Campaigns: Completed Campaigns
Campaigns that are completed should be grouped here.
Hosted by Richard S.
Operation Fall Gelb 1940 Campaign
jointhepit
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Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Joined: May 14, 2006
KitMaker: 3,829 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 02, 2013 - 05:18 AM UTC
I'd like to enter, half my stash will pass the criteria, just one question, Operation Gelb was the invasion of the low countries,and the north of France is considered a low flat land too , operation Rot was the battle for France, so are you combining the both? more choices

Also worth mentioning,why use the French flag as ribbon?

Jan is still a long way to go....
got to be patient...
panzerbob01
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
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Posted: Monday, December 02, 2013 - 06:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'd like to enter, half my stash will pass the criteria, just one question, Operation Gelb was the invasion of the low countries,and the north of France is considered a low flat land too , operation Rot was the battle for France, so are you combining the both? more choices

Also worth mentioning,why use the French flag as ribbon?

Jan is still a long way to go....
got to be patient...



Interesting point!

Fall Gelb (Case Yellow - the invasion into Belgium and the low lands through the Ardennes) was the first "offensive" and critical "decisive" phase of the "campaign" (let's remember that there was little real plan for an effective conquest of France... The "Blitz" was not actually really thought-out and planned, nor was it really "Blitzkrieg" - something that came out of lessons learned during this astounding victory) to defeat France in 1940. Fall Gelb started 10 May and culminated in the successful defeat and expulsion of the part of the BEF (Brits) at Dunkirk, ca 04 - 05 June 1940. Along with the BEF, several French divisions and some Belgian units evacuated off to England.

Having defeated the BEF, Bene-Lux forces, and part of the French Army, the Germans decided that they could actually complete the defeat of mainland France and occupy same, and launched the second offensive phase, Fall Rot, 05 June. Fall Rot concluded with the Armistice of 22 June, 1940. (The execution of Fall Rot was dependent on successfully completing Fall Gelb.)

Probably, "Fall Gelb" does denote a somewhat constricted time-frame and view of the 1940 "Blitz" - but it does provide us opportunities to model German, BEF, belgian, French, and Dutch stuff - both as seen in the low countries and across France. I think "Fall Rot" is implicitly included for consideration and builds in this here campaign, even though it was technically a second phase in the overall French campaign. Aside from offering potential inclusion of some minor Italian input, you would still get German, BEF (those units left to later escape through Cherbourg) and, of course, more French units. A "Fall Rot campaign", on the other hand, would pretty much lose the Bene-Lux and Dutch aspects seen (and available to us modelers) in "Fall Gelb".

Just saying!

Bob
erichvon
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: January 17, 2006
KitMaker: 1,694 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 - 09:55 PM UTC
What Bob said...lol. It's a catch all really. The invasion of Holland, Belgium etc and France. The reason I've gone for the French flag with the PzIV is mainly because the Battle Of France lasted longer so historically it's the one people automatically think of ie Dunkirk etc. IN NO WAY does it denigrate the efforts of the Dutch and Belgian armies who both put up a bloody good fight. It just had to be called something...lol
jointhepit
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Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Joined: May 14, 2006
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Posted: Monday, December 16, 2013 - 02:39 AM UTC
I will have to enlist,should i wait untill the begindate?


meanwhile I'll stick to some T72's and some other modern stuff, pfffff waiting for Januari is LONG!!!!!!!


greetz
Bluestab
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
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Posted: Monday, December 16, 2013 - 07:09 AM UTC
I'm going with a Heller R35 tank. The kit comes with a 25mm antitank gun as well. At some point I'll probably pick up a Renault Carrier to pull the gun. I already have a 25mm gun being pulled by a carrier, as well as a couple other French vehicles and Des Kit resin figures. I figure down the road to make a French armored column scene and reuse the R35 in that one.
nng-nng
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 22, 2013
KitMaker: 380 posts
Armorama: 376 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - 02:27 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I'm going with a Heller R35 tank. The kit comes with a 25mm antitank gun as well. At some point I'll probably pick up a Renault Carrier to pull the gun. I already have a 25mm gun being pulled by a carrier, as well as a couple other French vehicles and Des Kit resin figures. I figure down the road to make a French armored column scene and reuse the R35 in that one.



