Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Digits on August 20, 2020, 11:25:53 AM
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Having been introduced to Chain of Command briefly by HasBeen (see Angry Ivan thread), I find myself compelled to explore it further and cover an area of WW2 I have not done before, namely painting and collecting Waffen-SS. I used to have a large Rapid Fire Normandy 20mm set of armies but sold it about 15 years ago.
A few of us, myself and Jamie, are looking to collect forces to enable us to fight in the Ardennes offensive, late 1944.
This will also mean a new playing mat....I have one in mind from Deepcut....and some new scenery. The idea is to utilise trees etc I have from other ventures, but we will between us require a few buildings, entrenchment, mine fields etc so a little building fun to be had.
Chain of Command centres around a single platoon on infantry with a few support choices, so this will not be a large project...typically about 40-50 minis total and no more than half a dozen vehicle options.
I am not naming the Division...these will be generic troops. I simply could not decide between them as to which Division appealed. Answer is, none of them appeal...I don’t like what they stood for and I certainly find their respective atrocities despicable. However, despite the later war years meaning troop qualities were declining, I can’t deny that many of them were damn good soldiers. Mostly, I like the idea of painting camo schemes and making them a little more interesting!
I want to be able to use the Germans to play on the Eastern Front and other theatres and I’m not very keen on dressing them all in white mainly because I can’t paint white very well! Lol
As such, they will be in a mix of clothing, smocks, Parker’s and great coats,, with a few attempts at various camo schemes and one or two with white smocks. There may be tiny amounts of ice/snow on a few bases but the idea is to base and paint them say as per the opening few days of the engagement, before the snow hit hard. Not as it would seem that many of the Germans were issued with adequate snow camo gear anyway!
Believe it or not, we actually started reading official after battle weather reports last night!
The Deepcut Northland mat seems useful, not completely snow covered, but looks bloody cold! I will get one ordered.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/72EDE667_8F23_4E57_A2A5_502BF383AD99.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
At this stage, I have just been ordering a few figures.
With so few minis required, I would have liked to think I could cover them all uniquely, but as I’ve found, not quite so easy!
I really like the Warlord SS winter chaps....but there are only ten in the box. Ok....so I also bought a box of their winter panzer grenadiers...as mixing the two together makes perfect sense. But, with each box having ten figures, a section or squads worth, unfortunately, they each contain only one LMG team. Standard practice for a squad seems to have been two teams per squad. Bummer!
Scouring the net, I see a few size comparisons between manufacturers including those of Offensive miniatures. They looked fine in the little pictures...but I think someone has been very selective with their choice of minis for the shots! A box with a single squad in arrived and they each weigh about half the weight of a Warlord mini!
Needs must so for now I will use the LMG team despite them not being quite so heroically sized. I have ordered a pair of Artizan teams in winter gear and I did this small conversion on a casualty cameo piece from Warlord to represent another team. I will also try and convert a plastic great coat team from the few bits I have from the WI freebie...and I’ve just realised I can make another team from the STuG riders set....starting to come together!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/91CBAB26_8EDD_4D4A_9D26_758E86736202.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Anyway....I will get all the minis I have for now based and primed then have a crack at painting the first few. Should be fun.....
Edit: Also decided to do Normandy!
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And to really get me in the mood, an American P51 mustang has just flown over my house......I’ve seen him a few times but he was lovely and loud today!
Surely a sign.....
......probably that I’m gonna get my back side handed to me....... lol
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Good job on the casualty set,nice choice of game mat too! 8)
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:o That conversion is a great idea Digits. It looks fantastic and I'm curious as to what is to come.
If you fancy some good looks at camo I can recommend these books:
https://www.amazon.de/Waffen-SS-Uniforms-Color-Photographs-Militaria/dp/1861264593/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=uniforms+waffen+ss&qid=1597967359&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.de/Camouflaged-Uniforms-Waffen-S-S-Part/dp/B00TU6QK7M/ref=sr_1_67?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&dchild=1&keywords=uniforms+waffen+ss&qid=1597967389&sr=8-67
There's quite a few others in that series as well! Though in either case, if you want to paint interesting camo, the Waffen SS and by extension the italian teleo memetico and some Heer patterns are quite a challenge but a looker on the tabletop. :D
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Cheers for the comments and the book links guys.
Yup, a bit worried about the camo, but there are plenty of video tutorials etc about, I need to zero in on a few....
Meanwhile, I think I will have a go at green stuffing smocks over the greatcoats of a few plastics....if successful, I will pop them up!
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My first attempt! Going to have a go at the LMG team next....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9A3412C6_FF5E_4AC8_A84C_A3EB93FA6354.jpeg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds)
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Gs smocks look ace! :)
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Empress Miniatures, just sayin'....
https://www.empressminiatures.com/german-27-c.asp
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Yup, I was looking at their mg teams and may well order a set, they do look good. I’m just wary on scale now I had the dodgy experience with the Offensive minis.
Warlord are that bit more heroic in size.
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And you dare to say you don't produce much!!!!!!
Looking good. Let me know if you want some scenery doing.
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Be careful....I may take you up on it!
A bit more progress. The mg team is work in progress....I still need to smock the loader.
It does bulk these guys out...but what do you expect? They are wearing a great coat over their tunic, and now a smock over the coat! Must be damned cold!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6751114F_085E_437C_B20F_4B27353A2320.jpeg)
I’m only making a small number of these guys....I only had one sprue and I don’t need too many.
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They look good👍
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They do look great! I love the stuff they lug about as well! Warlord kits are great for that, to give a unit a sort of rugged and scavenger feel. After all they did pick up what they could.
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Yup, there’s a few nice bits on the sprue. I need to look for a sprue of regular Heer grenadiers I think too....I’m surprised there is no belt for the MG42. I have converted a lot of gw imperial guard in the past, and the secret was always to plaster them in clutter......adds a professional touch I just couldn’t manage with gs alone.
Could also convert a few of those Grenadier minis too with a smock, we’ll see.
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Hrm, might need two frames of them, I think the Winter Infantry is a bit bulkier than the Heer and Fallschirmjäger blokes. At least I think so, I'll check tomorrow!
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Don't be afraid to check out the Empress Volksgrenadiers. They are absolutely gorgeous sculpts, and probably my favourite 28mm range on the market.
There's a good painting guide here (https://moitereisbuntewelt.blogspot.com/2017/11/ww2-german-marsh-pattern-painting-guide.html) which conveniently has a comparison between Artizan, Empress and Warlord minis towards the end of the post.
I really like the work you've done sculpting smocks over the greatcoats. I've been meaning to try the same in 20mm, but have been hesitating to sculpt over the gorgeous AB figures sculpts.
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Cheers and thanks for the link. I’ve ordered the one set of LMG teams for now so I will get a closer look. Luckily I don’t need too many figures for this project. But it would be good to have the option.
And I know what you mean about AB miniatures. I used them a lot for my 20mm collection, they were nice. But luckily, cheaper...so maybe worth an extra pack to have a go with?
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Very nice work
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My thanks!
Just having a go at painting one of them by way as a test mini....should be interesting to see if it works....
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So here it is. I’m no Paul Hicks but I’m pleased how it turned out. I actually prefer it to some of the proper metal grenadiers! Of course...I’m biased! ;)
My first attempt at painting any 28mm WW2 mini, my first attempt at oak leaf camo. I’m not going to win prizes, but I’m pleased enough.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ED37A6B5_AB5F_49A1_81AC_229532C9849F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C881C1F4_5A72_4EEF_86A7_1919DBC1E7F1.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2DE1B144_9904_4E16_8EF5_AA3E9B122DB4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Yep. Looks like a Jerry, sounds like a Jerry, smells like a Jerry ;)
That's a nice bit of work there! If you want some variety amongst your smocks, I like seeing the mouse grey parkers mixed in with the oakleaf. I went with the reversible white for my Germans and got away from having to try oakleaf lol But maybe you could have the odd white helmet cover?
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Yup. I’ve already started painting a couple of others, including white smock.
The warlord SS are a mix of smock and parka....painting Them Italian pattern?
So I will have a mix of Oakleaf/ white / camo parka and field grey (on some trousers etc)
I may look up another smock pattern but I do like the look of the oak leaf.
I’ve just finished a white smock on one of my mg teams and I’m actually quite pleased with it...which is great, because I don’t usually fare well with white! Lol
I want to try sponge painting white onto helmets.
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Nice work on him :)
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Camo looks good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Excellent!
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The warlord SS are a mix of smock and parka....painting Them Italian pattern?
Quite good job on the painted figure! :D
If you talk about the Winter Waffen SS box, yes, those parkas are good for either field grey, oak leaf autumn/summer and the italian pattern of telo mimetico. I think the box art also shows some greenish/sandy tones in the style of fieldgrey parkas, which I suppose could be cloth from different factories.
I'll be following with interest! :)
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Nice! Look forward to more pretty pictures.
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Cheers all!
So, I’ve completed half a dozen. I’ve come to the conclusion I like the ones I’ve converted, in some cases more than the proper metals! I may have to buy another sprue!
Anyway, the two parka wearing chaps, I tried to represent the worn Italian pattern shown here.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8AB9A678_D682_4D9F_B18D_42A9FC9BC864.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Close enough for what I want.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/951E3804_5EAA_48C1_A4E1_D7E2C9BCDDB3.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EC5F11D2_DE31_467C_BDC6_5993FF5BDB35.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A8317172_70FF_43C7_9B16_8B18BF849AE9.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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looking good :-* :-* :-*
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I have to agree with gamer Mac, top job and I like how the piece(s) you converted came out as well!
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Cheers guys.
Going to try and get through these in batches. First up, I think I will tackle the soldiers wearing parkas. Going to stick with this Italian faded scheme but dot in a few non camo green shades too.
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looking good :-* :-* :-*
Yep! :)
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Cool project, I'll be following.
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Welcome aboard!
So, the sprue for the Grenadiers arrived. I’m a little puzzled with it. There are some nice bits on the sprue....but they are a little I’ll fitting. There is also a height discrepancy between themselves and with the great coated guys. Easily overlooked though.
Luckily, I’m going to try and join them altogether with a few smocks though! ;)
As I realise I need a further squad of grenadiers for one of the support choices, I thought I’d make / convert a few more.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/381B8915_EE75_43F4_9A1E_BCCFE6AF4ED8.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Gaming mat has arrived...excellent service as usual from Deepcut Studio.
Now we need to fill it with scenery and a few opposing armies!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B9D032AC_33A4_4D85_8700_B736492CBF03.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice mat 8)
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Yup, pretty funky.
Another team. This time I’m using a figure from the plastic grenadier sprue.
Should be an interesting exercise in camo schemes.....he has a zeltbahn over a reversible smock. Waste not want not.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/40CFACC2_87FE_4056_A617_15C7117C4E18.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/86625D25_ED93_40A8_93C6_D15710C9A771.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Hmm....just spotted a little bit needing a tidy up on the gunner......useful to take pics!
Edit: a couple more riflemen using the panzer grenadier sprue.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/77E721EB_393A_4C19_AC94_FE2069C4E58A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Your putty pushing skills are looking good! I really like how you've managed to blend the two kits together.
The Waffen SS (https://store.warlordgames.com/collections/germany/products/waffen-ss-1) kit is another plastic set that would provide some variance to your troops as well as some STG-44s :D
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Cheers Splod. I may we’ll get a sprue and have a play. Tbh....I think I’ve hit my target number now...so any thing I make now simply gives me the chance to stand down the ones I don’t care for. But yes, as it’s been easy enough to winterise the grenadiers, those SS would be just the same I imagine, thanks.
I suppose I really to get a few figures painted this weekend.....
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Well.. For CoC you need 3x full squads, plus a fourth from your support options.
That and it's only if they're panzergrenadiers or SS that you have 2x Mg-34/42 in a squad. If you run them as Volksgrenadiers or leg infantry there are only 3x LMGs for the entire platoon. So you'll need extra riflemen to swap out those LMG teams.
Oh, and you'll need crews for any halftracks...
And while you're at it you may as well do a storm platoon as well to give you more options :D
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Yup, made enough for the extra squad (plus I found a section of unpainted paratroops I could use ) and yes I do need a few more for swapping out the lmg’s....you are correct sir!
Being made aware about Big CofC, I have ordered a Panzer IV zug.
I have the winter Heer warlord models, mostly in smocks, for some of my support options. Namely, HMG, flame thrower, sniper, medic, forward observer. I also have an Artizan Pak 40 but I need to order more crew. I also have a warlord Hanomag and a STuG. Lots to be getting in with....
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Yup, made enough for the extra squad (plus I found a section of unpainted paratroops I could use ) and yes I do need a few more for swapping out the lmg’s....you are correct sir!
Being made aware about Big CofC, I have ordered a Panzer IV zug.
I have the winter Heer warlord models, mostly in smocks, for some of my support options. Namely, HMG, flame thrower, sniper, medic, forward observer. I also have an Artizan Pak 40 but I need to order more crew. I also have a warlord Hanomag and a STuG. Lots to be getting in with....
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And all from a guy whose decries his own out-put.
David you are an ENGINE mate, & a high powered one to boot.
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I said I have them......NOT that I’d yet painted them! Lol
I ordered a pack of tank riders which turned up today. You can take your pick who to put with the gunner, but you can create a very nice lmg team with them.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3CA7E8BB_CFC1_4D66_B222_1EABCFDF048F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/42C18CA4_04D8_4825_869C_9EB02ACCF8C0.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Funny, looking round the web, I’ve seen a lot of people putting teams on square bases? Just a matter of taste perhaps but I prefer mine on round.
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Great use for the tank riders! I think one of the bodies from the grenadier sprue can be used in the same prone position, to portray a bloke priming his panzerfaust before firing.
Great job!
And I have to thank you, I developed motivation to have a go at my WW2 stuff again after looking and reading this excellent post! :)
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That’s pleasing to hear! I’m forever starting new projects after reading other guys posts on LAF! Lol
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It is starting to motivate me to get my Crossfire Forces finished...That is a Company but because of the ratio it is actually the same number of minis as CoC and could be used for either with a few extras...
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Some great sculpting and painting there
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Cheers!
So another ten painted. Mostly the actual as sold Waffen SS Winter chaps in parkas.
Tried a few different parkas.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1350529E_9916_4EA5_BC65_50BF3A402AAD.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/22A05BC6_320D_44ED_8AD1_44A668B326A2.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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8)
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I do love the Metal winter German range. Just a pity there's not more sculpts, as I'm not really a fan of mixing plastics and metals.
Lovely paintwork as always old boy!
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I agree there should be more of them!
It would be nice if they at least did one support pack to go with them.
As for mixing, I’m a fan of individuality so needs must. Still, there are some great support choices that mix well and I will be throwing a few Artizan miniatures bits in too.
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Nice painting Digits! Really like the way you've done the camo. Oddly enough it actually looks like it's starting to blur the edge of the figures into the mat! So careful you don't loose them.
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Ha! That could just be my crappy photography skills! lol lol
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I was going to give you the benafit of the doubt :D
But I have to say I am always impressed by those who take on camo as a task. I think it is probably the hardest thing to paint on a mini! And you have managed to do it justice! 8)
I am guessing the Naps are on pause for the moment ;)
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Really liking these
The camo is good , liking how dark they are
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Nice painting Digits! Really like the way you've done the camo. Oddly enough it actually looks like it's starting to blur the edge of the figures into the mat! So careful you don't loose them.
That's called effective camouflage!
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Thanks guys. I’m not one for bright looking camo done in the style of “a small representation” that I see on some minis. I prefer to dull it down, and keep it relatively small which does tend to naturally darken the minis. Often this means you struggle to see the detailing I think....but it works for me.
Will be having a go at the two zeltbahn wearing minis I converted tonight....should look interesting I hope.
Naps will be resumed shortly. Just want to get these guys done as the promise of a game or two always trumps longer term aspirations!
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The converted minis in zeltbahns. Adds variety and a little interest.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B0E78B4A_EAB1_4D5D_B9B5_5658F4B743AF.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1D4F467A_3D37_4ABB_B42A_A4D372A4A4D4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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8)
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Top work there. I reckon the colour selection is excellent. Very tempting to go back and look at the Empress Volksgrenadiers now.
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Thank you chaps.
Yes, Empress are very nice minis for sure....anatomically better etc.....but I have to say, I find these Warlord minis more animated, which for this game, suits where I think they should be. I see more figures dashing to reach safety and hugging cover...whereas the poses on the Empress are more upright, almost casual. I want to feel the action, not just stare at perfect minis.
If I needed larger numbers, I would of course add them in, but I have one of their mg team packs, and they are closer in stature to the Offensive Miniatures pack I bought.
Saying that....if I could find the right reason to buy one....I’d have a u-boat from them in a shot! Lol
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Saying that....if I could find the right reason to buy one....I’d have a u-boat from them in a shot! Lol
Would that make you a SUB Romanic Brit?
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:-[ :-[
That was bad! ;)
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Both the figures in the Parkas and the Zeltbahns look quite good! Great work on them and top job at converting them!
They do look like very action ready lot! :D
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Cheers bud. Yup, glad I did the zeltbahns but now exhausted my supply. I’m not looking for any more of them....just thought it would look an interesting combo.
Hopefully I have a few Artizan minis coming soon from Northstar which will bump the number of gun crew I need for the Pak40. Can anyone tell me, does the junior leader need to be based separately or with the rest of the crew please? I’m inclined to do him separately so he can be used elsewhere with other chosen options when necessary.
I don’t recall ever putting more than three crew on any gun when I did rapid fire, 6 seems a lot! Luckily I have a few mdf round bases big enough....
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Operation Greif. Do yourself some German GI’s that will confuse the opposition.
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lol
Maybe a few American MP’s and I had thought of buying a panther and painting it green.....
Mostly I’m just concentrating on my core platoon and limited support options.
Still painting the core platoon, but once my additional AT crew arrive, I should have the following based and primed for painting.
