgV2KI1Ps4qJ0XtiK4xe5Dm0d5XC7y_XXKHrJTTVA1GkqJjYT2JAE77X2qcgld48UqrNJwuF/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaO9H4yGc-ak-ao019t3yBC8Tw8XZ9K591cWMQzcPhyphenhyphencZ-cEw-MGIzN1wHDJRqS35Me7EzgV2KI1Ps4qJ0XtiK4xe5Dm0d5XC7y_XXKHrJTTVA1GkqJjYT2JAE77X2qcgld48UqrNJwuF/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOWIm7GTE8wU4T-UAEdhE3WoHtIpbRIoZP6hb-ovL8AOShTN1qUQuOu-LG6aRYvEEjuognP0cBJvH3_z7afyhyphenhyphenL18ooYh2WVfYT9cyhtXXw5evPJgb9be9jZ9q5whhsPm5dKRqp8KBxWf/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOWIm7GTE8wU4T-UAEdhE3WoHtIpbRIoZP6hb-ovL8AOShTN1qUQuOu-LG6aRYvEEjuognP0cBJvH3_z7afyhyphenhyphenL18ooYh2WVfYT9cyhtXXw5evPJgb9be9jZ9q5whhsPm5dKRqp8KBxWf/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G6HBzD29Z-ELoHkCOsU4NGwKomWosQe3IMXmVzBQkgsfkcnZyi8PilHwWRQU8ttr3VCnv9S6me4tzv7rs85iOtsPYgKCqG5stnHyM4_0TslcKyCDoBroGuMwKuY_MWyTUafMJW4TZ8li/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G6HBzD29Z-ELoHkCOsU4NGwKomWosQe3IMXmVzBQkgsfkcnZyi8PilHwWRQU8ttr3VCnv9S6me4tzv7rs85iOtsPYgKCqG5stnHyM4_0TslcKyCDoBroGuMwKuY_MWyTUafMJW4TZ8li/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-3mGK5-cWwHjFbajaaz5P2pUfYcv_Tf7RUeAHUokebGKw4EKImNKBLRXUOOPQeSCHzTltxMSR0RGoPAiFH8bPOgNxvta8JgyagL906wXFjro9ievTyfJnv8LmaT5KLLZh0Y0ffCMc9ig/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-3mGK5-cWwHjFbajaaz5P2pUfYcv_Tf7RUeAHUokebGKw4EKImNKBLRXUOOPQeSCHzTltxMSR0RGoPAiFH8bPOgNxvta8JgyagL906wXFjro9ievTyfJnv8LmaT5KLLZh0Y0ffCMc9ig/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkLWiCrdDwdumWTF2fDqo7iw4k8-jQBk6trvnCFJckxEuy1VCEVuAzwc_Gl6_jyU1Ybc_zW9gRRS_QkAT-a0WQH3ULKc3O-2MZgIZAbQxGn0SlH0SOCzeuN6lpfVtRJqN1Y2NSxZoIClw/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkLWiCrdDwdumWTF2fDqo7iw4k8-jQBk6trvnCFJckxEuy1VCEVuAzwc_Gl6_jyU1Ybc_zW9gRRS_QkAT-a0WQH3ULKc3O-2MZgIZAbQxGn0SlH0SOCzeuN6lpfVtRJqN1Y2NSxZoIClw/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga3qKjU8-bKK2ldlFBeMb0hkip__0wDJcn3isOQs7L6MMLpjv46m_tOzL1eWLV_yOjZjVtvKA_121a7uKzgvxH5iQWxuA9M5klCLjSAHso7XWKvoNFdpfhcqAQZs0MLw_08tJc9LMuPcu/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga3qKjU8-bKK2ldlFBeMb0hkip__0wDJcn3isOQs7L6MMLpjv46m_tOzL1eWLV_yOjZjVtvKA_121a7uKzgvxH5iQWxuA9M5klCLjSAHso7XWKvoNFdpfhcqAQZs0MLw_08tJc9LMuPcu/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.<br />
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp6qfokZXilG9jwSBG9mKWs5zPhENHMtdNCds2uBZJt0_sGtClqubXT9UnK3a8GNDfCfU-R_J1-7qqewa8aiCLhQ9oqgPreFAgw5-82sMkVfF-l8LacDnmat-WlHfJXqIMKa-iXfioPQ6/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1515" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHp6qfokZXilG9jwSBG9mKWs5zPhENHMtdNCds2uBZJt0_sGtClqubXT9UnK3a8GNDfCfU-R_J1-7qqewa8aiCLhQ9oqgPreFAgw5-82sMkVfF-l8LacDnmat-WlHfJXqIMKa-iXfioPQ6/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesnt matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVh9N6OZE8050Gg2h1wwM1Fwp375FXLpbInxRyI18-tyIlvQgLS4z-XslyUGevRaCnElEuzjHZiJ9o7TYqOjI_MhCB_IQwoBMvLQpz5h9tgcrcHQ8d2kZZ_RR9EykIzKj_hfqPUsmAoGP/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVh9N6OZE8050Gg2h1wwM1Fwp375FXLpbInxRyI18-tyIlvQgLS4z-XslyUGevRaCnElEuzjHZiJ9o7TYqOjI_MhCB_IQwoBMvLQpz5h9tgcrcHQ8d2kZZ_RR9EykIzKj_hfqPUsmAoGP/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvVGyZRkAJgaC3C6s1jLH5yAzI8uc33d35KrNh0r-ERZqnQcd7_obmvePvLzq2qTNB3E6BaYcvkggJWqXm26Ci1aZ5yfiBUhdDU6XcDH1h8dbUfk0k2npAfQG2EClRVRv654D9npIC84W/s1600/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvVGyZRkAJgaC3C6s1jLH5yAzI8uc33d35KrNh0r-ERZqnQcd7_obmvePvLzq2qTNB3E6BaYcvkggJWqXm26Ci1aZ5yfiBUhdDU6XcDH1h8dbUfk0k2npAfQG2EClRVRv654D9npIC84W/s640/Slovak+Skoda+10.5cm+vz.35+Battery18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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Go have fun!<br />
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-41306327833904173052019-12-07T18:31:00.000+00:002019-12-07T18:31:23.095+00:00FoW: Slovak Infantry - Pioneer Platoon<div style="text-align: justify;">
So today we are going to take a look at the pioneers that accompanied the Slovak field army as it drove a wedge deep into the Soviet belly.</div>
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Now the sad fact is that no matter what army I have decided to do so far, the branch of service that has had the least written material for me to explore always seems to be the Pioneers and Engineers. Where the Slovaks are concerned I have even been able to nail down more information on the couple of hundred cavalry that was used as reconnaissance troops.</div>
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We know that the Slovaks were accompanied by Pioneers however as they are present in the returns and tables of organisation and equipment but unfortunately where the fine details are concerned, short of learning to speak Czech and then translating some rather esoteric books I simply have no access to the knowledge.</div>
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So where the Pioneers are concerned we are just going to have a run through of the modelling that I did to be able to put these on the table...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf9ESje0C9_HaG6VdhdicBxmgW8fJ_dPK7n3LOtn9iswLq60INcMmYq8PlKuxrcGMAAliyTUjv0erGsKa0H8m3OZTscpdUNhzwYHlVVJc3Bi7jJcMInm3AMVRk4wF5UMjbTU2zLkbfDCV/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf9ESje0C9_HaG6VdhdicBxmgW8fJ_dPK7n3LOtn9iswLq60INcMmYq8PlKuxrcGMAAliyTUjv0erGsKa0H8m3OZTscpdUNhzwYHlVVJc3Bi7jJcMInm3AMVRk4wF5UMjbTU2zLkbfDCV/s640/Slovak+Pioneers01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this company was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps. One of the miniatures that I barely use in any of my other platoons is the Romanian carrying a satchel charge. Because of the size of my Dutch, Slovak and Romanian armies and the fact that they all use the same range of miniatures for their infantry I had a big bag of these guys with satchel charges and so they became my Pioneer icons for the pioneer bases.</div>
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I should also point out that the trucks will be dealt with in another post and that due to the easy availability I opted to use the Skytrex 15mm stowage for the bits and pieces for the Pioneer Truck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJkbXYI37xuyRPgNo42Y3_9oD4DKOHTw_05c1Lt3rLOFUdaOCA_DJPegeuWMhlga71B2iLo8FsFhd3Vy7EL30us3Y4f5_mh3G8voo3MHBuJyqHzgUjdXEU3MeRU330eNm67yjEnbbgUPZ/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJkbXYI37xuyRPgNo42Y3_9oD4DKOHTw_05c1Lt3rLOFUdaOCA_DJPegeuWMhlga71B2iLo8FsFhd3Vy7EL30us3Y4f5_mh3G8voo3MHBuJyqHzgUjdXEU3MeRU330eNm67yjEnbbgUPZ/s640/Slovak+Pioneers03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably kick you in the cubes but from an arms length away they look splendid!(even if I do say so myself!).</div>
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The first step is to prime the miniatures, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate for the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTZ4lfhzH-_ZGtJP0-v3Xl3xHaLd3fPIu8uJbqVbZCxs-WNb4cLNsPLfi6ZHDLEbr9ja7jcWix5K_UZhrZv12EuZ1rAX5NMSvnD9maYDWpipLl9vAmAPIw0D2wBTiysNEen_Fcd-fs7RQ/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTZ4lfhzH-_ZGtJP0-v3Xl3xHaLd3fPIu8uJbqVbZCxs-WNb4cLNsPLfi6ZHDLEbr9ja7jcWix5K_UZhrZv12EuZ1rAX5NMSvnD9maYDWpipLl9vAmAPIw0D2wBTiysNEen_Fcd-fs7RQ/s640/Slovak+Pioneers04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHo8pxxdathHPcfYpdwzmaolfV6W0sYq2Q_TLeIs9k5pjlRsO8dyOvm1Pn6_-ZiLhQyRApGE5HXf6mLEmxXQO_jWOsPvck-LGdl4-cXvgRuujn6bt44YZQNWhe31ROmPYvbU-8wAyw2sZ/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHo8pxxdathHPcfYpdwzmaolfV6W0sYq2Q_TLeIs9k5pjlRsO8dyOvm1Pn6_-ZiLhQyRApGE5HXf6mLEmxXQO_jWOsPvck-LGdl4-cXvgRuujn6bt44YZQNWhe31ROmPYvbU-8wAyw2sZ/s640/Slovak+Pioneers05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else has jam on both sides after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9gkt4UApwDahBuAANkQq1MmG_s1hwOJIUy5ZSJpRRKxbHzYVWRXZEH9qVCb7n64cgFR0f3VUPqIefjuUhN890xs4Bgt7fCXiezkj8jpUkECyhWSLk6j_Z3I6wdl5cgFbrOGyJ3KHXFgs/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9gkt4UApwDahBuAANkQq1MmG_s1hwOJIUy5ZSJpRRKxbHzYVWRXZEH9qVCb7n64cgFR0f3VUPqIefjuUhN890xs4Bgt7fCXiezkj8jpUkECyhWSLk6j_Z3I6wdl5cgFbrOGyJ3KHXFgs/s640/Slovak+Pioneers06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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Whilst most of the collars are a deep red in the Slovak army the Pioneers arm of service had brown collar patches and so these were painted with Vallejo's 872 Chocolate Brown.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44vLhjjqzuW6C8WT-uSnNI6QDA7vZVILcaIYY5yqMOKJIXXyqk6fWgihwYTBEiojNoIDnEnP2IkP-eQX-RBpsyorx76xT4AkasRdFktSf70P5EDg1PaKlxR92WC6KIeNlurnMqK4uPUMf/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44vLhjjqzuW6C8WT-uSnNI6QDA7vZVILcaIYY5yqMOKJIXXyqk6fWgihwYTBEiojNoIDnEnP2IkP-eQX-RBpsyorx76xT4AkasRdFktSf70P5EDg1PaKlxR92WC6KIeNlurnMqK4uPUMf/s640/Slovak+Pioneers07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ-OYDVtgdkLQ38MN0Z730mctSZTng9s2vvuggdQFBCPaSQdT9HNSSV8iyXN2IGMnExhv58A22-JWgiIILDHCXHJl_fjFUw3cafa02tMD3j-UKkG5JhlnCSIYk-3iANc3Um1BXWGkHbna/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQ-OYDVtgdkLQ38MN0Z730mctSZTng9s2vvuggdQFBCPaSQdT9HNSSV8iyXN2IGMnExhv58A22-JWgiIILDHCXHJl_fjFUw3cafa02tMD3j-UKkG5JhlnCSIYk-3iANc3Um1BXWGkHbna/s640/Slovak+Pioneers08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface to enhance the grout adhesion.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtc-nDMQlXgjK_YrM9aFoJpN0vCl2uGsaei7_WQwcXXSSHH-7iS3safZ2LBQjz30tzpOpN5erw8F3IsodUal8oecYC_xQUmSICZ6vSId_4JDSWaqvYgjnC1kxjhxiM_JxSiEGlG21NTVG/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtc-nDMQlXgjK_YrM9aFoJpN0vCl2uGsaei7_WQwcXXSSHH-7iS3safZ2LBQjz30tzpOpN5erw8F3IsodUal8oecYC_xQUmSICZ6vSId_4JDSWaqvYgjnC1kxjhxiM_JxSiEGlG21NTVG/s640/Slovak+Pioneers09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1ISnFXrC-f2C7Xg6XY-r663j4PDSF4a_qCJpSPBrOflM9714wk5W90JdTcltzvaCEhAm0Iguy8MiYTgHFIZJ5A1lSo9L-wDjvKRV9rZWOxwVcK7TN0GHzMO9mprbx21M28m-Cnz84krp/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1ISnFXrC-f2C7Xg6XY-r663j4PDSF4a_qCJpSPBrOflM9714wk5W90JdTcltzvaCEhAm0Iguy8MiYTgHFIZJ5A1lSo9L-wDjvKRV9rZWOxwVcK7TN0GHzMO9mprbx21M28m-Cnz84krp/s640/Slovak+Pioneers10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stages of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Kaa_gdaDKA5zeIc9E_ezmViqyj0coIhfYOdAAvJ3Q-7j4QKHlHDIsnyK-TK3T6RsXe9xtdDvd-r4knqMWl3ZOUDdPoj9MsDEYymQo6Ii5MFQ-R9bGI2gBjy9i4y8GSQBdMPPTiA-fZJW/s1600/Slovak+Pioneers02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Kaa_gdaDKA5zeIc9E_ezmViqyj0coIhfYOdAAvJ3Q-7j4QKHlHDIsnyK-TK3T6RsXe9xtdDvd-r4knqMWl3ZOUDdPoj9MsDEYymQo6Ii5MFQ-R9bGI2gBjy9i4y8GSQBdMPPTiA-fZJW/s640/Slovak+Pioneers02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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...and there we have it. Once more we reach the end of another post about guys in green with bombs under their arms. No history this time but at least we can actually field them... and of course let us not forget to FIX BAYONETS!!!!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-63093856588711484822019-08-30T16:26:00.001+01:002019-08-30T16:26:29.358+01:00FoW: Slovak Infantry - HMG Platoons<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So here we are again... after a not so short intermission(!) and it seems that this time I need to ease myself back into my writing because it turns out (and who could have guessed this!??!?!?!) that when you buy a house that's 130 years old you should actually expect that the majority of previous renovation work on the property should have been done by absolute f****** cowboys!!!</div>
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... straight from the Wild Wild West! etc etc!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTdvUhpxDs6NchdvgoGyqs9LqYbwThCICgjxbiIwHdOSN2AMOuQPL8-wwJ0Gc6juR7YhyphenhyphenmkPHqecWP69jbb15wzg5CovEBOpmX5EFm7J3aI51y30dRPaV77rEr-7No0PFvDiQFppSvmgz/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTdvUhpxDs6NchdvgoGyqs9LqYbwThCICgjxbiIwHdOSN2AMOuQPL8-wwJ0Gc6juR7YhyphenhyphenmkPHqecWP69jbb15wzg5CovEBOpmX5EFm7J3aI51y30dRPaV77rEr-7No0PFvDiQFppSvmgz/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Turns out that when you take all of the plaster and scratch coats off of walls and strip them back to the brick it should be expected that one should find entire bricks in a wall missing and instead EXPANDING foam should be found in its place.... creating a God almighty hole linking the rainstorms outside and the nice Victorian walls inside... go figure!</div>
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So... anyway... after removing radiators, capping copper pipework, cutting the electricity and removing all plug points in three rooms, and stripping all three rooms of bricks, skirting boards and window sills... one MAY actually be able to find the time to attempt writing a blog post! (but only one a month mind you!)</div>
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... and here we are.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZi8dNXbjkSloi1vaFdRA36Z1rySvMJrVNVjemn1lMvFwtzSALJw6aQOaopGxYrq5TE7FmEkZSk_ZuMRwu4iMe3urb8QiZEgu-zCHcwCQLwFXqYlGyjfngZO4ZwzV_wwBsq1qdo0KEGxY/s1600/19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="450" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZi8dNXbjkSloi1vaFdRA36Z1rySvMJrVNVjemn1lMvFwtzSALJw6aQOaopGxYrq5TE7FmEkZSk_ZuMRwu4iMe3urb8QiZEgu-zCHcwCQLwFXqYlGyjfngZO4ZwzV_wwBsq1qdo0KEGxY/s640/19.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So I decided that with my rather limited provision of time that I would write a couple that can be wound up quite quickly with a minimum of effort (mainly due to a lack of available information).</div>
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I decided that in this one we would take a look at the company and battalion support platoons. The heavy machine guns and the mortars that accompanied the Slovak armed forces in their rather understated rampage across Eastern Europe.</div>
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Now, the sad fact is that there is very VERY little extant evidence that can point us in the direction of what kind of organisation the Slovaks had for their HMG's at the start of the war, made even more tenebrous by the frequent reorganisations that the Slovak field formations were subjected to. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzNp0-IEj2hZzPcoOfHUc7maONuK8dORfMVNqfcQTYA8W2QV2KtZtBy6Q8vFUCFWj-2LBCTeds18xaHgcDm3d0YgaDDTqvnKvDXNJNeWQIJFdNSxeo7cekx_gItDr2lB0hrDn_5QodT-K/s1600/20_let_10.2eqcwyyli1xccg44sgk804gwc.ejcuplo1l0oo0sk8c40s8osc4.th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="553" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzNp0-IEj2hZzPcoOfHUc7maONuK8dORfMVNqfcQTYA8W2QV2KtZtBy6Q8vFUCFWj-2LBCTeds18xaHgcDm3d0YgaDDTqvnKvDXNJNeWQIJFdNSxeo7cekx_gItDr2lB0hrDn_5QodT-K/s640/20_let_10.2eqcwyyli1xccg44sgk804gwc.ejcuplo1l0oo0sk8c40s8osc4.th.jpeg" width="440" /></a></div>
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The first record of HMG's that I can find in relation to the Slovak army is a table in Axworthy's 'Axis Slovakia' where he gives a return of the numbers of HMG's in the Slovaks 1st, 2nd and 3rd Field Divisions, amounting to be between 108 and 133 each along with another 48 in the Rapid Group. These numbers were based on the returns of the Slovak field army at the conclusion of the Polish campaign of 1939.</div>
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There are organisational suggestions that can be extrapolated from these numbers however if we are smart enough to carry forwards what we know about the Czechoslovakian pre-war army.</div>
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The pre-war Czech armed forces were ternary in nature. Three platoons in a company and three companies in a battalion. Within each company was a supporting HMG platoon and at battalion level was another HMG company which the battalion commander could allocate as he saw fit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrZe9PlN8kmBPIR47C7DfyBbvjbV90vHksXiqwNkHMSLPWSie_aKFQnIcgTcuq98V3v5JV3A5IuPlts54nqIP7oGHppAUap9oRPPTv1zC17m80odorR7tlR450R1PzQoQdp9KGNCxy2k6/s1600/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="235" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrZe9PlN8kmBPIR47C7DfyBbvjbV90vHksXiqwNkHMSLPWSie_aKFQnIcgTcuq98V3v5JV3A5IuPlts54nqIP7oGHppAUap9oRPPTv1zC17m80odorR7tlR450R1PzQoQdp9KGNCxy2k6/s640/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So IF a Czech infantry regiment was ternary, then it had three battalions, and on the assumption that a company would have three platoons it could therefore be assumed that each battalion would have a total of 6 platoons. Three in the HMG company and one each attached to the three infantry companies. This total then could be multiplied by three to arrive at the total number of HMG platoons in an ideal infantry regiment structure. 18 then!</div>
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If we assume an average of 120 HMG's in each of the regiments and divide this by the platoons we arrive at a figure of 6.66 or to be sensible and adhere to our ternary assumptions; six! Three HMG sections of two weapons and crew each... which, ironically is a theory supported by the following photograph.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3y79Hqly9Xs5D3_g8vov4PpIKDLDICjtm16EYnQguLpyYrzRs4aoN5WHMLTCCEQOVusX77DeqLVmQwR3OL0yNJD4KZD18KL9Uq4dldPBVXzG-e_xl0aq7gkvtBUycrWNatvVoZstihTi/s1600/Czechs1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1280" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3y79Hqly9Xs5D3_g8vov4PpIKDLDICjtm16EYnQguLpyYrzRs4aoN5WHMLTCCEQOVusX77DeqLVmQwR3OL0yNJD4KZD18KL9Uq4dldPBVXzG-e_xl0aq7gkvtBUycrWNatvVoZstihTi/s640/Czechs1939.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What about all of the left over HMG's then? Well every regiment has bits and pieces that various proactive members will attempt to hoard.</div>
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This distribution of HMG's was static until the reorganisations in preparation for the invasion of the Soviet Union and the formation of the Rapid Group. At this time the Mounted Reconnaissance Battalion (JPO-2) had a mounted HMG platoon of only four HMG's and the Mounted Infantry Battalion (II/6) had a provision of 12 HMG's to be allocated between the three infantry companies and the HMG company. My guess here, as it is an HMG company that is listed, would be that there is no organic provision of HMG's within the infantry companies and instead the battalion has all of its HMG's grouped in the HMG company with four HMG's in each of three platoons. These would either be one weapon per section for four HMG sections per platoon OR two HMG sections per platoon with two weapons each.</div>
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When the Mobile Group became the Mobile Brigade on 8 July 1941 the Motorised Reconnaissance Group now had a slightly expanded provision of nine HMG's whilst the Motorised Infantry Battalion (II/6) remained the same. It was at this strength that the Mobile Brigade went into the battle for Lipovec.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-iVzjyxra3gk8bQgZdC2MSFxFVZQ4nC5dwJUtlWQZQlgE85sPSys-u1h7TJeNggn5sfCVfyP9MdELJvRrV6M5q_VR25O08qRVPVmQjY_JMLitxohMVkRW6sV4yKrEolCqjP2t6NaYckO/s1600/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="405" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-iVzjyxra3gk8bQgZdC2MSFxFVZQ4nC5dwJUtlWQZQlgE85sPSys-u1h7TJeNggn5sfCVfyP9MdELJvRrV6M5q_VR25O08qRVPVmQjY_JMLitxohMVkRW6sV4yKrEolCqjP2t6NaYckO/s640/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B2%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 23 July 1941 Ferdinand Catlos made the decision to amalgamate all Slovak troops on the Eastern Front into a Mobile Division and a Security Division.</div>
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The Mobile Division had two infantry regiments in its organisation. Infantry Regiment 20 had 24 HMG's whilst Infantry Regiment 21 had a provision of 25. Artillery Regiment 11 had a provision of 28 for battery defence and the Reconnaissance Group again had a provision of only six. The newly attached Mountain Battery 11 meanwhile, had a provision of two HMG's for the defence of its single 7.5cm vz.15 battery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPgW5W1gEGC4INpcopyWcdukQWjys3bEEUEWtH0hK9VobCuuppAagHwWnurKHp8h8JQ2Zcuw84sakcLcwdORpEN7yjAxRXjuzOGldNO2Rkz04tMejXqRRBhFNP5GptXUneYZ0olK3z6R2/s1600/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="699" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPgW5W1gEGC4INpcopyWcdukQWjys3bEEUEWtH0hK9VobCuuppAagHwWnurKHp8h8JQ2Zcuw84sakcLcwdORpEN7yjAxRXjuzOGldNO2Rkz04tMejXqRRBhFNP5GptXUneYZ0olK3z6R2/s640/Kulomet+vz.+24+%2528Schwarzlose%2529+HMG+%255B3%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The battery defence HMG's notwithstanding, the assumption could be made that each motorised infantry regiment would be comprised of two strengthened battalions (if you compare manpower figures between the Mobile Groups infantry battalion with the strength of each regiment) with each battalion carrying an HMG company. This would equate to 12 HMG's in each battalion meaning no organic provision within the infantry companies again although would bring us close to the numbers of HMG's listed in the returns.<br />
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On 22 August the Division was morphed one more time into its final form and continuing in its subordinate role to the German VI Army under von Rundstedt. The Mobile Division headquarters still had no allocation of HMG's whilst Infantry Regiments 20 and 21 retained the same numbers of HMG's and presumably the same organisation. Both Artillery Regiment 11 and the Reconnaissance Group also retained the same numbers of HMG's for their various applications with the mountain gun battery also retaining its two weapons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H4eCgmGoy8p4oLCGZfcHVay3b0JwHIBcVBsJg0sz3j7_m1oFqBOkcllF4WqQ4UyWlf0DiIe0LNhNggmfi2SN67LbIk4dVoC9XUCZKy7TQBDyMl2YiuzpQ-8m93Nq4vitqW1GtjGpHv6R/s1600/obsluha-tk-vz24-Schwarzlose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="800" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3H4eCgmGoy8p4oLCGZfcHVay3b0JwHIBcVBsJg0sz3j7_m1oFqBOkcllF4WqQ4UyWlf0DiIe0LNhNggmfi2SN67LbIk4dVoC9XUCZKy7TQBDyMl2YiuzpQ-8m93Nq4vitqW1GtjGpHv6R/s640/obsluha-tk-vz24-Schwarzlose1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now here is the strange thing; despite a number of very clear returns indicating how many HMG's were present the asset totals tables do not match up at all. Despite the addition of all assets for the Mobile Division on 22 August 1941 adding up to 85 HMG's available, the subsequent 'total complement' list given by Kliment and Nakladal gives the Mobile Divisions total HMG provision on 22 August 1941 as only 57 HMG's. I wouldn't even know where to begin to understand how to resolve these discrepancies.</div>
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At the time of the Soviet offensive across the Crimea in January 1943, which is the last period of interest in the Slovak military for me, Kliment and Nakladal list the Division has having a total complement of 166 HMG's across all formations. At the end of January the Mobile Division attempted to extricate itself precipitously from the Soviet noose and by March had only 25 HMG's left, with all others having been either lost of left behind the retreat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikZXr2jI9GvfpAGVbqRehZOtKo5l8-xe77aadc8jjLGLzlTY9X7utUOD_GLF2uWZPDOF1SFTsTff1U6A2XPJ5rQhIiSAUh0xpK3wvRnZdWd1CattMKZWlATybQsdy7i_yHtbMX81VbjSU/s1600/tk24_01-velky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="640" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikZXr2jI9GvfpAGVbqRehZOtKo5l8-xe77aadc8jjLGLzlTY9X7utUOD_GLF2uWZPDOF1SFTsTff1U6A2XPJ5rQhIiSAUh0xpK3wvRnZdWd1CattMKZWlATybQsdy7i_yHtbMX81VbjSU/s640/tk24_01-velky.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As previously mentioned on 23 July 1941 Catlos reorganised all Slovak forces with the 2nd Infantry Division being renamed the 'Security Division' Axworthy gives an interesting little table showing the fluctuating numbers of HMG's that this formation had available to it right up until the end of July 1943. Axworthy states that the slow moving 2nd Infantry Division had, given by 10 July 1941 returns, a total of 72 HMG's across all of its constituent formations.</div>
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The Security Division came into operational reality on 1 September 1941 at which time Kliment and Nakladal list it as having a total complement of 69 Schwarzlose vz.24 HMG's. Axworthy (for once!) concurs with this figure up until the end of July 1942.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJuQCYRoyKg5tHdgsF3PKMEscEhRUhEtngecuwBDVdlfsRAjyhCaJkHjOiPZDyRHAm0LB347CC1I6ub0irLVe03SjK8tmfXd2MJG0y87gDJ-aIwm7gi1DTw8jcvCnyQ_1HgxFeGWb0foM/s1600/TKVZ24.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="585" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJuQCYRoyKg5tHdgsF3PKMEscEhRUhEtngecuwBDVdlfsRAjyhCaJkHjOiPZDyRHAm0LB347CC1I6ub0irLVe03SjK8tmfXd2MJG0y87gDJ-aIwm7gi1DTw8jcvCnyQ_1HgxFeGWb0foM/s640/TKVZ24.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Axworthy goes on to give the Security Divisions returns as 81 HMG's on 9 October 1942 and back down to 68 again by 10 July 1943 when the Slovkian armed forces involvement on the Axis front line was wound down.</div>
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The Slovaks in the Second World War utilised two types of heavy machine guns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYKXUcs7yTxOFlUjbqqPNR4Y9YqzIP8X-3Z0IrSEXQ_VJ_9hyC5VftW05c5CXAdcafTNrwdFuzBGyr4dDXNa0xmlPznostxPqk8VIctBM6QmakgswL_jTOE2DtXaVNy5Q2hOv7KSGgLIK/s1600/TKVZ37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="500" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYKXUcs7yTxOFlUjbqqPNR4Y9YqzIP8X-3Z0IrSEXQ_VJ_9hyC5VftW05c5CXAdcafTNrwdFuzBGyr4dDXNa0xmlPznostxPqk8VIctBM6QmakgswL_jTOE2DtXaVNy5Q2hOv7KSGgLIK/s640/TKVZ37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first was the venerable former Austro-Hungarian Scwarzlose vz.24. This is the one that is seen in almost all photographs of Czechoslovakian and Slovakian HMG's. They were old, heavy, had a water cooled jacket (adding to the weight substantially). The weapon itself weighed in at 24.5 kg whilst the tripod added a further 19.7 kg.</div>
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It used cloth ammunition belts but only had a rate of fire of 520 r.p.m which, to bring it into perspective is almost half that of the German MG-42 (Hitlers Buzzsaw) and just a little less than the British Bren Gun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cs4tWc5xWh9-yJcZydIH0Gk5IaCuzQPH25re0b00Nz0hLuv83U2rm_EMdszO6wlNlvTbj9XeDdPFm2jd5PRIETTcGcJOdPcdD93BnMJIsm-hZz_fa7Q7kjtoOW_pDfGXUnbI2q-g9kHR/s1600/060a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cs4tWc5xWh9-yJcZydIH0Gk5IaCuzQPH25re0b00Nz0hLuv83U2rm_EMdszO6wlNlvTbj9XeDdPFm2jd5PRIETTcGcJOdPcdD93BnMJIsm-hZz_fa7Q7kjtoOW_pDfGXUnbI2q-g9kHR/s640/060a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the time of the start of hostilities the Slovak army had a total of 2,200 in its inventory.</div>
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The other HMG that the Slovaks had available to them was the Zbojovka Brno ZB-53 vz.37. This was developed just before the dismemberment of the Czechoslovakian state and had been successfully exported as well becoming the British armoured vehicle BESA HMG.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh0OVhkyhNEwytfAt3JkLvyk1f0fMqR01C2PWUaqfTQX4IJv-yaj9XkpZ43PbqSJ4BygkBBggPC-IYrWKN5ccJBlhb-j3eOM-fKSwDEAP4ev4uakcHPsvJvjtEOrELoryUuWZ8DjDBm8g/s1600/Roto-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1500" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh0OVhkyhNEwytfAt3JkLvyk1f0fMqR01C2PWUaqfTQX4IJv-yaj9XkpZ43PbqSJ4BygkBBggPC-IYrWKN5ccJBlhb-j3eOM-fKSwDEAP4ev4uakcHPsvJvjtEOrELoryUuWZ8DjDBm8g/s640/Roto-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Far superior to the older Schwarzlose this weapon, also tripod mounted only had a weight of 19kg and utilised metal ammunition belts with a rate of fire of either 550 or 750 r.p.m which depending upon the selection was comparable to the German MG-34.</div>
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The Slovaks, unfortunately only had a total of 389 in their inventory at the start of the Second World War BUT we can assume that good use was made of them, most likely by the Mobile forces.</div>
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...and so it is time to move into the modelling part of the blog post so I can explain how I went about putting this platoon together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNMWsABGnwpFeysnLlnGpVZ0erBWC_VKRx9KOWXZLTzBbj38pkbXNzvFwhRl82_b1KmV2xeW78lqf6zSjUos8sLYnVguapH6NqRFrAV2XUrPjlI03gbz63J7MDeNPc2IctXzrNCT3Gblj/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNMWsABGnwpFeysnLlnGpVZ0erBWC_VKRx9KOWXZLTzBbj38pkbXNzvFwhRl82_b1KmV2xeW78lqf6zSjUos8sLYnVguapH6NqRFrAV2XUrPjlI03gbz63J7MDeNPc2IctXzrNCT3Gblj/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this company was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps.</div>
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I should also point out that the trucks and the field car will be dealt with in another post and that due to the convenience I opted to use the Romanian vz.37 HMG's for all of my teams. For those of you out there who are desperate for some vz.24's then I would direct you towards Peter Pigs WW1 Austrian range which have superb vz.24's sculpts. For me though, after a project of this size... the convenience was quite attractive to me!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQLdlzu7oTuSL-TedAO68lNI7qqxBAcvS4UQjX1EmmIJFy6ipVnpqAEYDz-F6aNhpCHASDvTJxjsLcZCi9Zb2Cwl_8aCMGD8YGz9r_SQlDrSiSJMCQK89swli-XwAfeahxwnnKtsb0iiH/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQLdlzu7oTuSL-TedAO68lNI7qqxBAcvS4UQjX1EmmIJFy6ipVnpqAEYDz-F6aNhpCHASDvTJxjsLcZCi9Zb2Cwl_8aCMGD8YGz9r_SQlDrSiSJMCQK89swli-XwAfeahxwnnKtsb0iiH/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face but from arms length away they look splendid!.</div>
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The first step is to prime the miniatures, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4fqFSQqotk-BVAO7Y2f7LHM3lyVHcCtM8LCTZjObXcQQlJkuPjzXAkCDN-zanrkRdsXsb2Jq7R9KNFQh5m-EjVMl3xuQ6YTjLfsKeCjMpiad39m7mhle9-ckXC4sNg1v82O-BDuWTeVB/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4fqFSQqotk-BVAO7Y2f7LHM3lyVHcCtM8LCTZjObXcQQlJkuPjzXAkCDN-zanrkRdsXsb2Jq7R9KNFQh5m-EjVMl3xuQ6YTjLfsKeCjMpiad39m7mhle9-ckXC4sNg1v82O-BDuWTeVB/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxK_8GIu0MpRaUErt4M2WsxeA4PJdiGOGrS2rPgHRmq2a9hgdzshuz2JBjQQ-xgbNkKyHlAfqCtSv4U5DbQYfPnxwUs_bRILVPH_J-HICH1y3GVpwNWQPumEBiNdCGymV4JoRy77y7yNG/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxK_8GIu0MpRaUErt4M2WsxeA4PJdiGOGrS2rPgHRmq2a9hgdzshuz2JBjQQ-xgbNkKyHlAfqCtSv4U5DbQYfPnxwUs_bRILVPH_J-HICH1y3GVpwNWQPumEBiNdCGymV4JoRy77y7yNG/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.<br />
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-SZM3zOIfG2vDrwzDMeDru8p6ObXDuKmKaQ04X03HFPGd-LFuw6DFrb9AYSYv5ahRpQsuxYcHEhyJmLtMyLlKGleSIaHyiR9OQciWCrVAzKbeel3CS3F97meCC0MjCqgmJABSOBUxtNq/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1482" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-SZM3zOIfG2vDrwzDMeDru8p6ObXDuKmKaQ04X03HFPGd-LFuw6DFrb9AYSYv5ahRpQsuxYcHEhyJmLtMyLlKGleSIaHyiR9OQciWCrVAzKbeel3CS3F97meCC0MjCqgmJABSOBUxtNq/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.<br />
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGdYf0-xPC79gQQeLxCM_CgrFUtP8QnF9HLGBjqeRIsLIIGDeoDNHgWugEKCBtKorXxfC3TV6XA-TGcdMgkJXdp7ICyzcgr1QxjKhsIum6aq3FGEbg9p5YsJdN09sflpv5MC2K1Mk6Dcn/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGdYf0-xPC79gQQeLxCM_CgrFUtP8QnF9HLGBjqeRIsLIIGDeoDNHgWugEKCBtKorXxfC3TV6XA-TGcdMgkJXdp7ICyzcgr1QxjKhsIum6aq3FGEbg9p5YsJdN09sflpv5MC2K1Mk6Dcn/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!<br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSdTdzG7ixNHNyMrsZcWQs4r_31gzGRACw28v2jMDUNvapWNzYV1xSnnrwTFmLRPxOOgWeDnkuxwDiaUDOGLb-5hz1P997ecBQvE1ltxVdEujNZeNS_T3GRiKGgJb4Pb4m2PQ6Zju_ikx/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSdTdzG7ixNHNyMrsZcWQs4r_31gzGRACw28v2jMDUNvapWNzYV1xSnnrwTFmLRPxOOgWeDnkuxwDiaUDOGLb-5hz1P997ecBQvE1ltxVdEujNZeNS_T3GRiKGgJb4Pb4m2PQ6Zju_ikx/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8kH-ymjTHIFvSAfTCSlAgfSYL6HNFi7_fZNAKYUayQINwdhIpr0p65r49PDnmtt-JU9YZNGP9NXxved-k5QRNmg9f9fPWtNRisL_10sRKtfxqFwDsmPAS4pvROVId3KLGEISTI55Kww/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1375" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8kH-ymjTHIFvSAfTCSlAgfSYL6HNFi7_fZNAKYUayQINwdhIpr0p65r49PDnmtt-JU9YZNGP9NXxved-k5QRNmg9f9fPWtNRisL_10sRKtfxqFwDsmPAS4pvROVId3KLGEISTI55Kww/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stages of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc1GsRELqGbwd52t2D9Rz-nqa7en5CR6nJGo_8J0KlTj7d-EcJRlG1ae-A13NXh8Enljkz02DG_B7u-F_cqkiQJjgIF_KZD_Wz7r0X8EXvjI1rJb8iArkXsAGRd7rplAlc3oDt3upwofS/s1600/Slovak+HMG+Platoon09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirc1GsRELqGbwd52t2D9Rz-nqa7en5CR6nJGo_8J0KlTj7d-EcJRlG1ae-A13NXh8Enljkz02DG_B7u-F_cqkiQJjgIF_KZD_Wz7r0X8EXvjI1rJb8iArkXsAGRd7rplAlc3oDt3upwofS/s640/Slovak+HMG+Platoon09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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...and there we have it. Once more we reach the end of another post about guys in uniforms with guns... and BAYONETS!!!! </div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-10766054138119727272019-07-21T17:22:00.001+01:002019-07-21T17:22:33.529+01:00New House... New Times... New Paint Collections...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well I've been a little quiet lately, since my last Slovak 15mm post and that's because I've just bought a house and moved in...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU6J0mIW8VlM-S_PzgPc28nHaZXwS5A1Pg7yeq_bBbZbWxNZ3zu-XRFsaTYhi99MBxp9fZSk9HDXGWcs2LutKrpaaTAgaVsqyKAutvwJoTIeRCCWZ55Toi2MnYg2DwYDI5m5lfCFt1ZPJ/s1600/I+Want+It+All+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="680" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOU6J0mIW8VlM-S_PzgPc28nHaZXwS5A1Pg7yeq_bBbZbWxNZ3zu-XRFsaTYhi99MBxp9fZSk9HDXGWcs2LutKrpaaTAgaVsqyKAutvwJoTIeRCCWZ55Toi2MnYg2DwYDI5m5lfCFt1ZPJ/s640/I+Want+It+All+Image.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... more on this later.</td></tr>
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Proved to be somewhat more of a ball ache than I expected. I fell asleep at the wheel of a van and bounced off the central reservation on the motorway after picking up all of my stuff that has been in storage at my family home in Wales... luckily no harm was done to me but the van sadly couldn't say the same!</div>
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Then I had to pick Roxi and the cats up from London... and prowl around removal men that were intent on tipping my filing cabinets full of painted miniatures onto their sides to put them on their vans and then of course we had to race up to Dudley in the West Midlands (where said house is located) to collect keys and access our brand spanking new home!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv9zWWTtYTMbnCkjTxnWzyV4xxL8dlVrHukYBZkAXNA9rwS-DF2gYxTHqdbS95PqNhNPgRfKZVpF1MiR-HGRLrEDE7s9gNIHn0-QqSehtiKfILAh75dyxB0U5iaroetU2ZllQ-9f_OQUs/s1600/IMG_20190720_180051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMv9zWWTtYTMbnCkjTxnWzyV4xxL8dlVrHukYBZkAXNA9rwS-DF2gYxTHqdbS95PqNhNPgRfKZVpF1MiR-HGRLrEDE7s9gNIHn0-QqSehtiKfILAh75dyxB0U5iaroetU2ZllQ-9f_OQUs/s640/IMG_20190720_180051.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Said house... which we in fact like to call 'The Tardis'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
* cough cough *</div>
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By brand spanking new house of course I mean 'a giant pseudo derelict that was built when Queen Victoria still stood astride the mighty British Empire (or to be more precise when the dumpy little moose could barely shuffle out of her armchair)! Great in theory... the reality has been somewhat more challenging!</div>
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The previous owner as it turns out wasn't quite as honest about things in the house as we had hoped. We immediately saw that she had broken the contract and hadn't removed all of the old furniture from the house... and despite repeated assurances that the damp problems with the house had been resolved it turned out not to be the case...</div>
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Now I'm sure you are sitting there saying to yourselves "what the hell has this got to do with toy soldiers?". Well don't worry... this is all relevant as you will shortly find out.</div>
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So... the caveat that I set to buying a house when discussing the options with Roxi was i) Its nowhere near London and ii) Whatever house is chosen it has one room of the size that I require for my hobby obsession... which this beast of a house does!</div>
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I said to Roxi that I was going to go and tidy up one of the two master bedrooms to prepare it for redecoration and populate it with competently painted pieces of metal and filing cabinets. It had one seriously horrendous carpet that smelled of piss... I ripped it all up along with its backing... and this is where the problems began.</div>
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You know what Mission Creep is? Well my taking the carpet up led to me removing wall paper (which really was gross!) which as it turns out was the only thing holding the plaster up against the wall... which of course all fell down... and then it turned out that the double glazed window was actually coming out of its emplacement with wall paper concealing massive cracks all the way around it and the plaster having gaping holes on the undersides allowing ingress of water to soak all of the plaster... which also started falling away...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaB-sUV_LsGxF3PBmfEr8_VFBBT3KiS_zNonIkHTBreuwn7J0TT_GJ4g6asDuIjocEWqVO578w-APHZzK4V6b2nsXdmtSDq83TmBc0grFWZOvB27RC8wGZqKHmlrIeobMtjeCB5vMvn4F/s1600/IMG_20190720_180206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaB-sUV_LsGxF3PBmfEr8_VFBBT3KiS_zNonIkHTBreuwn7J0TT_GJ4g6asDuIjocEWqVO578w-APHZzK4V6b2nsXdmtSDq83TmBc0grFWZOvB27RC8wGZqKHmlrIeobMtjeCB5vMvn4F/s640/IMG_20190720_180206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man Cave from the door...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb0vFPktqoUEQO_ja4NOxGUMaRvysM8IFUT915_jW-eYezoY4fqpGiN-lypfBxiIiunOWLNhKAyDFtE2_ETfnuE3c010wJCovXhjxFOhhdoeeGYn-LLhWxmHHAH9B-zZEzOcHPAZMOcXl/s1600/IMG_20190720_180217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb0vFPktqoUEQO_ja4NOxGUMaRvysM8IFUT915_jW-eYezoY4fqpGiN-lypfBxiIiunOWLNhKAyDFtE2_ETfnuE3c010wJCovXhjxFOhhdoeeGYn-LLhWxmHHAH9B-zZEzOcHPAZMOcXl/s640/IMG_20190720_180217.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man Cave looking back towards the door...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My wargames room appeared to be slipping away.</div>
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I decided to investigate up in the loft and boy oh boy did I find issues.</div>
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There was a massive hole in the felt backing under a big patch of broken roof tiles and Carole's idea of having addressed all of the damp issues was to tape the broken roof tiles back together with gaffer tape and placing a bucket below the hole.. badly! The water had saturated the roof joists and had started to flood down the sides of chimney breasts</div>
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As it stands now we are having three of the houses four roofs completely replaced and new windows in both master bedrooms... which it now turns out is infested with damp problems as well...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy6wA0tjmEYJNze903uW-oh9lWr8J1OFpHyD3NZY-wwhZ6e3kQvaEpSNSOu2ohh6MAEnORyHKYWKXB1jiiw4JL_sLru03mKvOn28jqjDORDqMU0vYwZIA1TnWEdIKHY25dywyroxkHBUq/s1600/IMG_20190720_180519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy6wA0tjmEYJNze903uW-oh9lWr8J1OFpHyD3NZY-wwhZ6e3kQvaEpSNSOu2ohh6MAEnORyHKYWKXB1jiiw4JL_sLru03mKvOn28jqjDORDqMU0vYwZIA1TnWEdIKHY25dywyroxkHBUq/s640/IMG_20190720_180519.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxi attacking the walls in what will eventually transform into the master bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So its going to take a while to get all of this into shape but in the meantime we have had our fibre broadband connected so I can at least carry on with my posting (unlucky guys and gals!)... oh yeah and I can of course still receive post.</div>
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Looks what I just received:</div>
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A while ago I joined a Kickstarter put out by Scale 75 for a new type of paint covering all of the primes and secondary mixes with a few others. I obviously decided that I would opt for the 'I want it all' option and I am happy to report that I received the set yesterday.</div>
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Allow me to introduce you to the new addition to my painting tables (tbc):</div>
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OK so the whole kit comes in a nice wooden box. Its no Lignum Vitae only being MDF, but it is well presented and attractive, sporting an attractive Lambda that Scale 75 have as their brand image and is large enough to contain the whole collection with add ons. The inner trays are all a type of moulded foam and if anything it is these trays which are the least attractive and arguably cheapest parts of the entire offering BUT they do the job so I guess that's all that's important.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N6gbCrDlCPTuubE1TuhdmiFJVzqreewxyKesUEz1ySO40SZugyO3A8FkM2u0gEJtjtzENWpcYh628zBGIcpISNTCORLmVFlufe52iMJsDGfqsKoBRyT2MbzyXv4UTKVBEq7mBGnATK_5/s1600/Box+and+Lambda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N6gbCrDlCPTuubE1TuhdmiFJVzqreewxyKesUEz1ySO40SZugyO3A8FkM2u0gEJtjtzENWpcYh628zBGIcpISNTCORLmVFlufe52iMJsDGfqsKoBRyT2MbzyXv4UTKVBEq7mBGnATK_5/s640/Box+and+Lambda.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice looking Lambda on a nice looking wooden box...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The complete and focal point of the whole collection is a set of brand spanking new 48 colours in metal tubes.</div>
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These are supposed to be all singing and all dancing types of paints with an extremely high pigment content with beautiful opacity and transparency under dilution because of the fact that the pigment is not supposed to dis-aggregate.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aH4znGwaQMhHA3MIKjTaAohtg-Abr9ihZbuzDFjVawbENaBqhQYkYEIvVJNRYRxal_Uztxp5Hso-TWf7tE_zv2H6pZhtGGJIqTz-m8akKZG_C5QXThxUJrcSJ5rY3lt09fbhZynFYc9z/s1600/Complete+Collection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aH4znGwaQMhHA3MIKjTaAohtg-Abr9ihZbuzDFjVawbENaBqhQYkYEIvVJNRYRxal_Uztxp5Hso-TWf7tE_zv2H6pZhtGGJIqTz-m8akKZG_C5QXThxUJrcSJ5rY3lt09fbhZynFYc9z/s640/Complete+Collection.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My complete collection...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The artistic pigments are combined with acrylic resins which are then tested against a triad of key performance indicators. Hiding power determines the ability of the paint to cover the layer below it. Lightfastness is the measure of how resistant to fading the paint is and the final metric is Fastness which is a measure of how resistant to deterioration the layer is.</div>
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Its important to note that these metrics are not things that have been invented by Scale 75 in-house but are scientific constants and out of a total of 144 measurements just over 70% were listed as high with the remaining being a mix of average and high-average.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ2DI-bh8dg7Qz910OKepMfVh1qyoskmPlyMY2AJAhw4GznSPoVNda_KAWMbIMG3n8czHldI-a9ZA3t3vGBqO9fdAIkaYC3ybMb-0HE-zHXzUFf1tpNkGYxzc5jNcO8R9rfz42y2iL4Kk/s1600/Acrylic+Paint+Tube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ2DI-bh8dg7Qz910OKepMfVh1qyoskmPlyMY2AJAhw4GznSPoVNda_KAWMbIMG3n8czHldI-a9ZA3t3vGBqO9fdAIkaYC3ybMb-0HE-zHXzUFf1tpNkGYxzc5jNcO8R9rfz42y2iL4Kk/s640/Acrylic+Paint+Tube.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the paint tubes that I received... on top of lots of other paint tubes...</td></tr>
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Its got a base drying time of 10 minutes and a curing time of 72 hours which means that there is plenty of work time with the paint straight out of the tube.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
... but of course no paint set is complete without all of the added extras that you may be able to get alongside all of the flashy new paints... and with this set there were plenty!</div>
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Some as parts of the main collection, some as Kickstarter Stretch Goals and others as paid for extras. Lets take a look at them all now...</div>
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So first and foremost are the extra fluids that complement painting abilities. There are two that come with the collection, one of which I bought an extra of (I actually don't have a clue why though!). Firstly there is a bottle of Acrylic Thinner specially formulated to allow these paints to be used in an airbrush. Maybe I will go down this route but Im not considering it in the short term.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaJsVco8EyYphE-O4_naTUaIWbXWhgGYp-sfGGITl7c3QOnTtTnx8tMflv8B_C0O5y2qupP9vGvKd782VwxiPvNIBD8kVHcSnnKzT6E5aRYcL9i84GJqjEMja4w1Ba6BvZ395izFcOo_n/s1600/Acrylic+Thinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1600" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaJsVco8EyYphE-O4_naTUaIWbXWhgGYp-sfGGITl7c3QOnTtTnx8tMflv8B_C0O5y2qupP9vGvKd782VwxiPvNIBD8kVHcSnnKzT6E5aRYcL9i84GJqjEMja4w1Ba6BvZ395izFcOo_n/s640/Acrylic+Thinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Acrylic Thinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other fluid that I got, and to which I added another in the add ons of the Kickstarter was a 60ml bottle of Acrylic Retarder. This should retard the drying time by up to 15% and with smooth blending and a hand as subtle as a Hippo violating a mouse the extra drying time may, I believe, be a critical thing in getting the best out of these paints.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWZPyocKD75LCzYTxag0ETb6wZTZPxn9WMq8P9sqKR4XsTcKKC3pyPeWBZ-46iDpEMDFibCNnJuhKfqwDUQqMeRNc-SH-ysExtS8zFJNv-0vpzZJRnSnQDSlvfCSFFcMiCo355sHCvqcG/s1600/Acrylic+Retarder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWZPyocKD75LCzYTxag0ETb6wZTZPxn9WMq8P9sqKR4XsTcKKC3pyPeWBZ-46iDpEMDFibCNnJuhKfqwDUQqMeRNc-SH-ysExtS8zFJNv-0vpzZJRnSnQDSlvfCSFFcMiCo355sHCvqcG/s640/Acrylic+Retarder.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Acrylic Retarder</td></tr>
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The next thing worth looking at was the palette that came embedded into the lid foam layer of the box. Its a fold open palette with a separate wet palette which fits into the lid of the palette itself. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVfV9QDNryWS13mhVJ0WRKIEUulH2zCE3A704hQBbYlaYdkXmFLWNMRwUOArIn4Hmg_2xnQvM1BoyMJl9MKIldxAZU-pQEZqQBQ00rPwVf4o1hqg8aKvkvUU4ME_qmSVF8nsmxB05gXXT/s1600/Closed+Palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVfV9QDNryWS13mhVJ0WRKIEUulH2zCE3A704hQBbYlaYdkXmFLWNMRwUOArIn4Hmg_2xnQvM1BoyMJl9MKIldxAZU-pQEZqQBQ00rPwVf4o1hqg8aKvkvUU4ME_qmSVF8nsmxB05gXXT/s640/Closed+Palette.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The palette</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The palette itself has a large central pool divided into two equal parts and a selection of 18 mini pools arranged around three sides of the central pools.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll5vNhoXvyQv-K74o_MhY1X3csqt5aS4tep33FLRXvK3ZDl8IQobUsXvu-tY584oD2gJ7NdsdAMePIV5GhgfY3O8E7pVBnF1SG3-Zrzp4z09x3EpOOlgaPU9GO29q2llLNtJ4Ez7lzHCJ/s1600/Open+Palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll5vNhoXvyQv-K74o_MhY1X3csqt5aS4tep33FLRXvK3ZDl8IQobUsXvu-tY584oD2gJ7NdsdAMePIV5GhgfY3O8E7pVBnF1SG3-Zrzp4z09x3EpOOlgaPU9GO29q2llLNtJ4Ez7lzHCJ/s640/Open+Palette.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The open palette with the wet palette contained within the lid...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wet palette is provided with a wet palette pack containing one layer of 'white absorbent material'</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
that is cut to the container size and is made of high capacity absorbent material which does not shrink when drying out and is resistant to mildew (apparently) and a separate pack of 50 sheets of moisturising paper which is also cut to the container size, each sheet is extra thin allowing for moisture transmission and allows for brushstrokes which makes mixing easy and avoiding deterioration.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc5tMBcHx7D_8_Lemu8TRb1PbnSNVSdbA-NkYH5w298zTEuKOh9JL8TROv6Yc5x7sHGXzxbwgpnNkQWuwe4Bxcn2TGQrK30KuRJpMSpOJ0PbJn-dXe5EadABPdARCtXPs_35o4PhL8wld/s1600/Wet+Palette+Pack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1600" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCc5tMBcHx7D_8_Lemu8TRb1PbnSNVSdbA-NkYH5w298zTEuKOh9JL8TROv6Yc5x7sHGXzxbwgpnNkQWuwe4Bxcn2TGQrK30KuRJpMSpOJ0PbJn-dXe5EadABPdARCtXPs_35o4PhL8wld/s640/Wet+Palette+Pack.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wet Palette with the Wet Palette Pack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Quite a handy little colour wheel designed by Scale 75 is also provided which gives a key guide on how to arrive at each of the colour variations that you may want to get to.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRdyglgrqcPuXcw-gl4ISzW2VORZ3g9TQfE52T4-S5DdXmS-6t6TuoJebBtqmGpLbwgN3r-m2M3zik-Ze1RlLkR2d7PXA4J6fOk66kR7dHkqrmDxjNVE1TYwJsaNihVijF0sUGwRRCQwW/s1600/Colour+Wheel+Side+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRdyglgrqcPuXcw-gl4ISzW2VORZ3g9TQfE52T4-S5DdXmS-6t6TuoJebBtqmGpLbwgN3r-m2M3zik-Ze1RlLkR2d7PXA4J6fOk66kR7dHkqrmDxjNVE1TYwJsaNihVijF0sUGwRRCQwW/s640/Colour+Wheel+Side+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colour Wheel side 1</td></tr>
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The first side which carried the Scale 75 Lambda brand icon goes through brief explanations of the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary colours as well as Warm and Cool colours and definitions of how colour is classified such as Hue, Value, Intensity, Tint, Tone and Shades for example...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdCcXD20u8-f21W9nm7jvm9KrwsFmgrouNUjwIwBmK7-T1cFIafFM0bFNSFLSVh5xf7IzzrAUm6JwGaPQAnPC9R-sq01mc1Tpy4LbTuW3RioC0NKeNGV1RpCkPLS7MvcXszaI6o4NpiMq/s1600/Colour+Wheel+Side+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdCcXD20u8-f21W9nm7jvm9KrwsFmgrouNUjwIwBmK7-T1cFIafFM0bFNSFLSVh5xf7IzzrAUm6JwGaPQAnPC9R-sq01mc1Tpy4LbTuW3RioC0NKeNGV1RpCkPLS7MvcXszaI6o4NpiMq/s640/Colour+Wheel+Side+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colour Wheel side 2</td></tr>
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The second or reverse side goes into Colour theory giving brief theories on Mono-Chromatic, Analagous and Achromatic colours and further going into Complementary, Split Complementary and Diad, Triad and Tetrads. There is a geometric diagram in the middle of the wheel showing how each axis gives each colour type in the theory and of course a number of main colours with the variations as you head towards the centre pin.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlZJJerwfVEvDjnZwaCc7A6i3XvN_fFZFDlOpd9oKKWpCWwX6SJmZuUWJ7uwqVl2rg2P7vJ7wA6pQP2YXLJaXchFFiycXR9M9eartP-mU_kTzTXifq17SXi6Q30RPl9eXFKODTtHU_bl0/s1600/Brushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlZJJerwfVEvDjnZwaCc7A6i3XvN_fFZFDlOpd9oKKWpCWwX6SJmZuUWJ7uwqVl2rg2P7vJ7wA6pQP2YXLJaXchFFiycXR9M9eartP-mU_kTzTXifq17SXi6Q30RPl9eXFKODTtHU_bl0/s640/Brushes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Scale 75 Brushes</td></tr>
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The collection is provided with two Scale 75 branded paintbrushes. A size 0 and a size 1. I cant speak for the quality of the brushes because I haven't used them yet but I cant imagine a company like Scale 75 putting out appalling brushes with their flagship paints because it just wouldn't help you get the results that the reviews of the paints depends on. They are labelled on the handle as being Kolinsky Tajmyr and the bristles seem to be very well formed with the line of bristles between the heel above the collar down to the toe gradually curving in. Looks like they carry a decent reservoir and as we know Kolinsky is some of the highest quality bristles for capillary action.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwJr4Mrk0H0-VvFngsPwC_3TCypVOoohF6STESChLu0ZoA6Nrjw-pl1GGEm539pgthyicQtQQWo5_4GrmWB3dOxiGpNzGEouW8oE_cLWz_PFJ1JQ1lpzvADCXDdrGD4u4tR7uXZJ5nXLB/s1600/Watercolour+Pen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwJr4Mrk0H0-VvFngsPwC_3TCypVOoohF6STESChLu0ZoA6Nrjw-pl1GGEm539pgthyicQtQQWo5_4GrmWB3dOxiGpNzGEouW8oE_cLWz_PFJ1JQ1lpzvADCXDdrGD4u4tR7uXZJ5nXLB/s640/Watercolour+Pen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Watercolour Brush Pen</td></tr>
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The next thing that I opted for was a Watercolour Brush Pen. I've never used one before but I thought it could be a bit of fun... watch this space I guess.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRpbpnylLIn_eeJNZ4KQ_wzZdE9q_wKV1HXFAN7NkUxXn_qKENfuIwn-6TU4HAUHRieG7smUawtw3BOhBifBuH6V_YlKLCjlgQlHUIbmccg8ffOKfVNgWrMQkzRJGXYque5rk2zh-HCEY/s1600/Paint+Agitators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRpbpnylLIn_eeJNZ4KQ_wzZdE9q_wKV1HXFAN7NkUxXn_qKENfuIwn-6TU4HAUHRieG7smUawtw3BOhBifBuH6V_YlKLCjlgQlHUIbmccg8ffOKfVNgWrMQkzRJGXYque5rk2zh-HCEY/s640/Paint+Agitators.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint Agitators</td></tr>
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There is a bag of paint agitators. Sounds good but to be honest all it is is a bag of small ball bearings. You stick one in each of your paint pots that runs the risk of drying out. Whenever you shake the pot it will break apart any aggregation of pigment. Should add a bit of life to your dead pots.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwtuINpYSMg2wgNqa6WjAbu2vetwkJ1YIVPf16GFhnf1VOuqecWNAkMzxLxGjAlWwolul6tnX1JPMNEcSC6qlBt1p-PzCnHApaH6IWVyY5GlD3S7N0fwWuyEBCIc6X2KVTHmqNLDDbFFJ/s1600/Paint+Tube+Squeezer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwtuINpYSMg2wgNqa6WjAbu2vetwkJ1YIVPf16GFhnf1VOuqecWNAkMzxLxGjAlWwolul6tnX1JPMNEcSC6qlBt1p-PzCnHApaH6IWVyY5GlD3S7N0fwWuyEBCIc6X2KVTHmqNLDDbFFJ/s640/Paint+Tube+Squeezer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paint Tube Squeezer</td></tr>
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There is a rather groovy little paint tube squeezer which looks like a Spartan shield on top of a tuning fork. I would imagine that this will be used very rarely but it is a nice little addition...</div>
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... and finally there are a few gimmicks. Not many but enough to satisfy even the most selfish and greedy beer swilling pretzel munching toad spawn out there... </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkYFZZeh99RLZYPa4rtc-Rsb_mGUEfJ7Nr0FV3YWwbI-aX0Jh4Qq8MBOKbgOozMXo8485j7pxYhSrNw7Tckewrlz2bq6ii5pZz9jo1ohgL_GrP_P6_6If6csP7w0Rr5z7yWCC-AqM3-N2/s1600/Stickers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkYFZZeh99RLZYPa4rtc-Rsb_mGUEfJ7Nr0FV3YWwbI-aX0Jh4Qq8MBOKbgOozMXo8485j7pxYhSrNw7Tckewrlz2bq6ii5pZz9jo1ohgL_GrP_P6_6If6csP7w0Rr5z7yWCC-AqM3-N2/s640/Stickers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stickers</td></tr>
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There are two Scale 75 Lambda brand stickers and a bottle opener carrying the same design... which is quite handy as I plan on stocking my currently derelict man cave with a mini bar just as soon as I can squeeze one in!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KP990_KEUONL5Kgfxhgw7UxVHKJYdqQoRYBFkI-a52PI4PIMZX_AhnwtXP1_vlBZ7XxYBguTGOfgnntAnm43wqyfCi9j1dQNTUM1ye6VNfqRoCtz0Tf_EKtov5C03i4B0wKYjYRJoHAp/s1600/Bottle+Opener.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KP990_KEUONL5Kgfxhgw7UxVHKJYdqQoRYBFkI-a52PI4PIMZX_AhnwtXP1_vlBZ7XxYBguTGOfgnntAnm43wqyfCi9j1dQNTUM1ye6VNfqRoCtz0Tf_EKtov5C03i4B0wKYjYRJoHAp/s640/Bottle+Opener.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle Opener</td></tr>
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This is one great collection that I cant wait to start using. It should be the perfect accompaniment to my Artist Opus brush collections.</div>
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... however as it will be almost two months (I think) before my man cave is ready for exploitation I think I should probably just concentrate on finishing off my Slovak blog posts so I can, with a clear conscience, move onto a new 15mm Flames of War army... which (and you heard it here first) will be a German Gebirgsjager army! :)</div>
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...Fix Bayonets Ladies!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-35365085521061666732019-06-30T19:11:00.001+01:002019-06-30T19:11:48.779+01:00FoW: Slovak Anti Aircraft Artillery - 2cm VKPL vz.36 battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well hello once more ladies and gentlemen. I appear to have returned from my overseas travails... and actually find myself rather in need of a holiday to get over the holidaying! </div>
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Still, fun was had by one and all and before I actually take the steps of moving into my new house I thought I may be able to squeeze in a couple of quick posts about the Slovaks.</div>
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So today we will take a dig around at the Slovakian army's light anti aircraft batteries which to be frank fulfilled the majority of the forward AA functions that the army needed. Not as impressive as the big boys BUT vital nonetheless.</div>
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One and all let me introduce you to the Slovakian 2cm vz.36 Kulomet batteries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGgmYTcFopADC8BE4LF0pQXgUL_7a6gYosj7c-b6Hf5f7AYgtcEoJCRnmTKR9kcIEXWgCqmTAQ9_Fn3FpPzzITuBghS7197OAtm2HD01PJqtdaVpcUJQvZOKunGUAqXAVs_aGt-IlLAoW/s1600/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="952" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiGgmYTcFopADC8BE4LF0pQXgUL_7a6gYosj7c-b6Hf5f7AYgtcEoJCRnmTKR9kcIEXWgCqmTAQ9_Fn3FpPzzITuBghS7197OAtm2HD01PJqtdaVpcUJQvZOKunGUAqXAVs_aGt-IlLAoW/s640/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, it may come as a surprise to some of you (although absolutely no surprise at all to the majority of you) that to uncover the history of the 2cm vz.36 we need to go back to the army of the Republic of Czechoslovakia.</div>
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Czechoslovakia was one of the few countries in the world, thanks to Skoda, that was able to almost completely equip its artillery needs with pieces from domestic production. The only exception to this was the requirement for small-bore automatic weapons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH6JX2y34GR8lQZ2VblW2NLm4N-0CBG_oTIaXyrpwdD5G6BrnTWadJC75DlvaqOB-FdvlSBzhNhiURHc_LtlqTYISW127KYA_-5THk6gR2WlwaMBjZUjVhb8UuXt1-5YkLCxTF-65MUV9/s1600/2-cm-vkpl-vz.-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="460" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEH6JX2y34GR8lQZ2VblW2NLm4N-0CBG_oTIaXyrpwdD5G6BrnTWadJC75DlvaqOB-FdvlSBzhNhiURHc_LtlqTYISW127KYA_-5THk6gR2WlwaMBjZUjVhb8UuXt1-5YkLCxTF-65MUV9/s640/2-cm-vkpl-vz.-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At the end of the First World War, German industrialist Becker constructed a small-bore automatic cannon which, although being designed for use by the air force achieved notable attention for its anti-tank abilities. However it missed its metaphorical window and only 200 were produced. </div>
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The military command of the nascent Czechoslovakian army correctly recognised the potential of this weapon and by the end of 1919 had already placed an order for 47 pieces with ammunition. After prolonged studies however they were deemed to be short of their developmental potential and after a series of tests ended up being used solely for coastal defence along the Danube, finally being retired to resupply warehouses for potential future use.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hyphenhyphennOE4tv3hIEKSe-IoX21oTz23VXkfbzZL6C2FHhjSP7cmj8SXoImiL3ylfg_Cn2GwkL_pRMDYtSd73LZ7k7R0nDxsvicYRj-z6I1k5cUQvTXSeQ5jUUZLJ7s520u1H31kU7DbNlKjYX/s1600/vkpl--vz.36-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="460" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hyphenhyphennOE4tv3hIEKSe-IoX21oTz23VXkfbzZL6C2FHhjSP7cmj8SXoImiL3ylfg_Cn2GwkL_pRMDYtSd73LZ7k7R0nDxsvicYRj-z6I1k5cUQvTXSeQ5jUUZLJ7s520u1H31kU7DbNlKjYX/s640/vkpl--vz.36-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The continued development of this weapon was continued by the Swiss company SEMAG (Seebach Maschinenbau AG) which purchased the production license. SEMAG later became a part of the engineering company Oerlikon which, after 1929, began manufacturing improved versions of these cannon under its own name. </div>
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The Czechoslovakian army actively monitored the progress of interesting weapon types around the world. When the domestic development of automatic weapons, performed mainly in Zbojovka Brno, did not yield the expected and sought for results for a protracted period, they looked abroad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls1BsKGR5ZnLhrnJpnx6zrRmZxLDLpJZpZPWg6LYputEkBiMsPj_qrJ5ckW1KBaqjIafAcInfw4H_lYmqI-EhXY2deuHebAAIoM79MsOk6H5xlXvhG-gEIayBvI5swzaV1e_MVgW79RuJ/s1600/vkpl-vz.36-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="445" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls1BsKGR5ZnLhrnJpnx6zrRmZxLDLpJZpZPWg6LYputEkBiMsPj_qrJ5ckW1KBaqjIafAcInfw4H_lYmqI-EhXY2deuHebAAIoM79MsOk6H5xlXvhG-gEIayBvI5swzaV1e_MVgW79RuJ/s640/vkpl-vz.36-3.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
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Field tests of the Oerlikon 2cm fully confirmed the excellent features of these weapons and in July 1935 the Ministry of Defence ordered 128 pieces.</div>
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They were introduced into the rolls under the designation 2cm vz.36 Kulomet. The Ministry of Defence also bought a production license and began production almost immediately. Unfortunately the manufacturing plant had disproportionate demands placed upon it and finally the Czechoslovakians were able to only secure a license for the production of the ammunition which was entrusted to Brno Zbrojovka and Sellier Bellot. From Switzerland only basic ammunition orders were placed and both companies were able to complete more than 1,700,000 rounds of all types by March 1939.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcuJFNnGUNff07FMErYa5AOzksTLIgha-n8Q4nvyCl1pB03VOGFdtXmlDvX83Hgoco6jt6yx31xiSeTP20F777fDv00_wHWQKuAdDZHBy6nbipRdvNkO1K3RCsasF7aGaQrYmu7uNB1Nw/s1600/2-cm-vkpl-vz.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="460" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcuJFNnGUNff07FMErYa5AOzksTLIgha-n8Q4nvyCl1pB03VOGFdtXmlDvX83Hgoco6jt6yx31xiSeTP20F777fDv00_wHWQKuAdDZHBy6nbipRdvNkO1K3RCsasF7aGaQrYmu7uNB1Nw/s640/2-cm-vkpl-vz.36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The gun was conveniently transported on the back of a flat bed truck. Over short distances the weapon could be carried over short distances by being broken down into ten loads with a maximum weight of 49kg each.<br />
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The basic crew of each of these guns consisted of seven individuals. The gun commander, a firer, a loader, two assistants and two ammunition carriers. The unit also had two observers and a cyclist attached as well.<br />
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Through 1937 and 1938 Oerlikon received more orders for the cannons but following the Munich Agreement in 1938 the majority of the orders were cancelled largely unfulfilled.</div>
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In total by September 1938 the Czechoslovakian army had 227 of these guns in its inventory, which formed the backbone of the newly formed VKPL (velky kulomet proti letadlum - Heavy anti-aircraft machine gun) batteries. They were predominantly allocated to the newly formed fast divisions and to the border regiments.</div>
