The carrier is from Riich Models and the figures are a mixture of Bronco and Masterbox Airborne figures. Cheers Kevin
Universal carrier and airborne troops in Hamminkeln during the landings east of the Rhine, 25 March 1945. THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH-WEST EUROPE 1944-45. © IWM (BU 2302)IWM Non Commercial Licence
I read the heading as '1/35th scale aircraft carrier'... Lawks! I thought, before realising I'm an idiot. Fine work, Kevin.
Wonderful job Kevin! There's some more information on the two photos, BU 2302 and BU 2293, in the video below which showcases the wartime album of Captain J. B. Roberts of No. 1 Platoon, 716th Light Composite Company, RASC. Some of the men are named as well. Regards ...
Here's what Captain Roberts wrote on the face of the photo showing the carrier with men (BU 2302): "277 Glider - No. 1 Para. Pl. 716 Coy RASC. 6th Airborne Divison. Haminkeln - 24. Mar. 45. Germany." And on the back of the same picture under the official description he added, "Coming from the crashed glider to the Company area we passed through the battered village of Haminkeln about 10 (?) miles from the Rhine. At this crossroads we had great difficulty in turning the carrier as the controls had been jolted on landing. Personalities here are 'Skinny' Crossman (on foot) laughing at me. Ted Moran looking warily to his left - still holding his trusty Bren. I am driving the carrier - and keeping my head down." On the back of photo BU 2293 showing the men walking single file through Hamminkeln he wrote: "Having left the carrier, we proceeded on foot towards the rendez-vous - or what we thought it may be, as things had altered from the original plan. Sgt. Moran leads with his Bren gun at the alert. I am number four and just out the picture." Regards ...
Thanks for the kind words and additional info guys. Riich currently make 3 versions of the carrier, the Mk I, II and the Airborne Mk III. I have done the Mk II which has a lovely detailed engine and the Mk III. The Mk III has no engine but has PE side and rear body panels and engine cover panels. If you enjoy modelling they are a nice build, a little fiddly in places, but great fun. Cheers Kevin
Kevin, I came across your post and would like to do the same scene. Which of the Riich universal carriers would suit best as I understand the Mk III had modifications that do not seem to appear in your reference photo. I assume it is a Mk II but possibly I would need the Mk III model to obtain the correct decals? Regards Tim
Hello Tim, Yes you would need to get the MK III to get the correct decals as the various MK's that Riich make have 3 or 4 decal options for each kit. The census numbers, AoS and Div signs come from photos of actual vehicles. If you wanted to make a specific carrier there are companies that make decal sets of Div signs and AoS numbers. Which modifications are you referring to? Cheers Kevin
The modifications listed on A living history of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces | ParaData website include the following: Removal of the lower rear armour plate Removal of tool rack, camouflage net and locker Removal of mud shields and mud scraper Removal of lamps Removal of spare wheel Removal of front loop hole cover Removal of petrol cans Addition of mounting for 3” mortar on rear structure Your reference photo of 716 Coy RASC obviously does not have these modifications, or at least the carrier still has the mud shields and petrol cans. Hence I assumed the Riich models Mk II is required. Regards Tim
Hi Tim, I can't put my hands on the instructions right now but I have checked the kit and confirm:- No rear armour plate No tool rack, cammo net or rear locker Mud shields and mug scraper are in the kit but optional Lamps, spare wheel, loop hole cover and petrol cans are in the kit and again optional Only thing missing is the 3" mortar. So apart from the mortar it is pretty much covered in the MK III airborne version. Cheers Kevin
Thanks Kevin, I was thinking I would have to buy both the Mk II and Mk III. I should ignore the box art next time. Regards Tim