Commercial armaments of the inter war years.
Transport.
Generally these smaller nations relied heavily on the Horse for transport. Imex produce a range of horse drawn wagons in plastic for the American Civil War that to be honest would not look out of place on a WW2 battle field. Revell also produce a nice kit of the WW2 horse drawn German 105mm, simply changing the riders is enough to convert the tender. Hat have the old Airfix WW1 Royal Horse Artillery that seems to slip in and out of production every so often, that too had a horse tender, 13pdrs that are a bit toy like (Fixed by carving off the gun shield, and replacing it with a piece of plasti-card), however the gun crew in short sleeve order with no head gear (so paintable as anything you want them to be). Again the riders may have to be changed as they wear classic British peaked caps. Days gone produce 'vintage memorabilia' of old 1930's trucks and wagons with period advertising on the side. Much of it 1920's and 1930's vehicles. The Horse drawn range is worth raiding and defiantly keep an eye out at car-boot/thrift fairs, charity shops and the Bargain bins of model shops. Not only are suitable Horse towed wagons are available but a whole selection of 1920's and 30's trucks. In the main there are Ford Model 'T's and Ford Model 'A's, Morris, Dennis and Renault Trucks, either in the style of Panel vans, open backed delivery trucks with a cargo etc. These are a rich source of Period vehicles along with the less common corgi range. Matchbox also make a ford Model A in die cast, but the wheels are standard Matchbox (i.e. 1970's rostyle wheels! Nice on a Capri, unsuitable for 1930's) so will need replacing. Railway scenic kits may be useful as well.
Small Arms.
Machine guns.
Maxims types were common everywhere. So where the Austro-Hungarian Schartzlowse Machine-gun either taken as reparations or absorbed by countries that were former members of that empire, Notably Austria, Hungary and Yugoslavia. Italy had large stocks and used them as a second line weapon for most of WW2. Looks like a Maxim, but breach area very different.
Poland Rumania and Greece all had Hotchkiss Machineguns in significant numbers and the Poles went for a Browning water-cooled weapon in the 30's to supplement the Hotchkiss already in service.
The Italian Fiat machinegun stayed mainly in Italy only really going to Spain during the Civil war.
The Danish Madsen Machinegun was a bit of an oddity being the first true Squad automatic (it was light enough), and a useful tripod mounted weapon. It sold well around the world only leaving production in the 50's not bad for a Pre WW1 weapon. Military small arms of the 20th Century says it never served with a Major power, however as many as 50 smaller countries have used it. Alas I have not seen models of them at all. If you do, why not get them and use them. Also feel free to use Lewis guns (British and Dutch service) and Chauchats (French service) where you can justify them by Political and military influence.
Mortars.
The Stoke-Brandt type of WW1 replaced all others without question (except some minenwerfers in Holland in 1940 and in Spain) and an 80-82 mm version served in all nations. Most nations had smaller versions from the 46mm Polish weapon and to the 60mm French version as a company support weapon.
Minenwerfers where the German answer to the problem. Wonderful to look at, and totally over engineered, coming on a large base plate with detachable wagon wheels (non-edible variety), Over and Under recoil cylinders, effectively a pocket muzzle-loading howitzer. Many appeared in Spain during the Civil war. Most other types of mortar disappeared shortly after WW1 as factories concentrated on more pressing needs and tools, casts etc to make both ammo and guns got recycled. Leaving the minenwerfer as the only real challenger to the Brandt-Stokes type.
Guns
Anti-tank guns.
The French 25mm were only used by France. It was not a commercially export weapon. I got mine from SHQ. However if you go for a French backed force it may be worth it to get a couple so you can squiggle a French force for 1940. The British were the only other users, in France 1940 in North Africa up till 1941 as part of a weapons exchange program. When the ammo ran out, they were discarded.
The Bofors 37mm however was and is usually associated with Poland (its biggest user). It also saw service with Romanian; the Germans sold them about 550 in 1940 that they captured in 1939. Lead only. Can be got from SHQ. This Gun also served with British forces in North Africa up till early 1941 as a stop gap until sufficient 2pdrs arrived.
