Continuing my preparation for running Many Rivers PSC and expanding my BEF forces, it was time for some of the ubiquitous Bren Gun (or Universal) Carriers. Many of the models out there are the later Mk. II version and I wanted the original Mk. I so it was very fortunate that BobMack3D ran a Kickstarter covering the early war called Arras 1940, British Armour of the BEF which was perfect.
The Kickstarter covered not only the Bren Carrier but Matilda I and II, Bedford MW and 25mm Hotchkiss "1lb-er", so it will also cover my armour needs as well. BobMack3D created the models in 28, 20 and 15mm so I had no fears about the models not scaling to the One True Scale!
My inspiration for the carrier platoon was this Facebook colourised photo from the IWM:
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Bren gun carriers pass Belgian refugees on the Brussels-Louvain road, 12 May 1940
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It shows (I think!) 2nd Grenadier Guards of the 3rd Infantry Division.
In Chain of Command when fielding a Bren Carrier platoon of three Bren Carriers, one must be armed with the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle. One Bren armed carrier will see its Leader increased to a Senior Leader, a Sergeant, at no additional cost. This meant I had to add a Boys rifle to one of the carriers, and I also changed some of the heads to add some variety as well as a scattering of stowage and even a cup of tea!
Printer goes brrrrr.....
I printed 3 crewed carriers and one empty one that I can use for scatter or as a Jump Off Point.
Next on to painting, I used Vallejo Russian Uniform as a base coat, oil wash and then highlighted with Russian Uniform with increasing amounts of Iraqi Sand.
Crew were painted using the colours in my BEF Painting Guide.
And voila, a Mk. I Bren Gun Carrier platoon ready to hit the table!