Hey Alex, how is the quality of the kit? I searched for something small, cheap and non German ( ) and came across this one... had a few of their 1:72 kits, but wasnŽt really convined...
Bluestab
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
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Posted: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - 07:16 AM UTC
Fabian,
Both the R35 and the 25mm gun are pretty old. The tank is a 70s kit...I'm not sure of the age of the gun. I've built Heller's Hotchkiss tank before and it's not a difficult build. I built that as a German vehicle attached to Prinz Eugen. I think there are some accuracy issues.

Some of the detail is pretty soft. I'm not a French armor guy so it's hard for me to really break down any accuracy issues. The gun is delicate. The one I have built has had wheels and one trail arm broken off. However, the build is pretty straightforward. It is similar to Tamiya's old 2pdr.

The figures that come with both the tank and gun are not great, even by 70s era terms. Looking at the sprues, they have some flash and will need some cleanup.

Not a huge ringing endorsement but the upsides are the price. The R35/25mm gun combo listed for $20 and I got an extra 35% off through a sale. I don't know about the Trumpy and Bronco versions, but I don't think they are any better. Hope that helps.

Myself, I don't plan on trying to buy any AM or tracks. A PE set would cost more than the kit. This was not my first choice to build for this campaign but it was in stock and the price was minimal. Plus, I can repurpose them later.

Found this too.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/79566&page=1
nng-nng
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Bayern, Germany
Joined: October 22, 2013
KitMaker: 380 posts
Armorama: 376 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 17, 2013 - 07:46 AM UTC
thanks for the info... already expected that, it was the same with their 1:72 stuff I had...
but the kit is right now just 14€ on the German amazon, a pirce youŽll get a newer Dragon figure set for... should go for it....
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
KitMaker: 3,960 posts
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Posted: Sunday, December 22, 2013 - 06:25 PM UTC
Well this group build looks like just what I've been looking for ... Most of my kits are in storage right now but I'm sure I can dig through the piles and find something .. I've also got that Panzer III E which I'm itching to build but I.ve also got a Panzer IV A,B,C and D that could be interesting .. Then there is the AFV Club 232 or the Bronco 221 ..How bout a Tamiya 222!! I also have that 38t B kit in my stash ...What to do?? Hmmm still have a week to think this one through...

Rick
Shuftie
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Western Australia, Australia
Joined: September 05, 2012
KitMaker: 74 posts
Armorama: 42 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 22, 2013 - 11:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Bruce I'd not even thought about planes but I see no reason why not.



If winged things are allowed in I would like to submit Tamiya's Dewoitine D.520 with staff car.



Nito74
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Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: March 04, 2008
KitMaker: 5,386 posts
Armorama: 4,727 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 05:35 PM UTC
2014 is just around the corner, but 1940 too ...

Feel free to put that Wine & Champagne away, bring the plastic and the glue...

Here's the Campaign Gallery to post your finished models

HERE !!!!

Please Have fun !!
Snorri23
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 25, 2010
KitMaker: 514 posts
Armorama: 261 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 05:55 AM UTC
I was thinking of building a Stug ausf B but with a few projekts still hanging around. I am going to combine Sd Kfz 252 with the ammo trailer Sd. Ah.32/1. The trailer will be a new build while the tractor will be a semi completed kit. Due hope that this will be acceptable. Let me know if not. Thanks.
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
KitMaker: 3,960 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 06:27 AM UTC
Hi Trevor ...If you want to get technical... only six Stug As were used in France... Why do I know this ..damned if I know ..lol
panzerbob01
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
KitMaker: 3,128 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 07:38 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Trevor ...If you want to get technical... only six Stug As were used in France... Why do I know this ..damned if I know ..lol



And to add more water to the "technically-speaking" wet blanket (I just LOVE wet blankets that can speak in polished, dulcet technical terms redolent of factual strength and precision delivered in calm-but-matter-of-fact tones, don't you? )" ...

