Rapid Fire! Blitzkrieg in 20mm - German inflatable boats for the Meuse

This was an old idea of mine since I started my French and German armies for 1940 campaigns. The Meuse crossing by the Germans always caught my imaginaton as it involved the 5e DCL and two French infantry divisions and even some counter attacks by French tank units. The Meuse crossings are also on my visit list for the future. The boats are resin Anyscale Models and the figures are converted soft plastics. There are also ten Revell rowers from five  boxes of Engineers. They just needed some cuts in the anorak as the original is the late war for them to look like the the feldbluse. 

These twelve boats are enough for three battalions, one per fusilier company and one for the support and command companies (quite crammed these last two). There should be more people inside the boats tahn the 6 I used as the period pictures shows sometimes 12 men inside. The Anyscale models German inflatable boats in 20mm size maybe should be a bit bigger but they capture the essential of the piece. 

I used old soft plastics for the figures, mostly Airfix, Esci, Revell Hat and Matchbox. This one is the charging Airfix German and was one of the most used figures for the right hand side of the rowers. The trick was always the same: the figures got cut by the waist; the portable gun was taken out and replaced by a piece of heated plastic broom stick; a rifle or SMG was glued to the back; the legs were made in Milliput; the bottom part of the jacket was also modelled in Milliput and the boots were glued to the trousers while the Milliput was still drying. 

This one is the Esci mortar figure with new legs and left arm. 

Now the same for the relatively useless Airfix DAK figure with a shovel. 

This one was also from the Airfix DAK figure. Its the one in shorts bayonetting the opponent , something that Rommel forbade (not bayonetting but using shorts :) 

The most used torso was the Esci grenade thrower with new arms and used in both sides of the boats. 

The Airfix MG34 gunner just got new legs and its old boots. 

In this one there is an Esci DAK torso hold a LMG, a Hat cyclist (rower) and a Matchbox figure. The two figures on the lower right corner are again Matchbox and Airfix. 

 Some of the boats have a LMG or a flamethrower lying on the floor. Virtuelly all figures neede new gas mask containers, shovel and bayonet, bread bag and canteens and these ones were taken from Preiser or cut from the original figures before the torso was glued to the legs. Nowadays you can also do all this using much more recent figures like Caesar and Pegasus but this is a way to use these old figures in a different, fun and useful fashion. 

Next: Italians for the Russian campaign of 1812. 

Rapid Fire! Pacific USMC in 20mm

This a USMC landing force based on a Marine infantry regiment and its LVT´s. The Destroyer is Lindberg in 1/125th scale with 15mm figures everything for the sake of space. The LCT 6s are Britannia and scratchbuilt. The LVT´s and DUKWs are Frontline Wargaming, Altaya and Airfix. The infanty is mostly Revell but with plenty of add-ons from Matchbox, Airfix, SHQ, Hasegawa and Esci for the non-existant support weapons of the Revell box.

Rapid Fire! in 20mm, Vercors 1944 (part 4) - The Gotha Go 242s at Vassieux

 

On the 23-24 July 1944, three Gotha Go 242 landed on the Vercors plateau at Vassieux in support of the DFS 230 that had already landed. They could carry 20 fully armed men and support weapons, about the double capacity of the DFS 230. One of them brought a 20mm AA gun which reinforced Schäffer´s men. 

What has been puzzling me is the rest of the number "2" that you can see at the tail, while the "019" at the front is clearly seen at the only known photo of one of the Vassieux Gothas, present in the Osprey book on Vercors 1944. This photo also shows up in French videos on the subject and most probably in other publications.

I tried everything, all forms of AI , books and the rest of internet and nothing. There is a very dark and blurry shadow over the number (and probaly the Balkreuz) so its very difficult to decipher the rest of the numbers and letters. Like that the number "2" was left alone until one day someone can solve the mistery. Sometimes I think that I need to go to the Vercors Resistance museum for some clarifications. Maybe when I get retired... but will I remember I need that by then? :) 

The camouflage was made of Vallejo Russian Infantry Green and darkened medium blue giving very aproximate colors to the originals. These Gothas also got different types of camouflage, this one being one of the most usual. The B/W photo of the Vassieux Gotha shows some strange blotches at the front but they may be due to the poor quality of the photo.  

