These three 10mm metal models were bought in a single clamshell from the “Pendraken Miniatures” stall at Colours 2023, and are available separately as Product Code GRV19 - Panzer 38t. The two-piece tanks were originally just going to be added to my Operation Sealion German invasion force. However, having spotted that the Romanians fielded fifty of them in 1943, I thought I'd use this information as an excuse to paint them a little differently from my usual predominantly "Vallejo" Neutral Grey palette.
Obviously, this decision somewhat skews the timeline for my ongoing annexation of the United Kingdom campaign - which is set in September 1940. But considering that Romanian didn't officially join the Axis powers until November 1940 anyway, it isn't the only anachronism I've created. Besides the attempted occupation of Southern England is fictious anyway, and the inclusion of Ion Antonescu's military forces would allow me some wriggle room for a number of mid-war Allied armoured vehicles I'd also like to similarly squeeze into the offensive.
Resultantly, the Czechoslovakian-designed tanks were undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel" Abaddon Black. To mark them out as Romanian, the models were then base-coated with two layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. Lastly, I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to their partially-covered tracks.
Disappointingly, these Panzer 38(t)s aren't quite finished as I'm still waiting on "Pendraken Miniatures" to send me some WWII German Early War Markings + Bulgaria/Romania/Hungary [1/285] decals. Originally I had placed some transfers taken from the Middlesbrough-based manufacturer's WWII Hungary Bulgaria Romania Finland Turret Markings Crosses sheet. However, the Cross of Michael looked far too big when attached to the rear of each tank, so having waited overnight, I decided to remove it - ultimately scrapping each model down to its bare metal to do so. These areas have since been 'successfully' repaired and should be 'covered' by a more suitably-sized red, yellow and blue roundel in the future. I might even replace the tiny German crosses on the turrets if the mood takes me.
In addition to increasing the size of my already impressive collection of 10mm World War Two tanks, I have made more progress on ten 28mm metal light infantrymen from an old "Wargames Foundry" blister labelled Code FN54 - Chasseurs In Campaign Dress Advancing. All of these Napoleonic Frenchmen have now been rather clumsily base-coated and had a very rough (boundary) line of "Citadel" Abaddon Black placed around their sabre-briquets, cartridge pouches and back-packs.
Having subsequently daubed all their numerous leather straps with some "Two Thin Coats" White Star, and shockingly spent seven hours in total pigmenting the 'hunters', I have now singled out a lone pilot piece to push on with. Furthermore, I've plonked the figure alongside three spare Fusiliers In Greatcoats, so I can focus on a much more manageable and infinitely less off-putting quartet...