Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Interwar => Topic started by: Westfalia Chris on 30 September 2010, 10:10:01 PM
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Hi folks,
posting it here since it isn't really BoB (although it will most likely be fielded against such armies).
Three years ago, I embarked on a project to do a Freikorps army for T&T. I originally planned it as a Tactica game (which got canceled due to a nasty bout of Norovirus just before the convention) against my Bolsheviks, and then as a "development army" for a projected "European Civil Wars" supplement for T&T (which eventually became "Libertad O Muerte" with an SCW-only focus, for various reasons).
Anyway, the chance to put up another convention game (pics soon, hopefully) prompted me to finish up the as yet unpainted figures (a flamethrower and grenade launcher are still on the painting bench, along with some Bergmann SMGs).
Here's Hauptmann von Lemiets, founder and leader of the Freikorps.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/Freikorps_Hero_HMG.jpg)
A rifle section:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/Freikorps_Rifles_1.jpg)
An assault section (grenadiers at the moment, but will ultimately be split into two smaller squads of SMGs and grenadiers):
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/Freikorps_Assault_1.jpg)
Well, and those who know me will have an inkling of where all this is heading... Chris cannot go without nice clanky things. Originally, I thought of exercising some restraint and build an Izhorsky Fiat (yes, Copplestone sells a nice one). But I botched the proportions and went back to the drawing board.
Mk IVs were used in the Berlin (and maybe the Leipzig) fighting in 1919 by a Freikorps, but the world and their aunt have MkIVs nowadays (not that I don't love them with all my heart, the tanks, that is), so I went for the less-tread way (pun intended).
Apart from armoured cars, there's obviously the option for armoured trains (and the Iron Division in the Baltic used some), but their use is limited and they are far too powerful in T&T unless used as a scenario objective).
So I opted for "Hedi", or rather, her mysterious sister, the second Geländewagen conversion with a soft steel armour body and four MG08s.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/Freikorps_Hedi_1.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/Freikorps_Hedi_2.jpg)
It's still a big chunk of potential gamebreak, but less so than a "proper" A7V (come on, a cannon and SIX heavy MGs. That's excessive even for me, although I had one when I dabbled in WW1...). I chose to limit the tank a bit (apart from the 90° fire arcs of the corner casemates), and thus, it will only use the enclosed armoured car damage table, and retain the poor cross-country performance rule I wrote for the A7V.
All in all, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Nice and chunky, the proportions look good, and the greenish grey and death's heads turned out well, too.
As for the army, I'll probably get another rifle squad, and certainly a cavalry section - for which I'd like suggestions, since GWM only do early war Uhlans, which I can obviously convert, but does anyone make and sell separate WW1 German heads? I'm reluctant to buy another GWM pack just to chop off the heads, and the only thing I am aware of that looks remotely useful is a pack of Westwind SHS WW2 German heads, which would need minor conversion only, but may be just a bit too big to match the GWM minis.
So, any suggestions much appreciated. Looking for heads wearing the "coalscuttle" helmet variant, or the "ear cutout" variant, but those will probably be even more unlikely.
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Lovely stuff Chris :-* :-*
Are we getting to see these in the flesh soon.
Is the tank scratch built or bought?
Is it a real vehicle as I have never seen one like it before?
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Lovely stuff Chris :-* :-*
Are we getting to see these in the flesh soon.
Most likely... ;)
Is the tank scratch built or bought?
Scratchbuild from plasticard, there's a simple floor and lengthwise-bulkhead assembly inside, made from 1mm, and outer sheeting in 0.3mm. The cutouts for the casemates were a bit tricky, but worked out nicely in the end.
Is it a real vehicle as I have never seen one like it before?
It is often referred to as an A7V, but that is not strictly true. To my knowledge, two of the "Geländewagen" all terrain tracked carriers based on the A7V Holt chassis, were converted after the war by adding a soft steel (i.e. not armoured plate, hence the "armoured car" classification for T&T) box body on top (which differs markedly from the "regular" A7V tanks).
They were apparently only used in Berlin and Leipzig in 1919, and scrapped soon thereafter following the Versailles Treaty stipulations on AFVs.
The Landships Site (http://www.landships.freeservers.com/a7vhedi.htm) effectively lists all the known information.
