Painting the LRDG Chevrolet from"The Sting of the Scorpion" by Battlefront for Flames of War

I have always had a particular liking for the way the LRDG adapted their Chevrolet trucks (1942 Canadian Chevy, right hand drive, India format to give them their correct title). Loads of stowage and MGs of various types and the hotchpotch uniforms of the crew make these interesting subjects to model and paint.

The models included in the “Sting of the Scorpion” wargame set, from the Flames of War range by Battlefront, are beautifully detailed and crying out for a proper paint job. I have never liked the way Battlefront painted these Flames of War models for their promotional material, black lining, little or no weathering and dry brushing in my opinion gave the impression of a rushed paint job and gives the models a basic and rather crude toy soldier like quality. I have applied techniques which I believe create a much more realistic and satisfactory appearance worthy of such well detailed models.

There is plenty of research material and photographs available of the actual vehicles and some inspirational larger scale models available on the web as a simple search on Google will prove. This research is important to be able achieve the weather beaten and eclectic look of the vehicles.



The first part of the job as always is to clean and undercoat the models. Games Workshop Skull White is more effective than black for sand/ochre coloured models and keeps the colour bright and clean. The models were then airbrushed overall Sand Yellow from the Vallejo air range of colours.

Once the basic colour has dried sufficiently it is time to start the shading of the truck. This is done with the excellent washes from Games Workshop. These need to be thinned and applied in near transparent layers to achieve the subtle graduation of the shading required for the LRDG Chevy. I employed the full range of browns through black and these were painted on rather than simply flooded or washed over the model. This is a time consuming task but the overall effect and the subtlety than can be achieved is well worth the effort.



The stowage and other detail on the model need to be picked out before painting it in detail. This effectively lifts the detail of the model and makes it much easier to paint. The tyres (tires for our American cousins) were painted basalt grey and then detailed with numerous washes of black before receiving a final layer of Devlan Brown to finish. This provides a fine weathered appearance that won’t need dry brushing.

The highlights for the model are simply a mix of Sand Yellow and white thinned to about 7 parts water to 3 parts paint and applied in layers. This is what gives the model of the LRDG Chevrolet its sun bleached quality. Once this is done the model is set aside to allow the paint to dry thoroughly before painting in the stowage. Again I referenced the colours of the equipment on Google before painting. The stowage is painted in exactly the same manner I paint my figures. Blocked, shaded and high lighted for effect.



A few stone chips and some peeling paint detail was added just to finish and give the model Chevy the necessary workhorse appearance that the LRDG vehicles achieved in the field.




These models will be available individually on Ebay Should you require any other vehicle painted to this standard please contact me with your requirements at lowlesr@hotmail.co.uk for a quote. All payments can be made, and are preferred, through Paypal, shipping is at cost.

Tigers Marsch!

I recently received a painting and modelling service commission for a set of models that I have wanted to do since their release earlier this year. The Tigers Marsch set replicating Wittmann and his platoon of Tigers in Normandy
is one that I have wanted an excuse to tackle for sometime.

Consisting of 5 individual models, all with different damage and setups, the kits create a highly detailed and individual platoon. Coming in the now familiar Battlefront packaging, with a dramatic representation of Wittmann leading his men into battle in the Bocage, and an internal clamshell securing the multitude of parts it is hard not to break out the glue straight away and get stuck into the assembly.

The parts are cleanly cast and full of detail. The special dice set and markers included in the set are an excellent addition and will make fielding these gems just that bit extra special. I will be ordering a set of these extremely atmospheric and evocative models for my own collection in the very near future. There is a real heft to these models and combined with their sheer size they are guaranteed to make any allied player think twice before tackling such an imposing and dangerous enemy.

The models are as usual, from Battlefronts Flames of War series, mixed media and require a certain amount of preparation and dry runs before final assembly. This is the norm for these kinds of kits, but time spent in preparation is rewarded with a set of fine set of SS Tigers.

The client requested a particular scheme that he had found on the internet. To facilitate an accurate representation of the colours in the artwork provided I have specially blended a set of bespoke colours matching as accurately as possible the artwork provided.

With all the assembly, cleaning, undercoating and colour blending done it is time to apply the base yellow. With this applied they are starting to look like SS Tigers and the moulded detail on these fine Flames of War models starts to come to life.

Wittmann's Tigers assembled and base coated

The next job will be to apply the green and brown dispersed camouflage pattern. Using an especially fine needle and nozzle in the airbrush, specifically ordered for the task, my next Blog entry will cover how this was applied prior to detailing, decaling and weathering.
Click here for part 2

The Generals Paintbrush: Tigers Marsch! Part II

Flames of War M10 GMC Tank-Destroyer Platoon Construction and Review

The new M10 GMC Tank-Destroyer Platoon set from Battlefronts Flames Of War range, contains two M10 3" GMC tank destroyers, an M20 Utility vehicle and two Jeeps as well as two sets of infantry & command and assorted crew figures. The set comes neatly packaged, in the now familiar olive drab box, illustrated with actual photographs of the completed models just whet the appetite. Upon opening the packaging you will not be disappointed with the contents. Well secured in the clamshell packaging with foam separating the components as is the norm for Flames Of War sets. The white metal parts are held separately from the plastic and resin pieces. All the parts are up to the usual high standard that we have come to expect from Battlefront.


The parts display excellent detail regardless of what type of media they are moulded in. Remember these are effectively multi media kits and will require a certain level of skill, materials, equipment and time to finish properly


As always it is recommended that you check the contents (as with any model kit). Once this is done and you are satisfied that everthing is correct it is time to start.

The first thing I do with any Flames of War Model tank is remove the excess resin from the moulding lug. This varies from model to model and will require either a heavy file or relaltively course wet and dry paper (used wet) to remove.


The M10 tank destroyer set comes with battlefronts new plastic style tracks , main gun and MG. The detail on these is excellent, especially on the .50cal M2HB MG, and the representation of the vertical volute spring suspension system is more than adequate in a model of this size. I always use side clippers to remove the parts as some are rather small and can prove delicate during removal from the sprue. The plastic parts themselves have very little flash and require very little cleaning prior to assembly.


I always use a high grade cyanoacrylate for assembly and find that as long as the mating surfaces of parts are scored in a cross hatch manner to give a key that FOW models require little, if any further pinning, than is moulded into the part.

The M10 models are very straightforward and, if the parts are prepared correctly, assemble into lovely little models in a matter of minutes. In my next M10 post I will deal with the painting and airbrushing of these particular gems from the Flames of War range.

Click here for the painting of this model