Sniper Team
Flame Thrower Team
Forward Observer
HMG Team
Pak40
Additional Squad
Senior Leader
Vehicles currently owned
Hanomag
STuG
3 x Pzr IV
Other bits to buy, Infantry Gun, Tank Crew, Schwimwagon, Jagdpanther.
I can’t find any combat pioneers without spending too much to represent minefield clearance / obstacle clearance teams.....so I may need to get creative.
I also intend to make a start on some scenery.
I have some Renedra palisade fencing which I intend to combine with hedging. Usually only see either fencing or hedging stand alone, but I want the two inter mingled, much of it “doubled up” ie with the hedge growing against / through the fence. The palisade fencing looks old and it should complement the idea.
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Regarding the PaK here's a picture from the Bundesarchiv showing five crew. It depends at times. Of course you can go realistic, but some games like Bolt Action use simplified crew numbers. Alternatively I'd stick to what CoC says.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/7,5-cm-PaK_40#/media/Datei:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-024-3543-09,_Ostfront,_Soldaten_an_7,5cm_Pak.jpg
Warlord Games do a Panther from the Ardennes campaign, ready with the camouflage and all to look like an american vehicle. I could check my Osprey book for more pictures on it though. From what I read the Greif troopers weren't popular though. And rightly so. Changing uniform violated certain codes of the Geneva convention to clearly discern enemy combatants.
Amusing as it may be, Skorzeny himself said, the faux M10's that were actually Panthers would only fool american recruits. In the dark of the night. At a distance. lol
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Agreed.....not really the focus of our games I think!
Thanks for the crew picture......yup, I will have five crew but I also need five for the IG.18...AND I see I’m supposed to have five on the MG42! I’ve already based that as a three....I may just have to have a few standing troopers to dot about it.
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I've sourced a couple of spares with ammo boxes that I add to the gun crews supplied with the model as a separate base - and I usually do the Junior Leader separate for Chain of Command. As I'm unlikely to field a PaK, a LfGe and a HMG on tripod simultaneously, it kept down the amount of painting time required.
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I don’t believe it...was looking for something else and found a bag of crew I didn’t even know I had!
Ok....5 plus a junior leader it is!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/97F5C573_5DF0_43FC_970D_66FE1281C74A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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They're quite good. I particularly like the bloke sitting on the stabilizer/towing implement. Nice! Looking forward to seeing them painted!
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They are a mix. Artizan older winter crew / newer winter crew and a warlord guy from the mortar pack. Still leaves me with extra crew for the IG.18.
I have a fortnight off now and the intent is to get the rest of these minis and support options painted (except the AFV’s).
We’ve reached a decision on buildings. My collaborator has a thing for laser cut and I’m a stickler for resin. With that in mind, I’m going to concentrate on more rural areas, and he on urban. I’ve just placed an order on Total Battle Miniatures for their farm and a few other out buildings as I will concentrate on that first.
In time I would like to add a chateau and a church, also from the same supplier.
If I end up playing Eastern Front....there are others in the group with plenty of scenery I think!
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I'm looking forward to seeing these all painted up. I shall watch with interest.
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Well this is what I have to paint the next two weeks...
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EF7FAA21_B188_4F5B_93C4_C5B8586A3042.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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2 weeks? Nah, that's 2 days work for a prolific sort such as you ;)
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Hmmm.....if I was on my a-game, three or four days. The camo takes a bit of time.
No, lots to do the next few weeks and painting has to slot in between times.
I’m chuffed with my choice on figures (admittedly most were forced up me) but for me, it’s often about the heavy weapons teams. Each a vignette in its own right. Once these are done, I can concentrate on some scenics.
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A couple more. I needed another officer and a few more riflemen.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5D143CEE_73EE_49EF_84A4_08CF4B3449FA.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D63AA5BB_5C83_418C_B683_EA0AC88CD688.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice putty pushing 8)
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I thank you.
So, finally, doubled up the number painted. Pics are dark, sorry, very dull day here! Better pics when I get home.
First up, the platoon HQ, Hauptsturmführer Friedrich and panzerschreck team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4C1E9C87_5EC6_4CFB_A65C_AEB3DF9C9857.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Junior NCO
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5680DCBA_A89A_4BAA_B2D3_744C80C10B9C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Riflemen
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8552FA23_8F9C_4C86_9BDE_246B3659DAAE.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
A pair of light machine gun teams
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8E1A7E88_D378_4861_8FD1_FFA510CCA988.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
A Sniper team and a Forward Observer
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/30509BFB_2003_4FE8_9957_219F21E0FA88.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
The panzerschreck is a little darker than I wanted it as I’ve left too many paints at home,m I will rectify that when I get back, indeed, my dullcote ran out half way through spraying them all, so I need to do that too!
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Very nice work esp on bases and the autumn camo
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Cheers fella, much appreciated.
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8)
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Ta.
Better pic in the sunshine.....progress thus far. Another ten minis nearing completion so on course to get them all done in the next week I hope.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4E504937_1DF1_4AF9_B2D0_70D2350CBF90.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0AFBE529_ECB1_4515_9AA4_C8008501A090.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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That Winter officer model is quite good, also painted mine when I got him. Though in Sumpfmuster I think. For some reason the faces are not as goofy on the winter miniatures as opposed to the rest, really.
EDIT: Made it clearer that I meant the rest of Warlord's miniatures in the german range have odd faces, read itself weird beforehand.
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Yes, I noticed that on a lot of Warlord minis......these haven’t been too bad at all though.
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Anyway top effort, looking forward to more pictures! :)
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I do really like the metal winter range. I just wish there were more figures!
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Agreed.
Anyway, struggling with light...but another ten minis finished....nearly there!
Some troops and nco.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/231136FB_B44E_4DBF_ACC6_4675D49DEF37.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
A junior nco for use with support weapon
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/827558C0_307C_488C_99AF_CC679276C93D.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Two converted minis including a support senior officer
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/DD3177C8_90E8_409C_B539_B268B8A89A60.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And the slightly converted “heavy weapon” team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ADF8A526_7BFB_4B11_86AC_4C0D3819A37C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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"Wake up Ernst you dumkopf! It's your turn to take watch!" lol
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Yup...too much schnapps in his coco!
Moving on last batch now. I have a pair of LMG’s, an HMG, medic and flamethrower team. The pak 40 crew are almost finished but I don’t have all the paints I need for the gun yet....
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but I don’t have all the paints I need for the gun yet
Well there is a war on you know!
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Well there is a war on you know!
The same thing the crew for said gun said back then. lol
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Holiday over and back into the thick of it at work. No painted minis at the mo but I did get a few fence/hedges done using Renedra palisade fencing and rubberised horse hair.
This represents two packs of fencing so I’ve ordered two more. I will play with distressing some of the fence in the next batch.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/805D8174_514D_4A1B_9DD1_CC18C7451952.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E78861FF_BA94_4774_8C8F_9EADC5F2D8B1.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
I’ve opted for an autumnal look with wind blown leaves caught up in the evergreen hedge. I can sprinkle on snow for colder games.
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Brilliant!
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Nice work on those 8)
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Very nice.
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Thanks all, it’s a start!
However, here is my main present to myself.....resin crack! Thank you Total Battle Minis!
I was daft, didn’t see the farm set already had a lean to and ordered a second! I can disguise it a bit to make the second farmstead with the half timbered house and stables.
I love the rubber mat it comes on...a little big / stretched so will need to infill the gaps but as I’m assuming they use the same material for their roads....that will be my next purchase. The nice chaps also put in a little freebie statue!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/DFB829C6_0C1E_4719_98D3_87DF5B9E4EAB.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7992DDAA_88DB_46A7_BBBC_155091813108.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
So, lots of painting to be done, including that nifty tractor I’ve had for years and done nothing with.
I’ve also started making more forest stands so plenty to be getting on with!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/31F5D7EC_0E00_488D_A676_AC767954AF40.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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I'm off to get a hot cup of tea. Looking at all this wintery stuff is making me cold.
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Those TBM kits are a bit lovely! I particularly like the base-piece too :)
Nice work on the fencing too. Keeping to an Autumn theme makes the terrain more usable too. You can have the odd bit of white-scatter to make the table colder, or mix in a bit more greenery for earlier in the season :D
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Indeed, that was my thinking. Would be a shame to plaster everything in snow and render it unusable for other uses.
I do need to get a bit more creative. I’m even wondering WHAT could look more Autumnal than a pumpkin farm! Lol. I built this for B&B games.....and I know the world record for the largest pumpkin was achieved in Belgium 2016!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/b76/DigitsDavid/1%20Burrows/.highres/5F4A37CB-BC17-4FCD-B60C-A5CE3A9FF829.jpeg)
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Brilliant stuff... how did you do the pumpkins?
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Bought a pack of Putkha seeds from hobbycraft and painted them orange! Simples.
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Great stuff. Were pumpkins commonly eaten in the 40s in Europe? I only ask because in the UK they were virtually unknown. Even now it's pretty much Halloween only.
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They came to Europe many years before the conflict...and Germans certainly love them now....I can’t say. But this is a game....if it wasn’t pumpkins it could equally be another Autumn crop! Anyway, they will do until we can build more scenery.
We are having a play through the rules tomorrow. Just been setting up the sign of the times shelter ready for the morning.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1B7B2C33_1EB4_467A_B774_41418BB3FA1F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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And a hurried job to finish another support option ahead of tomorrow....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/99B55ACF_3B40_4D93_AE5E_344F0B143AA5.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0A29CB41_814B_449B_B0B5_41C623EFB5B7.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Great work, if I can be slightly critical, where are they getting that dark green foliage camouflage in winter ? (yes I know.. Tannenbaum, das grunst..) but you would camouflage a ground unit with what was ground coloured.
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You’ve seen me making dark green hedges above? I just looked at a few reference books and copied them tbh.
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you would camouflage a ground unit with what was ground coloured.
"But sarge, honest it HAD snow & frost on it when we grabbed it!"
" Don't worry son, it's bound to snow in a short while"
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There IS a little snow on it. :?
Anyway....it was a rush paint job......they grabbed what they could!
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I like the terrain! The idea with the pumpkins is very creative and I will totally
steal copy that idea once I can find fitting stuff here. The fencing is quite good and I like the approach of keeping it playable for different seasons. :)
The hastily disguised PaK is nice. I quite like the painting of the crew as well. Further food to get cracking on my own stuff! :D
Great job Digits!
Oh, and those farms look quite good. After reading the book by Peter White's "With the Scots" about the fighting in Germany I might have to invest in a few farms as well. Most scenes revolve around those, be it as billet or as hideout for german Spandaus.
Besides, there's a scene described in which an MG crew had hidden their bunker under one such haystack. Maybe food for thought. :D
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Yup, farms cover the vast majority of countryside, with exception of forests. Makes sense.
So, had my first battle with theses fellas.
See here
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=127234.0
One thing very apparent is the need for more scenery.....
So, construction progress.
More coniferous forest sections, 4more feet of fence/hedge and 4 off 6” barbed wire sections.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E4AC7E8A_7499_40E5_ABBD_2A00F7A51A4D.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Sanded only. So I will paint these when dry before adding hedge pieces and the wire which will be my take on a triple concertina obstacle.
I need to go collecting twigs too as I want lots of wood piles to represent the forestry work in the area.
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Lovely work! What are you using to base your terrain pieces?
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2mm plasticard. Easy to bevel the edges and a quick sandpaper roughs the surface up.
For larger pieces, like the tree bases, I use cork backed placemats. Cheap and readily available everywhere.
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So, another two sets of a Renedra palisade fencing. This time, I distressed the fence in a few places and I have hit on a more autumnal finish so I also went and reflocked the first set.
Also, just waiting on the barbed wire to complete these triple concertina barbed wire sections.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/73414108_678E_47CF_805E_D705A797673E.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Lovely work
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Cracking work! :D
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Thanks!
Last two mg teams for the support squad.. Artizan minis.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/65849F20_559F_4E00_AF53_55C3FEF34EC7.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And a few more support options...HMG, medic and flame throwing team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F520D1F3_CDB2_4FA0_BA04_315F39B9902E.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice work!
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Nice work on those :)
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Thanks!
So, I’ve been quiet as I’m knee deep trying to finish these Total Battle Miniatures buildings.
They are great models, and I’m a big fan of resin buildings....but I hate painting anything bigger than a mini! Still...very much work in progress, but I can now see where I’m going with them....hopefully another few days....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F16C6D5A_B31F_405E_BFD1_68B9F4371DAD.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C96B1D63_3A11_44A2_A255_DB66B88D92A6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And, I’ve been putting wire on the stands. Need a little more to do the fourth yet.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/15BC5398_C759_4470_8B33_FE82A82854FF.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Even if you don't like painting big things you are doing a grand job :-* :-* :-*
liking the wire as well :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers Mac....still a way to go yet. I thin’ part of it is I get bored easily, but also, I find it hard to replicate schemes I’ve seen others do and it frustrates me greatly! :?
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They look spanking :-*
We all get bored easily - it’s why we flit, butterfly-like, from project to project lol
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Off to a great start! I particularly like the razor wire :D
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They will look even better when they have lots of tanks & infantry around them.
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Buildings look great 8)
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Buildings look great 8)
I agree !
Very good work on those buildings.
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Very nice.
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Cheers guys, appreciate the feedback!
So, I need to clear the kitchen tonight for painting tomorrow so forced my hand to finish these buildings.
I’ve not done much with the interiors yet...I will save that for another time....and I’m sure there will be a few snags with this, but pretty much finished and ready to game over!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A350CBFB_C3B6_4B42_A82C_7F8304490BF3.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9B3D7B64_ADCA_4A63_94B0_BFA8AB4D26B5.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/909D8567_B45A_4884_AB6E_EE0849EFAD13.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/539F655E_A439_4B56_A851_6197A8C9B4BB.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/46F5B78C_2A3D_4CAE_B239_714250C74B11.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D5DBD867_79DA_46B7_B37B_F3AF26E12545.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
The wash on top of the lean too is drying hence a bit shiny in the picture.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/530733BD_6174_4860_8E95_56F95AB51F4D.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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They look absolutely top-notch 8)
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Cheers Cap’n!
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Cracking job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers Mac. Still have another half timbered house to do some time and in the future, I’d like to buy their chateau, cafe and perhaps church. But there is no rush for them. Jamie has half a dozen laser cut houses which match in easily enough.
We have talked of extending this to cover Normandy....hence no snow....but that can be sprinkled on.
I need ideas on other scenic bits to add. Also, if anyone can point me at other Western European buildings in resin ( can’t afford Grand Manner) I’d appreciate it.....ta
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Oh damn, those do look nice. :o
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Cheers mate.
Forgot to add arial pic of the yard and lean to / sty roof.
In doing so, I noticed I forgot to paint window frames! Lol. I will get round to them one day!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/94B5AC5F_D0A1_4F7C_A329_97C0784101A4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice, are you going to pick up more from that line of terrain?
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Yup, I like the chateau and I need a church I think. I have some roads on order from them too. Nice models, great company. Just wish they would expand the range a bit...
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Yup, I like the chateau and I need a church I think. I have some roads on order from them too. Nice models, great company. Just wish they would expand the range a bit...
I love their models, but looking at how many I would need/want... the pricing is a bit rich for me.
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Very nice models, and the painting is really good.
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They are very nice models....but unfortunately yes you pay for that. They are not as pricey however as some I’ve seen and at least you can buy them unpainted, unlike Grand Manner who have restricted a collectors choice somewhat. Tbh...these are better in my opinion anyway.
Cheers for the comments.
Added flavour...had this tractor for years. Not the most convincing paint job, but I think it adds character to the farm. I have some barrels and junk somewhere to add and I notice warlord do a set of 1:56 farm animals. I will get a few next month perhaps.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0780DAF3_FF95_471B_BDA3_12A4A8813F7A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And because I forgot the windows!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F2C1CDE9_7D11_4399_B346_E6BE3AE96B69.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Have a look at Warbases Animal range.
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Very nice project 8)
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Are the houses attached to the base?
Tractor fits the bill
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Cheers guys.
No, the base is a good solid rubber mat. Made from the same material they use for the roads I think. Slightly stretched, possibly Ofer time, the mould maybe. There are gaps at the base of the houses....but in play, I may just fill with a little dark sand or ballast to represent a stoned bed.
I have tracks coming soon hopefully.
We have a game coming up this weekend too, so pics next week of the houses being used in anger.
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I’ve ordered a couple of their timber framed buildings on the strength of your handiwork :)
Never really noticed this company before, so thanks for the lead. I’m interested to see what they’re like in the flesh. As you say, certainly a lot cheaper than Grand Manner, and being able to buy them unpainted is a major bonus.
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I don’t think you will be disappointed!
Link for anyone else ( I promise, no commission involved! :? )
http://www.totalbattleminiatures.com/
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I may just fill with a little dark sand or ballast to represent a stoned bed.
Now I understand the need/want for 'Black sand'
I will see what I have got.
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Muchas grassyarse !
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More trees should we need them
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F27A5052_70E1_442A_9574_80D3E8B3F5FC.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Not the most impressive build I guarantee...but a quick metal animal shelter for the farm.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D09DDDEF_C93A_47B5_9B5B_BBE59C0D8977.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Looks good to me, some times simple is best. And nice forest.
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Love that rusted out shed! The ground cover for those trees is looking a bit green however ;)
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To match with my other existing trees tbh. Scatter snow on though and they will be fine. ;)
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All looking good Digits.
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Before today’s game...see take the farm batrep, Jamie presented me with my AFV’s, which he has spent hours on painting and winterising For me! I LOVE them! Cheers mate.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6CC9709B_AC17_49A3_9321_2129FA8002F1.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/36B2A3B2_DB20_41A9_8E77_0434DE121FA3.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BF4B0D5E_238C_4086_94A1_11301A3CB475.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Lovely :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
how did they do the white wash?
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It’s very technical....to me at least! I will ask him to post up his methodology.
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Lovely work! Every bit as nice as your own infantry efforts :)
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Cheers, yup he’s done me proud and they do complement the infantry very well.
Best of all, as we will soon start a slower build up to some Normandy gaming....he’s keen to paint my armour for that too!