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When the Nazis finally occupied the rump of Czechoslovakia, after March 1939 they immediately appropriated all of the 2cm vz.36's that were within reach and used them throughout the Second World War. Of the total number of weapons that were originally in the Czechoslovakian army a mere 64 weapons were stationed within the newly born Slovak Republic, and again these also found use throughout the war with some even serving during the Slovak Uprising in 1944.<br />
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Slovakia's anti aircraft regiment was AA Regiment 153 and by the end of 1939 all of the other light AA guns that Slovakia had available had been amalgamated into this regiment so that its organisation was as follows:<br />
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Battalion I: SpisskaNova Ves 1st and 2nd Heavy Batteries<br />
3rd and 4th Light Batteries<br />
Battalion II: Piestany 5th and 6th Heavy Batteries<br />
7th Light Battery<br />
Battalion III: Bratislava 8th and 9th Heavy Batteries<br />
10th Light Battery<br />
Battalion IV: Piestany 11th and 12th Searchlight Batteries<br />
Battalion V: Vejnory 13th, 14th and 15th Searchlight Batteries<br />
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In 1940 AAAR 153 was changed into the Regiment of Anti Aircraft Artillery, with three Territorial Battalions (I, II & III) as well as additional army units.<br />
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Battalion I: Zilina 1st and 2nd Heavy Batteries<br />
3rd Light Battery<br />
12th Searchlight Battery<br />
Battalion II: Trencin 5th and 6th Heavy Batteries<br />
7th Light Battery<br />
Battalion III: Bratislava 8th and 9th Heavy Batteries<br />
13th Light Battery<br />
11th Searchlight Battery<br />
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The anti-aircraft units allocated to the army were the 4th Light Battery with 1st Division, the 14th Light Battery with 2nd Division and the 15th Light Battery with the Army Headquarters.<br />
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In July 1941 the regiment was reorganised yet again receiving assets from an abolished regiment. The new organisational structure had six battalions organised as follows:<br />
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Battalion I: SpisskaNova Ves 1st and 2nd Heavy Batteries<br />
3rd Light Battery<br />
1st Searchlight Battery<br />
Battalion II: Piestany 5th and 6th Heavy Batteries<br />
Battalion III: Bratislava 8th and 9th Heavy Batteries<br />
10th Light Battery<br />
11th Searchlight Battery<br />
Battalion IV: Trencin-Zlatovce 3rd and 4th Heavy Batteries<br />
Battalion V: Vejnory 4th and 15th Light Batteries<br />
Battalion VI: Hlohovec 7th and 14th Light Batteries<br />
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On 22 March 1941 the Slovak army received its first Krupp 8.8cm vz38 anti aircraft guns which all went to 8th Heavy Battery along with twelve 2cm vz.30 anti aircraft guns for a single light battery.<br />
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At the beginning of Operation Barbarossa the 1st and 2nd Field Divisions took the 14th and 15th Light Batteries with them although when the Mobile Brigade was formed in late July 1941 the 15th Light Battery was assigned to it. When the Mobile Division was formed in August 1941 it retained the 15th Light Battery.<br />
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During the retreat from the Crimea in 1943 two of the 2cm vz.36's were handed over to the Germans whilst the remaining 16 were lost during the retreat. The equipment listed as being on the rolls of the Anti Aircraft Artillery Regiment in August 1943 included six batteries of 2cm vz.36's (and a further two German supplied 2cm vz.30 batteries). Three of these batteries were allocated to the Eastern Front, one to the Home Front and the remaining four put into the Operational Reserve.<br />
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By March 1944 the AAAR again carried thirty six 2cm vz.36's on its rolls.<br />
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... and this is where our investigation into the deployment of these weapons under the Slovak armed forces draws to a close. They did remain in use with the final 19 guns being withdrawn from service in 1951<br />
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...and so we move onto the modelling section<br />
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The miniatures for this battery came from numerous sources. Where the actual guns are concerned I bought Battlefront's FR540 20mm mle 1939 AA Gun which were the French license built Oerlikons. I ditched everything from the pack other than the actual guns and the gunner. Every other miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian, either normal infantry or artillery crew.<br />
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The guns that are on their carriages are a mixture of miniatures with the actual gun coming from the other two remaining guns in the FR540 pack, the carriage bodies coming from Battlefronts ISO501 Italian 20/65 gun pack with the wheels being provided from True North's Polish Caissons.<br />
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I nipped off the heads from each of the miniatures and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.<br />
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The trucks and the staff car are ones that I sculpted and cast myself. A future post will be dedicated to the sculpting, modelling and painting of these vehicles so I wont spend too much time on them here.<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: justify;">As with my previous artillery posts the first thing that I do when putting a battery together, once the guns are completed is to paint all of the crew that serve them. This obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all step by step!</span></div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face, but from 5ft away I personally think they look tip top!</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top. Essentially the etch is a minute amount of acid that eats into the outer layer of the material being sprayed on creating a microscopically uneven surface for the paint to bind to... and don't worry its well below the level that is visible to the naked eye!<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.<br />
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite. Normally I would provide at least one highlight on a helmet BUT the combination of white Slovak crosses and the blue band provide enough contrasts for the eye in such a small place that a highlight becomes unnecessary.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.<br />
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactive's 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.<br />
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!<br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDmempPPPRBUJZMeG0FGf3wsf36pvIVs0HE9iwp-a6ZyVbccedyh4bkZFgdlY-7jkFs9ov3ZFkU1zQfTfGygXfx8zKZxzg1UEWm42s2P-_5iyCwsjm6LmE65zfGZF_5pQO6-MNSrl6RkE/s1600/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDmempPPPRBUJZMeG0FGf3wsf36pvIVs0HE9iwp-a6ZyVbccedyh4bkZFgdlY-7jkFs9ov3ZFkU1zQfTfGygXfx8zKZxzg1UEWm42s2P-_5iyCwsjm6LmE65zfGZF_5pQO6-MNSrl6RkE/s640/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the gun that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours.</div>
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vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0oJts7GLBGgff5mJDygW6kFx7-zz15fdGKIEAdC4qUcLxPasN31tNTxYg2Q44Jj9S2KYJoikFK4mGRAEmBjUV7pepya2pcd3GBD5nWW-Qt0gFtE9SWAxD6mIyuHpYKy4erBqk1umv6y/s1600/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLv0oJts7GLBGgff5mJDygW6kFx7-zz15fdGKIEAdC4qUcLxPasN31tNTxYg2Q44Jj9S2KYJoikFK4mGRAEmBjUV7pepya2pcd3GBD5nWW-Qt0gFtE9SWAxD6mIyuHpYKy4erBqk1umv6y/s640/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtndorQm52E0vbrBK-8sCboaS1FVU3dAQ_iQGDOb475AU5DtlDSuudjrfx-JCTD-U9erC3kUCPhA-PnK49aYVk7pufmWCqen18jd9jSR0GemI0HawYPuQ6A7KfVdAapeqO7Fc1U9k6loi3/s1600/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtndorQm52E0vbrBK-8sCboaS1FVU3dAQ_iQGDOb475AU5DtlDSuudjrfx-JCTD-U9erC3kUCPhA-PnK49aYVk7pufmWCqen18jd9jSR0GemI0HawYPuQ6A7KfVdAapeqO7Fc1U9k6loi3/s640/Slovak+Light+AA+Platoon07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the spoked wheel rims on the carriages which are painted with a mix of LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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So, there we have it. A nice new battery of light anti-aircraft guns. Relatively simple to put together and not a bad looking bunch of bases to boot...<br />
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...oh yeah, and you get to field some trucks and a staff car as well! What more could a budding Slovak general officer demand!?!??!<br />
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Fix Bayonets!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-85903965344004461422019-06-16T10:57:00.000+01:002019-06-16T10:57:04.630+01:00FoW: Slovak Motorcycle Troops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
... welcome back to the shrine to all things Slovakian before 1944!</div>
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This time we are going to dip into the Slovakian Motorcycle Reconnaissance troops... and I say dip for a reason!</div>
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There is almost nothing out there at all written in English on these guys. Its possible to pick apart tables of organisation and equipment that Axworthy and Kliment & Nakladal give but unless you are prepared to tunnel through stuff in the Czech language it seems that this may be somewhat of a mysterious force... a bit like a really nasty fart in a crowded work van... you cant miss it but you know its there!</div>
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So, we are going to have a look at as much as I can determine. Where and when they were, and what they used... and then of course we will have a look at how I put them together...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4WBR7SSGAfgZrQmdmEh4a6kF3SO-zN4toMaAeSvchD2F-LPnF_wcHFCLSzcrkehT-BYxcr4q765X9AJnxTWTG22SnTQIhH7hSXufLUnPtL_N2r-VmrkFqov3WDvuofFiFIsKyZzXljPG/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4WBR7SSGAfgZrQmdmEh4a6kF3SO-zN4toMaAeSvchD2F-LPnF_wcHFCLSzcrkehT-BYxcr4q765X9AJnxTWTG22SnTQIhH7hSXufLUnPtL_N2r-VmrkFqov3WDvuofFiFIsKyZzXljPG/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, there were two types of motorcycles that the Slovak army managed to procure for itself through the course of the Second World War. The CZ 175 and the Jawa 250. Later on the army procured a load of DKW 350 cc motorcycle and sidecars from Germany to replace the almost total losses that the Mobile Division suffered in the Crimea as well.</div>
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Frantisek Janecek was born on 23 January 1878 in Klaster, a small village in Bohemia. Growing up he stuidied mechanics in Prague receiving his degree from the Berlin College of Engineering.</div>
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While serving on the Italian front during World War I, he developed a flurry of designs, patenting over 60 inventions, including an improved hand grenade which became standard armament for the Czechoslovakian Army.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxoutju0CCUrwH2mRRrNTgOOnxrjDYLA6G-X06_qKpEPIiKh-5x4wRzdWq03Qdsq2Q0MQZGyXVssJBgo_hFg_IMxfnZmF4jdk3ILdZ5Vgju3iNiDnDanK_xyI-is8DosyJFGLM-in2d0i/s1600/Jawa+250+prototype+%2528taken+in+1942%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="761" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxoutju0CCUrwH2mRRrNTgOOnxrjDYLA6G-X06_qKpEPIiKh-5x4wRzdWq03Qdsq2Q0MQZGyXVssJBgo_hFg_IMxfnZmF4jdk3ILdZ5Vgju3iNiDnDanK_xyI-is8DosyJFGLM-in2d0i/s640/Jawa+250+prototype+%2528taken+in+1942%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the First World War the demand for weapons fell, and so the skilled workforce and factories around Europe directed their efforts on precision manufacturing techniques, with many focusing on the nascent world of motorcycles.</div>
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In 1929 Janecek was lured in...</div>
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He started the JAWA company after working for several years in the armaments industry. Although he didn't have any experience with motorcycles, he was familiar with large scale production techniques. Janecek chose between the Austrian double piston two-stroke motor of Puch, the Berlin two-stroke of Schliha and the new Wanderer 500 cc. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPeazQWXmxXPLAECH1rWYHIEVbKsX8ZYR1IKug1hZLh-s_QL02PJC6QkJGiR3exEjExE39Z40QZtSOBietoQ2eeKkhLyb1C-YEOjisaHyYMgRmddezFw_n38z3QHySIbFp2Y85eAOQPR3/s1600/Jawa+250+duplex+%2528taken+in+1939%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="1024" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPeazQWXmxXPLAECH1rWYHIEVbKsX8ZYR1IKug1hZLh-s_QL02PJC6QkJGiR3exEjExE39Z40QZtSOBietoQ2eeKkhLyb1C-YEOjisaHyYMgRmddezFw_n38z3QHySIbFp2Y85eAOQPR3/s640/Jawa+250+duplex+%2528taken+in+1939%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Janecek chose the Wanderer. Because of the collapse of the German motor industry, Wanderer had already decided to cease production. This is because they didn't think it would be profitable to directly compete with BMW. The first model was introduced on 23 October 1929. This was a 500 cc 4 cylinder engine with 12 kW of power (18 hp) and fuel consumption of 6 litres per 100 km. Janecek bought the company and its tooling outright and then took the first two letters of both names JAnecek and WAnderer and combined them to form the name of this new motorcycle company; JAWA. </div>
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Production of Wanderer's 500 cc motorcycle began in earnest being marketed as the JAWA 500 OHV. Although highly priced through the first years and with several constructional fixes along the way, this motorcycle proved to be successful and was considered a reliable model.</div>
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Due to the global economic recession of the early 1930's it was recognised that a cheaper and simpler motorcycle was needed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6QCCGJHjACQWh4GeIi8b9XOBGHoAwE7YRDuj61EVj0Rogf3jr8GTJBhQpe_jBY501n2rnJAxmBRr_3e0U6C4l_4hZbnBjto2Hw4mJySHnBx1HH9Uya99-9v0teLfa9efKzkKoxfP-GES/s1600/DKW+350cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6QCCGJHjACQWh4GeIi8b9XOBGHoAwE7YRDuj61EVj0Rogf3jr8GTJBhQpe_jBY501n2rnJAxmBRr_3e0U6C4l_4hZbnBjto2Hw4mJySHnBx1HH9Uya99-9v0teLfa9efKzkKoxfP-GES/s640/DKW+350cc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To serve the masses, Janecek knew that he needed a lightweight and economical motorcycle. He recruited G.W.Patchett, a renowned British engineer with prior racing experience, to lead the initiative. From 1930 until the outbreak of the Second World War Patchett served as the chief designer for JAWA.</div>
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Patchett's first step towards a universal motorcycle was by utilising a 175cc Villiers two-stroke engine.</div>
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The year of 1932 was marked with the introduction of the JAWA 175 with its 3.6 kW Villiers engine. This light weight (70 kg) machine was capable of speeds of up to 80 km/h and a fuel consumption of 3.5 litres per 100 km. The first year of production was an immediate success, selling over 3000 of the JAWA 175, almost three times as many as the sales of the 500 cc model over the years of production. The production of this model was finally stopped in 1946. In 1938 JAWA was the first to offer test rides during exhibition shows. This test motorcycle was a custom JAWA 175 equipped with dual handlebars with the second pair being installed in the rear for the instructors use. Over the years a total of 27,535 units of the JAWA 175 were built and was always in demand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UARCOrwF_9VW4KaZDwTZVPAfdUQ9H-yuGAIYZit-PY92QUsRdiJ2qibA1AeG2khbe9Gb4JIYap5Vt4Nd3rwxbgIDgNxxPDh38eGO5ooS5JAivAmUazP3MKvj0lyLWZgpAkmOwdnn46Ru/s1600/CZ+175+Motorcycle+in+1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="555" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UARCOrwF_9VW4KaZDwTZVPAfdUQ9H-yuGAIYZit-PY92QUsRdiJ2qibA1AeG2khbe9Gb4JIYap5Vt4Nd3rwxbgIDgNxxPDh38eGO5ooS5JAivAmUazP3MKvj0lyLWZgpAkmOwdnn46Ru/s640/CZ+175+Motorcycle+in+1941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Between 1932-35 under Patchett the JAWA research and development team began designing engines in house. Additional motorcycle models were introduced, mostly based on the 250 cc and 350 cc two-stroke engines. The factory also made sophisticated four-stroke racing machines with overhead cams in very limited numbers through this period. It was these machines that helped establish JAWA's reputation for brilliant engineering and exceptional handling.</div>
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Following the occupation of Czechoslovakia and the beginning of the Second World War the continued manufacturing and production of new JAWA motorcycles was brought to a halt... but not their development though. That carried on in secret.</div>
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Even though the JAWA factory was forced to make the armaments for the Nazi war machine. Janecek kept working in secret, driven by his passion for innovation. His next line up of motorcycles would famously go on to be called the JAWA 'Perak'</div>
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This line would be continued after the end of the Second World War under his son Karel though because on 4 June 1941 Frantisek Janecek succumbed to a long term illness and died.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcp0EXCQHdKV4Bxcb5YH0OUHLNd0_2NxuMc018zQgOZ4bvlWoYO766iOYDa-8hEqB1Fp9i_KHrYX1HYvLicGNnghJ9m7ghtB8gSbP60bfNCAgNe9bSXEkDCpzdlf6Yswfb-OFvBy5TlTs/s1600/Jawa+Motorcyle+and+rider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="538" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcp0EXCQHdKV4Bxcb5YH0OUHLNd0_2NxuMc018zQgOZ4bvlWoYO766iOYDa-8hEqB1Fp9i_KHrYX1HYvLicGNnghJ9m7ghtB8gSbP60bfNCAgNe9bSXEkDCpzdlf6Yswfb-OFvBy5TlTs/s640/Jawa+Motorcyle+and+rider.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Czechoslovakian 3rd Rapid Division that was stationed on Slovak territory before the collapse of the state included the 3rd Motorcycle Company in the Reconnaissance Group.</div>
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It doesn't take a genius to guess that the Slovakian army had many motorcycles within their tables of organisation and equipment. They were predominantly used for communications between the different units but not as assumed, for reconnaissance purposes. </div>
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In March 1939 the Armoured Regiment for example included a total of 73 motorcycles on its rostas, of both JAWA CZ 175 and JAWA 250 types. </div>
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In the autumn of 1939 the organisational structure of the armoured battalion was reordered to include a Motorised Reconnaissance Group which included a motorcycle reconnaissance platoon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPnhaCiQnQLJrJfkAZlX-MMEGhN8k70Sv1gQ1xPz7BIK7amyDsHNjbogOLcoiKoNLYw99diO2I4HEmu_X3qhi3UQtmCwz9oKI2CWowcbsn6vezJyqEtUmRCZFUO5W2zORnEIvJbChy_Bf/s1600/Slovak+Motorcycle+Reconnaissance+Troops+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1550" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPnhaCiQnQLJrJfkAZlX-MMEGhN8k70Sv1gQ1xPz7BIK7amyDsHNjbogOLcoiKoNLYw99diO2I4HEmu_X3qhi3UQtmCwz9oKI2CWowcbsn6vezJyqEtUmRCZFUO5W2zORnEIvJbChy_Bf/s640/Slovak+Motorcycle+Reconnaissance+Troops+01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The armoured battalion was again restructured in January 1940 although the tables that I have access to make no mention of a motorcycle reconnaissance platoon although the 1st battalion contained an armoured car company alongside which organisationally speaking, any motorcycle reconnaissance troops would usually be found. </div>
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This lack of Motorcycle reconnaissance troops may have been as a result of the Nazi restriction on the production of new JAWA's in favour of producing war materials for the Germans so the Slovaks were reordering their forces to make best use of the motorcycle assets that they still had available for use.</div>
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On 14th October 1941 the Mobile Division was at Volnovacha and attempting to claw its way through the Rasputitsa. The returns of the day however point out that 75% of the divisions motorcycles were unserviceable making a motorcycle reconnaissance force all but redundant.</div>
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On 16th October the Mobile Division was ordered to Taganrog whilst at the same time General Turanec abolished the Reconnaissance Group due to a lack of serviceable vehicles.</div>
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This situation barely seems to have improved noticeably over the next year because by the end of 1942 the Rapid Division had lost over 1000 of its vehicles due to wear and tear.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHFEf_oQtwPSPWAKfenJpeCx5_2d1Xm_0WI3VoLwMEt5kq64_AGwkkvwUwbRdLuLM1r7Da8lJEGyLEV27N7xs0guMsA154Lzulhsc1wfgfV0LQeDfJwXTSCikXCBaccz91XzOmP9OeL-P/s1600/Slovak+Motorcycle+Reconnaissance+Troops+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1550" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHFEf_oQtwPSPWAKfenJpeCx5_2d1Xm_0WI3VoLwMEt5kq64_AGwkkvwUwbRdLuLM1r7Da8lJEGyLEV27N7xs0guMsA154Lzulhsc1wfgfV0LQeDfJwXTSCikXCBaccz91XzOmP9OeL-P/s640/Slovak+Motorcycle+Reconnaissance+Troops+02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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By 2 March 1943 the Mobile Division had retreated at speed back to the Crimea and had lost all but seven of a total complement of 84 motorcycles. It was soon after this that the Mobile status was recognised as a redundant description and the Rapid Division was renamed the 1st Infantry Division.</div>
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At some point in mid 1943 the Slovak Ministry of Defence brokered a deal with the Reich and purchased 20x DKW 350 motorcycles and 20x DKW 350 motorcycle and sidecars. These went to equip the 1st Infantry Division which on 14 September 1943 is listed as having a motorcycle reconnaissance company.</div>
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When the rest of the field army was renamed the Security Division on 1 September 1941 had only its organic supply of motorcycles to call on. By July 1942 it still only had a total of 24 motorcycles and 4 motorcycle and sidecars in the entire division. It is, at this time however, listed as having a combined reconnaissance group which did have motorcycles... only four though. Two singles and two motorcycle combos, so maybe a sections worth of reconnaissance?</div>
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...and that my friends is as much information on the Slovak motorcycle troops as I can find!</div>
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Now lets take a look at how I put this platoon together eh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOv24wBCOQ0tnYrxY5O1OC4siHn5FXZhzxpSh83GbzVnS_LZKXAotRM6gwM3XESCA5M55LGCgQAHvyblvg4BYzkCOUf3_9vo9XuGNtVJfRgoSYnffi9Ct1HRqK52RTc6h7WgUrIIAdp8L/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOv24wBCOQ0tnYrxY5O1OC4siHn5FXZhzxpSh83GbzVnS_LZKXAotRM6gwM3XESCA5M55LGCgQAHvyblvg4BYzkCOUf3_9vo9XuGNtVJfRgoSYnffi9Ct1HRqK52RTc6h7WgUrIIAdp8L/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this platoon was a Battlefront 15mm Italian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps.</div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face but from arms length away they look splendid!.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7wT_XCHNnO6PF96CySYJ-8MahGpZB6Y_9zRC1VE30HeHCjGHa9fr8aY9Go9tCJrmzbDTi2kdNjcv8LyCHK9JTjK4yANP2kB9HwFSvcehXzmQrbPT35uWkfOZp50gd6e_DlCCul-FtgAb/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7wT_XCHNnO6PF96CySYJ-8MahGpZB6Y_9zRC1VE30HeHCjGHa9fr8aY9Go9tCJrmzbDTi2kdNjcv8LyCHK9JTjK4yANP2kB9HwFSvcehXzmQrbPT35uWkfOZp50gd6e_DlCCul-FtgAb/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a micro dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMKN0LSRtzfq5H0nU_pJFmT3OGk2jeNP79puLfvsRA8ybG6vg6Eaxv1aCIafcXD4L9MOlPtcphj4SEzFfXSSOrOydSyDLZ2zPdpL9VeP4dOSQZ6BMiKF5rzHcBzs40BYVn5e_FZpSD7N4/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1600" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMKN0LSRtzfq5H0nU_pJFmT3OGk2jeNP79puLfvsRA8ybG6vg6Eaxv1aCIafcXD4L9MOlPtcphj4SEzFfXSSOrOydSyDLZ2zPdpL9VeP4dOSQZ6BMiKF5rzHcBzs40BYVn5e_FZpSD7N4/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51b8Ycne-bOgOYzIY5o524QV1eGmw-UDUzlgIttSwqO2sG0ndHAhTCNYIEh0Q-YbHYj0ijN0vmtsst4aS8r5GZ8HC1f2ZA1K8BlH2LrF6u_fKguUKd_9nwoGGTPljq7-keymj4tfNI2Q_/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51b8Ycne-bOgOYzIY5o524QV1eGmw-UDUzlgIttSwqO2sG0ndHAhTCNYIEh0Q-YbHYj0ijN0vmtsst4aS8r5GZ8HC1f2ZA1K8BlH2LrF6u_fKguUKd_9nwoGGTPljq7-keymj4tfNI2Q_/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc3EouhEaSP69YMTB3gwv2Lzr_uBfpKlD9Q4u9nbljuHqOaowoEU5pW2_1aallc_Sz_JkmwZjXhbIGcXpndTm5-9sGHw9VMXwHsC_TY06C9wJymvG0w0jk5UP-F5qq-Y8dWyU7xbpf2jK/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgc3EouhEaSP69YMTB3gwv2Lzr_uBfpKlD9Q4u9nbljuHqOaowoEU5pW2_1aallc_Sz_JkmwZjXhbIGcXpndTm5-9sGHw9VMXwHsC_TY06C9wJymvG0w0jk5UP-F5qq-Y8dWyU7xbpf2jK/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl50AM2pYi0VT-FoF9_1pzDUAhiUsdTeMXrZNLPNnggge3hTUUDGaBG97F9VinmpPEQRw5hiKjSIMK53_opUbHVtn8ZdroiW9J83GzXMJSs8aNjV6cvgxN2JFMIz5RFgw4CTIfr7KOkgU/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl50AM2pYi0VT-FoF9_1pzDUAhiUsdTeMXrZNLPNnggge3hTUUDGaBG97F9VinmpPEQRw5hiKjSIMK53_opUbHVtn8ZdroiW9J83GzXMJSs8aNjV6cvgxN2JFMIz5RFgw4CTIfr7KOkgU/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the motorcycles and sidecars are concerned the painting is pretty simple. They are primed black as usual. After the prime is cured the bikes are all done with a Tamiya Olive Green by airbrush followed by a highlight. An AK Interactives Filter for NATO camo vehicles is applied next and the n once it is mostly dry the excess is wiped off. </div>
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Once the filter is dry a layer of varnish is applied to prevent the rest of it being rubbed off. The engine block, handlebars, wheels, saddle and packs are all undercoated white again. The wheels are highlighted with Lifecolors Tire Black, the engine block and handle bars with Molten Metal Steel whilst the saddle is painted with Vallejo's Flat Earth. The exhausts are painted with Molten Metal Blackened Bronze and headlights are painted with GW's Spacewolf Grey and then three diagonal stripes of white (and white will do) are applied. All of the number plates are left matt black (and matt black).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGrgXK8YmUDQqe3lHZRFirFVLUk6w_CQeHP6aS5jmxN9yF6iUqltOMt3TtiaJ_YbQjNC_UPKVibO1-xOQpnTsomQFKgNQo0oI9YU05mtEhNg21BLL_zHHxJ1dU52c9CcPV9qOdqdxHTpm/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGrgXK8YmUDQqe3lHZRFirFVLUk6w_CQeHP6aS5jmxN9yF6iUqltOMt3TtiaJ_YbQjNC_UPKVibO1-xOQpnTsomQFKgNQo0oI9YU05mtEhNg21BLL_zHHxJ1dU52c9CcPV9qOdqdxHTpm/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top and sculpt the grout to look like a dirt road going through the centre of the base. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top of the parts of the base that isn't dirt track. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXqGDO7DjZRrY2zRM_IyDzU4hrD2TANvt6-xhR2yWH7y0OCP4trClsT1fkdMOdBjP0KrqyL0tT95ttUmBovD509-VbJRp1UDvrKAKqh8qGSMg_uSt7IqwflhsXyelfdbLWwLzT9KOZqIb/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1554" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXqGDO7DjZRrY2zRM_IyDzU4hrD2TANvt6-xhR2yWH7y0OCP4trClsT1fkdMOdBjP0KrqyL0tT95ttUmBovD509-VbJRp1UDvrKAKqh8qGSMg_uSt7IqwflhsXyelfdbLWwLzT9KOZqIb/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK5U7u-CHx-_CSGmpm-VatpkV66X7xnlL7BJ-5ziFvKM9qkhjDRV5efVrJ6UfWQrKjMV2u_McJhpOoiIEoOmwIePTfvy23sYu9VaX80QsxrBSiXMM9zJ1Goa5ajZowYFwW1RMJP2pyKF2/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK5U7u-CHx-_CSGmpm-VatpkV66X7xnlL7BJ-5ziFvKM9qkhjDRV5efVrJ6UfWQrKjMV2u_McJhpOoiIEoOmwIePTfvy23sYu9VaX80QsxrBSiXMM9zJ1Goa5ajZowYFwW1RMJP2pyKF2/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZACg5CoYX2cwJnO4xmXg09wluIUb_XAHkJscUm7WYyHtH8csKACqtmaUDN6q6P10q-f-wy2Pl33eDQM-0y-5TzOe-qhLue5dZ5yyYdrchEp_bLDTzBRSk1jQ3vLLpZSzn0JOwdNBU12E/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZACg5CoYX2cwJnO4xmXg09wluIUb_XAHkJscUm7WYyHtH8csKACqtmaUDN6q6P10q-f-wy2Pl33eDQM-0y-5TzOe-qhLue5dZ5yyYdrchEp_bLDTzBRSk1jQ3vLLpZSzn0JOwdNBU12E/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr17uJhNius8v0RiQYLDy_e1loWPAo7pKabdDQePycuoImod5H-9fmbcwgllnmrXb08VYYORJ-Iba4yBTRHnOXJ9qPhVgkbQwfnyjv0N002FQKrcfPHFeXQSABJ94YWX6LnZ77QSI7fpoA/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr17uJhNius8v0RiQYLDy_e1loWPAo7pKabdDQePycuoImod5H-9fmbcwgllnmrXb08VYYORJ-Iba4yBTRHnOXJ9qPhVgkbQwfnyjv0N002FQKrcfPHFeXQSABJ94YWX6LnZ77QSI7fpoA/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfBUP-MCqdw3gFopUthycYamDCbRZ8WjtsXd0GZNFF0tmrQQta60PDZMb6fKhL8lmofHP1WaTBQrxbYg9fzdHgvgSUriZSzx34o1Vwkn2krrVdrOYr-hwM0cce5BOXN_hyKl8EwUn2Gvk/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfBUP-MCqdw3gFopUthycYamDCbRZ8WjtsXd0GZNFF0tmrQQta60PDZMb6fKhL8lmofHP1WaTBQrxbYg9fzdHgvgSUriZSzx34o1Vwkn2krrVdrOYr-hwM0cce5BOXN_hyKl8EwUn2Gvk/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army. </div>
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Once the painting on the bases is dry the finished motorcycles and troopers can be glued to the top of the bases using superglue!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AcNYdsTAfWd66JCt5iqiCDzQUaGZ6P_je6vg8KzzZKjItxMXNkh1BZ1zBTXzlq1JPS5bDvZkVYClPFST3h0OS29zA9zSfJAW0whhU-WK_-76IT9EWX4i_bFqun6pGzeGwB-vRTVbk_kV/s1600/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AcNYdsTAfWd66JCt5iqiCDzQUaGZ6P_je6vg8KzzZKjItxMXNkh1BZ1zBTXzlq1JPS5bDvZkVYClPFST3h0OS29zA9zSfJAW0whhU-WK_-76IT9EWX4i_bFqun6pGzeGwB-vRTVbk_kV/s640/Motorcycle+Recce+Troops03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...and there we have it. </div>
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Bosh! Job Done!</div>
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FIX BAYONETS!!!! </div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-21870506261119749302019-06-15T12:51:00.000+01:002019-06-15T12:51:01.478+01:00FoW: Slovak Air Force - Avia B-534<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, this time I thought it may be time to get our feet off of the ground and up into the sky with the second of my Slovakian aircraft; the Avia B-534 fighter plane.<br />
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Quite an interesting little plane this one. World class in its day... which incidentally was a mere three years before the Second World War began<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSsLUhkxAee5JWDcboXiCiL18OtLHHDqj6HJ1RzAIxvWZkXSr0JlbZvIsUAIc4U_rM0U36ZqjiEZ7udNecdMDLmp7pYzXvLJhyphenhyphennl922ib-N21G83eenwJnO0LA1p4JG0u48aX3eGJ_Rg/s1600/Business+Shots02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSsLUhkxAee5JWDcboXiCiL18OtLHHDqj6HJ1RzAIxvWZkXSr0JlbZvIsUAIc4U_rM0U36ZqjiEZ7udNecdMDLmp7pYzXvLJhyphenhyphennl922ib-N21G83eenwJnO0LA1p4JG0u48aX3eGJ_Rg/s640/Business+Shots02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Avia B-534</b></div>
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The prototype of the Avia B-534 flew for the first time on 25 May 1933. It utilised an imported French-produced Hispano-Suiza HS-12Ybrs engine to power it and not an intended HS-12Ydrs, which was to be used in the series-production, licence manufactured in Czechoslovakia.</div>
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It was first displayed to the public on 10 September 1933 at a national Army Air Day, five days after the first flight of the second prototype.</div>
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The first procurement order for the B-534 was issued from the Ministry of National Defence to the Avia Company on 17 July 1934 and was for 147 aircraft’s. The first machines were delivered to the Air Force in autumn of 1935. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zlc3Ib-cMzMNWsXYlloO7kBl_Uy2NbnM26FRisoBlcR_-edfiNK-5_Eb310fmRp5FTGa0up49UpwcbOj-wovC5MKUz0bq5hCY0jeQkGo-6ZHrZ0ETBRGTYAvT-LhQXD_vK_t-8iIe3Qj/s1600/Avia_B-534_-_prv%25C3%25BD_prototyp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="510" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zlc3Ib-cMzMNWsXYlloO7kBl_Uy2NbnM26FRisoBlcR_-edfiNK-5_Eb310fmRp5FTGa0up49UpwcbOj-wovC5MKUz0bq5hCY0jeQkGo-6ZHrZ0ETBRGTYAvT-LhQXD_vK_t-8iIe3Qj/s640/Avia_B-534_-_prv%25C3%25BD_prototyp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ministry of National Defence then ordered the second procurement batch of 46 aircraft in 1936. The first 26 belonged to version three and were received by the units allocated to use them in March and April of 1937. </div>
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Before the end of 1936 the Ministry of National Defence awarded the third, and largest order yet for the B-534. The contract was originally for 134 aircraft (s/n B-534.194 to B-534.327), but owing to the growing German menace it was increased by another fourth contract for a further 50 machines (s/n B-534.328 to B-534.377). The fifth, and last procurement order was placed in August 1938 and was for a further 68 machines (s/n B-534.378 to B-534.445). </div>
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The number of Avia B-534’s produced for the Czechoslovak Air Force, thus reached a total of 445 machines. </div>
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Version 1 of the Avia B-534 included s/n B-534.2 to B-534.101. </div>
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Version 2 of the Avia B-534 included s/n B-534.102 to B-534.147. </div>
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Version 3 of the Avia B-534 included s/n B-534.148 to B-534.173. </div>
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Version 4 of the Avia B-534 included s/n B-534.174 to B-534.445.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ar4U-OW3WVGAPx0TEVR9mcpOJ7uXWJ4bFP_T4uRjQLiOSq6So7XpGQmG1N9c3q0BsAgOXY-27w9LDMwPB4MXWKS7pb0lZgQida77SmtWoJmKRBgZa2NUT5xSzN7tvoeNvpbD-9-G5uBx/s1600/Avia_B-534+early+version.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1024" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ar4U-OW3WVGAPx0TEVR9mcpOJ7uXWJ4bFP_T4uRjQLiOSq6So7XpGQmG1N9c3q0BsAgOXY-27w9LDMwPB4MXWKS7pb0lZgQida77SmtWoJmKRBgZa2NUT5xSzN7tvoeNvpbD-9-G5uBx/s640/Avia_B-534+early+version.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Avia Bk-534</b></div>
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The Avia Bk-534 was to be a cannon armed version of the B-534 with a license manufactured Hispano-Suiza HS-12Ycrs engine with the cannon barrel projecting through the hollow airscrew reduction gear shaft. </div>
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In 1937, fifty of the Bk-534 were ordered, with a supplemental order for a further four machines issued shortly thereafter (s/n Bk-534.501 to Bk-534.554). A further 66 (s/n Bk-534.555 to Bk-534.620) were ordered shortly before the Munich crisis. </div>
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Teething troubles with the cannon armament were not solved by the time the production of the first batch was begun in late summer 1938 and so a third 7.92mm machine gun was installed in place of the cannon initially. The same was repeated when production of the second batch was started early in 1939. As a result, the Bk-534 was the weaker-armed instead of being the more powerfully armed variety of the original fighter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBQ34xzU27AaTKv5M7MMnF_yPey6YTxDNTzJuX3001o9vsj7BYU6Tp8lp09xo57bDYEtuK2ioZtgQCz1rudLEwnAxTreVu0KQFAfojIugYDBbvetAHJikZwA_SfqVTT4h9QOrFhYk8g_q/s1600/Avia_B534IV.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBQ34xzU27AaTKv5M7MMnF_yPey6YTxDNTzJuX3001o9vsj7BYU6Tp8lp09xo57bDYEtuK2ioZtgQCz1rudLEwnAxTreVu0KQFAfojIugYDBbvetAHJikZwA_SfqVTT4h9QOrFhYk8g_q/s640/Avia_B534IV.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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More Avia Bk-534’s were made for the Nazi Luftwaffe than for the Czechoslovak Air Force. With the exception of the three first machines, the Bk-534’s from the second batch procured were taken over by the German occupants when they occupied the rump of Czechoslovakia. </div>
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The Avia Bk-534's that were manufactured included s/n B-534.501 to B-534.620</div>
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<b>The Slovak Air Arm and its use of the Avia B-534 and Bk-534 during WW2</b></div>
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The SVZ (Slovenské Vzdusné Zbrane - Slovak Air Arm) of the Slovak republic used at least 79 B-534’s and 11 Bk-534’s during its existence.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b3SCLnw7yiNchm6giBF9AQntc7fBJDmIZjIMuddsKqOI9-pjUnIR0Ai_TeoYRIG69V6zGqlP1j_C8Fkr_Ufj-qsSWJ3RiLscYZp2Ft8WcFiyGO2KtjNjuU8NdGjHialc61bp1az03lWi/s1600/Avia_B-534_IV._verze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="708" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3b3SCLnw7yiNchm6giBF9AQntc7fBJDmIZjIMuddsKqOI9-pjUnIR0Ai_TeoYRIG69V6zGqlP1j_C8Fkr_Ufj-qsSWJ3RiLscYZp2Ft8WcFiyGO2KtjNjuU8NdGjHialc61bp1az03lWi/s640/Avia_B-534_IV._verze.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Avias came from the former 3rd Air Regiment of the Czechoslovak Air Force. They were organised into three Stihacia Letky (Fighter Squadrons), the 11th, 12th and 13th Stihacia Letka. A number of machines were also allocated to the Letecká Skola (Air School) and the Letecký Park (Air Depot). </div>
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The base of the 11th and 12th Letka was Piestany whereas the 13th Letka was based at Vajnory (Bratislava) airfield.</div>
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The combat career of the Avias in the SVZ begun before the break up of Czechoslovakia and continued a time afterwards with minor clashes with the Hungarian Air Force, when Hungary tried to expand its territory in eastern Slovakia.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDurilJI7xIXF4ZpE-KGJHdWVzScec4Ho-XkcIezrvARNL66fSJ4DxXFpT47T393Ov70ZGgAdQ8R4ITkRzI6IyR_jh_CbJARq-MxzO7wg8FZpQvIkYWfeACTSR76n2qFdItrGKdC-OSFB/s1600/Avia_B534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="228" data-original-width="400" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDurilJI7xIXF4ZpE-KGJHdWVzScec4Ho-XkcIezrvARNL66fSJ4DxXFpT47T393Ov70ZGgAdQ8R4ITkRzI6IyR_jh_CbJARq-MxzO7wg8FZpQvIkYWfeACTSR76n2qFdItrGKdC-OSFB/s640/Avia_B534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In Poland during the September 1939 campaign, the SVZ was the only official combat ally of the Luftwaffe. The SVZ committed three squadrons to the operations of which two were fighter squadrons. The Slovak units limited themselves to the occupation of parts of northern Slovakia, which had been seized by Poland in 1918 with the tacit support of the Entente powers and in a further land grab in 1938 with an unwritten political collaboration with Nazi Germany. </div>
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The fighters’ participation was restricted to escorting German Ju 87s during their eight missions from Vinné airstrip near Michalovce. After these operations the fighters duties were shifted to patrolling the border.</div>
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During these operations Catár (Sergeant) Viliam Grun was shot down and forced to make an emergency landing in Polish territory, but managed to avoid capture, eventually making it home after a very treacherous journey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM2bArmvrIUBXo7aTVxFNKbwj7ak2zhxKkWeXnsQbljqE4R2vnyDEIytTQlT0oT68VmMiPrjLhYaIzg7YvzZBEBBTKnY4rKlAJvVIuCMzTGqCqVJ64eEhuhDjKYo4lfrmuF21erNtNuGX/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="640" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM2bArmvrIUBXo7aTVxFNKbwj7ak2zhxKkWeXnsQbljqE4R2vnyDEIytTQlT0oT68VmMiPrjLhYaIzg7YvzZBEBBTKnY4rKlAJvVIuCMzTGqCqVJ64eEhuhDjKYo4lfrmuF21erNtNuGX/s640/003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another pilot, Desiatnik (Corporal) Viliam Jaloviar was killed in a landing accident near Presov on 9 September after returning from a sortie.</div>
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On 26 September a two-aircraft patrol attacked a Polish RWD-8 which was fleeing to Hungary and it was shot down by Catár Grun. The Polish aircraft was forced to land near Presov.</div>
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<span style="color: white;">The SVZ fighter squadrons were more involved in the German attack on Soviet Union in June 1941. It was originally planned that the II. Stihacia Perut was to have been deployed there in 1941 with a full complement of three fighter squadrons. But the 11th Letka did not progress beyond the East-Slovakian airfields.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FA7WKy8cGFpngwXxJnPXWGA6TBc5YQ3mtlooaxRjeL_h44BmtBexnNQYZ4eLdTrPn_i9k-zSEto2PoHcqi1zYWy9mTRaf9WkeYEb_0ER7BO4ehumbmz4gnn4OHziaGPsudb_SHsH-pTT/s1600/004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="640" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FA7WKy8cGFpngwXxJnPXWGA6TBc5YQ3mtlooaxRjeL_h44BmtBexnNQYZ4eLdTrPn_i9k-zSEto2PoHcqi1zYWy9mTRaf9WkeYEb_0ER7BO4ehumbmz4gnn4OHziaGPsudb_SHsH-pTT/s640/004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 1 May 1941, the II. Stihacia Perut’ (IInd Fighter Wing), was established as an ‘umbrella’ organisations over the Fighter Squadrons. From 1 June 1943, the 13th Letka was removed from its establishment, as it was to form the basis for the IIIrd Fighter Wing, which was eventually never formed. The 13th Letka was by this time flying German supplied Messerschmidt Bf109’s on the Eastern Front and the Avias of the 11th and 12th Letka had to be superseded by Junkers Ju87 'Stukas'. On 1 August 1943 there were only 43 B-534’s and Bk-534’s surviving, with only 34 of them flyable.</div>
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On 7 July 1941, the 12th and 13th Letka, with just 11 machines each, left for the Ukraine. The Slovak fighters were assigned missions escorting German Ju 87s and Hs 126s of 3.(H)/Aufkl. Gr. 32 and 4.(H)/Aufkl. Gr. 32 operating in the northern areas covered by Luftflotte 4.</div>
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On 16 July, a Slovak Avia B-534 <i>’roj’</i> (a three aircraft combat formation) encountered heavy flak while escorting a Luftwaffe Henschel Hs.126. J. Svejdik’s fighter was hit, forcing him to return. While attempting to land his stricken aircraft he crashed, but managed to survive the accident.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBobTd5Ah5VDXLfWr81ESZXVGIQiPyMvjsVuf3hzGkiwdEWz-6pvU19TlKZOslHwrm5jDUTL1Y-HfncUxBWuskqtvPOE0RPVeATpNOPaiBsQye5y55UXj1SK4p-j6cItdnnQnsp0yUgof7/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="640" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBobTd5Ah5VDXLfWr81ESZXVGIQiPyMvjsVuf3hzGkiwdEWz-6pvU19TlKZOslHwrm5jDUTL1Y-HfncUxBWuskqtvPOE0RPVeATpNOPaiBsQye5y55UXj1SK4p-j6cItdnnQnsp0yUgof7/s640/005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 20 July 1941, the first ground-attack raid, a strafing one, was executed against retreating Soviet columns on the Vinnica-Niemirov road.</div>
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Due to the severe fuel shortage of the special BiBoLi fuel mixture (an alcohol-benzol-petrol mixture, a carry-over from the pre-war Czechoslovak Air Force, for which the engines were adjusted) needed for Slovak aircraft, all Letov Š-328 were grounded on 21 July, in order to save the dwindling fuel stock for the Avia B-534 fighters. </div>
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On the same day, a pair of B-534s of the 13th Letka was hit by machine gun fire while flying at 50 metres over enemy lines. One of the pilots, Rotnik L. Zatkonak, had to force-land behind enemy lines. His machine, struck by 40 bullets, was repaired on the spot by technicians flown in, so he was able to return to his unit the next day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RXjDM_thbWhsTzXDWxoJJwFJpjpG1DacVyQkTlaYz8i_c527nUALk0eyAH0iJOZx6Jx4orlefzVtOGcet8ChNpupVlz85RXVh-c1t91aImtZzwYUU493okIuYkM7y9prsLjdHwdcYH5J/s1600/Avia_B-534.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RXjDM_thbWhsTzXDWxoJJwFJpjpG1DacVyQkTlaYz8i_c527nUALk0eyAH0iJOZx6Jx4orlefzVtOGcet8ChNpupVlz85RXVh-c1t91aImtZzwYUU493okIuYkM7y9prsLjdHwdcYH5J/s640/Avia_B-534.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 23 July, the 12th Letka moved from Proskurov to Vinnitsa.</div>
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In the early morning on 25 July, the B-534s moved again. This time to Tul’chin, located 70km from Vinnitsa. </div>
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<span style="color: white;">Soon after their arrival, at 07:15, a fighter trio took off to escort an Hs.126 of 4.(H)/Aufkl. Gr. 32. While flying over the front line, the aircraft received heavy ground fire over Trotsianov (30km south of Gaysin). The Avia of Catník (Sergeant) Frantisek Brezina’s (total 14 victories in WWII) was damaged by the Soviet AA fire and he was forced to land behind enemy lines, 4km north of Trotsianov and a stones throw from a retreating Soviet column. The stranded pilot was then rescued by Catník Stefan Martiš (total 5 victories in WWII) who, despite strong fire, landed near Brezina’s stricken machine and brought him home clinging to the biplane’s wing struts!. Martiš was wounded by bullets, but could fly B-534 no. 181 back to Tul’chin.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv7Ma-B6I-HvaEC-GTigU0LpkfoYCoGbs8OTUmi0zjkZdmjeH1EXZ_csvZRiTvPIotFtM668on_ID7s-L483PjNCmtvBiJ3ELosgTK0comPOZhX3QEVTBMgT9O2RbpiXEseM5gwx5jg_0/s1600/1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1024" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv7Ma-B6I-HvaEC-GTigU0LpkfoYCoGbs8OTUmi0zjkZdmjeH1EXZ_csvZRiTvPIotFtM668on_ID7s-L483PjNCmtvBiJ3ELosgTK0comPOZhX3QEVTBMgT9O2RbpiXEseM5gwx5jg_0/s640/1636.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 28 July, the Slovak airmen fighting on the Eastern Front made their first claim when an unidentified pilot of a <i>’roj’</i> (three-aircraft basic formation) of the 12th Letka, led by Squadron CO Nadporučík (1st Lieutenant) Josef Pálenicek, damaged a Soviet <i>’Curtiss’</i> biplane fighter in a dogfight east of ‘Gaysina at 18:22.</div>
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The following claim was made in combat with fighters from 168 IAP, which took off from Grushka airfield to provide fighter escort to bombers attacking Gaysin. Over the target, two reportedly Rumanian <i>’polutoraplan’</i> (i.e. ‘1-1/2-wing’) fighters jumped one of the I-153s, damaging it. The I-153 had to make an emergency landing in the Yuzefpol area.</div>
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Slovak sources gives the date for this combat to 29 July, but the details match with Soviet data on this date.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyyE8-8QlMlOfXf-o1bVKqhIBKhokR33X_7ZZmKz1gUEM3AewKk8DQSXzpeGrjRY07HpdJ_WZPUxRcgJyE0RzsMBXnj4bDt957U2Yu6hX5HxP507mHUqBID7LmcDsmlbPxKMRc0DkBX1w/s1600/Avia+B-534+flying+over+Slovakia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="492" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyyE8-8QlMlOfXf-o1bVKqhIBKhokR33X_7ZZmKz1gUEM3AewKk8DQSXzpeGrjRY07HpdJ_WZPUxRcgJyE0RzsMBXnj4bDt957U2Yu6hX5HxP507mHUqBID7LmcDsmlbPxKMRc0DkBX1w/s640/Avia+B-534+flying+over+Slovakia.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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At 18:22 on 29 July, a <i>’roj’</i> of three Avia B-534 of 12th Letka, led by Nadporučík (1st Lieutenant) Josef Pálenicek, tangled with a mixed group of Soviet fighters, made up of I-16s, I-153s and Mig-3's. The presence of the modern MiG-3's – besides their numerical superiority – offered a decisive advantage to the Soviet side. Therefore, Pálenicek ordered his men to break combat and return home, flying at tree top level.</div>
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On 30 July, the Commander of the 12th Letka received orders from the German 17th Army to strafe Soviet columns retreating towards Uman with bombs and machine gun fire. During the mission, Avia B-534 No. 242 flown by Catník Martin Danihel was hit by ground fire. Danihel force-landed in enemy territory, near Babanka. He was however rescued by his comrade Catník Jozef Drlicka, who landed nearby and brought him home clinging to the wing struts! </div>
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They were both awarded the Eiserne Kreuz II.Klasse (Iron Cross 2nd Class) for this bravery on 8 September together with their colleague Augustin Kubovic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDADVMnDuczP41gW99CLGeo_movFa7pjXloFm8sn4m1AJrzUnxBaeeSB7TiiRSBMJeJeH80woW9hKF6aFcxdQ9LOMdaTv9lEjg24lDQdSuJxZZ0voImGp15YMN51OCZe_X_sR_M2kktsX/s1600/Avia+B-534+in+field+airfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="901" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDADVMnDuczP41gW99CLGeo_movFa7pjXloFm8sn4m1AJrzUnxBaeeSB7TiiRSBMJeJeH80woW9hKF6aFcxdQ9LOMdaTv9lEjg24lDQdSuJxZZ0voImGp15YMN51OCZe_X_sR_M2kktsX/s640/Avia+B-534+in+field+airfield.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;">On 15 August 1941, the 13th Letka returned to Piestany.</span></div>
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On 17 August, the Slovak Air Force’s 13th observation Letka, equipped with Letov Š-328 biplanes, was withdrawn from the front due to attrition. As the 13th fighter Letka had earlier left for Slovakia, only two Slovak combat units, the 12th Fighter Squadron and the 1st Observation Squadron (Letov Š-328s), remained. They now operated in the Kiev area, far from Odessa.</div>
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At 18:15 on 7 September 1941, Catník Jozef Drlicka of 12th Letka claimed one victory while flying his Avia B-534, when during dogfights over the bridge near Gornostaypol (about 70km south of Kiev) he shot down a Soviet Polikarpov I-16. An unknown Slovak pilot claimed a second I-16 at the same time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ic0PdjejxcUeeLHt-ZtQ_hyphenhyphene4s2EvMIaOtCorBVS3zItwpLVQOkIZSiS8cxZyA7k8Q-AZxGUeKAqvK9IVrnjNdGR2LMwQ7LeOx8_jxrGf3irjXZdVrainqcNKLbJoeX1POZRMWOnrOBc/s1600/Avia_B-534_Slovensk%25C3%25BDch_vzdu%25C5%25A1n%25C3%25BDch_zbran%25C3%25AD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="840" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ic0PdjejxcUeeLHt-ZtQ_hyphenhyphene4s2EvMIaOtCorBVS3zItwpLVQOkIZSiS8cxZyA7k8Q-AZxGUeKAqvK9IVrnjNdGR2LMwQ7LeOx8_jxrGf3irjXZdVrainqcNKLbJoeX1POZRMWOnrOBc/s640/Avia_B-534_Slovensk%25C3%25BDch_vzdu%25C5%25A1n%25C3%25BDch_zbran%25C3%25AD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At 07:55 on 8 September 1941, Catník J. Kocka of 12th Letka claimed one more I-16 during dogfights over the bridge near Gornostaypol (about 70km south of Kiev).</div>
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On 3 October, Slovak anti-aircraft units mistakenly fired on a friendly aircraft. The B-534 of Frantisek Hanovec from the 12th Letka was damaged, although the pilot was unhurt. The aircraft was repaired but not until 15 October, which indicates the precarious state of the Slovak expeditionary air unit’s field repair capability.</div>
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On 16 October, the 12th Letka returned to Slovakia. </div>
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The 12th and 13th Letka’s flew 1119 front-line missions during 1941, including 58 air combats, 14 strafing missions, 14 bombing missions, 383 patrol missions, 91 escort missions escorting Slovak aircraft and 88 escort missions escorting German aircraft. The remaining missions were various ferry flights.</div>
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<span class="mw-headline">On 1 June 1942, the 11th Letka was sent to the Soviet Union for anti-partisan operations in the hinterland. This tour lasted fourteen months and they lost two aircraft to enemy ground fire.</span></div>
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The front-line career of the Avias was curtailed primarily by the supply problems associated with both the spare parts and the BiBoLi fuel. Above all however, the obsolescence and the general wear and tear caused by the combat operations was the main cause of problems. In early February 1942, the first Slovak pilots were sent to Denmark for conversion training on the Bf109, which from then on started to be used by the Slovak pilots at the front and from the bases at home.</div>
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Four Avias were among the 27 machines whose escape and landing on the Red Army-controlled territory on 31 August 1944 meant the end of the short history of the SVZ.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSRGp4RGT0onbjWKDO3yL4m2KvjVUmq8EgWc1ppXYjNvdjxOGDOkW-WBzdgdIOurm5Rc_53LXUQjp42i5_v0YBh3pes4rH-nDbCn1oc5F8MVOAkmcSjVMXne43EBqn-YPTYQaGhHQOWDz/s1600/22701735124_b3d2b0efdb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSRGp4RGT0onbjWKDO3yL4m2KvjVUmq8EgWc1ppXYjNvdjxOGDOkW-WBzdgdIOurm5Rc_53LXUQjp42i5_v0YBh3pes4rH-nDbCn1oc5F8MVOAkmcSjVMXne43EBqn-YPTYQaGhHQOWDz/s640/22701735124_b3d2b0efdb_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I would hope that most people should be wondering where in hell can they lay their hands on one of these 1/100 Avia B-534 just like this one. Well, at present ladies; you can't! </div>
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I believe that this may currently be the single existing 1/100 example in the world. However it does represent an object lesson in how obsession can lead you to 'get what you want!'</div>
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I habitually spend months scouring the interweb to find the bits and pieces that I want in order to put together my weird and wacky playthings and whilst a lot of the time I can claim moderate success where the Slovak air force in 1/100 was concerned I came up with an absolute brick wall. </div>
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I had to consider other options. I have no ability to sculpt these aircraft myself as in all truth I wouldn't even know where to start. I had no 3D sculpting skills either so I couldn't rig one up by myself and I also couldn't find any examples in any 3D library that I scoured... this only left me with two options; forget it (not bloody likely) or whip out the big guns! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_CKBthIhfQCAOf0gltW7u6t2gG2iSezbmQi9MfS-HgqzYR9dduo-GiS1D2LmXBk8epjD3ZMoJ8A_jvPJ_Gvj53ZHyRpK2DK4utA3eZ578-hOKaXjGm8biiHuN8Of-2MPd-F2uM_QnHnW/s1600/Avia+B-534+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1196" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_CKBthIhfQCAOf0gltW7u6t2gG2iSezbmQi9MfS-HgqzYR9dduo-GiS1D2LmXBk8epjD3ZMoJ8A_jvPJ_Gvj53ZHyRpK2DK4utA3eZ578-hOKaXjGm8biiHuN8Of-2MPd-F2uM_QnHnW/s640/Avia+B-534+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So whip them out I did!</div>
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I decided that a small home run business selling a range of rare and/or impossible to get a hold of models was the way forwards in order to recoup some of my losses that this venture would no doubt cause. In line with this idea I struck up a conversation with a producer who I had been keeping an eye on for a while and whose stuff was impressing me. We discussed relative costs of sculpting and production and once we agreed prices and business arrangements I contracted an attached 3D artist to begin work. A bit of back and forth to make sure the final design would be as I wanted, it was finally printed off and it made quite the impression. Took a bit of effort to clean up but the results cant be argued with in my opinion.<br />
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The painting came next and for the most part I have to say was a relatively simple affair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSsLUhkxAee5JWDcboXiCiL18OtLHHDqj6HJ1RzAIxvWZkXSr0JlbZvIsUAIc4U_rM0U36ZqjiEZ7udNecdMDLmp7pYzXvLJhyphenhyphennl922ib-N21G83eenwJnO0LA1p4JG0u48aX3eGJ_Rg/s1600/Business+Shots02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKSsLUhkxAee5JWDcboXiCiL18OtLHHDqj6HJ1RzAIxvWZkXSr0JlbZvIsUAIc4U_rM0U36ZqjiEZ7udNecdMDLmp7pYzXvLJhyphenhyphennl922ib-N21G83eenwJnO0LA1p4JG0u48aX3eGJ_Rg/s640/Business+Shots02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The whole aircraft was primed with a standard grey primer from a rattle can and left to dry.</div>
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Once dry the plane was airbrushed with a uniform layer of MIG 058 Light Khaki Green.</div>
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Once this was dry the most painstaking part of the process needed to be done. 0.5mm wide masking tape strips were applied along the rib lines of the upper wings, fuselage, and tail planes. Once this was done the leading edge of the upper and lower main wings had a thin 2mm wide contour tape strip applied to it.</div>
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Once secure the airbrush was used to spray a light covering of MIG 059 Khaki Green over the top of the light khaki green. It is important that you do not spray too heavily in this step as it will leave the contrasts between the two layers two pronounced and will look weird. Use a bit of discretion and leave it at a level where the highlighted areas are left apparent but not overpowering.</div>
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<span style="color: white;">Once done and dry the masks can all be removed and you should have quite an effective overall feel to the aircraft.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCJ23ukA-X1WWk4LwnhFXQDyh6SUT1l3mc6APh5BzL60LcdGpo22H_SayCXUVnm_4_NUXYKsOS5Tx8bT-DBTMbcimQVy1ih93w4PKz0YCXjqhZDqXkST8khWXEG6BiMjWXlyCo1fWzRDO/s1600/Slovak+Avia+B-53402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCJ23ukA-X1WWk4LwnhFXQDyh6SUT1l3mc6APh5BzL60LcdGpo22H_SayCXUVnm_4_NUXYKsOS5Tx8bT-DBTMbcimQVy1ih93w4PKz0YCXjqhZDqXkST8khWXEG6BiMjWXlyCo1fWzRDO/s640/Slovak+Avia+B-53402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next colour to be applied is the Vallejo's 993 Flat Aluminium on the underside of the wings and the fuselage. Due to the fact that this colour is so high key I opted not to waste time with contrasting on an area of the plane that will barely be seen. This paint needs to be treated with care and if it wasn't the fact that it is the perfect colour I would opt to ditch it in favour of another colour as the Vallejo paint just seems to be far too thin to be used with the brush and I didn't want to have to go through the grief of masking everything off again.</div>
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The next step was the yellow, for which i did have to mask everything off. I applied the masks leaving clear the areas to be airbrushed and mixed up Vallejo's 953 Flat Yellow highlighted with Vallejo's 915 Deep Yellow with a touch of white.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXqtoVmZf89AsW10kJDfs7Mm-O7sSJURzHH9cQUZE1kA8K34Do7d6uYLMwJyDxIdXEnvo99o_d7RZfnn6LwzU0TlMSFaU1nAKKfD2CoUVskNL0Xm69qtZ7iUxkzDa9SB_jb7haQxUyNB4/s1600/Slovak+Avia+B-53403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXqtoVmZf89AsW10kJDfs7Mm-O7sSJURzHH9cQUZE1kA8K34Do7d6uYLMwJyDxIdXEnvo99o_d7RZfnn6LwzU0TlMSFaU1nAKKfD2CoUVskNL0Xm69qtZ7iUxkzDa9SB_jb7haQxUyNB4/s640/Slovak+Avia+B-53403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again all masks were removed and the fine details were now tackled.</div>
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A coat of Varnish was applied and then pin lining was done on all of the fuselage panel lines and aileron and flap joints with AK Interactive's Wash for Nato Camo Vehicles. </div>
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Once dry the excess was rubbed away just leaving the profiling.</div>