The German 37mm (PaK 35/36) was exported widely though and can be used. Several companies make them; Matchbox and at least one other company do them in plastic kits. The Russian 37mm are effectively the same gun and the 45mm are just a scaled up version. Ethiopia even had some, but main non-German users were Spain (both sides) Japan and Hungry.
The Austrian Bohler 47mm is usually associated with Italy, however Holland and Rumania used them as well and the Greeks captured many and used them against their former owners in 1941, more were supplied to the Greeks by the British from captured stock from North Africa, along with ammunition in quantity. Look for Italian Anti-tank Guns in the figure suppliers lists. Rafm and SHQ supplied mine. Mainly lead but HaT have done a range of Italian troops with a plastic Bohler A/T gun to support their Folgore Italian Paras.
The Skoda 37 and 47mm do appear to have been sold commercially. If you have easy access to a supply of them then by all means use them. Only Rumania seems to have used them for sure out of the armies covered here. Lead only, SHQ for sure.
Infantry Guns.
Many nations used small calibre (generally 75mm and under) cannons to support infantry attached at battalion level. Often referred to a 'door knockers' these small guns generally had the appearance of guns of an older generation. In many cases it was a Mountain gun now replaced in mountain forces by a newer weapon. The Italian 65mm in particular looks as if it would not be out of place in a battle field of the 1870's More research is needed but generally 37mm (France, Germany, Austria all WW1), 45mm (Russian), 47mm (Italy, Holland, Rumania, all Bohler A/T gun), 5cm (mainly old German, WW1 and pre WW1), 57mm (Russian mainly). Of the small and handy 75mm mountain guns, the Skoda 75mm M15 Mountain Gun stands out as possibly the most common infantry gun amongst smaller nations between the wars. Look at Irregular miniatures list of relay useful guns for more details. Also Consider the German 7,5cm Gebk 15 mountain gun, a Version of the Skoda M15
Field guns.
The French 75mm post WW1 was a commercial success. During the 1916-18 period many were sent to Rumania, other users were Poland and service continued in France untill late WW2. No plastic yet (HaT are working on one), but many companies do make them in lead along with horse tows which would be a 'must get' If your developing a force for this time/region. There's is an Article here on how to convert some American Civil War Guns to French 75's.
The German Krupp 75mm 1905 is the most common light field gun of the inter war period, serving with Italy, Japan, Holland, Turkey and Greece amongs others. Again commonly associated with Italy (75/27 model 11) and Japan (the standard 75mm, not the improved which is the same gun of a split trail mount). I have scratch built a few. Also see the German Krupp 77mm, which the 75mm seems to have been derived from.
German Krupp 1896 77mm. The most common German WW1 Gun. Many left behind or used as material reparations in 1919. Poland certainly inherited some of these and rechambered them to take French 75mm munitions. Emhar have released this gun in plastic as part of their WW1 German artillery box set. It will suit N.E.other 1920s onwards Army quiet easily. It seemed quiet rude not to get 2 boxes. Of note, this is almost exactly the same gun as the Krupp 1905 75mm. Changes to the gun shield are all that really needs to be done to replicate various versions.
7.7cm FK17. A late development of the war, Intended to support infantry and act as an anti-tank weapon. Quiet common and good sales post war. A large number turned up in Spain. Lead only as far as I know.
The Skoda 100mm gun/howitzer (known as the Skoda 100mm model 14/19) was a left over of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and became the most common medium gun amongst smaller nations. These saw service all over Eastern Europe and were used as part of the reparations payments in materials to Yugoslavia, Italy and Greece (some captured from Italy, Some war booty from the Salonika front in 1918). The gun was improved in 1919 and Skoda continued to make a brisk trade of them well into the early 30's with them with sales to Hungry, Yugoslavia, tools sold to Italy and many smaller countries. I have attempted a conversion which is not brilliant but will do. Skytrex makes the best model, but it is expensive.
The Schneider 105mm 1913 model is also a great Generic Gun popping up from Poland to Greece and Back to its parent France again. Again lead only, Again Skytrex. Again pricey.
