Sgt. Guinness: German Seebattalion Gun Crew

Thursday, March 28, 2024

German Seebattalion Gun Crew - 28mm 1890-1915

I use these troops for German colonial actions up through World War One. The gun crew figures are from Tiger Miniatures USA purchased from Recreational Conflict USA and the mountain gun is from Askari Miniatures. I use 1/2" x 1/2" inch magnetized bases purchased from my buddy Bill Moreno at Good Ground LLC.

I start my figs by removing mold lines, burrs, and left over spruce, then wash them with dish soap and water, leave to dry for 24hrs. I glue the figs with white glue on strips of cardboard which allows me hold the figs while I paint them. I painted these in my standard method of cheap black spray paint primer and left to dry for 24hrs. I followed this with a light white dry brush of the entire figs, then block painted Ceramcoat Cloudberry Tan for the uniforms, Ceramcoat black for the boots and web gear, with Vallejo "Off White" for the pith helmets. I used a Vallejo grey to highlight the web gear and boots and Vallejo Brass for the pith helmet emblem. For the flesh tones I used Vallejo "Burnt Umber" as the base then the Foundry Anglo flesh tones in succession. This is left to dry for 24hrs. The bases are then done with artist gesso/resin mixed with various small ballast rocks, sand, and Ceramcoat "Burnt Umber" to tint the mixture. This is left to dry for 24 hours and then dry brushed with Ceramcoat Clouberry Tan, and highlighted with Ceramcoat Trail Tan. After 24 hours of drying time I paint on my shading dip of Min-Wax Polly Shades Tudor Brown. The Min-Wax both shades and protects the paint jobs. This is left to dry, yes you guessed it, for 24 hours before I sprayed Testors Dullcoat over them to complete the sealing and protection which also dulls the shine of the Min-Wax floor stain.

The gun is cleaned and primed the same way. I used a Home Depot sample pot of Glidden,Warm Caramel #GLN01 … watered down a little bit. The barrel is painted with Vallejo Brass based on my research and input from my friend Dr Roy Jones, a well known and respected gamer and historian of African military conflicts.

Here is a separate post already done for this gun for anyone interested: https://sgtguinness.blogspot.com/search/label/German%20Colonial?m=0

Equipment Data from Askari Minis website:

This very versatile gun was manufactured by Krupp for export beginning in 1895, ironically not being bought (initially) by the German government. It was widely used until as late as 1939. Kitchener had them at Omdurman (being purchased by the Egyptian Army); they were also used by the Afghan army, the Spanish Army in the Spanish-American War and others. The German Army "requisitioned" some intended for export for use in the Boxer Rebellion.

One Krupp 75mm Mountain Gun per package.

This little gem comes in eight parts: gun barrel, barrel platform, carriage, two wheels, two handles for the rear of the carriage, and an optional spade.