Look what I found … 3D printed vehicles for the Portuguese Colonial War. Berliet, Unimogs (x4), Bravia Chamite V200, Panhard AML60, and Panhard EBR75. Wow. So lucky. Except they are in 1/144th scale or 1/200th scale and, of course, I only play 1/100th scale (15mm).
The models are on ShapeWays and produced by SpectreVisuals of Australia. The “Australia” bit does mean that postage is expensive. I’m also not sure SpectreVisuals are active, as they did not reply when I contacted them about 1/100th scale versions.
Soft skins
My favourite is the 1:144 Berliet Gazelle GBC 8. The Portuguese used a lot of Berliet trucks and many convoys would have had a Berliet mine truck at the head. Nobody does a Berliet is the smaller scales so it is fantastic to find one.
SpectreVisuals do four versions of the Mercedes Unimog:
- 1:144 Unimog 404S Flatbed
- 1:144 MERCEDES BENZ UNIMOG 404S troop carrier V2
- 1:144 MERCEDES BENZ UNIMOG 404S troop carrier
- 1:144 UNIMOG 404S Recoilless Rifle Carrier
All four have the roof of the cab removed. Something the Portuguese seemed keen on.
Two of unimogs also have the sides of the truck tray removed. The Portuguese did this to enable rapid dismounting.
Armour
In terms of armour they do the 1:144 PANHARD AML60, 1:144 PANHARD EBR75, and 1:144 Bravia Chamite V200. The latter vehicle is impossible to find elsewhere.
Hi Steve
Really enjoying your site, especially the recent articles on the Portuguese Wars in Africa. Very tempted to start putting together some forces after seeing your pics. Will you be using Peter Pig minis for the African insurgents ?
Rules-wise I use those published by Too Fat Lardies and already have their B’Maso supplement so I should be all sorted on that front.
regards
Roger
The Portuguese Wars in Africa are fascinating. Good luck with your project. the B’Maso supplement is brilliant so you have a head start there.
Hello Steven,
If you get no reply from SpectreVisuals, I could try my hand to produce a 3Ddrawing in scale 1/100. The Berliet would not be difficult as it has no curves (at least I can’t see any). If you’d be interested, could you find accurate drawings of the prototype ?
I live in Belgium, maybe the postage will be less “painful” too.
That is a very interesting offer Willem. I’ll see what I can do.
Googling for “Drawing Berliet Gazelle GBC 8” came up with some possibilities. For example: with canopy and without. Nothing for the troop carrier and/or mine clearing versions used in Africa, but I’m guessing these would be simple mods.
FWIW, although SpectreVisuals might hail from Australia, Shapeways prints European orders in its Dutch facility. As for scale, Shapeways sellers often agree to rescale models as it is simply a matter of changing a setting (especially if you are upscaling).
Hmm, the postage they add suggests the Dutch operation intends to hand deliver my order with an armed escort. But if they would up scale I’d do it. Unfortunately SpectreVisuals never responded to my (multiple) approaches.
Do you have any info on use of the AML 60 by the Portuguese Army in Africa (and if any Elands were used by Portuguese forces)?
MP Robinson
Merlin, you might like my post on Portuguese Panhard AML-60 Armoured Car.
The South African Elands were not used in the Portuguese Colonies. Not by the government nor the insurgents.