Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Nostromo on 22 April 2014, 03:39:59 PM

Title: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Nostromo on 22 April 2014, 03:39:59 PM
It has been a while since I have made any announcements on here- but the Norway 1940 lines are starting to shape up with some new releases this month-

Adding to the Gebirgsjager line we have British, French Foreign Legion as well as the Norwegians-

some examples-

(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/RedScorpions/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_TommyOfficer.jpg) (http://s683.photobucket.com/user/RedScorpions/media/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_TommyOfficer.jpg.html)
British Officers and NCOs

(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/RedScorpions/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_DBLE_3.jpg) (http://s683.photobucket.com/user/RedScorpions/media/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_DBLE_3.jpg.html)
French 13th DBLE Officers and NCOs

(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/RedScorpions/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_TommyBren.jpg) (http://s683.photobucket.com/user/RedScorpions/media/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_TommyBren.jpg.html)
British Bren Gun Teams

(http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv195/RedScorpions/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_DBLE_2.jpg) (http://s683.photobucket.com/user/RedScorpions/media/Blitzkrieg%20Laboratories/BL_DBLE_2.jpg.html)
13th DBLE in Sheepskin Coats

More available at Gorgon-Studios.com
Title: Re: Norway! New minitures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Doudou on 22 April 2014, 04:36:55 PM
loving french, they look very good  :-*
Title: Re: Norway! New minitures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 22 April 2014, 06:32:13 PM
Fascinating stuff. I didn't even realize the Legion was in Norway. And Mike Owen sculpts too!
Title: Re: Norway! New minitures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 22 April 2014, 07:56:19 PM
how are You going to make them available in Europe?
Title: Re: Norway! New minitures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Helen on 22 April 2014, 08:30:40 PM
Very nice additions to an interesting campaign.

Cheers,

Helen
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: carlos marighela on 22 April 2014, 10:45:26 PM
Very nice and former user's prayers answered.
Title: Re: Norway! New minitures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Arthur on 23 April 2014, 12:29:01 AM
Fascinating stuff. I didn't even realize the Legion was in Norway.

Not exactly a secret : the battle of Narvik still rates high in the FFL military tradition.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 23 April 2014, 08:07:52 AM
very nice day for former user and me (at least!)! this will be my project for 2015 ! i'm waiting now for 24/29 light machne gun (essential to realise a complete combat group) mortars , and "chasseurs alpin" in mountain gears (certainly the most beautifull and modern dress in 1940 for all armies  !)

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 09:34:21 AM
Yes, but how to get hold of them in Europe? Anyway, I am in no hurry since I have to finish the interwar groups first this year.

I don't know about You @paco, but I have decided to substitute 13e DBLE with available chasseurs Alpins/Ardennois, at least where it is not that cold and throw in a some other SAS/Commandos.

If someone comes up with a range for 13e DBLE in Africa, the better

but all this will realistically be ripe in 2015, so....
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: The Dozing Dragon on 23 April 2014, 09:45:19 AM
Yes, but how to get hold of them in Europe?

I ordered direct a while back and it was very promptly shipped.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Gothic Line on 23 April 2014, 09:55:02 AM

 Why are people still resisting buying direct from the company source/manufacturer?...via the internet...

 I keep being asked who distributes my figures in the UK...don't people realize if there are more people in the "chain" figures will be more and more expensive...
 Sorry but if the Americans understand this what is the matter with the rest of the world?
 ...
 Nice figures by the way,the French of course.
 Regards
 Gui
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 10:44:41 AM
it is extremely expensive to order from US in Europe, shipping and taxes etc.

using an intermediate in this case helps alleviating the shipping expenses, because these buy bulk amounts and get retail discounts. Here in Europe, the retailer pays approx. half the market price before taxes. So what the producer earns more if he sells directly to the customer, because he sets the price margin. Retailers cannot increase the price to whatever they like.
So if producers want to increase distribution, they either use retailers (even GW as a large company who sells directly needs retailers for distribution), if they want to sell directly they should facilitate this by lowering transaction barriers like taxes and shipping. small companies can't afford to do that, so they are somewhat inhibited when it comes to distribution....

The idea is to increase sales by improving distribution - the profit margin compared to direct sales is thus shared with the retailer. The idea that with today's online sales options the price can increase deliberately is a bit simplistic....
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 23 April 2014, 03:16:04 PM
Is there any chance that there will be an MG for the French at some point? Hard to do a World War II game without MGs.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 03:17:21 PM
if You check the other four ranges You will see that a support weapon pack is always minimum, and much more can be expected
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 23 April 2014, 03:29:27 PM
Awesome! I think I finally found my early war theater for World War II.  :D

if You check the other four ranges You will see that a support weapon pack is always minimum, and much more can be expected
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 03:35:20 PM
but I for my part plan a lot of time, since the sculptor is known to be very busy and at least appears to continue the ranges rather erratical  ;)
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Mason on 23 April 2014, 03:37:25 PM
I am very tempted by those FFL for an entirely different and fictional use.
Great figures!
 8) 8)

Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 03:53:37 PM
VBCW commandos?