A good thing to do is check with the irregular miniatures web page, for their 'Really useful Guns' range for infantry guns and light field guns. However they are a bit on the small side. Bandera who specialise in Spanish Civil War figures also cover in lead many useful field guns.
Arty on the Cheep.
Also if not too serious about which gun actually served where, Try Emhar's range of WW1 artillery. The late model 18pdr, and the German 77mm M96 are both available, with helmeted crew, but no tenders. Also look at the HaT Airfix recast of the Royal horse artillery which has a tender and 13pdr. Though the 13pdr looks rather toy like, you can carve away the gun shield and add a plasticard gunshield which improves the look of the gun drastically. The Bonus is bareheaded crew which could be 'any armies' gunners. All look non-ww2 and at 2 guns a box set it is good value for money. You could cut about the Revell German 105 gun, removing the upper recoil buffer, replacing the gun shield and placing plasticard over the legs of the 'travelling position' carriage to create a box section carriage. HaT have some VERY nice kits in development for their WW1 Range including a late war German 77mm and the German 105mm howitzer. Finally there is the conversion outlined here for creating the French 75 out of American Civil War Guns.
Anti-aircraft Guns
British Pom-Pom/Vickers 1pdr. Basically this is an oversize Maxim gun firing a 37/40mm shell. It has a smooth water jacket. Any oversized (over scaled, ie if using 15mm, use a 20mm scale weapon) maxim could be used on a suitable pedestal mount. For an idea of scale it is about 7 ft long (a bit taller than a figure in whatever scale you choose). Wherever the British went, they tended to leave some behind, and many were sold of in the 20's and 30's. Vickers also was a commercial concern so would sell to anyone with good credit. Sales petered out after the Bofors 40mm arrived on the scene. Seems a project for the future.
Oerlikon 20mm. The daddy of the modern light anti-aircraft gun and Auto cannon. Sold all over the world, it would be easier to list the countries that didn't have them (err.. like Lichtenstein, Vatican city etc). Sales started in the early 20's. The British Polsten is exactly the same weapon, but built using later stamping and pressing technology and a reduced parts count. I have a couple of scratch built skywards pointing guns of suitable size on a 3 legged base.
German Flak 37mm. The Greeks used a number of these of various pre 1940 models. All purchased from Germany who was looking for hard cash at the time.
Bofors 40mm. Again who didn't has a much shorter list. Poland adopted it as their standard AA gun. Countries as Diverse as Austria, Hungary, UK and the USA all licence built it and most sold them on as well. I have a few airfix kits awaiting a build.
Larger AA guns. Most AA guns were 75-77mm in calibre. The famous 88 started a trend for larger weapons in the mid 30's. I have considered using an under scale 88 or other large AA gun should need dictate. I knew 15mm WW2 would be worth something in the end.
Tanks! And other Armour.
Between the wars Tanks seemed to develop in specific families all tracing the 'genealogy' back to a few specific types. They can be described as the following
Renault FT family. Consisting of Russian MS series, Italian Fiat 3000, American Ford 6tonner, Renault R-35, all can trace their look and/or concept bact to the FT-17. Most were direct copies.
Carden Lloyd Carrier. Anything that carried 2-3 men, in an armoured box, with no turret, with just a machine gun or small cannon sticking out the front! Italian CVs, Polish TK series, etc.
Vickers Carden Lloyd, Anything remotely like the above, but with the weapon actually in a turret. Some even Floated/Swam! Including all British Lights, Panzer 1, Early Russian lights, Czech TNPH-LT models, Japanese Te-Ke types etc.
Vickers 6-Tonner. Russian T-26, Polish 7-TP, Czech Skoda's, American M2/3 lights. All call this period classic 'daddy'. Bullet proof, good turn of speed, and in the single turret version, respectable fire power, and good labour division/ergonomics and internal communications.
Christie, The Christie tank was fast, speed over firepower and protection was its aim. Russian BTs and T-34, British Cruisers, and the Polish 10/14-TP (prototypes built in 1939) are all derived from this vehicle.
Vickers Independent. The Ultimate land battleship, Anything with more than two turrets is trying to copy this one. For tanks, and evolutionary dead end. Expensive, Awkward to command, indulged in only by major powers.
