Finnish SMG Platoon

 Final infantry platoon for my Finns. 

I've slightly evolved my method for snow bases. I use a base of Woodland Scenics foam putty to build up the base and create a water absorbent surface for the next step. The top coat is AK 8011 Snow mixed with water to thin it down. A brush on coat of satin varnish give it a little luster. 

prone figures are added after the top layer of snow is partially dry

Good view of footprints on this one. These are added with a toothpick once the snow is mostly dry

Good view of the bases

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.