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Great looking collection, Chris.
Presumably you've thought about including the Copplestone BoB German mercenaries?
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http://www.grippingbeast.com/shop.php?CatID=321
They offer sepreat heads with German Stahlhelm
and
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Great stuff Chris 8)
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Great looking collection, Chris.
Presumably you've thought about including the Copplestone BoB German mercenaries?
I've had that pack for even longer, and originally painted them for my WW1 Germans (which were a horrific mix of Early War figures and Late War Vehicles). I repainted the two guys with Bergmanns to be used in BoB some years ago:
(http://www.displacedminiatures.com/images/img.1177875476504.jpg)
I don't know where the leather-jacket wearing pilot-type is, though, but I've got the Officer re-primed - this was after I noticed how the mini is very similar to the image of the Freikorps leader Korvettenkpt. Ehrhardt in the Osprey Freikorps book... maybe it's indeed based on this image? I'm not quite sure on publication dates, but I think the book came before the mini. I'll probably only use this figure with the GWM, though, since the others don't really work well with the GWM figures, IMHO.
I personally prefer the advancing officer type shown in the first image, not in the least because he has an "Artillerieluger" pistol... which may be the only handgun more spiffy than the "Broomhandle Mauser".
http://www.grippingbeast.com/shop.php?CatID=321
They offer sepreat heads with German Stahlhelm
and
Thanks a lot, I'll check those out!
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Prompted by (constructive, I hasten to add) criticism in another forum, I've taken some more (and hopefully better) pictures.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/HERO.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/ASSAULT_SECTION.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/RIFLES_SECTION.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/MG_SECTION.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/HEDI.jpg)
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An awesome and impressive collection Chris! :)
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Wow! Completely impressive.
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Built a little lorry to serve as a scenario objective and/or a transport vehicle.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/LORRY.jpg)
It is based on plans of the Daimler Marienfelde ALZ13 lorry (scaled up to roughly 1/56), a vehicle with quite some all-terrain capacity for the time which was widely used in WW1 and afterwards, making it a suitable choice for the Freikorps.
Unfortunately, I incurred some inaccuracies which I only noticed after painting, but all in all, I'm rather happy with how it turned out. I originally wanted to build it as the half-track variant, but wimped out on that after the third botched attempt to spoke the idler wheel. >:(
As for insignia, I just painted on an "L" on the cab door, so as not to limit it to the Freikorps use. I've added a tubular flagpole mount on the right side of the flatbed sides (not visible in the pics) and will add a removable skull-and-crossbones flag.
One more pic with a Copplestone 28mm figure to show the size:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/lorry_size.jpg)
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awesome stuff Chris !
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Very nice collection Chris. Love the afv and truck.
Cheers,
Helen
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Somehow I had missed this thread! Great work with those, Chris. The truck is simply smashing!
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holy crap are doomed :D
those are just bloody brilliant.
so where did you get the figures from, now I want to do some :D
dodge
ps those skulls are quite daunting
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holy crap are doomed :D
those are just bloody brilliant.
so where did you get the figures from, now I want to do some :D
All infantry are from Great War Miniatures, except for the officer figure in the last lorry image, which is Copplestone. Superb figures - I love the detail, and most of the poses as well. They did have quite a number of casting vent flash and some minimal mouldlines, though, and I've heard that the problem has become a bit worse. I hope to get some cavalry and maybe an artillery crew at FIASCO later this month, so maybe I'll be able to comment on that. If combining with Copplestone Castings Russians, I think the GWMs would be the better choice as compared to the Renegade figures, but that may be a personal quirk.
ps those skulls are quite daunting
The problem is to actually strike a compromise between painting cleanly (a must for any insignia in 28mm) and getting that "makeshift/improvised" look of the Totenkopf insignia common to many Freikorps. The ones on the tank are actually much more elaborate than those "on the real thing", simply for the reason that it is so hard to produce hand-painted insignia in that scale that do look a bit "crude", but not "crap". Using GW decals, for example, would not really work out since they are far too clean and detailed for tht purpose.
The ones on the helmet are actually rather poorly done, as you'll be able to see next weekend. I may have lost some dexterity for painting details. Must be me getting old (31 in six nights... O_o).