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All metal parts were painted with Molten Metal Steel mixed with Vallejo Black. The tires were painted Vallejo Black followed by Lifecolor's UA733 Tyre Black as the highlight...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGufMnTVHxYXYRisIrpT2bJePocTqu9kx3b0phWSs2tx8fQGs-3Nj-ahvG5tyFkBPig_Uj8zfvKjzM0gCorZq-k2Yh2F_q0kE-sP0KjauVUuCCkgIlcGtuR69ON_K2KGsI2WfWEwTT7Wy/s1600/Slovak+Avia+B-53404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGufMnTVHxYXYRisIrpT2bJePocTqu9kx3b0phWSs2tx8fQGs-3Nj-ahvG5tyFkBPig_Uj8zfvKjzM0gCorZq-k2Yh2F_q0kE-sP0KjauVUuCCkgIlcGtuR69ON_K2KGsI2WfWEwTT7Wy/s640/Slovak+Avia+B-53404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">...and so we come to the very last thing that I needed to do for this addition to my Slovak army... the decals.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; text-align: start;">Now, I am capable of making my own decals BUT the experience that I have had so far has led to decals that are uncomfortably thick and ones that cannot include white unless as an overall substrate to the total image and so one of my Polish friends suggested I approach a gentleman in Poland that both he and his father had used to produce specialist decals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhkdmyVrQQVll5q5au2qSz0akw3k_fNytMnTP05Nrw9YP_BKPA2S1O16LwehGMetrigE39HWcnn_H3iGJEz5GWZwoieiLc-sjiBq_e8Ro1u1uwC4l0yeuc_x965cOv_yaRb4_0tL3EgEp/s1600/Slovak+Avia+B-53405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhkdmyVrQQVll5q5au2qSz0akw3k_fNytMnTP05Nrw9YP_BKPA2S1O16LwehGMetrigE39HWcnn_H3iGJEz5GWZwoieiLc-sjiBq_e8Ro1u1uwC4l0yeuc_x965cOv_yaRb4_0tL3EgEp/s640/Slovak+Avia+B-53405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="mw-headline"><span style="text-align: start;">I thus contracted one Bogdan Zolnierowicz through Facebook to produce for me a decal sheet with enough Slovak aircraft and tank markings to polish off everything that I thought I would need. Along with a couple of sheets of numbers and letters I had enough to produce the exact representation that I wanted and Bogdan's decals were exactly what the doctor ordered.</span></span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline"><span style="text-align: start;">Incidentally if you want to approach Bogdan for help with decals he says you are all welcome to do so. He may not respond quickly but he will eventually and he is the only one on Facebook with the name.</span></span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline">So there we have it ladies and gents. Another fine Czechoslovakian asset to add to the Slovak pantheon.</span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline">Another project finished, so on to the next!</span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline">Fix bayonets!</span></div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-28568108777822000102019-06-14T22:22:00.000+01:002019-06-14T22:22:12.261+01:00FoW: Slovak Armour (vz.33 tankettes)<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, here we are again ladies and gents and this time I thought we could look at one of those weird and wacky machines from the interbellum that made the thirties so interesting; the Tancik vz.33 or the Model 1933 Tankette.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucTy90dOZbh0tB6D3IJ0Cnh2p0EgBrPRxdb1Lo1e045ROze_fdRMfbaiildY7MDSfF_NBKap95orf1nGzq85FXuZMJlkFf0cdqaBYYBpKalyIAnvh0NeYmtYBL6P7oFVdRxfk7alj5opj/s1600/Finished+Tancik+vz.33+Tankettes05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1600" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucTy90dOZbh0tB6D3IJ0Cnh2p0EgBrPRxdb1Lo1e045ROze_fdRMfbaiildY7MDSfF_NBKap95orf1nGzq85FXuZMJlkFf0cdqaBYYBpKalyIAnvh0NeYmtYBL6P7oFVdRxfk7alj5opj/s640/Finished+Tancik+vz.33+Tankettes05.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The history of the tankette in the Republic of Czechoslovakia began to be written in 1929. In this year for the first time the word 'tankette' starts to appear in the army of military ideas that were flooding Europe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tankette phenomenon came from British General J.F.C Fuller, the Chief of Staff of the Armoured Corps, whose idea of a small modern army, in which the basic building block would be a highly mobile, armoured and with strong weaponry captured the imagination of many European nations. More designers put the idea of the tankette into practise with Mr Carden and Mr Lloyd proving to be the most successful with their offering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tankettes were constructed of various sizes, ranging from 1.5 to 3 tons with a crew of one or two men. They carried a range of different armaments ranging initially from light and heavy machine guns right up to mortars, flame throwers and autocannons by the end of their operational period in history. There were even unarmoured versions, such as the Renault UE that was used as a supply and/or tow vehicle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The common and much cited negative trait of this genus of armoured vehicle however was the weak armour, inefficient engine, restrictive interior layout and low reliability. Despite these handicaps however the Carden-Lloyd license was sold to several countries where they were used to develop further and nominally more advanced designs such as the Italian Fiat-Anslado CV-33 and CV-35, the Soviet T-17, T-23 and T-27, the French Renaults, the Polish TK series and the Japanese Type 94 Te-Ke. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsegYkkaCrw3oSYYU5twM_3Mf51tTRaz1pvHGAxd5Km2hszklL6dKrqumw_dJzOiieBQ1zO7D4vP29_V7pb-MOC6f9m-4lL3hJv7xAjfO6-NQGD1g61Un5NjxsipkzAD6-NeAYnja_Gfr/s1600/vz_33_tankette_1938.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="118" data-original-width="219" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSsegYkkaCrw3oSYYU5twM_3Mf51tTRaz1pvHGAxd5Km2hszklL6dKrqumw_dJzOiieBQ1zO7D4vP29_V7pb-MOC6f9m-4lL3hJv7xAjfO6-NQGD1g61Un5NjxsipkzAD6-NeAYnja_Gfr/s640/vz_33_tankette_1938.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">History of Development</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the Czechoslovakian armed forces were established the idea of tankettes never even entered the thoughts of the military hierarchy, however despite this by 1929 conversations were being had entertaining the idea of testing the suitability of tankettes for introduction to the armed forces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first purchase initiative came from Lieutenant-Colonel Albrecht, Department Head of the Military Technical Institute, who in 1929 visited Vickers-Armstrong with a delegation representatives from the military accompanied by delegates from the CKD (Ceskomoravska-Kolben-Danek) factory in order to view their new tankette.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On returning to Czechoslovakia they enthusiastically recommended the tankette as an ideal light armoured vehicle for inclusion into infantry divisions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later the same year, the CKD factory participated in the negotiations and on 14 October 1929 they offered the army the purchase of a license to manufacture 300 of the Carden-Lloyd Mk. VI. The costs of the license however had been inflated by CKD too far, the army smelled a rat and declined, stating that the offer was unacceptable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However the army felt keenly the lack of armed vehicles in their own army not only to increase the strength of the armed forces but more especially the lack of opportunity for training their infantry in combined arms manoeuvres and operations. This particular aspect played a large part in the decision to adopt the tankette into the armies equipment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the meeting of the Ministry of the Army on 4 November 1929 the representatives of the army categorically stated that they did not consider the tankette an appropriate weapon and that they believed that the army had no need or use for such a machine. However there was a lot of movement being conducted behind the scenes and on account of this it was finally decided that three examples of the Carden-Lloyd Mk VI would be purchased through CKD to verify their technical values and tactical characteristics. It was only after they had been conducted to thorough rounds of field tests that the army and ministry would make any final decisions on further orders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 25 February 1930 a contract was signed between CKD and Vickers-Armstrong to purchase a further three sample Carden-Lloyd Mk.VI's, one trailer and one trolley for the tankette and at the same time purchased a license for their production in Czechoslovakia, until 1 December 1939. The army was supposed to pay for one third of £12,000 (approx. CZK 660,000), the balance of which was to be paid after the introduction of the vehicle into the equipment rolls of the army. In addition a £75 per unit license fee was to be charged for each machine produced.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The new tankettes and its accessories arrived in Prague on 10 March 1930, followed by the first public demonstration rides conducted in front of representatives of the army across Duletin Meadow. In the following weeks the tankettes had intensive testing conducted on their on and off road performance.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3Tosj6OAQLPSNoRNuVym5Hc3lJG9hTmth2Bih07FaSQcI35SSw5CcNE4osji9uojnlbqQ6YWFFhycTIqUjLX9zUL2SW2DZnV3ojgKwfDcARRFGWyFFBL5VnKGfr9S1VzK4Ih8xZldxdX/s1600/Tancik+vz.33+%252803%2529+Prototype.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="550" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3Tosj6OAQLPSNoRNuVym5Hc3lJG9hTmth2Bih07FaSQcI35SSw5CcNE4osji9uojnlbqQ6YWFFhycTIqUjLX9zUL2SW2DZnV3ojgKwfDcARRFGWyFFBL5VnKGfr9S1VzK4Ih8xZldxdX/s640/Tancik+vz.33+%252803%2529+Prototype.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 20 June 1930 CKD purchased a further three samples, each for CZK 150,000, paying CZK 488,745 for the entire delivery, including trucks, subsequently paying a further CZK 40,000 for a series of test drives. Yet the machines remained in the factory, with the army stating that it planned to take receipt of them in July. The vehicles were registered on 21 July 1930, specifically being taken into the test vehicles group in the Military Technical Institute. The operational care of the vehicles was at this time assumed by the armoured battalion based in Milovice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On taking receipt of the license CKD started to produce four more tankettes in the Praga car factory that had been taken over by CKD in 1927. Three of these tankettes went to the army whilst one remained at the factory to be used as a test bed for further developments. Arming the tankette with a Schwarzlose machine gun was initially considered. The designation of the new machines was given as CL-P (Carden-Lloyd-Praga). Representatives of CKD submitted an offer for CZK 221,325 per vehicle i.e more than twice the initially considered price. Because of the fact that CKD built four tankettes it is likely that the price of the fourth was divided amongst the price of the first three that were delivered to the army. CKD later donated this final fourth one to the Iranian emperor in order to sell the AH-IV and the TNH-P tanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 14 August the Ministry of Defence ordered the three new machines to conduct military tests and long distance road travel from Prague to Ceske Budejovice and back again. A number of tests however were failed and as a result of these the treads were stripped off of the vehicle, the rubber wheels were removed from the wheels, the engine continually over heated and the oil pipes cracked. These repairs took until late September to put right and by the end of the year they had gone through all of their technical tests successfully.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All six of these machines; the three British Carden-Lloyd MkVI and the other three produced by CKD, were to be examined and tested by a number of departments within the army (in July they were to be tested by 11th Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigade and 1st Infantry Division) to include participation in the annual manoeuvres that were being held between 28 July and 8 September. Due to unexpected technical obstacles however only the original British Carden-Lloyds were able to take part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These exercises however, confirmed all of the fears that were loudly proclaimed by the military establishment. In addition to the persistent technical problems were the newly identified tactical shortcomings. The crews vision was critically limited, the range of the on board weapons was deemed insufficient as well as its lack of accuracy exacerbated by the rattling of the vehicle whilst the engine was running. Communication was also cut to practically zero between the two crew members themselves because their heads were ensconced in pyramid hatches and so couldn't see each other let along hear each other due to the noise of the engine and communication between vehicles was almost impossible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Likewise the engines performance was deemed insufficient for its task and the ammunition, which was stored in external ammunition cases were unsafe for retrieval by the gun operator. Most of these vehicles were left idle for long periods of time due to excessive crew stress and an inordinately high mechanical failure rate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The OA vz.30 armoured cars, with their equipment held within the turret ring was able to accomplish all of the same tasks asked of the vz.33 to a much higher standard and yet despite this the powers that be stated that the tankette idea was a good idea but that the current vehicles had too many shortcomings to warrant serious consideration and were far off from being a maturely developed combat vehicle. Amongst other ideas it was suggested that the on-board weapons were placed in a revolving tower, which may also go some way in mitigating the visibility issues. On the basis of these suggestions the machines were purchased and taken over by the army.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciMPKgY2YHYmKybm6xl7jYyi6g7DtAKjL_OoQFg6BTUuh9ut3j4VymcZH6NjTTDDvDBACHSXhj8YXUoO0dooSHIkR1vdF5BDE_ALR0E0SoAJhz08NHN7NZQDhHu6tQT_RAOGvYoulYFzo/s1600/Tancik+vz.33+%252800%2529+schematic+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="751" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiciMPKgY2YHYmKybm6xl7jYyi6g7DtAKjL_OoQFg6BTUuh9ut3j4VymcZH6NjTTDDvDBACHSXhj8YXUoO0dooSHIkR1vdF5BDE_ALR0E0SoAJhz08NHN7NZQDhHu6tQT_RAOGvYoulYFzo/s640/Tancik+vz.33+%252800%2529+schematic+2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tankette PI</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All of the aforementioned issues forced a major rebuild of the vehicles superstructure. Therefore, engineers dismantled the tankette and studied all possibilities for adjustment and exchange of some mechanical parts for domestic production. This included the power units and other items from the Praga cars or armaments. This all resulted in a redesigned tankette which CKD designated as the PI. The original structure was left with the running gear and the steering mechanisms but everything else was reworked according to military requirements. The unofficial factory designation can be considered to be the abbreviation of AH resulting from the propulsion unit. The petrol engine of the A series, which had been adapted for caterpillar vehicles (H).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The years 1931 and 1932 were, for CKD, a period of great reconstruction and modernisation. By the end of 1931 one Czechoslovakian CL-P had been constructed for CZK 115,363. The mounting of the machine gun had been changed into the ball carriage and sliding armour curtain which increased the field of fire and a second machine gun was added for the driver. All the ammunition was now placed within the combat compartment with additional visors added to the sides and rear of the hull to improve the view from the vehicle. Improved driving characteristics, the door to the radiator in the rear of the hull was replaced by more practical louvres. Armour was reinforced according to military specifications and demands up to 12mm on the front armour face, 8mm at the sides and 4mm on the bottom, as opposed to the original 9mm, 6mm and 3mm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the spring of 1932 the finished reconstructed piece was handed over to the army for testing. Throughout the factory and army tests in the years 1931-32 the first machine drove a total of 4350km but the army hesitated again from submitting a large order. Negotiations over the introduction into the army's ordnance, the numbers to be built etc were continued ad nauseum. The second two prototype CL-P tankettes were gradually rebuilt taking into consideration new demands. Following the rebuild the CKD representatives were able to pressure the army representatives into accepting the tankettes and they were accepted into the armoured regiment on 17 October 1932 in Slany.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Around this time the consequences of the Great Depression were starting to make themselves felt even within CKD. The army, still disunited over the role of the tankette, still resisted the submission of a large order. CKD then applied political leverage to the Minister of Defence, Bohumir Bradac, probably by way of threatening to dismiss workers and limit future production capacities. On 21 February 1933 the Minister of Defence submitted instructions for the army to order 15 PI's, with a possible extension if necessary. CKD offered a price of CZK 130,000 for each tankette whilst the army demanded a price of less than CZK 100,000 be offered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On 19 April 1933 the army finally issued an order for 70 tankettes. The price per unit without any periscopes or weapons included came to CZK 131,000 plus the license fee of £32. Already by 5 April the ministry had approved the entry of the PI tankette into the army's inventory and shortly thereafter on 30 June 1933 it received the designation Tancik vz.33 (Tankette model 1933). The introduction of the vehicle into the army inventory was significantly influenced by both political and economic reasons but it was also argued that there was a pressing need to increase the readiness of the army, which at this time only had seven Renault FT-17 tanks that it could call on for use, an outdated and obsolete model that hailed from the First World War.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CKD undertook to deliver 40 machines by the end of 1933 and the remaining 30 by September 1934. The start of serial production had significantly adjusted due to a collection of complications that had occurred, not least of which was the unsatisfactory work of the Polda Steelworks who were responsible for the manufacture of the armour plates. Production line work began in earnest on 9 November 1933. The first series of 10 pieces were completed in the factory by the beginning of January 1934 but representatives of the Ministry of Defence only took them from the factory in Slany on 6 February 1934 (registration numbers 13.430 to 13.439). Subsequent units were able to produced at a faster rate with another 20 units being delivered in March, 10 in April, 20 in August and by 10 October 1934 the order had been completed with the last 10 vehicles being handed over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Army acceptance tests were fixed with each vehicle having to conduct a 400km journey between Prague-Milovice-Prague. and a 5 hour protracted field test. To achieve a speed of 35km/h, successfully negotiating a 1.2 meter ditch, successfully wading through a water obstacle of 0.6m depth and overcoming a slope of 45 degrees. On receipt of the vehicles ballistic tests against the vehicles armour was also conducted on the vehicle before acceptance with any perforations being recorded and the vehicle refused. For example Tancik voj. ev. No.13.437 from the first series when being handed over on 6 February had its armour shot through by a rifle at a distance of 75m.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of 1934 all of the vehicles, except for the first replacement batch, a total of 40 vehicles, participated in final military manoeuvres where unfortunately all concerns about the usability and quality of the vehicles was confirmed. Cross country capability was low, firing potential was limited and communications between crew members and vehicles within the platoon, even with the help of flags and signals was extremely compromised. Even light reconnaissance duties assigned to these tankettes was problematic due to the poor visibility that the vehicles visors allowed. The crews also suffered appreciable fatigue due to the noise and temperature of the engine, limited interior space and poor ventilation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Post 1934, after obtaining a license to export the tankette from the army, CKD unsuccessfully offered the tankette vz.33 abroad to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Estonia, Lithuania, Sweden, China, Persia and Yugoslovia. The foreign service however only received one piece which was the one that became a gift for the Persian Shah.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Service in the Czechoslovakian Army</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tancik vz.33 was conceived and manufactured for the army as a light reconnaissance and combat vehicle for use at a divisional level. The army took receipt of the tankette into the Armoured Regiment in Milovice and was distributed amongst the following armoured battalions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1st Tankette Company - 15 vehicles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd Tankette Company - 15 vehicles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3rd Tankette Company - 10 vehicles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Milovice Replacement Depot - 30 vehicles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 1935 the tankettes were redistributed amongst the newly established Armoured Regiments</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1st Armoured Regiment in Bohemia - 20 vehicles (all in Milovice) in two companies in the 1st Battalion</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd Armoured Regiment in Moravia - 16 vehicles (five in Olomouc, nine in Vyskov and two in Praslavice)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3rd Armoured Regiment in Slovakia - 30 vehicles (14 in Turcianske Svaty Martin, eight in Bratislava and eight in Kosice), all of these ones came from the Replacement Depot so suffered a limited amount of wear and tear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 remaining tankettes were used in the Armoured Regiment school in Milovice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From September 1938 the newly received tankettes were allocated to the newly established 4th Armoured Regiment in Kolin (on 15 September of that year). Armoured Regiment 4, after its completion, took over the tasks of Armoured Regiment 1 that had siphoned off its own tankettes to arm the newly created 1st and 4th Mobile Divisions. During times of mobilisation all of the armoured regiments had to create a total of 23 tankette platoons for distribution to the border areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Between 1934 and 1936 the tankettes were intensively used for training instead of using the small LT vz.34 light tanks. In addition there were still failures due to poor design, inexperienced factory processes and the use of unsuitable materials for components that still needed addressing. All factors resulted in excessive wear and frequent failure. Conversely some of the parts originating from trucks made replacement and repairs much easier.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Combat Performance</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the time of the deteriorating political situation in 1938 it was decided to deploy the tankettes as support vehicles in platoons of three. During the partial mobilisation in the spring of 1938 the tankettes were assigned to strengthen the border units (to the sum of 23 platoons). By regulation of the Ministry of Defence, followed by a decree from the Chief of Staff on 25 July 1938 military emergency units were set up, deployed directly into the border areas. In the 15 newly established emergency units were, amongst others things, three tankette platoons from Armoured Regiment 1 and 2 which were allocated to 5th Division in Czech Budejovice, Infantry Regiment 44 in Liberec and to Infantry Regiment 34 in Bruntal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the end the tankettes were actually used in the border combats against the German Freikorps through August and September. Between 12 September and 4 October there were 69 engagements that involved the presence of armour, and of course at least in part with the participation of the tankettes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because these machines fought exclusively against lightly armed insurgents, they experienced a measure of success. Because the insurgents did not target the tankettes, none of them received any damage. For their own troops they provided great support and a good boost to morale. However again, their unreliability and failure rate was made manifest when they were frequently forced to drop out of service at critical moments amounting to a mere two, or even one at some points, platoons being available for use.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most of the unit commanders ratings for these vehicles were extremely negative. After Munich, all of the troops from Moravia and Bohemia returned to their home units.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Their last appearance in the forces of the Czechoslovakian army was in 1938 and 1939 within Carpathian Ruthenia (vehicles from Armoured Regiment 3) but only in rare cases. For example on 10 October Czechoslovak infantry supported by two vz.33's surrounded and captured a Szabadcsapatok group (a Hungarian insurgency unit) whilst in the latter half of October two infantry battalions supported by an armoured platoon destroyed a battalion strength Szabadcsapatok in the woods near Salanek, the armour penetrating the forest and surprising the Hungarians in their camp. About 300 Hungarians were captured.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the German Occupation</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After 15 March 1939 the Germans appropriated 40 vehicles from the Armoured Regiments in Bohemia and Moravia along with all three prototypes. The Wehrmacht captured the machines stored or transferred to the driver training school due to obsolescence or failure rate but they were only used briefly. They most probably remained in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. They were likely used as static machine gun posts or for target practise.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Republic of Slovakia</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the declaration of an independent Slovak State the 30 tankettes of Armoured Regiment 3 were stationed in Slovakia; vehicles 13.460 to 13.489. Whilst the Slovaks kept the tankettes in a ready state they were not deployed for a long time and did not participate in the short border war against Hungary, the invasion of Poland or the invasion of the Soviet Union.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In May 1939 after the first Slovak reorganisations of their forces the 1st Battalion of the Slovak Armoured Regiment had four tankettes assigned to it with registration numbers 13.462 to 13.465. These found active service in 3rd Platoon of the 1st Armoured Car Company. After the restoration of the 1st Armoured Regiment in February 1940 four tancik vz.33's were included in 2nd Platoon of the 1st Company in 1st Battalion. Whilst three were on active duty the fourth was held back as a replacement vehicle. Other tankettes that the Slovak military had access to were used to train drivers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the beginning of 1941 all Model 1933 Tankettes were transferred to the Ministry of Defence's reserve depot and placed into storage. In 1942 the Security Division vainly requested seven tankettes to be drawn from the reserve depot as replacements for their armoured losses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">22 tankettes were allocated to the drivers of Motorised Battalion 11 and were transferred in January 1944 to the Military Training headquarters for allocation to the National Defence Guard. In May, after the completion of the driver training, the machines were divided into units as reinforcements for the National Defence support units. They were allocated as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mounted Reconnaissance Unit 1 (JPO 1) in Bratislava - 5 machines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Armoured Regiment in Turcianske Saint Martin - 3 machines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Motorised Battalion 11 in Banska Bystrica - 3 machines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Motorised Battalion 2 in Presov - 3 machines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Corps Vehicle Pool in Trencin - 3 machines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Border Defence Company 1 in Humenne - 1 machine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Border Defence Company 2 in Bardejov - 1 machine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Border Defence Company 3 in Brezno nad Hronom - 1 machine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Border Defence Company 4 in Presov - 1 machine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Border Defence Company 5 in Michalovce - 1 machine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These tankettes were allocated permanently to these units and were utilised for driver and gunner training. In 1944 the Police units were preparing themselves and their tankettes for fighting against insurgents but this did not happen due to the abolition of the border defence units in June of the same year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In March 1944 General Jozef Turanec ordered the dispatch of three tankettes with drivers to Pioneer Battalion No.1 in Trencin, No.2 in Michalovce and No.11 in Nove Mesto nad Vahom as a tool for training strike teams in close combat against tanks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Minister of Defence, General Ferdinand Catlos ordered the incoming German troops to occupy all communications from Bratislava. On the night of 24 June 1944 the five tankettes from the Mounted Reconnaissance Unit 1 took their designated positions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the time of the outbreak of the Slovak Uprising the tankettes were already hopelessly outdated and worn out. However they saw some use as non combat vehicles, especially as transport vehicles has been noted. Several tankettes served as ammunition transport vehicles in the area of Turciansky Svaty Martin or else were employed as guard units and tractors at the Tri Duby airfield. Other vehicles served as reconnaissance vehicles within the Weinhold Rebel Group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the rebellion was crushed by the Germans they confiscated the four remaining vz.33 tankettes; three in Zlatovice from the Corps Vehicle Pool and one from Pioneer Battalion No.11 in Nove Mesto nad Vahom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To this day no known example of a tancik vz.33 has survived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">So there we have it; a summarised history of these little tin coffins on treads.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">Now we come to the modelling and as you have already read so many times I wont bore you with the basing as its the same for absolutely everything that I do so we will just get straight into the painting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">The first thing that I do on any of my vehicles is always the green base colour.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">The main paint scheme of the tankettes is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the vehicle that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours in an intentionally smoothed edge blotted pattern.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">xiii) The last thing to do with paint is to lightly airbrush a layer of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown across the wheels and the lower third of the vehicle. This layer has a highlight of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre mixed in whatever ratio you want with the German Camo Medium Brown already in the airbrush and is then applied in splotches to provide some variance in the muddy weathering.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">xiv) A final varnishing is applied to the vehicle which are then finally fixed to their bases.</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">So there we have it ladies and gents. Another mini project finished and one (read three) more items to place onto the table alongside the rest of my Slovak forces</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">Onwards and Upwards Ladies!</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; vertical-align: inherit;">Fix bayonets!</span></span><br />
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-89904797451150248212019-06-08T15:02:00.001+01:002019-06-10T06:10:11.473+01:00FoW: Slovak Artillery - 7.5cm vz.15 Mountain Gun battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Welcome once more to another tale of a small central European state and its scrabble to establish itself from the ashes of the Czechoslovakian experiment.</div>
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Slovakia had a whole raft of issues to overcome when it was all but forced to declare its independence by Hitler and his 'Motley Crue'! One area that Slovakia was relatively well catered for however was in artillery pieces. Relative to the amount of trained crews that were available once the Czechs had all left meant that Slovakia had the luxury of being able to equip its nascent artillery regiments thoroughly due to the abundance of available pieces relative to the numbers of available crew.</div>
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One particular artillery piece that saw widespread use, although not perhaps as one would expect, was the Skoda 7.5cm vz.15 Mountain Gun, and the upgraded vz.28. It is this artillery piece that we will investigate today.</div>
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...and as with all things Brushes & Bayonets related we will of course start at the beginning...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfGnDcJcREPfW4OZpfgtTU0whN9ufrYMD-cn9EZmC0m7Tq_UJgSZcTodgwXBS0VWqfYwNMJTrx2YRE6DCjKRNYVExNV-1jE0E9ikG1_hfoNP7do9dB0BKTeJqnMHKFEvfMIcVAzX-8uyn/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfGnDcJcREPfW4OZpfgtTU0whN9ufrYMD-cn9EZmC0m7Tq_UJgSZcTodgwXBS0VWqfYwNMJTrx2YRE6DCjKRNYVExNV-1jE0E9ikG1_hfoNP7do9dB0BKTeJqnMHKFEvfMIcVAzX-8uyn/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just before the start of the First World War, Skoda had already established itself as one of the worlds most successful manufacturers of mountain artillery pieces, with a number of successes on the export markets. Two lines of mountain guns were created in Pilsen, both differing from each other in performance and weight. Whilst the lighter of the two guns was designed primarily for the export market, the rearmament of the Austro-Hungarian army was given over to a mountain gun of 7.5cm calibres which, on account of the weight of the shell, was able to achieve comparable results to field guns. </div>
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This weapon was referred to as the vz.12 (or model 1912) and was able to be broken down into six parts for transportation, although it was generally transported in four loads. Although subjected to extensive military testing by the armaments commission and despite the admittedly excellent features that the gun exhibited, the military declined to accept it into the establishment because the military commander in chief of Bosnia-Herzegovina believed that it was too heavy and demanded a return to the 7cm calibre that was so well represented in the Austro-Hungarian military, in an effort to save weight.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH-scwMaVvbASlRk6Y8kX47xXVF_LsWX8DZ1Pu-lTTMhBcx0QWm6iQRPvQ2t9zNJBIF3jNZHZqtJ6OlXx9h2u0MLH_0g9rQB7rJDZxcNtECJXOZOwx_4Ry1b07QbiWp3LmwGvlGJM9k4O/s1600/hk-vz.15-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH-scwMaVvbASlRk6Y8kX47xXVF_LsWX8DZ1Pu-lTTMhBcx0QWm6iQRPvQ2t9zNJBIF3jNZHZqtJ6OlXx9h2u0MLH_0g9rQB7rJDZxcNtECJXOZOwx_4Ry1b07QbiWp3LmwGvlGJM9k4O/s640/hk-vz.15-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Skoda dutifully built enough guns for a test battery in the smaller calibre and tested them through the spring of 1914 where they were judged markedly inferior to the 7.5cm gun. This misdirection cost the Austrians dear however as almost a year of the war had been completed before a suitable mountain gun became available.</div>
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However, since this weapon had already been thoroughly tested and had met or even exceeded the requirements laid down by the armaments commission they ended up being introduced after the outbreak of the war under the designation 7.5cm Gebirgskanone M.15.</div>
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... and so it was that the foresight of the Skoda weapons designers was made manifest and the Austrian army gained a mountain gun that had practically no competition in the world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IYIl6vNDc1lN5JP-wcy3G7HNC6hKb5QAU9qgHX9vpDWfwVC-n78avoRB2zsTCFMhThjL6LxodaG9Tik-tt1NEVAOTWOnH8yXgy1JXKTLnYz3bRSqGaba9Bb2tz9UwBRGybqnjU3AvVP-/s1600/hk-vz.15-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IYIl6vNDc1lN5JP-wcy3G7HNC6hKb5QAU9qgHX9vpDWfwVC-n78avoRB2zsTCFMhThjL6LxodaG9Tik-tt1NEVAOTWOnH8yXgy1JXKTLnYz3bRSqGaba9Bb2tz9UwBRGybqnjU3AvVP-/s640/hk-vz.15-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The basis for the success of this weapon was a collection of revolutionary innovations. It was mainly an oversized barrel which greatly simplified the unfolding of the weapon as well as improving the cannon stability. The special design of the mount enabled the elevation of the barrel to reach 50 degrees which, thanks to the separate charge ammunition made it possible for shells to reach almost 7km. Thus, the cannon was the equal of most light field guns and was even capable of giving a good account of itself with counter battery fire.<br />
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An independently mounted cannon site was utilised, a split gun shield and an automatic recoil regulator. Another innovation that was inspired by Skoda was the addition of the gun shield, The cannon spread over six parts, the barrel, guide cloak, cradle, front carriage, rear carriage and wheels and the gun shield.</div>
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A half platoon comprising one cannon with its crew was 'reinforced' with the addition of one horse carrying an ammo shield and another two horses carrying emergency ammunition supplies. The commander of the half platoon was assisted by the shooter, the rangefinder, the charger, the timer, the loader and assistant in directing the guns operations. This was also supplemented by an auxiliary team of ten men along with a further nine horse drovers.<br />
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The first M15 guns were delivered to front line units in early 1915 and were delivered not only by Skoda but also to the Hungarians from Rab. Data that determines exactly how many units were produced through the First World War is erratic but is almost certain to exceed 2000 units. In 1916 alone Skoda produced and test fired 611 units.</div>
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When the country of Czechoslovakia was established, all of the Skoda 7.5cm vz.15's that had been returned for repairs became the first mountain guns that the new republic's army possessed. The hastily assembled batteries were able to participate in the fighting against the Poles in Teschen and then later on again in the border war with Hungarian bolsheviks. These cannon were used on both sides in this conflict.</div>
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Due to the pressure for survival that Czechoslovakia faced in 1919 the vz.15's also found themselves mounted on improvised armoured trains and in 1920 were mounted on two river gunboats, proving the universality of their construction. The production of the guns in Pilsen continued unabated and between 1920 and 1927 another 199 units were delivered to the army. The total number of these guns held by the Czechoslovakian army was a very respectable 235 pieces.</div>
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Within the Czechoslovakian army the vz.15's were mainly to be found in Artillery Regiments 201 and 202 which formed a part of the Mountain Brigades deployed in Slovakia. Other units that were equipped with the vz.15 mountain guns were a collection of 12 separate artillery sections numbered 251 to 262. Each of them had two batteries and were subordinated to Field Artillery Brigades attached to the Field Divisions.</div>
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The Czechoslovakian army thus possessed mountain artillery which most other European countries were not able to boast of. However as the '30's started to unfold it started to become clear that the potential battlefields of the near future did not facilitate the effective use of mountain artillery as Bohemia and Moravia were relatively flat or undulating landscapes. This was reflected in the gradual cutting back of the independent artillery units and a lack of reorganisation and rearmament to keep in line with the rest of the army.</div>
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A number of excess vz.15 cannons were then employed in the establishment of newly created Artillery Regiments 13, 14 and 15 as their interim armaments. Whilst these mountain guns could not completely supplant the range of abilities that field artillery had, they could nonetheless adequately fulfill the majority of tasks laid out before them. An interesting note at this point is that the army was intensively practising anti-tank duties using this gun.<br />
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By September 1938 the mountain guns were still an important part of the army, and there can be no doubt that in the hands of determined and competent operators the guns were still more than capable of fulfilling the majority of tasks set for them. In times of mobilisation there was also one more, somewhat unusual role, that was assigned to batteries of these guns; that of fortress artillery. Batteries were assembled from the vz.15 guns, which fired from improvised mountings in artillery field emplacements which were thrown up to replace the defensive lines that Czechoslovakia had been forced to surrender to Germany in the Sudetenland.</div>
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When Germany occupied the rump of Czechoslovakia they appropriated the majority of the Czech artillery park. The only exception in this instance were the 112 units that were deployed in Slovakia. The German army was well aware of the quality of this weapon and introduced all available units into their rolls as the 7.5cm Gebirgskanone 15(t).</div>
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On the declaration of independence Slovakia had a number of units equipped with the 7.5cm vz.15 and vz.28's on their soil. Mountain Artillery Regiments 201 and 202 were both on Slovak soil along with a number of other units. By now you will be aware that Germany took a tithe of weaponry that had been held on Slovak soil as well, and where the vz.15's are concerned Germany took another nine leaving a total of 99 units available for the Slovak reorganisation.</div>
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In the reorganisations of summer 1939 a number of the 7.5cm vz.15's were distributed amongst the infantry regiments to fulfil the requirement for direct artillery support whilst the rest were mothballed for future recall if necessary.<br />
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Artillery Regiments 1,2 and 3 each had a number of vz.15's organised into a battery of four guns in each. Artillery Regiment 4 had the same except for the fact that its battery was a three gun battery.<br />
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In November 1939 the artillery was again reorganised with the vz.15's being withdrawn from Artillery Regiments 1,2 and 4 and instead gathered in Artillery Regiment 3 which had now become the army's mountain artillery regiment with its first battalion being equipped with four 4 gun batteries.</div>
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Another final organisation took place in early 1940 with all 7.5cm vz.15's being withdrawn from the newly reorganised Artillery Regiments 1, 2, 11 and 12.</div>
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When the campaign against the Soviet Union began it was the Mobile Group under Rudolf Pilfousek that first crossed the border and along with them, accompanying the 6th Motorised Infantry Regiment's II Battalion was a battery of four 7.5cm vz.15's pulled by trucks.</div>
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The provision of vz.15's in the motorised forces remained static whilst adjustments to the field army was occurring. Through the first year of the invasion the Mobile Group progressed to a Brigade and then to a Division at the end of August 1941 and whilst the artillery, primarily of Artillery Regiment 11, expanded to keep pace with the growth it seems that the provision of the vz.15's stayed the same until the expansion into a division when the provision of batteries of the vz.15 expanded from one to three, although as the division only had two infantry regiments (20 & 21) it is unclear how the batteries were allocated although later in Kliment and Nakladal's 'Germany's First Ally' it is noted that each of the regiments had one battery accompanying each, with the third and final mountain battery being an independent divisional asset. These details are supported by the fact that whilst Kliment and Nakladal's book makes a point of stating that the 20th Regiment had a single battery allocated to it, the 'returns' listed in Axworthy's 'Axis Slovakia' makes it clear that there is a tripling of provision within the division as a whole, and further on states that there is a divisional mountain gun battery attached to the mobile division.</div>
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This allocation remained static until the Mobile Division was pulled out of the line in June 1942 following the heavy battles along the Mius River. It was put back into the line, going back and forth until finally reaching the Kerch peninsula and occupying Kutajskaja by November '42. When the Soviet offensive started in January 1943 the returns for the Division list it as having eighteen 7.5cm vz.15's on its order of battle.<br />
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The following two months was a precipitate collapse as the Soviets steamrollered over the positions successively held by the Slovaks. When the remnants of the Division finally reached the Crimea it is listed as having lost its entire complement of vz.15's (along with just about everything else that needed nuts and bolts).</div>
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It was converted to the 1st Infantry Division on 1 August 1943 as a shadow of its former self with the professional officers of the prewar Czech army now being spread too thin between the infantry battalions and the quality of the new conscripts having plunged. It is listed as having a heavy squadron in the division's reconnaissance group within which are 7.5cm guns, although Kliment and Nakladal do not make it clear whether these are original Slovak mountain guns or else newly supplied German field howitzers although Axworthy states that the 11th Mountain Battery had its guns divided amongst the infantry regiments heavy weapons companies.</div>
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The mad scramble from the Crimea at the end of 1943 all but eviscerated the 1st Infantry Division with the remnants being collected together south of Tiraspol. By March 1944 the division was considered so unreliable that it was withdrawn from front line duties completely and converted to a Technical Division fulfilling construction work in Romania.</div>
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When the Mobile Division was formed in August the rest of the field army was amalgamated into the Security Division, or else sent home if deemed surplus to requirements. The Security Division received artillery from the newly formed Artillery Regiment 31 limited to twenty four 10cm vz.14/19's with all other artillery being sent back to Slovakia according to Kliment and Nakladal. However, once again Axworthy's returns indicate a different story. Whilst they show an absence of all heavier calibres other than the 10cm vz.14/19's, the 7.5cm vz.15's are still present in some numbers. Across the whole division there are a consistent three batteries of four guns each or else four batteries of three guns each which would give a convenient division of two batteries per infantry regiment, reducing to one per battalion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMENDZABI9WOWu5bpwNNUYVvJSo28Or-AR2f_4Zoo82aLddXD9zHbNh5AnammeY2eAzrgCOOsi2Ia7fAYwckDf0ezUENeZ2LZm6a34GIF65OxLFMOLnmicLJKQzG9pVrjUpl2FaBfL9-g7/s1600/7-5-cm-hk15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="987" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMENDZABI9WOWu5bpwNNUYVvJSo28Or-AR2f_4Zoo82aLddXD9zHbNh5AnammeY2eAzrgCOOsi2Ia7fAYwckDf0ezUENeZ2LZm6a34GIF65OxLFMOLnmicLJKQzG9pVrjUpl2FaBfL9-g7/s640/7-5-cm-hk15.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
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Attrition in the Security Division accelerated between 1941 and 1943 with a number of anti-fascist officers being appointed, leading to a plunge in morale and increasing numbers of deserters. When the Rapid Division was converted to the 1st Infantry Division the Security Division was renamed the 2nd Infantry Division and then on 15th November as the 2nd Technical Division and transferred to Italy.<br />
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The story of the 7.5cm vz.15's did not end there however as the East Slovakian Army, when formed to protect the eastern Carpathian passes included eighteen in its composition and a number also found there way into the orders of battle in the Slovak uprising BUT these elements are beyond my area of interest and so wont be looked at here, suffice it to say that this little powerhouse played an important role in the ability of the Slovak army to be able to hold its own in the field.<br />
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So there we have it. Quite an interesting and convoluted little journey for a very interesting and successful little artillery piece. Now we will look at how I went about modelling a battery for my army.</div>
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Before we go any further I should also point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the heads with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps and the guns were all taken from a Battlefront Gebirgsjager Artillery Battery although I found out later that I could buy them through the Special Order service. Sadly, with their transition to kiddy plastics I no longer think that these are available. In my opinion this is a MASSIVE loss to the wargames market not to be underestimated.</div>
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Anyway, crashing on...<br />
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to actually paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!</div>
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So, where painting all of the crew is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face although they probably hold up until you get about 2ft away.</div>
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The first step is to prime the miniatures and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned, after a somewhat lengthy research period, I decided to ditch the recoloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy amateur recoloured old photos.<br />
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.<br />
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactive's 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO40Eq6EVEYcdiguYuYxMwyofQSg7nlsWsI7scmaVkyna_PuV8AoXO2k14LNox6HKFh0sGK90Ih6rBR4wfhSiGWcEqUXRNFcN4516kqaIr3ZJV1U2LNc_TSeBGcwobe8wuoIhCAuOIXo0h/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO40Eq6EVEYcdiguYuYxMwyofQSg7nlsWsI7scmaVkyna_PuV8AoXO2k14LNox6HKFh0sGK90Ih6rBR4wfhSiGWcEqUXRNFcN4516kqaIr3ZJV1U2LNc_TSeBGcwobe8wuoIhCAuOIXo0h/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black first and then highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand along the edge of the strap.<br />
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!<br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface. This scoring ensures that the tile grout and the miniatures that are fixed to the base have something more to help them bind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B6E-xpp0p4qxCVgYZaTh9KDQwSXn4kbM5p9JMxbkChknhYtg3H524_WYHbGly18VOPwB91v-lSt1CoHIuZNlqnPhEvVg6iMwuq9WkE6a2knkczmCMB0WhbYkZxT5I7NqDhOrPTQvPGyx/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1435" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-B6E-xpp0p4qxCVgYZaTh9KDQwSXn4kbM5p9JMxbkChknhYtg3H524_WYHbGly18VOPwB91v-lSt1CoHIuZNlqnPhEvVg6iMwuq9WkE6a2knkczmCMB0WhbYkZxT5I7NqDhOrPTQvPGyx/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can pick them out in different colours and create some contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZOl2E9eQhAhEEUb2bEVPj96ZVjkrlPdEx8nSmBbTS_jARf5jC1mwnZGU4y7zogAdwJ7wgrsxtMRTOr-Ml0P262XrNU0Gx9ol0dGxuui7zEp50oyk544gGisFpFohU4yvyXKi0kYl6y2G/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ZOl2E9eQhAhEEUb2bEVPj96ZVjkrlPdEx8nSmBbTS_jARf5jC1mwnZGU4y7zogAdwJ7wgrsxtMRTOr-Ml0P262XrNU0Gx9ol0dGxuui7zEp50oyk544gGisFpFohU4yvyXKi0kYl6y2G/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYWwpLf60k2Fa42uzCGT3yAGib3osittqCXk0B0SFNNnJvoy_G_-w6YjaIJfitglVMKOSnFCMGQ8M24ZunqOc0gV9IE3F2fsDzsgwbgRM30AkXE-u_5DGtxBuzJ_PnBRIA1OV5jSjrGDb/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYWwpLf60k2Fa42uzCGT3yAGib3osittqCXk0B0SFNNnJvoy_G_-w6YjaIJfitglVMKOSnFCMGQ8M24ZunqOc0gV9IE3F2fsDzsgwbgRM30AkXE-u_5DGtxBuzJ_PnBRIA1OV5jSjrGDb/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety.<br />
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGdQ9IUqldIaduPM40QCIxpRutU5So_Lwo7Z-vY_lcXPG2w0hHSRl8RArWE6jCSTmtsIEIsWiXXBatsK_bQRNs0BNDyINX_-sdw4yhSZyEJOTxtKpZpRAFh8WQNYjNydbNAWpcFGvN97m/s1600/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGdQ9IUqldIaduPM40QCIxpRutU5So_Lwo7Z-vY_lcXPG2w0hHSRl8RArWE6jCSTmtsIEIsWiXXBatsK_bQRNs0BNDyINX_-sdw4yhSZyEJOTxtKpZpRAFh8WQNYjNydbNAWpcFGvN97m/s640/Slovak+7.5cm+vz.1508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is just SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...<br />
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't really matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and a non etch primer. I have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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Go play... and don't forget your bayonets! :D</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-36091845000951370362019-06-06T19:54:00.001+01:002019-06-10T06:10:21.918+01:00FoW: Slovak Artillery - 15cm vz.25 battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well, here we are yet again, and this time, its a big one! We are going to follow the story of one of Slovakia's lesser known artillery pieces.... although one that could pack a hell of a punch when it was called on to do so... the 15cm vz.25 Hruba Houfnice - The 15cm model 1925 Heavy Howitzer... and then I'm going to show you how to go about scratch building and painting a battery of these beasts!</div>
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So let us step back in time to an era when Czechoslovakia was still 'kind of a big deal!'</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYawmuxX2r17t9e1_0EIcCOX_TvgWGCtbjjhDODSq6x14UTloO2n31R9exEz0mi3NFPQYfyuE7ByXdMQOQAFY3pCqDCy9e3CdpD89Fk4r-PYiTvLJ3hhl8BxKPnfyWwYfjESmJEnXl6Bkm/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYawmuxX2r17t9e1_0EIcCOX_TvgWGCtbjjhDODSq6x14UTloO2n31R9exEz0mi3NFPQYfyuE7ByXdMQOQAFY3pCqDCy9e3CdpD89Fk4r-PYiTvLJ3hhl8BxKPnfyWwYfjESmJEnXl6Bkm/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2515.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Czechoslovakian heavy artillery was, in the first years of its existence, limited to small amounts of French guns, chiefly the 15cm vz.14/16 Heavy Howitzers. These were venerable weapons with proven value, matching all other nations heavy howitzers except in range. The insufficient range of these guns however is what led to the Czech high command deciding that a new weapon needed to be developed and to cease orders of further 15cm vz.14/16's.</div>
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In terms of positional warfare a range of 8 km had been considered more than adequate when balanced with the needs of material mobility. The experiences of the last months of the First World War and the subsequent fighting in Slovakia brought about the requirement for a substantial extension to the range for all categories of artillery.</div>
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Skoda did not sit by, quiescent in the wake of these realisations but instead her designers began in 1919 to start addressing the modernisation of the army's howitzers. Because they had already had lots of experience and success in the modification of their lightweight vz.14/19 and vz.16/19 howitzers they set out with a proven way of extending the barrel and reinforcing the mount, which promised superb results.</div>
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It is at this point in time that Skoda may have erred and started down a metaphoric cul-de-sac. There were already in existence before the start of World War 1, artillery pieces that used a drop breech configuration where the breech could be lowered below the level of the trail but at this time it was a somewhat untested format, and within this category of weapons was the added criticism that this calibre of weapon had developed beyond the ability of hippo traction to adequately pull it. At this point in time across all armies in Europe all medium artillery that was subordinated at a divisional level was drawn by horse power. This was not just an economic consideration but also the fact that at this point tractor technology wasn't reliable enough to move off road in terms of difficult terrain.</div>
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It was only on the eve of the First World War that the situation with regards to trucks and tractors began to change. Perhaps unsurprisingly up to this point Skoda had not considered motorising their new artillery, instead staying with their proven concepts of hippo-traction.</div>
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Their new gun was given a barrel extension from the 14/16 pattern by 4 calibres and 60mm. and achieved a range of 11,000m. The new carriage and trail had been properly reinforced and the balancers and cradle had been adjusted to suit as well. The 14/20 prototype was completed in 1922 and was offered to the military for purchase.</div>
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Thorough testing by the army however revealed a number of deficiencies in the new design. The military was particularly concerned with the excessive shot dispersion and it turned out that the adjustments made to the mount did not produce the expected results. The test committee therefore recommended the creation of a completely new carriage which actually gave the impetus to design a new artillery piece from the ground up. </div>
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The existing barrel, which was being provided with a constant thread inside the barrel did not give the shot sufficient rotation. Skoda engineers therefore designed a more modern type of barrel with a progressive thread which improved the shot dispersion. The new carriage, referred to as Corporate Model-24 in the corporate documentation, was adapted to the experience gained in previous tests. It was reinforced, and the cradle was reconstructed, which, together with a massive shield, became the main distinguishing feature of the new design.</div>
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Since the crew could not be transported on the new howitzer, it was necessary to expand the seating on the limber so that more men could sit on them and provide some relief. Thus, when compared to the 14/16 pattern gun there was no significant reduction in the mobility of the team. During 1924 gthe new gun was subjected to rigorous testing and because it passed with flying colours the artillery department recommended introducing it to the army. Skoda received authorisation to start serial production and was issued an order for the first 69 pieces, provisionally termed the Model 24. The army received its first howitzers in 1925 and was subsequently termed the 15cm hruba houfnice vz.25.</div>
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Given the negative legacy reputation that this weapon has been left with it is perhaps of some value to compare its performance and design with other European weapons of the day to draw a conclusion on whether this weapon was obsolete before even being introduced to the army. One of the most common artillery pieces across Europe, and especially that of the French army until the fall of France in 1940 was well equipped with 155mm mle.15 and mle.17. This cannon, which relied solely on hippo-traction, weighed almost 700kg more than the carriage of the vz.25 and the transport of the artillery piece across difficult terrain was right at the very limit of the abilities of a six horse train. The British 152mm howitzer model 1917 had a range of one less kilometre and had a carriage weight of 1200kg over that of the 15cm vz.25.</div>
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Construction work on the new patterns of field howitzers was at a prototype stage throughout Europe through the 1920's and the first modern types appeared in the early 1930's. Taking these facts into consideration it is easy to see that the Czech army did not in fact miss an opportunity to modernise its artillery but instead placed their faith in an artillery piece that had practically no competition at the time of its creation.</div>
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Skoda's concept of transporting the artillery piece in two units has been criticised for the slow set up speed of the artillery piece and the need for two transport teams, but this was balanced out by the mobility of the gun, which was comparable to the light artillery pieces of the day.</div>
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In 1925 the army took delivery of the first 49 howitzers that were delivered to the artillery department to begin training. Deliveries of the new artillery piece continued throughout the next couple of years, and a new order was issued to cover the planned mobilisation needs of the heavy artillery regiments.</div>
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In 1926 the army received another 37 howitzers, but in the following years production continued at a relatively slow pace, as Skoda wanted to maintain a production continuity through the lean years ahead, when the army was not ordering new weapons. On 30 March 1931 at the Army Shooting Range, Skoda held a small celebration on the occasion of the shooting of a full battery of 15cm vz.25's. In the following year the army received another 57 howitzers and production was discontinued in 1933 with the supply of a final 36 howitzers. Finally in 1935 one more battery and eight reserves were produced before the production line finally went silent. </div>
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At this time in the Czechoslovakian Army was a total of 340 pieces of this type qualifying it as an important part of the inventory. During its development and integration process of this weapon Skoda also completed development of a number of different types of ammunition for use with them. Despite having a number of new ammunition types being developed for it however, the artillery was still able to use all of the older ammunition for the vz. 14/16 howitzers. Material increases in the artillery began with the increase in the trained number of operators to supplement and later replace the older vz. 14/16 guns. In the early 1930's these howitzers were ;lready forming the core of the Czechoslovakian heavy artillery complement.</div>
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All of the regiments equipped with these heavy artillery pieces, with two exceptions, were subordinated to army divisions. Twelve regiments, numbered 101 to 112 were each composed of two sections. The other heavy artillery regiments which were in service had three batteries of 15cm vz.25 howitzers with remainder in storage in replacement depots.</div>
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The howitzer enjoyed great popularity with its crews on account of their reliability, ruggedness and of course how much damage they could cause. After a series of exercises and shows the artillery piece drew unprecedented public opinion on account of their sheer presence and abilities.</div>
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The whole artillery team was divided neatly into two. The crew serving the gun itself comprised nine soldiers with one extra being made available where required from the auxiliary horse team. The gun team itself consisted of a gun layer, a timer, a shooter, an assistant, a charger, a shell loader, a charge loader, and three assistants. This team was supplemented by an auxiliary team comprising of seven horse drovers.</div>
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These men all served a single gun and there were four such teams in a single battery. The staff of a battery consisted of three officers and 150 NCO's and soldiers. The battery had four guns that were transported by eight six horse limbers, 17 ammunition wagons and 21 reserve horses which also served as individual mounts. The marching length of a battery amounted to 251m.</div>
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By the second half of the 1930's with the gradual intesification of the political landscape the military role of the heavy artillery began to take on an ever more important aspect and the first considerations for the replacement of these, now venerable pieces began. Skoda at this time was working full tilt on their export markets for which they were supplying their ultra modern K series heavy howitzers, a small number of which were taken into service in the Czech army as the 15cm vz.37. This new weapon however, was primarily being used to replace the obsolete the vz.14/16 series howitzers and complement them until their removal. Only at the beginning of the 1940's was the gradual phasing out of the vz.25's due to begin. This gun therefore would have played a decisive role in any ensuing conflict with Nazi Germany that should have occurred in 1938.</div>
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In 1937 there was a fundamental reorganisation of the army. The heavy artillery regiments were removed from their traditional subordination to infantry divisions and instead assigned to newly created corps.In addition, the majority of them had the creation of a third section included within their TO&E's, but for the lack of materials, the numbers of guns in the batteries had to be reduced from four to three. </div>
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After the Munich Crisis and the subsequent demobilisation of the army the heavy artillery had to adapt to the new circumstances. For the 15cm vz.25's this meant only a short and unhappy episode which ended in March 1939 with their mass handover to the occupying Wehrmacht. The Germans, without a single shot being fired, took possession of 227 complete howitzers, 26 replacements and 289,909 artillery shells for them.</div>