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Just caught up with all the updates,great stuff, love the shed too! :)
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Cheers fella.
Yup, I think I need to make a few mor shed / huts as many of these games will be quite rural.
We also think we need a lot more fencing, so I will be doing some like Jamie made, posts and three lines of wire. I will order another sheet of plastic are as I’m low on that.
We will also need more explosions to mark the boundaries of barrages.
I want to buy or make some jump off point markers, wood piles, farm debris, Telegraph poles, walls and when I get them, paint some roads.
In good time and pennies permitting, I need a church with grave yard, a chateau and perhaps one more building.
Jamie is going to concentrate on making defensive positions and some bombed out buildings.
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Looking forward to this :)
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Looking forward to this :)
Me too
Looking for ideas to fill my own table
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In response to the question on the whitewash, here is a very rough guide to what I do.
- Build the vehicle and undercoat with Halfords grey primer (note: I accentuate panel lines with a panel line scribing tool)
- Airbrush with Tamiya paint mixed with X20A thinner 50/50
- Mask and paint the two camouflage colours
- Apply 'scratches and wear using a combination of 'sponge' (ripped to make the end rough) applied grey paint with a hint of red in it and paintbrush.
- Paint all of the tools, tyres, tracks, exhaust (including 3 x rust colours on exhaust)
- Apply black panel line wash to all of the gaps, panel lines, hatches, features and the tracks
- 2 x coats of varnish to protect the paint.
- Apply decals using two decal fluids, one for floating into place and one for setting/softening the decal to conform to the surface.
- One more coat of varnish to protect the decals.
- Spray two wet(ish) coats of hairspray over the whole model
- Now spray a very light coat of white Tamiya paint mixed 40:60 with X20A thinner. White paint has loads of pigment in it so I change the mix to make sure I do not get tip drying on the airbrush. Make sure this coat is painted in a 'swirly' pattern and built up slowly. Leave some areas barely covered with the camo still showing through.
- Once thoroughly dry, take an old paintbrush and a pot of water and begin to paint a section at a time with the water. After each section is done, work the water gently with the brush to wear away the paint as the hairspray reactivates. Be careful with this, you need small amounts to come off. They need to have brush marks in the removal to look like bushes wearing against it. There needs to be some vertical marks and washing to show the rain effect washing the whitewash off. Leave the wash on in areas around hatches and places where foot traffic wouldn't wear it off. Use a cocktail stick to add a few deep scratches on the sides. Now move onto the next section. This step takes a long time.
- Once finished, I now add the stowage and paint. I made the tarps with paper and paper shaper from VMS.
- Panel line wash in 'Winter' scheme is now added to really make the vehicle 'pop'.
- Weathering is now done. Home made mud for the tracks/wheels/underneath. A bit of a mix of colour pigment powder, PVA glue, plaster, sawdust and water. Hand painted rust streaks and dirt streaks using Abteilung 502 oil paints and thinners.
- One last coat of matt varnish.
Easy really.
I have had some real trials and tribulations over paint type/mix ratio with thinner and the chipping medium. I will not say what products I had a nightmare with, but I have, above, told yo exactly what I use now. All of this changes according to the temp in the room, the airbrush you use, the size of needle and the pressure you like to run. Even the technique that you use for the trigger! I have now finally found a recipe that works for me, my style of working and my brush. Yours MAY be different.
Hope that helps. I could have just answered - paint it, hairspray it, paint it white and remove some of the paint with water. But that wouldn't be quite as helpful!
Finally, go on YouTube and get some inspiration from Plasmo and Nightshift. Two exceptionally good modellers. Plasmo works his magic on 1/76 stuff and is a bit of a genius. Nightshift works on 1:35 and will make you laugh as he makes you feel unskilled and inadequate! Thank you to both.
Jamie.
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Thank you very much for the extensive answer
A lot of work but well worth your end results
cheers
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Indeed....great run thru Jamie!
Having left me with bamboo and wire on Saturday, I decided to make some wire stock fencing like his. My grandad, a farmer, would be spinning in his grave after seeing what a hash I made! The wire goes round in random ways at times! Lol
I will get the next lot right, but for now I’m out of 2mm plasticard. Going to pick up some livestock next month....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F745F342_195B_4340_80C1_1F88D4CDF54C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
I also picked up some twigs whilst walking the dog yesterday to make these wood piles. Add a little pva soaked tissue for tarps. Good scatter scenery.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8F597082_B925_4879_B5D0_42D435090F71.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Never mind the random directions, it looks great. I struggle with this and I really like your colour selection, it very much works. Mine on the other hand is much too bright. I've been very tempted at times to just airbrush mist a dusty shade over everything from houses to bushes to roads. Except I know I would stuff it up... :(
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Shabby, you could just try using an artist sponge?
Dab on little patches and build up from that? Different outcome admittedly but can look good too?
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Great additions to the collection 👍
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Shabby, you could just try using an artist sponge?
Dab on little patches and build up from that? Different outcome admittedly but can look good too?
Certainly worth a few experiments...
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Very nicely done on the winter camouflage. The hairspray method is well worth trying and not that difficult to pull off for a very nice effect. One other application is with a burnt out effect. A base colour of browns and blacks, then hairspray and then the tank’s colour.
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/qYdUYq.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/poqYdUYqj)
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Don’t have any WW2 in a large collection but this is rapidly a go to thread due to the fantastic eye candy, quality stuff gents.
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Lovely job on that sherman :-* :-* :-*
This is a great thread full great ideas
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I like that burnt Sherman, great job on the painting.
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Hmmm...deciding what to do next. I’m open to clutter ideas but meanwhile, I have one sheet of 2mm plastic and...I can get two fencing strips roughly 12” long and two minefields from this. I’m a little short of wire so will need to pinch some from Jamie.
I will make a hut to go with the animal shelter as useful LOS blockers from:the strip of foam card.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/947BB9A5_0696_42AC_84E6_AE07385B40DF.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And I need a bag of clump foliage to finish them, but I’ve made 6 more explosion armatures as it’s necessary to mark the area of effect for battery fire. I currently have only four useable ones, the others being too 40k for this game. Tempted though to buy a plastic cow and have it feature in one of them.....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9C3F3C7B_5B67_46DF_8A12_A94C9AB01622.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Non terrain news....I have decided to buy a King Tiger....iconic AFV’s that will rarely if ever see the table, but it won’t be whitewashed...instead, I like this picture taken in Hungary, and Jamie will try and replicate it for me.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B3F3BF16_5891_4DEE_8848_EC1AB8598AC9.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
If anyone can suggest other bits of miscellaneous scenery, I’m open to suggestion..
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Are you going with the Warlord Pzkfpw or waiting for the Rubicon one? I ended up building a Bandai 1/48 kit which is massive. It has the Porsche turret as well, which I believe really limits it to Normandy only.
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No, going with the Warlord base one with H. Turret I think.
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A quick and useful little shed
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BCFCBFD8_9D54_4F05_B369_5E4FE2FB0BD6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Very rustic, nice :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers.
So a couple more pieces of stock fencing. I want to get some walls soon too.
I don’t think I can stress the importance of fencing/hedgerows/walls etc on the battlefield.
Each in their own right offering differing degrees of cover, or none in this case.
I also feel adding bits of hedge or shrubbery breaks the monotony of a fence line and improves the look of the table.
When I get a bit more wire, I will make a grassed / collapsed section too as well as one or two further section. This particular fencing is great demarkation for road boundaries etc without blocking lines of sight. Btw Jamie’s idea, not mine, but happy to copy!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FE87EDD0_D90A_4436_8AF8_49A744C736F9.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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That is some fantastic looking terrain, Dig! Especially in a game like CoC, these linear obstacles that block movement but not lines of fire make for really interesting battlefield obstacles. It also means that sappers and engineers have a use on table ;)
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Cracking job on those :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Can you tell us where the wire comes from?
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You can get it on eBay. This isn’t spiral wound...you may want to get that, especially if you want to do concertina barbed wire as well.
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Been a little busy so not much done....but I have painted a few metal cattle.
Looking a little sorry for themselves however!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/85FAE71B_471C_4468_BF23_67864AF9FA99.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Useful “scatter terrain” offering a little possible cover for a team I think. Will do for both the Ardennes and Normandy games. Seeing as I painted them as Normande Shorthorns.
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I know they were a common sight in Normandy but I wouldn't like to hide behind a dead cow
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If that’s the only cover available, you would. I can imagine them to be as effective as sand bags! Lol
I remember reading when they were filming Saving Private Ryan, they shot many, many rounds into dead cows, presumably for sound effects!
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I imagine they are a bit more squishy than sand bags lol lol lol
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And they very quickly smell a lot worse.
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Wot no cow in the middle of an explosion?
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I need plastic cows for that.....but it’s coming! Lol
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"...they very quickly smell a lot worse."
From George Wilson's "If You Survive":
...one of our tanks accidentally ran over a dead cow...there was the terrible mouth-filling stench to add to the gore...I fell down on my hands and knees and was retching miserably...
A trigger for shock?
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Goodies received and ready for painting.
More Renedra fencing and a couple of gates from Magister Militum. Realising you can not have enough fencing!
Plastic bridge from Warlord. Reasonably sized and wide enough for large tanks. Just needs a river next!
Jump off markers from TFL, a fantastic fuel stack of Jerry cans from Baueda (lovely casting) and a larger fuel drum marker from MM. Not sure why it has a figure hole but easy to sort out.
Oh, and the cows have arrived so I can look at a few gory looking explosions Pete! ;)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6DA5A16E_65BD_465C_82B5_C39474F2058F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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WIP. “Bovine Blast!”
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D69C62C4_9FF3_4126_80E9_01F107FDA384.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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oh very good sir! I'll look forward to seeing that painted.
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"Steak expensive?"
"Well Beef is going up"
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"Steak expensive?"
"Well Beef is going up"
lol
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Or...
The steaks are high in this game!
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They remind me of the old A-Team explosions which always had a barrel going up. It must be the methane in these cows causing them to launch like this! Lol
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Wow, they look great. Nice humour too.
But please, everyone, stop encouraging has.been's bad puns.
There, that's todays beef out of the way.
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looking good if a bit gorry
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There, that's todays beef out of the way.
I shall stew over your comment.
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Lucky most campaigns are summertime or the cows would be Friesian
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Lucky most campaigns are summertime or the cows would be Friesian
Not HERD that one.
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You’re milking it, there’s a lot of bull being discussed here! I’d love to steer it back on trail and show you the finished model, but once again, I am not amoosed as photo”pail” are being udderly useless and I can’t upload it.
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Please no moo re :D :D :D
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I thought about doing the same thing with some small lambs, but was a bit sheepish about it.
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Ewe had to go there!
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This may not work, so sorry if it’s a blank page.
David sent me it earlier on iPad.
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Cheers fella!
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Oh no! Poor cows....
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So, I think I mentioned earlier that we will also be looking to the battle in Normandy. After much head scratching, I have decided not to do more SS, but I am fascinated by the role of the Fallschirmjager. I want to do these to represent either Fjr. 6 “The Lions of Carentan” or Fjr. 9 as I have a few books around the fighting in Saint Lo.
I am also gathering a few Panthers (that Jamie is painting for me) and I will be using these as Panzer Lehr, so I may do a few troops for that too.
For the paratroops, I will be mainly using Artisan miniatures with support options from Warlord.
However, I need to find good paint guides for the Fallschirmjager. Mostly what I’ve seen represent earlier in the war. Any suggestions welcome.
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Can't help with any painting information, but will look forward to seeing what you produce!
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Artizan have a paint guide as does SHQ
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I too will look forward to seeing your work.
JC always refers to German Paras as, 'Falling screaming Jagers'
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Ha!
Try Scott, cheers, I will take a look.
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In addition to those these are a couple of my favs
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there is a another step by step on this blog https://thewargamingmonkey.blogspot.com/2016/08/how-to-paint-fallschirmjager-1943-45.html (https://thewargamingmonkey.blogspot.com/2016/08/how-to-paint-fallschirmjager-1943-45.html)
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This is the best one I've found, step by step with great results.
https://moitereisbuntewelt.blogspot.com/2015/12/fallschirmjager-colour-guide.html
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These are all great thanks..I have a sneaky my scheme will be a mix of elements from these. That last in particular being gw paints.... I’m trying to use less when it comes to ww2 uniforms as I tend to find them a little shiny. However, some useful camo tips etc.
Thanks all.
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https://moitereisbuntewelt.blogspot.com/2014/03/step-by-step-splinter-pattern-camouflage.html
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Well I’ve amassed the minis I need for the Fallschirmjager, 80% from Artizan and a few support options from Warlord....snipers, flame thrower, tripod mounted MG42, PaK40 and a recoiless gun.
There are not enough unique mmg teams available at Artizan (they have 4) so I also have a plastic sprue from warlord and there are a couple on there I think so I will make those up and mix them in. Like the SS, I want every mini to be a unique one.
There are a few too many Artizan minis with MP40’s or pistols than I need, so I may tinker with a couple....
I know that strictly speaking, the recoiless 10.5 probably didn’t see much (if any) action in Normandy, but it’s characterful and we will just have to agree a “count as” unless I can find CoC stats for it.
We are not in a rush for Normandy as to be fair, we have a significant Ardennes offensive to work our way through. However, it would be good to slowly get them done as we want to expand to Big CoC games with friends. With that in mind, Jamie is already painting up some Panzer Lehr tanks for me. Hopefully, our chums will have some 28mm of their own too.
Anyway, I shall start cleaning them up and basing them shortly.
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Sounds like an excellent collection
May I ask where you got the 10.5 cm recoilless from?
Might be interested in one of them myself.
AFAIK they fought mainly in Russia and Finland though maybe Italy too?
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From Warlord mate
https://store.warlordgames.com/collections/german-fallschirmjager/products/fallschirmjager-10-5cm-lg40-1-recoilless-artillery-1943-45?variant=31469048758352
Been looking at Victory Force minis. They look a little taller than the Artizan...but so long as I only use a couple, they can easily just pass for tall chaps!
Does anyone know of a UK supplier by any chance?
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No UK supplier I know of. I have a few German Victory Force miniatures if you want to do a comparison before you send for any? Not FJ just a couple of NCOs with Mp40s
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Do you have any Artizan minis to stand them against mate?
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I've just been looking at Victory force as well, shame they have to travel so far. Could do with another bren team and some riflemen...
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Going to hit the same problem with my Panzer Lehr too. Artizan only make 18 minis. That includes one MG42 team. So I will need to make up the balance with late war in zeltbahn and in smocks to disguise the short (or lack thereof) tunics.
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Hmmm....nothing achieved for the last few weeks, been busy.
But stupidly, I have bought a few bits which is getting piled up awaiting attention!
I bought a box of warlord volksgrenadiers to put with the Panzer Lehr. They appear to have short tunics so should fit in I think.
So...here’s what’s on the table to do (or will be following Christmas Day!)
Buildings to paint
Chateau
Church
Timbre Framed Building
Ramshackle Barn
Scenics to Make up and Paint
Bridge
About 10ft of Warlord Plastic and TBM resin walls
More Wire Fencing
Another box of palisade fencing
Jump off markers
Rubble piles
7ft of railway line
Figures
Platoon plus supports of Fallschirmjager
Most of a platoon of Panzer Lehr
So, have my work cut out, especially as I’m also playing with other projects! Lol
Thankfully Jamie is painting a few AFV’s for me and he’s making some great looking bocage, buildings and other scenery for out games too.
As it happens, we are desperate to start our Ardennes campaign following lockdown and there is a LOT of gaming to go go with that....so the Normandy minis do not need doing in any hurry. Will be good to get through the scenic stuff though....very useful for the campaign.
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Wishing you well for all that work.
I look forward to completion pictures.
Hopefully seeing it all sometime in the new year.
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I'm also looking forward to seeing what you do.
I confess that the Rubicon King Tiger kit finally tipped me over the edge, and coupled with a voucher and Warlord's 3 for two deal, I now have a Volksgrenadier Sturm Zug, and a Tiger Ausf B on the workbench, awaiting paint. Of course, this means I also need to build a whole winter terrain selection as well.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GvqgNrXgnkk/X-JUR4-os9I/AAAAAAAAFNM/aRPNVh3kD3EVkPOvnEPx7PMFGwh67C9BgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1210/inf.png)
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Funny you should mention it...Jamie asked me to get the Rubicon King without Zimmerit instead of the resin one I had. He’s going to paint it up to match my winter tanks. 😉
Good luck with yours....
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Funny you should mention it...Jamie asked me to get the Rubicon King without Zimmerit instead of the resin one I had. He’s going to paint it up to match my winter tanks. 😉
Good luck with yours....
yep, that's the one I am assembling. I can't find any evidence for whitewash finish in the Ardennes though. Poetic license required :)
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Admittedly not much evidence...though this one was whitewashed to half way up it.
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Decided to open my Christmas present from the missus.
Decent sized pieces of kit! The church is a good size and will dominate a table but the Chateau is a lovely building! I don’t know why but I thought the base to be made of rubber like the farm set but it’s actually resin. Going to have to find somewhere safe to store it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C058EAD7_BD44_47FB_B873_C0171118B859.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
It comes with wallpaper so you can decorate each room.....not sure I will do that yet, but it’s an option. It will be a tough nut to crack in any game though.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/88344171_6DB4_4ABA_AA68_234BBC7AE3FC.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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I have also been putting together some Warlord plastic walls and cleaning up a few from TBM too.
Paintwork this week....
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:o wow. The chateau is an impressive lump!
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The Total Battle Miniatures chateau looks a beauty ;D
very impressed that they put the wallpaper in there!
EC
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I can see the wallpaper that they supply, but can’t see the pasting table or stepladders ?...
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You're amassing quite the urban sprawl :D
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I can see the wallpaper that they supply, but can’t see the pasting table or stepladders ?...
I’m sure if we ask Pete to look through his lead pile...... ;)
As for the collection...yes, I must admit their models are fantastic.....as such, I have ordered a few others, I may as well complete the collection.....let’s hope they don’t start releasing more! lol
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I could provide the stepladder & pasting table, but the Chateau
looks to be beyond the 'Lick of paint & spot of paste' stage.