I have yet to see the rocket-packs in use....  :D
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Gothic Line on 23 April 2014, 03:58:33 PM
 This figures are really great and finally other brands have made the effort to make other armies and less known fronts ... until recently when people wanted something different all we had was Finland...for some reason...
 Its not simplistic former user because as you might gather I am from Portugal,we are talking shipping within Europe...99% of my products go to the USA and Australia...
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 04:00:50 PM
Yes, but this way round (Europe to overseas) it is different  :D. Every country has it's own postal charges and taxes that act differently on transactions.... it is all politics...
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Nostromo on 23 April 2014, 07:04:52 PM
Yes-
The schedule for the 13th DBLE FM24/29 pack is to be released in May.

The problem with the release schedule these past 6 months has been mine for personal reasons which included a major move, not the sculptor.

I understand VAT problems and have reached out to some vendors in the UK and EU- there may be a solution out there at some point. 

As for shipping, Gorgon has offers on free shipping even on international orders.  I would email them for details.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 23 April 2014, 09:26:42 PM
Thank You very much, I will check that
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Mainly28s on 23 April 2014, 10:00:55 PM
Beautiful figures!
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 24 April 2014, 07:57:36 AM
i' ve order mine yesterday !
very good new for the FM 24/29!
will you realise a "helmeted" blister ?

a mortar will be very pratical too
and "chasseurs alpins " with special mountain gaiters ; and skis scout party (SES) !

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Mason on 24 April 2014, 09:28:58 AM
VBCW commandos?

I have yet to see the rocket-packs in use....  :D

Not VBCW, no.
I was considering them for my 'Khanistan' Spy-Fi project.
Not at all the right period but I do love the look of those figures so sod the 'correctness' of it all.
I may just cave in anyway.
 :D

As for the rocket-packs: They were for a VSF US Marine Corps force, but will now be used elsewhere.
 ;)



Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 24 April 2014, 09:46:08 AM
I will wait until the range is somehow complete, next year would suit me well  ::)
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 24 April 2014, 04:13:38 PM
I've been doing a bit of research on this theater, and there are some intriguing possibilities. It looks like at Narvik the Germans had ad hoc combined forces groups including Gebirgsjager, Fallschirmjager, and Kriegsmarine from vessels that were sunk in the naval battle. So you could theoretically field a force with all three types of figures in it.

The one thing I'm having trouble finding is information about armored forces. I came across a reference to the fact that the FFL landed at Narvik with five "light tanks,"  but I'm not sure what marks they were. Perhaps I'll start another topic to explore this question and what armored forces the Germans might have had.

I will definitely be placing an order with Gorgon for FFL and German mountain troops ASAP...
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 24 April 2014, 08:07:43 PM
I came across a reference to the fact that the FFL landed at Narvik with five "light tanks,"  but I'm not sure what marks they were.

without claiming any knowledge, my guess would be tankettes to tow guns....
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: worrywort on 24 April 2014, 08:22:57 PM
There were five R35.

One of them is always in Norway !

An old war movie show them in real action on the beach with the foreign legion after a landing action !
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 24 April 2014, 08:26:54 PM
Just read the Osprey on the topic. Hotchkiss H-39 light tanks to be exact. Not much bigger than a tankette, really. Available in 28mm from Army Group North miniatures if anyone's interested:

http://www.agnminiatures.com/html/france.html

without claiming any knowledge, my guess would be tankettes to tow guns....
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: worrywort on 24 April 2014, 08:29:14 PM
Yes I'm looking  my book, it's a mistake...

There was H39.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 24 April 2014, 08:37:38 PM
An old war movie show them in real action on the beach with the foreign legion after a landing action !

Do You know the name of the movie?
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: worrywort on 25 April 2014, 06:15:36 AM
It's real movie of information "de la France en guerre".

You can find them if I remeber in the ECPAD site.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 25 April 2014, 07:43:29 AM
The french landed  H39 tanks, but the OOB show AMD 178 (X 13) but i didn't find any photos of them on the ground.....and a lot of units wich were officialy part of the CEFS didn't have time  to leave to scandinavia but were thrown against the blitzkrieg in France.

I'm looking for info on those AMD 178 and all info on the german side are welcome too (OOB, units presents etc ....) like german organisation of a gebirgsjager platoon and company!

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: worrywort on 25 April 2014, 10:13:49 AM
and a lot of units wich were officialy part of the CEFS didn't have time  to leave to scandinavia but were thrown against the blitzkrieg in France.

best regards
paco

Yes I think it was the 5th demie brigade de chasseurs which was destroyed at Saint Valéry en Caux.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Lequeux on 27 April 2014, 05:28:35 PM
Great figures! May have to get some to go with my Winter War stuff do do a "what if" Allied intervention
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 27 April 2014, 09:07:25 PM
It's real movie of information "de la France en guerre".

You can find them if I remeber in the ECPAD site.