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The combat record of this weapon in the front line with the Wehrmacht is testament to the far from obsolete nature of this weapon. 219 of these guns were deployed by the Germans in september 1939, with numbers increasing in the French campaign of 1940 finally reaching peak deployment with the beginning of Operation Barbarossa. In fact by the end of the war the Germans still had 67 of these guns in front line service.</div>
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On the declaration of their independence from the Czech state Slovakia was able to appropriate 113 of these heavy howitzers. The lack of qualified available manpower was an immediate problem however and these howitzers could not really be counted as a part of any operational force, in fact only Artillery Regiment 12 based in Nizny Hrabovec could count any in their order of battle.</div>
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Officially in May 1939 the Slovakian army counted 72 pieces in its inventory although after the military reorganisation of August 1939 they claimed 115 in their inventory with a total munitions stockpile of 107,684 rounds.</div>
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Owing to the lack of manpower available to the Slovaks the amount of different artillery pieces in the lists was streamlined with the 15cm vz.25 being the only heavy howitzer that was kept within operational service.</div>
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In the summer of 1939 the first reorganisations of the Slovak artillery regiments was ordered with Artillery Regiments 1 and 2 having 12 batteries of 7.5cm, 10cm and 15cm guns within their composition. Artillery Regiments 3 and 4 had nine batteries each of the same calibres, with AR3 having three gun batteries and AR4 with four gun batteries. The only other artillery regiment that included the 15cm vz.25 in its TO&E's was AR52 which had a total of only six batteries. Batteries 4-6 were four gun batteries of 15cm vz.25.</div>
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Artillery Regiments 1 and 2 marched over the Polish border with the 1st 'Janosik' and 2nd 'Skultety' infantry divisions.</div>
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In November of 1939 AR4 and AR52 were disbanded and their equipment was distributed amongst the remaining artillery regiments. AR1-3 was now slated to be assigned, one each to the infantry divisions with AR51 being held in the army reserve. </div>
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The only one that retained 15cm vz.25's within their TO&E's was AR51 which now comprised four battalions. Battalion 1 had four 4-gun batteries of 10.5cm vz.35 howitzers, Battalions 2 and 3 each had four 4-gun batteries each of 15cm vz.25 whilst the reserve battalion; Battalion 4 had four of each of the two types of howitzer.</div>
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The reorganisations of the Slovak artillery continued until completion in 1940 with the consolidation of all artillery assets into only four regiments:</div>
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Artillery Regiment 1 - Divisional asset. Based in Topolcianky</div>
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Artillery Regiment 2 - Divisional asset. Based in Ruzomeberok</div>
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Artillery Regiment 11 - Corps asset. Motorised. Based in Zilina</div>
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Artillery Regiment 12 - Corps asset. Horse drawn. Based in Kezmarok</div>
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After this final reorganisation only AR12 was left with any 15cm vz.25's and in 1940 had a mobilised strength of 49 howitzers. This type of howitzer was the only type of gun in the regiment. These numbers varied of course and in March 1943 AR12 only had 37 howitzers left. </div>
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At the start of the Russian campaign AR12 followed behind the Mobile Group as it went over the Soviet border, in full strength and accompanied with the two battalions of AR11 that were not accompanying the Mobile Group.</div>
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At the end of August 1941 the Mobile Brigade (formerly Group) was upgraded to the Mobile Division whilst the other army assets were formed into the Security Division which received two battalions of the newly formed AR31 with 24 10cm vz.14/19 howitzers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAi-mkwiCEoATYEb4St1rY4U-gfA4DQONZmJa5FC-zWmZbbqbtwOO1CgjuVRxP1q8oJ1TIEMLm8nHVb5JPtZieJFhCse8TIqkdBSZ-Ji-kqy6sXQBm9MAjBFdadEadtNzSFV1Nyadp_3f/s1600/9074405236_af7de9d468_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEAi-mkwiCEoATYEb4St1rY4U-gfA4DQONZmJa5FC-zWmZbbqbtwOO1CgjuVRxP1q8oJ1TIEMLm8nHVb5JPtZieJFhCse8TIqkdBSZ-Ji-kqy6sXQBm9MAjBFdadEadtNzSFV1Nyadp_3f/s640/9074405236_af7de9d468_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the formation of the Security Division all of the remaining 15cm vz.25's left in the field returned to Slovakia and never again crossed the borders in such strength.</div>
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The Slovak army, after the severe losses of 1942 and early 1943, underwent a rearmament program called Eiche and the 15cm vz.25's were once again seen in the frontline orders of battle. Under this rearmament scheme Artillery Regiment 12's battalions were each assigned to support a different field formation. The final disposition of AR12 on 22 July 1944 was as follows:</div>
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1st Infantry Division had a battalion of AR12 with nine 15cm vz.25's in three 3-gun batteries.</div>
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2nd Infantry Division had a battalion of AR12 with nine 15cm vz.25's in three 3-gun batteries</div>
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Army Headquarters had a battalion of AR12 with eighteen 15cm vz.25's in six 3-gun batteries</div>
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The 4th replacement battalion also had twelve 15cm vz.25's at Kezmarok.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWykPCRwLwEfWIgSCaUhJVVHZ-n3ifGEfLVhlrUAZo0HgOllRvJ2Oin5JyZQTpntKcJjxviTJN4ILYgGDn8JirwoHTxNBgGSpUc2MUckFNdWUeAv7mLh4mNmv-6iCPFoi5pXDcWit8mt-/s1600/15303742086_bb08385e76_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1024" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWykPCRwLwEfWIgSCaUhJVVHZ-n3ifGEfLVhlrUAZo0HgOllRvJ2Oin5JyZQTpntKcJjxviTJN4ILYgGDn8JirwoHTxNBgGSpUc2MUckFNdWUeAv7mLh4mNmv-6iCPFoi5pXDcWit8mt-/s640/15303742086_bb08385e76_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of this artillery was confiscated by the Germans soon after the Slovak uprising began. There were however a couple of pieces that remained within the rebel held territories, and even under the extreme duress of an insurgency falling to pieces around their ears, these few remaining pieces were still mainly used for training purposes right up until the very end of the Uprising. On 27 October 1944 near Polkanovej the last two 15cm vz.25's left in the field covered the retreat of the insurgents into the mountains fighting a stiff rearguard action destroying two German tanks in the process. After firing all of their remaining ammunition their crews spiked the guns and accompanied the tail of the partisan columns heading up into the mountains.</div>
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On liberation and the reformation of the Czechoslovakian state at the end of the Second World War a small number of these pieces entered the TO&E's of the reborn Czechoslovakian army but this was for a very short period only as after the country was once more occupied, this time by the Soviets there was a big emphasis on the streamlining of supplies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGE4gBx0uLfmG8DyFtrV9pPe33FpBm_Rr-cOWxzVmW-dQeUCVZDAEB38D26fxLJsE8vMNM7SFHOarqk4KUJBblYBsgNW3-aMiKm3t9K3nm7tlLhQUYUCOREADscUnXz9nc8UYeibMVKOr/s1600/66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="532" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGE4gBx0uLfmG8DyFtrV9pPe33FpBm_Rr-cOWxzVmW-dQeUCVZDAEB38D26fxLJsE8vMNM7SFHOarqk4KUJBblYBsgNW3-aMiKm3t9K3nm7tlLhQUYUCOREADscUnXz9nc8UYeibMVKOr/s640/66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The 15cm vz.25 was finally retired from service with a couple of examples globally to be found still in museums.</div>
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So there we have it. The latest tale in my potted histories of the arms and armaments of the Slovak state... and of course it goes without saying that, as this is a somewhat exotic piece of weaponry to be fielding with the Slovaks there is nobody on the planet who makes them so I had to make my own!</div>
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Go figure!!!</div>
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So how did I do it I hear you say? Well I'm glad you asked. Here's how:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEpIqvRYxBau23ButtoORoM8SMsBN_xGGdwb07FB6MYZ1nljZg3nnUyXvY7miwEF4R4fnwwjjG285oWUOMvLaplUDX3TJOXFl5l3-xOTDzhP1pwyXL3BpKe13GxeSKriUkNPeNpJyu-Gv/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1557" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEpIqvRYxBau23ButtoORoM8SMsBN_xGGdwb07FB6MYZ1nljZg3nnUyXvY7miwEF4R4fnwwjjG285oWUOMvLaplUDX3TJOXFl5l3-xOTDzhP1pwyXL3BpKe13GxeSKriUkNPeNpJyu-Gv/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, the first thing that needs to be done when making these beasts is to collect the assets together. In the case of building these I ordered four of Battlefront's FRO507 155mm C mle 1917 Howitzers. Discard the gun shield and both spoked and pneumatic tyres because you wont need them. As you will see from the picture I have also enlisted the help of some True North spoked artillery wheels Adler miniatures spoked cannon wheels and some spoked caisson wheels for use as hand gears.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Fv0NrOEzKs-eK3H8EMG1oryWGCEnnj9xt-A1YdbEEF1FmjjmxlvzozfDCzyKsyJurFS40cBNK2dA0vkJRtkQ5STMmyuACOq_M_iAmJlAf6GYw8rKDM9O80lAcjFDPg-EgdNx-ifx4xbd/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1468" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Fv0NrOEzKs-eK3H8EMG1oryWGCEnnj9xt-A1YdbEEF1FmjjmxlvzozfDCzyKsyJurFS40cBNK2dA0vkJRtkQ5STMmyuACOq_M_iAmJlAf6GYw8rKDM9O80lAcjFDPg-EgdNx-ifx4xbd/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the wheels and gears have their outside edges thoroughly cleaned making them as smooth as possible. All existing flash across the whole surface of the wheels is removed and on the Adler cannon and caisson wheels every other spoke is removed leaving just a cross of four spokes remaining on each of the smaller wheels to be used as hand gears, finished off with the inside edges of each if these wheels cleaned up as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XvoB7W2zB4je1BOjwKi90iT-NJRUNxrlZ_EVhZ1iJLWnrKpnEK6gveYe8FnBOjFsi1Sp4bcYOKWSWgDI7gkUmWvp2umD4X7sChHFR_3E6Eeq9dHoWAEDCsdXFxJSKZWwD96ziBn8MDG8/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1600" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XvoB7W2zB4je1BOjwKi90iT-NJRUNxrlZ_EVhZ1iJLWnrKpnEK6gveYe8FnBOjFsi1Sp4bcYOKWSWgDI7gkUmWvp2umD4X7sChHFR_3E6Eeq9dHoWAEDCsdXFxJSKZWwD96ziBn8MDG8/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We next turn our attention to the guns carriage and trail. All that needs to be done with this is to trim and file away all surface detail, box lids, handles and other such fluff and leave yourself with a smooth body.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkT9BUJrFh0BBXbq-M83TZ4UPuHmQAzxorfUX7k_mVqoF6cw2wh79DdyFZjq9iwa-5azWrvcCWCGE4eKvS9tSO-MrFsoV-WPo_boQoZc7aVYC8o-OogVcUsMv8fYG1ufZX9BhcBKWdDQX/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkT9BUJrFh0BBXbq-M83TZ4UPuHmQAzxorfUX7k_mVqoF6cw2wh79DdyFZjq9iwa-5azWrvcCWCGE4eKvS9tSO-MrFsoV-WPo_boQoZc7aVYC8o-OogVcUsMv8fYG1ufZX9BhcBKWdDQX/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cannons barrel and cradle is where you start some real surgery. Firstly the cradle that runs almost to the end of the barrel needs to be cut away right back to the two trunions, which are the two spigots, one on either side of the barrel, that support the barrel in the carriage. Once cut away a further nick needs to be cut into the base of the remains of the cradle, level with the back of the barrels breech. This will enable you to elevate the barrel high in the final configuration of the model.<br />
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The next thing that needs to be dealt with is the barrel itself. The barrel needs to be chopped in half at the ridge where the barrels jacket meets the tube. The section of the barrel that you have just cut off needs to be cut to just over half its length with the end cross section matching the diameter of plastic tubing that you will use to complete the barrel length (2mm). The remaining section then needs to be glued to the end of the barrel jacket.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosxGAVBx1kJNaKBrSW8V3hFJrEGnvo-8cj_fjUSxeJP8vrBSl5QYlBZB99FQs6ApqH-t17iClm9LZIoEBWEV4A36a9wrJnBE6d9dzceaR3KO-9Mt1GtgFjxB92rWrnhfReLLUmEWKAPG3/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosxGAVBx1kJNaKBrSW8V3hFJrEGnvo-8cj_fjUSxeJP8vrBSl5QYlBZB99FQs6ApqH-t17iClm9LZIoEBWEV4A36a9wrJnBE6d9dzceaR3KO-9Mt1GtgFjxB92rWrnhfReLLUmEWKAPG3/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next thing that I did was to organise the parts that would actually complete the barrel section of the model. I cut 1mm thick plastic strips that matched the width of the barrel cradle that runs under the barrel itself.<br />
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Just under the barrel jacket, where it meets the trunions, on top of the cradle now needs to be squared off to a depth of 2m to accommodate the 1mm plastic strip double stacked.<br />
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Each gun has a plastic tube section of 10mm long prepared for it with the 1mm plastic strip cut into two sections. One of 16mm and one of 12mm<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMPU3wnLeM2Q-vHxE8Wnkx1fy7BiqUSf9V5qDsdifrss0oIgUMbeuztt_YloP9j7hAL9hRiRNH-HOeHJE1Qh32mUH7gJn3F_mkKhiOqOAT4LW8IZj6wiT1Lsl8XqR3uZu5sX-Xac9VhsP/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMPU3wnLeM2Q-vHxE8Wnkx1fy7BiqUSf9V5qDsdifrss0oIgUMbeuztt_YloP9j7hAL9hRiRNH-HOeHJE1Qh32mUH7gJn3F_mkKhiOqOAT4LW8IZj6wiT1Lsl8XqR3uZu5sX-Xac9VhsP/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pieces are now assembled. The 2mm diameter plastic tubes are now glued to the end of the barrel sections that were previously glued to the end of the barrel jackets. Make sure that are straight and have no overhanging lips. File off where necessary.<br />
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The two 1mm thick plastic strips are now glued on top of each other with one of the ends being a flush end with no overlap with the shorter section being on the topside.<br />
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The plastic strip composite is now butted up against the right angle where the barrel cradle meets the barrel jacket at the trunions. Don't worry if the length of the strip does not sit flush against the barrel as it isn't important at this time. What is important is that the end sits flush against the cradle and that the length of the strip runs parallel with the centre line of the barrel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AOxGjVH0xul_jqCxoPzp6ne20utK7WIR74hUho9pFwoZuo4zNyMYVhRx0BAk0OikiYSEsH7NQ56MsvyJMm1m1vrHkDXJUTqk-eGfD1ovRxJQB-LuDGR5dn66v6tzvzY1RmTmfAFoywmg/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AOxGjVH0xul_jqCxoPzp6ne20utK7WIR74hUho9pFwoZuo4zNyMYVhRx0BAk0OikiYSEsH7NQ56MsvyJMm1m1vrHkDXJUTqk-eGfD1ovRxJQB-LuDGR5dn66v6tzvzY1RmTmfAFoywmg/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the barrels are completed put them to one side. Its now time to start working on the gun shields.<br />
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For these 0.5mm thick plastic sheet is used with an initial 20mm x 20mm square cut from which the gun shield will be formed. Each plastic square has a gun aperture marked on it in pencil. Mark a rectangle first 2mm from the top and 3mm bottom and 7mm in from either side. Each of the corners is then rounded off to a general 45degree angle.<br />
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This aperture is then bored and cut out. The gun shields are now placed to one side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMM1XQOc0eKMszJWk-3WJxIpcgwivhgQ5ZUF-SbfeI0X4hiNFXbtMTsw4KNH7yFZJYv7RlRfIGR0TZqflrrvlnv3CB2t2dOannbfEXe3T0ZilY0nBjZuvqtfQAkickf6xe_ZwXdLmxeaq/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMM1XQOc0eKMszJWk-3WJxIpcgwivhgQ5ZUF-SbfeI0X4hiNFXbtMTsw4KNH7yFZJYv7RlRfIGR0TZqflrrvlnv3CB2t2dOannbfEXe3T0ZilY0nBjZuvqtfQAkickf6xe_ZwXdLmxeaq/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2508.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next thing to do is assemble the assets for the wheels and axles that will be glued to the carriage and trail.<br />
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At this point the wheels have already been cleaned up so just have them to hand. For this artillery piece though the wheels should have the same axle width that allows the outside face of the wheel to align with the outside edge of the gun shield so a total width of 20mm is appropriate.<br />
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For strength a 1mm brass rod of about 18mm is prepared with a length of 2mm plastic tubing of a slightly shorter length. The section of brass rod that extends from the plastic rod once it is slid over the brass rod should be just enough to provide a spigot that can be glued into the wheel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqXM28TaD5P01OtBql82qlm-wAYEErrXB_Qx3NsioOdaFLsjMQLPKN5pp0U7x6ZmjgR49EVZ7b4BqE31oxsRoBAZ00il02SQIt0Mlw_ivLvmhLLfGJMZm-iOgnSqrmwFKmGxYFkM8nrrV/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqXM28TaD5P01OtBql82qlm-wAYEErrXB_Qx3NsioOdaFLsjMQLPKN5pp0U7x6ZmjgR49EVZ7b4BqE31oxsRoBAZ00il02SQIt0Mlw_ivLvmhLLfGJMZm-iOgnSqrmwFKmGxYFkM8nrrV/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These assembled pieces should look like the above photograph, with the wheels being perfectly square against the axle direction.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf9ps5awMElfoOLV3Pg-5S2lkClfIfq5nMkIWgvqa_Cg-YcU3R2Z1E9OcL8a5cRXq96njJ-Qlvhs8vGCJ7prAzfmX-vjlQXsD6FuLtNASRunUnDvHsrOFXEeqYniFkjteAOrU3WQF4cHX/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf9ps5awMElfoOLV3Pg-5S2lkClfIfq5nMkIWgvqa_Cg-YcU3R2Z1E9OcL8a5cRXq96njJ-Qlvhs8vGCJ7prAzfmX-vjlQXsD6FuLtNASRunUnDvHsrOFXEeqYniFkjteAOrU3WQF4cHX/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2510.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The carriage and trail as a whole unit can now be assembled. The first and most obvious thing is that the wheels and axles are glued to the bottom of the carriage. You may need to adjust the original indentation where the original axle would have gone to ensure that the axle now fits directly under to cradle mount where the guns spigots will fit. File this wider if necessary to accept the new axles more snugly.<br />
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There is a small collection of things to do here so I will deal with them one at a time.<br />
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The tow ring at the end of the solid tail needs to have the area underneath it filed square so there is a right angle between the lower face of the tow ring and the trail body. A small rectangle of 0.3mm brass sheet 6mm square now needs to be bent at right angles in the middle, and then glued into the right angle underneath the tow ring.<br />
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A 2mm plastic rod has a small section cut, the length that the gun trail is deep at the point where the solid trail meets the split carriage. This plastic rod is then cut in half with one half being glued on the left hand side of the trail against the outside edge of the trail just before the carriage begins.<br />
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On the top of the solid trail two box lids are cut and shaped with curved corners to sit slightly shy of the edges of the trail. The larger of the two sits on top of the solid trail just before where the carriage arms begin with the smaller one further down the trail. Both are small enough to have slight borders around them and both only go down the trail just a little over half way.<br />
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A small section of 1mm square plastic rod is the glued across the lower end of the trail above where the brass spade has been glued just ahead of the tow ring. This is then filed away so that the outside edges sit flush with the sides of the trail.<br />
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A 1mm section of 2mm plastic tube is now glued to the right hand side of the carriage and trail. It is placed at the outside centre point of the right hand arm that links the carriage to the trail. Once this is in place the smaller of the two Napoleonic wheels that you prepared at the beginning to be a gear wheel has its spigot glued into the cavity of the tube.</div>
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We now finish off the barrels prior to gluing them to the gun carriage and trail. The gap that at this point exists between the gun barrel and the recoil housing is now filled with your favourite epoxy resin. I personally use Magic Sculpt. This needs to flattened along the front edge of the upper section of the plastic strip that makes the upper half of the recoil housing and flattened to about a 45 degree angle from the outside upper corner edge of the length of the recoil housing until it meets the barrel.</div>
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These barrels are then left to cure until the resin is rock solid. The barrels are then glued onto the carriages side frames and where these particular weapons are concerned I prefer a high elevation gun barrel, just to emphasise the fact that they are heavy howitzers.</div>
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It is at this point that the gun shields need to be finished off and mounted in the final piece of this manufacturing puzzle and again there is a collection of steps that need to be done so I will take you through them one at a time.<br />
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The first thing that needs to done is the rounding off of the corners of the shield itself. Don't be too extravagant here but make sure it is smooth and reduces the 'squareness' of the shield noticeably.<br />
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The shield then needs to be bent at about 30 degrees. The line of the bend is across the two points where the lower curve meets the straight edges of the gun aperture. Score a line across the rear face of the shield. Heat a metal rod of some sort (I used a screw driver), place the shield in boiling water for 60 seconds and then bend across the metal rod until you have a consistent 30 degree angle<br />
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Take a piece of the smallest piece of plastic rod you can find (I think mine is 0.2mm) and glue a length around the outside edge of the gun aperture except at the bottom where it runs straight down the side of the aperture and carries on until it reaches the bottom edge of the gun shield.<br />
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The gear wheel is constructed exactly as it is with the smaller wheel on the carriage arm side. This time though the plastic tube is glued on the lower right corner of the shield so that when the gear wheel is in place it covers almost the entire lower right corner but does not extend past the limits of the shield.<br />
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The last thing to complete on the gun shield is the vision port shields. The vision port on this artillery piece has a shield that is split into three sections. The total size is 2mm x 5mm which is then divided into three sections. These three sections are then glued one on top of the other on the upper right shield. The hinges are made of a 5mm length of 1mm diameter plastic rod which is cut into lengths to match the sides of the three shield sections. These are then glued alongside the left hand edge of the vision port shield segments.</div>
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... and so we come to the final part of the making of the guns; the attaching of the gun shield.</div>
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The lower inside edge of the gun shield is attached to the leading edge of the guns lower carriage ahead of the side frames that the guns spigots are mounted on.</div>
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As extra support a pair of vertical rods are mounted on top of the axles which then run vertically to the gun shield and are then glued in place. The rod is made of 2mm plastic rod with the bottom edge being flat and the top end being cut at an angle to sit flush against the shield.</div>
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... and there we have it! Finished!</div>
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Now, onto the painting and basing!</div>
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So there we have it. Above is an example of a completely painted battery of these beauties! I will take you through the colour schemes and painting methodology that I employ as well. A bit complex but personally I love the results so I'm happy with what I've got :)</div>
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Before we go any further I should also point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the heads with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.</div>
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to actually paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!</div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face.</div>
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The first step is to prime the miniatures and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy amateur recoloured old photos.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black first and then highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand along the edge of the strap.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuemPVvA7ogZfeCceY7lI6GRVeeIWVL-KKditO-obsM3uIZ1w4yTHvIVXyPh0IKnPqWpjw95BgXCE0Gxj097RRMWeAEU1Zc3Q-EetqW35OIAm4Tp0hlwvwNDi3_EC73yvulJVDIsA_3zk/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuemPVvA7ogZfeCceY7lI6GRVeeIWVL-KKditO-obsM3uIZ1w4yTHvIVXyPh0IKnPqWpjw95BgXCE0Gxj097RRMWeAEU1Zc3Q-EetqW35OIAm4Tp0hlwvwNDi3_EC73yvulJVDIsA_3zk/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2519.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!<br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface. This scoring ensures that the tile grout and the miniatures that are fixed to the base have something more to help them bind.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can pick them out in different colours and create some contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6HPMGlnNvtGDcAp9evVxClcmWSJ8NSFlo4n62P-sezUeazeSnl5YrRgGGv-iWM6MCvjFHhuHrqoxFBb-aukcQ2dYVdaiE_MhG8kh2exwFCjFWbQF4cHGEGdzDbL9MRs4fsRUuceJGuBD/s1600/Slovak+15cm+vz.2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1482" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6HPMGlnNvtGDcAp9evVxClcmWSJ8NSFlo4n62P-sezUeazeSnl5YrRgGGv-iWM6MCvjFHhuHrqoxFBb-aukcQ2dYVdaiE_MhG8kh2exwFCjFWbQF4cHGEGdzDbL9MRs4fsRUuceJGuBD/s640/Slovak+15cm+vz.2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety.<br />
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesnt matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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Go play... and don't forget your bayonets! :D</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-35995867730128159992019-05-29T12:17:00.002+01:002019-08-30T16:18:09.216+01:00FoW: Slovak Motorised Infantry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello Gents once more!</div>
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Today we are going on a slightly different type of journey because today there is not too much of drilling down into an historical analysis of the formation type that we will be looking at.</div>
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The reason for this is that thus far I can only find the brush strokes of this troop type and not so much of the small unit details.<br />
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Today we will be delving (somewhat) into the inner workings of the Slovakian Motorised Infantry!</div>
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When Slovakia declared its independence from the Czech state under the coercion of Hitler and his thugs [an interesting aside here is that some of the main supporters of increased Slovak autonomy such as Karol Sidor and even Tiso himself decided that the Slovaks wanted, at the start of 1939 to remain a part of the Czechoslovakian state!] one of the issues that became apparent was that the armed forces remaining to the Slovaks were under supplied in the area of motor vehicles and what soon proved to be an even more severe problem was the lack of qualified engineers that were left in Slovakia.</div>
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By the time of the Munich Crisis in 1938 Czechoslovakia was able to field four Mobile (in Czech 'Rychla' or 'Rapid') Divisions. In March of 1939 the V, VI and VII Corps were stationed within the territory of Slovakia consisting of the 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th and 16th Infantry Divisions and the 3rd Mobile Division. These Divisions were all under strength due to the exodus of Czech serving soldiers but importantly not only was all of their equipment left within Slovakia but also the Czechs had numerous arms depots and magazines stationed in Slovakia which they had judged as being the safest part of the country.</div>
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New officers needed to be assigned to the formations with vacant command positions and in line with this Staff Captain Dubravec was assigned as the nominal commander of the 3rd Mobile Division. This shines a very stark light on how short on qualified manpower the Slovak state actually was at this time as the 3rd Mobile Division should have been led by an officer holding a rank of Major General and instead command devolved onto the shoulders of a Captain.</div>
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Before the dissolution of the Czechoslovakian state the ideal constitution of one of these Mobile Divisions was of two Brigades taking inspiration from the French Division Legere order of battle although influenced by current German experiences.</div>
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Each Mobile Division was to comprise of one Cavalry Brigade and one Motorised Brigade. The Cavalry Brigade would include two Dragoon Regiments, a Bicycle mounted battalion and an artillery group whilst the Motorised Brigade would comprise two motorised infantry regiments mounted in trucks and an artillery group. </div>
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However all of the Czechoslovakian Mobile Divisions were under-strength and as Slovakia was considered the safest part of the country the areas mobile reserve had been flensed of its assets. By the time the Slovak state declared its independence the 3rd Mobile Division had no truck mounted infantry assets at all, and a much reduced complement of tanks and armoured cars. </div>
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The Slovak government realised what kind of precarious position they were in and immediately undertook the reorganisation of its armed forces in order to bring about a degree of military effectiveness that was expandable and dependable. The Hungarians had already invaded and occupied Ruthenia before any of this reorganisation was able to be started let alone completed.</div>
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The beginning of the growth of the Slovak Mobile Division began on 5 September 1939 when the Slovak General Staff decided on the formation of Fast Group 'Kalinciak' under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Imro. This unit comprised a squadron of cavalry, a bicycle mounted infantry company and a motorised unit.</div>
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The motorised unit had one company of tanks, a company of armoured cars and a company of anti-tank guns... but no infantry! They were instead assigned to work in cooperation with the advance of the Slovak 2nd Infantry Division 'Skultety' also under the command of Jan Imro.<br />
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The Slovak army went through a couple more reorganisations before the next major milestone in Slovakian military history; the invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941.</div>
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Slovakia had been preparing to assist the Wehrmacht in invading the Soviet Union since early 1941 and on the day that the German army rolled across the borders into the Soviet Union eight classes of reservists were called up, amounting to around 68,000 men. On the same day as the state was placed on a war footing General Catlos, the Minister of Defence ordered the formation of a 'Mobile Group' for use on the Eastern Front under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Rudolf Pilfousek.</div>
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The Mobile Group consisted of its Headquarters, the 2nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (JPO-2), a tank battalion with two tank companies, two companies of anti-tank guns, a motorised artillery battalion and the asset that is of particular interest to us here; the 1st Battalion of the 6th Infantry Regiment, all supported by ancillary units provided by the 2nd Infantry Division.</div>
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Motorised Infantry Battalion II/6 based in Stara Wies comprised the following:</div>
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3x Infantry Companies</div>
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1x HMG Company</div>
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1x Anti-Tank Platoon</div>
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1x 7.5cm artillery battery</div>
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1x Engineer Platoon</div>
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The total assets were: 14x officers, 629x men, 341x rifles, 162x pistols, 38x LMGs, 12x HMG's, 4x 3.7cm AT Guns, 4x 7.5cm Artillery Pieces, 33 Trucks, 2 Staff Cars, 2x Motorcycles and 8x Bicycles.</div>
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The composition of the Infantry Company was absolutely no different to those infantry companies that were marching and was as follows:</div>
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Company HQ</div>
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20x Men (I can't find any information on the breakdown of this unit unfortunately)</div>
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3x Infantry Platoons each comprising of:</div>
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Platoon HQ:</div>
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1x Lieutenant (9mm vz.34 handgun)</div>
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1x Platoon Sergeant (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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1x Orderly (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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1x Runner (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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3x Rifle Sections each comprising of:</div>
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1x Corporal (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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1x Lance Corporal (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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1x vz.26 LMG Team</div>
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1x Gunner (9mm vz.34 handgun)</div>
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1x Assistant Gunner (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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2x Ammunition Carriers (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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2x Grenadiers (7.92mm vz.24 rifle and grenades)</div>
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5x Riflemen (7.92mm vz.24 rifle)</div>
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It was this Mobile Group and especially this Infantry Battalion that fought the Battle of Lipovec on 22nd July, exactly one month after driving over the Soviet border and crossing the San river. Whilst Lipovec was a strategic victory for the Slovaks, tactically it shone a light on some serious issues. Chief amongst these was the fact that a single infantry battalion was not strong enough to take on prepared defences in numbers that the Soviets were so fond of and of perhaps greater concern was the fact that the Germans were now witnessing the fact that the Slovak troops had become especially sensitive to Soviet Artillery or Mortar fire frequently abandoning their positions. This all precipitated the next reorganisation which took place on 23 July 1941, a mere day after the battle.</div>
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General Catlos decided to reorder all Slovak units on the Eastern Front into two divisions; the Mobile Division and the Security Division. The operational order to cause this to happen was issued on 25th July and named Colonel Turanec as the commander of the Mobile Division.</div>
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At its formation the Mobile Division had no armoured vehicles at all as they had all been sent back to Slovakia for repairs. It consisted only of two Motorised Infantry Regiments and an Artillery Regiment. For the next three weeks the Division stayed around Lvov whilst the infantry were trained to cooperate with the artillery. From here, after training was completed, the new Division was sent forwards to meet up with the remains of the original Mobile Group with which it would combine.</div>
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The Mobile Division achieved its final form by 22 August 1941 where it moved on to Skviro, where it trained for several more weeks.</div>
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The final composition of the Mobile Division was as follows:</div>
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Headquarters</div>
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Infantry Regiment 20</div>
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Infantry Regiment 21</div>
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Artillery Regiment 11</div>
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Reconnaissance Group 11</div>
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Communications Battalion 2</div>
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Engineer Battalion 11</div>
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Mountain Battery 11</div>
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Anti-Tank Company 11</div>
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Anti-Aircraft Group</div>
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Automotive Workshop</div>
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Quartermasters Unit</div>
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The elements that interest us here are the Motorised Infantry Regiments. IR20 was considerably larger than IR21 and had the following assets:</div>
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57 officers, 1966 NCO's and men, 1552 rifles, 623 handguns, 101 light machine guns, 24 heavy machine guns, 12 3.7cm anti-tank guns, 4 7.5cm field guns, 169 trucks, 51 staff cars, 2 motorcycle and sidecars, 30 motorcycles and 50 bicycles.</div>
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Infantry Regiment 21 had the following assets:</div>
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63 officers, 1765 NCO's and men, 1183 rifles, 493 handguns, 63 light machine guns, 25 heavy machine guns, 10 mortars, 12 3.7cm anti-tank guns, 4 7.5cm field guns, 171 trucks, 35 staff cars, 2 motorcycles and sidecars, 26 motorcycles and 62 bicycles.</div>
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The entire Division had a complement of 893 trucks, 201 staff cars, 6 motorcycle and sidecars, 133 motorcycles and 282 bicycles.</div>
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The rapid advances of the Mobile Division and occasional soviet air raids took their toll on the vehicles of the Slovak automotive pool. The somewhat large variety of trucks and cars that were being used were designed in the pre-war Czech era with the excellent Czechoslovakian road network in mind and as such the Automotive Workshop had its hands well and truly full. By the time the Division was called to halt and cover the shores of the Sea of Azov at the beginning of November they felt it was long overdue.<br />
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Soon after calling this halt however all but one of the infantry battalions was redeployed to the Mius River to form a defensive line. They immediately found themselves embroiled in savage and bitter Soviet assaults as the covering German divisions fled around their positions. The Division, much to its credit, managed to hold onto its positions and even launched a collection of local counterattacks pushing back the Soviets. By the end of November the situation had again stabilised and a new defensive line was constructed. At this time Colonel Turanec was replaced by the popular Colonel Malar.<br />
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The Division remained in this position for 7 months, covering 12km of the axis front line, during which time the Soviets repeatedly failed in trying to puncture the Divisions lines. Over Christmas 1941 the Soviet army staged a massive armoured assault and yet the Division still held them back.<br />
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The Mobile Division was taken out of the line in June '42 when it was given time to rest and recuperate. The seven months on the Mius had cost the Division 119 dead, 576 wounded and 89 missing.<br />
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The front line started moving again on 19 July 1942 and along with it went the Mobile Division, now commanded again by the newly promoted General Turanec. By this time the Division was so finely tuned that the truck convoys, supported by the Automotive Workshops frequently outpaced their German allies reaching Rostov-on-Don on the 22 July. By September the Division had advanced more than 800km from their previous winter positions on the River Mius.<br />
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General Turanec was replaced by Colonel Jurech in September who held extreme anti-fascist sentiments. The Division took up defensive positions south of Krasnodar remaining there for several months during which time officers who had sympathetic views to Colonel Jurech made contact with the Red Army and attempted to arrange a defection en masse for 28 January 1943.<br />
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The rapidly changing situation on the front lines however precipitated a rapid withdrawal from the front for the Division and the opportunity was lost.<br />
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Now joined by some of its armour, in the face of a furious Soviet offensive the Division was forced to fall back to a succession of positions in an effort to stem the Soviet advance...<br />
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...and this is where it all went horribly wrong!<br />
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On 31 January 1943 the Division was again ordered out of the defensive line and this time received orders to redeploy to the Crimea taking all equipment possible and destroying whatever had to be left behind.<br />
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About half of the Divisions manpower was airlifted to the Crimea with only their small arms whilst the remaining men and heavy equipment were rushed to Taman where they were caught in the harbour by repeated Soviet airstrikes. They finally managed to board the ships and were ferried to the Crimea.<br />
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The material losses were huge with the entire Division being left with only one tank and only 237 trucks and 29 of its staff cars. The remnants of the Division eventually retreated to Romania alongside their German allies where they were converted into the 1st Technical Division responsible for building and construction work...<br />
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...the Slovak Mobile troops heyday had now come and gone!<br />
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So there we have it, another potted history of the formations that Slovakia was able to put into the field. Now we will take a look at what I did in the modelling and painting part of getting this army fit for use.<br />
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Now you will notice that there are a lot of Praga RV trucks in this particular part of the army. They were all sculpted, cast and painted by yours truly and I aim to do a blog post dedicated to the stuff that I have actually sculpted and cast myself for the army and as such I wont deal with them here but instead what I will do is cover how I did all of the infantry (and for those with more than your average Wombat's IQ, yes it is exactly the same techniques that I outlined in the Slovak Infantry post).<br />
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You may also notice that in this company there are only two bases per section. This is because I have decided to follow Alex's Poland in Flames Slovakian Motorised Infantry composition until such times as I can (and indeed have the inclination to do so) draw up a new Intelligence Briefing that covers the Slovaks through the war...<br />
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this company was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps.<br />
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face but from arms length away they look splendid!.</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a micro dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.<br />
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.<br />
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcBd7r5uAJ7R1hclmlUDlHHGi34ZHpuuvmKaW9qG6MnktK-Z_kqU-CggbgvPijTKaBhE0BFNs8pkcKgrPCaLhKVf6oAjTZKiFgY-5xYZpQ8T4pkT1mJ4uzoT2ZGHOw46elW9L_RDkK9AZ/s1600/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcBd7r5uAJ7R1hclmlUDlHHGi34ZHpuuvmKaW9qG6MnktK-Z_kqU-CggbgvPijTKaBhE0BFNs8pkcKgrPCaLhKVf6oAjTZKiFgY-5xYZpQ8T4pkT1mJ4uzoT2ZGHOw46elW9L_RDkK9AZ/s640/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!<br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKJzfVdfdyJakq3A1Vx_BZO5ucbJi0T3_vWojseUJqPd4Pz54pfmuhAre9cvSN63_PU8Mnz3UyUxBM6IWEYCh6WqOBwwPXrdIfWSrS_t0AK96U8TMbSujTQdg50EbjNug0L98XH3-97X0/s1600/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKJzfVdfdyJakq3A1Vx_BZO5ucbJi0T3_vWojseUJqPd4Pz54pfmuhAre9cvSN63_PU8Mnz3UyUxBM6IWEYCh6WqOBwwPXrdIfWSrS_t0AK96U8TMbSujTQdg50EbjNug0L98XH3-97X0/s640/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJObDw3g-8L10ZZ5B84l6hBeLH8UOqopuVxa3RCuA8gTZG2ZvqupYB_rjU64ayFtJfK5o2SsWzsZxCwYnTqgJN7WDYd4g0zO-Raq3XL10bqCY-VHGSQjFAh_IRQGDlc8WPXLpdZ2htxcG/s1600/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1594" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJObDw3g-8L10ZZ5B84l6hBeLH8UOqopuVxa3RCuA8gTZG2ZvqupYB_rjU64ayFtJfK5o2SsWzsZxCwYnTqgJN7WDYd4g0zO-Raq3XL10bqCY-VHGSQjFAh_IRQGDlc8WPXLpdZ2htxcG/s640/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksqKsc6zEf9BeUKaj-7BXOcQtlAeYftwJ3IDXEHmFCuei5VLEJXLkSPnORJYJCofwrDMn6Bk_5El3qlOsgF_k2IMuG7CNUIA9f92snmq_7FrVLTT8MQQvH7D6NgPwPREnsZa3ZinxgzzJ/s1600/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="811" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksqKsc6zEf9BeUKaj-7BXOcQtlAeYftwJ3IDXEHmFCuei5VLEJXLkSPnORJYJCofwrDMn6Bk_5El3qlOsgF_k2IMuG7CNUIA9f92snmq_7FrVLTT8MQQvH7D6NgPwPREnsZa3ZinxgzzJ/s640/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRHkKUwHwjyrXms0yeMuCSAIAgeNHZ_GNqbA-ZvSUtcduw_sSBIN0Q6mt70yfmmXLK2KsTd1lrVmc1Mq_nHM-I6XQnGHdXCbkeQBI91INnmwkyU3gFxAUZZY8qTV5n409CYlMXorVAc1N/s1600/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRHkKUwHwjyrXms0yeMuCSAIAgeNHZ_GNqbA-ZvSUtcduw_sSBIN0Q6mt70yfmmXLK2KsTd1lrVmc1Mq_nHM-I6XQnGHdXCbkeQBI91INnmwkyU3gFxAUZZY8qTV5n409CYlMXorVAc1N/s640/Slovak+Motorised+Infantry+Platoons10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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...and there we have it. Another investigation into the inner workings of the Slovakian military and their BAYONETS!!!! </div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-39295888162164757592019-05-28T16:47:00.002+01:002019-06-10T06:10:41.263+01:00FoW: Slovak Cavalry Reconnaissance Troops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
...snd so ladies and gentlemen we move onto the next instalment of our journey through the military might of Slovakia in World War 2.</div>
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Today I would like to introduce you to the Slovakian Cavalry Patrols a much scaled down version of their Czech forebears and sadly (I believe) under represented on the modern wargames table but they were present and they were important for the tasks that they fulfilled.</div>
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So, let me convince you why I like these guys so much...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMCB_1P5JNNQodB8V5vN_fnHDPsvkK5rADs7XVszGq3cFveBHqlni8BSAU6FF8hPXbYxe34VBOF70kE3gbGiuWUFtkrJMa86viAPVxEhyYlbEr2CGQqgCnpEz-9kevR5IlbqjAYaElxHb/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMCB_1P5JNNQodB8V5vN_fnHDPsvkK5rADs7XVszGq3cFveBHqlni8BSAU6FF8hPXbYxe34VBOF70kE3gbGiuWUFtkrJMa86viAPVxEhyYlbEr2CGQqgCnpEz-9kevR5IlbqjAYaElxHb/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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OK, so as with most things Slovakian, if we are going to scrutinise them we need to start way back with the Czechoslovakian Army and in this case the Czechoslovakian Dragoon Regiments that served the State.</div>
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The cavalry of the Czechoslovakian Republic was primarily geared towards conducting reconnaissance duties and raiding enemy territory, however when appropriate they were also tasked with pursuing broken and fleeing foes or else conducting staunch rearguard activity if the Czechs were forced into retreat. Generally they were asked to complete any task where a speed faster than that of the infantry became important.</div>
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It was a part of the Czech military doctrine not to use the cavalry to conduct activities that could just as easily be completed by other parts of the military due to the fact that the replacement of men and horses was a long and drawn out process and the quality of the cavalry regiments was likely to decline sharply.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyACqSVpva6n4okrnVaZckV6Kmsu84hZaJwst-WnmyKRscGfrrMSmh2r_j0oiENnY8etd56N3BgNnNG_hlQy5euzkFUkzVJ22of6YZIjhqrNhlPtIop6xZqC5sTcb-RBpP8pIvEVz_JiD/s1600/tumblr_mx7c55SquL1t3fxp0o2_r1_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="626" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyACqSVpva6n4okrnVaZckV6Kmsu84hZaJwst-WnmyKRscGfrrMSmh2r_j0oiENnY8etd56N3BgNnNG_hlQy5euzkFUkzVJ22of6YZIjhqrNhlPtIop6xZqC5sTcb-RBpP8pIvEVz_JiD/s640/tumblr_mx7c55SquL1t3fxp0o2_r1_640.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i>"Because of its special qualities - the mobility that is based on the speed of its horse and its ability to move in almost every terrain and equipping the cavalry with weapons to destroy all sorts of field targets - the cavalry has the task of searching for messages, fighting and maintaining contact with other formations. The most important battle for the cavalry is the fight on foot - small horse mounted attack units are to attack the enemy whenever the opportunity arises!"</i></div>
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Equestrian training was much longer than, for example, infantry training with the training itself placing much higher demands on the rider (By the end of the Czechoslovakian Republic all riders were termed 'Dragoons'. Dragoons originated in the 16th Century and as an arm of service expanded greatly during the 30 Years War. They were horse mobile troops which dismounted to fight like light infantry, termed Hippomobile infantry).</div>
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<i>"The way of combat cavalry will more often force the rider to fight alone, without precise orders, under very vague, supremely unfavourable and great odds. These circumstances will place special demands on his high spirit. He would have to be accustomed not to fall into fear of loneliness, to fall prey to panicked helplessness in the absence of orders, but to act proactively, not to lose reason and heart in unclear, sudden, unfavourable and outnumbered situations, but to dig deep!"</i></div>
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Even the training of a cavalry horse was very much dependant on the right choice of horse and long, intensive preparations. That is why it would not be easy to replace heavy losses in the cavalry arm.</div>
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The training of cavalry troopers began in October when the new conscription year started. Gradually during the year the depth of training intensified. The troopers started training individually, then in teams [the UK equivalent of a team would be the section], then platoons, squadrons and then in early summer they began practising regimental manoeuvres. The training year ended in early autumn with the annual military manoeuvres. After this the oldest year were returned to civilian life to coincide with the influx of the new annual conscripts with each conscripted year being retained for a total of two years active service.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68OU_4UV3eq-AvNZESuRJWMC6zXp2ShnMQCgoRKSG3EKQHXbLoWujB7KOVxJfNZr6Y0B93R_0STPJvTYnFKXxtiJhq6CSix3uVb3gmff5nVZAZXnIxRrndu72moaOSKpAEHKkFrGbp-ju/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="554" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68OU_4UV3eq-AvNZESuRJWMC6zXp2ShnMQCgoRKSG3EKQHXbLoWujB7KOVxJfNZr6Y0B93R_0STPJvTYnFKXxtiJhq6CSix3uVb3gmff5nVZAZXnIxRrndu72moaOSKpAEHKkFrGbp-ju/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 1933 and 1936 there were extensive reorganisations of the Horse Mounted and Dragoon regiments. All cavalry regiments from this point forward were designated as Dragoon Regiments which was more consistent with the military function that they fulfilled. </div>
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Horse Mounted and, post 1933, the Dragoon Regiments consisted of the Regimental Headquarters under which were two Field Battalions and a Replacement Battalion, all supplemented after 1933 with a Heavy Machine Gun Squadron subordinated directly to the Regimental Command.</div>
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I Battalion included the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Squadrons whilst the II Battalion included the 4th and 5th Cavalry Squadrons. The independent HMG Squadron was designated as the 3rd Squadron.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxkkKPjy7GDZQLSLbz0KCz4TeESkN0Ss0cR_G9oQFe7TCraySq-40vVzr4dHMt6nBzwY4BSyvh-FWV-4BGcigMQu6N36WiyY0ZFtumE-52hJduxeQ32Y5MYYhnlNVrwWifL59zV9yIRX_/s1600/Czech+Cavalry+Squadron+on+Parade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxkkKPjy7GDZQLSLbz0KCz4TeESkN0Ss0cR_G9oQFe7TCraySq-40vVzr4dHMt6nBzwY4BSyvh-FWV-4BGcigMQu6N36WiyY0ZFtumE-52hJduxeQ32Y5MYYhnlNVrwWifL59zV9yIRX_/s640/Czech+Cavalry+Squadron+on+Parade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each Cavalry Squadron comprised of two Troops each of two Platoons on mobilisation. Each Platoon consisted of two Teams each with a total of 16 riders. The 16 riders were once more divided into two Groups of 8 riders each.</div>
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The Replacement Battalion consisted of a Replacement Squadron, a Remount Squadron, between 2-4 horse pulled wagons along with the Administrative and Ordnance Units.</div>
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The Cavalry Brigade was the next step up the organisational ladder. Each Brigade consisted of between 2-4 Dragoon Regiments and bicycle mounted squadrons. Around October 1932 the Brigade structure was complemented with an Artillery Section and from the autumn of 1933 a Squadron of Armoured Cars although this only remained the case until 1935 when the wartime organisation of the cavalry brigades changed again.</div>
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The brigade had, within its overall structure, a telegraph company with three telephone squads, one radio and one auxiliary platoon, eight exchange boards, 160km of telephone cable, one morse telegraph station, four medium radio stations, three signalling stations, one set of marking and signalling targets and two messenger pigeons! In addition to all of this the brigade was also accompanied with a field ambulance, a payroll department and an attached automobile supply column.</div>
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Up to the reorganisation of 1938 the Czechoslovakian army had four Cavalry Brigades with an extant total of around 10,000 men.</div>
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From 1 January 1938 the Rapid Division replaced the Cavalry Brigade. The Rapid Division was created in 1937 with the Cavalry Brigade Command fulfilling the basis of the Rapid Division Headquarters.</div>
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In the event of war the Rapid Division had further assets subordinated to it to reach its full complement. The full Rapid Division consisted of a headquarters, a bicycle battalion, a motorised brigade of two armoured battalions and two motorised infantry battalions and a cavalry brigade of two dragoon regiment and two artillery units.</div>
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Of interest to us here is the composition of the 3rd Rapid Division stationed in Bratislava on Slovak territory which was dramatically under strength with only one under strength tank company in addition to lacking its motorised infantry.</div>
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In the second half of the 1930's Czechoslovakia possessed 11 Dragoon regiments and a further 19 horse drawn logistic squadrons although on Slovakian soil at the time of the declaration of independence were only the 3rd and 11th Dragoon Regiments which were a part of the depleted Czechoslovakian 3rd Rapid Division, although each of the six Infantry Divisions stationed on Slovak soil would also have had a cavalry squadron included within the composition of the divisional reconnaissance battalion, usually also including platoons of light tanks, tankettes and armoured cars along with bicycle mounted troops. The composition of these Reconnaissance Battalions varied enormously throughout the Czech army so it is difficult to pin down exactly what was where although with the exodus of the Czech officers and men after independence we can be sure that they were exceptionally understaffed.</div>
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Upon independence the Slovaks were forced to reorder their armed forces and as such the six Infantry Divisions were reduced to three in number, with one each being assigned to a Higher Headquarters (VV - Vyssi Velitelstvo) of which there was one for each of the three territorial divisions of Slovakia; Trencin, Banska Bystrica and Presov.</div>
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As a part of these reorganisations the Slovak cavalry was collected together and they were able to organise a total of only three cavalry squadrons, of two troops each. These were stationed in Bratislava, Nitra and Michalovce. In addition to the squadrons there were also three horse drawn transport squadrons each stationed in Bratislava, Zvolen and Presov and of course the military stud farm.</div>
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Now if you think about it that is a total of two entire regiments and six independent squadrons which would amount to a total of 14 squadrons that were stationed on Slovak soil effectively being reduced to the strength of three. This gives you some indication of the difference in numbers between Czechs and Slovaks in the specialist service arms. </div>
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Soon after Germany marched over the Polish border (including from Slovakia), the Slovak government immediately marched two of its Infantry Divisions across the border; the 1st 'Janosik' and the 2nd 'Skultety' Infantry Divisions. On the 5 September 1939 however the Slovak authorities decided on sending a more mobile field asset over the border as well; this was the Fast Group 'Kalinciak'.</div>
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<i>Rychla Skupina 'Kalinciak'</i> was formed of three groups. Group I comprised the 1st and 2nd cavalry squadrons with the 4th and 5th cavalry support squadrons. Group II comprised the 1st and 2nd cyclist companies, the 4th cyclist HMG company and 3rd cyclist support company. Group III was the motorised group and comprised a tank company, an armoured car company and an anti-tank company. </div>
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'Kalinciak' returned to Slovakia on 1 October 1939 to immediately become embroiled in more reorganisations that continued until early 1940 by which time the army's cavalry had been reordered into Cavalry Reconnaissance Groups I, II and III. Groups I and II were assigned to the newly created 1st Infantry Division and garrisoned in Bratislava and Sered respectively, whilst Group III was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division and garrisoned in Michalovce.</div>
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Later on in October of 1940 the army was yet again reorganised with the 2nd Infantry Division being abolished and the 3rd becoming the new 2nd. Along with this reduction in size Cavalry Reconnaissance Group II was also abolished with Group III becoming the new Group II.</div>
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In this format of late 1940, Cavalry Reconnaissance Group I had the following structure:</div>
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Headquarters</div>
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HMG Company</div>
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1st Squadron</div>
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2nd Squadron</div>
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Bicycle Company</div>
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1st Transport Squadron</div>
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2nd Transport Squadron</div>
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Cavalry Reconnaissance Group II had the following structure:</div>
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2nd Squadron</div>
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1st Transport Squadron</div>
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The Slovakian government had long been aware that the Germans were planning on invading the Soviet Union and for months had been planning their own contribution to the axis efforts. Perhaps a little later in the day than the rest of the preparations the Mobile Group [aka Group Pilfousek after its commander Rudolf Pilfousek] was organised on 22 June 1941 and within its composition included Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron II which is to say that the 2nd Squadron of Cavalry Reconnaissance Group I had been assigned to the Mobile Group.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKXuRrmNOtCaX01g-_k6WY8XQ6KO1JxDabRr_fxFiYSEje6U7bjtqrvB4ck2gAY3iG41vHp6eeWciUStLCmOMVj3pa_jgmaYF2u0PJ8MLwxHFoHF3pMBdWeG6rsxINjd7ML3BVVpJx4U4/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="555" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKXuRrmNOtCaX01g-_k6WY8XQ6KO1JxDabRr_fxFiYSEje6U7bjtqrvB4ck2gAY3iG41vHp6eeWciUStLCmOMVj3pa_jgmaYF2u0PJ8MLwxHFoHF3pMBdWeG6rsxINjd7ML3BVVpJx4U4/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a part of the Slovak Field Army that marched over the Soviet border the two Infantry Divisions were each supplied with a Cavalry Troop. 1st Division received Troop I whilst the 2nd received Troop II. Essentially each of these divisions had two platoons of cavalry available to it.</div>