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These guys look great. I think my GWM Late War Germans need some deaths-heads on their helmets as well! (like yours, bought mostly as Freikorp and/or pulpish henchgoons)
I especially like the scratchbuilt truck, might have to copy that for some more vehicles. Fairly simple lines on those old vehicles, makes scratchbuilding a lot easier.
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Great idea. I really like these small T&T warbands...
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All infantry are from Great War Miniatures, except for the officer figure in the last lorry image, which is Copplestone. Superb figures - I love the detail, and most of the poses as well. They did have quite a number of casting vent flash and some minimal mouldlines, though, and I've heard that the problem has become a bit worse. I hope to get some cavalry and maybe an artillery crew at FIASCO later this month, so maybe I'll be able to comment on that. If combining with Copplestone Castings Russians, I think the GWMs would be the better choice as compared to the Renegade figures, but that may be a personal quirk.
The problem is to actually strike a compromise between painting cleanly (a must for any insignia in 28mm) and getting that "makeshift/improvised" look of the Totenkopf insignia common to many Freikorps. The ones on the tank are actually much more elaborate than those "on the real thing", simply for the reason that it is so hard to produce hand-painted insignia in that scale that do look a bit "crude", but not "crap". Using GW decals, for example, would not really work out since they are far too clean and detailed for tht purpose.
The ones on the helmet are actually rather poorly done, as you'll be able to see next weekend. I may have lost some dexterity for painting details. Must be me getting old (31 in six nights... O_o).
cool I have other gwm minis and love them
the skulls are great , I was thinking yay gw transfers but you are so right about the fact that they would be too clean.
agreed getting old is a pisser but then you are still only v young at 30 ;)
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cool I have other gwm minis and love them
the skulls are great , I was thinking yay gw transfers but you are so right about the fact that they would be too clean.
Obviously, you can leave the helmets empty, paint them in the splinter camo, or add another symbol such as the arrow of Freikorps Rossbach, or the small shields painted on the side of the helmet with a crest/heraldic colours (the "Iron Division" in the Baltic used the crest of the Teutonic Order, a black cross on a white field, IIRC). I'll bring my Osprey on the topic, if you don't already own a copy, and you can take a look if you're interested.
agreed getting old is a pisser but then you are still only v young at 30 ;)
Yeah, all in all, I'm happy, in good health, with a bunch of friends and not too many worries. But I still like to moan and complain. :)
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Obviously, you can leave the helmets empty, paint them in the splinter camo, or add another symbol such as the arrow of Freikorps Rossbach, or the small shields painted on the side of the helmet with a crest/heraldic colours (the "Iron Division" in the Baltic used the crest of the Teutonic Order, a black cross on a white field, IIRC). I'll bring my Osprey on the topic, if you don't already own a copy, and you can take a look if you're interested.
Yeah, all in all, I'm happy, in good health, with a bunch of friends and not too many worries. But I still like to moan and complain. :)
yes please bring, the freikorps is something i have only ever read 1 wi article on so they seem very mysterious and cool
see you on saturday
dodge
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Sorry Chris,I missed these :'( Very nice indeed. Between you and Remington I've gone all 'interwar'. ;D Lovely!
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Was "Von Lemiets" a real unit/name?
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I know it has been said before but theses chaps are indeed awesome!
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Was "Von Lemiets" a real unit/name?
No, I was just pressed to come up with one. Based on my "RL" surname.
Here's a couple of pics from their first outing at the BLAM convention:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Conventions/BLAM2010/BLAM2010_TSARS_GOLD_005.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Conventions/BLAM2010/BLAM2010_TSARS_GOLD_004.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Conventions/BLAM2010/BLAM2010_TSARS_GOLD_013.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Conventions/BLAM2010/BLAM2010_TSARS_GOLD_014.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Conventions/BLAM2010/BLAM2010_TSARS_GOLD_017.jpg)
Great game, the army list worked out pretty much as intended, although I may need to re-work the tank somewhat - it proved VERY vulnerable, being effectively taken out of the game by some Red Army recruits with concerted rifle fire by the third round. That said, it did quite some damage to the naval infantry and slowed their advance, at least.
