A Whiff of Grapeshot

(August 2005) Last weekend I went to "Whiff of Grapeshot" at the Firepower museum. Nice little show and it was interesting to see some of the stuff in the museum (e.g. French Napoleonic 12pdr in mint condition complete with caissons and all the gear). Interesting bunch of traders, some I had not seen before.

Spent a bit of money - buying all the bits for a third US infantry battalion for RF. Got 2 2 1/2ton trucks from Frontline, along with a nice little 57mm anti-tank gun made by Under the Bed. AB Figures from a local trader called Bull Models provided the 60mm mortar and the .50cal and from the same guy a cheaper set for the 81mm mortar. Would have got the AB one but they only do it as a pack of 2. The Frontline trucks are good value at only £3-10 each, will borrow the other two from the supply trucks. Thought the tricky bit would be the Dodge trucks, but found the Esci one (with paratrooper figures) for £5-95 on a trade stand called POL Models. Bought two! Effectively got 100 paratrooper figs for £1-40. Paratroopers were not my first choice but beggars...

Anyway, converted 3 of them from kneeling riflemen to bazookas and 3 spare Russian figures as crew for the 57mm. The two sets of paratrooper figs provide enough .30cal mgs to do a paratroop battalion rather than an ordinary leg unit. I can always buy a box or two of US infantry at some point (you can never have too many toys!).

Checking at Plastic Soldier Review, it seems the best WW2 US infantry are either Esci/Italeri or Revell (the Revell set are very good for Battle of the Bulge winter uniform, but don't have any .30 cal mgs).
Esci/Italeri: 3 mortars (60mm?), 2 bazookas, 2 .30cal
Revell: 2 .50cal 2 81mm mortars, 3 bazookas

Must finish the remaining two Chevy trucks for the Barce raid game.