What you need is a decorator (hands on hips, head tilted to one side,
with note pad & pencil) working out the sizable quote for repairs.
Difficult to include the sharp intake of breath that would go with it.
Nicer, & makeable, would be the remains of a brass bed hanging out
of the upstairs.
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It’s a good job the plane you gave me never made it to eBay.
Once world returns to something like normal and we can travel and see friends again, you can have it back.
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What scale is the Anty Ju?
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I fancy one in 1/48, but I can't really justify the cost of the Revell kit for a very infrequently used piece of table dressing. But it would definitely be done in the camo from 'Where Eagles Dare'. :)
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It very heavy in metal. Says made in China.
Artizan 28mm British para for scale.
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Is that the Franklin Mint one?
It very heavy in metal. Says made in China.
Artizan 28mm British para for scale.
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Cheers Brian...we will get a chance to play with it finally!
It is 1:48 Franklin Mint diecast, going to either play it on the ground, or make a serious flying stand!
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there's a Franklin Mint one in that colour scheme on eBay for £227 :o
some interesting alternative colour schemes on the JU52 for as little as £148
on the other hand there's a Revell kit for £39.95 !
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there's a Franklin Mint one in that colour scheme on eBay for £227 :o
some interesting alternative colour schemes on the JU52 for as little as £148
on the other hand there's a Revell kit for £39.95 !
Honest! Mine has just taken off, you just missed it. ;)
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This one is slightly damaged tbh.....but glad it can feature now.
Been thinking of uses for it.
SAS attack on airfield.....jeeps, guards, German staff cars etc......need to find a couple of same scale Foke-Wulfs to park up alongside it.... I shall start collecting!
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Still needs that missing propeller and I need to find the air flap that fell off.
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that thing is huge! :o
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Yup...but I’m starting to think I may get a few 1/48 bits from 1st Corps to play around it....
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Finally sitting down to start prepping my German paras.
First problem.....I need six MMG teams. I have another that I’d forgotten to order on the way, but as usual, this range (Artizan) only has four unique teams. However, they do have a few additional fellas carrying belt feeds, so I bought a sprue of Warlord plastics as there are two guns on the sprue. Simply add a base to the Warlord minis to get the height up to match the Artizan minis and I will have 6 unique teams.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6F22557F-61D9-4987-A90A-2C894C7F0DF1.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Query though....came across an old press release from Artizan regarding among other things, three different Fallshirmjager motorcycle combo teams. I have not seen them anywhere....did they ever get released?
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According to a 2015 TMP thread (http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=401735):
Artizan are out until new masters are made. The moulds are shot beyond repair. It is BTD or conversions now. I'll hunt for any remaining Artizan ones as I have one already.
I'd be tempted to give the Offensive Miniatures ones a crack - EGFJ417: FJ - 2 X Motorcycle & Sidecar (6 figures) (https://www.offensiveminiatures.com/product-page/egfj417-2-x-fj-m-c-sidecar)
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I’m not in a hurry for them tbh.
Order turned up from Paint & Glue.
I ordered a small church / chapel but will comment on that when I’ve put it together.
For now though, happy with these haystacks.
The Jagdpanzer comes as a one piece print. I knew I would be plastering it with foliage as an ambush predator, so wasn’t too concerned about print lines. Yes they are very evident, and if I were to try and field it without foliage, I would need to spend a bit of effort smoothing down plates etc.
But have to say, for the money, not a bad piece. It looses a little definition around the tracks and wheels but I’m a Wargamer not a collector. By time we plaster a little mud there....who will notice?!
I’ve also ordered some rail track from them. Interested to see how they turn out.
Go check them out!
https://www.paintandglue.co.uk/
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I’ve glued the chapel together.
For 28mm it really is only a little chapel. Pop it in a base with a wall around it OpenDoc a few headstones and it will be a fine looking piece of terrain. Printing is pretty good here and if you were thinking of printed buildings over mdf say, there is plenty of relief detailing. I really bought this to check that, and being one of the cheapest / smallest buildings, I’m keen to see a larger one now.
If I have one criticism, I’d argue that the doors should not be made to look like double doors....just won’t work at this scale though you could use it for 15 or at a pinch 20mm. No, it should be made single doored.
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Great work and good to see a vehicle from Paint and Glue in the flesh so too speak. I've been considering picking up some 15mm pieces as the bits I want never made it into plastic. I look forward to seeing it completed and bedecked in camo.
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If this helps, these are paint and glue products, in 28mm.
I know what you mean about items never coming out in metal.
I like all the early war cheap and cheerful vehicles, but no one was ever going to cast them, as there probably wouldn’t be a market for the them.
(https://i.postimg.cc/TPw5ddLg/4-CEB99-B9-2-F1-C-4-BFA-BF9-D-8678848-B2727.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yDM8nzT8)
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Indeed, there weren’t many options for the jagdpanzer in 1/56.
The other little addition, seeing as I have been concentrating on rural buildings, is this cheap and useful ramshackle barn from Renedra. 10 minutes to put together, multiperiod uses etc... what’s not to like? Not as imposing as my stone barns, this is an ideal stopgap between those and the little sheds I made. Kind of more like a tractor shed than a barn, and being timber, it adds another visual dynamic as opposed all that brick and stone.
You can also see the gravestones I have. I have an unbuilt box of Warlord walling, and think that’s what I shall use for a small chapel yard. Not too imposing ( the TBM church is much bigger but more suited to the town I think) but will make a useful piece of terrain.
Even though I’m short of primer spray, I may make this up later.
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I was quite pleased with my P & G purchases.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5cglkST-Ew/XjcIIECniWI/AAAAAAAAEjA/HTWdmk8jUo0IsXgZFyc3nFeg1V7Ou5n1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/hago.jpg)
http://aleadodyssey.blogspot.com/2020/02/ha-go-in-jungle.html
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Nice.
Ok, so a quick build up....just needs sanding and a little rubble around the damaged walls. One chapel setting.
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That is very nice :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Do you think it would work for 1/72 scale?
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The chapel? Yes. Simply the doors are small so would be fine 1:72, 15/20mm
Anyway, I think you can scale their prints, if not, definitely worth asking.
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Nice.
Ok, so a quick build up....just needs sanding and a little rubble around the damaged walls. One chapel setting.
That is nice, but something bothers me about it, and I think its the cross not facing the same orientation as the building. I'm not sure if there's a hard and fast rule but to me somehow it doesn't look right.
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I haven’t glued in the little tower roof deliberately so easy to turn around if that is the rule.
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Here we go...sanded and primed.
Once painted, I will get lots of wall climbers, shrubs etc to break up the monotony of the wall and help age the chapel.
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Looking good. Can't wait to see it painted up.
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You'll never hide a Tiger tank in that building lol
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Maybe not, but a couple of MG42 with lots of hard cover will be a bitch to dislodge!
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As long as there is no RPG, sorry I meant Panzerfaust, inside.
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I may need to change my nickname at this rate! :?
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Didn’t get much painting done except for these deployment markers (Warbases) yesterday.
A little “admin” work.
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Are you planning to have little diorama versions as well?
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Yes. Bought a set of the Lardies ones but Jamie’s has the same. As such, I’m going to make up a few of my own using crates, spare weapons off sprues and barrels. For now though, these are perfectly adequate.
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Fair enough.
Are Jamie's covered in snow, al la Bulge?
If yes yours could be done up for Normandy (or vice-versa).
Just a thought.
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Good idea mate
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Here we go...sanded and primed.
Once painted, I will get lots of wall climbers, shrubs etc to break up the monotony of the wall and help age the chapel.
Yep, for some reason that looks 'right' - looking forward to seeing what you do with painting it.
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Decided to do a few more battlefield friendly deployment markers. These use a combination of Warlord cargo piles, plastic weapons bits, resin barrels and a PLA German hand cart.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A05FD0AB-AC85-42CA-8F53-0256F17DE89A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5F8140EB-1B24-4D8A-834B-F78B558EE5EB.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice bits David.
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Lovely job. Like those very much 8)
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Nice markers David.
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Cheers guys.
So, I’ve been tinkering. Jamie is currently working up gardens for his town houses, utilising laser cut green houses, sheds etc.
As I’m concentrating on more rural settings, I need to start putting together pig sty’s, chicken coups etc but I also want to extend the Chateau. In conversation, it came up to do a little formal garden for it and once I find a fountain I like, I will do so.
But I decided why stop there? In my daft head, combining my love of cooking with wargaming etc...I decided the Chateau will be a two Star Michelin restaurant and so it needs its own produce garden. To me, this is almost bordering on dolls house making, but I’m also in the school of if it looks good, it will play good.
So, I found a greenhouse courtesy of Iron Gate.....pla kit, bugger to glue but lots of cool details, such as trays and pots.
I’ve made a start on the produce garden and started making produce for it. Will take a few days to get it completely done so here are a few WIP pics.
As well as using it for these CoC games, I can see the Chateau and associated area being used in all manner of other games and has been mentioned....could be a favourite haunt of local senior Heer / SS officers.......dirty Dozen anybody?
If interested, I’m building a small thread in Workbench on how to make produce.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FD616565-E680-4715-AD98-848FAC22BE0C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1DDDD799-115C-4CB0-AF11-4056626BA6A6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/19677664-C140-47F5-844E-E0C2989B4B09.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Very nice 8)
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Cheap green scouring pads make for great trimmed ornamental
hedges. Would look very nice around/near your fountain.
Make it low & it is a knot garden, tall & you have a maze.
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Looking good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
peas look a bit big though ;D
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Looks great :)
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Looking good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
peas look a bit big though ;D
Then they is beans!
Cheers guys. Pete, using N- gauge hedge for low ornamental hedging as Jamie recommended. But I like the idea of a piece of topiary......lol
Another WIP shot as of last night....still lots to do....
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coming along great :-* :-* :-*
may have to steal this idea :D
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Just one plot after another with you isn't it David.
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Hmmmm.
Started planting out. Luckily I seem to have a number of different green stuffs.....I suppose the more shades the better the look. Need to concentrate on making cabbages and cauliflowers tonight I think.....hoping to finish this over the weekend.......I just keep hitting a mental block on the back wall.....the depth of the mortar lines isn’t great, so not sure how to tackle them just now.
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Nice looking garden
Cheers
Matt
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Is it just me, or is anyone else developing an urge to drive a tank over all that
nicely painted vegetables?
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Great piece of terrain.
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Is it just me, or is anyone else developing an urge to drive a tank over all that
nicely painted vegetables?
a Tiger at least! lol
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a Tiger at least! lol
I'm sure he plans to have an 'after' version complete with tank tread marks and smashed fencing...
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Funny enough....I don’t!
Meanies!
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Funny enough....I don’t!
But David, you must. Don't forget with foodstuffs involved it will be a
War of... Nutrition!
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Talking of tanks....Jamie just handed me the first of my Normandy armour...they are BRILLIANT! Really chuffed with these.
Once I get some crew painted up, I will set up some better pictures.
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Really nice indeed. Are they Rubicon models?
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Lovely :-* :-* :-*
just in time to help you make tank tracks through your garden :D
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>:( I told you, the Germans love eating here!
Warlord tanks.
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>:( I told you, the Germans love eating here!
Warlord tanks.
He's done a very nice job then, the Warlord Panther models are not bad out of the box, but not great. It's a compliment to ask if they are Rubicon. (IMHO)
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I agree....he’s done a VERY nice job. He’s doing a Tiger 2 for me at the moment...winterised for the Ardennes. That one is Rubicon and yes, nice but very detailed models.
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I agree....he’s done a VERY nice job. He’s doing a Tiger 2 for me at the moment...winterised for the Ardennes. That one is Rubicon and yes, nice but very detailed models.
The Rubicon Konigstiger is a lovely model - i may have posted it before?
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XJnkKtq2kqk/X_X9-nI7OCI/AAAAAAAAFPs/FTekXlYLp0cSoavxFi5FasjN390b6WmIACLcBGAsYHQ/s1431/tigerIIb.png)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n65RNMLMhpM/X_X9-f2hWkI/AAAAAAAAFPo/55cs8uknPuIwcG-VnpUTl8AGk_Fx2jB9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1423/tigerIIc.png)
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Nice!
Anyway, I have finished the produce garden....see if you can spot kitty?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7DF0DFA5-7B69-4369-AE77-DB215557CDA7.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0E5FB72B-C1D6-4A75-B2DE-5FB56E3F718A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6F787012-42A8-4361-B78F-4BEDE52D2057.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D8ACDF38-F4EE-4E09-882F-A8AECBDA6A9A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8436294A-7FF2-449C-AB55-51A6BF73B30F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/865E0F3E-8B65-4651-BF11-5C269901D877.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/390ADDFA-503A-49FD-BB9B-9B82BA584EBD.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Impressive, but I still want to drive a tank through it.
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WOW :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Love the different boundaries, fence and walls
Can't find a cat need my dog for that
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Cheers. Yup, different boundaries give it a little character but I did it mainly to tie up to a few different fences and walls I’ve made.
So, having done the garden, it’s time to get the Chateau painted...going to call it Chateau René (big Allo Allo fan) , my back story it being a restaurant as previously mentioned.
I will be making a small formal garden to go with it too, but not yet.
Today I cleaned up the resin, and washed it. Priming tomorrow and a start on the paint.
But to take it a little further, I ordered a few Artizan miniatures and a German staff car.....to include senior officers and some guards. I got Rene and Yvette too.
What’s driving me is we’ve started playing FFoL on line. If I can get these done, I can think of the odd scenario we could play about it. Anyway, a little early for that....but I would like to find the old warlord German Halt! Checkpoint set if anyone sees one.....ta.
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Don't Wargames Foundry do a German guard post?
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Maybe a little small though? I will take a look thanks.
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That produce garden is gorgeous, looks good enough to eat!
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Maybe a little small though? I will take a look thanks.
I knew they did one... https://www.wargamesfoundry.com/collections/world-war-two-german/products/ww2g009-german-sentry-box-and-road-signs
I would have thought making such things would be a matter of moments for a master craftsman such as yourself... :)
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Digits not wanting to build a halt sign????
What's stopping him?
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That garden is looking ready nice!
Why don’t you use the artisan checkpoint? The little box to stand in and a toll bar should be easy enough to scratch build.
https://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1383
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Yup, already ordered those along with a few guards in their thrilling tales set.
I may well end up scratching the box and barrier yet....not a fan of the laser cut sets available.
Cheers
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That garden terrain vignette is ridiculously good!
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Kind of you to say so - thanks!
Chateau base colours going on....update pic soon.
I realise too a standard placemat is the exact width of the back of the model....perfect to form the formal back garden....may cut that out soon too.
Edit: long way to go yet....
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But more done.
Going to get the outside finished. Basically, windows and doors, sandbags, shutters and crest to go.
I’m going to add a few details.....planters, some lamp posts.
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Looking good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
I have a sentry box that was scratch built If you want to see some pics?
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Cheers bud....I have plenty of reference though thanks....one for later.
Meanwhile....started working on back garden...early days.
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Stunning result. Those roof tiles in particular look amazing.
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Cheers mate....but was missing a few bits. Now done. I will be adding a few planters when they arrive and the indside can wait until I’m really bored one day.....but for now the Chateau is painted. Looking forward to gaming with it.
I’ve also ordered a nazi flag to be hung over the front entrance if I want to portray a headquarters for example.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CA8EC828-ADB2-4FF6-811E-C1C7D19109FD.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1764F6FA-0CEE-4536-B9CA-243CF5D1868E.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F75123D9-00DE-4087-9A16-1139F6DA8BE4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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The lamp posts are a nice touch
Cracking paint job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Yup they are Rubicon.....adds a little dimension. WIP planter and my 1st Corps staff car arrived today.....
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Well that's turning out Propper.
Big fan of the modular garden. I suspect I'll be more of a fan of the new garden module. Simply because it's already interesting( Veg garden's spot on. Just more interested in the formal. As I've never made for anything other than a formal Roman villa garden. It's already got design elements I've not seen outside of 1/4 scale .)
I'm looking forward to seeing what your going to do with the touring car. But then I would be as I've only seen one painted by me and stuffed it with the varnish.
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Looking good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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You asked. I still need to sort out climbers on the pergola....but apart from brushing the grass when it dries, I wasn’t going to go mad with it...after all...it is for wargaming on!
If anyone can recommend suitable garden table and chair set....?
I had bought a D&D fountain with Neptune on it....and I like it but my mother have me a little white ornament of a cherub on a sea conch which I thought rather charming. A couple of bits of slate from the garden, a dash of paint and I like it!
The low box hedging, n gauge hedge, is Jamie’s suggestion...works a treat.
The fountain will come in for something else I’m sure....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E8FD5429-532A-413A-AF39-79E0B20CCDF1.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/13CE0F9A-4F91-4540-9006-960BBDA93474.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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WOW :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
The speed you are knocking these out is amazing
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Bravo simply stunning. :-*
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Cheers chaps!
I found a Rubicon furniture set which has a couple of a French style outdoor iron tables and chairs ! They should look good on the back terrace.
I will add the climbers to the pergola later to round off the garden.
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Oh wow, you haven't lost your touch! Upped your game even, if I may be so bold. This is just super.
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Stunning work!
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Oh wow, you haven't lost your touch! Upped your game even, if I may be so bold. This is just super.
It’s a far cry from our heady 40k projects though mate....having to think smaller these days, but trying max the usage. Plus, I think this lockdown is affecting my head!
Cheers guys.
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This is the kit I’ve ordered for the chairs.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E726D36C-7D36-4584-A6E2-D0C75DD2CC19.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And my order from Last Valley arrived today giving me another seven feet of bocage and tree lines.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EC15EDEA-B9AD-4243-9E65-04F7A9337840.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Have one last thing to do on the garden....may sit and do it tonight. Then I need to get painting. This weeken, I want to paint the plastic walls. Then I may try to start painting the Fallschirmjager. Especially as I treated myself and ordered some British infantry for my Allied force. I also may start painting minis for some skirmishing around the Chateau....