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Whilst the composition of the Field Army's Divisions remained consistent for a little longer, soon after going over the border, on 8 July 1941 the Mobile Group was reformed into a Mobile Brigade with the stripping of the cavalry which were struggling to keep up and the addition of further motorised units.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi827EFg92otppl3TfooN_QxtUIvsLNLt-RcP526Q5wLMo49-4mfTAekbZKxVF7lvGIxMCGUH6vbkpEBwH392dxrbXXwwPnRs0FqN77_O1RoiIb7KQ80E0krF2PjsuuGgAn1UE9wL3NSw-6/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+on+the+Eastern+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="700" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi827EFg92otppl3TfooN_QxtUIvsLNLt-RcP526Q5wLMo49-4mfTAekbZKxVF7lvGIxMCGUH6vbkpEBwH392dxrbXXwwPnRs0FqN77_O1RoiIb7KQ80E0krF2PjsuuGgAn1UE9wL3NSw-6/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+on+the+Eastern+Front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On 1 September 1941 2nd Infantry Division was re-purposed into the Security Division within which the cavalry of the Mobile Group was assigned alongside the two Troops of 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions becoming the 'Combined Reconnaissance Group'. They stayed with the Security Division until it was recalled and reassigned as construction formations serving the Reich.</div>
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...and that I believe may be the most detailed account of Slovak cavalry that you will find anywhere in the English language...</div>
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but what about the painting and modelling? What did I use to convert them into Slovakians? How did I paint them? So many questions!!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgHVZPaatab82ZKHAM-oSeNsIFl01sKoBuOko7HrUT9QcAQiSrx1kSf9PACKZEELuKYKYUk3UbJWN9Zn8z6pk1_gUrfiTEZSN7HF-bZHjIoPkVlxbM4F3QGQGvsuC_FfwhTnSnIJuZJPd/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgHVZPaatab82ZKHAM-oSeNsIFl01sKoBuOko7HrUT9QcAQiSrx1kSf9PACKZEELuKYKYUk3UbJWN9Zn8z6pk1_gUrfiTEZSN7HF-bZHjIoPkVlxbM4F3QGQGvsuC_FfwhTnSnIJuZJPd/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Modelling the Troops</b></div>
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So there was quite a bit of jiggery-pokery to come up with appropriate miniatures for the Slovak Cavalry. </div>
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I had to use True North (carried in the UK by Old Glory) Polish cavalry figures for the mounted troops with a bit of nip and tuck and I went to the tried and trusted Battlefront Romanians for the dismounted cavalry. Both types of troops required some minor adjustments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp0dM7LRE8Jupg7trEzG_S4MVZzteVUmfi7VPD9goRYSBS5QmESURJGYF3LQTyqg4Z-DLzP_q70iqNLB6f7qOB6GdoIcf82Wtaa1kApP5Sfmo4JGfWy1KzpFZoWTF9zlk6iIzE3tjDOS4/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp0dM7LRE8Jupg7trEzG_S4MVZzteVUmfi7VPD9goRYSBS5QmESURJGYF3LQTyqg4Z-DLzP_q70iqNLB6f7qOB6GdoIcf82Wtaa1kApP5Sfmo4JGfWy1KzpFZoWTF9zlk6iIzE3tjDOS4/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that I nipped off the heads of every single miniature and replaced them with Peter Pig Slovak heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps will do. I used both, although predominantly the helmeted heads as I much prefer the look.</div>
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The second adjustment that needs to be done is with the dismounted cavalry. As they are actually normal Romanian infantry with their leg wrap puttees something needs to be done about this as the cavalry all wore knee high black boots. An easy fix is to paint on liquid Green Stuff around the puttees so that they all look like boots. Let it cure properly and 'bobs yer uncle'... Boots! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3SJC4iM6Pa6B67Yc-jUnB-PFm6RgDt5n9PdYAY9VPcFj5vbSkZRlNd-ez5g4H5V4Ss6jW00hjIv7FGf7JO08FQexJPqN303O6hx90RelIlYNlmeURK6YFRI95aDaQpOjj4eQxQXGf9Wd/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3SJC4iM6Pa6B67Yc-jUnB-PFm6RgDt5n9PdYAY9VPcFj5vbSkZRlNd-ez5g4H5V4Ss6jW00hjIv7FGf7JO08FQexJPqN303O6hx90RelIlYNlmeURK6YFRI95aDaQpOjj4eQxQXGf9Wd/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Painting the Troops...</b></div>
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So, where painting all of the cavalry men is concerned its a relatively simple affair. The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to the minute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yJnnRJO_Yt1BPmvgIhGqH8aMuJeukdj0IpBVElisJz3TJxacNMypsHOHcEltAPI13qzT9JgB-jlGZI1U-bl8Kv76_PZKJDsieaWRyiZRzNGgcIVpETJk07VuQak1hwn-QKTXIUL_mGF/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_yJnnRJO_Yt1BPmvgIhGqH8aMuJeukdj0IpBVElisJz3TJxacNMypsHOHcEltAPI13qzT9JgB-jlGZI1U-bl8Kv76_PZKJDsieaWRyiZRzNGgcIVpETJk07VuQak1hwn-QKTXIUL_mGF/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniforms and field caps. The collar flashes are painted with Vallejo's 915 Deep Yellow.<br />
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDuClDx5iXDRgHOjBhSHN6bBH-5bUwaapB1muyqG1L1A88_G8Fm5EisHupGtbGGt48a7l0Trei7OHQKY4wEcyLQ-U14agZHNJi_jAsDE-ylYTc3iORo9ie62SXAUW6mftz9wQgoOWK-tL/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDuClDx5iXDRgHOjBhSHN6bBH-5bUwaapB1muyqG1L1A88_G8Fm5EisHupGtbGGt48a7l0Trei7OHQKY4wEcyLQ-U14agZHNJi_jAsDE-ylYTc3iORo9ie62SXAUW6mftz9wQgoOWK-tL/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cBTBB8_4fmW1yHccdaAUsPxHXZCJtQW-NuNb6AZp0oSs-YpE0Qc-X7znEXwLRZP6fdEdfzwKQH4_Z9JgI-84cTjAL1StwVkVOXaj55VAFSDIzhbdaxotTcFOb7eCi0LCFz2_yLj3CYQa/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cBTBB8_4fmW1yHccdaAUsPxHXZCJtQW-NuNb6AZp0oSs-YpE0Qc-X7znEXwLRZP6fdEdfzwKQH4_Z9JgI-84cTjAL1StwVkVOXaj55VAFSDIzhbdaxotTcFOb7eCi0LCFz2_yLj3CYQa/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel although the sabre blades can be highlighted further if you like the idea. I used Vallejo's Metal Medium added to the Steel paint. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSsbudTrrolGcTkm80XV3fyn84CDFP4j7V8Gc_42tRCWVdX9Q0AvOhXJxnVAjSsymqXNul2t7lMDrA7O9UacoVwdLt7wIsXJotNRZZHVp7RLo0Bt9GFNBdIRTTorNaFNi_0lu8Jkj9c45/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSsbudTrrolGcTkm80XV3fyn84CDFP4j7V8Gc_42tRCWVdX9Q0AvOhXJxnVAjSsymqXNul2t7lMDrA7O9UacoVwdLt7wIsXJotNRZZHVp7RLo0Bt9GFNBdIRTTorNaFNi_0lu8Jkj9c45/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Painting the Horses...</b><br />
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Painting the horses themselves is a relatively simple affair I think. After they are primed the horses receive an overall coat of Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust. This is then block highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.<br />
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The manes of the horses are painted with Vallejo's 822 German Camo Black Brown, followed by a light drybrush of Vallejo's 872 Chocolate Brown.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoY8zcIKC0Sa8bAJ6Wogggk04iodxEYvcJGhAwUYJ_S3JwKBN5WOKUtGjVBwinLXcFcHgF81iXv_DWdpbKUhmaEvjlbM5H1nfJcsYyj5Xw4pOteUfa20kZKCB4TLRh3h5HD5m4CgNbsvE/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKoY8zcIKC0Sa8bAJ6Wogggk04iodxEYvcJGhAwUYJ_S3JwKBN5WOKUtGjVBwinLXcFcHgF81iXv_DWdpbKUhmaEvjlbM5H1nfJcsYyj5Xw4pOteUfa20kZKCB4TLRh3h5HD5m4CgNbsvE/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want any white flashes or socks on your horses then I start with a rough stippling of Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand followed by a stipple of Vallejo's 820 Offwhite over the top of it ensuring that almost all of the Iraqi Sand is obscured leaving only a trace of it.<br />
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The noses of the horse are stippled with some GW Elf Flesh... and there we have it... done!<br />
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The horse furniture is a little more complex. All of the reins and tackle are painted Vallejo's 822 German Camo Black Brown with an edge highlight of 50/50 German Camo Black Brown and Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth. All of the metal parts of the tackle and harness are painted with Molten Metal Steel.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0Kf9F5HmhoHgCi8OzWmksTxu3Ymy5m1tG4HEUyRR9yc1kV75krBDvFQjtq6ba7awtOv6MNJibD9OXrypBaq-Pa2rgEpCoxAuCLy_9P5F6JjR1UgwC8qbdzuFLnB3KKZDnjNZDaIAE9r/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="585" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwq0Kf9F5HmhoHgCi8OzWmksTxu3Ymy5m1tG4HEUyRR9yc1kV75krBDvFQjtq6ba7awtOv6MNJibD9OXrypBaq-Pa2rgEpCoxAuCLy_9P5F6JjR1UgwC8qbdzuFLnB3KKZDnjNZDaIAE9r/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The horse blanket under the saddle and the strapped rolls in front of and behind the rider are painted with a basecoat of Vallejo's 830 German Field Grey which is then highlighted with Vallejo's 886 Grey Green. The straps are repainted with Vallejo's 950 Black with a simple basecoat of Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth put over the top.<br />
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The saddle bags are painted with a basecoat of Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2hLP2XF7f9rUWE4Ol4O3UXstGsIAQhtffCIOYY2bzVrhAjnz2WmRcUaroCl6aJ8QTmkFrt1Y7Y-SWEip98hQDTK0c_U4yB6P2YUIbJtLbMAi3dum9Vo3BbjsX4SqnELt5OrAoJOia2VF/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="822" data-original-width="1404" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2hLP2XF7f9rUWE4Ol4O3UXstGsIAQhtffCIOYY2bzVrhAjnz2WmRcUaroCl6aJ8QTmkFrt1Y7Y-SWEip98hQDTK0c_U4yB6P2YUIbJtLbMAi3dum9Vo3BbjsX4SqnELt5OrAoJOia2VF/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Basing them all...</b><br />
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-obPr_rzhqvqfzs1-w1KlFbI3IKLpIHSeCVi1eBtjwqYNVFFKqPYeZbOUPIeq4tTCa5k9jEI-wHkioYhZJvPcRCpkt1eocDpceQzQgPiBNAEeXsg9M9h8mr1o38iWN8rMDj3srm855hQ/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="1519" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-obPr_rzhqvqfzs1-w1KlFbI3IKLpIHSeCVi1eBtjwqYNVFFKqPYeZbOUPIeq4tTCa5k9jEI-wHkioYhZJvPcRCpkt1eocDpceQzQgPiBNAEeXsg9M9h8mr1o38iWN8rMDj3srm855hQ/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMGJnh2I77SjPuPcm5u1Xm4pAy2QBqBLE7FvbGDMyVidNfOEF5KCi2a0ojs7r18IDd6OjfflRqc_6VD1wwlIiiLANN7-YLOARqbeovJSFUFMT3fsWjxhdC-GpvmYSXO9hFWq8fLhG0KZU/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1586" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMGJnh2I77SjPuPcm5u1Xm4pAy2QBqBLE7FvbGDMyVidNfOEF5KCi2a0ojs7r18IDd6OjfflRqc_6VD1wwlIiiLANN7-YLOARqbeovJSFUFMT3fsWjxhdC-GpvmYSXO9hFWq8fLhG0KZU/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+Troops15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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... and that as they say gentlemen is that! If I am not mistaken this is, at this point in time, the only place in the world where you will find this information all compiled in one place in the English language... I hope some of you out there are able to make some use of this.</div>
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... and I would be remiss of course if I didn't sign off by saying "FIX BAYONETS!!!!"</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-46626313706004742372019-05-27T17:07:00.000+01:002019-06-10T06:13:03.591+01:00FoW: Slovak Armoured Cars (Oa vz.30's)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, as it stands my life is upside down at the moment as I attempt to complete a relocation to the other side of the country, complete an internal transfer on the railways (and fight every inch of the way with a grossly incompetent/unproductive HR department!) and finish off buying a house...</div>
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All of this I must confess has sapped my will to live much less my will to write so I have found it remarkably hard to sit down and apply myself to the string of blog posts that I still have to do for my Flames of War Slovak army.... BUT having just sat down to watch 'How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World' with my besties plus family I finally felt an urge to put down some words.... </div>
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... and so here I am!</div>
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I thought I would ease myself back into things with a relatively quick and simple post covering one of my favourite Slovak vehicles; the Tatra OA vz.30 armoured car! No conversion here just good old simple painting... and a little bit of history! </div>
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Easy right? Well, lets see!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKHYDvipsnqB93hQQLVQry9pBngCd0D5HXOc9L42Nt2PS5wQFhN_oJEcoCUySvqEac_TqfgpColZ6EzNkCbbjtZuZBZ8MptAuqavjlSPnknu5WCFFqaT5uff86lOeWzTF366zVQoGnHkq/s1600/Finished+OA+vz.30+Armoured+Cars01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKHYDvipsnqB93hQQLVQry9pBngCd0D5HXOc9L42Nt2PS5wQFhN_oJEcoCUySvqEac_TqfgpColZ6EzNkCbbjtZuZBZ8MptAuqavjlSPnknu5WCFFqaT5uff86lOeWzTF366zVQoGnHkq/s640/Finished+OA+vz.30+Armoured+Cars01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lets start at the beginning, when Czechoslovakia was still 'a thing' and the landscape of Europe was creaking under the weight of ideological ego!</div>
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The OA vz.30 (full title being Obrneny Automobil vzor 30 - Armoured Car model 30) was a homegrown Czechoslovakian armoured car designed by the Tatra company which through the course of its active service saw use with the Czechoslovakian and Slovak armed forces and was either appropriated or exported to other countries such as Germany, Romania and Hungary during the Second World War.</div>
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A total of fifty one of these vehicles were manufactured by Tatra before production ceased, of which the Germans seized twenty four when they occupied Bohemia-Moravia in March 1939, whilst the Slovaks retained eighteen when they declared independence from Czechoslovakia at the same time. Romania was able to bag nine when Czech troops sought refuge across the border following the Hungarian invasion of the Carpatho-Ukraine in the same month.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5JMYC9vQsI9U60DwOOacObq7z5N82CyU6OyL_CFTR_i5zL13xA9HNm_GwEMfuK7uFYudHifdiT_H-UNx2M8H556hyphenhyphenszRIstrBCfx-LEjfkO_YvgKxlj0IX7leo9BwQwJCVha-Xk9z6kZ/s1600/tatra-oa-vz-30-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5JMYC9vQsI9U60DwOOacObq7z5N82CyU6OyL_CFTR_i5zL13xA9HNm_GwEMfuK7uFYudHifdiT_H-UNx2M8H556hyphenhyphenszRIstrBCfx-LEjfkO_YvgKxlj0IX7leo9BwQwJCVha-Xk9z6kZ/s640/tatra-oa-vz-30-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here we will deal principally with the Czechoslovakian and Slovakian vehicles though, and they saw combat deployments in Poland '39, the Slovak-Hungarian War and throughout the Slovak experience on the Eastern Front when in January 1944 they were finally phased out of service as the Slovaks received PzKpfw II's to replace them although they were kept on the Army's equipment rolls... and yet their journey was not over because in late '44 when the Slovaks rose up against their former German allies the OA vz.30's were once again thrust into the combat zone in the Slovak National Uprising!</div>
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The OA vz.30's armoured body used the chassis of the Tatra 6x4 T-72 truck as its foundation. The central tube design of the chassis itself was unusual as it had independently sprung rear half axles which rendered superb cross country performance. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK2PBdGNzuUl5HC7LTm-LzvFZ0Lxnhj8Y542x579yZNHYkVg0G7ThO8Rt_uM7vUZxD9s99vd0dnTIOoO1n87RMrcouoB4HolB0PFw3a5fIaPC2UoRDmIarbfhVyWmyKpDcE5h58dKshv9/s1600/tatra_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="562" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSK2PBdGNzuUl5HC7LTm-LzvFZ0Lxnhj8Y542x579yZNHYkVg0G7ThO8Rt_uM7vUZxD9s99vd0dnTIOoO1n87RMrcouoB4HolB0PFw3a5fIaPC2UoRDmIarbfhVyWmyKpDcE5h58dKshv9/s640/tatra_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The driver of the vehicle was positioned on the right side of the body and used an observation port which was protected by an armoured visor with an integral vision slit. The assistant driver sat on the left hand side with a smaller vision port through which his ZB vz.26 light machine gun protruded. This one was mounted to fire directly to the front of the vehicle. There were similar vision slits on both sides of the vehicle as well to enable all round visibility. The crew accessed the vehicle through a door on the rear wall of the vehicle.</div>
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The vehicle commander (and primary gunner) sat in a small cylindrical turret mounted on the top of the vehicle capable of a full 360 deg traverse. It included an observation port in the front alongside the turret weapon and was complemented with more vision slits on the turret sides and rear. The turrets main armament was another ZB vz.26 light machine gun mounted in a ball mount. </div>
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It was standard practise to carry another spare light machine gun inside the vehicle as well. Over 3000 rounds of ammunition were stored in the vehicle for all of the weapons and the armour was typically between 3-6mm thick. Whilst nothing to write home about by any means, it must be stated that when this vehicle was designed in 1933 this was considered more than suitable to deflect any small arms fire from 100m or more. </div>
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It had a 4 cylinder, 32 horsepower, air cooled Tatra 71 engine, mounted on the front of the vehicle and enabling a top speed of 37 mph, and being able to negotiate ditches up to 0.5m wide and ford water obstacles up to 0.3m deep.</div>
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The Czechoslovakian army had been evaluating a series of different Tatra truck chassis for application as armoured cars since 1926 with a number of prototypes built over the years with both wooden and metal bodies to trial a variety of different layouts. The Czechoslovakian military finally placed an order on 6th March 1933 for fifty one OA vz.30's for a projected delivery in December of that same year.</div>
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Tatra was late on the delivery and was only able to deliver the first six on 29th January 1934 followed by sixteen more in February and the final batch delivered in July on account of their destination workshops and garages in Milovice were not yet complete.</div>
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The pre-war Czechoslovakian armed forces had all of their armour concentrated into 'Mobile' Divisions of which there were supposed to be four and which had a formal organisation set down on 1st October 1937. These were based on the French Division Legere along with things gleaned from German experience. The fine details are not relevant here suffice it to say that the only part of these Mobile Divisions that had armoured cars in their TO&E's was as a part of the Reconnaissance Battalion which was directly subordinated to the Divisional Headquarters.</div>
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These Mobile Divisions never achieved full establishment strength before the demobilisation in 1938 and of the four only one, the 3rd Mobile Division was stationed in Slovakia, which was so positioned to serve as the Operational Reserve for the Czechoslovakian 3rd Army. Its 3rd Armoured Regiment was stationed in Turciansky sv.Martin where the barracks and garages, warehouses and work-shops for its vehicles were based after being built between 1935-37. By the end of 1936 the regiment had a total complement of eighteen OA vz.30 armoured cars, three OA vz.27's, thirty Vz.33 tankettes and fifteen LT vz.34 light tanks.</div>
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Despite an expansion in the Regiments tank strength, the numbers of armoured cars remained the same and other than the 3rd Replacement Battalion, all other armoured cars were allocated to the companies of the 1st Battalion along with the vz.33 tankettes.</div>
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The regiment retained its three OA vz.27's, but of its eighteen OA vz.30's it transferred eight vehicles to the Czech Gendarmerie, later acquiring another eight vehicles from the 2nd Armoured Regiment along with some tanks. These particular vehicles ended up fighting against the Hungarian invasion of Transcarpathian Ruthenia, later retreating into Slovakia where they were confiscated by the Slovak authorities before its Czech crews could sabotage them.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">During the conflict with the Hungarians between 23-26th March 1939 one of the armoured cars (No. 13401) was destroyed and had to be abandoned before Hungary occupied the former Slovak territory.</span><br />
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After the departure of all of the Czech serving men the Regiment was left with all of its equipment but hardly any men to crew them. The most senior remaining officer was Staff Captain Cani who was placed in command and given the remit to create a full Armoured Battalion. On 28th April he proposed a battalion structure composed of a headquarters, one armoured car company, two tank companies and one anti-tank company. He was compelled to ask for a further 288 men to fully outfit the battalion. </div>
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By 6th July 1939 the battalion had achieved its manpower targets and was renamed Armoured Battalion 'Martin' and training with its vehicles and assets was began. In the autumn of 1939 the organisation of the Battalion changed again with the reconnaissance assets being amalgamated into a 'group' with a single platoon of three armoured cars only.</div>
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Following a limited deployment of the OA vz.30's into Poland in September 1939 (the vz.27's being considered too old and obsolete for front-line service) the Battalion was reinforced again with the anti-tank battalion from Hlohovec and renamed as a Regiment. </div>
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By January 1940 the Armoured Regiment had a structure in line with that proposed by the now Major Cani. It had the 1st of four companies in the First Battalion of armoured cars. Initially this caused some organisational complications as initially the Armoured Regiment was subordinated to the infantry, whilst some of its armoured car companies were subordinated to the heavy squadrons of the Cavalry Reconnaissance Groups No's I & II. This situation ended in May 1940 when all of the armoured cars officially became a constituent part of the Regiment, although on occasion the platoons may have been subordinated to other services temporarily to complete certain functions.</div>
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As new assets were made available and manpower shortages were overcome a reorganisation occurred once again, and from January 1941 with the following organisation:</div>
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Headquarters</div>
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Staff Company</div>
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Motorised Company (Armoured Cars)</div>
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1st Battalion (3 Tank Companies)</div>
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2nd Battalion (3 Anti-Tank Companies)</div>
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Reserve Battalion</div>
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On June 1941 the Armoured Regiment sent a combined group of 47 tanks and included a company of three armoured cars with the Mobile Group when it entered the Soviet Union. In this campaign both tanks and armoured cars repeatedly proved their quality.</div>
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Despite many serving officers in the Slovakian ranks having extreme anti-fascist leanings, and a resultant endemic sabotage of their own armoured vehicles in order to have them sent home for future use, the Slovaks were still able to maintain and armoured force in the field on the front line.</div>
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Following a further reorganisation of the Mobile Brigade on 8th July 1941, they were still able to field a Motorised Reconnaissance Group which fielded five OA vz.30's.</div>
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Slovakia's first major combat engagement against units of the Red Army was around the town of Lipovec (Lypovets in the Vinnytsia Oblast of the Ukraine). Things did not go as well as expected! The fight began at 05:00, instigated by three of the Reconnaissance Groups five armoured cars accompanied by a company of cyclists who made contact with a company of Soviet infantry dug into foxholes about three kilometres west of the town itself. By 16:00 the repeated combined arms assaults of the Mobile Brigade had managed to penetrate the defensive cordon of the Soviet 44th Siberian Infantry Division and had entered the suburbs of Lipovec itself, capturing the railway station.</div>
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It was then that disaster struck. </div>
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Colonel Pilfousek, the commanding officer of the Mobile Brigade ordered them to advance on Lipovec because he was convinced that the town had already been taken. Advancing down a single road into Lipovec the entire Brigade was caught on the right flank by an aggressive counterattack launched by two Soviet infantry battalions supported by very accurate supporting artillery fire. </div>
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The Soviets split the Mobile Brigade in half, isolating the front half within Lipovec itself whilst the main force on the road began to retreat in a panic only managing to bring the Soviet counterattack to a halt about 2km in front of Shchaslyva to the west of Lipovec.</div>
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Tanks from the 1st and 2nd Companies were sent forwards to assist the troops trapped in Lipovec, joining a single tank from 3rd Company. A desperate struggle broke out as the tanks broke through Soviet anti-tank defences joining the armoured cars trapped in the town. One of the OA vz.30's (13403) was hit and burned out completely. One was hit and abandoned by its crew and the final one suffered light damage. The fighting continued until 22:00 when the withdrawal from the town was complete and the Slovaks were able to pull back to the safety of their own lines, pursued by Soviet anti-tank guns knocking out further Slovak tanks. </div>
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They were able to occupy the town the next day bloodlessly as the Soviets had withdrawn. The captured OA vz.30 had already had red stars painted over its Slovak crosses!</div>
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The battle of Lipovec revealed that the Mobile Brigade was simply not strong enough to take on divisional level forces on its own and steps were taken to strengthen the Brigade further although the road ahead was a long one and further attrition was the inevitable result.</div>
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By 1st January 1942 the regiment was still able to field many of its armoured vehicles despite having many of them shipped back to Slovakia. Out of sixteen OA vz.30's only seven were left fully repaired and operational.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOT0Cyg0wfgScg_OGUCii8R33COvfkQlBGDOXDv5DZspruNUihXWIrxSYyaisDRMfz-7d0UY928uoUpLflvBMCCIjfMmbO0Rn97FkmwpKD6tbrY3byuKoDH4QrUWtIxnFP9fXdWeClFbA/s1600/tatra_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="546" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOT0Cyg0wfgScg_OGUCii8R33COvfkQlBGDOXDv5DZspruNUihXWIrxSYyaisDRMfz-7d0UY928uoUpLflvBMCCIjfMmbO0Rn97FkmwpKD6tbrY3byuKoDH4QrUWtIxnFP9fXdWeClFbA/s640/tatra_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In August 1942 the Ministry of Defence finally got around to bolstering the Security Division with some armoured assets included in which was assigned six OA vz.30's. They were widely used in patrolling and anti partisan actions. Two of them (13399 and 13411) were lost in action at Lojev and the rest of the company was sent back to Slovakia on 12th January 1943 at which time only one of the four remaining armoured cars was in running condition.</div>
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As a replacement for the aged and worn out OA vz.30's the Ministry of Defence placed an order for twenty PzKpfw II's to be used as reconnaissance vehicles. They managed to obtain sixteen of them in January 1944. At this time the OA vz.27's were phased out and the remaining OA vz.30's were placed into storage as no longer usable although they were still kept on the rolls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wET59XLDOOmZfLpIIE7Kg_Z-D5xk1RTBI5GtYeok_t234YyMqrpyLdvoFPJwdOqgL0HkAp7FfUvGBHcVHab7Rn3GwMCkpN2ZPbpcrGM9uQY3As2f_3bB-zTcSaAqzvjQhvk9zlJEa70u/s1600/vz30-014a_101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="650" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wET59XLDOOmZfLpIIE7Kg_Z-D5xk1RTBI5GtYeok_t234YyMqrpyLdvoFPJwdOqgL0HkAp7FfUvGBHcVHab7Rn3GwMCkpN2ZPbpcrGM9uQY3As2f_3bB-zTcSaAqzvjQhvk9zlJEa70u/s640/vz30-014a_101.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The OA vz.30 armoured cars performed their duties magnificently, considering that they were over ten years old, lightly armoured, armed with only two light machine guns incapable of sustained fire and using an engine that was considered under-powered. These cars moved over terrain they were not designed for and were able to fight in place of heavy armoured cars and even in the place of tanks in some places.</div>
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So there we have it; an summarised combat history of these little darlings.</div>
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Now we come to the modelling and as you have already read so many times I wont bore you with the basing as its the same for absolutely everything that I do so we will just get straight into the painting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLrTiVmdiQfvR9o3KcRGxp3NTKJVlfbnikPErb_idFwD0S4H9IIdkRx0DE3De0KHYVmuvY0gNdOiSAvW4gamfswyskfpsOX-H3gg9W3zUHN095CJhfKV1lAxuqxs7HbPkrVM4iJEEpJFj/s1600/Finished+OA+vz.30+Armoured+Cars03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLrTiVmdiQfvR9o3KcRGxp3NTKJVlfbnikPErb_idFwD0S4H9IIdkRx0DE3De0KHYVmuvY0gNdOiSAvW4gamfswyskfpsOX-H3gg9W3zUHN095CJhfKV1lAxuqxs7HbPkrVM4iJEEpJFj/s640/Finished+OA+vz.30+Armoured+Cars03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that I do on any of my vehicles is always the green base colour.</div>
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The main paint scheme of the armoured cars is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.</div>
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the vehicle that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours in an intentionally smoothed edge blotted pattern.</div>
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vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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xiii) The last thing to do with paint is to lightly airbrush a layer of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown across the wheels and the lower third of the vehicle. This layer has a highlight of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre mixed in whatever ratio you want with the German Camo Medium Brown already in the airbrush and is then applied in splotches to provide some variance in the muddy weathering.</div>
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xiv) A final varnishing is applied to the vehicle which are then finally fixed to their bases.</div>
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xv) ...and so we come to the very last thing that I needed to do for these Slovak additions... the decals.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Now, I am capable of making my own decals BUT the experience that I have had so far has led to decals that are uncomfortably thick and ones that cannot include white unless as an overall substrate to the total image and so one of my Polish friends suggested I approach a gentleman in Poland that both he and his father had used to produce specialist decals.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I thus contracted one Bogdan Zolnierowicz through Facebook to produce for me a decal sheet with enough Slovak aircraft and tank markings to polish off everything that I thought I would need. Along with a couple of sheets of numbers and letters I had enough to produce the exact representation that I wanted and Bogdan's decals were exactly what the doctor ordered.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Incidentally if you want to approach Bogdan for help with decals he says you are all welcome to do so. He may not respond quickly but he will eventually and he is the only one on Facebook with the name.</span><br />
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He knocked out a sheet with a stack of tiny Slovak crosses for me which duly made it to the turrets of these armoured cars.</div>
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So there we have it ladies and gents. Another mini project finished and one (read six) more items to place onto the table alongside the rest of my Slovak Mobile forces</div>
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Onwards and Upwards Ladies!</div>
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Fix bayonets!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-31641325274568435622019-05-26T16:25:00.002+01:002019-06-10T06:13:22.738+01:00FoW: Slovak Objective Bases<div style="text-align: justify;">
Welcome once more ladies and gents to my corner of the wargaming world.</div>
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Truth be told I've hit my wall where research and writing of history go with regards to this Slovakian project and so I thought it would be good to just go ahead and concentrate on a post that whilst being Slovakian related, allows me to ditch the history and just concentrate on the modelling!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HhLFvai_LKniGOvIZ4EWE9_hg-4cfb59ORcqn9ERP1NV4XwlhrgGac764oegCwvYq9MwWcdUi5jbZ1A5P3m_HpDQQg_tst8QPcx6FHXoiFvF6ltRQfm3PP_g5pz3xTim3YFxBBZq65sz/s1600/Slovak+Objective+Markers01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1600" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HhLFvai_LKniGOvIZ4EWE9_hg-4cfb59ORcqn9ERP1NV4XwlhrgGac764oegCwvYq9MwWcdUi5jbZ1A5P3m_HpDQQg_tst8QPcx6FHXoiFvF6ltRQfm3PP_g5pz3xTim3YFxBBZq65sz/s640/Slovak+Objective+Markers01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, as most of you who play Flames of War v.III will know, the game revolves around objective markers and as such I thought that it would be a nice addition to my army if I could find some sculpted objective markers as opposed to those, lets be honest, bloody ugly great perspex flags that are dumped all over the gaming table.</div>
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I had bought a load of objective markers for my Polish army and I really liked them so I thought I would go ahead and do the same thing for my Slovaks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUup8C4uLaiUHl-XN7Rsc2vWzdB21leGUTEjxP6hSQkf4kJVWu2iThEG7PSkH_xJWD-meD3z6Sm2netB-_ImF-qr06xBMrZrSfSUz7TsteqHSdzxmUyKNC6zA0DD77DXRedWHO-OsGng5m/s1600/Slovak+Objective+Markers11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUup8C4uLaiUHl-XN7Rsc2vWzdB21leGUTEjxP6hSQkf4kJVWu2iThEG7PSkH_xJWD-meD3z6Sm2netB-_ImF-qr06xBMrZrSfSUz7TsteqHSdzxmUyKNC6zA0DD77DXRedWHO-OsGng5m/s640/Slovak+Objective+Markers11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My Polish objective markers had been purchased from Mierce Miniatures (<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><a href="https://www.mierce-miniatures.com/">h</a><a href="https://www.mierce-miniatures.com/">ttps://www.mierce-miniatures.com/</a></span>), the makers of the utterly beautiful Darklands game... sadly just too expensive for me to get involved with though... it was either Darklands or buy a house... and it was a REALLY tough choice!</div>
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Now it came as no surprise to me that they did not actually produce a range of Slovak objective markers BUT what they did do was produce a pretty healthy variety of German objective markers included in which was an example of each of the main armoured vehicles used by the Slovaks; the LT vz.35 and the LT vz.38. Once I had an example of each of these I decided to choose a simple nondescript one that I could use as Slovak (or else any other nation that may need an additional one).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtufgxtHDP0e9Imfc8ljve3nH-sB-bZOP1ZRxTqvQSkgYJu_j_AatK_UvZjhgOT9od1B4Bl6RamN0mj8JQYBNnHmZ1qCdNr-KEl3dwjzjY7TrLL6DOayreEAsEq2NYcgCEZ0BpqgNPksOC/s1600/Slovak+Objective+Markers05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtufgxtHDP0e9Imfc8ljve3nH-sB-bZOP1ZRxTqvQSkgYJu_j_AatK_UvZjhgOT9od1B4Bl6RamN0mj8JQYBNnHmZ1qCdNr-KEl3dwjzjY7TrLL6DOayreEAsEq2NYcgCEZ0BpqgNPksOC/s640/Slovak+Objective+Markers05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So once I received these beautiful little resin models the first thing to do was clean them.</div>
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I soaked them in warm soapy water for about an hour before taking them out, rinsing them under clean cold water and leaving them to dry thoroughly for a while.</div>
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Once the models are totally dry it is time to prime the models ready for painting. Personally I am a big fan of Matt Black Etch Primer. The 'etch' that is included in the primer is a very low level of acid that microscopically corrodes the surface of the model allowing the black spray to form a nearly indestructible bond with the surface of the model which provides a rock solid foundation for all subsequent layers of paint to adhere to.</div>
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Each of these objective markers has a 'gimmick' on it that provides the focal point for the eye. On two of the bases it is the ruins of the armoured vehicles whilst on the third it is a ruined shack.</div>
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The painting of the armoured vehicles and shack are probably the most complex procedures on their respective bases so I will go through them first.</div>
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<b>Painting the Shack</b></div>
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The shack is modelled to be a load of old wooden planking that has long since become decrepit and as such displays a lot of raw wood. </div>
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Wood can present a royal pain in the ass if some basic techniques aren't known... or more to the point; unless you own some pretty funky paints and over the years I've bought a load of different paint sets with specific aims in mind and one of those aims in particular was a couple of sets of paint that would bring some convincing looking wood within reach.<br />
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The entire cabin was basecoated using AK Interactive's AK779 'Wood Base'. Personally I find AK Interactive's acrylic paints a bit too thin and as such a couple of different layers need to be applied to make sure a uniform layer is result that is being chased. This gives a lovely warm beige on which further effect layers are applied.</div>
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After the basecoat is dry I apply a liberal coating of AK Interactive's AK263 'Wash for Wood'. When applied over the Wood Base it produces an extremely convincing wood tone. This is left to dry and when it is dry the excess is rubbed off using cotton buds (or cue tips to our American friends) and Daler & Rowney artist grade white spirits. Some areas are streaked clean of excess a little more vigorously than others to leave a dynamic variation between the tones across the planks of wood.</div>
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The actual model of the shack is extremely well sculpted with plenty of wood grain so when the excess is wiped away it leaves some really nice contrasts across the whole model. Once dry a layer of varnish is applied to fix the enamel layer.</div>
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Once this layer is dry a selection of different colours such as Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand and Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre are very lightly dry-brushed across the model, mainly focusing on the edges and raised areas.</div>
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<b>Painting the Vehicles</b></div>
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The main paint scheme of the armoured cars is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the vehicle that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours in an intentionally smoothed edge blotted pattern.</div>
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vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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xiii) The last thing to do with paint is to lightly airbrush a layer of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown across the wheels and the lower third of the vehicle. This layer has a highlight of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre mixed in whatever ratio you want with the German Camo Medium Brown already in the airbrush and is then applied in splotches to provide some variance in the muddy weathering.</div>
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xiv) A final varnishing is applied to the vehicle which are then finally fixed to their bases.</div>
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<b>The Bases</b></div>
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The bases themselves are a little easier to deal with as I only complete the work that is done on all of my bases. I slap a load of Vallejo's 826 German Camo. Medium Brown ensuring that all areas where bare earth is revealed is completely covered. This then has the obligatory Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre dry-brushed over it.</div>
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Every one of the bases has small stones littered over it and these are all picked out to provide some textural dynamics on the base. They are picked out with a base coat of Vallejo Model Color's 995 German Grey, then highlighted with Vallejo Model Color's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Each base has its own particular gimmicks on it and perhaps the most noticeable of all is the brick built chimney on the objective base with the destroyed LT vz.35 light tank. There is also a ruined brick built well, or base of a chimney stack on the base with the LT vz.38 and these are both painted the same way. A base coat of Vallejo's Game Color 065 Terracotta is painted over all of the brickwork which is then highlighted with Terracotta mixed with Vallejo Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. A light wash is applied over the top to provide some increased contrast. This didn't work so well for me so I would say choose whichever wash you want to, to get you over the line. Brickwork often works well when you pick out individual colours in different colours. Some lighter than the base colour and some darker. This isn't something I did on these models though.</span><br />
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The ruined cabin also has a couple of mattresses in there as well. It would be expected that these would be heavily weathered but in the interests of visual contrast I chose to have them pretty clean and white. The initial base coat was Games Workshop's Space Wolf Grey with the top coat being Vallejo Model Color's 820 Off White. Nice and simple... and high contrast with all of the wood.</div>
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The last thing that needs to be done is to provide all of the 'soft furnishings'. These bases have been sculpted with small bushes littered over the bases and as I am not a fan of just painted bushes I decided that I needed another method to give a more aesthetically pleasing result. I opted to give them a dark green basecoat firstly. Its not important really which green you choose so long as its a dark one as the next step in the process will obscure the majority of this anyway.<br />
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The next step that I took was to grab some of my Woodland Scenics Light Green Clump Foliage and make sure that the clumps are in a suitably small size. The resin bushes then have a layer of superglue gel painted over them. I tried other glues but none worked well enough. Liquid superglue is 'too' liquid but the gel allows the painting over the upper layers of the bush. The clump foliage is then piled over the top of the bush and compressed down onto it to make sure as much of the clump foliage as possible makes contact with the superglue. This is allowed to cure for five minutes or so and then the excess is shaken off. You will likely have some of the excess contaminated by superglue but as the clumps are so small in this usage I think they are easily usable again on other projects so you can save it.</div>
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The final thing that needs to be done is the grass effects. As you may by now know, I use my own mix of static flock and rather than point you in the direction that I have done myself I would advise you to mix and match yourself. For myself I love the look of a died and dried high summer so that's what I'm chasing for my World War 2 armies. Standard PVA glue is painted onto the bases in the areas that I wanted clumps of grass and then a static flock applicator was used to fix the flock to the base, then left to dry for an hour.</div>
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So there we have it... another fun filled adventure with Bayonets (and Brushes!). Slap a bit of paint and toppings and we have some fine additions to anybody's wargaming table.<br />
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See you next time...<br />
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<br />L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-69626942776921274492019-05-25T08:42:00.000+01:002019-08-30T15:46:23.050+01:00FoW: Slovak Infantry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well over the last three months my life has been literally turned upside down. I'm coming to the end of a VERY drawn our purchase of a house which has seen move halfway across the country to end up crashing at my best mates whilst I take up a new position at work. This, I can with a certain degree of certainty state, has played havoc with my will, much less desire, to carry on writing blog posts for a while!</div>
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However, if I don't get these done then I don't get anything else done either so.... here we go!</div>
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So now that all of you fine fellows have had a cursory introduction to the Slovakian army of 1939-1942 and seen a couple of Slovak thingys, I thought it was best if we were to finally jump in with the infantry!</div>
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You can't get much more basic than this when looking at a new army so I thought that it was the best place to start where the footsloggers are concerned.</div>
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Let me begin by setting the stage; you will notice when I go into the history of the Slovak infantry that their section sizes are considerably different to the section sizes that I have modelled my Slovak army on, based on Alex Kaczynski's fine piece of work for Flames of War V3; Poland in Flames. In actuality the infantry sections should only have three bases... but I decided not to let this minor point stop me! More bodies for the bayonets right? </div>
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So the infantry of the Slovak army were the backbone of the state BUT when Slovakia managed to shuffle loose the mortal coil of Czech oppression (* cough cough *) the potential survival of the State itself was very much a question mark...<br />
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All through the war the Slovak army used the prewar Czechoslovak Army training methods and manuals which by the time of the uprising in 1944 was hopelessly outdated and inadequate for use on the then modern battlefields BUT in 1939...</div>
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Any discussion of Slovak army, and more especially where this blog post is concerned the infantry, must begin with the modern history of the Czech army as the Slovak army was really the last surviving son of this military system with which it entered into the cauldron of the Second World War.</div>
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In 1958 an anonymous investigator of the CIA wrote:</div>
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"The ability of the Czech to soldier has been proven in both world wars, and twice during the short history of the Czechoslovak Republic the Armed Forces have reached a very high degree of military proficiency only to disintegrate in the wake of political events. Fully mobilised and judged one of Europe's finest forces, the Czechoslovak Army of 1938 was rendered impotent by the Munich agreement. After World War II a reborn Army had reached a marked degree of military proficiency by 1948. It was one of the few European Armies capable of conducting corps level maneuvers. But with the Communist coup d'etat in February of that year again the Army was reduced to a state of military ineffectiveness.</div>
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In spite of these things however the Czech is basically not a martial individual. The Czechoslovak Army, as such, has never been tested and consequently lacks any real military tradition. With the exception of Ziska, the men who have made Czech history have not been men of letters [this may be a mistake as the majority of Czech history makers in fact were men of letters]. "The Czechs are frugal, industrious, extraordinarily competent, home loving, possessed of inordinate personal integrity, above all reasonable in their dealings with one another and with the outer world... they care little for the soldier, but enormously for the prophet and the man of letters"</div>
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Reading this analysis it would be easy to assume that this central European nation were all unwilling soldiers but that would be to ignore the exploits of the expat Czech Legions, of the Slovaks in the Second World War as well as the heroics of a by gone age of Czech history.</div>
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In reading the histories of individual Czech units one will note the frequent appearance of the names of Jan Hus and Jan Ziska. They also appear frequently as names of military installations, and it might be said that Czech military tradition has its roots in the lives of these two men. The blind Ziska, an ardent follower if the religious reformer Hus, is one of history's most brilliant generals, As the leader of the Taborites (after the city of Tabor, stronghold of the radical Hussites), Ziska time and again routed the far superior forces of Emperor Sigismund. He never lost a single military engagement, and today his name and the city of Tabor are symbols of the bravest war of liberation in Czech history.</div>
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With the defeat of the Hussites at the Battle of White Mountain near Prague in 1620, Czechoslovakia became a part of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Czech army as such ceased to exist.<br />
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It obviously doesnt need to be pointed out that Czechs and Slovaks fought for their new Imperial masters for the next two hundred years but perhaps the most important of these Imperial campaigns must be that of the First World War where Czechoslovakian units were involved in the fighting on all sides with very large numbers engaged against the Central Powers, thus earning for themselves the recognition of independence they so badly craved from the Western Powers.</div>
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As a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empires commitment to the Central Powers war aims, Czechs were being called upon to fight and die for Germanic Imperialism which they associated with oppression in its most visceral sense. When mobilisation was ordered on 26 July 1914 some Czechs refused to obey - others departed from Prague stations with anti-German cries and singing Slav songs. "Maria Theresa lost Silesia, Francis Joseph is going to lose everything" was often heard. On the other hand however the Sudeten Germans formed some of Austria's most crack infantry regiments.</div>
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In the early days the average Czech soldier expected that the Russians would be bulldozing over the Germans any day. When the reality of the situation began to reach down to the Czech ratings, with German military dominance becoming clear the desertions started to reach almost epidemic proportions as men went over to the other side in their thousands... in some cases whole units were known to change sides. The most notorious of these was the 28th Prague Regiment which went over to the Russians on 23 April 1915.</div>
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30 minutes after entering combat the 35th Pilsen Regiment also deserted en masse. A total of 130,000 Czech and Slovak soldiers deserted and alongside these Masaryk estimated a total of 182,000 ultimately fought alongside the Russians and Western Armies. Approximately 25,000 deserted on the Southwest Front to the Serbians. Of these about 11,000 survived a death march to Albania and 4,000 of them were taken to France as a nucleus of a Czech army in that country.</div>
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The First World War was something of an Odyssey for the Czech soldiery as one event led to another and they found themselves migrating here and their across Europe in order to fight the Central Powers. Ultimately about 22,000 were formed in Italy in early 1918 under the command of General Graziani. Officered by Italians, Czechs and Slovaks it was nonetheless under the direction of the Czechoslovakian National Council in Paris. The Czech Army in Italy were cited for conspicuous bravery by General Diaz on 22 September 1918 with their last major engagement on the Piave River in late October.</div>
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On 9 August 1918 the British Foreign Office stated:</div>
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"Since the beginning of the war the Czecho-Slovak nation has resisted the common enemy by every means in its power. The Czecho-Slovaks constituted a considerable Army, fighting on three different battlefields and attempting, in Russia and Siberia, to arrest the German invasion.</div>
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In consideration of their efforts to achieve independence, Great Britain regards the Czecho-Slovaks as an Allied Nation and recognise the unity of the three Czecho-Slovak Armies as an allied and belligerent Army waging a regular warfare against Austro-Hungary and Germany!</div>
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Great Britain also recognises the right of the Czecho-Slovak National Council as the supreme organ of the Czecho-Slovak national interests, and as the present trustee of the future Czecho-Slovak Government to exercise supreme authority over this allied and belligerent army."</div>
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The sentiments of this statement were almost cloned by Woodrow Wilson's presidency... and thus the state of Czechoslovakia was reborn after more than 200 years.</div>
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Compulsory service was introduced to the Czechoslovakian military in 1920 which was a universal requirement for all male citizens. Service liability began at the age of 17, although military inductions usually began at the age of 20 for a two year period of active service. All male citizens remained active members of the reserve pool until the age of 60. In 1919 a French military mission was established for a period of ten years during which time they were primarily responsible for the high state of efficiency ultimately achieved by the Czechoslovakian army.<br />
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Under the provisions of the new constitution of the Republic, the President was the supreme head of the Army. The country was divided into four military districts and comprised 12 Divisions and a number of independent Brigades.<br />
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The Army of 1920-1938 was considered very effective and efficient, well disciplined and true to the principles of the Republic. No man could enter Officers School until he had finished his service in the ranks, and there was no class favouritism within the schools. Drill was strenuous and obedience to the command hierarchy imperative. Sudeten Germans also served and were in no way discriminated against [although evidence is now available indicating a somewhat different situation socially]. Later on, Hitler's Sudeten German followers were surprised by the large numbers of Sudeten Germans who flocked to the Czech colours in the critical days before the Munich crisis.</div>
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With the election of Benes in 1935 rearmament was pushed forwards and for the first time in Czech history, the Czechoslovakian Army became popular. By 1937 the strength of the Czech Army totalled 10,059 officers and 153,356 enlisted men. It was by this time regarded as one of the finest armed forces in Europe, both with regards to equipment and training. A total reserve pool of over 2,000,000 existed by 1938 and mobilisation was ordered on 21 May 1938. The mobilisation orders were carried out so quietly and efficiently that it even took Hitlers Nazi State by surprise. In late September all men up to the age of 40 had been called to the colours!</div>
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At this time the Army placed its faith in General Sirovy whom they had likened to Ziska with his patch over one eye. On 22 September Sirovy told the people of Prague:<br />
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"I guarantee that the Army is standing and will continue to do so on our frontiers, and will defend our liberties to the very end! Do not allow any internal enemies sway you to the belief that the Army could possibly change its attitude!"</div>
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But the attitude did indeed change, Benes accepted the Munich Decision, and the Czech fortifications were handed over to the Germans. Not only the German army stood poised to attack, but so too did the Polish and Hungarian armies along the Northern and South Eastern borders. The Czechoslovakian Army's spirit had been contingent on Western support, but now their strength was sapped and General Sirovy was forced to announce:</div>
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"I have lived through the most painful moment of my life because I have had to fulfil the most painful duty that could ever have befallen me, a duty which is worse than death. And because I have fought in war and know the conditions under which a war may be won, I must tell you frankly, even as the conscience of a responsible Army demands, that the force which in this hour would rise against us compels us to recognise superiority and act accordingly... we are a fortress that is surrounded by forces stronger than ours... we shall fulfil the conditions which have been imposed on us by force..."</div>
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As was the case in World War 1, Czech and Slovak soldiers began defecting to Poland, Russia, Yugoslavia and other Eastern European countries and eventually to France. On 2 October 1939 an agreement was signed between the French government and the Czech Minister in France to reconstitute the Czech army in that country. A French Military Mission was assigned to it and General Ingr became CinC. Thousands of these Czechs later escaped to England during and after Dunkirk. Czech flyers participated in the Battle of Britain, and the Czechs continued to serve with British forces as a welcome addition to the Allied military effort.</div>
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Meanwhile in Slovakia a different picture was evolving. Slovakia had declared its independence of the Czech lands and became a Nazi puppet state. The Hlinka Guards and their affiliated Hlinka Youth were formed. They were created according ot the pattern of the Italian Black Shirts and the German SS and SA Corps, including black uniforms and the Fascist salute. They were armed with light weapons and were organised along military lines. The Hlinka Guard was the organisation responsible for the removal of Czechs from Slovakia and the deportation of thousands of Jews. In addition, a Slovak Army participated in the German attack on Poland. Its operations were confined to the Polish territory along the Slovak border and it occupied communities that had been ceded to Poland in early 1939. </div>
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In June 1941, a Slovak Army of over 50,000 men participated in the attack on the Soviet Union. The size of this force soon dwindled to just over 16,000 because of the defection of Slovaks to the Russian forces. In 1943, this Slovak 'Security Division' under the command of Jan Vesely was moved from the Soviet Union back to Italy. There it was tasked with building bridges and fortifications as a part of the Axis war machine.</div>
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Those who deserted to the Russians joined the Czech Corps which fought with the Soviet Forces against the Germans. In the summer of 1943 the Slovak Government offered to send a further 10,500 Slovak troops to Germany in order to form labour units. The troops in Trnava and Senica revolted and refused to move. On 29 August 1944 over the Banska Bystrica radio, the insurgent Slovak National Council called on Slovakia to rise up and throw out the Germans that had been invited in by Tiso. Lieutenant-Colonel Jan Golian ordered the Slovak armed forces to begin combat operations. From the outset however they were at a very definite material disadvantage. The Germans entered the combat zones from numerous different direction with vastly superior forces supported by the Hlinka Guard. The Slovaks lacked heavy arms and artillery, air support and adequate stocks of small arms ammunition. The Western Allies attempted to assist the Slovak insurgents with some arms and armaments as well as British and American Advisory Groups. The Soviet contribution was half hearted at best. Although in the best position to actually render practical assistance, they time and again failed to fulfil promises of material help such as flying in the Czech Brigade from Russia and to launch an attack under Marshall Koniev through the Carpathians. Instead of troops they flew in Soviet partisan officers, political commissars along with Czech and Slovak Communist agitators and politicians. The Czech Brigade under Colonel Vladimir Prikryl was flown in but much later than promised. The Soviets also launched a half hearted attack towards the Carpathians across the Dukla Pass, but when the Germans presented surprisingly tenacious resistance they abandoned the project and things for the insurgency deteriorated dramatically afterwards. </div>
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On 28 October 1944 General R Viest, who had succeeded Golian as the Commander of the 1st Czechoslovakian Army in Slovakia, issued an order to continue the fight "...until the victorious end!" As a result of this partisan asymmetric fighting continued right up until the liberation of Slovakia in April 1945. </div>
