THE 319th GLIDER FIELD ARTILLERY BATTALION, B Battery
My 'Odds' box contains metal and plastic bits for scratch builds, repairs and conversions. At regular intervals I attempt to reduce the box contents, particularly of any larger items. My hope being something useful can be constructed for the gaming table.
A few months back Mark (Man of tin blog) kindly sent me a bag of unwanted Airfix WW2 figures. While I already have the American 82nd Airborne represented in my WW2 collection, I still wanted to increase their support weaponry. So the unwanted parachutists offered a possible solution, I would convert them into an artillery crew.
The 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion was attached to the 82nd Airborne. It served in Italy, the Normandy Landings, and the Battle of the Bulge. This unit operated M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzers.
I'm not claiming this is anywhere near a perfect model, but it passes muster to my eyes. And it saves me the expense of buying a 1/35 scale model kit. It is also stronger, being mainly metal.
A broken lead stile provided the artillery trail.
Small arms removed, human arms repositioned.
Royal Canadian Artillery Museum photo
Gun Mart magazine. Over 800 75mm howitzers were also supplied to British and Empire forces.
Wikimedia Commons. Carriage holes were occasionally covered by handspikes/tools.
Chris kindly picked up the following TO BUY online. Not cheap, but it answered some missing items I was keen to have in my miniature town. The cost was £19.99, which included delivery. My plan is to paint strip the brown bench and the dog, and then attach a bold red bench to the railway station, and the original green to the Railway Inn. The lead figures are a nice bonus and I'm keen to increase my street lighting. The seated boy is thought to be a Crescent or Charbens casting (?) and I will keep its original paintwork, with some repainted shoes.
SOME PLASTIC FARM FOLK
Popped into the Collectables shop on November 26. Picked up two Britains farm workers, a collie dog, and a Timpo milkmaid. Not quite a bargain at £5, I was still pleased to acquire the early Timpo milkmaid (code 1080, unbreakable, England). Have repainted this figure as the red paint errors everywhere looked rather sinister!
BLACKSMITH WORK
Have repaired the missing hammer from the lead blacksmith. After paint stripping I carved out the hand, superglued a piece of steel rod, and superglued again when dry. Drilled a piece of pewter for the hammerhead. Primed the figure, and then painted. And then another coat of superglue before basing and varnishing. It is now stronger than the original casting. The blacksmith's hand was too thin to risk drilling.
A FEW MORE AIRFIX JAPANESE ARE COMPLETED
My Japanese WW2 army is presently being reconstituted, and some new figures were required. Here is a light machine gun crew for a planned redoubt. And I painted a mortar man in pale green to fit in with seven Deetail Japanese.
(Christmas upload in a few weeks.)
MGB
Nice work on the gun MGB - it looks the part to my (old) eyes. Very interesting to see the bits you made it from.
ReplyDeleteSome nice new additions also.
Cheers MJT. To buy a 1/35 scale model would cost near £20. This way, I've cleared some bits and pieces, and the Airfix figures match my 82nd Airborne battalion. It's a win-win.
DeleteMichael
Never underestimate the importance of a box for the 'odds'. I have one mostly with 3D-printed projects 'failed' or never used. Today I was sorting it and found that I had enough bits for an interesting G-scale carload. Your gun turned out really great!
ReplyDeleteI really like your Japaneese too. Nice paintwork!!
Cheers Roger. Officially, I'm striving to reduce my spares and odds, and the number of projects I want to complete. But does it ever end? I'll keep trying..... and it is fun to make something out of nothing.
DeleteMichael
Your gun and crew are magnificent Michael! Your ability to turn "odds" into art is outstanding! Your farm people and Japanese troops are all wonderful! Thank you for another great report with excellent reference photos as usual!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brad. I think you will find my Christmas post of interest, it includes some new Japanese flags (it's actually ready to upload now, but I will wait awhile). I must say, Airfix 54mm were really well designed and deserve to be painted and based. Having raised the 82nd Airborne, I had to provide some field artillery support, and this has been achieved for little or no cost (with thanks to Mark).
DeleteRegards, Michael
The gun works great, good job on it and with the crew it looks super. Some nice additions to your collection too, the benches should look good painted up and in situ, the farm folk are really hand, some nice figures there and your Japanese are great, super job on them. All in all another cracking post!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donnie, I've already fixed the farm cottage to a base and I will do the same to the Railway Inn. I can then add the green bench. Surprisingly, I'm still getting hobby and home jobs sorted despite a fair number of December house viewings! There will be a fairly large Yuletide upload in a few weeks.
DeleteMichael
Lovely work as usual Michael. Love the howitzer! A nice few acquisitions for your townscape as well. The benches were well worth acquiring. If you want some more street lights have a look at my latest post with the Temu acquisitions. If you like them I can spare a few as I bought too many.
ReplyDeleteHello Graham. It has been a bit of a mad rush here, who would have thought December would see a number of house viewings.One on Monday, one today, two more this Saturday. I'm looking forward to visiting your blog, confident I shall be both impressed and inspired. My plan on the street lighting is to acquire just a handful of old lead street lights, perhaps two or three Victorian, and two or three of the 1950s arched style (one, as seen in this post). And that really will be it. Rumour has it, Chris and I might be visiting friends later this month and it will include a toy fair. Once more you offer to help with projects, I thank you for your kindness.
DeleteMichael
You're welcome. I agree the old lead ones are the ideal.....its just finding them thats the issue!
DeleteGlad to hear the house viewings are increasing although I am surprised ,as I thought December was traditionally not a good month for such matters. Either way, I will keep my fingers crossed for you.
I guess the lead street lights are rare, this is the first one I have acquired. I have two painted Victorian brass (ornaments) that look great, and a converted resin Lemax. And now the lead 1950s type. It's a start! Unfortunately, four fifths of those viewing the property have yet to find a buyer for their own, lol. Still, at least there is some interest!
DeleteMichael
Brilliant howitzer, just the job for your airborne unit, great paint match on the Japanese mortar.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian. It will be a useful and interesting addition to any wargames involving my US WW2 collection. When time allows, I want to stage a game involving the dropping of paper circles from about four foot above the table, symbolising parachutes, and to have a large scale 54mm European WW2 wargame, That's my plan.
DeleteMichael
Impressive work with the artillery piece for the Para gun crew and also the Britains Deetail matching Japanese. Some useful and attractive civilian figures as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark. There are still another eight US Paras in the box you generously sent, I'm thinking what next to attempt. A mortar crew, or to attach them to a vehicle of some kind? We are so lucky Airfix embraced 1/32. Regards, Michael
DeleteBy the way, Mark, well impressed with your conversion work on the Airfix German Mountain troops into Norwegian WW2 An unusual and interesting project!
Deletehttps://sidetracked2017blog.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/work-in-progress-on-the-painting-desk-ww2-norwegian-infantry/
Michael
Great work - especially on the howitzer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tim, it is always a morale boost to complete a project at almost no actual cost!!!!
DeleteMichael