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Garden finished!
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Roll on end of lockdown, so I can play with such scenery.
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So long as you keep your tanks off my lawn! 😉
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NEAT :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
The chairs will suit
How do you gat the grass so neat and tidy?
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I always paint the earth beneath it then wash where I want with watered pva before sprinkling on the grass. Leave it to dry then scrub with coarse brush to make it stand and to brush out any clumps. Nothing special...I suspect it’s how most do it.
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NEAT :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
The chairs will suit
How do you gat the grass so neat and tidy?
Flymo- it's less bovver with a hover lol
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So long as you keep your tanks off my lawn! 😉
That's OK David, I was planning to go through the vegetable patch.
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Hmmm...may need to plant a new crop....of teller mines!
Furniture arrived with the post
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/33A4AFAC-D721-429A-8DF5-AC5C68806151.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Finally got round to painting the Warlord Plastic Walls.
Built as they come, they are a little plain but the simple addition of added rubble at the damaged areas, along with a few hedges (deliberately differing from those along my fences for variety) and three or four flavours of tuft and I think they look sufficiently interesting. To me very important as theses will cover 8 feet on the table.
So with the two fence types, these walls and the bocage sections....I must now have over 30ft of linear obstacle......yet I still have some resin walls to paint...and I need a couple more sections of wire fencing seeing as I have none with gates in!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EC3992CC-0D95-41C3-BF1D-8E6321C078F3.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Another quick paint job...this time the useful little ramshackle barn from Renedra.
A tad small for a barn but I have stone barn already...however as a tractor shed or garage, it will work a treat!
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Do you need that much walls?
How big is your table?
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Do you need that much walls?
How big is your table?
Can go up to 6’ x 8’ for big CoC . However we will mostly play on 6’ x 4’ . It’s not so much about fitting it all on the table so much as being able to vary the look and play of the battlefield. As I’ve said before, they all offer different challenges and different levels of cover. The wire and post for example would offer no cover but a perfect field of view and are still an obstacle to overcome. These walls offer hard cover and are an obstacle plus the can block los depending on elevations. Etc etc.
So, I bought one of the cheap ribbed doormats and thought I mat try and turn it into an acceptable ploughed field. I’ve cut off a small section to trial it. Let’s see if it turns out ok......
First up, I’ve pretty much soaked it in watered pva and sprinkled coarse sand over it.....I will let it dry then spray prime it black before dry brushing up in browns....I suspect it will sponge the paint..so I will use pots of exterior paint to start it off.
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I have at least that much linear obstacles. Once I realized that if I wanted to line both sides of 2 roads making an intersection, that I needed at least 20 feet, all bets were off.
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Yup...and as I’m about to paint a load of railway track...that will need fencing in too probably!
Anyway, thanks to powers that be, I can post again!
A few bits done, minefields and entrenchments.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/18999253-5B2A-44C6-AE17-C6B57B8ED43E.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/19EF9034-281B-4436-A07D-42897697CCC6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3D39AF4D-ECD5-468E-A2AB-AB1B5C3710A0.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
I also decided to buy a Charlie Foxtrot sentry box.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1EA1A5FB-2F48-4D85-9F9F-BF5C0CF318FB.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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I do like the minefields . I Normally added a couple of mine's . Plus a second strand of barbed wire on the fence facing away from the enemy. As its the polite way to mark them. (Two is to stop friendlys becoming accidental geography. )
That way you can do lazy mine field's to fill the gaps between the minefields bases with just two strips of fencing on one strip with one strand and one with two( plus they can get recycled as domestic fences for other games.)
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Makes sense. Hadn’t thought about the second wire. Tbh..I didn’t really research it, I just went with what I thought looked cool. The little red rags are cut strips from a cotton hanky! I have the rest of the Hank on standby for tarpaulins etc...
Cheers
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Absolutely nothing wrong with these as they are.
Nothing ever goes totally by the book.( You'd be worried if it did) Big believer in if it works for you then it doesn't matter if its not to everyone else taste.
Totally and utterly managed to loose my point in translation. What I ment was . Minefields look great. If you make strips of wire fence in the same style as a strip of hedge or wooden fence. (Reguardless of the friendly fence having two strands ore one.)
You plonk them between a couple your minefields. That way you cant build large minefields and have additional features in side mined area's such as objectives.
On a slightly different note. I've already done a water tower/pump station, and was planning on an electrical substation.As I like the idea of ' real life' objectives. Had you noticed the Sarissa Electrical substation kit. It'll take a little tweaking. Just because I think it's an interesting alternative to the useual sabotage targets on a table.
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Hmmm....great idea, I will take a look thanks.
As for the fence line “extensions....sounds like a plan, cheers.
My printed track sections arrived from Paint and Glue. I had thought they were printed with ballast.....I was wrong. Going to take me a while to do and paint, but useful.
I also painted my Warlord bridge. Going to have a go at making my own rivers I think. That will take me a little while.
Now there is light at the end of the tunnel (debatable if you ask Hasbeen!) I thought I’d start reading Bloody Bucket ready to start our campaign. I’ve realised I need to paint a few more Germans and pick up a couple of support items. That will take priority now me thinks.
Lots to do....
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Lots to do....
Alexander the Great was supposed to have sat down & wept, when he thought
he had 'done it all' and had nothing left to do.
No such worries with us wargamers, eh?
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Quite! 😉
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Alexander the Great was supposed to have sat down & wept, when he thought
he had 'done it all' and had nothing left to do.
No such worries with us wargamers, eh?
Well he could've done what Flames of War did with WW2
When you get to the end start at the beginning again lol
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Liking the minefield and the walls, really nice job.
The warlord walls look like the italeri ones, a little low for my liking for Normandy villages.
Cheers
Matt
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Nice work the chateau is looking grand
thanks for the inspiration :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Liking the minefield and the walls, really nice job.
The warlord walls look like the italeri ones, a little low for my liking for Normandy villages.
Cheers
Matt
Well, that’s probably due to the fact that these are virtually the same product in a fancier box with an even fancier price tag ;)
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Reading requirements for Bloody Bucket, I realise I don’t have enough troops holding StG44’s for the Sturm platoon. Scrabbling about and pretty much using the last of my plastic bits, these are the best I can come up with. Should look better when painted up.
I also needed an IG18 infantry gun.....yes, I know it looks lop sided......but it was a bitch to glue together! Lol
Painting next....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/64092BF5-3ECF-48BE-A019-6E5A2A0AE152.jpeg)
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Looks fine to me David, besides after you've stuck
some foliage/camouflage on it no one will notice.
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True. Tbh...the picture looks better than in real life! New one on me!
It was daft things like axle being too thin for wheel holes, front plate being crooked etc....that and my usual superglue proved bloody useless with the metal...not usually an issue.
But you are right.....a little foliage.....
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...and now you know why I prefer AFV to airplane models.
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To be fair....an aircraft in metal WOULD be a sod!
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I bought about eight foot of printed 1/56 railway track from Paint and Glue.
Worrying it would be laborious to paint and ballast, I wanted to come up with the easiest and quickest way I could of painting it, simply three colours...and I’m happy with the result.
Here are my test pieces . Now to do the rest.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/785C4F4A-DA9E-48CC-9410-4CDF529961E6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Loving the new stuff
I've only 3ft of track on an embankment painted. I know I need at least the same again,and a station. But the thought of painting it again is definitely off putting as it ate paint and totally shredded brushes.
I have to confess I wish I'd thought of your solution. Even more so as I scratch built the track .
At the risk of jumping the gun. Are making a train for the track? As it seems a lot of track to go with out one.
It's other big issue I have with finishing the railway scenery for my own table. As I've simply not found a European style ( or English) engine that looks right .Short of spending small fortune on an O guage engine.
There's loads of nice looking engines for Wild West games. But not for WW2 unless you go armoured train. ( already made one.) I know I'll end up making one out of cereal packet at some point. It's not a real stretch from previous builds its just I begrudge the amount of hobby time it'll eat.
Do have an Engine in mind or are you in a similar boat?
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Tbh...I hadn’t actually decided to add a train at all......to me, there are miles and miles of rail line criss crossing the continent and at any one point in time, they would typically be devoid of a train! Often running alongside roads etc, to me, an obvious piece of terrain often with large stretches of fencing alongside it, it’s a difficult obstacle at times to cross.
I was going to ask paint and glue to look at a few train pieces though.
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Absolutely agree that's why mine's on an embankment and each section has a point at which figures could cross as each section has brambles ,walls and fences . Just to make choke points that can function as objectives.
I mainly skirmish game on 3'×3' and 4'×4'. The main reason I want to add a station and a train. Is childhood memories.
The train station because of the scene in Bedknobs and broomsticks.
The train because I always fancied gaming the train siege in the Original 'The lady Vanishes' ( come to think of it . that would explain my current obsessive search for decent tree's since I've start looking at building a train.)
I think that's probably what I'm asking. I'm planning on a train and or a station, as an additional set of scenery pieces that allow for more scenarios and objectives. As well as the obvious set dressings.
Is that a long term goal. Or will be now I've got you musing?
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A station and its associated out buildings and infrastructure is certainly an interesting focal point to fight about I agree. Even a simple cattle dock and platform for a country halt.
Not high on my list right now but a possibility in the future perhaps.
Edit:
I just think they look cool as they are. Quick set up to demonstrate.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8AF527AA-416D-40E2-BA71-D6B3C346056B.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/59376CA0-E3FC-4D5A-AC97-595C0C5B7467.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Well I'm not going to disagree. :D You always make a cracking piece of scenery.
Which serves to prove my musing. We spend all this time making wonderful terrain and give little more than the status of an obstacle.
When in reality they are terrain fearures with function. I've observed over several years many a game and club . Where theirs a total lack of understanding of infrastructure both of how it relates to and functions with in a landscape.
Your plan and logic for your use of railway is perfectly formed for your goal nothing to contradict or critique. You make a cracking table. I'd be well chuffed to play on it let alone own.
The main reason I talk about adding thing's such as stations , signal boxes, Water tower's , and electrical substations.
Is because they allow you to elevate the use of such pretty scenery and make it a focal point on a table. Especially when you go to such efforts .
Your absolutely right in your accretions on miles and miles of open track. Being just that and having little function in game's with rolling battles for arguments sake such as a blitzkrieg. It's still ( in your case) going to be a cracking table.
But in game's in the vain of an operation Sealion. Infrastructure and amenities have value as objectives and means of control. Once you no longer control the power and the water your under a siege . These can become little tableaus with in. Bigger games.
I think we as gamer's see such places and features. With the in the context of our peace time lives and treat them in that way on the table. Either ignore their role and existence or treat them as a minor and inconvenient obstacles in getting from A to B.
I know sounds a little long winded and self indulgent. It's just in a previous life I happened to have a very rough paper round ;. Where understanding environmental mapping played a big role.
So I tend to look at things slightly differently.What makes me especially found of your projects is your attention to detail that's often missing from many a pretty table. Such as gardens, yards ,and paths. These are things that subconsciously effect your movement through an environment and it carries across onto a table .People will move figures differently if you add paths and gardens. They won't and can't dive across the rear of buildings in the same way as they do if these features are absent.
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I understand exactly what you are saying. Yes, I agree there are a plethora of opportunities to create mission objectives and added interest to any battlefield.
If I were going to game using only a handful of minis, I do think adding that level of detail is warranted, indeed absolutely essential. That’s kind of why I’m doing a lot more detailing around the Chateau precisely because I intend to make it the focus of a small scale Dirty Dozen type game where such things as a radio tower / shack for example will be a paramount objective say to prevent reinforcements or call in the extraction. It is on the list.
I have to balance this with CoC, a slightly larger game where objectives are still important but the game focuses more on gaining ground or destruction of the opposition. Objectives can simply be holding and control of a road junction, tree line, river crossing etc. In this instance, I have to balance having space to play, with the desire to put on what is hopefully a good looking and immersive battlefield.
In my opinion, probably echoing yours a little, I often hear the excuse for simplistic terrain being “we’re gamers firstly”. I don’t fully understand this, as indeed you’ve pointed out, the more bare the table, the less terrain features as a fundamental part of any game.
I am mostly simply of the school however, if my opponent has gone to all the effort of spending time painting and collecting his minis, the least I can do is try to give them the setting to match, and hopefully add to the enjoyment and remembering of a game.
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Well said you two.
I like a pretty battlefield & the tasks it will give.
I abhor the sterile, both sides exactly the same, so that it is fair.
War is an art, not a science.
Pretty every time for me. I will see how can I use the battlefield,
(normally very badly I'm afraid).
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Absolutely!
I prefer the challenge of not only weighing up the differences between opposing forces, but trying to exact every crumb of potential use of the terrain.
Still been thinking about terrain additions. In no particular order:
Paint the buildings I have (circa 9 to paint)
Paint and ballast remaining rail track
Pick up a couple of bits of rolling stock.
Paint remaining dirt tracks
Build and paint river
Add Teddy Bear fur Fields (Jamie doing those now)
Create a couple of ploughed fields (given up on doormat version - looked crap)
Hills
Radio Tower / comms building
Additional Wire Fencing
Battlefield Wrecks
Make a few more sheds / log stores / veg patches / outhouses for formed back gardens
Build pond
Buy / build large Bridge (I have a painted Warlord stone bridge but want something larger for say Market Garden objective)
As for minis....I still have the Fallschirmjager to paint and my British infantry have turned up!
So, plenty to go at. Time to paint some more minis though. Hopefully , a few more of my painted vehicles are arriving later today too :D
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Cool some interesting ideas on that list for me to steal
looking forward to your progress
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Since my long winded waffle on your thread. I've been but my money where my mouth is and gathering the bits and bob's required to finish my own railway and roads situation.
But on the bridge front. I've already done a little research.
It seems the best option is re scale.
The two options I'm most tempted with( although the second is looking most likely.)are these two.
I'd be tempted to add a pair of external foot paths to both.
The suspension bridge is just shy of £25 and requires building. It's a bit like 4Ground kit in that it's pre coloured.(red or an off black.) Only drawback is sooner or later the suspension would take a sausage fingered hit.
The box girder is just shy of £14. But comes premade and ready to abuse with a rattle can. Its around a foot long and 8.5cm wide and 8cm tall. I haven't any vehicles of the top of my head that wouldn't fit in side it. As the girders do narrow your access.( but could be tweaked.)
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I like the plastic one...would need to see it against a few minis but as you say, may be tweakable. I’ve seen a few about....but I need a river first, then I will decide, but as you say, especially for CoC, I would want side paths.
Being chatting to Paint & Glue chap....very helpful. He has STL files for a number of trains and rolling stock including but not limited to this selection. I am waiting on a price for the top engine and three of the box cars in the second picture.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1148BDB9-6397-4B49-9867-086ACA4509FD.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/906B9C30-20D7-4207-93BD-D9B998E8048E.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/712E7C4F-319D-445B-AD5C-57B77567B70F.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4C57E733-07AB-4402-AB25-5094798A4472.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BDC5433F-679D-459E-8CDA-35A082172A63.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6A7F5E73-423B-4795-8F70-A56F77CB16B8.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/DF0EFBAB-0408-4994-8180-219831F483A5.webp?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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That's a quite a nice and chunky little engine .When you do find out it's like to cost .Would it be possible to let me know as well( obviously not if its a mates rates situation.). As it's really nice from time to time to paint something I haven't made.
(That said I've a real Butterfly urge. To sculpt two Welsh men and a small dragon curled up a sleep .I think that'd work nicely.)
Mark.
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Unfortunately not mates rates so happy to share when he comes back to me Mark.
Edit:
So yesterday I finally finished painting my TBM dirt roads.....all 26feet of it. Also in the pic the Warlord bridge....pretty good span on this. Needs a river though!
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That's a quite a nice and chunky little engine .When you do find out it's like to cost .Would it be possible to let me know as well( obviously not if its a mates rates situation.). As it's really nice from time to time to paint something I haven't made.
(That said I've a real Butterfly urge. To sculpt two Welsh men and a small dragon curled up a sleep .I think that'd work nicely.)
Mark.
i don't see what relevance Invor and his engine have to wargaming lol lol lol
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Gamer Mac, you had better tread Caerphilly.
You don't want to upset the Welsh.
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Especially today. 🥳
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these jokes are getting worse lol lol
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Stick around....they can do MUCH worse yet! ;)
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So finished up a few more support options for the Ardennes. These were necessary as we are about to start Bloody Bucket. I needed more Stg 44 armed Sturm and support in the way of an IG18. Decided to add loose crew that can be used on other guns if needs be. The junior leader was painted previously.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FC7F2527-2901-4AA3-8D93-17FE503A2CC0.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/73761F3C-94F7-4681-A1DA-D8A9D2DC66F4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice like the winter camo :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers. Realised as I was putting them away that I’d made seven Sturm......and completely forgot to paint one! When you are a little ocd .....leaving it now isn’t an option!
Luckily I still have four Artizan riflemen to be painted so on with them now.
The support options I’m missing now are really pioneer options. I fear I will be hitting a lot of obstacles in this campaign....
I’ve ordered myself a box of Warlord blitzkrieg pioneers and intend to use the metal parts on late war German minis, winterising them to give myself half a dozen or so appropriate pioneers.
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I wish WLG did the metal Pioneer pieces as a separate pack, they are a really useful set. I tried to buy the metal pieces separately on a Nottingham store visit years ago and they wanted 20 quid just for the metal parts, so I bought the whole pack for about 9 quid more.
Cheers. Realised as I was putting them away that I’d made seven Sturm......and completely forgot to paint one! When you are a little ocd .....leaving it now isn’t an option!
Luckily I still have four Artizan riflemen to be painted so on with them now.
The support options I’m missing now are really pioneer options. I fear I will be hitting a lot of obstacles in this campaign....
I’ve ordered myself a box of Warlord blitzkrieg pioneers and intend to use the metal parts on late war German minis, winterising them to give myself half a dozen or so appropriate pioneers.
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Yup, I nearly bought a set of the metal parts on eBay last week before realising someone had removed the backpacks.