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An interesting side note is US President Roosevelts reference to the Slovak insurgents on 28 October 1944: "The people and armed forces inside Czechoslovakia have joined actively and gloriously with their countrymen abroad in the ranks of the nations against tyranny... We Americans salute our Czechoslovakian comrades-in-arms who are today so bravely contributing to the liberation of their homeland and the rest of Europe."</div>
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Before the Munich Crisis occurred in 1938 the Czech army itself was a highly drilled state organ with some seriously in depth tactical and operational training carried out from top to bottom of the system with almost everybody starting at the bottom. The Czech army could with some justification be said to have been one of Europe's true military meritocracies. </div>
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By the end of the war these tactical doctrines, combined with the firepower available to the Slovak inheritors of the Czech military system were shown up to be outdated and in need of serious reconsideration BUT the important point to bear in mind here is that between 1939-1941 the Slovak military had the reputation of being a highly efficient and worthwhile ally.</div>
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Sadly, as it turned out, the command functions in the Slovak military were not up to scratch causing their German allies no end of headaches on the front line although these hiccups were overcome it did damage the perception of the reliability of this ally.</div>
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As with most powers the training that a soldier had to go through was divided into Individual Skills, being sub-divided into Technical Skills and Tactical Skills and Co-operative Skills again divided into Technical Skills and Tactical Skills which, once learned to an appreciable degree were expanded to the Technical and Tactical Skills of fighting as a part of a platoon. All of which were bolstered by a whole raft of specialist skills such as Fighting in Woodland Environments, Fighting in Urban Environments, Defence Against Armour, Anti-Aircraft Defence, Night Fighting, Defence Against Cavalry, Fighting in Gas Environments, Artillery Protection, Night Marches and such like.</div>
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The Czechoslovakian system was extremely thorough and prepared their troops for anything to a degree that was easily the equal of any other military in Europe in the '30's.<br />
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The training that all Czechoslovak soldiers had to go through was highly codified into a number of different service manuals that went to somewhat ridiculous lengths in their efforts to perfect and streamline the soldiers skills. One could quite rightly say that it was micromanagement of the highest order. Even how to stand up and lay down were examined and rigorously documented as this excerpt from the NCO's Field Manual 1935 demonstrates:</div>
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"20. If a soldier changes his body position, he must do so quickly to achieve the goal in as short a time as possible and so as not to damage his weapons.<o:p></o:p></div>
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21. On the command:<o:p></o:p></div>
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"To the ground!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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the soldier kneels on his right knee, leans with his left hand onto the ground and at the same time lays his rifle, which he holds in his right hand over the site, slanting left over his left forearm so that the barrel does not touch the ground. His head is slightly raised in the original direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If a soldier has a machine gun, he opens his left leg with his left hand, kneels on his right knee, leaning his left hand on the ground, placing the machine gun to the right on the ground and lying down to his left.<br />
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22. On the command:</div>
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"Rise!"<o:p></o:p></div>
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pulling the rifle to the right side of his body, leaning both hands on the ground (not on the rifle), placing his left bent leg as far up between his arms and body as possible. He moves his right foot forwards, putting his rifle on his leg and stands in the original direction."</div>
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... and this carried forward onto every dimension of the soldiers art. Where their platoon attacks are concerned the Czech forces were progressive enough to establish a system that modern armies such as the British army still use today.</div>
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Further on within the same manual we look at how platoon attacks develop:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">134, a squad attack develops almost automatically when it touches, if the squad leader directs the team's fire and movement to overcome the enemy resistance or the attack is ready in advance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">135. A team is always attacking an established resistance, after a shorter or longer stop from the starting point of the attack, which is either the place where it was placed or when it is touched, it is the place where it must continue to advance with its own fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">To attack, the squad receives an order under Article 194 from the platoon commander at the starting point</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">136. A team is always attacking an established point of resistance, after a shorter or longer stop from the starting point of the attack, which is either the place where it was established or when it contacts the enemy, it is the place where it continues to advance under its own fire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The squad gets its command from the platoon commander under </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Article 194 whilst at the starting point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The Team leader:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">- will show the soldiers where the enemy is,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">- notify them of the task (the goal to be captured)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">- place and task of supporting troops<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">- determine the formation of the platoon,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">- will allocate the task of the light machine gun, assault unit and grenadiers and give the command to knock out enemy assets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This command is given by the team leader as far as possible at the starting point of the attack or, if he does not know all the circumstances, completes it during the attack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For example:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a) Commands of the team leader for an attack, to which he is assigned for example in contact (Fig. 20).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">"Machine gun with loaders here. Shoot the enemy between two bushes. We do a bypass from the left. <span style="color: white;">Deputy with the first strike unit to go down behind the bushes</span>. Others in cover behind me!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After reaching a suitable position to the side of the enemy position the team commander gives the orders to execute the attack.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">b) The squad takes its starting point for the attack (against a deep trench) about 700 m away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“Enemy on the slope where a small break in the terrain begins (indicates). One point of resistance in front of the yellow field, next resistance point situated in a group of bushes, left 4 fingers to the right of the single tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">First team to seize the left half of the yellow field. On the right in the field is the 2nd team of our platoon, its target; right half of the yellow field. 4th team of our Platoon to target points of resistance going right from the single tree.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Places!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Forward!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Surrounding - command to start firing machine guns, assault unit and grenadiers - given during the procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">c) An order to attack a fortified position from the starting point of the attack on the safety clearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">"Just before us there is a ridge and behind it is a connecting trench. On the left, as you see the larger area of yellow clay, there is another ridge; behind it is a short connecting trench to the shelter or to the machine-gun station. About 150 m to the rear is another trench parallel to this trench ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Our team will take over the intersection of the second parallel trench with the connecting trench. To the right of us 1st and 3rd teams of the platoon have similar tasks.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We'll go out in the skirmish order near to the obstacles we are trying to eliminate. After passing the obstacles the assault troops immediately deploy and throw grenades.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Grenadiers fire from here to the trench until the team crosses the obstacles, then quickly follow on behind us. We're going after the artillery fire on my command. "</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">136. The units rotation of formations are: knots and skirmishers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As a rule, knots are only fit for use so long as it is light machine gun shooting, i.e. usually from a distance of 1200 m from the enemy, and until the enemy infantry fire becomes effective. They usually sequence one after the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Flexibility is necessary when, in addition to the firing of light machine gun, we can use rifle firing, that is, usually from a distance of about 600 m, or when even the smallest cover needs to be used due to increasing enemy fire efficiency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The width and depth of the team's attacking formations should not exceed 50 m.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">137. 'The team takes the offensive shape at the starting point of the attack, facing the target, so that it too can fire. At the starting point of the attack, the team is always together, usually in skirmish order; if they are to strike behind as well, they will go out of the way at the same time, and the distance between the clusters will be reordered after the attack. If a team is to cross through its own troops, it will approach itself in the formation (knot, crowd or in skirmish order) corresponding to the possibilities of enemy fire, the shape and coverage of the terrain, and cross in skirmish order with one jump in order to not mix with them."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Relatively thorough... now just imagine countless handbooks for each branch of service covering any and all eventualities on the field of combat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">So... the troops were exceptionally well trained and as a result of this were very well regarded across Europe. The main problem for the Slovaks came after the declaration of independence because with the exodus of the Czech officers all that was left were the small minority of Slovak officers with an overall lack of experience in large combined arms operations... which is what led directly to the German frustrations with the Slovak command organs!</span></div>
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Now, despite the fact that there is a bottomless well of resources to tap when investigating the Slovak armies training methodologies, the fact is that we will never reach the end of it and as such it is probably time to move onto the painting and modelling part of the post:</div>
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Before we go any further I should point out that every single miniature in this company was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps which fulfil a good proxy for the Slovak field caps.</div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face but from arms length away they look splendid!.</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top, the etch actually referring to a micro dilute acidic content that eats microscopically into the surface of the model creating an uneven surface for the paint to clutch to whilst providing a nice and smooth top layer as the paint levels out and dries.</div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the (re)coloured photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos with amateur enthusiast recolour treatments.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0BqAUYhSA75tE6W23EZ1_r2oI1PZvWQ7hDOenk2LoHSdB4Pqy7ZqhSUCrjlaqTGYp9hylcEaVXtOuFjTh1bi9_mnXfnZEpco1GBm4jnRQgrhsN-tslVhyJ-4HCuRDvb8rev_Ixg5-826/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1515" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0BqAUYhSA75tE6W23EZ1_r2oI1PZvWQ7hDOenk2LoHSdB4Pqy7ZqhSUCrjlaqTGYp9hylcEaVXtOuFjTh1bi9_mnXfnZEpco1GBm4jnRQgrhsN-tslVhyJ-4HCuRDvb8rev_Ixg5-826/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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Everything else is all gravy after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7BuHPD2hA6896lCYxWKvwyOwFTUY0Bn5dhW9hfcnAgaefnERPnedXe3jDGcVCmD6oCs_EQRE8gxhurLiFeHr9ofIlBUUgI-uh4t9_xAG0yG2NffJIri2-abFcm0ezHES_pn2DG2kdRqn/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA7BuHPD2hA6896lCYxWKvwyOwFTUY0Bn5dhW9hfcnAgaefnERPnedXe3jDGcVCmD6oCs_EQRE8gxhurLiFeHr9ofIlBUUgI-uh4t9_xAG0yG2NffJIri2-abFcm0ezHES_pn2DG2kdRqn/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aVeZ0AoGHAzaL6mwLhqUkty-nAa7VWcyDZqgmL8W9n7DjCKjEN2xqLHLnYxuAnTVPs8UGcokS5anPTSdGve68dnVnXfycOkp2FP7835ct2wMKaDLwJxLHURTFNGABSsZSfk3vhdKtRKi/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7aVeZ0AoGHAzaL6mwLhqUkty-nAa7VWcyDZqgmL8W9n7DjCKjEN2xqLHLnYxuAnTVPs8UGcokS5anPTSdGve68dnVnXfycOkp2FP7835ct2wMKaDLwJxLHURTFNGABSsZSfk3vhdKtRKi/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPUjvo0Xn3r67BjyraRfeCsp7zZkRFqyoqxgOcLy6yCNqs0kZLU_EItNm5gL8jWqtKLT-aIdVnbhuP_alVeuT2uyZ3cySEOjYE2qSh0bMDqA3jOxV_Bob2n932sEPs9gmnQI4KBYtZZ_j/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPUjvo0Xn3r67BjyraRfeCsp7zZkRFqyoqxgOcLy6yCNqs0kZLU_EItNm5gL8jWqtKLT-aIdVnbhuP_alVeuT2uyZ3cySEOjYE2qSh0bMDqA3jOxV_Bob2n932sEPs9gmnQI4KBYtZZ_j/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-6JEsSgSWFqERpT5URhizrRNXu4_MBNh52TQwKrCs-CrNIhpPRAUm_n5WIK-0VUOMoiqHIeMM5qXsnaSAFnTiAa0yehGnwchXin2sSWgNiFyXTcqUHQc0j3KQjcd45Ln1jqxYjdUHiK7/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-6JEsSgSWFqERpT5URhizrRNXu4_MBNh52TQwKrCs-CrNIhpPRAUm_n5WIK-0VUOMoiqHIeMM5qXsnaSAFnTiAa0yehGnwchXin2sSWgNiFyXTcqUHQc0j3KQjcd45Ln1jqxYjdUHiK7/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuRVk0wPMrWNvQdE-LuTj-IxYaQ-1oWmw4jcyCLqs1ffNY-BHtrj7m7hG4wWxyxwxtZGA0H4gh9qBGGaSM7n-ACmQ_ODPvPvBWJaXBA2EehUCx7sNPFTOROItRy68Da3i1dOFmbxDHldE/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1600" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuRVk0wPMrWNvQdE-LuTj-IxYaQ-1oWmw4jcyCLqs1ffNY-BHtrj7m7hG4wWxyxwxtZGA0H4gh9qBGGaSM7n-ACmQ_ODPvPvBWJaXBA2EehUCx7sNPFTOROItRy68Da3i1dOFmbxDHldE/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4kZfjKBoGSN9LnDmTzuhDHWD7DkNDIDEKGzwIvTgZ2gyQVwOvtUyfLsucl2Q-inIkF9jzQUcpIhgSc9RR9VRob0SMEZkALcbzxzD3NjWKU8CI5XhYN4wYkflXKBdJUdlQNhWDGTNAPOf/s1600/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4kZfjKBoGSN9LnDmTzuhDHWD7DkNDIDEKGzwIvTgZ2gyQVwOvtUyfLsucl2Q-inIkF9jzQUcpIhgSc9RR9VRob0SMEZkALcbzxzD3NjWKU8CI5XhYN4wYkflXKBdJUdlQNhWDGTNAPOf/s640/Slovak+Infantry+Platoons10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use their stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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...and there we have it. Once more we reach the end of a voluminous post about guys in uniforms with guns... and BAYONETS!!!! </div>
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N.B: There are photos of re-enactors within this blog post. I have not the slightest idea of who they are BUT really admire their attention to detail and as such I have chosen to include them within this blog post without prejudice so that others around the world can see some exceptional examples of what the Czech and Slovak uniforms of 1935-44 looked like for their own projects.</div>
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<br />L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-76072497658679317032019-04-11T23:54:00.000+01:002019-06-10T06:10:57.816+01:00FoW: Slovak Air Force - Letov S-328<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
By way of creating a little variety in what I am presenting to this august community I thought this time I would move away from the land based units and share something that I believe to be a globally unique item... and one which I believe has an expansive sense of nostalgia and beauty... the Letov S-328 reconnaissance and light bomber.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Letov S-328 was an evolution of the experimental S-28 of 1929 and the S-228 of 1931. The S-328 had been designed to Finnish requirements, although in the end the Finns did not accept the type opting instead to take the Dutch Fokker CX. However despite the Finnish withdrawal from production negotiations the Czechoslovakian Ministry of Defence became interested in the type and by 1934 the new biplane had been ordered into production for deployment into the Czech front line reconnaissance squadrons.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSg5WV4OiCFJ_PDASTnn3io6TbTxprVotUhU2VhxGJGQ8Y_urW_rkZVutUU72QRlP0799MaYE4ZdcUxAN4smLXr7w3GWy0QF096E2Q89nElNihl4tgtigFa5WtgwlNHQbXxIEWpKZKXe5/s1600/Business+Shots01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSg5WV4OiCFJ_PDASTnn3io6TbTxprVotUhU2VhxGJGQ8Y_urW_rkZVutUU72QRlP0799MaYE4ZdcUxAN4smLXr7w3GWy0QF096E2Q89nElNihl4tgtigFa5WtgwlNHQbXxIEWpKZKXe5/s640/Business+Shots01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The aircraft was powered by a Bristol Pegasus II. M2 sporting a nine cylinder radial engine pumping out 635 hp at sea level and still pushing out 580 hp at 5,000 ft. The S-328 was a sturdy aircraft of all metal internal construction with fabric covering all but the light metal fuselage upper decking.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Armament of the aircraft was normally a pair of fixed forward firing 7.92mm vz.30 machine guns in the wings and a pair of similar machine guns on a Skoda manufactured pintel mount in the rear observation cupola. Racks could also be attached below the wings and beneath the main fuselage for the transportation and delivery of up to 1,000 lb of bombs.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The maximum speed that could be achieved by this aircraft ranged from 174 mph at 5,900 ft to 158 mph at 16,400 ft, an altitude that it could reach in 17 minutes. The service ceiling was 23,620 ft and with the standard load of fuel could achieve an optimal range of around 435 miles, although with tanks this could push out to around 795 miles.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWIMzlqWohAonMdOpr0aJA6-B1AEaJCjS_UuXzez_rpzeC8CyHpvGzmhoZBNMju1IStm2NLdHJ4VwlNU3vE7hf3q6d12UHGQ6VncM0K2sD2V_V1EAf6ZzAVWk1FjgKM0FLq6X4l4O1w57/s1600/Letov+S-328+%252817%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWIMzlqWohAonMdOpr0aJA6-B1AEaJCjS_UuXzez_rpzeC8CyHpvGzmhoZBNMju1IStm2NLdHJ4VwlNU3vE7hf3q6d12UHGQ6VncM0K2sD2V_V1EAf6ZzAVWk1FjgKM0FLq6X4l4O1w57/s640/Letov+S-328+%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Czechoslovakian Air Force had six air regiments in its composition in 1938. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd were Mixed, the 4th was a dedicated fighter regiment whilst the 5th and 6th were dedicated bomber regiments. Only the 3rd Regiment, named the 'General Rotislav Stefanik Regiment' was stationed in Slovakia at the time of the declaration of independence, with its headquarters situated in Piestany. On the formation of the Slovak state it was immediately subordinated to the Slovak Ministry of Defence.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In March 1939 Groups I, II and IV included squadrons equipped with the Letov S-328, although interestingly despite its deployment as a light bomber all of the squadrons in the initial composition are listed as Observation Squadrons.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Slovak Air Force inherited over 300 aircraft of varying and dubious quality when it declared independence and of these 73 were Letov S-328's in the front line squadrons (although a further 101 were held in the Replacement Group founded in March 1939 to replace losses in the front line squadrons and to train new pilots).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpap9cr8ejyeNlmcV9GtClBPNgPd0Mw-lffYojbEYaegt3qnbIsBQW-zYtkCFZytT5U5oEdoZoXFo4euMoFM_Qg9IuW3tCzCyNIQTobsL8wuttMspMPdKpiVyLsDJe4V2HWDQvXC35t8pS/s1600/026x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="708" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpap9cr8ejyeNlmcV9GtClBPNgPd0Mw-lffYojbEYaegt3qnbIsBQW-zYtkCFZytT5U5oEdoZoXFo4euMoFM_Qg9IuW3tCzCyNIQTobsL8wuttMspMPdKpiVyLsDJe4V2HWDQvXC35t8pS/s640/026x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Whilst the Slovak Air Force looked relatively impressive on paper the truth was somewhat more sobering. A high percentage of the Air Force pilots and technical ground crew were Czech and after the 1938 demobilisation and subsequent declaration of independence of the Slovak state were largely forced to return home to the protectorate. Of all of the aircraft retained by the Slovaks only the Avia B-534 still had any practical combat value with all other aircraft already obsolete, including the large numbers of S-328's in their inventory.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The new Slovak Air Force had its first blooding in March 1939 almost as soon as they had declared independence when the Hungarians occupied Transcarpathian Ruthenia on 16 March. The Hungarians decided to take advantage of the prevailing chaos in Slovakia and penetrate their perceived ancestral lands in Eastern Slovakia. Slovak units put up a brave but desperate defence under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel August Malar, reorganising themselves on the fly.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">They were assisted in the defence of Eastern Slovakia by the Slovak Air Force that immediately committed the 20 Avia B-534's of the 45th and 49th Fighter Squadrons and the 20 Letov S-328's of the 12th and 13th Observation Squadrons to the fray.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6vj1gqqTyZOJYqggpTzZ0hRL3UWBjn4a724hIqYSC7326EjnY6NXX4ddQCfpTNVWdgwXYYrm7g72UZOS5jOOrPDkQ61ysOMRKE5aQN-u0h-2Lavy3ehpJ1MJ0XLThTMR61f52grbzcqP/s1600/028x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="620" data-original-width="940" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6vj1gqqTyZOJYqggpTzZ0hRL3UWBjn4a724hIqYSC7326EjnY6NXX4ddQCfpTNVWdgwXYYrm7g72UZOS5jOOrPDkQ61ysOMRKE5aQN-u0h-2Lavy3ehpJ1MJ0XLThTMR61f52grbzcqP/s640/028x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">As these squadrons were only able to muster around 6 pilots each in March they were bolstered by the temporary assignment of pilots from the 15th Observation Squadron from Zilin as well as pilots and machines from the 37th, 38th and 39th Fighter Squadrons stationed in Piestany.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The Hungarian army and air force were an extremely professional and well trained force and when faced with the disorganised chaos that was the Slovak armed forces the results could be predicted. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Reconnaissance sorties were begun on 23 March. On this first day the Slovaks lost two of their Avias to the proficient and accurate Hungarian anti aircraft defences, several others also sustained damage.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">24 March saw heavy activity all along the short front line resulting in heavy losses for the Slovaks. On this day the opponents were the Magyar Kiralyi Honved Legiero (Royal Hungarian Home Defence Air Force) Fiat 32 fighters from the 1/1 'Ijasz' (Archer) Group from Uzhorod. Through seventeen sorties the Slovaks lost one S-328 and three Avia B-534's with several more being damaged, three of the pilots being killed in action. In the afternoon nine Fiats jumped on a bombing sortie of three Letov S-328's protected by a further three Avia B-534's. In the course of this combat the three Avia's were shot down along with one of the Letovs with one more being forced to make an emergency landing... the Hungarians were unscathed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s9e5fUTTGgRmxGI4xgIhOWZm17N3i3xEUQY_UBhwM1xmnlulDSNn_nPAAdsumGU19vxxcG-Mc-FV-lJME_qnU9W3LOjI0yO7x-7fFo0zUbuqb958igtGTrZpuO17nEsd4jom4FoIQrXh/s1600/3174050_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="799" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-s9e5fUTTGgRmxGI4xgIhOWZm17N3i3xEUQY_UBhwM1xmnlulDSNn_nPAAdsumGU19vxxcG-Mc-FV-lJME_qnU9W3LOjI0yO7x-7fFo0zUbuqb958igtGTrZpuO17nEsd4jom4FoIQrXh/s640/3174050_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Through the course of the Hungarian border conflict the Slovaks had lost of a total of nine Avia B-534's and four Letov S-328's with seven aircrew killed in action and one taken prisoner.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In the invasion of Poland in 1939 the Slovakian state gave permission for the German Luftwaffe to use its airbases and whilst committing its own 51,000 strong Army Corps to the invasion only committed three squadrons to the invasion. The 39th and 45th fighter squadrons were detailed to provide support to German Stuka and Do-17 bomber squadrons. The 16th Observation Squadron conducted light bombing missions, made a general nuisance of itself to the Poles by dropping leaflets all over the place and conducted liaison duties between the Army Corps and Slovakia.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOTntuu3zltUcvjL4XbXXSVW7c4ymRwVQCU-AmgbpofApP0wOf6s0cEEH7-TbcV1e_PteP15ezEZkjJMY15BolS86OYVsEtqHTGT-8CHv42-Xp-BiaG2eEHAPIhrsGXmJkzI59Ly1rPA-/s1600/Letov+S-328+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="708" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOTntuu3zltUcvjL4XbXXSVW7c4ymRwVQCU-AmgbpofApP0wOf6s0cEEH7-TbcV1e_PteP15ezEZkjJMY15BolS86OYVsEtqHTGT-8CHv42-Xp-BiaG2eEHAPIhrsGXmJkzI59Ly1rPA-/s640/Letov+S-328+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Due to losses due to various reasons including significant desertions and defections by the end of 1939 it became necessary to reorganise the Air Force squadrons again. Due to the shortage of Slovak pilots of the original five fighter squadrons only three were able to be formed by the amalgamation of the others, the 11th, 12th and 13th whilst of the original seven Observation Squadrons after amalgamation only three could achieve full strength and these were the 1st in Zilina, the 2nd in Spisska Nova and the 3rd in Nitra, all equipped with the Letov S-328.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">On 1 May 1941 these three Observation Squadrons were all united into the 1st Observation Group stationed at Spisska Nova. By 1943 the three squdron structure had been maintained although the 1st Squadron had surrendered its Letovs in favour of Nazi supplied Fw 189 A-2's subsequently renamed the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">On 1 April 1943 the 41st Bomber Squadron was formed as a part of the planned 3rd Bomber Group, drawing on the pilots being trained in the Slovak Flying School and were trained from August 1943 on He-111 aircraft on the Saki Airfield in the Crimea, although two of the crews were actually trained in Germany.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGA8ytrAqJGwnkbh0sBvka0t_uOHhC7H7SVoGEgO2N3SSlZdXwGecbWv-IYapxjXG30SH4l1CoXUwiPTtofacOj6kejQgEQaZPIUzrdPDimkySqswAnA7mUJ0lDK9ws25Qt7_wkdoLfEG/s1600/letov_l___-328.220614_155248_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="555" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGA8ytrAqJGwnkbh0sBvka0t_uOHhC7H7SVoGEgO2N3SSlZdXwGecbWv-IYapxjXG30SH4l1CoXUwiPTtofacOj6kejQgEQaZPIUzrdPDimkySqswAnA7mUJ0lDK9ws25Qt7_wkdoLfEG/s640/letov_l___-328.220614_155248_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In autumn of 1943 the squadron was transferred to Poprad where it was equipped with old and worn out Letov S-328's. At this time the Slovaks still had 41 of these machines left of which 33 were airworthy. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">When Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 the Slovaks were the first of Germany's allies to cross the Soviet border to assist. They did so with the soldiers of the elite Mobile Brigade and Field Corps. When in August 35,000 men were demobilised to assist with the harvest at home the Mobile Brigade was expanded into a Mobile Division whilst the Field Corps was downgraded to a Security Division. Air Force units were sent into the Soviet Union to support the ground units.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The 1st Observation Group was sent consisting of all three squadrons, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Squadrons with their 30 Letov S-328's. Initially they flew from their airbases in Eastern Slovakia but as the troops pushed deeper into the Soviet Union the squadrons started redeploying to Forward Air Bases into the Ukraine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWQW84hJTdBXLhSjbMTh7ZIE7DbEFnga6wgSc7zzaySJiCzn3cnp_iLozVl29F47Fo1aZDMDmQQ2iOVe-GFZFmUqOCIsCmOkJlD7xZiOTS4KOaHjavAqTT1UERNd-HftS-4bEM3MhEIKh/s1600/%25C5%25A0-328_B10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWQW84hJTdBXLhSjbMTh7ZIE7DbEFnga6wgSc7zzaySJiCzn3cnp_iLozVl29F47Fo1aZDMDmQQ2iOVe-GFZFmUqOCIsCmOkJlD7xZiOTS4KOaHjavAqTT1UERNd-HftS-4bEM3MhEIKh/s640/%25C5%25A0-328_B10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The aircraft of the Observation Group carried out repeated bombing sorties against Soviet Columns, along with reconnaissance flights and the habitual liaison duties that was expected of them. According to the reports of the General Staff during the first four months of the invasion the Observation Group conducted 73 reconnaissance flights, 7 bombing and 5 attack sorties. 702 flights above their own territory and 664 flights during advances through Soviet terrain for a total of 1,320 flight hours and 264,000 km covered.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Despite the fact that the Letovs were considered successful in the ground attack role during this period it must be stated that they were attacking in the face of very weak opposition, and despite this losses started to mount with spare parts proving problematic to source. Because of these factors by 25 July the 2nd Squadron was forced to return to Slovakia with the 3rd Squadron following on 18 August leaving only the 1st Squadron in the field. To replace losses, aircraft from the returning squadrons were handed over to the 1st Squadron so that the Observation Group was still able to support the Mobile Division in its drive on Kiev.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlChRObJzvT0zo7miAWRNfCg6Rn9fvLwBB3Ay-HaJ1F7i0VjM7So_7LWP3Viq0pK-iSP99TXp5ng4NCYhvYmkb1WVQgiQWj_QaG3DR5E5KTFaF-oRp67ajcZMf7synnvNmxk7HR9fZq3FE/s1600/Slovak+Letov+S-32801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlChRObJzvT0zo7miAWRNfCg6Rn9fvLwBB3Ay-HaJ1F7i0VjM7So_7LWP3Viq0pK-iSP99TXp5ng4NCYhvYmkb1WVQgiQWj_QaG3DR5E5KTFaF-oRp67ajcZMf7synnvNmxk7HR9fZq3FE/s640/Slovak+Letov+S-32801.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Though some of their actions were considered very successful the 1st Observation Squadron had to be pulled back to Slovakia as by this time the squadron strength had been whittled down to only three serviceable Letovs. Most of these losses had been sustained by Flak and general wear and tear of machine parts although it wasn't unheard of for the Flak to be originating with German and on one occasion Slovakian anti aircraft defence units.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">In the summer of 1942 the Slovak Air Force again returned to the Russian Front with two squadrons. The 1st Observation Squadron with only six Letov S-328's and the 11th Fighter Squadron with twelve Avia B-534's. By this time the Slovaks and Germans prudently decided not to deploy either into front line service but instead deployed them in support of the Security Division in its anti partisan duties. The 1st Squadron remained in the field until October 1942 when it was finally retired from the field and returned to Slovakia.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8o8kVEbYpFxM_awTr4eQ-olua8zEikgBPZMLkUU81Bv6yTLKx65eUAHC7Fh0crzDesHo96wwTqCJGg4OnqfkRCEngUXKrP9gDKV2peOqBINOfOXnQ6-Yjqk-biHUpet_Sl5K0vfbXheY/s1600/Slovak+Letov+S-32802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8o8kVEbYpFxM_awTr4eQ-olua8zEikgBPZMLkUU81Bv6yTLKx65eUAHC7Fh0crzDesHo96wwTqCJGg4OnqfkRCEngUXKrP9gDKV2peOqBINOfOXnQ6-Yjqk-biHUpet_Sl5K0vfbXheY/s640/Slovak+Letov+S-32802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">This was almost the end of the serviceable life of the Letov's but in 1944 as the Red Bear approached Eastern Slovakia a newly formed Air Arms Group was formed with the 2nd Observation Squadron being equipped with twelve Letovs with a further three held in the central reserve. These aircraft saw no combat against the Soviet Union as at this time the Slovak Uprising kicked off, amongst the usual chaos that the Slovaks had a propensity for. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">By the time of the uprising only the airfield of Tri Duby was under Slovak control and here there were five Letovs present for use. This was the last hurrah for the Letov S-328 which during the course of the Uprising as a constituent part of the Combined Squadron flew a total of 350 Operational Sorties in the two months that the uprising lasted and achieving one of the last air victories achieved by a biplane when on 7 September, half way through the Uprising when a patrolling S-328 was attacked by a reconnaissance Focke-Wulf Fw 189. The Fw 189 was damaged by the twin vz.30 machine guns controlled by the observer and forced to land in an area still under insurgent control.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">At least they finished on a high no matter what their previous combat record was.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqcIRw9Usj0RkUr5tHxo1lTGYyIW3FKhWG2Yf3R8FPCzal46j9Pm6G-NH4QArG6JyoKqcFOx6Sv4WOP-TjjEoyF1ZY2lWp_nfD2WY4dLG-jYVRFwTJxymNzYFpqT_vJVk00mRYWSSUffs/s1600/Slovak+Letov+S-32803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDqcIRw9Usj0RkUr5tHxo1lTGYyIW3FKhWG2Yf3R8FPCzal46j9Pm6G-NH4QArG6JyoKqcFOx6Sv4WOP-TjjEoyF1ZY2lWp_nfD2WY4dLG-jYVRFwTJxymNzYFpqT_vJVk00mRYWSSUffs/s640/Slovak+Letov+S-32803.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, I suppose the first thing that most people will be wondering is where in hell can they lay their hands on a 1/100 Letov S-328 just like this one. Well, at present ladies; you can't! </div>
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I believe that this may currently be the single existing 1/100 example in the world. However it does represent an object lesson in how obsession can lead to extraordinary steps being taken in the quest for 'getting what you want!'</div>
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I habitually spend months scouring the interweb to find the bits and pieces that I want in order to put together my weird and whacky playthings and whilst a lot of the time I can claim moderate success where the Slovak air force in 1/100 was concerned I came up with an absolute brick wall. </div>
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I had to consider other options. I have no ability to sculpt these aircraft myself as in all truth I wouldnt even know where to start. I had no 3D sculpting skills either so I couldnt rig one up by myself and I also couldnt find any examples in any 3D library that I scoured... this only left me with two options; forget it (not bloody likely) or bring in the hit men! </div>
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This I did.</div>
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I decided that a small home run business selling a range of rare and/or impossible to get a hold of models was the way forwards in order to recoup some of my losses that this venture would no doubt cause. In line with this idea I struck up a conversation with a producer who I had been keeping an eye on for a while and whose stuff was impressing me. We discussed relative costs of sculpting and production and once we agreed prices and business arrangements I contracted an attached 3D artist to begin work. This one took a while due to other commitments getting in the way BUT when it was finally printed off it made quite the impression. Took a bit of effort to clean up but the results cant be argued with in my opinion.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM0UOLnVJNy7lesiSbVRWy2HkWMt9yjTnjfoEgFWDNlGwk97O2u_-oErTM9PRBwOzW5gdpITA42LBM_BUR6tXufOwaHASqhBv8tzgvTrNmWGG2rQJ1q-sUFS_pF8FcnDeIh75k_TZYs46/s1600/Slovak+Letov+S-32804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM0UOLnVJNy7lesiSbVRWy2HkWMt9yjTnjfoEgFWDNlGwk97O2u_-oErTM9PRBwOzW5gdpITA42LBM_BUR6tXufOwaHASqhBv8tzgvTrNmWGG2rQJ1q-sUFS_pF8FcnDeIh75k_TZYs46/s640/Slovak+Letov+S-32804.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The painting came next and for the most part I have to say was relatively simple.</div>
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The whole aircraft was primed with a standard grey primer from a rattle can and left to dry.</div>
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Once dry the plane was airbrushed with a uniform layer of MIG 058 Light Khaki Green.</div>
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Once this was dry the most painstaking part of the process needed to be done. 0.5mm wide masking tape strips were applied along the rib lines of the upper wings, fuselage, and tail planes. Once this was done the leading edge of the upper and lower main wings had a thin 2mm wide contour tape strip applied to it.</div>
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Once secure the airbrush was used to spray a light covering of MIG 059 Khaki Green over the top of the light khaki green. It is important that you do not spray too heavily in this step as it will leave the contrasts between the two layers two pronounced and will look weird. Use a bit of discretion and leave it at a level where the highlighted areas are left apparent but not overpowering.</div>
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Once done and dry the masks can all be removed and you should have quite an effective overall feel to the aircraft.</div>
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The next colour to be applied is the Vallejo's 993 Flat Aluminium on the underside of the wings and the fuselage. Due to the fact that this colour is so high key I opted not to waste time with contrasting on an area of the plane that will barely be seen. This paint needs to be treated with care and if it wasn't the fact that it is the perfect colour I would opt to ditch it in favour of another colour as the Vallejo paint just seems to be far too thin to be used with the brush and I didn't want to have to go through the grief of masking everything off again.</div>
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The next step was the yellow, for which i did have to mask everything off. I applied the masks leaving clear the areas to be airbrushed and mixed up Vallejo's 953 Flat Yellow highlighted with Vallejo's 915 Deep Yellow with a touch of white.</div>
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Again all masks were removed and the fine details were now tackled.</div>
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A coat of Varnish was applied and then pin lining was done on all of the fuselage panel lines and aileron and flap joints with AK Interactives Wash for Nato Camo Vehicles. </div>
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Once dry the excess was rubbed away just leaving the profiling.</div>
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All metal parts were painted with Molten Metal Steel mixed with Vallejo Black. The tires were painted Vallejo Black followed by Lifecolors UA733 Tyre Black as the highlight.</div>
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Finally the pilots and propeller blades were painted... although I feel relatively sure you can work out how to do that yourself...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHlSkI36A8A9EyuDuygTf5kDnDpxVOBZWMX2HJm0rKUemaBBUXAd3Oj-GfMwMBESQdxbzKFVfi8oCf0QepdlNiyPG78nlxHiAg30_L8f5G6t5yPpXlRocTNvOazuV8MkeKVqo3gna5wpC/s1600/Slovak+Letov+S-32805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHlSkI36A8A9EyuDuygTf5kDnDpxVOBZWMX2HJm0rKUemaBBUXAd3Oj-GfMwMBESQdxbzKFVfi8oCf0QepdlNiyPG78nlxHiAg30_L8f5G6t5yPpXlRocTNvOazuV8MkeKVqo3gna5wpC/s640/Slovak+Letov+S-32805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">...and so we come to the very last thing that I needed to do for this addition to my Slovak army... the decals.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Now, I am capable of making my own decals BUT the experience that I have had so far has led to decals that are uncomfortably thick and ones that cannot include white unless as an overall substrate to the total image and so one of my Polish friends suggested I approach a gentleman in Poland that both he and his father had used to produce specialist decals.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I thus contracted one Bogdan Zolnierowicz through Facebook to produce for me a decal sheet with enough Slovak aircraft and tank markings to polish off everything that I thought I would need. Along with a couple of sheets of numbers and letters I had enough to produce the exact representation that I wanted and Bogdan's decals were exactly what the doctor ordered.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Incidentally if you want to approach Bogdan for help with decals he says you are all welcome to do so. He may not respond quickly but he will eventually and he is the only one on Facebook with the name.</span></div>
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So there we have it ladies and gents. Another fine Czechoslovakian asset to add to the pantheon.<br />
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Another project finished, so on to the next!</div>
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Fix bayonets!<br />
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-7665997297310492152019-04-04T16:36:00.001+01:002019-06-10T06:11:08.843+01:00FoW: Slovak Anti Aircraft Artillery - 8.35cm vz.22 battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Its time for the next chapter in our Slovakian Odyssey and this time we will turn our attention to one of their heavy anti aircraft guns; the 8.35cm KPL vz.22 (KPL standing for kanon proti letadlum).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4vQ1Gg9ojNPPsWf0Bk6FS6eS0CoDv6K174UHGujtFj-LAjGsCSs3BRdeNWkSMdPxrPY_kUzNszPYtqrneHri-4EjUPaeFTBhmbX3galXJx76-r4W294yqvkZwUnBuE6niCQdyfXFrG_A/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4vQ1Gg9ojNPPsWf0Bk6FS6eS0CoDv6K174UHGujtFj-LAjGsCSs3BRdeNWkSMdPxrPY_kUzNszPYtqrneHri-4EjUPaeFTBhmbX3galXJx76-r4W294yqvkZwUnBuE6niCQdyfXFrG_A/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, its a funny thing but this gun seems to have fallen well into obscurity and only really known about by weapon aficionados or else those nutters who have an interest in the Czechoslovakian or Slovakian militaries of the interbellum or the start of WW2.<br />
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In the Interbellum the Czechoslovakian army was widely regarded as one of the best equipped and trained in Europe, and rightly so. Considerable credit for this preparedness must go to this gun; the 8.35cm vz.22 which formed the core of the army's anti-aircraft batteries.<br />
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This anti-aircraft gun has long been regarded as one of the most successful anti-aircraft guns in history and has earned the plaudit of being the best anti-aircraft gun of the '20's.<br />
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At the start of the twenties the situation with regards to anti-aircraft defence for the Czech army was not exactly rosy. All that they had for the entire country was four of the vz.5/8's and another twenty newer 12/20's. Not exactly going to set the world alight!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Xw0AM5gxkbidW8Azq-EDnfFnYqPakvpDAnQQ2rFtAa_mdw3H8jfqdbxWBo8CLNURvpCjgNLQ0HqmO375IAAToQ71a_4NIKovEmPZxKn5zpqvW1fQNPBewaj5Jq7KHQhg32sPuxoO92Yj/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="460" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Xw0AM5gxkbidW8Azq-EDnfFnYqPakvpDAnQQ2rFtAa_mdw3H8jfqdbxWBo8CLNURvpCjgNLQ0HqmO375IAAToQ71a_4NIKovEmPZxKn5zpqvW1fQNPBewaj5Jq7KHQhg32sPuxoO92Yj/s640/39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These weapons were only suitable for use from static, prepared positions alongside the light machine guns carried around by the troops themselves.</div>
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The army's High Command recognised the precarious nature of this lack of aerial defence and the likely results of not keeping apace with the fast developing air fleets of its hostile neighbours... happily it turned out that the countries largest arms developer, Skoda and its Pilsen facilities were also acutely aware of this shortcoming.</div>
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A focus on the development of new anti-aircraft weaponry was instigated soon after the end of the First World War in which Skoda used the expertise that it had gained in anti-aircraft weapon development for the Austrian army and navy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotnCpFATXcJnsTwNE1liPzbUIFEY4FFtv4Bf6PIfxHHu_6jQlYmX_ellzek2wO9Seh8Yu1RLHfH4BbWA4wTiinsdTJbOKvOBLOzezRbQGf36OQW8ciR-QVAOeCkearQmY5UKUF2ygh2h/s1600/835cmPLKvz22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="362" data-original-width="276" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuotnCpFATXcJnsTwNE1liPzbUIFEY4FFtv4Bf6PIfxHHu_6jQlYmX_ellzek2wO9Seh8Yu1RLHfH4BbWA4wTiinsdTJbOKvOBLOzezRbQGf36OQW8ciR-QVAOeCkearQmY5UKUF2ygh2h/s640/835cmPLKvz22.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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By 1919 7.65cm and 8.35cm calibre projects were already started from which came the first generation anti-aircraft guns; the vz.18/19 which immediately scored successes on the export markets.</div>
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A test battery of four cannons were exported to Sweden in 1921 with a further 16 being delivered to Spain in 1923 and one being delivered to France for testing as well. The vz.18/19's were modern and effective weapons but transport proved to be a serious handicap for them. </div>
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In the wake of the First World War there was little other affordable option than horse traction to pull artillery weaponry. Motorised tractors did exist but at this point in time were prohibitively expensive. Because of this horse traction was the only option that was really considered. However a six horse traction team effectively limited the pull weight to 2800kg if the weapon was to be kept in motion which resulted in a focus on smaller calibre weaponry with lighter ammunition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBUJyIPreGQQEEtCf-T9Fyxs4VDn74aSC3lSjVhQUhjyz0vi4SPpNS-0-EjumTBXDVHB-NS1aaf18riv71ybeh3Rel5xmOu6lirkxS_LGcPvCCF2J8_P8TbIwZx0Y4WhgOYUKBi2gK7MS/s1600/54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBUJyIPreGQQEEtCf-T9Fyxs4VDn74aSC3lSjVhQUhjyz0vi4SPpNS-0-EjumTBXDVHB-NS1aaf18riv71ybeh3Rel5xmOu6lirkxS_LGcPvCCF2J8_P8TbIwZx0Y4WhgOYUKBi2gK7MS/s640/54.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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When the Ministry of Defence turned its attention to the provision of anti-aircraft artillery in 1919 the attention of the project's artillery experts zeroed in on the 8.35cm project. When the ministry rejected the 7.65cm model the 8.35cm was quickly tailored for use with the army. </div>
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The new design proved extremely promising. Equipped with a 10kg shell it achieved an exit velocity of 800m/s and achieved a ceiling of 11,000m. Despite these initial achievements however the Ministry of Defence set a requirement that the weapon be made mobile due to its perceived deployment in the field as a mobile anti-aircraft asset.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8axxp4U6dr_tl1DMELExE7aQGh02KiV8z91D6flXzANZn7wGz68xqC40YCnVjoU4CnaRx4ms-dL3jSlcTxDOzgCwy6dwqsW018KeWRVwnZE_4pZFTgUQ7ZXibA4Yr9qI9J8rlhmA0Db0I/s1600/D%25C4%259Blost%25C5%2599electvo_%25C4%258Ds._arm%25C3%25A1dy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8axxp4U6dr_tl1DMELExE7aQGh02KiV8z91D6flXzANZn7wGz68xqC40YCnVjoU4CnaRx4ms-dL3jSlcTxDOzgCwy6dwqsW018KeWRVwnZE_4pZFTgUQ7ZXibA4Yr9qI9J8rlhmA0Db0I/s640/D%25C4%259Blost%25C5%2599electvo_%25C4%258Ds._arm%25C3%25A1dy.gif" width="480" /></a></div>
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Because the weight of the weapon itself exceeded the weight that was possible for hippo-traction the Ministry approved the weapon for motor-traction which was considered a cutting edge risk at the time. Unfortunately, owing to the requirement for a lightning fast response time to enemy aircraft presence over the battlefield when with the army it was decided that the weapon would need to have the ability to be fired directly from its transport platform. This issue was successfully negotiated but it meant that the entire chassis for the weapon became prohibitively heavy which adversely affected its overall mobility.</div>
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The chassis of the weapon by necessity became very heavy due to the increased strain placed on it through continual firing from the platform itself. This weight proved limiting to its speed of march and resulted in the assignment of heavy artillery tractors to the batteries.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhATDJGnavNhIKY6KHokaPu_qw8iE9UEoBKpXGrZI4OZwFXCuOjRxvSAHEEqCZK6XshGcAyKsAIW5VikKKp8WhglC-qR_eXGpDAW-hCFwxzP8m9N2cCTVu-Isl7_tI40fdefM6md7WDI5/s1600/plk-vz22-n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="460" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhATDJGnavNhIKY6KHokaPu_qw8iE9UEoBKpXGrZI4OZwFXCuOjRxvSAHEEqCZK6XshGcAyKsAIW5VikKKp8WhglC-qR_eXGpDAW-hCFwxzP8m9N2cCTVu-Isl7_tI40fdefM6md7WDI5/s640/plk-vz22-n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Weapons testing took place between 1920-1922 with the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff going back and forwards with Skoda as the final format of the weapon was sought. For example in 1921 the Ministry of Defence wanted a version of the weapon that could be broken down into three loads for use in mountainous terrain. This was one of the research avenues that was not followed up on.</div>
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Much investigative and manufacturing work was completed on the chassis to carry the gun with intensive testing conducted on its performance after repeated firing and hauling over long distances. The experience gained in using the vz.12/20's and firing with the new types of ammunition was put to valuable use at this stage.</div>
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In 1922 the final version's prototype was presented to the Ministry of Defence for testing by the army and because it performed so well was put into immediate production and introduction to the armed forces under the formal designation of 8.35cm KPL vz.22. Work on the new ammunition was not completed until 1923 however and when finalised the army received it under the designation OCGN vz.23.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecTDgN-LmaLJKeld0trS-ihU4pMkfU0C-H0Zp2ufYwpkna0uvGrBPRd67liyiAmT_mvRzvzl4eBbdMuk3AejGQKt0Xx5A7vgNXPZxHOZ7hFSLUgz9rgHuB_juxexD1Ywx6XriTz4BVykS/s1600/plk-vz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="460" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecTDgN-LmaLJKeld0trS-ihU4pMkfU0C-H0Zp2ufYwpkna0uvGrBPRd67liyiAmT_mvRzvzl4eBbdMuk3AejGQKt0Xx5A7vgNXPZxHOZ7hFSLUgz9rgHuB_juxexD1Ywx6XriTz4BVykS/s640/plk-vz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Full serial production for the gun was achieved in 1923 with the first 14 weapons being handed over to the army for incorporation into the anti-aircraft batteries. The next year 35 weapons were delivered. There was then a downturn in supply with the technical arms office in Pilsen only taking receipt of six weapons and a handful of spares over the next three years. Even through these years though Skoda was not idle and conducted intensive auto-frettage testing of the weapon components to increase their service life.</div>
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Auto-frettage of components is when they are subjected once or repeatedly to an internal overpressure, the size of which is chosen such that the material in the most stressed areas, i.e on the inside of the component and in adjacent faces is 'plastically deformed'. When unloading the stress the plastically deformed region of the material prevents the 'elastically deformed' rest of the component from returning to its original shape and/or size. This results in pressure stresses on the inside of the component and tensile stresses on the outside of the component inevitably leading to early failure.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDzIY74CDAdH5JY2xGGdSiPP3I8ZER5Gxp8wZvOPU3zaN6C14hxBKDRvZV-btGecgZA6tU751HDwMJZdrkrfv4_kl8BmOhQcj2ChcsgWj9IWY72GxYoi-IIpq-r03wYt8K3AEWlF6GqAM/s1600/8.35cm_kanon_zp_vz.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="730" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDzIY74CDAdH5JY2xGGdSiPP3I8ZER5Gxp8wZvOPU3zaN6C14hxBKDRvZV-btGecgZA6tU751HDwMJZdrkrfv4_kl8BmOhQcj2ChcsgWj9IWY72GxYoi-IIpq-r03wYt8K3AEWlF6GqAM/s640/8.35cm_kanon_zp_vz.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If the component is cyclically loaded with internal overpressure in operation the most heavily loaded area is again the inner surface of the component and the adjacent faces. The auto-friction-induced pressure stresses that act here reduce the magnitude of the cyclic tensile stress, thereby extending the crack initiation time. Pressure stresses also slow the crack growth and in some cases even cause a complete stop. The tensile stresses on the outside of the component generally do not, due to their size, significantly affect the life of the component.</div>
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The parts can be made of materials that are capable of macroplastic deformation, in which the yield strength does not significantly depend on the direction of the previous load and which exhibit residual stress stability.</div>
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This method of production was used for the remaining production run of these guns with the first ones using the auto-frettage method of production running off the line in 1930. The majority of the guns were produced in 1931 when the army took possession of another 45 pieces.</div>
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In total the army ordered 144 anti aircraft guns of 8.35cm calibre with the entire delivery run being completed by 1933.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7oDmP0czKLCMXDhQkGwn_M5x2WDVpLiGLTjuIisuoK2jU1VpGHFkBpWooE1vyzYwlGgZEbfUsX1Sd7TkZ2LAfiodEE-keiRDNRcHkWjUhBlFV3Kp2S_gJHIqYxLYhmcLkppDnB-7dJF4/s1600/pt-38-vz.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="413" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7oDmP0czKLCMXDhQkGwn_M5x2WDVpLiGLTjuIisuoK2jU1VpGHFkBpWooE1vyzYwlGgZEbfUsX1Sd7TkZ2LAfiodEE-keiRDNRcHkWjUhBlFV3Kp2S_gJHIqYxLYhmcLkppDnB-7dJF4/s640/pt-38-vz.22.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
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It was recognised as the best anti-aircraft in the world for a long period of time and Skoda had many export requests but the military resisted this strongly and when the Pilsen armoury finally forced the government to intercede it resulted in an economic crisis and all of the potential buyers dropped away for economic reasons. From the export batch several pieces did actually reach friendly Yugoslavia and two reached Estonia but all others remained in Czechoslovakia.</div>
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The price of a complete gun was set at 586,000 CZK with a whole battery being offered at 2,346,948 CZK which was an exceptionally high cost for the day but the benefits of the system were easily recognised justifying the costs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8AyIXRIgLdsxrUbj6rFlYg2TFtqnUuaMUensGTiTjXgmvm6yCzQGgIxcW9BvT8xO10XvjQsp1qVIfaEdkTc1SWzi-jFnB0ofMC9JM3r8t7fAzvnUymmluqFYFjhKVRaaFsgYjSmXL8qp/s1600/sv29---pl-vz22-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="460" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8AyIXRIgLdsxrUbj6rFlYg2TFtqnUuaMUensGTiTjXgmvm6yCzQGgIxcW9BvT8xO10XvjQsp1qVIfaEdkTc1SWzi-jFnB0ofMC9JM3r8t7fAzvnUymmluqFYFjhKVRaaFsgYjSmXL8qp/s640/sv29---pl-vz22-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When these guns were first delivered to the field armies it was finally possible to totally reorganise the three existing anti-aircraft units into regiments 151, 152 and 153 (this one will become important to all lovers of the Slovak army), each comprising three sections. From this time it became possible for the armed forces to start testing out the modern processes of anti-aircraft defence by putting all of the tools and machinery of fire control through intensive field testing. This applied most especially to the sights of the weapons themselves and the skills of the crews serving the weapons.</div>
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For daytime firing the DR-III sights were used, whilst nighttime shooting was conducted alongside the vz.28 searchglight lamps. A central fire control system was also engineered along with sound location of targets. The entire trial and error process of all of the elements and systems finally led to the creation of an extremely effective fire control methodology in the early 1930's with Czechoslovak anti-aircraft processes standing at the global forefront.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGka60YIE54M8Nwp0jjdXkzJmogFCnj8yyZyd_feiiSSPAn6t51AjvBycnFgliN5LNBOG-7UhznrTiVcXRe_lTn8RhdR3a_skQC63FU2suL6tTUsTkOQxKz0knd_jf1ZipGAbZWJkzQj6I/s1600/sv-27-pl-vz22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="460" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGka60YIE54M8Nwp0jjdXkzJmogFCnj8yyZyd_feiiSSPAn6t51AjvBycnFgliN5LNBOG-7UhznrTiVcXRe_lTn8RhdR3a_skQC63FU2suL6tTUsTkOQxKz0knd_jf1ZipGAbZWJkzQj6I/s640/sv-27-pl-vz22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the international situation began to deteriorate in the '30's the perceived importance of the role fulfilled by the anti-aircraft artillery increased as well. Efforts to modernise and improve the operational and tactical effectiveness of the batteries was already evident by 1933 with the conversion of one artillery regiment into Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 154 and the increased delivery rate of the vz.22 which now became the backbone of the Czech anti-aircraft formations until the fateful days of 1938 by which time the dramatic developments in aircraft, and the deployment difficulties experienced when using these batteries made the necessity of a modernisation program for these weapons again necessary. Above all was the lack of a semi-automatic function on the guns which would have radically accelerated their rate of fire up from its existing 12 rpm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihSD5mzppRdoA9Q8Q2RKb2PIh726c9pF_T-6Pq6tOvRgOg32Y1dmrp7h-PrkQkUXWqcjtH3I1tJnSazpH78fG74d41DLpyhVgUj_TdxvZafq8Vh0QLA_BYAly9jR6xbhhlUGgCg3qNkrT/s1600/8-35-plk-vz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="460" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihSD5mzppRdoA9Q8Q2RKb2PIh726c9pF_T-6Pq6tOvRgOg32Y1dmrp7h-PrkQkUXWqcjtH3I1tJnSazpH78fG74d41DLpyhVgUj_TdxvZafq8Vh0QLA_BYAly9jR6xbhhlUGgCg3qNkrT/s640/8-35-plk-vz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A major impact on modern anti-aircraft artillery design was the ability for coordinated indirect battery fire using central sighting data which was eventually incorporated into the batteries armaments registers as the vz.37 Sight. Under pressure of the climate and local circumstances, and due to extreme costs this measure was temporarily abandoned.</div>
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Despite newer models of anti-aircraft artillery coming into service from 1937 at the time of the Munich crisis the vz.22 was still the backbone of the Czech anti-aircraft artillery available. In the 1938 mobilisation, just around the territory of Prague there were fourteen batteries of four guns, accompanied with searchlights and heavy machine guns as well as many other batteries spread around the country.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uh5ojB9MKZk9QTbR-JdeoVkzJshpgXYfczRrAl_LTaOx9Ml7OpheG7Z3DQxF2udIKfAH3crwHTdgUfCAUxYudKtYW40z1pLCfMSbMwvPr54SeTdUW_DqtbOCA9AlQhJlvtDKImN8p5JB/s1600/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uh5ojB9MKZk9QTbR-JdeoVkzJshpgXYfczRrAl_LTaOx9Ml7OpheG7Z3DQxF2udIKfAH3crwHTdgUfCAUxYudKtYW40z1pLCfMSbMwvPr54SeTdUW_DqtbOCA9AlQhJlvtDKImN8p5JB/s640/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront.jpg" width="444" /></a></div>
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The increasing importance to anti-aircraft defences that was being placed by politicians and professional soldiers is evidenced here by the fact that after the demobilisation after the Munich crisis the anti-aircraft assets were the only branch of the Czech armed services that was not decreased in size but on the contrary were reorganised and increased in size.</div>
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After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia the Germans forcibly took control of 119 vz.22's with a further 72 reserves whilst the remaining 25 in Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment 153 stationed in Bratislava were taken by the newly created Slovakian state.</div>
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Whilst the German use is another story not to be explored here we will look at the Slovak story.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9PGkMXbtKjjSTUV_eYxhkREn3LeDswin-b7Kuxm2DjJ-qm6Hy6rPj-9_254rwLtGWJlCoV6J1x2nTZ7o3uV53Q3eBlr3-WcqbdI5-w8WZVGQyLPrcYjCwKLsDmOcQg9NoIP0ealDdTOV/s1600/sv-pl-vz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="142" data-original-width="460" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9PGkMXbtKjjSTUV_eYxhkREn3LeDswin-b7Kuxm2DjJ-qm6Hy6rPj-9_254rwLtGWJlCoV6J1x2nTZ7o3uV53Q3eBlr3-WcqbdI5-w8WZVGQyLPrcYjCwKLsDmOcQg9NoIP0ealDdTOV/s640/sv-pl-vz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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AAR153 in Bratislava comprised 24 guns in six batteries of four with one gun spare. It also had a provision of a single battery of four antiquated 8cm vz,5/8's. By the end of 1939 the large calibre anti-aircraft machine gun companies with about 60 2cm Oerlikon's had also been rolled into the organisational structure of AAAR153</div>
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In 1940 the AAAR 153 changed its name formally to the Regiment of Anti-Aircraft Artillery and divided into three territorial Battalions (I, II & III) as well as additional army units. The only anti-aircraft batteries allocated for army use at this time were the 4th Light Battery (with 1st Division), the 14th Light Battery (with 2nd Division) and 15th Light Battery attached to the army headquarters.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ3DofD9rqx_KyhvYNQLCQzKWE-lM3SESuBjjY-XHnMezNxH1aXEZoO4Ngx9x1Nqyu3cLvCzd9oin96OV8qk5nT9nEY6_lziBvbUgBuyaFkedwuVz5Cz92amzWx5riMVqEGtq5X8Up0xa/s1600/8.35+Flak+22+flakhjeinf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1088" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZ3DofD9rqx_KyhvYNQLCQzKWE-lM3SESuBjjY-XHnMezNxH1aXEZoO4Ngx9x1Nqyu3cLvCzd9oin96OV8qk5nT9nEY6_lziBvbUgBuyaFkedwuVz5Cz92amzWx5riMVqEGtq5X8Up0xa/s640/8.35+Flak+22+flakhjeinf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In March 1941 (note this is a couple of months before the invasion of the Soviet Union) the Slovak army received its first four gun battery of Krupp 8.8cm vz.38 guns, the famous Eighty-Eights! which went to the 8th Heavy Battery in Bratislava.</div>