THX a lot
I've scanned that site and found a lot of interesting original footage, not only WW2
the one about Norway was the landing operation in Bjerwik (or so)  where I could see dark shadows of very small turetted AFV swarming out on the beach. And a lot of other interesting stuff of course; apparently the 13e DBLE always wore helmets for the cameras.
here, check it out
http://www.ecpad.fr/mediatheque
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: carlos marighela on 27 April 2014, 11:52:57 PM
Hmmm. Those Brits in greatcoats could prove inspirational for a 'what if' Argentina plus the Graf Spee invasion of the Falklands circa 1939.

They'd also be perfect as Australians for Bardia 1941.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Helen on 28 April 2014, 12:54:23 AM
Panzers in Norway:

http://orbat.com/site/sturmvogel/pzabt40.html

French OOB

http://france1940.free.fr/oob/cefs.html

Campaign OOBs:

http://www.niehorster.orbat.com/500_eto/_40-04_scandinavia.html

Narvik:

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=54&t=89543&start=30

Cheers,

Helen
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 28 April 2014, 03:57:51 AM
THX Helen.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 28 April 2014, 07:56:52 AM
Thx helen very usefull !

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: folnjir on 29 April 2014, 09:39:36 AM
Always great to see new stuff from you guys.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Gothic Line on 29 April 2014, 01:16:29 PM

 Indeed the more I look at them the more I like them!!!
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Mason on 29 April 2014, 01:23:04 PM
Indeed the more I look at them the more I like them!!!

That is why that I have stopped looking at them.....for now.


Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 29 April 2014, 02:05:50 PM
even if they add support weapon packs, the numbers won't exceed 20...
which is a reasonable size...
btw, the H39 were schlepped all through to Cameroon and wasted in Syria....
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 30 April 2014, 04:25:08 AM
even if they add support weapon packs, the numbers won't exceed 20...
which is a reasonable size...
btw, the H39 were schlepped all through to Cameroon and wasted in Syria....


Although I'd be happy to see more than 20 FFL figures--tripod MG, mortar, rifle grenades, maybe a character pack, and a rifle pack with helmets would be a nice addition :D

Anyway, Im doing my part to help support and expand the range--just placed an order for a Gebirgsjager platoon and a couple squads of FFL from Gorgon. Please come out with the FFL MG soon as they aren't really playable without it.
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 30 April 2014, 08:41:29 PM
I would like to see "chasseurs alpin" miniatures after 13°DBLE !! ce dress is something unique in 1940 the most modern suit of all armies , three years before 1943 US uniform!

some blisters of this guy would be very practicles! (the two main differneces are special gaiters, jacket and cartridge boxes of 1935 type )

Concerning equipments some  mountain equipments (skis, "rackets, snow shoes etc ...)and  canteens  will be better (have you ever seen a soldier going to the fight without water ?)

some doc from militaria magasine :

(http://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/13/24/33/11/n210.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=228&u=13243311)

(http://i58.servimg.com/u/f58/13/24/33/11/n310.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=229&u=13243311)

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 01 May 2014, 03:49:37 PM
Paco,

Those are stunning photos!  Do you have anything like these to use as a painting reference for the new FFL? Obviously we have the glorious color photos of the painted miniatures on the Gorgon website, but I would like to see some other references to help figure out what paints to use and to understand the uniform better. For instance, I noticed that the anoraks are painted in two colors. I'm assuming that one side is a kind of green and the other white? How much variation was there in the other kit? And the berets are a kind of brown, sort of like a vallejo English uniform color? Was there any badge or insignia on the beret or anywhere else on the uniform?

Ax
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 01 May 2014, 04:55:35 PM
You've just  to ask !

 http://pacofaitlezouave.blogspot.fr/2014/05/lequipement-du-cefs-ii.html



best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 01 May 2014, 05:30:37 PM
are these reenactment uniforms? I always find the wool uniforms a bit too reddish. Or were these the actual colours?
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: axabrax on 01 May 2014, 05:36:12 PM
Fantastic! Just to clarify, however, the blue beret with the horn is for the chasseurs, correct? The FFL had a brown beret?
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 01 May 2014, 05:46:30 PM
as I understand it was beige, like this
(http://www.7flammes.com/13dble-norvege.jpg)
(http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/11/80/05/99/narvik10.jpg)

I believe the picture is from the legion museum
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 01 May 2014, 05:56:48 PM
They are all originals period uniforms! very very rare ! the magasine is from 1987 !

the blue beret is for chasseurs alpins and FFL wore a light brown one .

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 01 May 2014, 05:59:12 PM
THX - meaning that I am wrong and they were more reddish brown? Because then good that I did not go past 1935 yet  8)
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: pacofeanor on 01 May 2014, 06:10:12 PM
greyish ( or greenish :D)  ?? brown to be exact !!

best regards
paco
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: former user on 01 May 2014, 06:22:37 PM
THX - then it must be the pictures...
Title: Re: Norway! New miniatures from Blitzkrieg Laboratories
Post by: Dave C on 02 May 2014, 12:13:30 PM
Nice figures by Gorgon. I wonder if someone like Empress could be tempted to sell them on this side of the Atlantic? hint, hint!