I agree though, a separate set would make sense.
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Ok, missing Sturm trooper and the four Artizan rifles. Thought I’d paint a few tank commanders whilst at it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B3FCDB9E-659C-4DF9-B17D-099C529459D2.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And one for Normandy whilst at it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1A149D9F-A9C1-40F6-B238-E92279C57E5A.jpeg)
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Great looking tanks.
Really love the big cat. :-*
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Lots of nice stuff David.
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All good stuff :-*👍
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Your figs look great! I'm especially impressed with the camo.
Agreed about Warlords metal bits. I bought both the Blitzkrieg Germans and US Rangers just to get them. Wish they would sell them in a blister...
Who makes the roads?
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Total Battle Miniatures, they make metalled roads too. Pretty comparable cost wise with other manufacturers.
Thanks for comments.
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I really like the Panther commander.
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Cheers James.
Well, Jamie just handed me my first two British AFV’s...a lovely pair of Achilles Tank Destroyers.....beautiful!
I need to get on with ordering some crew for them...but I suppose more importantly, I need to get on with painting a British force ready for our Normandy games. I have time a plenty as we have an Ardennes campaign to play out first, but I like to be prepared.
Planning on on having a BIG CoC Normandy game in the Summer, complete with fine British Weather and BBQ with the guys, so with that in mind, I handed Jamie my reconnaissance troop of three Cromwell’s and a Sherman Firefly to complete my British armour. Other bits to support it include a Humber II, a couple of Universal carriers, a halftrack and maybe a pair of trucks....but they can all wait until nearer the time.
I also have a platoon of British courtesy of Crusader miniatures with a few Artizan minis to make up numbers.
Of course, Jamie is ALSO collecting British...so lots of choice...!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/18C7CC36-88BF-4E35-8A80-719084101A65.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9B313733-C9EA-4508-8536-CD7413C89689.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Little did the passing destroyers realise how close to their maker they came when they passed the hidden killer lurking at the edge of the woods....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0C4DCF9E-68CA-4844-9E6F-3F45B6380E71.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And not far away, forward elements of Panzer Lehr inch their way forward.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6B7AEF3A-2A23-462C-BBC4-C7A337A66527.jpeg? 8)width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Again, from the talented brush of Jamie! I need to paint the infantry for that too! lol
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Cracking :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Love the picture in the tree's very atmospheric.
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I have almost a full platoon of British painted years ago..they are the old Chiltern ones, they might need touching up and a few more painted..I remember I was in the middle of converting a platoon radio man and one with a captured panzerfaust
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Sounds to me James with a little tweaking then, you pretty much have a force to play with!
Edit: another batch of wire fencing!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/21F9AF66-C8F4-4FB0-BA92-CDDB3CD74D7F.jpeg)
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Like the Broken down fence posts :-* :-* :-*
is that deliberate or have those big cats been driving over your able again :D
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Cheers fella. Yes, I thought it necessary to be able to represent when a tanks or other AFV has broken through simply to remind any following troops there effectively is no obstacle there any more!
I could of course just remove a section of fence....but this looks better I think.
I now need the same on a stretch of wooden fencing!
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Nice touches David.
I just hope some awkward bugger doesn't drive backwards & forwards over all your nice fences,
so that you run out of broken bits. :D :D :D
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I will keep an RPG ready ( well Panzerfaust anyway) especially for any such vandal!
Going to get some Tommies based ready for painting. I really should get Fallschirmjager painted, but feel the urge to paint something British, even if is a single section.
Jamie is currently painting my Cromwells. I’d like to think I had a few infantry ready to accompany them for their “photo shoot”
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I suspect the longevity and effectiveness of your grunt grinding the fixtures and fittings .Depends on whether he's using them as extensions to the mine fields. lol
Looking forward to see the Cromwell's as I've always had a soft spot form them. If I'm honest when I'm using a generic unit to a specific one I prefer them on the table to Sherman's.
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Yup, both mine and Jamie’s favourite British Tank. I am having a squadron of three plus a Sherman firefly - Armoured reconnaissance
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Cheers James.
Well, Jamie just handed me my first two British AFV’s...a lovely pair of Achilles Tank Destroyers.....beautiful!
I need to get on with ordering some crew for them...but I suppose more importantly, I need to get on with painting a British force ready for our Normandy games. I have time a plenty as we have an Ardennes campaign to play out first, but I like to be prepared.
Planning on on having a BIG CoC Normandy game in the Summer, complete with fine British Weather and BBQ with the guys, so with that in mind, I handed Jamie my reconnaissance troop of three Cromwell’s and a Sherman Firefly to complete my British armour. Other bits to support it include a Humber II, a couple of Universal carriers, a halftrack and maybe a pair of trucks....but they can all wait until nearer the time.
I also have a platoon of British courtesy of Crusader miniatures with a few Artizan minis to make up numbers.
Of course, Jamie is ALSO collecting British...so lots of choice...!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/18C7CC36-88BF-4E35-8A80-719084101A65.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9B313733-C9EA-4508-8536-CD7413C89689.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Those are lovely, but I would love to see some bods with heads sticking out of the turret and a ton of kit hung off the sides...
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I wish WLG did the metal Pioneer pieces as a separate pack, they are a really useful set. I tried to buy the metal pieces separately on a Nottingham store visit years ago and they wanted 20 quid just for the metal parts, so I bought the whole pack for about 9 quid more.
I'm in the same boat, I want some engineers, but I really don't need another box of Warlord plastics. Making the kit available separately would be a real seller I am sure.
Oh, and I feel the same about Shermans vs Cromwells, though I do comfort myself at least there are different Shermans.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtBZbrOcQyw/YDwt0xhF7zI/AAAAAAAAFUc/9iukNI6PJVsCw9TiuG7bCjFStbn9vBJhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1210/01.png)
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Cheers. Rest assured I have ordered some Rubicon crew for the destroyers.
Your Sherman’s look great.
Jamie has finished my Cromwells and the firefly so pics once I have them. Plenty of stowage on them.
And, as the pioneer box arrived today, I have been sat starting to convert a few winter pioneers. Should have them built tomorrow. A few spare back packs for Jamie and I will put the others on eBay!
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Cheers. Rest assured I have ordered some Rubicon crew for the destroyers.
Your Sherman’s look great.
Jamie has finished my Cromwells and the firefly so pics once I have them. Plenty of stowage on them.
And, as the pioneer box arrived today, I have been sat starting to convert a few winter pioneers. Should have them built tomorrow. A few spare back packs for Jamie and I will put the others on eBay!
Looking forward to seeing those winter pioneers, I have to confess this thread has been a real driver in starting my own winter Volksgrenadiers platoon.
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They should look better painted! 😉
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They should look better painted! 😉
They look terrific. Nice work there.
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Are the bits from the early war set?
Does nobody make a late war set?
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They look terrific. Nice work there.
Cheers fella.
Mac....they sell a few later war SS pioneers I think...but no winter ones. I’ve used a few bits on panzer grenadier / Waffen SS plastics. The metal prone figure is straight from the boxed set....simply adding tunic and disguising the jackboots fixes it.
I may do two more troopers later with back packs to make two teams.
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Are the bits from the early war set?
Does nobody make a late war set?
Yup, early wear set, the Pio backpacks, as well as the other implements that are all in metal. And I have to agree, it is a shame it isn't available separately as an upgrade set for other kits.
That out of the way, cracking work Digits, and looking forward to seeing them with paint on. :)
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Here you go then.
As I understand it, the pioneer backpacks were given to less than a third of the pioneers....so I can make up numbers with troopers already painted.
I think they turned out ok.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2AF15A91-D854-43EB-B905-F2171B516190.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/42BD822E-E891-48A2-B684-11D7F718F127.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D84BF450-EF69-4916-9B34-219CC7094A9F.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9B3A74F5-A4CA-4513-97F8-CBD3B206855A.jpeg)
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Very nice. I have been trying to get closeups of the Pioneer equipment with a view to scratching some.
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Fairly straight forward I think.
Personally, you could have them digging with spades, using a knife to probe the ground around a mine, placing satchel charge or marking out safe path through minefield. None of these need much in the way of specialist equipment.
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Fairly straight forward I think.
Personally, you could have them digging with spades, using a knife to probe the ground around a mine, placing satchel charge or marking out safe path through minefield. None of these need much in the way of specialist equipment.
That's what I did with most of mine. I did scratch build a couple of magnetic mine detectors for some armies but they were pretty easy.
For CoC you actually only need 1 or 2 Engineers figures of each type as their 2 meat shields in each team can be ordinary riflemen.
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Yup, that’s I what I reckoned on above...especially as most of a pioneer unit weren’t issued with back packs I read. So, yes, extra bodies filled with painted troopers.
Luckily most ranges tend to at least have a flame thrower team available.
Now to paint a few Brits for Normandy. Thankfully Warlord have a set of British Pioneers.
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Your conversions are always interesting and effective.
With that in mind I thought you might find this an interesting take on a sniper figure and an interesting conversion in it's own right.
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Ha! He looks like he’s wearing a grass skirt!
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He is! lol
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the Hawaiian woman's sniper team lol lol lol
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I'm in the same boat, I want some engineers, but I really don't need another box of Warlord plastics. Making the kit available separately would be a real seller I am sure.
Oh, and I feel the same about Shermans vs Cromwells, though I do comfort myself at least there are different Shermans.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DtBZbrOcQyw/YDwt0xhF7zI/AAAAAAAAFUc/9iukNI6PJVsCw9TiuG7bCjFStbn9vBJhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1210/01.png)
may I ask who makes your jeep crew?
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Hopefully Shahb will catch your question.
Anyway, I am chuffed to say Jamie delivered my Cromwell squadron yesterday. Really pleased with them!
I also managed to paint a few test Tommies too.
Firefly covers the Cromwells advance towards the farm.....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/903C1EE3-A5A6-4A6D-AD0A-0947E641E7AC.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7959A80C-5123-42A8-AE9F-B598C743525D.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2643638D-650F-4825-BC0D-5FFAC5BF8333.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0B98AE6B-F455-43B8-8DF9-F54615DAAAE5.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D80726A9-3DE2-4B8E-909C-D5D77ADB1252.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CECF0C21-F3F1-4994-8CDD-02FECAF980A2.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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The troops move up to check out the farm.....
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F76BB352-234B-4162-85A8-ABD2792D5238.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B8D853F5-2983-43F7-873C-6F790B0B779B.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F172BFCF-CC48-4189-8726-DDE0417DCDA6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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It all looks great when put into context like that.
Like you, I cannot wait to game. Not long now.
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Lovely stuff
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Hi Deltablue - the Jeep and crew are Westwind. They are slightly smaller than the Perry plastic GI I have, but it's not noticeable when they are in the jeep. I think they are very convincing as a crew.
Digits the British armour has come out lovely. Nice job, very appealing set of pictures. I do like to see stuff like this, it's clearly practical and achievable yet sets a really high standard for immersion in the game. I'm pretty sure that's the same mat I have, so all I need to do is work on my other terrain :)
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great work on the pictures David, and the AFVs are brilliant Jamie.
I think that if offered enough (£££££s) Jamie might be tempted into commissions.
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Cheers guys.
Shahb......huge part of the game for me. You want to believe you are there.....immerse yourself in the game and try and use the terrain / features as indeed you should. I always remember other peoples games when they have put the effort into their setting.....I am just trying to carry on the courtesy.
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Great looking armour :-*
Makes me want to dig into my ever growing pile of unbuilt Rubicon kits, and add some more AFVs to my Western Desert collection.
Shahb......huge part of the game for me. You want to believe you are there.....immerse yourself in the game and try and use the terrain / features as indeed you should. I always remember other peoples games when they have put the effort into their setting.....I am just trying to carry on the courtesy.
Amen brother :)
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Cracking Job on the AVF's the table is looking good too :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Cheers guys.
Shahb......huge part of the game for me. You want to believe you are there.....immerse yourself in the game and try and use the terrain / features as indeed you should. I always remember other peoples games when they have put the effort into their setting.....I am just trying to carry on the courtesy.
Good stuff. Totally agree with your approach. It doesn't take much to make the scene just a little bit more believable. Little things like scatter terrain, using the same flock on different pieces, tarting up MDF buildings to make them more 3d, having convincing roads, trees and bushes... etc. I suspect the most obvious thing is to actually look at reality and think about what might be reproducible.
Probably the one thing we are all guilty of, is not making things dirty enough :) I suspect I should take my airbrush and mist 'dark earth' or similar over absolutely everything.
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Yup, I think most like me would be scared of overdoing it! I like a gritty looking troop to start with, I worry I’d ruin it trying to add more dirt!
As for scenery, I just tend to dust the bottoms of buildings and try to keep the same colours on dirt / ground on all my bases and scatter scenery......works for me anyway.
Anyway, a lot of it as you can see is Last Valley, so I can’t take credit for that!
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Hi Deltablue - the Jeep and crew are Westwind. They are slightly smaller than the Perry plastic GI I have, but it's not noticeable when they are in the jeep. I think they are very convincing as a crew.
Digits the British armour has come out lovely. Nice job, very appealing set of pictures. I do like to see stuff like this, it's clearly practical and achievable yet sets a really high standard for immersion in the game. I'm pretty sure that's the same mat I have, so all I need to do is work on my other terrain :)
thank you sir
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Fab stuff as always Digits :) !
Tell the mate who did the tanks for you that the blue squadron markings (distinctive of a junior regiment in the armoured brigade) belong with the number 53 on the red square Arm of Service marking. Or alternatively red squadron marking (triangle in this case) goes with 51 on the red square.
EC
more info in this excellent guide
https://tank-markings.blogspot.com
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Cheers fella.
I don’t think I wii point that out to him though thanks, I’m happy with them and would not wish to upset him! 😉
I’m a gamer anyway, I don’t even put unit markings or insignia on my soldiers and it doesn’t effect my dice rolling! 😁
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From the blog quoted above.
The position, orientation, style and size of these markings varied between units, but generally would appear on either side of the turret or hull. Armoured Car and Armoured Recce regiments tended to display them on the front and rear of the hull, while Churchill tank units often displayed them on the turret rear.
I rest my case.
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Cheers fella.
I don’t think I wii point that out to him though thanks, I’m happy with them and would not wish to upset him! 😉
I’m a gamer anyway, I don’t even put unit markings or insignia on my soldiers and it doesn’t effect my dice rolling! 😁
No insignia may not effect your soldiers but it is a well known wargamer myth that a new painted unit will die first time out.
Good Luck with your new stuff lol lol lol
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More.
Arm of Service flashes were also displayed front and rear on most vehicles, usually on the opposite side to the formation badge, although some units combined the formation badge and AoS flash into a single marking. Like the formation badge, these markings were officially supposed to be 9" square, but the size varied depending on the type of vehicle and the space available.
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No insignia may not effect your soldiers but it is a well known wargamer myth that a new painted unit will die first time out.
Good Luck with your new stuff lol lol lol
It’s ok...we will BOTH be using newly painted models!
Jamie, thanks for clarification fella!
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Apologies for not fully developing my answer, but both of the last replies were in the rest periods between intervals whilst sat riding the bike on the turbo trainer. 1hour 20mins with a normalised power of 231w tends to be quite limiting to your ability to write (and breathe!).
So, to be precise, the AoS markings were on the front and rear of the vehicles, the tactical markings are on the turret sides (sometimes rear if you were in a Churchill so the infantry could see it more easily). However, the tactical markings were sometimes on the sides of the tank. Shermans had them on the appliqué side armour or just under the turret centreline. Some, very small markings, were put on the toolboxes on the side of the Cromwells.
Occasionally these tactical markings had a number inside them also that referred to the squadron position (like the shape did).
So my positioning is accurate. Where my markings deviate from accuracy is that the 7th Army insignia is for early war (North Africa) and not late war. It's a red on white/white on red thing.
If you were also going to be really pedantic the service numbers do not correspond to the correct tank.
However the insignia and service numbers were on the decal sheet so that was what I went with as life is too short to make custom markings for wargaming.
I went with the junior regiment colour of blue for the tactical markings as I liked the colour better than the others. So judge me on that too.
All of the above can be gleaned from the above quoted blog and from a quick Google image search of images from the IWM.
Right, I am getting cold after the training session and need to drink, refuel and shower.
has.been pointed out a few posts earlier that I can be persuaded to commission paint. Contact me if you are interested, I will discuss the markings and their location with you beforehand ;)
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I can thoroughly recommend his paintwork!
Ok, so changing the subject.
I am increasingly frustrated that every platoon I start to build, I am ALWAYS limited by the availability of an adequate number and variety of MG teams.
Certainly true of the Germans anyway but fair to say sections are based around their machine guns, and in for example a panzer grenadier section, there are often two teams.
At six teams per platoon, I want variety! I may not be anal about unit markings but I do subscribe to the rule of cool, and where possible, I try to ensure that no tow figures are identical. It’s not always possible as I’m finding with my Crusader Miniatures British rifles for example), but because of the way I choose to base my teams (including Bren teams), I like to think of them as mini vignettes. My eye is typically drawn to multiple figure based teams, more so that individually based figures, so I want to see variety and interest.
Anyway, reason for rant.....chatting over how to represent my Panzer Lehr, I have an even bigger issue than normal!
For whatever reason (but I hate it when manufacturers stop mid release!) Artizan who are the only guys here in UK who made Lehr minis that I can see, only released about 16/17 Lehr minis with only one mg team!
I should have decided not to do them.....the pain and anguish is too much for my slight ocd!
Anyway, pressing on, I realised the Warlord metal Volksgrenadier squad, in a short tunic (admittedly different cut) were not too dissimilar and that by adding them I can cover all the riflemen of the platoon and gain another mg team.
A look on the plastic grenadier sprue and one chap is also in short tunic so turned him into a gunner. Another in zeltbahn could easily disguise the fact he has wrong tunic on and one in completely wrong tunic, I have plastered in about as much clutter to disguise the hem as is possible! I am still two teams light though! Not sure what to do about them yet, but it really is annoying!