The model is a Retroaranda 3d printed PLA model from Spain. The models are quite nice as Retroaranda solves the problematic PLA plastic by dividing and cleaning around 30 parts, making this model very easy to put together and with no extra plastic around. The only problem is that, probably due to the cleaning process, you need a bit over 20 days for the parcel to arrive from a neighboring country. In the end you get a nice model 2/3 times cheaper that the one from Italeri or IBG. 

Next: a video on the USMC in WW2

Hernán Cortez army in 20mm for Impetus rules

 

Hernán Cortés did not organize his professional troops into a formal Spanish tercio formation. Instead, he utilized combined arms tactics tailored to the local environment and enemy, focusing on maintaining unit cohesion, leveraging superior Spanish weaponry (cavalry and firearms), and effectively integrating tens of thousands of indigenous allies. All figures are Revell and are the content of a full box of Conquistadores.
If you want you can see the Aztecs here: 

http://jpwargamingplace.blogspot.com/2025/11/hernan-cortez-army-in-20mm-for-impetus.html

Hernán Cortez figure in the Revell box is standing on foot but I have a second box of Revell Conquistadores in the stash from where the Cortez and flagbearer figures will be converted into  horsemen. This flag was given to Cortez by Charles V when he returned to Spain. The one used in mexico had a red ground with the Virgin Mary and that one will be made from the second box flagbearer. 

 

Arquebusiers and Crossbowmen  ranged units provided deadly, unnervingfire support that could break up massed Aztec attacks, particularly effective in open fields and on the narrow causeways. The mention of pikes in sources suggests their presence, likely to repel potential charges and maintain formation integrity, but they were not used in the massive "push of pike" associated with later tercios.

Rodeleros (Sword-and-Buckler Men) constituted the bulk of the Spanish infantry, using steel swords and armor, which were vastly superior to Aztec obsidian-edged weapons. They held the lines and engaged in hand-to-hand combat, relying on their steel protection and disciplined formations to withstand the Aztec onslaught. 

Artesanía Latina canons are too big as Cortez used 14 smaller guns. The crew are Esci conversions from NATO aircraft ground crew boxes. 

At Otumba, on the  July 7th 1520, the small contingent of about 13-20 remaining horsemen (from 100 that Cortez managed at a certain point) were the key "shock troops". They were held in reserve or positioned to make rapid, repeated charges into the dense Aztec ranks, which were unaccustomed to cavalry, always looking after the colorful leaders. The open plain of Otumba was ideal terrain for cavalry action. Eventually some Spanish Mastiffs and Wolfhounds were still there and provided a massive psychological and tactical advantage over the indigenous populations who had never encountered such large, aggressive dogs.

Next: Vercors 1944

Rapid Fire! War in the Pacific - 20mm USMC LVT-4s

 

The LVT-4 was an improvement over the LVT-2 as it had a ramp for the exit of the Marines. Its first usage was at Saipan (June 44) and the LVT-4 remained the main LVT of the Marines up to the end of the war. The  LVT-4 were painted green when they showed up but many - and in many assaults, all of them- were camouflaged by their crews. Like that no two LVT-4 were alike in terms of camouflage. The main markings were broad colorful bands on the side, front or rear according to the beach were each group would land (red/yellow/blue/green) making these vehicles some of the most colorful ever. These are the only unbased models I have as a base causes troubles in these kind of amphibious vehicles. 

The models are Airfix but the Oerlikon was discarded, the two 12,5mm Brownings in the kit were passed to the front with added plastic shields and extra 7,62mm were made and placed on the sides. 

The figures once more, as in the case of my LVT-2 fleet, were taken from the Revell figures wading ashore and with new GreenStuff arms holding the guns. 

The figures are placed on top of boxes something that didn´t happen in reality but look better this way. 

Some of the Brownings M2 are the original Airfix while others are are plastic from old tanks or, like the ones on this photo, from Atlantic. The Brownings M1919 are mostly scratchbuilt. The closest figure is made from a a Revell torso and Esci legs. 

Next: More Vercors or Cortez in Mexico

Guadalcanal 1942 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! rules - (Part 14) The 3rd US Marine battalion and one more Amtrac

 

Third USMC battalion and 1st Regiment finished together with one more LVT(A)1. Once again these figures are a compromise between the uniform, equipment and organization of the USMC battalion at Guadalcanal and the ones of the later Pacific war. The LVT(A)1 is also for later battles as it was used for the first time at Kwajalein, early 1944. The model is Altaya with added crew for the Brownings. 

