Finnsih Heavy Mortars

 

Here's a Finnish 120mm heavy mortar platoon.This was the last of the infantry support weapon platoons I've been working on. I've also hit my stride using the new snow basing material after experimenting with slight variations on the last few units.

might have to touch up the mortar base plate. Looks like there's a little "super glue frosting"

Snow basing was done with a combination of Woodland Scenics Foam Putty and AK Interactive Snow (AK8011). I'll get into more detail on this updated  method in the future. 

I went for the effect of several feet of snow being removed so the mortar base plate would rest on the frozen ground below. These bases ended up being rather larger. I wish I had more "stuff" like that create to fill the space.

You might have noticed that Battle Front miniature has never produced a 120mm Mortar for the Finns in winter uniforms. The mortars themselves are from the newer plastic Soviet set. The crew are a mixture of leftover artillery, infantry, and gun crew I had left over. 

Better view of the bases

Finnish T-34s

 

Completed tanks with extra turrets

I've completed the T-34s for my Finnish force. One of things I like about the Finns is you can easily use the same force for all three periods. Extra turrets were used, allowing be to field a variety of options:

• 1x T-34/76 in EW
• 2-3x T-34/76 in MW
• 3x T-34/76 or 85 in LW
• 1x T-34/85 HQ in LW
  

Inspiration for camo scheme

I used the above image as the inspiration for my camo scheme. The camo was done with Washable White (AK751). Snow effects on the tracks were done with AK8011. 

I decided not to build the proper Finnish fenders or headlights, but I did make a few modifications. 

Turret after rough texture has been added

This first was to create a rough, cast texture on the turrets. This was done by dabbing on plastic cement in little dots over the area and then stabbing at it with a stiff bristle brush. Make sure to use a brush that you don't care too much about for this (or maybe one you actually hate).

 

Before the white camo was applied. The T34/85 on the right had has addition grab handles added along the side and back of the hull.

The second bit I added was to add wire grab handles. I followed a procedure pretty close to this tutorial. I used 26 Gauge/.40mm floral wire. It comes with some sort of green coating on it that seems to take paint a little better than bare wire. 

Details of HQ tank. Many extra grab handles along the sides. The saw was removed.

Close up showing weathering on lower hull and tracks.

Close up of rear details. Mud and show added to lower hull and rear fenders. Good few of the grab handles added to top rear.

T-34/76 Platoon for MW or LW. You can also run a single tank in EW.

T-34/85 Platoon for LW.

HQ Unit for LW.

All the different winter camo schemes so far.

Finnish HMGs

 Another infantry support platoon is complete. 

I'm still experimenting with AK8011 Snow. Previously, I had heavily water it down to get a smooth surface. However, it did not do a good job of creating "bulk"; the layers ended being rather thin.

In an attempt to solve the problem, this time I spread the snow material on with a brush and tried to smooth it out with a web brush. The results were...not great.

Overall, the snow looks too lumpy.

The final batch of infantry support weapons will be a trio of 120mm mortars. Last chance to get the snow "perfect".

Finnish Lahti L-39 Anti-tank Rifles

 This month I'm trying to wrap up some infantry support weapons for the Finns. 

 

Doing small batches of three or four teams also give me a change to try out different approaches to using AK8011 Snow, rather than Woodland Scenics Foam Putty. 

The closest guy is actually a tank rider. Figures with no base are placed in after the snow mix has partially cured.

Looks like the guy with the AT gun is missing his lower jaw. Don't do smokeless tobacco, kids.

The guy on the right was placed in the snow and wiggled around a little. It creates the impression of him moving his legs around, disturbing the snow.

Not sure if anyone will notice, but I discolored the heat shields with a little Reikland Fleshwash. Most reference photos I found showed similar discoloration (I guess from the heat?)

Finnish PaK40 7.5cm Anti-tank guns

 Completed some PaK40 guns. Two units of four! 

I tried out a new material for snow on these, AK8011(snow) by AK Interactive, instead of the usual foam putty by Woodland Scenics. I would say the AK product does yield better results, but is a little more difficult to use. More details about that coming soon.

 The first pair is based in a log fortifications, similar to how I did my 76mm howitzers.

 The second pair has trees. These are actual twigs broken off so at about 1 inch so it will still fit in a foam tray.