"StuG III A, at that"!

I know - it's a bit frustrating, as nobody has a modern or good A kit floating around!

Bob
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 08:14 AM UTC
Are you saying I'm a wet blanket??? Well, I resemble that remark!
Nito74
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Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: March 04, 2008
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 08:40 AM UTC
Here's my entry.



Very slow start,


panzerbob01
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 09:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Are you saying I'm a wet blanket??? Well, I resemble that remark!



Squish!

For folks rather "Pz III - minded", while StuG is mostly out for early 1940, there are always those nice III E and F kits, older and newer, that fit right into the 1940 blitz!

Matter of fact... I think I'll pull my Dragon III-E "France" down from the pile for this one!

Bob
panzerbob01
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Louisiana, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 09:26 AM UTC
John;

The Pz Jgr I-B is always a cool little beast, methinks, and appropriate for this campaign - but maybe check the upper armor configuration... as Dragon noted and eventually addressed by providing an "early production" kit "decorated" for France, 1940, there were two armor configurations. I THINK only the early style with no "bent-in rear-most sides" served in the Blitz... I don't have any idea which configuration is provided for in your Zvezda kit.

Cheers!

Bob
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 09:33 AM UTC
Getting off my wet blanket ... Apparently there were even a very few early G models being tested in France ... So the new Early Panzer IIIG by Dragon could be used in this campaign...

Rick
p.s. Do you think the Fs would would have the early or late type road wheels in France? Just wondering ,I'll probably do an E if I can get to my kits... (couple of hundred miles from me right now)



Nito74
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Lisboa, Portugal
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 10:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

John;

The Pz Jgr I-B is always a cool little beast, methinks, and appropriate for this campaign - but maybe check the upper armor configuration... as Dragon noted and eventually addressed by providing an "early production" kit "decorated" for France, 1940, there were two armor configurations. I THINK only the early style with no "bent-in rear-most sides" served in the Blitz... I don't have any idea which configuration is provided for in your Zvezda kit.

Cheers!

Bob



Thanks for the heads up Bob !
Snorri23
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 25, 2010
KitMaker: 514 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 10:16 AM UTC
So I guess that my original plan scuppered. The kit is actually a Ausf B. So the ammo carrier is in? Or I need to find a different kit. Possibly a Czech 38t with a pak 40 mounted on it. If both fail I need to look deeper into my collection. I might have a Bison from Allan. Thanks
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 10:21 AM UTC
I'll let Bob be the wet blanket this time ..lol The Bison would work though...
panzerbob01
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Louisiana, United States
Joined: March 06, 2010
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Posted: Wednesday, January 01, 2014 - 06:09 PM UTC
Oh, Trevor...

Sadly, there is this squishy sound as I wander around my key-board!


"... PaK 40..." Sorry, friend, but no PaK 40 existed in 1940!

On the positive side, there were several -252 in service in the Blitz. And that Bison I played a role therein, too


Pz III G in the Blitz? Hmmmmm. I wouldn't have thought they came along soon enough, but...

Bob
hofpig
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: March 04, 2007
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Posted: Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 02:55 AM UTC
Just about to start so a pic....



Trumpeter Hotchkiss H38
Decalmaniacs French AFV decal set
AK R?usty tow chain
DES Seated french AFV crewman 39/40
Hobbyboss track set

Think that covers it! Unless I get Inside armours Resin French AFV tools of course.

Paul
thebear
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: November 15, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, January 02, 2014 - 03:08 AM UTC
Hi Bob ... Just went back and checked what Dennis Oliver wrote in his book Case Yellow... What he says about the Panzer III G is that there are two pictures ..one at the DB plant and another in training just before the invasion of France... Neither picture are in the book . He does have an artists impression of what they might look like ,but no confirmation of them being used ... He does say they were painted in the two color scheme .. So they did exist before the beginning of the campaign but I'll stick with the E model to be sure..
As for Stugs III As, there might have been more than 6 but all those I've seen were A models.


Rick

P.S. Great job on your Panzer IIJ ..love the finish ..