Just as a break from the show report and before I type up our game (which both sides claim the other has won)> here are some WW2 Western Desert vehicles. While they were originally British so many items were used by each side that perhaps it is not as clear cut as that.
Starting with an SHQ Vickers mark 6 The light tank Mk 6 was produced by Vickers Armstrong while not the best tank of the time by any means it did serve quite adequately until it was replaced. This is an old model and has been painted by me three times (this being the last time). The model is by SHQ and does come in a variety of makes each with different weapons. This is the Mark c and is part of my old collection repainted. LINK (http://www.shqminiatures.co.uk ). 
I have also finished a Tilley. this is by Frontline Wargaming (http://www.frontlinewargaming.co.uk/) And is one of the smaller ww2 vehicles that was used in the western desert. It also had far more commercial use and was used as a shop van as often as not. But in the western Desert you used what you could and while you may complain it was better than walking. Perhaps used as a staff car or more likely a crew transport it is quite easy to imagine these being all over North Africa and being used by every side. It was used as a shop van in civilian life perhaps delivering bread or perhaps used to carry workers to dig up the road. However in the Western Desert it could be anything from a staff car to a light tow to bomb disposal or even carry a mortar and crew across the desert. Yes and some were used as staff cars as well.
Just a useful light truck used in the war and for many years afterwards .
The Tilly is by Frontline wargaming and the MK 6 is by SHQ. Just click the links to be taken to them each respectively. I will do a battle report in 2 days time to finish the Broadside show off. That's for looking and with luck I will see you soon.
All the best Clint
I have to say I like the vehicles Clint. Nice to see some of the smaller vehicles which were used historically and probably not first choice in a lot of gamer's collections. [is the anachronistic flag a conscious choice?]
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy. because they were repaints from my VBCW collection the flag is from that. I just did not change it and I hoped no one would notice... Oh well. You did.
DeleteI am not going to change it though even if it is completely wrong. HAHA
Whoops. Sorry :))
DeleteI only spotted it due to having used said flag on a 1798 British Royal Naval squadron. If it hadn't been for naval gaming it would have passed over my head
No worries mate. I am sure it would have been spotted by someone. But from my point of view easier not to change the flag. So I Let it go!
DeleteThank you Tamsin. Always more to do..... best get on.
ReplyDeleteGreat vehicles Clint, very atmospheric, with great information as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave. Just little additions to the force.
DeleteBoth great Clint, but I just love that Light Tank, great job Sir.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael. Clearly that tank does not marry up to newer tank designs. And as such is not what we would call a good tank in WW2, but it is what they had and while as wargamers we may all want bigger tanks with better guns this is just what they guys fought with in the early war.
Deletevery nice indeed, Clint. I think the tank edges it for me, but that must be quite the Desert War collection you're collecting. Keep 'em coming, and looking forward to your AAR - you always write these up so very well :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon. As I am dyslexic that is praise indeed. There will be an AAR on the game at the show in a few days. There is more WW2 coming, but it is not started yet so you will need to be patient
DeleteI just love seeing these soft-skins and what a variety there isiout there in the western desert, The vickers has to beone of my favourite tanks for all its inadequacies.
ReplyDeleteI think I remember a Tilley van being used to sell fruit and veg from, door to door, in my junior years too.
Thanks Joe. I suspect many of us will recall the Tilley being used in our youth back in England. I do as well.
DeleteI also have a soft spot for the Vickers. There is something of it's time that makes it feel so real as a tank design. A time when men built and designed tanks not computers.
Lovely stuff mate.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lee. Got to have a break from WW2 for a small while... but I shall return.
DeleteA very informative post about two lesser known WW2 vehicles.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryan. I think I prefer the lesser known vehicles. The Tilly's were in common usage after the war in commercial settings, I am sure they have been on Heart Beat! (For example)
DeleteWhile the Vickers VI was used in the western desert by a number of Regiments (3rd Royal Tank Regiment) for example until Grants became available.