I make no bones about it, my favourite allied tank of WW2 is the Cromwell. I just love the way it looks and luckily I love it's rules in FOW (who doesn't like movement 16" Shermans with Protected Ammo?), but I have never liked a list that included it in FOW. I was put off by the reluctant rating and the added Fireflies (As they're not fast) with the 7th Armoured list and I wasn't keen on the cost of them with the Welsh Guards. Then awhile ago the Taurus Pursuant PDF came out with the 15th/19th Kings Royal Hussars list and they seemed to tick all the boxes. They had Challengers not Fireflies (I still can't believe Challengers are Light Tanks!), they didn't cost an arm and a leg in points and they are confident. I was busy with other projects at the time but the other day I was in my LGS and saw they had 3 Cromwells and 1 Challenger on the shelf, I had a gap in my painting schedule so thought I'd pick them up.
As I have just finish my Irish Guards I was worried I'd be bored painting up more British armour. I'm not sure why but I found these a lot more interesting to paint and I think the way I paint them looks better on these than my Shermans. It might be because these are Battlefront models and not Plastic Soldier Company like my Shermans. It might be because I was far more interested in paint these over the Shermans. I could also be because they are resin and not plastic. I'm not sure but I'm really happy with them.
| Confident Trained | Armoured Recce Squadron Market garden British |
British Late-War |
| Platoon | Qty | Unit | Points | ||
| Headquarters | |||||
| 2 | Cromwell IV | 155 | ||
| Combat Platoons | |||||
| 3 1 | Cromwell IV Challenger A30 | 335 | ||
| 3 1 | Cromwell IV Challenger A30 | 335 | ||
| 3 1 | Cromwell IV Challenger A30 | 335 | ||
| Weapons Platoon | |||||
| 1 3 | Captain Luttrell in Cromwell VI CS Cromwell VI CS | 210 | ||
| Brigade Support | |||||
| 6 | Universal Carrier with extra hull-mounted MG | 205 | ||
| Company Points: | 1575 | ||||
| www.EasyArmy.com | Source document: Taurus Pursuant - 11th Armoured Division PDF |
As always thanks for reading.
Ben.
These are real beauties, I bought a 1/76 airfix one today, and will get a few more over the coming weeks, these or Churchills are my favorite allied tanks, good work.
ReplyDeleteFine work Ben. I too was surprised to find the Challenger as a light tank as that turret looks huge, but I guess its down to the chassis and suspension... for its fast movement rate.
ReplyDeleteThe list looks a nice one to make. I guess you could throw in some typhoons to take it up to the more typical ~1750pts?
Fine work indeed, they look great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words.
ReplyDelete@ Dan - Look forward to seeing your Cromwell. I have been tempted to get a 28mm Cromwell just to paint up.
@ Scout - Either a Typhhon or drop 3 Universal Carriers and add in some Sextons for 1750pts. But I'll wait for the new Market Garden books before I add much more.
Looking great Ben. I too love the Cromwells. About the Sextons though. They are so expensive and dont have Breakthrough gun or Bunker Buster. A real point sink for not alot of bang. Your probably better off just getting the good old fashioned 25pdrs.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zsavk.
DeleteYour probably right about the Sextons, I think thats why I added Luttrell's CS Platoon into the list as they seemed like better Sextons. I'll have a think about it.
But if I'm honest the first real outing for this army will be a Firestorm Campaign and with that the Artillery problem will be solved by Firestorm Troops.
Very nicely painted Cromwells there. They're a classic design and much nicer looking than the standard Shermans.
ReplyDeleteAnd i'm with you regarding plastics. For guns and tracks yes but i'd prefer resin and metal anytime ;) The weight of it in your hands are just nice.
Glad you like these BF beauts.
It is a classic. I think I have always prefer painting metal and resin if I'm honest.
DeleteGreat job with the Cromwells- they look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThese look great - part of what has inspired me to start a 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars as my first FoW company. I don't suppose that you'd mind running through your painting method for me? Cheers!
ReplyDeleteLove the Cromwell, it just looks.....British. In the same way a Dalek looks British, or a Lancaster Bomber, or a Vulcan. It's just the way we designed things back in the 40's and 50's, that certain bleak aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteI've got the Armoured Boxed set, and I'm copying your decals scheme since you put so much research effort in :).
I will also be doing a Guards armoured Force.