The Revell US Marine is a great set. The figures are well designed with all small weapons that the USMC used: M3 SMG, Thompson, Garand, BAR and M1 rifles and even a flamethrower. The problem is heavier weapons as nothing comes inside the box. So they had to be made up once again. 

The Bazookas are Airfix and SHQ with converted Revell marines holding Hasegawa shells. 

The Brownings HMG 1917 are Revell and Matchbox, all with Evergreen sleeves and added water cooling device. The No2s are Atlantic and Matchbox. All No3s are Revell and SHQ. 

The Brownings 1919 have Hasegawa firers with SHQ guns and plastic tripods. On the left there is an Airfix firer with changed tripod. All No2s are Esci and Hasegawa. 

The 81mm mortar is scratchbuilt and has an SHQ, a converted  Revell and the old Matchbox officer, probably the most copied and used 20mm figure in the world. 

The 60mm mortars are again scratchbuilt and have Revell conversions (the one with the rifle raised above the head), another Matchbox conversion and a SHQ figure. 

This one became strange as the Airfix radio man  looks like the grandson of the officer. Even so I like to think of this officer as Chester Puller in order to balance things! The figure with Walkie Talkie is SHQ. 

Next: A return to Vercors

Able Archer/ RFR rules (?) - Russian invasion of Ukraine 2022 in 20mm (part 15) - Ukraine turns (more and more) to Europe

 

With Trump/US weapons having to be paid for almost a year by now, Ukraine shifted almost completely to free European weapons. Its the case of the Italian B1 Centauro (November 2025) and the French VAB (already since late 2022)  and Mirage 2000-5F (February 2025). All models are repainted Altaya die-casts.

While the vehicles were easily blackwashed, dusted and some markings added, the Mirage 2000 was more complicated with the erasure of the French markings and the painting of the tricky Ukrainian markings. Fortunatley they left the camouflage as it was and forgot the geometrical greys! Also a pilot was inserted in the cockpit. 

The problem with nowadys vehicles in Ukraine, both Ukrainian and Russian is the anti-drone protection that really I still didn´t figure out how to do in a simple and speedy way to both fleets. 

Next: the 3rd US Marine Battalion for the Pacific.

Rapid Fire! in 20mm, Vercors 1944 (part 3) - More Maquisards and the strange truck of Valchevrière

A group of metal Les Armées Oubliés figures stands next to the famous (for me at least) "Truck of Valchevrière". This photo in taken in the northern part of Vercors not far from Grenoble days before the first German attack at Saint Nizier. 

This photo was one of the first I found on the Vercors actions and the truck became a mystery due to the strange  kind of canvas cover of the "truck of Valchevrière". In the SCW sometimes the trucks had their rear part raised so the infantrymen could shoot from the inside. Is this an influence of the handfull of Republican Spanish in the Maquis ranks? A second possibility is some kind of medic truck. A third one is something completely different that I can´t see! The model looks to me as a Dodge truck. The French army used a number of them and this one may be a left over, or eventually its a civilian one. The grille is different from other French trucks so the Dodge is a good possibility. 

With all this doubts this solution was cranked up: a SHQ Opel Blitz cabin was glued to a number of  wheels and other parts from all over the place in order to have something that looks slightly with the original. 

Pieces of Blueboard, plastic card and cloth were used in the rear part. 

The wheels are from an Airfix Scammel and the wooden back is from a cheap truck toy. 

The wood gas burner is taken from an Atlantic T-34 gasoline tank. 

The figures from Les Armées Oubliés are beautiful figures that capture very well the Vercors attitude. 

Next: a return to Ukraine

The Slovak Fast Brigade at Barbarossa for Rapid Fire! rules in 20mm

This one is virtually complete with a few bridging equipment still to be done. My Slovak Fast Brigade was built around 15 FTF vehicles (in a total of 24), several 3d printed Slovak vehicles and converted infantry, cyclists and artillery. The gun in the cover is a 75mm mountain gun made from an Irregular Miniatures barrel and with other parts scratchbuilt and one I forgot to mention.

RFR/Able Archer - The Iraqi Airforce in 1/72nd scale

This one started to be built during the Gulf War itself as aircraft were some of the miniatures available to portray Iraqis. The vast majority are plastic model kits with a few more recent Die-cast.