Too bad the boardware won't let me post a multi-question poll. So I've narrowed it down that my first test and review samples of Ground Targets will be more for a "D-Day to Operation Cobra" timeline, and I've distilled that down to a handful of decisions as I prepare to order tanks and paints for a batch of test samples.
Scale?
--GHQ or similar 1/285-1/300 (more exaggeration, less "altitude effect")
--Pico or similar 1/600 (less exaggeration, more "altitude effect")
Bases?
--Yes
--No
Number of figures per base, if any?
--I said no bases
--Single tank
--Complete section (2-3 tanks, half US/UK/German platoon)
--Complete platoon (4-5 tanks)
Individual ID markings on German tanks?
--No Numbers No Deal! (greater cost, takes more time)
--I can decal my own! (faster and less costly)
And for any Tank Nerds among us, which version of the Panzer IV should I plan on if I'm aiming for Mid-1944 France as my "baseline"? (Other pairs will follow if this is successful, but I have to start somewhere.)
I should note that if I can find a supply source, my plan is to) ship each platoon in its own tiny little ammo can, which will increase the cost but hopefully better protect the miniatures. (Note, my girlfriend and I have been discussing the idea of her opening a second line for Canada/Europe orders if my proof-of-concept work pans out, which may not have this "extra armor" available.
My planned test samples would be...
If GHQ:
M4A1 75mm Sherman - https://www.ghqmodels.com/store/us90.html Panzer IV-H - https://www.ghqmodels.com/store/g548.html
If Pico:
M4A1 75mm Sherman - https://www.picoarmor.com/product/m4-sherman-15-pcs/ Panzer IV - https://www.picoarmor.com/product/pzkpfw-ivh-15-pcs/
Sample quantity would be one complete platoon, structured as a Command tank and two 2-tank Sections (US) or a four-tank Platoon (German).
Company Packs, if expanded to that level, would be:
US: 3 platoons plus HQ Section (2 tanks, plus a Sherman 105 and Jeep) German: 4 platoons plus HQ Section (2 tanks, 3 motorcycles and 1 staff-car)
German Tank Markings (for reference)
Example #134
1 Company
3 Platoon
4 Tank
Regiment: R01-R04
1st Bn HQ: 01-04 (note, Panther battalion = 1 less platoon per company)
1st Bn, 1st Co: 101 & 102 (HQ), 111-114 (1 Co), 121-124, 131-134, 141-144
1st Bn, 2nd Co: 201 & 202 (HQ), 211-214 (1 Co), 221-224, 231-234, 241-244
1st Bn, 3rd Co: 301 & 302 (HQ), 311-314 (1 Co), 321-324, 331-334, 341-344
1st Bn, 4th Co: 401 & 402 (HQ), 411-414 (1 Co), 421-424, 431-434, 441-444
2nd Bn HQ: 05-08
2nd Bn, 5th Co: 501 & 502 (HQ), 511-514 (1 Co), 521-524, 531-534, 541-544
2nd Bn, 6th Co: 601 & 602 (HQ), 611-614 (1 Co), 621-624, 631-634, 641-644
2nd Bn, 7th Co: 701 & 702 (HQ), 711-714 (1 Co), 721-724, 731-734, 741-744
2nd Bn, 8th Co: 801 & 802 (HQ), 811-814 (1 Co), 821-824, 831-834, 841-844
As you can see, JUST for June '44 German tanks, if I fully pre-mark 'em that's THIRTY-TWO different products I'd need to keep track of just for individual Platoons plus 8 more when you add the Company HQ sections, and that's just for one particular PzIV variant! Add all the gazillion other PzIV's, the PZ II's and III's, the Panthers and Tigers, and the various other timeframes and I think you see why I'd rather just arrange a decal sheet and provide a "base" for you to apply your own ID to like an Ares squadron-pack plane.
Formations:
US Arm Div
--3x Tank Bn
----3x Med Tank Co (M4) 2x M4, 1x M4(105) HQ Sec and and
------3x Platoons of 5 tanks
----1x Lt Tank Co (M3/M5) 2x M3/M5 HQ Sec and and
------3x Platoons of 5 tanks
--3x Arm Inf Bn (halftracks)
----3x Rifle Co (4x M3, about 12 personnel each)
--3x SP Art Bn
----3x Art Battery (6x M7 Priest SPH and 6x M3 halftrack)Ger Pz Div
--2x Regiment, each containing
----1x Panzer IV Battalions, each containing an HQ Co w/8 tanks (3x Panther/5x PzIV) and
------4x Companies, each containing an HQ section w/1 tank and
--------4x Platoons of 4 tanks
----1x Panther Battalions, each containing an HQ Co w/8 tanks (3x Panther/5x PzIV) and
------4x Companies, each containing an HQ section w/1 tank and
--------3x Platoons of 4 tanks
Please try to stick to direct answers to the questions at the top, or clarifying questions related to them so we can avoid threadcrap, help me try to develop something worthy of offering to this august assemblage. If you were going to be the recipient of one of my Review Sample sets based on these criteria, what would you want made for you?
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