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In July 1941 the regiment was reorganised once again, this time into six Battalions assigned to Territorial Defence and having absorbed a handful of 6-ST6-L trucks from the abolished AR51/II</div>
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The 8.35cm vz.22's were used for Territorial Defence only up to 1944 although in gradually diminishing numbers as they were gradually replaced with the better German weapons. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnHR4Scj6GFSax7sjCP_FSTfQm-BhsZmE3Q1xDig8iqPMJaxHeuk-FO7XAbGdNxY2Y6Pi3hQyz7-XTJ6kwf-m39HClt4fKV4w4dHDvB2-d-VPEpBCBJjEuuIRaSpHYwxAWyLi-LIHiTFe/s1600/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1102" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnHR4Scj6GFSax7sjCP_FSTfQm-BhsZmE3Q1xDig8iqPMJaxHeuk-FO7XAbGdNxY2Y6Pi3hQyz7-XTJ6kwf-m39HClt4fKV4w4dHDvB2-d-VPEpBCBJjEuuIRaSpHYwxAWyLi-LIHiTFe/s640/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront-.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnHR4Scj6GFSax7sjCP_FSTfQm-BhsZmE3Q1xDig8iqPMJaxHeuk-FO7XAbGdNxY2Y6Pi3hQyz7-XTJ6kwf-m39HClt4fKV4w4dHDvB2-d-VPEpBCBJjEuuIRaSpHYwxAWyLi-LIHiTFe/s1600/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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It is worth noting at this point that up to 1941 NO heavy batteries accompanied the Slovak field armies (or divisions as the case may be) and even in August 1941 when the Mobile Division was formed only the 8th Heavy Battery with its 88's was assigned to it. These 88's were originally towed by the Praga T-9 tractors that were designed for the task but due to mechanical problems these were quickly withdrawn from use and replaced with the heavy trucks from the abolished AR51 which still proved inadequate for the task.</div>
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The one time that the Slovak 8.35cm vz.22's did actually see front line field service was during the Slovak uprising of 1944 where the 10th Heavy Battery was assigned to the protection of Tri Duby airfield and the rebel radio transmitter. This battery remained in Hajniks until the last days of the uprising and was also considered one of the best rebel units available. It was the 10th Battery that prevented the rebel forces retreat to the mountains collapsing into a rout. This battery continually stood its ground against pursuing enemy forces until reaching Donovaly where they were forced to abandon their guns and stores and head into the mountains. This 'Anabasis' is important and remarkable because these guns, long considered unsuitable for field deployment had made it to a height of almost 1000m over poor roads and being pulled by old Skoda Z trucks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnHR4Scj6GFSax7sjCP_FSTfQm-BhsZmE3Q1xDig8iqPMJaxHeuk-FO7XAbGdNxY2Y6Pi3hQyz7-XTJ6kwf-m39HClt4fKV4w4dHDvB2-d-VPEpBCBJjEuuIRaSpHYwxAWyLi-LIHiTFe/s1600/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnHR4Scj6GFSax7sjCP_FSTfQm-BhsZmE3Q1xDig8iqPMJaxHeuk-FO7XAbGdNxY2Y6Pi3hQyz7-XTJ6kwf-m39HClt4fKV4w4dHDvB2-d-VPEpBCBJjEuuIRaSpHYwxAWyLi-LIHiTFe/s1600/8.35cm+Flak+M22t+AA+gun+and+Flak+Helfer+crew+in+position+in+Heimatfront-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK11tEmaAfrfZoA6JIA3NU-RCjbP21L8h91LxRv5_VunonispVAHQxCsMLxPdTqV-sg4XEHnLa2sCkzmgTIWF8wv1Ei3UPUVG7x2BwL_Y9J3cTqjA5ZwomojPLqGOYr9xAgIjBzsmRVJP/s1600/8%252C35cm+Flak+22%2528t%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="824" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK11tEmaAfrfZoA6JIA3NU-RCjbP21L8h91LxRv5_VunonispVAHQxCsMLxPdTqV-sg4XEHnLa2sCkzmgTIWF8wv1Ei3UPUVG7x2BwL_Y9J3cTqjA5ZwomojPLqGOYr9xAgIjBzsmRVJP/s640/8%252C35cm+Flak+22%2528t%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, this potted history does raise some interesting questions as to whether or not it is even worth bothering with the construction of the Praga T-9's and the Skoda 8.35cm vz.22 cannons... in short; No! It isn't! unless of course you are interested in gaming a hypothetical 1938 Munich crisis scenario or else the Slovak uprising (although of course you could go through the pain of modelling these for German use as well). Although I guess the T-9's would be handy for pulling the 88's in the early part of Barbarossa.</div>
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Now that I've already done it and then found this out I'm thinking that it may be worthwhile actually doing an Intelligence Briefing covering the Slovak armed forces up to 1942....</div>
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Anyway, seeing as we are all here I may as well share with you how I did this pointless project! LOL</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQAnjRQrSYk8nP7l8EtOBFzAcLpUDfbnDUSB30rwE_ZZ3R2Ogmhg-Sav2X6Sl9ivW5w8qDw35XDMCU7KE8iabg3ZTfJJLWpwLebyTMOsu515fKZPy8mIt4NllqgwpAPCRR9PrlCRZ8peI/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQAnjRQrSYk8nP7l8EtOBFzAcLpUDfbnDUSB30rwE_ZZ3R2Ogmhg-Sav2X6Sl9ivW5w8qDw35XDMCU7KE8iabg3ZTfJJLWpwLebyTMOsu515fKZPy8mIt4NllqgwpAPCRR9PrlCRZ8peI/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately these were one of the first projects that I did for my Slovaks after doing all of the infantry so I don't actually have a photographic build log for these pieces so instead I will just try to talk you all through what I did instead.</div>
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So, the original guns are the now discontinued Battlefront's SU543 Soviete 85mm obr 1939 gun pack which contains one gun and eight crew. The Soviet 85mm was fired from a cruciform platform after removal of wheel and axle assemblies and tow bars. Because of this it was clear that the platform would need adjustment as the Czech gun was fired from its wheeled platform.</div>
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The axles for the wheels were realigned and had brass rod inserted to make it a straight axle assembly which were then glued straight onto the platform. Once the wheels (which required no adjustment) were glued on, you then have the permanent height of the gun platform.</div>
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The Stabilisation Outriggers are the next thing to be done. Use the old cruciform outriggers and cut away the circular foot off of each of them (and the same goes for those on the main platform as well). Drill holes through the two extended outriggers towards their ends and push plastic rod through and push down to the floor. Shear off the waste about 5mm above the outrigger arms. At the end of each column glue a small plastic disc of an appropriate diameter to represent the feet of the outriggers.</div>
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The axis upon which the wheel axles are glued also need to be trimmed back to shorten the arm almost to the edge of the wheel axle blocks themselves.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzx2ihYpmfLWx6L2Q_TTmM3XAP-gwXWldzAK-duMVCRNfCVPbdijld-VlGgaRqgNlWJQ3lbjZFmdd6QCDW3egRmM9ahidBwzjWY_Je9idD_ZB7i_1a7NBYwzq630IiJwyVhZQdUlim5uD/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzx2ihYpmfLWx6L2Q_TTmM3XAP-gwXWldzAK-duMVCRNfCVPbdijld-VlGgaRqgNlWJQ3lbjZFmdd6QCDW3egRmM9ahidBwzjWY_Je9idD_ZB7i_1a7NBYwzq630IiJwyVhZQdUlim5uD/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The forward tow hook on the same side of the platform as the carriage seats is now glued on with its ring resting on the ground. A pair of seats are now modelled out of styrene sheet. I used two blocks glued together at an angle and carved and sanded the seats out of them. Do them whichever way suits you best though!</div>
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On the other side you will see another tow hook that seems to be at rest floating in mid air. This is the barrel ring that prevents the barrel of the weapon swinging around when in transit. This is the part that I probably found the most awkward to model. I had to cut out two small rectangular blocks and round off one end into a half circle. On this rounded end a hole is drilled through and a small brass rod is inserted. The two blocks need to have an outside gauge that just fits inside the two foot bars of the barrel ring mount arms. Once this gauge has been achieved the brass rod is glued in place and filed off on the outside of each of the blocks. This block assembly is glued on top of the rear wheel axle block and the barrel ring and arms are glued onto it and left resting in thin air as seen in the photos.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZQKoYEG84Fgs0qAM8OA55P5tfpqUkByacoM6GA87TRJmXykyLI_5zxhlL7NjI9nAED1rxxfRL2Q5p6iZpqJjdQ1yLPwXi219jOdkuTpkQzTJXfOLTZ1Pml-b__JDUhnYpilMBiBenIAA/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZQKoYEG84Fgs0qAM8OA55P5tfpqUkByacoM6GA87TRJmXykyLI_5zxhlL7NjI9nAED1rxxfRL2Q5p6iZpqJjdQ1yLPwXi219jOdkuTpkQzTJXfOLTZ1Pml-b__JDUhnYpilMBiBenIAA/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The last major piece of construction work for this weapon is the gun itself. The barrel and recoil buffler is removed. The barrel is removed up to the ring notch in the barrel situated behind the barrel clamps securing the buffler housing to the barrel. The buffler is removed completely. </div>
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A styrene tube is cut in half and added to the back of the gun as its new Breech Cradle. Another section of styrene tubing is used as a new barrel. No muzzle brakes were on these barrels BUT they did have a strengthening ring on the muzzle face so some very thin styrene strip was glued around the end of the barrel to simulate this.</div>
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Finally the recoil bufflers are made out of two equal length strips of styrene tube just less than half the length of the barrel. They are filled or drilled and small brass rods are inserted and left with 1mm length extruded from the body of the bufflers. </div>
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All of these elements are then glued onto the remaining gun breech and glued to the platform pintle.</div>
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The last step is to construct the pneumatic balancing gear for either side of the barrel. A pair of styrene discs are glued onto the breech block facing outwards and positioned just behind the point where the new barrel is glued onto it. A short styrene tube is glued at 90deg on the outside edge of this disc and running down to the cradle at the level of the Elevation Handwheels and glued onto the upper face of the cradle at this level</div>
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...and there you have it. A completed gun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzKwybyBPK6Zn7huudXKjJoApWa7oSU9sINnv5DRmMKiTNMit_AWIa8DN667JyyBUW9HxejddZPkZrRHgWcoH6etaIuMGKEMuG9Ax7_tPY9M5mg3vAbgi8AAtYD7Ne0G2uUSjYEMEEVCM/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1600" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzKwybyBPK6Zn7huudXKjJoApWa7oSU9sINnv5DRmMKiTNMit_AWIa8DN667JyyBUW9HxejddZPkZrRHgWcoH6etaIuMGKEMuG9Ax7_tPY9M5mg3vAbgi8AAtYD7Ne0G2uUSjYEMEEVCM/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before we go any further I should also point out that the majority of miniatures in this battery are the original Battlefront 15mm Soviet crew with a few Romanian artillery crew with their heads nipped off and replaced with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps are suitable. The Soviet crew needed no adjustments so long as you are capable of painting Slovak puttees over the originally sculpted leather boots.</div>
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!</div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face.</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.<br />
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos that have been recoloured.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr7UqQKQOg1nMBbbm4ho-Z4VurT0xaWevM0YWfTvS6LHGoHMFni2NQidz_LFMw2F0A_ApzasvaAuzboBAcqhx-Xg_17mVbFFsFcalGB3AAMQh1X7-TNvmZkOdTCYHEUk54gAJbjw21PMg/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr7UqQKQOg1nMBbbm4ho-Z4VurT0xaWevM0YWfTvS6LHGoHMFni2NQidz_LFMw2F0A_ApzasvaAuzboBAcqhx-Xg_17mVbFFsFcalGB3AAMQh1X7-TNvmZkOdTCYHEUk54gAJbjw21PMg/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL7Qgm1HLzKZTJxUYV_1lSekt25LZHnnhbu-aKtfUKSQzUjLL36gjhN2RYrTvDOGi3Dnm4FhzDoJbAxTgTi9ujf3uk4PW-KgOBm3IwUSTEGZB2XL_2XWi_kVeHhESzCmkSS_FQx7pbkRw/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL7Qgm1HLzKZTJxUYV_1lSekt25LZHnnhbu-aKtfUKSQzUjLL36gjhN2RYrTvDOGi3Dnm4FhzDoJbAxTgTi9ujf3uk4PW-KgOBm3IwUSTEGZB2XL_2XWi_kVeHhESzCmkSS_FQx7pbkRw/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgo5HgrnmS8Xjdisl9c_NiMpH4g3rxtFfsV2EDQdiqZt3a8DCcXzVM6UJgSzi9XROfayPG11UFRn3QNXh43ibGn-892-5U5RD_oHooWDBM9LlXaMD4EJDRIAvAjF4gxLL8cEKYnCNY4Y3/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgo5HgrnmS8Xjdisl9c_NiMpH4g3rxtFfsV2EDQdiqZt3a8DCcXzVM6UJgSzi9XROfayPG11UFRn3QNXh43ibGn-892-5U5RD_oHooWDBM9LlXaMD4EJDRIAvAjF4gxLL8cEKYnCNY4Y3/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGlglE91KnZe5Agyi5YG4zC3SzUhpmtESV58SpZfeC_F9LyLb-kve_qu4ToB9wyZd0YL1H6Q-fvuvxRFWK2CIzTmc5saTdqGmDsN3xTQVn9n3H03HlDS-7I09tRCMpa2U77coLJLua6c3/s1600/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGlglE91KnZe5Agyi5YG4zC3SzUhpmtESV58SpZfeC_F9LyLb-kve_qu4ToB9wyZd0YL1H6Q-fvuvxRFWK2CIzTmc5saTdqGmDsN3xTQVn9n3H03HlDS-7I09tRCMpa2U77coLJLua6c3/s640/Finished+8.35cm+vz.22+AA+Guns+and+Tractors02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesnt matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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...and there we have it again ladies; another battery to use for your Slovaks (or Germans if you are feeling adventurous!)</div>
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Until next time... FIX BAYONETS!</div>
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<br />L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-34120663688804353012019-04-01T12:00:00.000+01:002019-06-10T06:17:28.610+01:00FoW: Slovak Anti Tank Artillery - 3.7cm KPUV vz.37 battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So the next part of my Slovakian odyssey that I have chosen to share with everybody is the development and use of their very distinctive 37mm anti-tank guns; the 3.7cm KPUV vz.37, a later development of the 3.7cm KPUV vz.34. KPUV stands for 'kanon proti utocne vozbe' [anti-tank cannon] and just before 'the war' these lil' badasses were considered all singing all dancing! </div>
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From 1936 the Skoda factories in Pilsen were supplying the Czech armed forces with the A3 anti-tank gun designated the vz.34 although almost as soon as they started delivery demands were submitted for the delivery of an improved and modernised version to be designated the A4.</div>
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The basic requirement was that it break through not less than 3.2cm armour thickness at a range of 1000m or over.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2bVvFXNETndHKfdgYTrCzMuY95eF6a_KK9rWL84IJXHOPF1v3_X1XfMzY4IHwarIrqQ_52J4yrtNOG9z2hOhYA1E07CSYYSVp_bNmEpDRGFjs84y2KF8UND_XY5_fw_SCFLODRrxsuLb/s1600/1ba19cf7e3be41a2f5c190b7072101bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1514" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2bVvFXNETndHKfdgYTrCzMuY95eF6a_KK9rWL84IJXHOPF1v3_X1XfMzY4IHwarIrqQ_52J4yrtNOG9z2hOhYA1E07CSYYSVp_bNmEpDRGFjs84y2KF8UND_XY5_fw_SCFLODRrxsuLb/s640/1ba19cf7e3be41a2f5c190b7072101bc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Setting to, the designers deemed that they were no longer restricted by the weight barriers that they were originally limited by and instead opted to focus on new developments of ammunition and utilising longer barrels that would also have increased longevity.</div>
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In addition to these steps a new irregular shaped gun shield was designed that would provide superior protection to the gun crew as well as the application of new wheels and axle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYNFoXGFamjMJK9WOosGyRbgSsO4-hHPOYR7de3U00YyKBglJ6pny6myY6N0d5zbX3VaaHVUYefDFD6GWGN_eSvR-3swrNQARTXCEZDuRJW3aZH_VFbHIEcQ6RXFkTR3S_XLCDS6SSt-E/s1600/kpuv-vz.37-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="460" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYNFoXGFamjMJK9WOosGyRbgSsO4-hHPOYR7de3U00YyKBglJ6pny6myY6N0d5zbX3VaaHVUYefDFD6GWGN_eSvR-3swrNQARTXCEZDuRJW3aZH_VFbHIEcQ6RXFkTR3S_XLCDS6SSt-E/s640/kpuv-vz.37-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A single prototype was handed over to the army for testing and performed well, reliably penetrating the 3.2cm cemented armour target at over 1100m but the staff were reluctant to introduce it to the armed forces due to fears over supply of two different types of ammunition to guns of the same calibre.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfpb3mU-A8mIYRI2X0Vm2V-Jkro0HfiSrLOI3sQZepqsRIzuzIVMaXgJNDKwKMU2w5stZsXB089UhGGeI90QLFIvawHRkrlYXmJAEOGfiU-kVkxbtJfYDEZTgf6mFn1lj7j6w0Q1VsuN7/s1600/19106180269_f3e8dc9fb5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1024" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfpb3mU-A8mIYRI2X0Vm2V-Jkro0HfiSrLOI3sQZepqsRIzuzIVMaXgJNDKwKMU2w5stZsXB089UhGGeI90QLFIvawHRkrlYXmJAEOGfiU-kVkxbtJfYDEZTgf6mFn1lj7j6w0Q1VsuN7/s640/19106180269_f3e8dc9fb5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The designers overcame this problem by provisioning the A4 with the same chamber as the A3 so that all existing ammunition could be used with both A3 and A4's. The newer A4's were also still able to use the newer ammunition types.</div>
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In the summer of 1937 the new weapon was introduced into the armed forces and immediately went into production. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aLRTMO1EP2nSXmhqidAk5LLFEztvTzFMwId9t3WY3VBfV3BKIcS7vrzshSnOx0mvRI7KJXkEp0KrzPi8mCmrelsmUxek3HDGTJ6H_kICfvFzemhGjq31cISclJDzeBtlN-3WO1ihfYlH/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-aLRTMO1EP2nSXmhqidAk5LLFEztvTzFMwId9t3WY3VBfV3BKIcS7vrzshSnOx0mvRI7KJXkEp0KrzPi8mCmrelsmUxek3HDGTJ6H_kICfvFzemhGjq31cISclJDzeBtlN-3WO1ihfYlH/s640/21.jpg" width="602" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The designation of the new A4 was formally named KPUV vz.37 and was provided in three different types; the first type which was to be provided to the infantry was provided with spoked wheels and was termed Model P. The second type, the Model J was for the cavalry and was provided with disc wheels with rubber tyres and had a new limber and caisson whilst the final type was the Type M with disc wheels and rubber tyres and was to be provided to motorised troops only.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5pk1ic9Zsb1A-O9bsOeau446Ej4PG7Ys0V6rWQdwzEuTOUDo1qCMgUzwc4JUz_HuViIBMZIII-4bjzgHgrJN8xU5NIHLxYMf_pp5lY56IkTR8FnBJpnBKnGQRMivVc6BOSPJI2ooeYQq/s1600/kpuv-vz37-m-n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="460" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5pk1ic9Zsb1A-O9bsOeau446Ej4PG7Ys0V6rWQdwzEuTOUDo1qCMgUzwc4JUz_HuViIBMZIII-4bjzgHgrJN8xU5NIHLxYMf_pp5lY56IkTR8FnBJpnBKnGQRMivVc6BOSPJI2ooeYQq/s640/kpuv-vz37-m-n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first 35 KPUV vz.37's were delivered in December 1937 and production continued thereafter at a rate of around 80 per month. </div>
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By the time of the Munich Agreement of 1938 Czechoslovakia had over 390 Type P Infantry versions available and over 300 of the Type M. Including the older KPUV vz.34's the Czech army was capable of fielding over 1000 modern anti-tank guns which had reliable enough statistics to prove a threat to all German armoured vehicles then being fielded.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxBdgB4u8HFDxB0cSvfUSOSPqUJ8ZaP5Vniaj5TobmjLQUSLI26dLUVsXrkpSeiUJaYgg4lDJJ7K7EK3F3QLcaU0Xk_qtSSyh-or_QXO9fM9d00zVomN1W2RqkPlS5dejATHIgljyeD4B/s1600/pt-38-vz.37jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="395" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxBdgB4u8HFDxB0cSvfUSOSPqUJ8ZaP5Vniaj5TobmjLQUSLI26dLUVsXrkpSeiUJaYgg4lDJJ7K7EK3F3QLcaU0Xk_qtSSyh-or_QXO9fM9d00zVomN1W2RqkPlS5dejATHIgljyeD4B/s640/pt-38-vz.37jpg.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">As of 15 March there were over 995 already in service with another 1600 on order.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_jjqWGd4JHFgF4Jq42l8JkXGHNebXNKRDEIE6gr8MkW4t_VL9dTXS-B2W38qfX9vb9aPdV_Ko4Wtohb1cadlIKnikzI8FtYfY6tQfwGmWbTjw3FrNBt9JS3iaZxY2mi9jxdjz7EtJVQW/s1600/ptk-vz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="460" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_jjqWGd4JHFgF4Jq42l8JkXGHNebXNKRDEIE6gr8MkW4t_VL9dTXS-B2W38qfX9vb9aPdV_Ko4Wtohb1cadlIKnikzI8FtYfY6tQfwGmWbTjw3FrNBt9JS3iaZxY2mi9jxdjz7EtJVQW/s640/ptk-vz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Following the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the general demobilisation of the Czechoslovakian army and the declaration of independence of Slovakia, the KPUV vz.37 proved to be particularly attractive to the Germans who left only 158 (along with another 113 vz.34 guns) for use by the Slovaks acquiring the rest for itself renaming it the 3.7cm Pak 37(t)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEV30PFt16cuN8wEFi8fTyyAeFxb3z2nvMzBsJMl4o7b5BjFfeMDLV3GXjQjBTv-bLxeiX5ewv3veVZ0Tzw4BK7o1CQ_Lo9sum7WU3LgAu3vcRGGlsc8WXvYMP-Q3Oftq9npqQIBJI-UF/s1600/tumblr_n4c0zrT05a1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1138" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEV30PFt16cuN8wEFi8fTyyAeFxb3z2nvMzBsJMl4o7b5BjFfeMDLV3GXjQjBTv-bLxeiX5ewv3veVZ0Tzw4BK7o1CQ_Lo9sum7WU3LgAu3vcRGGlsc8WXvYMP-Q3Oftq9npqQIBJI-UF/s640/tumblr_n4c0zrT05a1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The allocation of these weapons within the Slovak army seemed to evolve quickly with a solid structure becoming apparent in short time. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUDrFrJ8jCBRntq6DZ1n8xZjvbOoiQQIeToaBmKIULsSFtO_Ox0drZ9-ALBkYHmFS2vl2X4ml_jWlInlANsanUaxHSw01gDBHA-JJfGj5Qyde1qpJIhEg7ymfEguN-ZbhBYRzX4mC7lDi/s1600/vz37_137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="464" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUDrFrJ8jCBRntq6DZ1n8xZjvbOoiQQIeToaBmKIULsSFtO_Ox0drZ9-ALBkYHmFS2vl2X4ml_jWlInlANsanUaxHSw01gDBHA-JJfGj5Qyde1qpJIhEg7ymfEguN-ZbhBYRzX4mC7lDi/s640/vz37_137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In 1939 Mobile Group 'Kalinciak', that participated in the invasion of Poland, possessed a single company of six 3.7cm KPUV vz.37 guns. This would appear to lead to the conclusion that this company had two platoons each of three gun sections with a single gun each</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMiXgEm0_FI98iswkohZ1uE8HO1AFA3LEb5yYkwysz7Z16pI_zmYRwZcNAuhE0mnE5xyLDt6-eQxoQfVFKZ-lxppjSQPSOFIpHW66UoJzprXYwZQVgZxRvLD0QXMrlnyP45P4zWYR7Mxk/s1600/vz37_ii_145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMiXgEm0_FI98iswkohZ1uE8HO1AFA3LEb5yYkwysz7Z16pI_zmYRwZcNAuhE0mnE5xyLDt6-eQxoQfVFKZ-lxppjSQPSOFIpHW66UoJzprXYwZQVgZxRvLD0QXMrlnyP45P4zWYR7Mxk/s640/vz37_ii_145.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">In 1941 the Mobile Group that crossed the Soviet border contained a single platoon of three guns in JPO-2 (the reconnaissance group), the II Battalion 6th Motorised Infantry Regiment possessed a single platoon of four guns whilst the Armoured Battalion had two companies with a total of nine guns (work that one out! I think its more likely to be a single company).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhBNRL8xVW4ZUUL20YXrpmAQHMhzFYvNNAyTHqsuTBqvrwfIUjyYY6rfq8B0wKqWiwllhktzgUh2aLgqDmQAFEPZQM3iEJ5rGJzwEOevA7uQn2rjsghyphenhyphen_-HHaCs2DpGM4a_Xm0LXag7NS/s1600/z_severn____kaukaz_kp__v_vz.37.250616_181305_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="555" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhBNRL8xVW4ZUUL20YXrpmAQHMhzFYvNNAyTHqsuTBqvrwfIUjyYY6rfq8B0wKqWiwllhktzgUh2aLgqDmQAFEPZQM3iEJ5rGJzwEOevA7uQn2rjsghyphenhyphen_-HHaCs2DpGM4a_Xm0LXag7NS/s640/z_severn____kaukaz_kp__v_vz.37.250616_181305_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the Mobile Group was expanded to a Mobile Brigade at the start of July of that year the Motorised Reconnaissance Group had a single platoon of six guns (although I think this is an error of recording and the group most likely had two platoons of three guns each, in keeping with the Czech and Slovak pyramidal organisational doctrine), II/6 still retained its standard four guns, the Armoured Battalion, now a Regiment had a full provision of 27 guns, indicating the existence of a full anti-tank battalion of three companies, each of three platoons with three gun sections of one gun each.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rLDVpd_oQZyPQZPKyCfxPchbLGpBwXAPFAu5NpWRDZThhdD2PlSdJ4xPDx9vSSRq53-20NA551TooMFvew0hQEvsoYLmTlOPytBgvsC-0sNEljyclcK4m__Mp5DmJGNsTUBfZIdMeMc9/s1600/3.7cm+Pak%2528t%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="559" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rLDVpd_oQZyPQZPKyCfxPchbLGpBwXAPFAu5NpWRDZThhdD2PlSdJ4xPDx9vSSRq53-20NA551TooMFvew0hQEvsoYLmTlOPytBgvsC-0sNEljyclcK4m__Mp5DmJGNsTUBfZIdMeMc9/s640/3.7cm+Pak%2528t%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After the battle of Lipovec it was understood that the Slovak Brigade was not powerful enough to take on a full division in prepared positions and as such the Slovak forces were again reorganised towards the end of July and early August.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26auStuXhlqekLOanrUJ3vWC_KcZvS1eHobJmXAnJ3RPMP0tu54uMGucqv_VudwQ2vCHE-dDRwGJeNjCCU862IS1r2ZTJrYgk3_HlaFApkGYPndX93OchYyRy1SU-qJzZjZi43Z3nJeg7/s1600/1474982873_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="582" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26auStuXhlqekLOanrUJ3vWC_KcZvS1eHobJmXAnJ3RPMP0tu54uMGucqv_VudwQ2vCHE-dDRwGJeNjCCU862IS1r2ZTJrYgk3_HlaFApkGYPndX93OchYyRy1SU-qJzZjZi43Z3nJeg7/s640/1474982873_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Within the Mobile Division, Infantry Regiments 20 and 21 each had 12 anti tank guns indicating a single company of three platoons with four guns in each platoon. The Reconnaissance Group had a single platoon of four guns and the division level anti-tank company also had a provision of 12 guns.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112E8y52jnpzLxhYxGE9Zt-imrUPf2wpJHacsM2g3FgFIFeoYvqT9Vj4PAC_2kMKbkrJoKih_go3uq1ieWhPVkv_SsFc0SqsbZyOUnPHbQQyoarj0gcLPynORT0BZt6uKAjAmluqp9zzt/s1600/hk-vz..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="460" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj112E8y52jnpzLxhYxGE9Zt-imrUPf2wpJHacsM2g3FgFIFeoYvqT9Vj4PAC_2kMKbkrJoKih_go3uq1ieWhPVkv_SsFc0SqsbZyOUnPHbQQyoarj0gcLPynORT0BZt6uKAjAmluqp9zzt/s640/hk-vz..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Security Division existed from 1 September 1941 and had a total of 24 3.7cm anti-tank guns provided to it. According to Nafziger the Slovak's 101st Infantry Regiment had an anti tank company with 12 guns provided to it,the same can be assumed of the Security Divisions second infantry regiment; the 102nd Infantry Regiment to bring us to the total of 24 guns.<br />
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...and so, after a little potted history of the gun, lets take a look at how I built them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYyB3ZP0kUxMq8kUakXygw3pKHlFZ-VJXw8AsQJLHvZ-IfstoSMOSCjcHMaw9uZ9XJs9C5-5lpishfL4kT9HWTamFBivBp7NwoKbwJnIWEr0nRcdSii9j2Let1d13UM8DHTjdqTh_NpaD/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYyB3ZP0kUxMq8kUakXygw3pKHlFZ-VJXw8AsQJLHvZ-IfstoSMOSCjcHMaw9uZ9XJs9C5-5lpishfL4kT9HWTamFBivBp7NwoKbwJnIWEr0nRcdSii9j2Let1d13UM8DHTjdqTh_NpaD/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the first thing I had to do was pull the pieces together and I eventually opted for the wheels off of a pack of QRF's Czech 47mm Kanon PUV in the German anti tank gun range and the cannon and trails from a pack of QRF's Belgian SA-FRC 47mm anti-tank guns. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UtCHyMluwpKmXIxaY2xoltYarpp0V_hm2mtNN6CW_gO4RqHwxqYzenWalObWJZL0-FGT6LonRC8aLIM3IWQ6UqkPib72MxDwD2LxvEgFR_0aooela7BtDktIXOBAZNUhwzn8yOKZSGhz/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UtCHyMluwpKmXIxaY2xoltYarpp0V_hm2mtNN6CW_gO4RqHwxqYzenWalObWJZL0-FGT6LonRC8aLIM3IWQ6UqkPib72MxDwD2LxvEgFR_0aooela7BtDktIXOBAZNUhwzn8yOKZSGhz/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The initial steps that I took to prepare the assets was that I filled the central bores on the wheels with Magic Sculpt, levelling the exposed top off. </div>
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The Cannons had their barrels cut off with the filing countersinking into the body of the breech up to the point where the barrel meets the actual breech block.</div>
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After studying the trails I decided to ditch the two arms and make my own. I cut them away and drilled holes through the width of the body to take a brass rod as well as drilling down into the top to accept another shorter brass rod on which the gun would actually be mounted.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztsr6QXPKpIpR7RpbFxGF3ZRBTO7HukOdVGqr5fVgPbJDy23OVE0mxIst126GylqCzzW1PFYZOrN5BFFVgcbnd_bbaUHhPtWsCwrUOdxfeh8rcc2oD0NiWxj1Ok7C6aWWjz-pm4jBC6GO/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztsr6QXPKpIpR7RpbFxGF3ZRBTO7HukOdVGqr5fVgPbJDy23OVE0mxIst126GylqCzzW1PFYZOrN5BFFVgcbnd_bbaUHhPtWsCwrUOdxfeh8rcc2oD0NiWxj1Ok7C6aWWjz-pm4jBC6GO/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image above shows the central bore of the wheels being filled with Magic Sculpt and once dry filed flat. This creates a surface upon which a number of rivets and bolt heads will be attached.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwTQ5uw1X2v9yTRBHauGnzLkMdastP9oyaXuYEcfHtWieX95rWBobh56ibP5KmLSG_uJNoQuEawgjUbTQWEluPMrphTZLtfi5r_jEF5nRSFv0iVRcQOsj5qOF-A1SEmdGV5OBf_wWi6Fd/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwTQ5uw1X2v9yTRBHauGnzLkMdastP9oyaXuYEcfHtWieX95rWBobh56ibP5KmLSG_uJNoQuEawgjUbTQWEluPMrphTZLtfi5r_jEF5nRSFv0iVRcQOsj5qOF-A1SEmdGV5OBf_wWi6Fd/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image above shows the breech block with the barrel having been cut away and the body filed away back to the point where the barrel originally joined with the breech itself. This creates a square bottomed bowl that a new barrel will be inserted into.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh65Cg4KZrwdROZczIE1A6BRTvV5Um6s_a1Wv4Nrdr6fJFQG9e97SefdzEmV9tWA2M4ZT2eFPDb20DNRfa2GI8gw1tq1P3lVYKx84wBvMMX1C3ANbSyH0O2aMhjDJCxMITjlJ1tc4F7xaj/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh65Cg4KZrwdROZczIE1A6BRTvV5Um6s_a1Wv4Nrdr6fJFQG9e97SefdzEmV9tWA2M4ZT2eFPDb20DNRfa2GI8gw1tq1P3lVYKx84wBvMMX1C3ANbSyH0O2aMhjDJCxMITjlJ1tc4F7xaj/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image above shows the cut down trail of the cannon with both of its arms cut away and the relevant holes drilled into and through it to accept the brass rod.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNoXJdZDX7PkttV-HGTGmMr9sBFm_yiEu3gu89JupCj4KABY59pBjXNQdk03I96AuRYeo78x5yBw8rXtPoCD7353VtLlrLi-QMCCAIPj3XdXtr9tpOYd9skUIZtNPMX7xXiCTnRSXOWYk/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNoXJdZDX7PkttV-HGTGmMr9sBFm_yiEu3gu89JupCj4KABY59pBjXNQdk03I96AuRYeo78x5yBw8rXtPoCD7353VtLlrLi-QMCCAIPj3XdXtr9tpOYd9skUIZtNPMX7xXiCTnRSXOWYk/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bag of cheap brass tubes that I bought from China for use as gun barrels. Easy to cut, bend and shape!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEEhQWPaQNeoLUjUV6aDsSvXFT7WQjvKn4vA9aESg3Xx2RQQdtyyTlUkUpp2F0WN4zupyXyQIRpws5Bbxbs7xi5FJKssRes_GAX1bQCD0Tn5AcJwVspQg_8JKUJVfr0DOGscOg8nOU6ni/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEEhQWPaQNeoLUjUV6aDsSvXFT7WQjvKn4vA9aESg3Xx2RQQdtyyTlUkUpp2F0WN4zupyXyQIRpws5Bbxbs7xi5FJKssRes_GAX1bQCD0Tn5AcJwVspQg_8JKUJVfr0DOGscOg8nOU6ni/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the picture above shows two lengths of the brass tubing shown in the previous image, one that is 20mm long and the other that is 11mm. There is also a 2-3mm section of plastic rod that has been bored right through, in order to fit over the end of the main barrel up to half way down its length.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyhRnUXEvloeib8zhLA4ZD8dXXCn_KtTtdIAZwvn9Rd83PoUtkxWrUyB5bPUqj_1ub4zM4UmNaAoE3FJUrbQteai9C4vmlRhwUo7ms7P9TIxA_JYT4BJ4U4CRktKncmbFVb6gCjnFaSKU/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1380" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyhRnUXEvloeib8zhLA4ZD8dXXCn_KtTtdIAZwvn9Rd83PoUtkxWrUyB5bPUqj_1ub4zM4UmNaAoE3FJUrbQteai9C4vmlRhwUo7ms7P9TIxA_JYT4BJ4U4CRktKncmbFVb6gCjnFaSKU/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image shows the three pieces assembled with the two barrel sections glued one on top of the other and the muzzle brake attached onto the end of the main barrels.</div>
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There are a couple of extra steps that need to be done at this stage. Firstly the muzzle breaks need to be rounded off by sanding and the recoil buffers on top of the main barrel need to be filled with some kind of epoxy resin such as Magic Sculpt and a short section of thin brass wire inserted leaving a 1mm section extruded from the buffer itself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2iWO7iwG12hqx7cOGzSSFFbiSrocrEv6ESIyFaIpX_xHpyZF08pF5VZfO-XBC-RzbnkKfXOMtedPpQ88jz-t7nHlL3QFOiwBACLnMmKtqEiS9Wyn7lowoerGsFkzV3MvIEoERRXeW6uI/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2iWO7iwG12hqx7cOGzSSFFbiSrocrEv6ESIyFaIpX_xHpyZF08pF5VZfO-XBC-RzbnkKfXOMtedPpQ88jz-t7nHlL3QFOiwBACLnMmKtqEiS9Wyn7lowoerGsFkzV3MvIEoERRXeW6uI/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the barrels are completed the next thing to do is the arms of the gun trails. For each gun being made a single rectangle 25mm long by 2mm wide and 1mm deep is cut and a line scored diagonally from corner to opposing corner on the largest flat side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QAIZKEqie-pRwf07QtmF_p5BZqMMxFoHga2BIfPkjTQb1NeKnb3ORijUuU8eCmzT_k5tXAo1jY9_MNHhOaalUqHH1OAveHUVpfY-1q0NGR0PoH6SL0TvS2UyiOhw3oMsSFmN0vyK0rrW/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1011" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QAIZKEqie-pRwf07QtmF_p5BZqMMxFoHga2BIfPkjTQb1NeKnb3ORijUuU8eCmzT_k5tXAo1jY9_MNHhOaalUqHH1OAveHUVpfY-1q0NGR0PoH6SL0TvS2UyiOhw3oMsSFmN0vyK0rrW/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These scored plastic strips are then cut. Now I am not the greatest when it comes to precision cutting but the way I counteracted my own inaccuracy was by using a Stanley knife blade that I placed along the score line and pushed down. This provided me with perfect cuts every time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ5lq8yy4Bgj5aDSQvtKuSh8QuJ0U-BhIkIsBisUO5NEG8vAgLBv1pjnyl5cRTs-vFbJ9gLxfw6SQevlQgaV8TuMC13xxftd31zwcGRms6XhuNUDK92Ffi8bbQzZDjFRpv5TXuBWA7hMo/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ5lq8yy4Bgj5aDSQvtKuSh8QuJ0U-BhIkIsBisUO5NEG8vAgLBv1pjnyl5cRTs-vFbJ9gLxfw6SQevlQgaV8TuMC13xxftd31zwcGRms6XhuNUDK92Ffi8bbQzZDjFRpv5TXuBWA7hMo/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image above shows the correct orientation of the gun trail arms with the sloped side uppermost. Also notice the angled cuts at the head of each arm, cut at the angle which you want the arms attached to the trail body. This depends very much on the arm splay that you would like although I would advise checking the splay can still keep the arms on the width of the bases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3oNIhaF_Q4S8AOnLIsuwLi7OOJTPhNuc7exr2yQu0yFDluKhhkhQaFTZwp0BzOtq-IuzqAYU3bO4INMNs1gzZtgQm8IgY-kc3fuUqKwFfgB3TIaVC2kiQQN3hzQcdndjO5dlDW4-QNdT/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3oNIhaF_Q4S8AOnLIsuwLi7OOJTPhNuc7exr2yQu0yFDluKhhkhQaFTZwp0BzOtq-IuzqAYU3bO4INMNs1gzZtgQm8IgY-kc3fuUqKwFfgB3TIaVC2kiQQN3hzQcdndjO5dlDW4-QNdT/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the above picture you can see all of the additional details that need to be added to complete the gun trail arms. </div>
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These include thin brass wire that has been bent around a needle nosed pliers to create the handles glued to the outside of the trail arms. Thin plastic rod that has been used for the push bars just ahead of the trail spades which are simply 5mm long by 2mm wide sections of brass strip bent at 90degrees 1/3 of the way down and glued to the sharp end of the gun trail arms. Finally on the inside edge of the left hand trail arm is a tow ring made out of plastic rod and tube.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyKF8qBrkhWmvCR-I0CX4IlgVGfgziw83QCCeUt9OD-eZ0pVnfmE9cKkVejvl970qlDtAMZN08hxHGxNLXlTWUncSrqhBXDrt5SECnXH9hsoN72qlv34iNkqU2-EOA4Fg6-6MgsUvu7oi/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyKF8qBrkhWmvCR-I0CX4IlgVGfgziw83QCCeUt9OD-eZ0pVnfmE9cKkVejvl970qlDtAMZN08hxHGxNLXlTWUncSrqhBXDrt5SECnXH9hsoN72qlv34iNkqU2-EOA4Fg6-6MgsUvu7oi/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The barrels are now assembled with the other parts to create the finished guns. The completed barrel sections are glued into the box hollows in the breech blocks which also have a small section of plastic strip glued to the left outside edge of the breech blocks rear with a small disc glued onto the right hand side and a small section of plastic rod glued along the lower edge on the left hand side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRWAwigHFa5lZ5UgqTZYABCwsGZjRL9cGTfEqg3YpLnRKIrhrbI5yfYgj16SUowllDyhyphenhyphenkUpxyYkj_yXlZ3ThVhAG06HFJpyv7_JbqOtYo0UR0kcWlg4WtyDVnZcB6O22d3XU7SqqZJun/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1404" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRWAwigHFa5lZ5UgqTZYABCwsGZjRL9cGTfEqg3YpLnRKIrhrbI5yfYgj16SUowllDyhyphenhyphenkUpxyYkj_yXlZ3ThVhAG06HFJpyv7_JbqOtYo0UR0kcWlg4WtyDVnZcB6O22d3XU7SqqZJun/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Its now time to start working on the gun shields. The shield design is quite complex to the point that I wouldn't even know where to begin giving the dimensions so let me just say that the shields are about 25mm by 25mm. Pay attention to the wavy tops that need to be cut into them and pay close attention to the lower outside edge angles that need to be dealt with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghht3-wvARbdHKS3LFC9ro4HIERWv43fMqazkLFhicqaaW_01Eqe2TsegkJ4SEhAZSR8is4QoJYaChs6MYGDJnCOPeq-1WOuAnn6_-NjXrEr91OcvlN-bD8nhWyoPQeAWNB7XZWvJGIW6N/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghht3-wvARbdHKS3LFC9ro4HIERWv43fMqazkLFhicqaaW_01Eqe2TsegkJ4SEhAZSR8is4QoJYaChs6MYGDJnCOPeq-1WOuAnn6_-NjXrEr91OcvlN-bD8nhWyoPQeAWNB7XZWvJGIW6N/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Above you can see the gun shields after they have been cut and filed to smooth out all of the edges.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp9Kdqqeyw7WhZPKBvwsr-NHO-GxmUVg0nAWtJ_LJammA-AUvKs1xmle11uEBxvZAfg79nIo_u03YY4J_G5MVxf_M-C80kxRjfsHj7pc1G2YSVWMYlyghWvbWZdO8JK4Mlwku_lPrYguE/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTp9Kdqqeyw7WhZPKBvwsr-NHO-GxmUVg0nAWtJ_LJammA-AUvKs1xmle11uEBxvZAfg79nIo_u03YY4J_G5MVxf_M-C80kxRjfsHj7pc1G2YSVWMYlyghWvbWZdO8JK4Mlwku_lPrYguE/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the base shield shapes are completed the additional steps need to be started. Firstly two holes need to be drilled on the lower ends of the shield either side of the barrel channel for the shield hooks.</div>
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Four thin plastic rods need to be glued across the top of the shield as the measuring sticks on the actual gun shields. These are book ended with small plastic blocks with three paper thin plastic sheet strips glued across the rods themselves as the leather straps on the actual guns.</div>
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Two small squares of extremely thin plastic sheet are glued onto the right hand side of the shield for the viewing hatches, each of which has a small piece of thin plastic rod glued to the outside of the hatch to approximate hinges.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFDc5AVoSaEz0AuGydcKjonEm-WQiGGo1qwFvTBIUaLy3ijzhXY4Rj2_XNJLCUUmojFhhrG70ZBU06yUCHZGnZtE7epm8SU_2Xm85x_zDd9PumOEw2P92JL3znT2m2tQMbkXtEvQx33bR/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFDc5AVoSaEz0AuGydcKjonEm-WQiGGo1qwFvTBIUaLy3ijzhXY4Rj2_XNJLCUUmojFhhrG70ZBU06yUCHZGnZtE7epm8SU_2Xm85x_zDd9PumOEw2P92JL3znT2m2tQMbkXtEvQx33bR/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The hooks are created from thin brass wire which are bent as shown above using needle nosed pliers. The precision of the shape of each of the hooks is not so critical as they are very small elements of the guns themselves and as they are positioned under the actual guns is not even so noticeable that it will draw too much attention... although it goes without saying that at least an attempt on precision being made is preferable.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibShO_rFU1qufYX8Qbk-aLJhyphenhyphenvwlA4hiqiFnJL1a912tLt9YoMLqCLHuYQZOB56s3hxVUYzRO9YMAR9qZPVwGntLqNRg2SIX_TDQRhnOoJXbuzvZZzj3JBFThxyMjztx4_S-Stxydoev7L/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibShO_rFU1qufYX8Qbk-aLJhyphenhyphenvwlA4hiqiFnJL1a912tLt9YoMLqCLHuYQZOB56s3hxVUYzRO9YMAR9qZPVwGntLqNRg2SIX_TDQRhnOoJXbuzvZZzj3JBFThxyMjztx4_S-Stxydoev7L/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The image above shows the completed gun shields with the hooks pushed through the drilled holes and the rear sides filed flat with the rear of the gun shields.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYYkwMFUkPIO42MEAUf6W1aJW3PW6zA2piloFPW9pfUh3WoXo-aAGqCWnh9EsCk_QNXV-Up-OAiM-vbtJCmbrj0pFBFuASR43SSzK6lDVtFsYI0n_XjBzpWKeegAa_UjktWrjvm8-cAne/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYYkwMFUkPIO42MEAUf6W1aJW3PW6zA2piloFPW9pfUh3WoXo-aAGqCWnh9EsCk_QNXV-Up-OAiM-vbtJCmbrj0pFBFuASR43SSzK6lDVtFsYI0n_XjBzpWKeegAa_UjktWrjvm8-cAne/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the wheels are concerned I glue a slightly larger disc to the middle of the flattened central bore and glue six tiny rivets around the central disc.</div>
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All of these were cut from thin plastic sheets using a selection of micro hole punches which I bought as part of a cheap set from China. Well worth it as a lot of my sculpting of vehicles requires rivets!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufpi4pPy15YxxNg4p1Zw_qBJAK06Sv2A3w9TtkuZbxIFbHXG_V5ttQObh8tlPjSleZM9Au-4MCgBEpMkcJiu7hyNXxuz_OVcEOBX95SuLzIyiglr3_LeliCtuc-ss4_HLJpffv_csbQBb/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufpi4pPy15YxxNg4p1Zw_qBJAK06Sv2A3w9TtkuZbxIFbHXG_V5ttQObh8tlPjSleZM9Au-4MCgBEpMkcJiu7hyNXxuz_OVcEOBX95SuLzIyiglr3_LeliCtuc-ss4_HLJpffv_csbQBb/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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At this point brass rod needs to be pushed through the body of the trail. I think I used 1mm brass rod for this and 1.5mm brass rod glued into the top of the gun trail body. The total width of the brass rod that goes through the width of the gun trail body needs to be only as wide as the gun shield once the wheels are mounted. You only need a shorter length of brass rod to be mounted to the top of the gun trail body so long as the gun body can be mounted a couple of millimetres above the trail body itself.<br />
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That should give you the completed elements for each gun that now need to be put together.</div>
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Once the guns have all of the elements assembled the last thing that need to be added to complete the construction are the two plastic rods that attach the upper rear face of the gun shield to the gun breech block.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaPISn9Ed10Y5BiyIysPNOJXl8F_9suE44okQnKNHouBiuUsNSnQ22UhRLRgR1rNc7YjZcZPbrCNIe2u69ENwAFHFuVE_zzhBDim2hfN8ZtWIS_IXyuRTBZVRv4svbRXIzYTnDUZmTjFE/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="821" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaPISn9Ed10Y5BiyIysPNOJXl8F_9suE44okQnKNHouBiuUsNSnQ22UhRLRgR1rNc7YjZcZPbrCNIe2u69ENwAFHFuVE_zzhBDim2hfN8ZtWIS_IXyuRTBZVRv4svbRXIzYTnDUZmTjFE/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns+build+photolog23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These completed guns are now ready to be painted and once we have checked that they all fit on their bases properly we can begin!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCyMPF2MSERsl5gmO8dNN394_qNYt67SNeS620bRhCq2kuF3bSKtp2o15iOTWYcssaTUPsN10cNXSSkFyiDw5Yo6x1k8GMjJKZ1iyGhe5fMwf6wy0eIPwTnjSsxkhKUv2ZqjfuzAHa1Y/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsCyMPF2MSERsl5gmO8dNN394_qNYt67SNeS620bRhCq2kuF3bSKtp2o15iOTWYcssaTUPsN10cNXSSkFyiDw5Yo6x1k8GMjJKZ1iyGhe5fMwf6wy0eIPwTnjSsxkhKUv2ZqjfuzAHa1Y/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Before we go any further I should again point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian OR Japanese (the anti-tank crewmen from this range just could not be argued with!) until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">As with my previous artillery post the first thing that I do when building a battery, once the guns are completed is to paint all of the crew that serve them. This obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all step by step!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu51a4lS1wQmUAwuFbrBf3forSJALkA1WE8xEl4y4saqIaT3xlPc5rvwbyqZtU3pEqn7gFuXkL4Wka9FjIcerpg2CgwcnOxsRliM98ut6Bw1-CSGpiCIH4tMswGqZ65G6UJ8FxNRPCwfcP/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1585" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu51a4lS1wQmUAwuFbrBf3forSJALkA1WE8xEl4y4saqIaT3xlPc5rvwbyqZtU3pEqn7gFuXkL4Wka9FjIcerpg2CgwcnOxsRliM98ut6Bw1-CSGpiCIH4tMswGqZ65G6UJ8FxNRPCwfcP/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face, but from 5ft away I personally think they look tip top!</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top. Essentially the etch is a minute amount of acid that eats into the outer layer of the material being sprayed on creating a microscopically uneven surface for the paint to bind to... and don't worry its well below the level that is visible to the naked eye!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U_UWyEsgOCjStyhwvH31ALb6C0d6ZyNVQzAaPyusoqVEabkhZhx7gNWPKKxKHoIXWFHua5t27yS9X6zoWqjs6TBtPWhVfSPCTVT5lx-X9BoehJ8UuZshFDDtSGKOxtGj9kHx1Wnb-aUv/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1U_UWyEsgOCjStyhwvH31ALb6C0d6ZyNVQzAaPyusoqVEabkhZhx7gNWPKKxKHoIXWFHua5t27yS9X6zoWqjs6TBtPWhVfSPCTVT5lx-X9BoehJ8UuZshFDDtSGKOxtGj9kHx1Wnb-aUv/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.<br />
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite. Normally I would provide at least one highlight on a helmet BUT the combination of white Slovak crosses and the blue band provide enough contrasts for the eye in such a small place that a highlight becomes unnecessary.<br />
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdn2rqapInzIyrawMWM6CcLVm-yp-jPra-QrmmFvr2jQCSM-IsZnmD05tOx0K3XJJkMZ95ia9a0cOL7R2td_gr1kf_onPacMXyr2vaze3pu248BJ9iudk00Qa0owmCJH3rEpKP4L2xvOY/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1575" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdn2rqapInzIyrawMWM6CcLVm-yp-jPra-QrmmFvr2jQCSM-IsZnmD05tOx0K3XJJkMZ95ia9a0cOL7R2td_gr1kf_onPacMXyr2vaze3pu248BJ9iudk00Qa0owmCJH3rEpKP4L2xvOY/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactive's 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.<br />
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHXnTPDAe8yQ3oVr5TEBBYfo6jZqyjFYtxueAc0tWr_6irmzwgHJqDnXZrSo-P_FLbv5NIOMnyc8NL1IHW6FFibZBV3mSVohLbxmmM2XdYJcCi7w8h3z6cyQ_EFb5863RmWgwghkRoEaA/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1487" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHXnTPDAe8yQ3oVr5TEBBYfo6jZqyjFYtxueAc0tWr_6irmzwgHJqDnXZrSo-P_FLbv5NIOMnyc8NL1IHW6FFibZBV3mSVohLbxmmM2XdYJcCi7w8h3z6cyQ_EFb5863RmWgwghkRoEaA/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76a6l-Ddj0ty60OP5tVoGHtjY_-fY9LTYYLHmNXVB7Kfb3aguBWBiwf6fHCEfzMo1muNRjwuBdeOgeYS3G0TgR66ci38WnA5mafA5bzPxUO-64VUe8cDTjwRpy5KH-trdPMhM5PLRKCcd/s1600/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76a6l-Ddj0ty60OP5tVoGHtjY_-fY9LTYYLHmNXVB7Kfb3aguBWBiwf6fHCEfzMo1muNRjwuBdeOgeYS3G0TgR66ci38WnA5mafA5bzPxUO-64VUe8cDTjwRpy5KH-trdPMhM5PLRKCcd/s640/Slovak+3.7cm+vz.36+AT+guns07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas.<br />
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next two steps will, if done correctly, tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) The next step is to apply the colour swatches over the body of the gun that will provide the camouflage pattern. With the green camouflage base now finished off I add swatches of Vallejo's 914 Green Ochre and Vallejo's 826 German Camo Med. Brown to leave an equal balance of all three colours.</div>
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vii) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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viii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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ix) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesn't matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer to the miniature as its an oil based layer.</div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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x) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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xi) Once its dry (or dry-ish) use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit stripping away four layers of paint and primer and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xii) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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So, there we have it. A nice new battery of anti-tank guns and without a doubt one of the most complex builds you will have to do for your Slovak army. It looks like there is a hell of a lot to do to the point that some people will be intimidated by it. My advice would be to just get through it by concentrating on one step at a time. In no time at all you will have it all finished and be some of the only people on the planet to own a battery of these weapons in 15mm...<br />
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...oh yeah, and I'll deal with the trucks and staff cars in another post!<br />
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Fix Bayonets!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-78304211141273055662019-03-24T23:36:00.000+00:002019-06-10T06:11:51.246+01:00FoW: Slovak Artillery - 10cm vz.14-19 battery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
So, today we are going to take a look at one of the mainstays of the Slovak howitzer batteries. The Skoda 10cm vz.14-19 Houfnice [Howitzer]</div>
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Following the experiences of the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905 a lot of development in the theory and usage of field artillery was developed. The results of all of this work were a number of different artillery pieces that would fulfill certain roles on the field of battle. Skoda was one of the companies that contributed prodigiously to these developments.</div>
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This artillery piece made its first appearance just before the start of the First World War and quickly entered into the establishment of a number of the European Central Powers inventories. Mass production was quickly established and soon this robust piece was affecting the ebb and flow of battle all across Europe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCV7QfF7ha6SvKHFHTmzKk9zuj4BBcJnqlXi0BhzVizxcN4OgNNazq5GbLMvl6GEpQaDMmaGFFcmlNJrT1W3xPzY3cfka_MIlTuv4IJ-Jx_7uWhU1ByjCd5G0ZCEKd3eWO1adE4bvhqea/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1036" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCV7QfF7ha6SvKHFHTmzKk9zuj4BBcJnqlXi0BhzVizxcN4OgNNazq5GbLMvl6GEpQaDMmaGFFcmlNJrT1W3xPzY3cfka_MIlTuv4IJ-Jx_7uWhU1ByjCd5G0ZCEKd3eWO1adE4bvhqea/s640/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Because of its technical specifications this artillery piece provided the Austro-Hungarian Army with one of the best artillery pieces in the world at the start of the war. She carried all of the attributes of a modern artillery piece such as a liquid recoil brake, back up counter with balancers, a carriage shield, an independently mounted drum sight and an horizontal wedge shaped lock. Initially they were equipped with a bronze alloy barrel although later in the war due to material shortages Skoda started to supply them with steel barrels which gave them further longevity as well.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pMvgI1n3utnKcTAXuu-s330asR79Z_y8Vojy5s6xXa6dgkp_jn2JlXRlWT4_MlhJFJoaijmCFs9lDXoBYnl6i8tm2SXgHwX7ZegA29C7RGJCkpR84zF8wzaJlF7anysYev6Bkc9OOv06/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="849" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pMvgI1n3utnKcTAXuu-s330asR79Z_y8Vojy5s6xXa6dgkp_jn2JlXRlWT4_MlhJFJoaijmCFs9lDXoBYnl6i8tm2SXgHwX7ZegA29C7RGJCkpR84zF8wzaJlF7anysYev6Bkc9OOv06/s640/27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These guns were manufactured right up until 1935 when production ceased and they did sterling service for the Czechoslovakian army.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyarsvYy4RxkTcd96iXwI98hvM9K_l0bcYnwdrydilm6wZuy_Yb1TbL7-4aRwelr-V7wplt3NUhewvNecQLNxLl_tPWOwjoOvB02chGJLRehbDHJlAq4IwrbD3BHT1EzVDTrsk1A18IB-l/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="567" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyarsvYy4RxkTcd96iXwI98hvM9K_l0bcYnwdrydilm6wZuy_Yb1TbL7-4aRwelr-V7wplt3NUhewvNecQLNxLl_tPWOwjoOvB02chGJLRehbDHJlAq4IwrbD3BHT1EzVDTrsk1A18IB-l/s640/30.jpg" width="408" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Over 600 were produced for the Czechoslovakian army and after the Nazi's occupied the majority of Czech lands a mere 184 were left for the newly born Slovak state.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH_AcD_f1rav70JzkPWXiO2y2luD0AwrvQuwNedxCfQVYLg2vP-Ui3GJZq3CIHOlmNBmz1cI6Rukil7OPXbzlW8ZQ-oKFw0iaIcPJs2bl2ppWHaxOUv1JVbceEQN_q4deTnwaK6aeBVY4/s1600/44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH_AcD_f1rav70JzkPWXiO2y2luD0AwrvQuwNedxCfQVYLg2vP-Ui3GJZq3CIHOlmNBmz1cI6Rukil7OPXbzlW8ZQ-oKFw0iaIcPJs2bl2ppWHaxOUv1JVbceEQN_q4deTnwaK6aeBVY4/s640/44.jpg" width="616" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">They did not figure greatly in the low intensity clashes with the invading Hungarians and their own invasion of Poland but they were available. Following the end of the Polish campaign on the 6th October 1939 the Slovak artillery was reorganised with the second and third artillery sections of each of the 1st and 3rd Regiments being equipped with the 10cm vz.14-19. Each Regiment had three sections of artillery with each section containing four batteries. There was also a spares section which had a single battery.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGBp6Nb2NdAmEei1bJdx_jLmFGhmD9KHRAQy29uf92QlT5j0t-Kst1653rZiKn6Vsp6amIOjPvBl70DoSx27kbJhZYUVBGm3dOueaYj8_tEN_gmQdTiu28GEsaSKgJBMYeu3zAxeEEK9R/s1600/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2006-1204-511%252C_Spanien%252C_Schlacht_um_Guadalajara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="800" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGBp6Nb2NdAmEei1bJdx_jLmFGhmD9KHRAQy29uf92QlT5j0t-Kst1653rZiKn6Vsp6amIOjPvBl70DoSx27kbJhZYUVBGm3dOueaYj8_tEN_gmQdTiu28GEsaSKgJBMYeu3zAxeEEK9R/s640/Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-2006-1204-511%252C_Spanien%252C_Schlacht_um_Guadalajara.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">However with the departure of the Czech troops after the demobilisation following the Munich crisis in 1938, the thing that the Slovaks were really missing was experienced artillery operators. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_K0cgROtrWJJ9YeL-f-PceOFe0CkIn6lgBWZRxnCHv_dG7NPVncn8JGzinXxXCbajEX-kKTRO80hgI0gTOwr8bUywFKRV-7FmkY9YVd1AMaO9YJniXlk7vWq8zA7eK2RmgArgyvQY0pV/s1600/hufnica_14-19__1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="279" data-original-width="600" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_K0cgROtrWJJ9YeL-f-PceOFe0CkIn6lgBWZRxnCHv_dG7NPVncn8JGzinXxXCbajEX-kKTRO80hgI0gTOwr8bUywFKRV-7FmkY9YVd1AMaO9YJniXlk7vWq8zA7eK2RmgArgyvQY0pV/s640/hufnica_14-19__1_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The only time on the Eastern Front where they saw serious usage was when the Security Division was deployed into the Ukraine in 1942 where two batteries of eight guns saw extensive use.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpLNe9YxcwMFjYTNvmqH7y-BlsAoGUtZFv6rNCN27Um_-PEhWLG5Zm3dN6TecKgGyzhEiYLfUdUf-JDVfw9fzpTRs7SS1yMvWTmq1r9WrutksiGb6Q6hopjBWoYf3cYsF1fkiooVzBr0N/s1600/hufnica_14-19__2_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpLNe9YxcwMFjYTNvmqH7y-BlsAoGUtZFv6rNCN27Um_-PEhWLG5Zm3dN6TecKgGyzhEiYLfUdUf-JDVfw9fzpTRs7SS1yMvWTmq1r9WrutksiGb6Q6hopjBWoYf3cYsF1fkiooVzBr0N/s640/hufnica_14-19__2_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The real (and final) test for these weapons under Slovak usage came with the Slovak uprising against the Nazi's in 1944 in which they formed the core of the Slovak artillery as well as equipping the armoured train Hurban which fought around the areas of Cremosne and Hel'py.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cu8lLqUO2oma-Usi5vKuel3InBmUe_9pXdccCY2NDSL_oXZt2gLpDLqXlMMZjLXrCeksG9M6RM0NMpfmdYc2X1k_PZmi76Oyhf8n3pkGqYny43pwOb0gWXg83rCcRJJOTQNZP6eDkH-7/s1600/nv-3334-10-cm-h-1419-vy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="361" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cu8lLqUO2oma-Usi5vKuel3InBmUe_9pXdccCY2NDSL_oXZt2gLpDLqXlMMZjLXrCeksG9M6RM0NMpfmdYc2X1k_PZmi76Oyhf8n3pkGqYny43pwOb0gWXg83rCcRJJOTQNZP6eDkH-7/s640/nv-3334-10-cm-h-1419-vy.jpg" width="484" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">These venerable pieces continued to soldier on under German hands until the very end of the war and when Czechoslovakia was reformed after the Treaty of Paris in 1946 some even found their way back into the Czech artillery park although they were very soon after retired in the interests of streamlining the military with Soviet equipment.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB4NSn-FYmStGFg2tC5FrXs0kf6r6YF3t-uKXycBktl5Ilfe5DMG5g9Vohp3S2H8DOqL3LNB8bManoosClXjrT84kDbYYcjdw7Ft4k2efXxUnGK7F2yZ1WpRUZOcdyCYbemGUrabWtfc4/s1600/Przekazanie_Wojsku_Polskiemu_haubic_wz._14_19_od_pracownik%25C3%25B3w_zak%25C5%2582ad%25C3%25B3w_w_Stalowej_Woli_%25281939%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="800" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioB4NSn-FYmStGFg2tC5FrXs0kf6r6YF3t-uKXycBktl5Ilfe5DMG5g9Vohp3S2H8DOqL3LNB8bManoosClXjrT84kDbYYcjdw7Ft4k2efXxUnGK7F2yZ1WpRUZOcdyCYbemGUrabWtfc4/s640/Przekazanie_Wojsku_Polskiemu_haubic_wz._14_19_od_pracownik%25C3%25B3w_zak%25C5%2582ad%25C3%25B3w_w_Stalowej_Woli_%25281939%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, there we have it. A brief potted history of the use of these Kings of the Battlefield. </div>
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Now its time to move onto the modelling of these beasts for the 15mm Slovak army for Flames of War that seemed to have taken over my life over the last year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr4mxGOz1qY67loGfYXt7JjvARKKev82rqgC8uKPNu9EZUavVPN9gT01Hc_T54gdQQgloUX9sP0sZrz_-YSVQdV2EzKSvcd5NB_4BJMJaNE4nXl8Gvs8YSTCkRxePt5feeVf_txGxUPqZ/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr4mxGOz1qY67loGfYXt7JjvARKKev82rqgC8uKPNu9EZUavVPN9gT01Hc_T54gdQQgloUX9sP0sZrz_-YSVQdV2EzKSvcd5NB_4BJMJaNE4nXl8Gvs8YSTCkRxePt5feeVf_txGxUPqZ/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1902.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that you need to do is collect together the assets for what you will need to put these guns together.</div>
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Thankfully Battlefronts new Italian 100mm Howitzers are the perfect choice... because they are the actual guns (almost) that were used. They are also correct for the Polish Early War 100mm Howitzers as well by the way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3s6nGi8aE_Atd36bJTc2eP7EO5sDVJ5abaEXO-MBx0Kv4zOFOv9BDsNMyt0Q9CFkJ8IbaX2RfQzieQgr7bo6t1F-KzvmbWpq4lhZjveCmBpMmZmA0SnVp7uvMXSyPmtezwh4b_UV6qIe/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3s6nGi8aE_Atd36bJTc2eP7EO5sDVJ5abaEXO-MBx0Kv4zOFOv9BDsNMyt0Q9CFkJ8IbaX2RfQzieQgr7bo6t1F-KzvmbWpq4lhZjveCmBpMmZmA0SnVp7uvMXSyPmtezwh4b_UV6qIe/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Where the wheels are concerned I scraped together some True North Miniatures (supported by Andy at Old Glory UK) wheels from their Polish artillery pieces as these were more accurate.</div>
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Lastly you need a pack of plastic sheet, rods and tubes and some thin 0.3mm brass rod as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vriEm6hCv5htCp88aurN7aH9fnAOimdZShelcTrvRFY9FWluOW8wTneQetNYsPRUcrEyTqteSweH6pwhq1JMlG1RR8Ji4QbwUerheSSF6QaquoVCbYgNYu6Iao-04mXEGDb1Ub8a3Qli/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1600" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vriEm6hCv5htCp88aurN7aH9fnAOimdZShelcTrvRFY9FWluOW8wTneQetNYsPRUcrEyTqteSweH6pwhq1JMlG1RR8Ji4QbwUerheSSF6QaquoVCbYgNYu6Iao-04mXEGDb1Ub8a3Qli/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The artillery piece gun trails are left unaltered from their original form and instead of the plastic wheels supplied with the models the metal True North Miniatures wheels are attached instead.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrvzJN8JfCCjU0qHC320q0Mzqi8Asgj8SNPauaAEhm1Wis6Al_2x4PeDW8-sTc858e-7cRlwKfH9YMcnGQDEYaUgfRk6TI5A45wcD-98rqARrnfCHWfLzLJUNrQOscK810PjhZ5rXYnVC/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1600" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrvzJN8JfCCjU0qHC320q0Mzqi8Asgj8SNPauaAEhm1Wis6Al_2x4PeDW8-sTc858e-7cRlwKfH9YMcnGQDEYaUgfRk6TI5A45wcD-98rqARrnfCHWfLzLJUNrQOscK810PjhZ5rXYnVC/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1905.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The 14/19 model artillery piece had a lengthened barrel which increased its muzzle velocity and range and so to do this you need to file the end of the existing barrel flat and add a 10mm length of 2mm diameter plastic tube.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nyk60fu1Hke9Y5dR8QPZ16v0Z_EeOW78pFLyPYVefs5LFufFREzX-Yk6G3YURNLneJ0y-SIaKUf82Jztfm7Vyn2uCihBRcdfVxa4jW2AnPnQVp5CbSRdi1oyO8BPGTgkZMYGspfXcYRJ/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1600" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nyk60fu1Hke9Y5dR8QPZ16v0Z_EeOW78pFLyPYVefs5LFufFREzX-Yk6G3YURNLneJ0y-SIaKUf82Jztfm7Vyn2uCihBRcdfVxa4jW2AnPnQVp5CbSRdi1oyO8BPGTgkZMYGspfXcYRJ/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1906.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The gun barrels and breeches can then be added to the gun trails as normal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAUGNd8-7hJeEaKmJ7K-VT_nqn72DGD5FiH6-nBJUBleOWbP-jAnkZbtYnejoThgeh77kBAgsfI04qkI1GLRTI4T5PnyPO4nORY_p1TOYQQkxKf4uTp1RDjdonwxrRlvEQk-FZPUgTmdB/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAUGNd8-7hJeEaKmJ7K-VT_nqn72DGD5FiH6-nBJUBleOWbP-jAnkZbtYnejoThgeh77kBAgsfI04qkI1GLRTI4T5PnyPO4nORY_p1TOYQQkxKf4uTp1RDjdonwxrRlvEQk-FZPUgTmdB/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next step is to do all of the work on the gun shields by preparing the pieces. The gun shield itself remains unaltered. You need two 3.5mm x 3.5mm plastic squares with one of the corners nipped off to act as the crew seats on the front of the shield. Two brass rod hand rails made by bending the 0.3mm brass rod down on either side of a pair of needle nose pliers and cutting the handle ends to length for the two handles mounted on the upper gun shield edges and same method used to create the foot stirrups for mounting below the seat. Finally you need two tiny rectangular pieces that will be used as the foot boards mounted onto the bottom of the stirrups.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCB29o_GI7rqFxTvPrxlDRRbTMjupFPl7lteBMc84I28iRZsabJNjlRWzWPmLaeVahz32eaDNWauX35P_mNWfH8wO0sGAv24tYzUeWKhZKVv2eM0lO8RmnmZq623qiTsGtNvgxPlKNnxD/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCB29o_GI7rqFxTvPrxlDRRbTMjupFPl7lteBMc84I28iRZsabJNjlRWzWPmLaeVahz32eaDNWauX35P_mNWfH8wO0sGAv24tYzUeWKhZKVv2eM0lO8RmnmZq623qiTsGtNvgxPlKNnxD/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next step in constructing the gun shield is to glue the 3.5mm rectangular pieces of plastic into the positions on the gun shield as shown above taking care the line the seat up with the bottom of the wheel arch and with the nipped corner aligning with one of the plastic extrusions on the gun shield itself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrLbcY531AeFwuv58wnt23zQukW4eqK9am8gCZr5IMW5hCfgiXsrzSXmXcN6bE6b5Okdkxvb30T_3NWPRIwuSw5vN9PntjsyJZQRwBl_C8gFyQ0p1v8uZbv5NxCw7HmszwEn6kNmyMJH/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1600" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkrLbcY531AeFwuv58wnt23zQukW4eqK9am8gCZr5IMW5hCfgiXsrzSXmXcN6bE6b5Okdkxvb30T_3NWPRIwuSw5vN9PntjsyJZQRwBl_C8gFyQ0p1v8uZbv5NxCw7HmszwEn6kNmyMJH/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1909.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All gun shields should now be mounted on your guns into the correct positions... and as you can see the weapons are already starting to take shape. If you are just into producing product for the table top then this could be enough.</div>
