WIP ICM Diorama 1915 Italians

[David Spencer]

A handy quick reference photo.

 

[David Spencer]

Anyone know what colour to paint Italian first world war grenades?

 

[NigelR]

According to the Osprey book on WWI Italians, they used several grenade types: a licensed version of the French Thevenot (this had a percussion head on a wooden handle), the baldari (had a long wooden handle), the SIPE (looks like a Mills bomb), the BPD (cylindrical with a brass cap) and a version of the Austrian Zeitzunder-Handgranate (had a handle made of steel wire). All the photos I have found show the metal parts blackened with age, I would assume you can't go wrong painting the metal parts a semi-gloss grey-green and the handles wood if appropriate.

I assume those are the hand grenades from the ICM set. They don't look like any of the types mentioned above but they are closest to the BPD type, although all the photos I have found show BPDs with only one fuse cap on the top. This is allegedly an original BPD grenade so you could use this as a guide:
Italian BPD Grenade

 

[Briggsy]

Technical issues, the bane of modellers the world over. I'm sure that whatever you use it will be ok, after all there aren't many left who actually used them!

Cheers Simon

 

[David Spencer]

I assume those are the hand grenades from the ICM set. They don't look like any of the types mentioned above but they are closest to the BPD type, although all the photos I have found show BPDs with only one fuse cap on the top. This is allegedly an original BPD grenade so you could use this as a guide:
Italian BPD GrGrenade

Thanks, Nigel. Yes they are from the ICM set, which doesn't say what type they are.
The photo is an interesting reference.
Cheers

 

[David Spencer]

Bits & bobs...

 

[Dr Bison]

I dare say, it's this model, a French "Petardo Thevenaut" hand grenade, licensed to the Italians. Very noisy, but not paricularly effective as hand grenades go...
It seems to be painted in the Italian grey-green tone.

Image is from the excellent "The Italian Army in the First World War (Part 2). Armament, Equipment, Protective Gear and Badges" from Verlag Militaria.

Cheers
Karl

P.S.: As I translated most of the books into German, I'm more than happy to help, if you have more need for images of original items.

 

[David Spencer]

I dare say, it's this model, a French "Petardo Thevenaut" hand grenade, licensed to the Italians. Very noisy, but not paricularly effective as hand grenades go...
It seems to be painted in the Italian grey-green tone.

Great. Many thanks!

 

[Malkie]

An interesting learning curve all of which helps toward the finished product.

Malkie

 

[NigelR]

Just a thought - I am not a fan of etched barbed wire, IMO it doesn't look the part. Have you thought about making your own? It's quite easy and gives a much more realistic result. Here's an example:

PM me if you would like info on how to do this. It's well worth the effort IMO, but your call

I dare say, it's this model, a French "Petardo Thevenaut" hand grenade, licensed to the Italians. Very noisy, but not paricularly effective as hand grenades go...
It seems to be painted in the Italian grey-green tone.

Great info Karl

 

[MalcC]

Progressing nicely.

Malc

 

[David Spencer]

Thanks everyone.
The barbed wire has been in my inventory for about 30 years, and I'm determined to use it up... just been waiting for decent 1/35 WW1 figs to arrive on the market.
I appreciate all the advice and feedback.
Stopping now, until tomorrow so I can cook dinner for tonight: pheasant casserole and home-made meringues with double cream.

Bonne année!

 

[Briggsy]

Enjoy

 

[David Spencer]

Enjoy

Thanks
We're off to the pub soon.
Have a good evening Simon.

 

[Briggsy]

Thanks
We're off to the pub soon.
Have a good evening Simon.

Ha, yeah I am picking up my youngest from Richmond train station, only 45 mins away. I thought it was for 2230 but no he says he told me it was 0100hrs, oh well never mind.

Have a pint for me mate and a good evening.

Cheers Simon

 

[David Spencer]

Ouch!!

 

[David Spencer]

Damn, that hangover took its time going away.
Busy-busy now, though.
With an excellent soundtrack.

 

[Briggsy]

Never the best way to start a new year but it has to be done. Not sure about the tunes though!

Cheers Simon

 

[NigelR]

Making good progress. And for a minute I thought that was a real Italian BFD hand grenade on your bench.....

 

[David Spencer]

Thanks Both.
The ICM figure set is excellent