The Important Commercial successes.
Renault FT17 is the core tank of the 1920s. France, Poland and Rumania had them, The Czechs bought a few and several other nations. You would need a pair at least. Italy built and sold their own version, the Fiat 3000 with twin machineguns. Matchbox do one in plastic, But you get a blooming great Char B with it. HaT however are working on a model for their range.
Next from 1927 onwards is the Vickers Carden-Lloyd tankette. The wonder shoe box with Ford Model T mechanics. The British and French developed it into a battle winning utility and recon vehicle, the Poles, Italians etc developed them into battle loosing combat vehicles. Actually to be fair these vehicles did pretty well until good platoon/company level anti-tank weaponry became available in the late 30's. No kit as yet for this trailblazer.
Also the same year the Vickers 6 tonner, which would dominate the battlefields of the world until the mid 30's. Poland bought some, so did Bulgaria and several smaller countries. Frontline Wargaming produce models of the Single and Twin turreted versions of the Vickers in resin, There are plastic kits out there now. Failing that, Russian T-26 tanks with the twin turrets are almost identical, the single turret version however has a very different turret.
At the other end of the scale is the MG Carrier which is best known as the Carden-Lloyd, Vickers developed the Bren and later carriers and a range of light tanks, but it was sold in its own right. The Russian T-27 is the most direct copy, differing only in the detail of its crews overhead cover.
The Italians took the tankette and developed the CV3/33. The Greeks captured many, Hungary Bought some and so did several minor countries. No plastic, Plenty of lead or resin. Cromwell do a whole litter for a reasonable price.
The Poles specifically developed the TK series of tanketts from the Vickers tankette, and sold some as well. Frontline do a cheep and cheerful one in resin, SHQ do it in lead.
Vickers Light 1933/1934 model. Similar to the early marks of the British light tank, effectively its commercial version. Not bought by the countries in question, nor was the amphibious version. But commonly bought by other small nations. Whilst JB models have released the most excellent MkVI, It is alas a British service version only. The earlier marks are only available in lead or resin. Frontline Wargaming produce the 1936 model light tank in resin, with turrets to create the Belgium T-15, the standard commercial model, the 'Dutchman' type and the type with the 2 man turret and 40mm gun.
Renault 35. Basically a 1930's take on the FT17. Used by France, Rumania and shipments to Poland and Yugoslavia were interrupted by the start of the war. Commercial sales elsewhere as well. I got mine from Cromwell, there are others out there as well.
Skoda 11 b or panzer 35t. Rumania bought a load in the late 30's and equipped their tank regiment with them. Frontline Wargaming do a cheep resin version, there are many lead versions out there, yet plastic kits? none since Esci stopped making kits.
TNPH-LT, AKA the Panzer 38(t). Commercial success of the late 30's. Fast, flexible, reliable. Several nations bought them, some in South America and Persia. There are quiet a few kits of this machine out there, it seems as if every major manufacturer of model and war game kits wants to make them.
Tatra-Prauge LT series. A light 2 man version of the tank that would become the panzer 38t. Only Cromwell make one (a Rumanian R1 Version)
There are many others as well. best look at the Tanks! website for much better listings on a county by country basis.
Other Armour.
Armoured trains feature a lot in the period 1919-23 in Eastern Europe. Many were local builds so you could do a scratch build with a couple of field guns fitted.
Armoured cars were more common, often local scratch builds or WW1 models carrying on into the early 40's. Of note, the Italian Fiat IZ armoured car and the Austin Putilov seemed get all sorts of places. The Czechs having got hold of some Fiat IZs in 1918 and the Poles capturing a largish number of Austin-Putolovs in the Russo-Polish war. Also Austin seems to have made some for commercial sale post WW1, Putolovs involvement in this commercial venture seems unclear. In 1919 France sold of a large number of Armoured cars, standardising on the Laffey-White, and anything else was duely flogged off, Peugeots going to Poland, Renaults going heavens knows where. Frontline Wargaming produce a model of the 1928 Vickers Crossley armoured car as well.