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If you want to push that extra step though...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlqB27w29NhGG75aKtRtgD5QAZEQkaQg1FmdgZOVtQM_hhEjOgGmbFxRlN6tcoDEbwgcbAiWTl1vnqUcfRCttNJBdvznCq7XijipUeqiZyMTYd0im98LI_4IPtQMq_kafduKCJxbr-QHS/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlqB27w29NhGG75aKtRtgD5QAZEQkaQg1FmdgZOVtQM_hhEjOgGmbFxRlN6tcoDEbwgcbAiWTl1vnqUcfRCttNJBdvznCq7XijipUeqiZyMTYd0im98LI_4IPtQMq_kafduKCJxbr-QHS/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So... the foot stirrups. These should be about 3mm wide (just narrower than the actual seat widths) with about 2.5-3mm length up to the bend and then about 3mm more after the bend, with the bend being at about 110deg. </div>
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File the ends of the brass just to be tidy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo3jVigaLd7gKRPF594uBNqv3m24zpR1S4HbHTAjhs-88ye7Alen8mtaQcbbdLxUqTUredVlRKtyRJn1l_Td0j3jgv8KRP9buoWGUEcU6tkR9Ld8CQTVHD-h-3y2lmsw7WHBKjs4WDvVg/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOo3jVigaLd7gKRPF594uBNqv3m24zpR1S4HbHTAjhs-88ye7Alen8mtaQcbbdLxUqTUredVlRKtyRJn1l_Td0j3jgv8KRP9buoWGUEcU6tkR9Ld8CQTVHD-h-3y2lmsw7WHBKjs4WDvVg/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The brass stirrups can now be glued to the undersides of the plastic seats that have already been attached to the gun shields. Glue them so that the angle on the stirrups comes up to the edge of the seat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkDPUNDZeyoOgKspWtJeIzm4L0bcLXYH_bfjJnuS2yrCTy907dfSfRLF9jYFakpifzItal8SQWaYwaJhhppUQrcCHckoCcJsT26bIz1ipBviuDeGCSt402CBkpTa2Ga9_eHYzeWIFIim4/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkDPUNDZeyoOgKspWtJeIzm4L0bcLXYH_bfjJnuS2yrCTy907dfSfRLF9jYFakpifzItal8SQWaYwaJhhppUQrcCHckoCcJsT26bIz1ipBviuDeGCSt402CBkpTa2Ga9_eHYzeWIFIim4/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1912.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The final couple of steps are relatively simple.<br />
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Glue the miniscule footboards onto the bottom of the stirrups<br />
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Glue the handles onto the top inside edge of the wheel arches<br />
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Glue two small lengths of plastic (or brass) rod onto the inside corner of the seats on the gun shield for crew handles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPv4csNBcOvs4vS4U936mfEfLgSASdfdSbgZfqk7F9eONFd4CDwUoLQDVGYLxaFbRN9J85HQbVyXU_FZ1bGe9TGIDQqkapGTR3atKVoU1ZvcYv2tw83YTXncl9KrxRRmvWLbsuDzqihL5/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPv4csNBcOvs4vS4U936mfEfLgSASdfdSbgZfqk7F9eONFd4CDwUoLQDVGYLxaFbRN9J85HQbVyXU_FZ1bGe9TGIDQqkapGTR3atKVoU1ZvcYv2tw83YTXncl9KrxRRmvWLbsuDzqihL5/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1913.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A look from below the gun so you can see where the brass rod stirrups are actually glued to.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSg61sJCAXCYQ_61ZmFClAIRgoy3RCGpifsWQBl8bqTC6p1VaCQ2KuDXdSddDZZPi3phzJOYhqWYsl4NFr5BUsiDRmdATEJC66rEyr9D9tHCflCZqf2bBPnOX4Agpi9VUUu6yqDzjcUH4o/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSg61sJCAXCYQ_61ZmFClAIRgoy3RCGpifsWQBl8bqTC6p1VaCQ2KuDXdSddDZZPi3phzJOYhqWYsl4NFr5BUsiDRmdATEJC66rEyr9D9tHCflCZqf2bBPnOX4Agpi9VUUu6yqDzjcUH4o/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1914.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another view of the above showing again where exactly the stirrups are mounted and clearly showing the footboards attached as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosucLWB1bJTL6nLR32BhUsv9smDhBKU_MjUakmLli87hzOqs07n-RwDJ9FPrXEQ0VaV_ek6X1HEnThzUSkypSeG5bAW0KHs7ec4eWmEjwhay5xkCw3PbbxkBE0oBePrccY1xaAWDeFFim/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosucLWB1bJTL6nLR32BhUsv9smDhBKU_MjUakmLli87hzOqs07n-RwDJ9FPrXEQ0VaV_ek6X1HEnThzUSkypSeG5bAW0KHs7ec4eWmEjwhay5xkCw3PbbxkBE0oBePrccY1xaAWDeFFim/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So there we have it. Above is an example of a completely painted battery of these beauties! I will take you through the painting colour schemes and methodology that I employ as well. A bit complex but personally I love the results so I'm happy with what I've got :)<br />
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Before we go any further I should also point out that every single miniature in this battery was a Battlefront 15mm Romanian until I nipped off their heads and replaced them with Peter Pig heads to turn them into Slovaks. Either the ones with the Slovak Helmets that Martin sculpted for me or else the ones with the Soviet Pilotka Caps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsEyL4FGYQKry_wuqY4rxcS2SAQqPMaVCxlS6nfYZOtG9sTemjf0FBok4LIx_XjhywpvdV9vo8nkDRmpZg0AOpRAKa-neA6iGaJQSVzSW6RD1oxylFblmOMiHumaNJ-1h4TqH_AFLj2f5/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsEyL4FGYQKry_wuqY4rxcS2SAQqPMaVCxlS6nfYZOtG9sTemjf0FBok4LIx_XjhywpvdV9vo8nkDRmpZg0AOpRAKa-neA6iGaJQSVzSW6RD1oxylFblmOMiHumaNJ-1h4TqH_AFLj2f5/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first thing that I normally do when putting together a battery once the guns are built is actually to actually paint all of the crew that serve the guns and where my Slovaks are concerned this obviously took a bit of work so let me take you through it all!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZkQXbgPAEn23Ja5cBnmmb1XpCtafnFDhefA9WbGsri_nvgZuQSGaRNSrsQHBKXjZD3MsPF-OvGMwNtVDDQEOm6XwfMq3WClocTUYsZhOMYaev8_ENkPjtfQBdJ2MnPD5Nb4shXCiz8UO/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZkQXbgPAEn23Ja5cBnmmb1XpCtafnFDhefA9WbGsri_nvgZuQSGaRNSrsQHBKXjZD3MsPF-OvGMwNtVDDQEOm6XwfMq3WClocTUYsZhOMYaev8_ENkPjtfQBdJ2MnPD5Nb4shXCiz8UO/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So, where painting all of the infantry is concerned its a relatively simple affair. They are done the way that I do them to look good from about 5ft away. Scrutinise them from up close and all of the flaws in the painting will probably slap you in the face.</div>
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The first step is to prime, and as with most of my other historical stuff, I prime with a black etch primer. You can buy these from any hardware store but the 'etch' in the primer ensures an exceptionally strong substrate to the acrylic layers that will go over the top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT7bfa28c6LVQoKM7d3Ib3DCneIKSvaUMKmxeXWq0aWGLFdBeOMCQTUvaWRTIlB8WZ3mTL0gktcKiVsOIhIXX-jk3SFoo6lpcBOKnjLNWjk4PA96Ifj9HazhTTa6cevfJxm_iU-J2J5Wf/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1522" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT7bfa28c6LVQoKM7d3Ib3DCneIKSvaUMKmxeXWq0aWGLFdBeOMCQTUvaWRTIlB8WZ3mTL0gktcKiVsOIhIXX-jk3SFoo6lpcBOKnjLNWjk4PA96Ifj9HazhTTa6cevfJxm_iU-J2J5Wf/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1918.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lions share of the work done on WW2 miniatures is the main uniform and where the Slovaks are concerned after a somewhat lengthy research period I decided to ditch the colour photos from the past and go with the uniform colours that all of the re-enactors in Czechoslovakia are using at the moment. In my experience all of these re-enactment guys are anal about accuracy so I would trust their opinions a lot more than raggedy old photos.</div>
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My base coat was done with Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet for the deepest layers of the uniform. The first highlight, which presents the largest overall surface area that will be seen at the end was done with MIG's 113 Khaki Green No3 (Brit 1939-1942) with the final highlights along all of the raised edges being completed with MIG's 058 Light Green Khaki. This covers all of the cloth uniform and the puttees.</div>
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The helmet has a single coat of 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 897 Bronze Green and Vallejo's 887 Brown Violet with the blue helmet band having a basecoat of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue, highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 925 Intense Blue and Vallejo's 943 Blue Grey. The little Slovak crosses are all hand painted with thinned down Vallejo's 820 Offwhite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZY2_nfYwLJu0KZINxQYCLq018L7LDlNzZcrDGzZyaIL0WEo6cDyvuQhf_FC1DNvK0AaR_MtX8a1d37389lukeTHakXpdTn1-FQh-Ua3ji5H19-94D37GAQ6JGvO-Kpy4soykl7W1sKN-/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="1600" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZY2_nfYwLJu0KZINxQYCLq018L7LDlNzZcrDGzZyaIL0WEo6cDyvuQhf_FC1DNvK0AaR_MtX8a1d37389lukeTHakXpdTn1-FQh-Ua3ji5H19-94D37GAQ6JGvO-Kpy4soykl7W1sKN-/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Everything else is relatively quick and simple after painting the uniform.</div>
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All of the Canvas bags and straps have a basecoat of Vallejo's 921 English Uniform applied with block highlights of AK Interactives 3072 M-44 Uniform Green Ochre Khaki whilst the leather belts and ammo pouches are basecoated in Vallejo's 045 Charred Brown and highlighted with Vallejo's 983 Flat Earth.</div>
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The boots are any matt black whilst the Gas Mask Tins are basecoated with Vallejo's 980 Black Green and highlighted with Lifecolor's UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2.</div>
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The rifle bodies are basecoated with Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown with the highlighted grain lines painted with Vallejo's 981 Orange Brown. All metal work is painted black firstly and highlighted with Molten Metals Steel. The rifle straps are basecoated with Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and highlighted with a 50/50 mix of Vallejo's 880 Khaki Grey and Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand.</div>
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Where the skin is concerned you can paint it how you please but personally I use one of AK Interactive's paint sets for 'Flesh and Skin Colours' and I've never looked back!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFj86SdI9mo-hMgaVOGDx-DsBHXZ73pgGTCZIijFMl1tPUem7vWZVa1MwAA4FeiCGo5TbXmCJScN8inhwfC26wey9osWtIrOqvlbTwiexgVbCPzydIy5_IU8nw1hnQIvguigJTMoxAMpA/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFj86SdI9mo-hMgaVOGDx-DsBHXZ73pgGTCZIijFMl1tPUem7vWZVa1MwAA4FeiCGo5TbXmCJScN8inhwfC26wey9osWtIrOqvlbTwiexgVbCPzydIy5_IU8nw1hnQIvguigJTMoxAMpA/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All of the bases are actually really simple. I buy all of my bases from Tony at East Riding Miniatures. Hes a bit of a legend and REALLY helpful. They are all laser cut MDF which allows for easy scoring of the base surface.</div>
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I then glue the miniatures to the scored surface and apply a thin layer of tile grout over the top. Once this is dry I glue a layer of one of my sand mixes over the top. Generally speaking I create my own mixes for base coverings as I REALLY don't like a lot of the crap you buy from the shops. Its generally speaking far too gaudy in colour or uniform in texture for my tastes.</div>
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I like the generally fine sand BUT I like to have lots of the little stones in there so I can create some colour contrasts with the dirt on the bases.</div>
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Once dry the whole base is given a basecoat of Vallejo's 826 German Camo Medium Brown and given a heavy drybrush of Vallejo's 814 Green Ochre.</div>
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All of the little stones on the bases are then given a basecoat of Vallejo's 995 German Grey and roughly highlighted (to create a jagged uneven texture) with any lighter grey of your choice but personally I go with Vallejo's 992 Neutral Grey.</div>
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The sides of the bases are now painted Matt Black. I never used to bother with this BUT I've really gotten into the clean precise look this lends to the bases. I love it now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14xPeJaraxjKlJjwxyliOtbGKHveom6tJGVF8y-k77bFp2SrRch8sPdfD32qwvME0b1j4HDyjrW-RYZmaYLPnY1YWmWTUzhUwfpXESNGtTG66u410rN_AvBUThuejAaVUUoJLwW4bQF22/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1491" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14xPeJaraxjKlJjwxyliOtbGKHveom6tJGVF8y-k77bFp2SrRch8sPdfD32qwvME0b1j4HDyjrW-RYZmaYLPnY1YWmWTUzhUwfpXESNGtTG66u410rN_AvBUThuejAaVUUoJLwW4bQF22/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1921.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we come to the final stage of the bases which is the covering. The static flock that I use is my own mix. I go for something that approximates the dead and dry grass you find on the Steppes with perhaps a little more green in it than usual. This allows an overall base aesthetic that can be used the length of Europe in my opinion.</div>
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To provide the final textural boost to the bases though I use a variety of clumps. I had a LOT of problems finding ones that I felt were suitable but after a couple of years I came across a company called Tajima Miniatures whose self adhesive tufts are without a doubt the best I have ever found. I use there stuff by the bucket load now, in great variety. </div>
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These all add to the final colour and texture of the bases of this army.</div>
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Now that the bases and the miniatures are all squared away the only thing left to do is sort the guns themselves out...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iMZPJ1yeDZwKUqSO_E6s9HIwYuAWQHARMqWK8Ze0Qvfq4UBbRxogXdrt1DmBHS7wLuBNVXzGemdLQYWdux47KmxXSYgE2JnXaZSMMIbmVqjLb6vftOKNMQz95eyowatVpNmywPvBkCX4/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iMZPJ1yeDZwKUqSO_E6s9HIwYuAWQHARMqWK8Ze0Qvfq4UBbRxogXdrt1DmBHS7wLuBNVXzGemdLQYWdux47KmxXSYgE2JnXaZSMMIbmVqjLb6vftOKNMQz95eyowatVpNmywPvBkCX4/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1922.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So the painting of the guns is where the real complexity begins. I should also point out by the way that I have opted not to apply mud and spattering weathering to these artillery pieces as I kind of really like the clean look of them. They do have plenty of knocks and rusty battered parts which adds to the scheme but that is where I have chosen to draw the line.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9fIv2cK6njLS-DxA-GKn4LlWCu-2PYWXTu0k9k_uM9qIlI2reKz5BdgUn4JUfpa23bJ1gI8K5wJiS41DKnQm1NlcaU8BPVYv4sMy-TMVZQmb5wJSWW0nYpcDM6zhnmeAln0tBLACv_u3/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9fIv2cK6njLS-DxA-GKn4LlWCu-2PYWXTu0k9k_uM9qIlI2reKz5BdgUn4JUfpa23bJ1gI8K5wJiS41DKnQm1NlcaU8BPVYv4sMy-TMVZQmb5wJSWW0nYpcDM6zhnmeAln0tBLACv_u3/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main paint scheme of the guns is done by airbrush using my MIG Aircobra for the Priming and Basecoating and my Harder & Steenbeck for all of the shading and highlighting as my H&S has a 0.15 needle and provides a hell of a lot more control... but the MIG is SOOOOO easy to clean it just makes sense to use it where I can...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK73ddVkPW0EZ81TW9iYzOkQ1difuKFSwoIFrMtcnn0NF588_y16E5FVtMBKhfceK2gPXCTmPV4HPTeL5xUeFacjOAXsHItoswV3iPnQvjk39-vm3a-pf5n69HOzBUX_nB5Z0OhCbtQMw/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK73ddVkPW0EZ81TW9iYzOkQ1difuKFSwoIFrMtcnn0NF588_y16E5FVtMBKhfceK2gPXCTmPV4HPTeL5xUeFacjOAXsHItoswV3iPnQvjk39-vm3a-pf5n69HOzBUX_nB5Z0OhCbtQMw/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1925.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Airbrushing steps are as follows:</div>
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i) The model is primed with a Matt Black Etch Primer</div>
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ii) The basecoat is Tamiya's XF-58's Olive Green</div>
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iii) The first highlight is LifeColors UA221 Khaki Olive Drab applied in a panel highlight fashion</div>
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iv) The second highlight is LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 applied as above but a bit lighter and gathered in along the edges and prominent areas</div>
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v) The third highlight is a 50/50 mix of LifeColors UA224 Olive Drab Faded Type 2 with LifeColor 01 White. This is applied sparingly just along the edges and prominent areas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwFjgwt_52EKwNj7hbwWfAah12SGPoY6DhnRXBHk5H6fELYgfv5E5xCeNQK9KQ0Q_uiy1uUI4GXz7tKEoraK46Pd7GDe3dmut867NqWbcotzpO2zhyphenhyphenKbXtCLLphYxv9gBLVJLJv4_gmCe/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwFjgwt_52EKwNj7hbwWfAah12SGPoY6DhnRXBHk5H6fELYgfv5E5xCeNQK9KQ0Q_uiy1uUI4GXz7tKEoraK46Pd7GDe3dmut867NqWbcotzpO2zhyphenhyphenKbXtCLLphYxv9gBLVJLJv4_gmCe/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So that's the airbrushing complete and don't be overly concerned if your third highlight was too heavy as the next step will, if done correctly will tone the whole contrasted effect down.</div>
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vi) Now we apply the Filter over the whole thing to unify the colour aesthetic and clip the contrast a little. I apply MIG's Filter 1506 Brown for Dark Green.</div>
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vii) Once dry wipe of any serious excess from where it may have pooled but otherwise leave it untouched.</div>
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viii) At this point I apply the first layer of Varnish. It doesnt matter which varnish you choose so long as it fixes the Filter layer as its an oil based layer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rf9wR8n6diRkjk4AgvliWYQ0cKMVFoMQW-JXBlw2eAzJ61e2Q854eekcPmCaS1Tohd08U0hN-aaUTveniZ7pDYMChFeM_n8i4s8v6OepRupmnNrjnenG9Lw3s1OTX0UlWuRp37PmqNKo/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Rf9wR8n6diRkjk4AgvliWYQ0cKMVFoMQW-JXBlw2eAzJ61e2Q854eekcPmCaS1Tohd08U0hN-aaUTveniZ7pDYMChFeM_n8i4s8v6OepRupmnNrjnenG9Lw3s1OTX0UlWuRp37PmqNKo/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1927.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once the varnish is dry its time for the next layer which is where the real depth starts to come out.</div>
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ix) Over every detail laden part of the model apply a Wash. I use AK Interactives Wash 075 Wash for NATO Camouflage Vehicles. Don't be shy with this step. Slap it on aplenty! Then leave to dry for a while.</div>
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x) Once its dry use cotton buds (cue tips for you Yankees out there...) and use a gentle white spirit to wipe away the excess leaving great detail and shadowing around all of your detail areas and a general lowering of the overall chroma luminosity. Personally I use Winsor & Newtons Artists White Spirit as I had a bad experience with normal white spirit and have no wish to repeat the disaster!</div>
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xi) Once the whole piece is dry to the touch apply another layer of varnish to fix everything in place.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoCIa2NwFL23sjv3QdyDtb0_FnDK_hjYbsuv__adSGKx90FeNxoJDpF5w9zcqmiteMfPXLsLv17APiupk8N2FcyNEdtXmudlABtYuZURi9J3rx94wr59iROiXfArUW7ZgTqBC45IXV6oj/s1600/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoCIa2NwFL23sjv3QdyDtb0_FnDK_hjYbsuv__adSGKx90FeNxoJDpF5w9zcqmiteMfPXLsLv17APiupk8N2FcyNEdtXmudlABtYuZURi9J3rx94wr59iROiXfArUW7ZgTqBC45IXV6oj/s640/Slovak+10cm+vz.14-1928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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... once all of the actual painting steps proper have been squared away the last thing to do on the miniature is actually the rusted patches. For this just use an old kitchen sponge and dab on Vallejo's Panzer Aces 302 Dark Rust along the edges of the gun shield and other edges and spots across different patches of the model.</div>
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These Dark Rust elements then have the heaviest sections lined with Vallejo's Model Color 819 Iraqi Sand. These lines need to be very fine but also work well to work in as actual scratches into the overall paint scheme.</div>
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The very last thing that needs to be done with the painting is the wheel rims which are painted with LifeColor's UA733 Tire Black and highlighted with Vallejo's Model Color 995 German Grey.</div>
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Varnish one final time with a super matt varnish and that as they say is that!</div>
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Remove from workspace and attach to the finished bases at your leisure!</div>
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Go have fun!</div>
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L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-916100637806979816.post-35566759858308113082019-03-22T15:48:00.001+00:002019-06-10T06:09:13.679+01:00FoW: The Slovakian Army<div style="text-align: justify;">
So... I have finally finished all of the modelling for my Flames of War Slovak army and thank God for that! I hit my wall around November time last year and have just been bashing away since.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRlbQjQp-sYxpfWr8DFisMFFdk6bdDRsgwxWmviyRzrGYgi6dj6NcAKaL2O0fuUg32nAW-vgUDa_wHIIrN_QyAfD53V-V9iRUThJgnT8Lf1zHtHCpOXdqhqprxLL72eSxfcxAaFjIWppX/s1600/%25E2%2580%259CFor+social+justice+against+capitalism+and+jewish-bolshevism%2521%25E2%2580%259D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="615" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRlbQjQp-sYxpfWr8DFisMFFdk6bdDRsgwxWmviyRzrGYgi6dj6NcAKaL2O0fuUg32nAW-vgUDa_wHIIrN_QyAfD53V-V9iRUThJgnT8Lf1zHtHCpOXdqhqprxLL72eSxfcxAaFjIWppX/s400/%25E2%2580%259CFor+social+justice+against+capitalism+and+jewish-bolshevism%2521%25E2%2580%259D.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“For social justice against capitalism and jewish-bolshevism!”</td></tr>
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I started with an idea of a really small army with a couple of bits n' pieces that I could get done quickly but as is so often the case with my hobby, I woke up one day and said to myself 'Self! We must possess everything they used!' </div>
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...and so began my latest odyssey!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6TsrV1-fLpTAiCCEiehux0gfzYzOj6BmOEZoNhVv6TywAx28tYUVJkupYvq5xZ3LC3QM9RwjtjbdVZ7Znqm0Gr76zKAjh4VrZ4Ad-z9C0MPDyzX7DOBkriTNX59neU-a8A2agM64rmk/s1600/IMG_20190217_222921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY6TsrV1-fLpTAiCCEiehux0gfzYzOj6BmOEZoNhVv6TywAx28tYUVJkupYvq5xZ3LC3QM9RwjtjbdVZ7Znqm0Gr76zKAjh4VrZ4Ad-z9C0MPDyzX7DOBkriTNX59neU-a8A2agM64rmk/s640/IMG_20190217_222921.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a sneak peak of whats to come...</td></tr>
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Anyway its over now and I thought it would be handy, as a prequel to the mountain of Slovak modelling posts that I plan to share with you all, to give an introduction to Slovakia and its armed forces that took part in the early part of the Second World War just to orientate you all to whom it is we will be looking at over the next God knows how many posts!</div>
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...so let us begin:</div>
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A long time ago in a newly created state not so far away there were a group of people called the Slovaks and they occupied lands that under Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and the Treaty of Versaille was taken off of Austro-Hungary and Germany and formed a constituent part of the newly born Czechoslovakia. I won't bore you all with the minutiae of the interbellum politics that led to the breakdown of the Czech political system suffice it to say that Hitlers masses poured across the borders occupying the Sudetenland without a shot being fired and less than a year later occupied the rest of the country...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmC1gwvskO6R0NBsiPQJuEaQpJdb5o8Lo2xPOzFQYpgaU8L1au5waW2nvFZ_kM6N6-lxyyXjKkR9m1XBMbkuUyMQX0AbWsA3vsTUe44xdZoQCOWNhGegrz9rQCHNQ2z8kfuL_4gJHzuRY/s1600/e5d420011d49393a2617e77ac8262d7e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="782" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmC1gwvskO6R0NBsiPQJuEaQpJdb5o8Lo2xPOzFQYpgaU8L1au5waW2nvFZ_kM6N6-lxyyXjKkR9m1XBMbkuUyMQX0AbWsA3vsTUe44xdZoQCOWNhGegrz9rQCHNQ2z8kfuL_4gJHzuRY/s640/e5d420011d49393a2617e77ac8262d7e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak troops marching in a military parade before the war</td></tr>
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... except for the south eastern part of the country who had a fait accompli slapped across their foreheads by the order of Hitler:</div>
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"Declare independence from the Czechoslovakian state and align yourselves as a protectorate of Germany... or we will occupy you as well!"</div>
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Led by Dr Jozef Tiso, Slovakia split from Czechoslovakia and formed its own state on 14 March 1939 under the sinister auspices of Nazi Germany subsequently becoming Germany's first ally when on 1 September 1939 it took a part in the invasion of Poland, reclaiming lost territory in Teschen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOXHVAChpzxKrM1blrFXUVkEkSSE5rJiwFTc6DNDyeQlPJcvCjMZQ0ZvL0mD6s2vhfwe7VJCw24IgMeIdOnB9YLM84oWSTMBxhm9pzu9IY0c1YpWF5GDsZXcWpFLE2ZFC9ykV9D09awYW/s1600/Dr+Jozef+Tiso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="482" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOXHVAChpzxKrM1blrFXUVkEkSSE5rJiwFTc6DNDyeQlPJcvCjMZQ0ZvL0mD6s2vhfwe7VJCw24IgMeIdOnB9YLM84oWSTMBxhm9pzu9IY0c1YpWF5GDsZXcWpFLE2ZFC9ykV9D09awYW/s640/Dr+Jozef+Tiso.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Jozef Tiso</td></tr>
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Slovakia, after reclaiming some of its lost lands... receiving a bloody nose from Hungary and then having to give away more land to other European powers under the orders of Hitler, still sided with the Nazi's for the invasion of the Soviet Union...and finally went down in flames in 1945 after a mere 6 years of existence, before being recombined with the Czech Republic again in 1946 as a result of the Treaty of Paris.</div>
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<b>Slovak Army Organisation</b></div>
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By the time the Czechoslovakian army was mobilised in 1938 it had expanded to over 1,250,000 men and it can be stated with some certainty that at this time, and given the weapons and training that it possessed, the Czechoslovakian army was one of the finest in Europe. At the time of the Munich Crisis it was able to field some 17 front line and 17 reserve Infantry Divisions, four motorised Mobile (in Czech "Rychla" or "Rapid") Divisions and numerous independent artillery formations as well as a whole raft of Fortification and Border units. It can be postulated with some credibility that had Benes and his boys stood up to the Nazi strong arming in 1938 then World War Two may very likely have been averted. They were strong enough to stand up to the Nazi's with the potential of crippling Germany's military at least for the short term without having the mutual defence pacts and treaties that would have dragged Europe into the conflagration that took it down over the next six years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BcYR3FgliG70URo1_K6iBeEs_6_czIPSauTVtMi_G8hkBxDG1WsnjQCCeOsJxeOnwJcfXyqEuFFa_wykhz0NMQFQWNp32yY3yHHAnqK4wh9rExwfTYa1PbE2oP7G3QgIwTViY-CDI83a/s1600/k35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="650" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BcYR3FgliG70URo1_K6iBeEs_6_czIPSauTVtMi_G8hkBxDG1WsnjQCCeOsJxeOnwJcfXyqEuFFa_wykhz0NMQFQWNp32yY3yHHAnqK4wh9rExwfTYa1PbE2oP7G3QgIwTViY-CDI83a/s640/k35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fine example of the Czechoslovakian defensive lines in the Sudetenland in '38</td></tr>
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The Czech army was multinational although the Czechs comprised the majority of the military manpower, the NCO's, the Officers and most especially in the highly skilled technical branches although within the ranks of the army could also be found Slovaks, Ruthenes, Hungarians and ethnic Germans.</div>
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A point that will become important in our retelling a potted history of the Slovak state is that whilst they were considered statistically identical to the Czechs within the army there were a number of obstacles which proved telling in terms of military progression. The most telling perhaps was the endemic lack of education across the Slovak districts resulting in a lack of applicants to the military academy in Hranice. By 1937 only 3.9% of officers in the army were Slovak and only Rudolf Viest had risen to the rank of General.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoiR-z-397bCFmKgrTHH0GoOFOldE14D20OTXcdFs3Pm6rvAJkPMr3el-gLuG54Y0C6pZPElRTXQUb46lOCtDMwvEHQTKdKap_jHNoUQl9pgzGDjabNfG2epF2MMIZkuqfiKyIgLGeAXJ/s1600/Rudolf+Viest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1185" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSoiR-z-397bCFmKgrTHH0GoOFOldE14D20OTXcdFs3Pm6rvAJkPMr3el-gLuG54Y0C6pZPElRTXQUb46lOCtDMwvEHQTKdKap_jHNoUQl9pgzGDjabNfG2epF2MMIZkuqfiKyIgLGeAXJ/s400/Rudolf+Viest.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Rudolf Viest</td></tr>
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In 1936 Czech General Snejdarek (Commander of the Czechoslovakian army in Slovakia) gave a sobering perspective of the Slovak troops under his command stating "The Catholic [Slovak] soldiers would not fight for the Republic. They wouldn't fight against the Czechs but nor would they fight for them either!"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYAs3n2GQpl1pL1SRxJdDndaN6d_RGonA04Zb3eZbbNJN-UWK6HeKtX3Hus8CRRGYhctdsUfu6bk5adLPxPGH4BfGc7fojbrQnMp0TbNsDlgTQNiFlpajRhpDinhdH79e23OQ0eE65I5V/s1600/tumblr_mzpkj2CuN01t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYAs3n2GQpl1pL1SRxJdDndaN6d_RGonA04Zb3eZbbNJN-UWK6HeKtX3Hus8CRRGYhctdsUfu6bk5adLPxPGH4BfGc7fojbrQnMp0TbNsDlgTQNiFlpajRhpDinhdH79e23OQ0eE65I5V/s640/tumblr_mzpkj2CuN01t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="529" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak troops in the Soviet Union in the winter of '41 sporting their blue banded helmets</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
During the 1938 mobilisation the army had almost 25% of its forces stationed in Bohemia, 60% in Moravia where it was expecting to make its stand and only 15% in Slovakia which was considered a backwater.</div>
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In March 1939, after the demobilisation following the Munich Agreement, the V, VI and VII Corps were stationed in Slovakia comprising the 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th and 17th Infantry Divisions along with the 3rd Mobile Division. These formations were all under-strength following the demobilisation and the return home of the Czech troops BUT importantly, all of their equipment remained in country. On top of this the Czech state had situated many of their resupply depots on Slovak soil as it was deemed out of the way and safe from interference from invading hostile neighbours.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk71MzmqMU2LtJGCZ13_nKhm5cp6UtqU6TDpSos9kwzr1ZO93_bCZA2M3JLZ3jjiRQDpvhyphenhyphenmI2q-YGLpoINxWpF6B4coGmH-CRP0v77cm9CI_bsfg1J5Q5fo5fL32sZ0xV9Cq9k_k7ihw/s1600/tumblr_mwzck7T2cE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="1117" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWk71MzmqMU2LtJGCZ13_nKhm5cp6UtqU6TDpSos9kwzr1ZO93_bCZA2M3JLZ3jjiRQDpvhyphenhyphenmI2q-YGLpoINxWpF6B4coGmH-CRP0v77cm9CI_bsfg1J5Q5fo5fL32sZ0xV9Cq9k_k7ihw/s640/tumblr_mwzck7T2cE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Slovak military on parade with 10cm vz.30 batteries taking centre stage</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
All of this Czech equipment was valued at almost 270 million US Dollars out of which Germany confiscated almost 130 million US Dollars worth of equipment for their own use.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Slovakia was able to rebuild their armed forces with the remaining balance of equipment! Following the declaration of independence existing Slovak officers began to occupy the posts left vacant by the departure of the Czech officers. Major Jurech took command of V Corps, Lt. Colonel Malar took command of VI Corps and Major Imre took VII Corps. All of these command positions were originally held by Generals.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDqz2IFqpDCPUCtP8Sf31dmxSqbG8pY02QjmfFXBYD2ppRKbwG0OojNI1oDicOF8fulo-jmOVhiuJeoFvNgiSfP1K1xYvNVZmEdmWHw5aVaQzlPZU8Dp39H34zxBlNStvvHQpFIwap91Q/s1600/Mal%25C3%25A1r_August%25C3%25ADn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="234" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDqz2IFqpDCPUCtP8Sf31dmxSqbG8pY02QjmfFXBYD2ppRKbwG0OojNI1oDicOF8fulo-jmOVhiuJeoFvNgiSfP1K1xYvNVZmEdmWHw5aVaQzlPZU8Dp39H34zxBlNStvvHQpFIwap91Q/s400/Mal%25C3%25A1r_August%25C3%25ADn.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lt-Colonel Augustin Malar</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The newly appointed Slovak Minister of Defence, Colonel Catlos, in his first Order of the Day requested a peaceful separation of the Czech and Slovak forces, thanking the Czechs for the help given to the Slovak state and assured that any that wished to remain would be welcome. Most Czechs returned home, although by this time their homes had become a part of a Reich protectorate.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Between 1939-1942 the Slovaks expanded their officer pool up to a total of 1,537 officers, achieved by the end of 1942. Of these 432 were former Czech officers, 27 were reinstated Slovak officers, 532 Slovak reservists, 333 promoted NCO's and 212 Military Academy graduates (amongst whom were 36 Germans and 51 Czechs).</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Slovak army was reduced in size in 1939 from 15 infantry regiments and four mountain regiments to five infantry regiments and six independent infantry battalions which were subsequently reorganised into three regiments. The peace time strength of the army was planned to be a total of 25,000 to be expanded up to 52,000 in times of war.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlgi4kXPXjU6emOYLDt8oW3S3W5QGZJUMUjX8FY_5wBj5weaIRlMuY-7h_oTtKEdPjV47JOEBiu3zwrJZKRlokwpxUdj2NUIDHejUOJZ82nQUYmD-ErCFj-pn5HhCy2g_rUeXtFEGfxM-/s1600/tumblr_nksu1hoIF41t3fxp0o1_r1_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlgi4kXPXjU6emOYLDt8oW3S3W5QGZJUMUjX8FY_5wBj5weaIRlMuY-7h_oTtKEdPjV47JOEBiu3zwrJZKRlokwpxUdj2NUIDHejUOJZ82nQUYmD-ErCFj-pn5HhCy2g_rUeXtFEGfxM-/s640/tumblr_nksu1hoIF41t3fxp0o1_r1_640.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak infantry on parade</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Each of the infantry units had assigned VKPL (Velkych Kulometu Proti Letadlum) companies armed with 2cm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns. The 3rd Armoured Battalion, the main combat unit of the 3rd Mobile Division was renamed the 'Martin' Armoured Battalion remaining in its original depot area along with the 3rd Bicycle Battalion. The army was provided with an anti-tank battalion with three companies. The army's cavalry was restructured into three cavalry squadrons of two troops each, three horse drawn transport squadrons and a dedicated stud farm. Engineers were concentrated into a single regiment of two battalions (with an additional battalion of reserves). There were also three communications battalions covering the telegraph and radio needs of the army. The Motor transport regiment had three groups with a replacement group in addition to the front line serving three battalions.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vw-F5zWnyCAxjl7dQsGNa0z054tL_Odz7t49sfFxP2Bfb7VP7RTza3-lV_jYGS4TINdXAa6v_zL7IiLDm8U1_QAbM1R8j0pLOiu0wPa8DcFwqbuKvsEmidmBHm8QDbEShs3IvSclOTyL/s1600/Czechs1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1280" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Vw-F5zWnyCAxjl7dQsGNa0z054tL_Odz7t49sfFxP2Bfb7VP7RTza3-lV_jYGS4TINdXAa6v_zL7IiLDm8U1_QAbM1R8j0pLOiu0wPa8DcFwqbuKvsEmidmBHm8QDbEShs3IvSclOTyL/s640/Czechs1939.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak heavy machine gun section with its two Schwarzlose M1907/24 heavy machine guns</td></tr>
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The army's artillery was provided for by six artillery regiments and an anti-aircraft regiment,whilst the airforce (at this time a constituent part of the army) was organised into the 3rd Air Regiment comprising four groups and twelve squadrons.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBO8pPkhiiZdpDfdRQHbL_c5q8FPvyM3pUh2MzSSyk4nzZoGFfnrndsXTKtKbMpHq-f2uEiAhHBzbKqVmAWYm1l5FuOPmRL6zGt1bJXj2cHplk5nnugijBpz-r6VIr6X91w_p6REbNURv/s1600/Letov+S-328+Squadron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1000" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBO8pPkhiiZdpDfdRQHbL_c5q8FPvyM3pUh2MzSSyk4nzZoGFfnrndsXTKtKbMpHq-f2uEiAhHBzbKqVmAWYm1l5FuOPmRL6zGt1bJXj2cHplk5nnugijBpz-r6VIr6X91w_p6REbNURv/s640/Letov+S-328+Squadron.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letov S-328 Squadron hidden at a Forward Air Base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On top of all of this there existed a whole raft of clerical and logistical service provisions such as clergy, railways and arms depots spread across the state.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Jj3uTgrDft43mQyfzKa5I9mxY3EB3KhUzQDSFE7DLji6i00l94Lv04XUHJ7uab8MkEFFxSarBVBPvRvZ0ckFAwgoEHYLVS7aRnpa4Yvu7dzMGIdnT2A5sQE-1G7jQ3b1W1yVf9gmrpF/s1600/36590651_1574375076008248_1368990962692390912_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1080" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3Jj3uTgrDft43mQyfzKa5I9mxY3EB3KhUzQDSFE7DLji6i00l94Lv04XUHJ7uab8MkEFFxSarBVBPvRvZ0ckFAwgoEHYLVS7aRnpa4Yvu7dzMGIdnT2A5sQE-1G7jQ3b1W1yVf9gmrpF/s640/36590651_1574375076008248_1368990962692390912_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last Slovak armoured train in existence. Surviving the Slovak uprising 'Hurban' is now a museum piece in Zvolen</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Each higher unit within the Slovak army maintained its original Czechoslovak established replacement unit. An infantry regiment for example, had a battalion as its replacement pool, an artillery regiment had an artillery group, an independent battalion had a company, an air force regiment had a group and so on. These replacement units maintained lists of all of their reservists, which also formed the mobilisation roster, with the replacement unit usually garrisoned near its main units headquarters where their arms and equipment would also be stored. During war time the replacement units would remain in their peacetime garrisons and train new recruits, both draftees and reservists, from whom replacement columns would be formed and sent to the front to replace the losses of their main units.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwA3H3VjF7ONnCcsRrDWHSIV0EL5nd9Dz8R2mIeXDHgHSbBwN3zjirgfNARPLE4qa4NNr2QuEGQY9A4Q398wKwqHAT47Z7SeWlXzMTvz2CUe9iMBV9J_yFSTtJTXE2rU-DBtpf3VrM7ds/s1600/8%252C35cm+Flak+22%2528t%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="824" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwA3H3VjF7ONnCcsRrDWHSIV0EL5nd9Dz8R2mIeXDHgHSbBwN3zjirgfNARPLE4qa4NNr2QuEGQY9A4Q398wKwqHAT47Z7SeWlXzMTvz2CUe9iMBV9J_yFSTtJTXE2rU-DBtpf3VrM7ds/s640/8%252C35cm+Flak+22%2528t%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A battery of 8.35cm vz.22 anti aircraft guns (albeit in German use... but what a great photo of the guns!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>After Poland</b><br />
<br />
Once the invasion of Poland had been concluded the MNO (Ministerstvo Narodnej Obrany - Ministry of National Defence) began a reorganisation of the army, starting in November 1939 and continuing through the first months of 1940. The MNO itself was reorganised along with the six independent infantry battalions being abolished and replaced by four new infantry regiments (6th,7th,8th and 9th). The number of artillery regiments was decreased to four with AR4 and AR52 being disbanded whilst many army support units were raised such as an air regiment, an anti-aircraft regiment, an armoured regiment, an automobile regiment and an engineer regiment. Aside from all of these AR51 became an infantry regiment and cavalry reconnaissance groups were established. The services formed central quartermasters and armaments depots.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbq8N-dbtb90b-T7ATkq5maZocfFDEyQtJ63hDSltRdSGwY4ZGIBhwVeFN0o60WMZb_MwQ-aN_XmJdhcf_XM8X6c-O1jMz8Nq6WXOZzuB_cQH516gzd78XhXY404JQxJh7PG3qdvy35Da/s1600/pict5394iw4_zps8c67f77e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="762" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbq8N-dbtb90b-T7ATkq5maZocfFDEyQtJ63hDSltRdSGwY4ZGIBhwVeFN0o60WMZb_MwQ-aN_XmJdhcf_XM8X6c-O1jMz8Nq6WXOZzuB_cQH516gzd78XhXY404JQxJh7PG3qdvy35Da/s640/pict5394iw4_zps8c67f77e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak 10cm vz.30 battery laying the hammer down in the Soviet Union in 1941</td></tr>
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From October 1940 the MNO was again reorganised as its Headquarters was abolished along with the Military Administration and the Administration of Labour Units. In place of the disbanded headquarters, the Army and Air Force Headquarters was formed externally to the MNO.<br />
<br />
The army's three divisions were reorganised into two and the number of infantry regiments was again lowered from nine to six with the 7th, 8th and 9th IR's being disbanded. Also disbanded were the Bicycle mounted battalion, Cavalry reconnaissance group II, the headquarters of the Engineer regiment, the II armour regiment and the automobile regiment.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXho89UeTeF4PE-Vwc0z7fuowJknkFCbaZWpkMc589MJtGW1Yw_45b_IAb7CMrAZyI3tmRhsPxslUbcdzHFbYG2oSilC5MOLcKjzBB-nSCZ3vynxBDmenlG59dzUBDU_44y8IkGtZlAIf1/s1600/tumblr_nlkqmihnAs1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="798" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXho89UeTeF4PE-Vwc0z7fuowJknkFCbaZWpkMc589MJtGW1Yw_45b_IAb7CMrAZyI3tmRhsPxslUbcdzHFbYG2oSilC5MOLcKjzBB-nSCZ3vynxBDmenlG59dzUBDU_44y8IkGtZlAIf1/s640/tumblr_nlkqmihnAs1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak bicycle battalion on the 'march'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The new organisation of the army specified the formation of corps and army level organisations. The Corps level units consisted of the Armoured Regiment, the 11th and 12th Artillery Regiments, the 11th Engineer Battalion, 11th Communications Battalion, 11th Automobile Battalion, 11th Decontamination Company and other supporting organisations and units.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuWTWz4zNzfCx61Rn7gNS6nC88plVfbsHerBziay20bzWdyJM6mPHGfuXnmUh4cW8jzxjRrzunuf3S9tkVfwkdAnTDBedBBipTu1OoI4dQQexMl6VEeoMcDLj1jNXJgG56595MlA-KPfV/s1600/tumblr_mx4wb73PtE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1164" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuWTWz4zNzfCx61Rn7gNS6nC88plVfbsHerBziay20bzWdyJM6mPHGfuXnmUh4cW8jzxjRrzunuf3S9tkVfwkdAnTDBedBBipTu1OoI4dQQexMl6VEeoMcDLj1jNXJgG56595MlA-KPfV/s640/tumblr_mx4wb73PtE1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having to rescue an LT vz.35 from an attempt to ford a river in the Soviet Union</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Army level units consisted of the Presidential Guard, the Central Armoury, the Military Medical Depot, the Central Quartermasters Depot, the Military Chemical and Technical Institute and the Military Stud Farm amongst other organisations including the military schools.<br />
<br />
The ethnic Germans living in Slovakia also had their own FS units, the Freiwilige Schutzdienst, a lightly armed civilian volunteer organisation. They wore standard Slovak uniforms except for the fact that they sported Swastikas on their collars. As time went by the majority of them opted to serve with the SS instead of serving in the Slovak army (almost all of whom served in the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Mountain Regiment. Over 6,000 of them ended up serving in the SS.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuOxauWlb6A_8aVR1U9kWo4FnYlcwlH3C_Gut_U0X-zHwbQGoVjb5j6BNSiKxg2qF7iG44awbqguVLwefswCgcBJAhg-mjxnZdfCFG6eCwZQEn7zIKlCSvmj5kIxMC2KDFy9gguscEyUM/s1600/The_deserving_soldiers_of_the_Slovakian_Army_being_decorated_by_Slovakian_General_Catlos.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="541" data-original-width="760" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjuOxauWlb6A_8aVR1U9kWo4FnYlcwlH3C_Gut_U0X-zHwbQGoVjb5j6BNSiKxg2qF7iG44awbqguVLwefswCgcBJAhg-mjxnZdfCFG6eCwZQEn7zIKlCSvmj5kIxMC2KDFy9gguscEyUM/s640/The_deserving_soldiers_of_the_Slovakian_Army_being_decorated_by_Slovakian_General_Catlos.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethnic German troops enrolled into the Slovak army</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Wehrmacht military mission in Slovakia had their instructors distributed amongst all Slovak military units, but as they usually had no ability to speak the Slovak language their ability to affect both the training or the spirit of the army ended up being negligible especially as the army was still very much steeped in the traditions of the Czechoslovakian armed forces.<br />
<br />
The <b>Mobile Group</b> was formed on 22 June 1941 and comprised:<br />
<br />
Headquarters<br />
Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron II<br />
Armoured Battalion (2 companies of tanks and 2 of anti-tank guns)<br />
Artillery Battalion I/11<br />
Infantry Battalion II/6<br />
Communications Company<br />
Engineer Platoon<br />
Staff Automobile Platoon<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2vnlDVw003T7E2nvXh0uUENcS2xlYE2QvQIKkCi52MZALXwrSagSa0uTN7qmWJWkBU0yTIgTG5GDhMgDf7uvAdbsLJajmiYU7M46y48VMJbeC8bkvQFKkpkOloFM9il1lpq-mIcbJqaI/s1600/1493328731_oz-30+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="690" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2vnlDVw003T7E2nvXh0uUENcS2xlYE2QvQIKkCi52MZALXwrSagSa0uTN7qmWJWkBU0yTIgTG5GDhMgDf7uvAdbsLJajmiYU7M46y48VMJbeC8bkvQFKkpkOloFM9il1lpq-mIcbJqaI/s640/1493328731_oz-30+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak armour in pre-war manoeuvres showing the whole range of armour the Slovaks possessed in 1939</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the <b>Field Corps</b> was also assembled and placed under the command of General Catlos and comprised the following:<br />
<br />
<b>Headquarters</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1st Infantry Division</b><br />
1st, 2nd & 3rd Infantry Regiments<br />
1st Artillery Regiment<br />
1st Engineer Battalion<br />
1st Communications Battalion<br />
14th Light Anti-Aircraft Company<br />
1st Anti-Tank Company<br />
Cavalry Troop I<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuuPkPV9-JF04XWVrrUJOkTwwRE3uHM2CRsWZKOy8KJ9wpGMLx1aubUfTkKlMI_PtFG8QoOnM7DqktCdqE3zjhMk7TGXLtMNpRgWScqiNCfWU_Qpy_lMsBs-CFATLIPe8N33ugT3W76_G/s1600/Slovak+Cavalry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="554" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuuPkPV9-JF04XWVrrUJOkTwwRE3uHM2CRsWZKOy8KJ9wpGMLx1aubUfTkKlMI_PtFG8QoOnM7DqktCdqE3zjhMk7TGXLtMNpRgWScqiNCfWU_Qpy_lMsBs-CFATLIPe8N33ugT3W76_G/s640/Slovak+Cavalry+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak Cavalry Reconnaissance Group fording a river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>2nd Infantry Division</b><br />
4th, 5th & 6th Infantry Regiments<br />
2nd Artillery Regiment<br />
2nd Engineer Battalion<br />
2nd Communications Battalion<br />
15th Light Anti-Aircraft Company<br />
2nd Anti-Tank Company<br />
Cavalry Troops II<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Zs9i8oLtvpaw_NHqc2KYejGI2oqEIGRqIklOJybMqzO5SUyewIHr0ZXb5CeeNwKOzjT4WOe8NopBuK7tBtiac_rfzrU7zE1K6A4oc7D7qBIByzzcIPhmX1jMRslDUA_R-1XTeBEcGZq/s1600/vz37_137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="464" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-Zs9i8oLtvpaw_NHqc2KYejGI2oqEIGRqIklOJybMqzO5SUyewIHr0ZXb5CeeNwKOzjT4WOe8NopBuK7tBtiac_rfzrU7zE1K6A4oc7D7qBIByzzcIPhmX1jMRslDUA_R-1XTeBEcGZq/s640/vz37_137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great view of a Slovak 3.7cm vz36 anti tank gun being set up to fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Army Units</b><br />
Headquarters<br />
12th Artillery Regiment<br />
11th Tank Company (24x LT vz.35 tanks)<br />
11th Armoured Car Company<br />
12th Anti-Tank Company<br />
8th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery<br />
11th Engineer Battalion<br />
11th Communications Battalion<br />
11th Quartermasters Park<br />
11th Army Hospital<br />
11th Veterinary Ambulance<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq3hG9V8EpnUaJL_TNI2DkvqURi5ZLs-sL_9hCgSLz7sX0jzW9QpVnh23MJCJ0RKeVwsznc83_QyrQuCUq9kN2ttP1Iscd8aQOQJnlDmCFehyphenhyphenQUX9uP-PLxnC25WWG1obZLhoNtiYO400/s1600/tumblr_mx451nuDQP1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="1130" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQq3hG9V8EpnUaJL_TNI2DkvqURi5ZLs-sL_9hCgSLz7sX0jzW9QpVnh23MJCJ0RKeVwsznc83_QyrQuCUq9kN2ttP1Iscd8aQOQJnlDmCFehyphenhyphenQUX9uP-PLxnC25WWG1obZLhoNtiYO400/s640/tumblr_mx451nuDQP1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak LT vz.35 light tank platoon negotiating a river in Southern Poland in 1939</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On 8 July 1941 the Mobile Group was reorganised into a <b>Mobile Brigade </b>and by 21 July comprised the following:<br />
<br />
<b>Headquarters</b><br />
<b>Motorised Reconnaissance Group</b><br />
Group Headquarters<br />
Armoured Car Platoon<br />
Anti-Tank Platoon<br />
2x Bicycle Companies<br />
Engineer Platoon<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCoqpIr4y4PB-IOfHH1lT8Ooxqw_v4tV_lTIbOwO55Ysshb6Q7BxG7hdOhDgay106KLOz3fPJMWT94UAOqxQksgdBkO2mTgsjVUSzJlPWeDhp5nKsejfuclAhCF6jQPDXNfRUL8_K4NBR/s1600/tumblr_mzm6utjXC31t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="988" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCoqpIr4y4PB-IOfHH1lT8Ooxqw_v4tV_lTIbOwO55Ysshb6Q7BxG7hdOhDgay106KLOz3fPJMWT94UAOqxQksgdBkO2mTgsjVUSzJlPWeDhp5nKsejfuclAhCF6jQPDXNfRUL8_K4NBR/s640/tumblr_mzm6utjXC31t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak pioneers using a flamethrower in the Soviet Union in 1941</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Motorised Infantry Battalion II/6</b><br />
Headquarters<br />
Radio Platoon<br />
Anti-Tank Platoon<br />
Mortar Platoon<br />
7.5cm Gun Battery<br />
3x Infantry Companies<br />
MG Company<br />
<br />
<b>Armoured Regiment</b><br />
Staff Company<br />
2x Tank Companies<br />
3x Anti-Tank Companies<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvqsnr2QYsNZCUwBV5c5uGOCXbmyp6L4DfFvh3-zyWfdmAVCAz4tYhJIscQeE0zWqFfWj3C5GkNgk-E0_35hT8d84Skn0vmnuyzBI3AFfHO9gpAEz0hOt5N3Z1OxLY9oatZL0qple-dTL/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="900" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvqsnr2QYsNZCUwBV5c5uGOCXbmyp6L4DfFvh3-zyWfdmAVCAz4tYhJIscQeE0zWqFfWj3C5GkNgk-E0_35hT8d84Skn0vmnuyzBI3AFfHO9gpAEz0hOt5N3Z1OxLY9oatZL0qple-dTL/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak LT vz.35 tank company lined up in column before the war</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Artillery Battalion I/11</b> (later the whole of AR11)<br />
Headquarters<br />
Radio Platoon<br />
3x 10cm Howitzer Batteries<br />
1x 10.5cm Battery<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JgJBIlbm6bbx2Nks1J31eUdU428JWBr3si-Euy4bgcDA3Ip4XyA-p6vRAz-T6GvrPM6U7NSmuELInzZYdDrnQ38S5XJY1HKzfqCF9Q8FMnc4BC1DPQKNwMNvR1mf8SnK6og5G_xFbJUL/s1600/10.5cm+vz.35+in+action+at+Lipovets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="989" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JgJBIlbm6bbx2Nks1J31eUdU428JWBr3si-Euy4bgcDA3Ip4XyA-p6vRAz-T6GvrPM6U7NSmuELInzZYdDrnQ38S5XJY1HKzfqCF9Q8FMnc4BC1DPQKNwMNvR1mf8SnK6og5G_xFbJUL/s640/10.5cm+vz.35+in+action+at+Lipovets.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak 10.5cm vz.35 howitzer set up in its firing position in the Soviet Union in 1941</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Engineer Company<br />
Radio Company Anti-Aircraft Battery 15<br />
Automobile Field Repair<br />
Truck Column 315<br />
<br />
Following the battle for Lipovec, the Mobile Brigade was stripped of its armour which was sent back to Slovakia for 'repairs' whilst the remaining parts of the Brigade were incorporated into the nascent <b>Mobile Division</b>:<br />
<br />
<b>Headquarters</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Infantry Regiment 20</b><br />
2x Infantry Battalions<br />
HMG Company<br />
Mortar Company<br />
Anti-Tank Company<br />
7.5cm Gun Battery<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfqWo-Q_wLxOf86A8LdVVtO2OV1XDjvMWCZJxys_E_AR-fcK9Nz2ViUsntzzphOE8FyncFsHCES-cA-o2SmJJjbUYzblup8h7cQ2zEYxed1i_eWUh4NoWCvx_NLzZEhpfOi41gU4eg_Yg/s1600/7.5cm+mountain+gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="553" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfqWo-Q_wLxOf86A8LdVVtO2OV1XDjvMWCZJxys_E_AR-fcK9Nz2ViUsntzzphOE8FyncFsHCES-cA-o2SmJJjbUYzblup8h7cQ2zEYxed1i_eWUh4NoWCvx_NLzZEhpfOi41gU4eg_Yg/s640/7.5cm+mountain+gun.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak 7.5cm vz.15 mountain gun set up and ready for action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Infantry Regiment 21</b><br />
2x Infantry Battalions<br />
HMG Company<br />
Mortar Company<br />
Anti-Tank Company</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<b>Artillery Regiment 11</b><br />
4x 10cm vz.30 Howitzer Batteries<br />
1x 10.5cm vz.35 Gun Battery<br />
<br />
<b>Reconnaissance Group 11</b><br />
Bicyclist Company<br />
Anti-Tank Platoon<br />
HMG Platoon<br />
<br />
<b>Anti-Aircraft Group</b><br />
8th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (with 88mm AA Guns)<br />
15th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhcaQecMoEBkl1XI8aRMgfkfx1KlysEde0DufBCeFqjpDbixWO80IKLYrs6PMcPEX3CWHqwZ8dQZZKYRyNkN0vXyx89TRACgh298vuXeEvMpdaWFlQaIfLurG2mCK1NO8w3QETwU0Wnnb/s1600/tumblr_n6vacvI9jX1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="800" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhcaQecMoEBkl1XI8aRMgfkfx1KlysEde0DufBCeFqjpDbixWO80IKLYrs6PMcPEX3CWHqwZ8dQZZKYRyNkN0vXyx89TRACgh298vuXeEvMpdaWFlQaIfLurG2mCK1NO8w3QETwU0Wnnb/s640/tumblr_n6vacvI9jX1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak 2cm vz.36 set up and ready to rock and roll!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Radio Battalion 2</b><br />
<b>Engineer Battalion 11</b><br />
<b>Mountain Battery 11</b><br />
<b>Anti-Tank Company 11</b><br />
<b>Automotive Workshop</b><br />
<b>Quartermasters</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The strength of the Mobile Division was expanded from 6,712 men to 8,741 men between April and November 1942.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Err_rMS1U7YV0ApD9Tu8njKsJgOaagY59EOI7RWtBBxqSTo7TFQIxcfG35ON1Fksvle8oy1jylp6WhAMgsAuqFVmUEBkn-QtgquD5hZwkW_e_1SqnrdWXJBH3urwtRnfKgoM4-4PKw8Y/s1600/tumblr_ng9wkx4ci31t3fxp0o1_r1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="653" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Err_rMS1U7YV0ApD9Tu8njKsJgOaagY59EOI7RWtBBxqSTo7TFQIxcfG35ON1Fksvle8oy1jylp6WhAMgsAuqFVmUEBkn-QtgquD5hZwkW_e_1SqnrdWXJBH3urwtRnfKgoM4-4PKw8Y/s640/tumblr_ng9wkx4ci31t3fxp0o1_r1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battle weary Slovak troops marching through the Ukraine in 1941.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On 1 September 1941 the 2nd Infantry Division became the <b>Security Division</b> and by 25 November comprised the following:<br />
<br />
<b>Headquarters</b><br />
<b>Infantry Regiment 101</b><br />
<b>Infantry Regiment 102</b><br />
<b>Replacement Battalion</b><br />
<b>Combined Reconnaissance Group</b><br />
<b>31st Artillery Regiment</b><br />
<b>1st Communication Battalion</b><br />
<b>11th Railway Construction Company</b><br />
<b>3rd Engineer Company</b><br />
<b>14th Anti-Aircraft Battery</b><br />
<b>Divisional Armourers Park</b><br />
<b>Field Bakery</b><br />
<b>Field Slaughterhouse</b><br />
<b>Medical Company</b><br />
<b>Field Hospital</b><br />
<b>Decontamination Column</b><br />
<b>Veterinary Ambulance</b><br />
<br />
By April 1942 the Security Division had a strength of 8,082 men however a continuing problem with desertion resulted in a strength of only 7,745 men by November of that year.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9BCIY0GsVzzmgBtmwGO_I8GlODjSoXmAMsRwE1OX2PSPXSrcDDHBZ1K1D49F0MceQhZaENZAcYbXAtq3YrEtk89TI-YMhiwMXtbhT4FSV8BW2lbByQI36xPen_l6Gh0oAot1us9exKav/s1600/slowak_troops.300612_180428_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="553" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9BCIY0GsVzzmgBtmwGO_I8GlODjSoXmAMsRwE1OX2PSPXSrcDDHBZ1K1D49F0MceQhZaENZAcYbXAtq3YrEtk89TI-YMhiwMXtbhT4FSV8BW2lbByQI36xPen_l6Gh0oAot1us9exKav/s640/slowak_troops.300612_180428_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak artillery battery in transit...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The Mobile Division and the Security Division were both placed under German operational control although their administration remained wholly Slovakian. The elite Mobile Division fought in campaigns such as Lemberg (Lvov), Kiev and on the Mius during the winter of 41-42 where one German officer is reported as saying that he found the Slovaks to be "brave soldiers with very good discipline" which when one considers their Czechoslovakian doctrine should not be surprising. The Mobile Division was always well thought of by the Germans and was consistently deployed into front line roles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72d2_zpdw2ngFjTM_Q85FpXD4-TjVhz30SV4uyKys1M40FwrkM_wDb6DQHj3vpqni98TEK38DSnKGZhOq2uHeK1IJi8s1j2013-IryldZErCEL2w3gLon7AO6U2m8XU1O_elyRa00-bOl/s1600/tumblr_mz5crxFo1q1t3fxp0o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="500" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72d2_zpdw2ngFjTM_Q85FpXD4-TjVhz30SV4uyKys1M40FwrkM_wDb6DQHj3vpqni98TEK38DSnKGZhOq2uHeK1IJi8s1j2013-IryldZErCEL2w3gLon7AO6U2m8XU1O_elyRa00-bOl/s640/tumblr_mz5crxFo1q1t3fxp0o1_500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slovak troops advance through the vast wheat fields of the Ukraine in 1941</td></tr>
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The Slovak units fighting along the Eastern Front suffered very heavy casualties and by mid '43 had to be withdrawn to be deployed into security duties. As a result of this morale in the army slumped and both divisions began to lose men to desertion hand over fist. In 1944 they were put into reserve, disarmed and converted into construction brigades. Meanwhile the Slovaks had reorganised themselves into two divisions (1st & 2nd Infantry Divisions) in order to be able to defend the Carpathian passes. A third was also forming in central Slovakia when the partisan movement initiated the rising in late August '44. This was unfortunately premature from the army's point of view and the Germans were able to disarm the two field divisions completely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XkSst5ifrnhNw-IcAiNaMMju3TYMjmRAdieWjd_kc5hhP3_v55p1r57FqffRUNhmPHA0KUwbyWX_fP_7uaFsNf5wuzJD4amF-dIt-n5rh5l8G-Ufh8c4X0vVJ3g0ckgNnr9e2yquwZdM/s1600/Security+Division.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="524" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XkSst5ifrnhNw-IcAiNaMMju3TYMjmRAdieWjd_kc5hhP3_v55p1r57FqffRUNhmPHA0KUwbyWX_fP_7uaFsNf5wuzJD4amF-dIt-n5rh5l8G-Ufh8c4X0vVJ3g0ckgNnr9e2yquwZdM/s640/Security+Division.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak Security Division trooper on patrol</td></tr>
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Through the course of the war much of Slovakia was devastated by American, British and German bombing all of which was exacerbated by the Slovak Rising as well as the military offenses and counter-offenses that raged across the land to be finally crushed under the Soviet boot and occupied...<br />
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After signing the Treaty of Paris, Slovakia lost its independence, being once again reunified with the Czech Republic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtMr6cu6UqTuFOxknBVDVza2igsHhgrg_8bleRWlWh6wXHOeWbPgI_z27l1-qnBHPXghf4zc9T-r5NFHdX9JQaBrIjs9Fil-ESpXR25CKaGAk6SIhKO8NaVGhws4Bw2HMMhBRYS9vV8Ax/s1600/tumblr_nc77lyVHqi1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="689" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtMr6cu6UqTuFOxknBVDVza2igsHhgrg_8bleRWlWh6wXHOeWbPgI_z27l1-qnBHPXghf4zc9T-r5NFHdX9JQaBrIjs9Fil-ESpXR25CKaGAk6SIhKO8NaVGhws4Bw2HMMhBRYS9vV8Ax/s640/tumblr_nc77lyVHqi1t3fxp0o1_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A classic view of a Slovak LT vz.35 exhibiting its camouflage pattern</td></tr>
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Slovakia fielded an armed force that was modelled under the Czechoslovakian pre-war army and as a result of this, despite having many obstacles to overcome as the army grew into its skin was always looked at by its allies as a solid and reliable force, if a small one.<br />
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As time went by their inventory of arms and equipment became more streamlined and was supplemented by the Reich as well.<br />
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I feel that the Slovaks have always been a somewhat overlooked army of World War 2. They have interesting camouflaged vehicles, funky looking artillery pieces, great looking infantry and aircraft that would probably have struggled in the First World War. Despite all of this, they were able to take the Soviet Bear in its own back yard and hand out more than a few bloody noses!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8EY5Su6PmFmh0SLtbKkD2TAkNXWZVk-hYInQYTHtmHV7Tvbt5BVJSdwx5n2j2wRjOSVKn5dK_-RNhGkYnn_qwNyuYL6ty2adtqG1ReuMBAsOTde85onTz7SgfBEsOui4SVMJAvtQq_k1/s1600/Bayonet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8EY5Su6PmFmh0SLtbKkD2TAkNXWZVk-hYInQYTHtmHV7Tvbt5BVJSdwx5n2j2wRjOSVKn5dK_-RNhGkYnn_qwNyuYL6ty2adtqG1ReuMBAsOTde85onTz7SgfBEsOui4SVMJAvtQq_k1/s640/Bayonet.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Slovak bayonet with its supporting equipment...</td></tr>
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Well worth the look.... so where do we begin? I'm going to present a whole pack of blog posts outlining each of the things that I have done for my Slovak army... and yes there will be a LOT of repeated material in there where how to paint the bits and pieces is concerned as I want each post to stand on its own merits as a resource for anybody who wants to create each of the elements that I will be addressing. For the majority of us who read all of the posts, once you have read how I paint them the first time, the rest of the posts become more of a picture book event! :D<br />
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Watch this space (and grab your bayonet!)</div>
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<br />L. Sabia Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02897384446768129423noreply@blogger.com2