Early War Miniatures: Early War Australier

EWM purchased a number of models a few years ago from the former Sargent Major ranges in America. One of the ranges that came in that purchase was a range of early war Australian army models. I think they were previously marketed under the banner of “battle scape”, but i am not sure. It was always on my mind to rework these 20mm ranges and incorporate them into the wider EWM WW2 offerings. Listening again to the Rats of Tobruk, proved to be the spark that ignited the flame of interest.

The look of these early war Australians is quiet unique in that their uniform is a mixture of old and new. Old being the long, late WW1 army tunic, combined with 1937 or 1908 pattern webbing, WW1 leather armless jerkin, great coats, long bayonets, 303 rifles and a mix of helmet and Aussie bush hats, worn only as these magnificent troops would wear such a combination. As war progressed, the appearance of the “bush Artillery” during the siege also adds yet more interest. Fighting in Libya, Greece, Crete and even Syria, these troops got into some heavy fighting. Their “look” evolved during this time. I wanted to capture that look, for these early war battles and so to build a range suitable for such encounters was started.

The range features separate heads. New masters were made for heads with Bush hats (3 designs), helmets worn at a suitable angle, with goggles worn and hung on the helmets and with scrim netting. Separate heads offer the chance to make the figures all look slightly different, to add character and poise. Separate rear packs are both molded on some designs, but the majority are without. Separate castings mean you can quickly add them to all the figures or just some, as you desire. Adding rear packs is a easy and quick addition.

All the base figures from the old SGM range have been remastered. Heads removed and common sized sockets added. Details added and enhanced where I wanted them. New poses created. The range features poses with and without the early war gas mask case at the “alert position”. Some of the range feature figures in great coats for north Africa. Just look at the pictures of these men in action and you will see how common that is. Some even wear leather jerkins UNDER their long tunics. I wanted to allow the modeler to build a unit with character, that looked like they have been on campaign, lacking total uniformity, but still utilizing common equipment’s in service at the time. I wanted them to look like “Diggers”, each one a character and a pleasure to paint.

so the third mold was made and cut today. the fruits of that mold sit before me on my desk. I shall make some up and photograph these in the morning. until then, I hope this has generated some interest for the coming new range.

cheers