Re: Field Marshal Games Pieces Project Discussion thread

@ cminke:

Early models of both the Panzer III (Ausf. A/B/C/D) and Panzer IV (Ausf. A/B/C) were in service in 1939. The Panzer III ceased production in 1943 (last models were Ausf. M/N), while the Panzer IV remained in production until 1945 (simplified Ausf. J only - Ausf. H ceased production in 1944).

I would personally also like to see a Panzer IV as one of the two FMG models for Germany, although I would prefer to see a mid-war Ausf. F2/G/H model over the heavily simplified/cut down Ausf. J.

The second German tank model should indeed be a Tiger, Ausf. E, IMHO. I would agree to pass over another Panther model here. I don’t think that all OOB models should be replaced, but many of them should be replaced where reasonably feasible. Germany had many WWII tank designs which were both widely used and iconic/recognizable - I therefore believe that there are many reasonable alternative choices for FMG than the Panzer V/Panther.

Perhaps I’m getting off-topic though - I should probably post this in the FMG German pieces discussion…

To my knowledge, the German Tank WOTC used in D-Day was the Panther, just like all the other recent games. I’ve never seen a WOTC Tiger.

Now, I wonder whether FMG will make the German Tank No 2 mold/model into a Self Propelled Gun, Assault Gun or some kind of mobile Artillery… I only mention this because the Italian Tank No 2 was the Semovente (a SPG; not a Tank)… ergo Artillery. To continue this trend would be more in keeping with Italy’s units.

If we want two Tanks for Germany (say, a Panzer IV medium and a Tiger I heavy) then I believe Italy should also get the heavy Tank model (the P-40).

FMG - do you see what is happening here?

Hey Lozmoid,
I didn’t know the Italians even HAD a heavy tank.  In fact, I thought that was the reason FMG went with the Semovente because the Italians didn’t have a great variety of tanks like the Germans and British did.  There was the M13/40 which was more of a medium tank, the M11/39 which was lighter, then L3/35 and L6/40  which were really light.

You mentioned a P-40 as an Italian heavy tank model.  You wouldn’t happen to have any pics of that, would you?

Panzer II is a must, in my opinion

@ Lozmoid - Although I see the logic in what you are suggesting, I don’t think that FMG would be willing to replace one of its tank sculpts at this late stage, due to cost and delay issues. I would personally be satisfied with the existing choices in light of those issues.

@ knp7765 - Here’s a picture of the Carro Armato P40 for you:

Here’s a blog with a bit more info for those not familiar with the tank:

http://anonymous-generaltopics.blogspot.com/2008/05/carro-armato-p-40.html

New Sculpt complete!  ITALIAN TRUCK

Looks nice…seems like the Fiat 626 truck…

LOVE the truck!

@Dagon81:

Looks nice…seems like the Fiat 626 truck…

That is correct!  This is the actual truck used by Italian Logistics during the war.

@Imperious:

This looks a bit too commercial… like a modern mail truck?

So what happened to a half track? Or an Opel ( which is German but has a more classic 1940’s look)

Isn’t FMG making a truck and a half track piece?

@FieldMarshalGames:

New Sculpt complete!  ITALIAN TRUCK

Oh yeah, truck is awesome.

awesome

Hey AG124,
Thanks for the pic and link to that article on the P40.  It was really interesting.  I didn’t know the Italians built such a tank.  It’s really amazing how many weapons were designed and built during the war that most people just don’t know about.  I have a book “Encyclopedia of German Tanks during WWII” and I was astounded at the number of variants that came out of each basic tank design.

Also, I agree that we shouldn’t replace the current tank sculpts.  We’ve already taken a step backwards with the bomber to get the SM 79 (which was a necessary thing) but we don’t want to delay these pieces anymore.  Here is an idea.  Assuming this project goes well, perhaps one day in the future FMG could make new tanks, planes, etc. to add to our existing sets.  You know, maybe later on we could see little P40s, King Tigers, etc. that weren’t covered in the basic sets as nice add-ons.  Like maybe they could come up with a Heavy Tank set for each nation.

That’s fair enough and no, I don’t want to delay Italy either. I would like to keep the sets uniform though. So, in my opinion - if the Italians get a Tank (Carro Armato M13/40) and a Self Propelled Gun (Semovente), then the Germans should get the same. And I reckon that should be the Panzer IV Tank and the Hummel SPG.

We have the Panther as our “late war” Tank (oob)

I second the Panzer IV as the logical choice.

I have to disagree with you on the Panzer IV.  That was actually a pretty sturdy tank and I think comparable to the Panther (Panzer V).  They both had 75mm main guns, although I think the Panther’s had a longer barrel.
The Panzer III on the other hand was closer in comparison to the Carro Armato M13/40.  The Panzer III had a 50mm gun while the Carro Armato had a 47mm gun.  Armor was roughly equivalent although I think the Panzer III had better performance.
Also, the WOTC OOB tanks are some of the best medium to heavy tanks from WW2 – T-34, Panther, Sherman, Matilda.  The exception being Japan as they went with the Type 95 which is a light tank.
Therefore, for uniformity sake, I think FMG should make the Armor #1 (tank) one of the light to medium versions for each country and maybe save the heavy tanks for a later set.

Russia = T-26
Germany = Panzer III
Britain = Crusader
Japan = Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank(since they already have the light tank)
USA = M-3 Stuart (nicknamed “Honeys” by the Brits)
Italy = ALREADY DONE

As for SPGs, I’m not as knowledgable about them.  I know a few of the German pieces – Hummel, Elephant, StuG III.  I’m also familiar with the American M-7 Priest and the Japanese had one called a Type 1 Ho-Ni.  I don’t know about British or Russian SPGs.

@FieldMarshalGames:

New Sculpt complete!  ITALIAN TRUCK

I like him!  Most certainly Italian  (strangely, one of the old WWII movies I watched recently had one of those…)

As for German SPGs, I think either the Hummel or the Wespe. I believe the Stug III was an Assault Gun, and the Elephant (or Ferdinand) was a Tank Destroyer.

I’ll definitely go with a Panzer III - knp made a very thoughtfull post.

EDIT: and I agree 1000000% with his tank list - I love the T-26 idea.