Anyway, not painting them yet, but left to right: Warlord plastic with Artizan Lehr, Artizan Lehr team, Warlord Volksgrenadier team, Warlord plastic grenadier team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ED819E28-3C8A-41BC-BC04-C0427A881398.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Not sure if they do Panzer Lehr but 1st Corps do several variations in their MG teams both British and German so could mix in?
Caliver do a small range of Panzer grenadiers and Waffen SS you might not be aware of:
http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Catalogue.aspx?ScaleID=15&CategoryID=87&SubCategoryID=371
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Link doesn’t do owt fir me James, sorry.
1st Corps, I like, but don’t mix well.
I thought of using late war Germans in smocks...Artizan. Problem is, I’ve never seen pics of Lehr in smocks.....I will probably just use more plastic grenadiers.
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The link is to the Matchlock Miniatures Catalogue as far as I can see, but seems to be Poles, (which look nice), Volksturm (less so), a limited selection of British infantry and some German Cossack allies.
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Ah ok, cheers fellas.
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British Platoon Command and the first section finished.
Minis are Crusader. They are a little squat but actually not as bad as I thought from their catalog pics.
Basing the other two sections now. I will be adding some support from Warlord.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/105C75C8-F826-491B-B361-53614B6320DD.jpeg)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9823301E-80C1-4287-BA69-7974310DAC77.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Looking good :-* :-* :-*
How do these scale with the warlord figures?
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Against the British? Don’t know yet...we will soon see though mate, I have a few support options coming from Warlord.
I do know they stack up well against Artizan so shouldn’t be too bad. The prone figures look a little small, but I don’t think it will be a big issue on the battlefield. Harder to hit I say! ;)
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Well painted Brits.
I tend to forget that Crusader has a excellent range of 28mm figures.
I was cleaning out some boxes and found a whole platoon of German WWII figures.
I don't remember when I purchased them. o_o
Oh, the things we find.
Must be due to my age. ;D
Now to paint them up.
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Well done, David, these look great.
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Super looking British!
Christopher
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Very nice brushwork on the Brits.
They should match OK size wise with the newish Warlord BEF as they are on the large n chunky side.
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Do you mean BEF? The new late war British come out this next month.
Hopefully I’m not too reliant on the warlord ones tbh.....I but the bullet and bought a few duplicate packs of riflemen from Crusader, enough to do the support squad too.
I have to say, these little chaps have grown on me. Lots of character I think.
Many thanks for the kind comments all.
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Your British khaki looks excellent 👍
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Thank you sir!
Jamie is making himself some panzer grenadiers and we were bemoaning the lack of prone poses on the Warlord plastic sprue. I offered to have a go at a conversion, the least I could do seeing as he has kindly painted my tanks!
Anyway, putting my money where my mouth is, I have a couple of bits left on a sprue so here is a quick guide to making a prone mini. I have done a few of these using GW Imperial guard before now but the principle is the same.
I always start by selecting my mini, then breaking the legs off, and shaving a little off the belly area in order to lift the chest off the floor. I then glue in place the legs at a better angle approximately where they need to be. I will often bring in other appropriate legs from other minis, but in this case they are the originals.
Don’t worry about gaps at this point. I have also glued the MG42 where I want it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A0822FB2-EE07-46A0-9633-F7CC7787037B.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1FBC97E9-5BAA-43CD-8740-DCCE8192E1CD.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Same with arms......there isn’t a natural arm reaching forward enough, so I broke the firming arm and glued it in position. Likewise the loading arm, I simply cut the arm below the sleeve and turned it and flattened out the hand a little.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A33A2E9C-A1E2-4B19-9450-C567CE241E1C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/488DC51B-A00C-4188-A8F3-985E66CC99F6.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Don’t be afraid of bringing the ground up to the mini. For example I raised the ground under the loading arm to make it look like it’s propped from the ground.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9FF398D9-FE33-4378-86F2-1C8FB35AA058.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
And then using a little green stuff, fill any gaps and rebuild shoulders / hips etc. The trick here if your gs skills are a little limited like mine, is to cover them all with plenty of clutter hanging from the waist etc afterwards!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/20235B46-DFCE-422C-8925-4CEDF6AA876F.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Et voila!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/585D146F-6CFA-497D-BAEB-D0FA7CF088D5.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7DA067EC-C9B4-439D-ACF3-5652E5C443D9.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Oh wow. That's awesome! Thank you.
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No worries! The shouldered gun was bothering me so adding a canister at the back gave it more reason to sit proud as it does....in hindsight strapping across his back would have looked less awkward but hey ho!
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Cracking job on that conversion!
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Cheers fella!
Pretty straight forward. If you have a spare mini or two still on the sprue, give it a whirl!
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So in preparation for the start of gaming, I have painted the British platoon. I need to do supports next.
I have realised how much more character metals have over plastic, and though I don’t see many Crusader ww2 kicking about, I really like these minis. I will be putting a few Warlord minis into it though, hopefully they will fit in nicely.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B5334C1F-1B89-437A-8AF4-8E447BA79374.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Just taken delivery of some more Last Valley hedges and a few tree lines, so a chance to pop them on the table before finding a home for them!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/130F1323-D0CE-4EA2-8732-05ACB65811C2.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0529A71E-9EEB-4633-9102-5B3026097660.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
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They look very nice indeed. I've mixed the Warlord & Crusader minis for my Early War French with no real issues.
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Those look great! I really like Crusader's British figures.
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Excellent work David.
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Thanks chaps!
Already started on the Vickers team and another PIAT team. My Warlord bits are taking an age to arrive.....never mind. I have a few bits up my sleeve....
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Thanks chaps!
Already started on the Vickers team and another PIAT team. My Warlord bits are taking an age to arrive.....never mind. I have a few bits up my sleeve....
Err yes.. don't we all, I spent this evening adding a grout and paint mix to some support bases, a platoon of Italians and a platoon of US GI. Lots of painting to do.
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That's a fantastic collection of troops and scenery you put together. How do you store it all?
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That’s a sore point mate! Many an argument with the missus! LOTS of RUB’s in the garage and the underside of one of the guest beds for the mats....
Cheers
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Up early this am so productive few hours! They paint a damn sight quicker than Jerry!
Some British support including a couple of junior nco’s. Postman just popped the missing support section minis through my door too, so on with those I suppose!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AE48D349-A0BA-4318-AB1D-F3A2770AF2BE.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Very nicely done and the Brits do paint up quickly 👍
You have achieved a very nice khaki, did you follow a “recipe”?
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No real recipe....I simply use Vallejo English Uniform, Agrax Earthshade, highlight with the Vallejo again.....then a fine dry brush of Zandri dust.
Cheers
In other news, Jamie bought a few metres of Teddy Bear Fur. He sprayed a bit brown and gave it me. I just dry brushed it with a few greens and added a little meadow flowers. I was going to cut up into two bits but I like this large field. About 30 inches squared.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/43ECBE81-2E51-4030-B097-28E463FEB2FB.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Do you know where the fur came from?
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I will find out for you mate.
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Do you know where the fur came from?
I ain't saying, but three characters, Yogi, Paddington & Pooh,
all want to have a word with Jamie. lol lol lol
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I ain't saying, but three characters, Yogi, Paddington & Pooh,
all want to have a word with Jamie. lol lol lol
Yup, all have bare behinds! ;)
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Brilliant! Truly inspiring! Your attention to detail is impressive!
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No real recipe....I simply use Vallejo English Uniform, Agrax Earthshade, highlight with the Vallejo again.....then a fine dry brush of Zandri dust.
Thanks for the info 👍
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Ready for their first action this coming weekend.
Just finished painting the support infantry section.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E6AFCCC7-8A0B-46A2-BFDE-9C4D1E309E4C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BFCE061B-F419-46A4-8C76-FD7F9561FB1C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/34057910-C415-4868-AA16-BC9A02382150.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Great stuff. I always get lazy and just do a standard platoon, then kick myself when I realise a section would be a great support option...
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We were discussing that the other day....especially if you are a panzer grenadier section.....two lmg’s......lots to love!
Even for the Tommies....10 fire power for the tripod Vickers mmg, the section has 12 plus the junior leader and whatever he can affect or bring to bare...and arguably better odds at surviving longer. And both options are on the same section of the support list.
I feel you have to give yourself options......
Still waiting on Warlord though. I still have to paint up flame thrower team, 6 pounder AT gun, engineers, medic and observer team though they won’t be here for Saturday! ;)
After that, I need a few support vehicles. I have already bought / ordered a Humber Reconnaissance car, a pair of universal carriers and a priest. Plus I have my tanks!
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I am sure you will have them knocked out in no time
Looking forward to seeing them in action
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Me too!
In fact, I was sorting out some trees to take to Jamie’s for the game, and I shocked myself realising I must have about as much greenery as some small clubs! All courtesy of Last Valley over the years.
Bocage
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BBB7E6A8-FA2F-4DB5-995C-DAEB0F749F5C.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Tree Lines & Copses
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/00CEE121-8355-469D-AC4C-50FC852863EF.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Trees
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/36F14307-42CF-4E32-AEA8-1988346EB78B.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Hedgerows
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B5906237-E2BE-4DA1-8E95-0616004687E9.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
Fields (not including ones I’ve converted for other projects)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BEB3B584-1116-476C-8975-466BB6DF3042.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
No wonder the missus gets irate ! Think I’d better stop there.......
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E1775E80-278D-4457-99AC-9612C5137225.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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I shocked myself realising I must have about as much greenery as some small clubs
It's amazing how it builds up over the years. Loving this thread by the way. :-* :-*
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Well that explains why at every show he's always stood at an empty stand by lunchtime. lol
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Well that explains why at every show he's always stood at an empty stand by lunchtime. lol
Yeah, though one time I worked out how much it would cost me to get everything I needed from him, and the numbers made me blanch. Looks like I will be making my own.
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Right now....he’s offering free postage and 20% off everything on his price list! ( wish I was on commission! Lol)
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Yeah, though one time I worked out how much it would cost me to get everything I needed from him, and the numbers made me blanch. Looks like I will be making my own.
I used to think that, but years went by & I still hadn't made any of it.
Then I bought a few bits at a show. Now (?) at a show (What shows?)
I will pick up another bit or two. As Digits has demonstrated it does
build up.
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Yup.
I had ordered some rubicon crews for the tank destroyers. Problem with Rubicon, they insist on putting anatomically correct (?) heads which look minuscule!
Never fear, four heads from the British Airborne sprue, and they look ok to me!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/35C80A52-F1DA-457B-A70B-A5C0D58E76F4.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Lovely :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
I have two of those in 20mm Need to source some crew
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Not been funny bud, the Rubicon heads are easily 20mm! If you have Brit bodies, I can let you have heads.
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They are stunning looking those Achilles.
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I love this thread! Brilliant!
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Hopefully I can keep it interesting then mate, cheers.
So, having gotten our first game in, we will be starting the Bloody Bucket campaign in earnest in a week or so’s time. I realise that I still have a few things to get done.
We pretty much have the forces side tied down now and lots of clutter and obstacles, but I am sitting on a number of unpainted resin buildings. My least favourite thing to paint, but needs must or every game will start to look the same!
You may recall when I painted the farm, that I had accidentally bought two of the “lean to” covered pens. Well I am mid way through converting one (not hugely, but adding more detailing) to create a pigsty....hopefully pics soon.
I will also have a go at these three buildings, so at the very least, I can make a second farmstead. I have been looking at the Hornby 1/72 Corrugated iron Dutch Barn trying to determine whether it may still scale for this......if anyone has one, I’d be interested to know? Cheers
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It's more a question of what you used for corrigated Iron on your other builds. If you used HO stuff then it's not an issue.
As it'll just look like a single story barn than the near two stories in HO.
That type of openside barn is about an hour scratch build and less than a third of the price.( plus you'll be able to hide armour in it.)
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Yup...I had considered scratching it......but last time I did with corrugated ABS.....a year later it fell apart! Probably me using wrong glue but hey ho.
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Ok, one painted and slightly modified pigsty. I replaced the small wooden “walls” with all round fencing, and added a corrugated “gate”. Thanks to Vodkafan, I had wheels to throw on the roof to keep the tin down. We used to use tyres to keep tarps down like this on the farm when I was a kid.
Piggy wig straw is simply an old paint brush cut up and glued.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/76AFB326-34BE-45FE-97E7-AF27BEB2B565.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2A2242B4-4319-46E6-BF4E-1E1AAF5E8A74.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/89B093EE-E5BE-48E3-829A-C6A9971A5802.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8017982C-9545-4A0B-A254-1C47A9A54271.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Works a treat :)
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Lovely detail :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Great little terrain piece. :-* :-*
And the winner of the game gets roast pork. :D :D
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We don’t usually wait that long! Bacon butties are a staple part of the game!
Cheers guys.
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That is one luxury pigsty!
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Needs a piggy trough inside for food.
Nice work.
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I have a water trough....just don’t know where I put it! Will add it when I do.
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Looks great! Another item for the to-do list...
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More nice stuff David. When we get back to face to face games,
I will be very busy taking pictures of all the nice terrain. Oh and
all the different Pz IIs Jamie has painted for you.
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Excellent pig sty mate!
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Thanks guys!
To go with the pigsty, I painted a few more of the TBM buildings. The main house is actually sold as a cafe, but I quite like it here as another rural dwelling. The small lean to is a useful add on building and there is the small collapsed building.
Good to have alternate farm stead to the other set for variety.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3D15CB58-9A60-441A-B9CF-0DE9CD5F345A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CDBA1CE7-E096-4C25-9022-0EFD7115DA69.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9C57BE85-9824-4856-8ED1-4347F1EEF2C0.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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TBM? Too far back in the posts to search at this time of a boozy evening.
Thanks guys!
To go with the pigsty, I painted a few more of the TBM buildings. The main house is actually sold as a cafe, but I quite like it here as another rural dwelling. The small lean to is a useful add on building and there is the small collapsed building.
Good to have alternate farm stead to the other set for variety.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3D15CB58-9A60-441A-B9CF-0DE9CD5F345A.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CDBA1CE7-E096-4C25-9022-0EFD7115DA69.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9C57BE85-9824-4856-8ED1-4347F1EEF2C0.jpeg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds)
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Total Battle Miniatures
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Ta.
Total Battle Miniatures
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Great paining on that farmstead. :-* :-*
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Those have come out very nice again David.
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I really like that house with the multi faceted roof.
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Cheers guys, appreciate it.
I still have three or four of their buildings to do, including the church. There is another larger wrecked house of theirs I have not bought as yet, but may well do to complete the set. I’m kinda hoping they come back and do more in this range.
I will periodically paint another building, but for now, I’ve realised I hate staring at unpainted minis sat on my painting area...so I will have a go at a section of Fallschirmjager next me thinks!
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Instead of staring at unpainted minis you should store them in boxes so you can't see them :D
and you also get the added benifit that when you are having a clear out you find loads of stuff you have forgoten about :D
Just found my Dad's army platoon :-*
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Why did he leave it at your house?
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lol lol lol
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Why did he leave it at your house?
'Stupid boy. Take his name Wilson' ;)
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;)
First game of the Bloody Bucket campaign this coming weekend! :)
Pretty much everything painted I should need for that.
Started painting a section and command for my Fallschirmjager yesterday. Then got distracted putting together the 10.5 recoilless. Trying to pack five minis around it always fun!
Question. How effective would it be compared with a standard 10.5 gun?
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Don't know about effectiveness but I'm looking forward to a link to an AAR with lots of eye candy pics :)
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Think the shell would have been just as effective but the range would be much less. Also an artillery piece can do proper indirect fire whereas a recoiless rifle becomes a direct fire weapon.
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Sounds about right. Cheers James
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I was just reading up on the FJ recoiless rifles, and they were clever if not ideal. Generally they fired a matching 10.5 shell, but obviously with little to no barrel. Apparently the weapons themselves were capable of wearing out pretty quickly, but it was a lot of firepower and relatively light.
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So. basically, in a firefight the size of CoC...and the limited ranges of the game...basically direct fire version of the 105mm standard artillery piece then. Perfect! Cheers
Just need to paint them.....!
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Yeah I have some of the 7.5 ones in 15mm and I think I may run them as the short barreled 7.5 infantry gun. Not sure. :D
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I'm not sure they shouldn't be capable of some indirect fire as well.
As I understood it, the limiting factor was the venting to the rear of the weapon, and so if it could be elevated a little, without the rear blast causing issues, then presumably if was theoretically possible? Although on a table the size of a typical CoC battlefield, I am not sure many weapons other than mortars should have indirect fire capability.
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Do you need the five guys on the single base?
Do you need single bases to allow for casulties
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No, you can do three say and a few singles if you like. I like the interactive look of a full team...though I often leave the junior officer off and represent with a sing,e figure.
It would certainly save you a few quid doing loose figures, but personal choice.
I like the use of mini dice to show casualties. At Jamie’s suggestion, like him, I ordered a few mini dice holders from Sabotag3d
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Ha! Spot the obvious mistake!
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'MG42 MMG Team'?
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Indeed! Wishful thinking lol lol
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Apart from the weight the Vickers was still a very good MMG. No barrel changes needed, very sturdy, and reliable. Interested to see the Bundeswehr is finally planning to retire the MG42, or G3 if you prefer. Though the replacement is apparently problematic.
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SPOT THE MISTAKE?
It's the wrong box for Fallschirmjager :D
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::) There is that! ::)
Another unit I’m slowly collecting though it won’t see paint until Jamie has done his out of courtesy! I also have late war Germans for Normandy on the go. I aim to eventually have troops to represent all the main types fighting in post D Day Western Europe (except US airborne).
Things to concentrate on first however!
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I asked Andrew of Last. Alley to make me a two piece ploughed field with a copse, that could be made into one larger field or two smaller ones. Quite chuffed with this.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/84FB38EC-06BA-4DAC-8F07-BABE809CE60C.jpeg?width=180&height=180&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E65AE5AA-8EA1-4D8F-9D79-56484015FFD8.jpeg?width=180&height=180&fit=bounds)
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Looking good will store that idea for future use
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I do like those fields .Theyre not as sterile as a chunck of cord or coconut mat. They'll definitely add some depth to your farmland.
