Rommel vs Monty (North African GB 1941-43) Jan. 1 - Aug. 31 2014

Wow, that's some good info on the 1st and 2nd US Armored Divisions!  Even though I'll probably not do a Sherman, I'm saving this for future reference!  Thanks SMJ, Stik, and Jack!!

Jester75

I would like to join if thats ok. Not really sure what I would build yet, but maybe a Pz.IV? How long do we have to decide?

Glad to have you Eric. Just let me know what it is when you know.

stikpusher:  That is some very interesting background info...thank you very much for taking the time to write all that!.  I will summarize to be sure I understand:

For my tank/build:

1.  1st Armored Division went into North Africa with the Yellow Star and turret stripe at the beginning of the Torch campaign. 1st AD used a series of geometric shapes.

2.  Vehicle names often followed a rule of starting with the name of the company.

3.  Tankers had learned that the stars made good aiming points for the enemy and began covering them with mud.

Question: Do you know the letters (Companies) I could/ should choose from for a 1st Armored Division Tank?

jgeratic:  Thanks for chiming in, I added the markings to my build folder!

That chart posted by Jack lists all the Tank Companies in 1st Armored Divisions two Armored Regiments, along with their assigned geometric insignia. The Regiments were orgnaized identically with three Battalions:

1st Battalion: HQ Co., A (Able) Co., B (Baker) Co., and C (Charlie) Co.;

2nd Battalion: HQ Co., D (Dog) Co, E (Easy) Co., and F (Fox) Co. ;

3rd Battalion: HQ Co.,  G (George) Co., H (Howe) Co., and I (Item) Co.

stikpusher:  OK, let's see if I can put this all together...

If I chose the name "Houdini", it would be a 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division, 3rd Battalion vehicle and I would use the "I" symbol leaning to the right with the circle to the right of the "I and half-way up the "I", correct?  

I would like to join with two entries. A kubelwagen and an early tiger. I have both kits and extras. Let me know if I'm not too late. The Tiger is a Tamiya offering. A Tiger I initial production.Kit # (35)227 with Fruile tracks a metal barrel and lots of other goodies. The kubelwagen is a Dragon kit. I need to dig it out for the kit number.

Scott

Steve, looks like you got it - I can easily follow your breakdown when following the link to the geometric symbols.

It appears from this orbat that the 1st battalion of each regiment was composed of light tanks (Stuarts?), with only the 2nd and 3rd battalions being mediums:

http://niehorster.orbat.com/013_usa/42_org/div-arm_42/da_tank__rgt.html

regards,

Jack

SMJ, "Houdini" could be a tank in Howe Company, 1st Armored Regiment (angled bar, centered circle) or 13th Armored Regiment (angled bar, centered square), but yes, you have the system down correct.

Jack, I would have to see if I could fnd TO&E tables for a US Armored Regiment from that timeframe, but originally in North Africa, they were very heavy (no pun intended) on Light tanks in equipment. More than 1/3 of the regiment I believe. That changed as the campaign showed how inadequete those were in reality.

Chazzer

I would like to join with two entries. A kubelwagen and an early tiger. I have both kits and extras. Let me know if I'm not too late. The Tiger is a Tamiya offering. A Tiger I initial production.Kit # (35)227 with Fruile tracks a metal barrel and lots of other goodies. The kubelwagen is a Dragon kit. I need to dig it out for the kit number.

Scott

Nice to have you Scott and your entries.

Just a quick update on my proposed build for this GB since I've found a few aftermarket items.  The kit is the DML 6394;

which can be built as either of 6 eastern front PzIII_J vehicles or 2 from the DAK.  I have chosen 3.Pz8.15thPz Division around Tobruk in May 1942.  Some aftermarket items that will be included are sand armor;

Friulmodel tracks;

an aluminum barrel;

some tow cables;

and a few figures selected from these sets;

Ready to go on Jan 1. 

Don

That looks sweet Don.

Hey Tigerman, confirm no aircraft in this GB? Armor & figures only?

Yah  Carlos, I'm leaning armor on this one. Armor to me  was more defining of the campaign.

That's cool. I just had such a good time with the Hurricane that I just built and have a RAF Desert Air Force version in my stash...

stikpusher:  I checked the kit decals and it includes the yellow angled bar with the circle...just like I need for "Houdini" (I think...).  It also includes the names "Hannibal" and "Honky Tonk" both in white. 

I'd rather hand paint the name "Houdini" versus using the kit decals and I'm OK with masking/spraying as needed to make the the angled bar & dot white.

I'm trying really hard to get this all figured out so please bear with me...I think I have three versions to work with now , will you please confirm my summaries:

1.  Major Jim, changed to Houdini:

2. with Houdini added, in white

3. No Houdini?...or could I add it in yellow on the hull?

Bump.

About a month until the GB kicks off. I still haven't opened the box, because I'm not 100% sure that I will build the Dragon Pz III H. Pretty sure I will do it, but the panzerjaeger I looks intriguing as well, but those tiny tracks.....

Going to be digging mine out this weekend and make sure I have everything I need. For the first time I did a base for a Med based aircraft the other day and I like the effect so much, I am going to do the same for my Pz III, only with larger stones added. I have a couple of other builds to do first, but this one won't be far away.

I think I'm leaning towards something from Italy, so if anyone is interested in shaking some sand out of their Italian made sandals, here are a couple TO&E charts for their Bersaglieri battalions.  

http://www.ghqmodels.com/pdf/Italy/Italian%20Bersaglieri%20Infantry%20Bttn.%20%281941%29.pdf

http://www.ghqmodels.com/pdf/Italy/Italian%20Bersaglieri%20Infantry%20Bttn.%20%281942-43%29.pdf

Three battalions would make up a regiment, and in turn a regiment would be found attached to either a motorized infantry division, or a tank division.  If I read the charts correctly, the parent formation (Div.) would dictate the equipment type of the Bersaglieri supporting units. 

So I put this together as a guide if I were to do a tank vehicle representing Bersaglieri within an armoured division:

regards,

Jack

One month to go boys. It's going to go quickly. Looking forward to the distraction.

Against my better judgment I'll sign up. Put me down for a Esci MK.I Bishop.

OK, I've been mulling this over for a few weeks, but I need to make a decision, so here's my entry:

Dragon 1/35 Pz.Kpfw.I Ausf.B DAK Version

I think there are a couple of AM parts in the box, but other than that it will be built mostly OOB. 

Glad to have you GreySnake. Thanks too, for your entry Ernest.

bump

Is anyone else getting excited?  

Well it hasnt even started yet and there are 14 pages here... I think the answer is yes.

That's defiantly a good sign.

Yes, I am. I'm so busy with work until the end of the year. I need to do more to stimulate the GB. Sorry guys.

14 pages says a lot!  I am so excited about getting started on my SECOND armor build!  The first is going great!  Now, off to look for a Rommel figure!

Eagle90

Eagle90

 Now, off to look for a Rommel figure!

Tamiya has Field Marshal Rommel in 1/35 plastic in the Commanders figure set and also in the Sd.kfz.250/3 GREIF (MM113) kit.

p.s. if you're in the U.S. and can't find one, let me know - I'll send you mine.

Tamiya also did a newer 1/35 Rommel figure set that is sold with a late war German Rifleman.

Hey pyrman64 and stks, I looked those up and they are great looking kits!  Thanks for the heads up.  I may check out evilbay and see if I can't sneak in on an auction and get one for a decent price...or maybe Squadron during the holidays!  Thanks again!

Eagle90