Having started on a scrapheap challenge (see thread) I had a bit of inspiration given the variety of bits in the boxes to theme my build.
Kampfgruppe Müllhalde – October 1944
The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
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dadlamassu
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The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
Last edited by dadlamassu on Thu May 24, 2018 12:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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dadlamassu
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde now with pictures
Kampfgruppe Müllhalde – October 1944
Kapitan Gert Mehnding answered the field telephone, it was the Battalion Commander,“ Come to my office,“ was all he said. Leaving the comparative comfort of his command post in the Village of Nirgends he walked swiftly to HQ.
He was ushered into the CO’s office, saluted and stood to attention. The CO looked up and smiled thinly, “Orders for you,” he said fingering the brown envelope on his desk. “You are promoted to Major and you are to proceed to the depot tomorrow morning. You will take command of the replacements there and form a mobile battlegroup. Unfortunately you will need to find your own vehicles and heavy weapons. You have authority to take any vehicles and weapons you can get running from the repair and replacement park. The General wants the battlegroup fighting fit in 3 weeks. Good luck and I think you will need it.”
“A fine gift for my birthday,” the newly promoted Major thought as he put his new rank badges on his grubby uniform.
The “battlegroup” was on parade as he arrived. About 450 men and a few women drawn from army hospitals, training units, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine as well as some Hitler Youth stood in the drizzle. At the side of a ruined warehouse stood a group of black clad SD. Hardly a fighting force to strike fear in the Allies! Kampfgruppe Müllhalde indeed.
He set the men and women to work finding workable equipment and renovating the workshops in the warehouse and factory.
This project arose from a couple of boxes of broken and damaged models and toys that were found in a school where 30 years ago I helped run a wargames club. The Deputy Head was one of te wargamers and he remembered me when he saw me pick up my grandchidren.
From the wreckage two SdKfz 234/6 (6 rad) Armoured Personnel Carriers made from two badly broken Airfix Armoured Cars
One SdKfz 234/7 with 8cm mortar made from an Airfix Armoured car with scratch built mortar
One Airfix SdKfz 222
Two Panther Chassis acquired Matchbox Puma turrets to become AufklarungsPanthers
Two heavily damaged Airfix Stug III had their guns fixed and a new mantlet fitted on one, Both had missing track lengths so card schurtzen (bazooka plates) fitted to become a StuG III and a StuH III
In the box was a few bits of a PaK-40. Not quite enough to make a gun but I have plenty of them. There was also the hull of a Matchbox Firefly lacking some suspension units but there were a couple of Airfix ones so I mocked up a self propelled gun. Ans also tried the gun on an RSO. Not sure yet which I'll use.
The leftover Pak-40 bits combined with a Revell 10.5cm leFH18 to become (nearly) a leFH 18/40. It needs a bit of work yet and a muzzle brake.
More to come.
Kapitan Gert Mehnding answered the field telephone, it was the Battalion Commander,“ Come to my office,“ was all he said. Leaving the comparative comfort of his command post in the Village of Nirgends he walked swiftly to HQ.
He was ushered into the CO’s office, saluted and stood to attention. The CO looked up and smiled thinly, “Orders for you,” he said fingering the brown envelope on his desk. “You are promoted to Major and you are to proceed to the depot tomorrow morning. You will take command of the replacements there and form a mobile battlegroup. Unfortunately you will need to find your own vehicles and heavy weapons. You have authority to take any vehicles and weapons you can get running from the repair and replacement park. The General wants the battlegroup fighting fit in 3 weeks. Good luck and I think you will need it.”
“A fine gift for my birthday,” the newly promoted Major thought as he put his new rank badges on his grubby uniform.
The “battlegroup” was on parade as he arrived. About 450 men and a few women drawn from army hospitals, training units, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine as well as some Hitler Youth stood in the drizzle. At the side of a ruined warehouse stood a group of black clad SD. Hardly a fighting force to strike fear in the Allies! Kampfgruppe Müllhalde indeed.
He set the men and women to work finding workable equipment and renovating the workshops in the warehouse and factory.
This project arose from a couple of boxes of broken and damaged models and toys that were found in a school where 30 years ago I helped run a wargames club. The Deputy Head was one of te wargamers and he remembered me when he saw me pick up my grandchidren.
From the wreckage two SdKfz 234/6 (6 rad) Armoured Personnel Carriers made from two badly broken Airfix Armoured Cars
One SdKfz 234/7 with 8cm mortar made from an Airfix Armoured car with scratch built mortar
One Airfix SdKfz 222
Two Panther Chassis acquired Matchbox Puma turrets to become AufklarungsPanthers
Two heavily damaged Airfix Stug III had their guns fixed and a new mantlet fitted on one, Both had missing track lengths so card schurtzen (bazooka plates) fitted to become a StuG III and a StuH III
In the box was a few bits of a PaK-40. Not quite enough to make a gun but I have plenty of them. There was also the hull of a Matchbox Firefly lacking some suspension units but there were a couple of Airfix ones so I mocked up a self propelled gun. Ans also tried the gun on an RSO. Not sure yet which I'll use.
The leftover Pak-40 bits combined with a Revell 10.5cm leFH18 to become (nearly) a leFH 18/40. It needs a bit of work yet and a muzzle brake.
More to come.
Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde now with pictures
Excellent idea and execution...the 234/6 has to be my favourite.... 
Greatness is not in where we stand,
but in what direction we are moving,
we must sail sometimes in the wind,
and sometimes against it,
but sail we must, and not drift nor lie at anchor.
but in what direction we are moving,
we must sail sometimes in the wind,
and sometimes against it,
but sail we must, and not drift nor lie at anchor.
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dadlamassu
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport
It was pointed out to me that the trails on my 10.5cm leFH18/40 were upside down so I fixed that. Now it needed a gun tractor. The scrap heap yielded an Airfix Bedford chassis from the RAF Recovery set and an Eidai Krupp Boxer bodywork. These were fitted together and became the gun tractor.
The Battle Group received some military light transport
And some commadeered civilian trucks. These were in a dreadful state and restoration really did not improve them very much.
The Battle Group received some military light transport
And some commadeered civilian trucks. These were in a dreadful state and restoration really did not improve them very much.
Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
More resurrections....
Greatness is not in where we stand,
but in what direction we are moving,
we must sail sometimes in the wind,
and sometimes against it,
but sail we must, and not drift nor lie at anchor.
but in what direction we are moving,
we must sail sometimes in the wind,
and sometimes against it,
but sail we must, and not drift nor lie at anchor.
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laurence strong
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
Interesting 
Cheers
Larry
Cheers
Larry
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David Reasoner
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
I like the Bedford Umbauwagen gun tractor. Given some of the German AT gun tractor conversions done with captured Bedford and Morris 15cwt trucks, it is not at all implausible.
David
David
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Richard B.
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
Very cool allan, love the Ballimory trucks
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dadlamassu
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Re: The idea for my WW2 entry - Kampfgruppe Müllhalde transport added
Thanks - I remember making a Balamory model for the nursery many years ago. For those who don't get the reference google image search for either Balamory or Tobermory and check out the colour of the buildings.