British North African Motorpool – Part I

Following on the late war Allied motorpool for the US Americans for the late autumn / winter of '44, are the British in North Africa, mid-war around 1942-43. With this set of miniatures, I want to be able to play the theatre selectors of the Desert Rats / 8th Army in 1942-43 and the Long Range Desert Group from 1940 to 1943.

The infantry is build upon the magnificient range by the Perrys, mostly plastic.

But in the meantime I added a few metal codes to the collection, covering weapon teams, SAS characters and even the famous Monty himself.

As for the vehicles, I kept close to the theatre selectors (Tunisia, Operation Lightfoot, Behind Enemy Lines) and that what would be appropiate for mid-war:

• Churchill Mk III (212 to 318 pts, slow)
• M3 Grant (168 to 210 pts)
• Bishop (120 to 150 pts, slow)
• Crusader III (116 to 174 pts)
• 15cwt CMP truck (25 to 37 pts)
• M3 Stuart (90 to 140 pts, maybe Recce)
• M4 Sherman I 75mm (148 to 222 pts)
• Matilda II, mostly phased out by 1942, but few were still in service (124 to 186 pts)
• Valentine (124 to 186 pts, slow)
• LRGD Chevrolet Truck (45 to 54 pts, Recce)

And similar to the US motor pool, I was missing some transports, that the troops in the desert were direly in need of. With the release of the Bedford trucks, I had a great choice for these, along with a Utility car, that just fits to this project. A SAS jeep might be an addition to accompany the Chevys.

• 2x Bedford QLD
• 1x Bedford QLT

I have to see, what kind of stowage and accessoires I can find for these. I am aware that the QL was modified with a 6 pdr AT gun, and of course, something like this really appeals to me. Rubicon even has a kit for that in preparation. I would like to add a staff car or some kind of command vehicle, maybe a Rolls Royce AC. With Montgomery on board, of course it would be an option to build another Grant and convert it into his command vehicle. We'll see.