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fantastic tank ,old chap !!
hope we can do a game again
I can use my Freikorps too.
Also what do you think of make the BLAM Game a download scenario for the T+T wepside ?
cheers Grimm
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fantastic tank ,old chap !!
hope we can do a game again
I can use my Freikorps too.
Also what do you think of make the BLAM Game a download scenario for the T+T wepside ?
cheers Grimm
I certainly won't mind that! Once the problems have been sorted out, I'll send Björn a copy of the PDF for upload (although I will have to rework the event cards for that. Maybe just have them list the VP or effect on the card instead of the pictures).
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Great work, I particularly liked the tank.
Tony
http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com/
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Lovely work.
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Great! Who makes the houses?? Are they plastic?
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Pegasus?
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Pegasus?
Those houses were provided by Dodge and Khartoum2 - I seem to recall they are indeed the Pegasus plastic ones. Quite nice, maybe a little too clean in their design for my taste, but absolutely worth the price, I'd say.
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love the figures and models you have painted, they look great. ;)
I am building the german and russian armys for this. :-*
Was luck to get my hands on the book, cost a arm and leg :o
German uniforms,Insignia & equipment 1918 - 1923 By Charles Woolley 8)
if you are at leeds show sunday, stop at the WW2 greek game and have a chat
marco also love this period from Rif Raf miniatures.
Hope to see you
David
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love the figures and models you have painted, they look great. ;)
I am building the german and russian armys for this. :-*
Was luck to get my hands on the book, cost a arm and leg :o
German uniforms,Insignia & equipment 1918 - 1923 By Charles Woolley 8)
if you are at leeds show sunday, stop at the WW2 greek game and have a chat
marco also love this period from Rif Raf miniatures.
Hope to see you
David
Already booked my tickets for the train ride, and will certainly take a look - those tankettes were great, and I'm very curious to see how the rules will work in a WW2 environment.
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What color did you use for the uniforms (blouse & trouser)?
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The buildings are pegasus russian ibzas , log houses and the large farmhouse,
they are1/72nd scale but fit in well with 28mm due to their large size
I think thet are good value for money.
Chris has inspired me to do some freikorp,
At Blam his force was truly powerful with a tank and hmg , but still lost out to Khartoum's Reds in the last 2 turns. |Bad dice rolls in the melee ;)
cheers
dodge
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What color did you use for the uniforms (blouse & trouser)?
I painted all blouses in "German Uniform" by Vallejo (which is actually a WW2 shade, but I like it), washed with a dark grey/green mix ("Black Green" and "German Grey"), then highlighted with a mix of German Uniform and some light grey. The trousers are painted in a variety of greys, including dark greys and dark rubber tones, to make them look a little less uniform in appearance
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The buildings are pegasus russian ibzas , log houses and the large farmhouse,
they are1/72nd scale but fit in well with 28mm due to their large size
I think thet are good value for money.
Great. I just wanted to ask that as I only found 1:72 last night. These russian houses look very versatile. from Latvia to the Ukraine, from WW1 to post-apocalypse.
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At Fiasco, I got one of Force-of-Arms' nice Lancia Armoured Cars. A very nice kit, with only minimal flash. 100% resin, with very nicely cast MGs. I opted for the twin-turret variant, with the top turret and rear hull MGs removed, based on an image I had of a Freikorps Lancia. Also left off the wire cutters and repositioned one of the headlights, and shamelessly stole area23's idea for using a placard (his thread had it on the rear of an Izhorsky-Fiat, I placed it in the front).
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Freikorps/FREIKORPS_LANCIA.jpg)
Worked out quite nicely, methinks. I really look forward to doing a whole A4 sheet of period placards to print and cut out.
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wonderful minis chris! :o :-*
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Nice!!! 8)
I found another picture of the placard lying on the street. Apparently in certain zones of Berlin these posters were everywere.
I also realised that the German Revolution was this week, 92 years ago.
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Lovely work :D
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excellent chris,
that's a great model
well done
dodge
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I also realised that the German Revolution was this week, 92 years ago.
High time they had another then. There's even a chap who can print off the placards.
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The placards were from the Kapp putsch, later on. The Freikorps were well organised by then, with government support.