I was planning purchases for my Operation Crusader operational game, and as 4th Indian Div was one of the participants, I 'needed' an Indian Pattern Carrier, which I'm going to use for the divisional recce battalion (as it was configured as a Motor Infantry Battalion, not a Divisional Cavalry Regiment). I ordered one from BPM along with some other stuff.
And what a beautiful model it is. This is a resin one, so more expensive but just look at all those rivets!
It is just lovely, really crisp and captures the feel of the original so well.
It has nice internal detail too. The driver is a PP 'Seated British' figure in a tin hat, and the other guy is a spare PP mortar (?) crewman - he is equipped as an officer anyway.
This was a joy to paint. I did my usual coat of Light Stone, a dark brown inkwash then a heavy drybrush of Light Stone and a light drybrush of Pale Sand and it brought the rivets and hard edges out really well. What a beauty, can't wait to get it on the table.
That does look really nice! Added to my own list...
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly an unusual looking vehicle.
DeleteNice model.
ReplyDeleteThe CIH have always been a difficult unit to pin down equipment wise. It seems to be the accepted consensus it had two truck squadrons and a "carrier" squadron (detached) by Crusader. I have seen a photo of the 15 cwt truck but never the "carrier". There is an Indian pattern carrier from 1942 often attributed, but IIRC it belongs to 5th Indian division. I have also seen a Bren carrier from 1940 crewed by Sikhs belonging to 4th Indian from 1940.
There are also vague references to "armoured cars" in 1941 which is either an error, or evidence for the wheeled Indian pattern carrier.
The Indian PC seems common in troops from India such as 5th and 10th divisions, but 4th Indian had been in theatre for years so may have been less likely for "Indian" equipment .....however it may be as "Indian army" it drew from India not ME depots.....
Neil
Thanks Neil, that is interesting. Originally I'd planned on giving them either a carrier or 15cwtvtruck for the Crusader game, but I wanted something unique to distinguish them from the great mass of recce companies (this being the only Heavy Recce Battalion, in Megablitz terms), and the IPC seemed ideal for that.
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