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Digits - those pics are also showing up super tiny for me. Like in one of your other threads - might just be my computer/browser.
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No, it’s bloody photobucket AGAIN! They deceduded to change the way you pic up the link to embed....it’s is just more fully to get right each time and I forgot! I will sort out...
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Before today’s game, Jamie brought me my painted Humber Mk2
Super!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D159C69B-4770-4531-88CB-7E99638D892E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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So I assume it's dead within the first shot of the game? Rule of newly painted stuff and all...
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Road hog: Get out of the middle of the road.
Very nice paint job.
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So I assume it's dead within the first shot of the game? Rule of newly painted stuff and all...
Luckily no Brits playing today! ;)
Brian.....drives like the missus!
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Chain of Command, armoured cars are brilliant, especially early war where infantry don't have piats, bazookas and panzerfausts. Nice looking piece of kit.
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Looks good :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Any chance of a bigger pic of your fields?
What are they made of?
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Bigger pics....you’d have to ask Last Valley but mdf and tretrion on the base I suspect.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/84FB38EC-06BA-4DAC-8F07-BABE809CE60C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E65AE5AA-8EA1-4D8F-9D79-56484015FFD8.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Think I might make myself some of those fields. Very useful.
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Yup. I have a smaller one but there is a little more realism making a larger one. Plus, as I said, giving him a sketch of what I wanted allowed me to get a copse into it and a few more trees about the hedge.
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Yep they look good
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I forgot to show the pond...to which I’ve just added a pair of ruddy ducks!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/58296824-237D-4966-92D1-95A1465D8948.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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oooh ... nice pond. I now believe I need one of those.
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If you throw a double 1 does one of your FJ squads drop in the duckpond?
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Never heard of ruddy ducks? :D
Cracking pond :-* :-* :-*
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Ruddy duck
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That's a Robin! lol
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That's a Robin! lol
James, if you think that is what a Robin look like,
it does explain why you gave me your Sheriff of
Nottingham figures. 8)
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Yup....none of my Christmas cards ever had one of these handsome fellas on it James!
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Not been painting much recently...but a few days away will give me a good opportunity to do some and finish off a few bits I hope.
I have been cleaning up, basing and priming a few bits in readiness.
British support including crew for my Priest, a 6pdr AT gun (gave me a lot of gyp building it!), engineers, observers, medic etc)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/49F57037-FBC0-4147-9A1C-B33534A382F1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I will also take two sections of the Fallschirmjager as I’m sick of the sight of them on my paint tray!
Currently sat with Jamie, I have a few vehicles, including the priest, a pair of universal carriers and a Sherman. That should about finish the Tommies, though I may add a pair of half tracks at some point in the future.
Things to come.....
I still have a few buildings to paint, and a couple of other building ideas to buy / make.
The biggest scenic addition for the next six months will be a river system.
I’m determined to paint the German paras first, but I’m pretty much half way collecting my panzer grenadiers.
I am also collecting british paras and eventually I want some SS troops. So.....lots to do yet!
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Well weather ain’t so great and trying to sit outside painting is giving me frost bite! Lol
None the less, managing to get a few bits done.
Here are the crew for the priest, a driver, medic and officer.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C143F102-4751-472A-8C54-5673CE17B753.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
+1 Very tidy.
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Well at least it seems to have stopped raining for you ::)
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Very nice Digits, your khaki looks top-hole lol
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Cheers. Still keeps raining but can get a few bits done between showers!
A little more.
Observation / radio team, and combat engineers including flamethrower.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/31F0236E-FBF7-4F92-B8D9-554C2E730F45.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Like these a lot!
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Weather was lovely yesterday and had great walk up Ingleton Falls and had a meal in a restaurant! Woohoo!
Anyway, I have painted the gun crew....but I need to get home to finish the gun itself.
If I get some time...I may try and do a few German paras!
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It is amazing how a little bit of sun (we never get too much in Blighty)
improves morale. Nice work David, I mean someone of your age climbing
up a hill. lol lol lol lol lol
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Funny (not) that you should mention that. I need a knee op.....but putting it off as far as I can.....and my knees are buggered after that effort. It’s not the going up, but the coming down that does it!
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British gun is done. I was going to put some camo netting on it but decided not to.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/663CB94E-1151-429A-AB21-48FB600E4F08.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4B2E59AA-7D08-461B-AD0A-6B08B3FD3A70.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/64E1E910-180D-48FD-BACE-0E185EA81115.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Very nice work :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Is that the Warlord Games one? Come out well.
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It is...but three crew are Crusader.
Cheers
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It is...but three crew are Crusader.
Cheers
I wondered, I am going to have to find a crew for my 17lb gun at some point, but very few companies will do a crew without an artillery piece. And even scarcer are crews of sufficient size.
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But by coincidence, Crusader have a special on late war British gun crew, three figures for £1.20 !!!!
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Very nice work on that 6 pdr. :-* :-*
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Nice work. Should be able to take out a Pz 2.
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Nice work. Should be able to take out a Pz 2.
I thought that the 6 Pdr was quite an effective A-tk gun. Wasn't one of the first Tigers to be taken out, was by a 6 Pdr in Tunisia or was that simply a myth?
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The six pounder was a good AT gun. The Rifle Brigade held off multiple attacks at El Alamein with thirteen of them, facing long-barrelled Mark IIIs and IVs among other things, and taking out something like 30 to 40 of them (estimates vary).
Panzer 2 my eye. :)
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Panzer 2 my eye. :)
Digits has his armour painted by Private Buzz, who does excellent
work by the way. Digits seems to (maybe) misled him as to how
much work was involved, claiming (possibly) that it was only a
few Pz 2s. Have a look at Digits' threads about WW2 & you will see
how much work Private Buzz has done.
Yes indeed the 6pdr can do serious damage, but not as much as...
an RPG (Another group joke). :)
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My apologies. I misinterpreted your post to mean you were having a little dig at the usefulness of the 6 pdr. We couldn't have that, could we? :)
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One day I may surprise him and ask him to paint a REAL pzr II :D
RPG! Yes, the shot legends are made of! Alas, I may never repeat it again.....
But I’ve found a new toy...and a very effective one it has proven so far.....panzerschreck!
I will be painting one up this weekend as I have started work on my first batch of Fallschirmjagers.
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My apologies. I misinterpreted your post to mean you were having a little dig at the usefulness of the 6 pdr. We couldn't have that, could we? :)
No need to apologise. As they might say across the pond, 'No flag no foul'
I wasn't annoyed/insulted, whatever. The fault was mine for not making my comment clearer.
.panzerscherck!
Now this scares me. :o :o :o
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I thought that the 6 Pdr was quite an effective A-tk gun. Wasn't one of the first Tigers to be taken out, was by a 6 Pdr in Tunisia or was that simply a myth?
The 6 pounder was indeed effective against the Tiger. Churchill crews were quite happy to use them for their AT effect, mixing them up with 75mm variants. Later on the 6 pounder got a Discarding Sabot ('DS') round which was deadly against pretty much anything that the Germans had. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordnance_QF_6-pounder
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Lovely figs and gun, regardless of what it can take out...
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Thank you!
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Well, I’m not getting any painting done, despite staring at these German paras for an awful long time! Real life gets in the way, with work being nice and busy.
However, I have still been adding to the lead pile! lol
I want to do a platoon of Waffen SS as I’ve mentioned before now. I’m not picking a particular division, none hold any particular appeal, but nor am I going to airbrush history, it happened.
For this unit, I decided to start with mixing a box of the SS Sturmbataillon Charlemagne, with their French arm patches removed, and the pack “Raus” of disembarking panzer grenadiers. I also mix in a couple of plastics I had left on sprues.
I opted for these because I felt the minis offer a nice dynamic “assaulting” look, a great “rag tag” appearance and gave me an answer to my continuing quest to find sufficient unique minis, particularly among the machine gun teams!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7F7AD7D4-F774-4D50-A1D3-78B24EF85596.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The Raus minis are a little challenging in that for the poses to make sense, you need to add objects to the base, done here with simple bits of slate.
So I have the first two sections. I will buy the Warlord 10 man metal SS section and supports for the rest in time.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A5E2E8EB-8128-418B-9863-45B32041C8BF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Good start :-* :-* :-*
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Added a box of Waffen SS plus a few support options including Sniper, Flame Thrower and observer/ radio team plus my new favourite toy, panzerschreck!
As we will be playing more Normandy and I have so far failed to paint the Fallschirmjager, I will need to get a German force painted and under my belt!
As these will have a similar rag tag look as my Winter fellas, with some various camo combos etc, it should keep them interesting. Going to try out a couple of new camo schemes to kick start them…..
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A0F9718C-808F-4090-BB5A-E5FE6208EB71.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Looking forward to seeing these :)
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Seconded, will look forward to seeing how these turn out. And all reusable for 1945, assuming you don't go for too much of a summer look.
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Working on my test scheme for M1942 Blurred Edge at. The moment….
However, I have a game tomorrow. Yesterday a small order arrived from Total Battle Minis and as the table calls for a large farm setup, I sat last night for a couple of hours and quickly (not sure what came over me!) painted this barn which I’d ordered. Actually from their blackpowder range, but a little ramshackle barn fits in pretty much anywhere so made sense to buy it. Me thinks Captain Blood did a slightly better job of the paintwork when he bought one for his Civil War table, but I’m happy enough with it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E44209B4-4FB7-424A-A7E0-053D4ADB4BC9.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/047C85B5-D583-4CA4-BF21-BB80F9973FAC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1EFCF711-C299-492C-AE80-25E0A7B10B82.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Cracking job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
I may need to copy that in 20 mm though I need some farm buildings
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I agree….lots of rural buildings are essential.
Here is the set up for tomorrow’s game, Crossroads on Le Grand Chemin, Etienville.
This is the opening action of the 14th June 1944 as the US 90th infantry, 82nd Airborne and 325th infantry glider regiments push east towards St Sauveur le Vicomte as part of the sealing off of the peninsula.
Opposing them were elements of the 265 Infanterie-Division. Grenadiers.
Jamie send me aerial photographs of the area and this is my interpretation….
As you look at the table, the US are approaching the farm hamlet from the fields…..should be fun to be a defender for this one!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5E455030-5E43-47D5-AECD-132DDBB01357.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/604435C3-A7E2-4648-9023-16EF21F91058.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That barn is the business and I love the addition of the climbing rose. :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Nice looking setup. As the attacker I would be bringing HE support... :)
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That is a very nice setup :-* :-* :-*
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Plus 1 to the nice comments.
Does this mean you two have finished with Bloody Bucket?
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No. Back to that soon enough. Taking a break whilst gathering mojo to paint minis!
Cheers guys, glad you like it. Have a few more buildings to do yet....
Not that they will be available for tomorrow’s battle…but a quick pic of Panthers on manoeuvres…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F5A0F733-708B-46D6-A8D0-D08683D68C89.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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So, had a great game on Saturday.
Long and short of it, the mission was to capture the jump off point marked with a blue cross near the crossroads.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3670F057-66DD-4A30-A393-25BC4CC2D3B9.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Not drawing this one out too much but the long and short….
The elite US glider infantry, moving swiftly toward the hamlet were able to place their jump off markers at the forward hedge rows, marked in the lozenge area. The right hand section, quickly moving out to cover the ground towards building 2.
German jump off markers can be seen clustered around the the junction and just behind building 2. A further jump off was established near building 1. Maybe a little too early, I deployed a section into building 1 and one into building 2. Angles of fire were tricky, with no building square on to the eastern edge (at the bottom of the table). The US deployed their forces quickly, including a support 50 cal (5) and I immediately started to feel the heat. I had intended to hold back my third section to defend in entrenchment sat the crossroads, but with the only bit of open ground now being crossed, I decided I should deploy it also into building 2.
Surely with 4 mg42’s firing at close range, I would quickly chop up the advancing Americans…….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/19FC56E8-01A5-40F7-AD16-108E5EF57CF0.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/73E7992A-8410-46DD-AD33-37D926E5C61A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And they brought up a Sherman which chose to sit at the back and start laying HE into the building, trying to destabilise it…..too far away from my jump off positions for me to ambush it with my panzerschrek unfortunately…..
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A99D9F13-3BA2-4595-A753-F563F0378109.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The advancing US section, slowed and went tactical whilst the supporting section laid on covering fire from its rifle section, keeping the panzer grenadiers on the ground floor busy, whilst simultaneously hitting the top floor section with combined fire from the section 30cal and the supporting 50cal. The Americans also deployed a 60mm mortar, and bazooka which along with the tank, added their HE into the mix.
So with one section at reduced effectiveness (subjected to covering fire) and the top floor section being battered, I was still determined to try and break the advancing section. However, having never faced elite troops before, I soon realised how damned difficult they were to hit! I was loosing men at a far faster rate!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F6CC7B4D-DEBD-430E-8E42-9DC84F4BA040.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/312D1E4C-0B07-47F7-AD48-D5E56B0EE547.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
It had been predetermined there was a battery of 88’s on a hill across the valley to the south that overlooked the hamlet, and that a chain of command dice would be able to activate them to take a shot. The first opportunity I got, the 88’s took a shot at the stationery and exposed Sherman. A solid hit slammed into the side of the tank, and knocked out the tank.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/89EBE014-1DFA-4F25-B8F6-863F185F6889.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The advancing US section, decided to stop hugging the ground, and started to add their firepower onto the building. The junior leader attached to the top section was killed and the senior leader moved upstairs to take personal command of the remains of the section. The US sensed a chance to eliminate or break the top section, and let up on their covering fire which had kept the lower section almost impotent. They star.ted hitting the top floor with everything they had, and the the senior leader was wounded and unable to hold sway over his men. However, the combined firepower from all those machine guns finally was able to chop up the advancing section and it broke, running back through the gap in the hedge…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F29ACA3A-9EDA-4B6C-B6FF-12E6C2855490.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Heartened by this, I decided to push the section still sitting in building 1 out to cover the back of the farm where the action was.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7EA60405-C68C-4433-B2D4-D0C16966E86F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Before they could get t.ok far however, the amount of American fire pouring into the top floor broke the defending section which ran down out the back, dismaying their fellow section and leaving them alone to face the main force of infantry now moving towards them….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AEE545FF-229F-498A-93EF-946BA0ADE503.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I now had a decision to make. If I stayed put and tried to hold back the yanks, the ground floor section would suffer the same fate. They were already down three men and were dazed. I needed to give ground, and give them a chance to recover their composure so they left the back of the building and entered the stable block the other side of the pigsty. The third section, along with the panzerschreck team now took positions to defend the crossroads…..whilst the American Platton leader ran his second section across to take the farmhouse. They did this despite Sniper fire from the roof. I had been trying to deploy him for a long time. The Americans had a pre game barrage in play and despite a lot of test rolls, I had been unable to deploy until now.
Fearing he would score another hit on the support elements and further drop his morale, the American commander ordered his men to go up and clear him out. The section moved up to the first, sending a scouting pair into the loft to flush him out. Meanwhile the commander rushed back to take charge of his support assets to get them moving.
The 50 cal had continued to chase fire after the broken section but had failed to finish them.
I used my final command dice and chose to end the turn….risky because we both had routing sections. In doing so, we both came perilously close to having no stomach for the fight.
I felt a minor reprieve as the Americans were concentrating on clearing out the sniper and not already dropping fire onto the crossroads.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7C9433DF-0A08-4B4F-A3E3-239CA5FF300F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I detached a team from the third section and tried to flank the stable block in order to try and get at the bazooka team. If I could break them…?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/210D5C2D-522E-48C9-9129-9A4DAD4DA68F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
But I was worried this wouldn’t do it. The Americans were now bringing forward the hated 50cal and I knew once that was in position, I would suffer the loss.
I had one last desperate play left, it could go horribly wrong, but in desperation I moved the section back out from the stables, and thrust them into to ground floor of the farmhouse!
Unable to activate his section to counter then, in my next phase, I ordered them to storm the first floor. They duly chucked their potato mashers up the stairwell, stunning a couple obviously, then valiantly attacked……
Once we’d worked out just how many dice we would be throwing, the combination of elite defenders, both being aggressive troops, all that automatic fire etc….we both ended up throwing 21 dice each…….and we both literally wiped each other out! Lol
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/13069347-C0FD-4D2F-BD63-2AA253B2C93D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Checking on the bad things happen table, and by the skin of my teeth, ending up on one point of morale as the Americans lost their last, I was able to snatch a victory!
Wow! That was the closest game yet. It literally came down to a very aggressive bout of close combat which could have gone either way (as well as the rolls on the morale table), and the fact all participants in the melee fell made it more incredible!
Dammed good game, great scenario, great opposition! I enjoyed that. Cheers Jamie.
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Lovely set up & interesting fight so far.
Looking forward to the next thrilling instalment.
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Cheers…edited it to a conclusion, really enjoyed that one!
Forgot to mention, at one point, I was able to mobilise the 88 a second time.
Could have worked, I knew any hit against an infantry unit would soon be rallied, so opted to snipe it at the medic that was trying to make his way to the broken and injured second senior leader that had fled when the American section broke.
Shook him up a bit, but failed to kill him! Lol
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Could have worked, I knew any hit against an infantry unit would soon be rallied, so opted to snipe it at the medic that was trying to make his way to the broken and injured second senior leader that had fled when the American section broke.
David only you (OK & a lot of other wargammers) would go
sniping with a battery of 88s :D :D :D
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Great looking game :-* :-* :-*
The sniping with an 88 against an unarmed medic is a bit much though lol lol lol
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Nice write up,models and pictures. Thanks.
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You say “a bit much” but if he’d been able to reach the broken senior leader, that may have cost me the game. Routing the section helped me to whittle down their morale….without that I would have definitely not pulled this out of the fire, so it was warranted I believe!
Anyway, I am now going to buy myself an 88 for my current workbench SS….the first of which test minis I will pop up tonight if I get a chance.
Cheers guys, appreciate the comments.
Modelsarrior…the US minis are all Jamie’s and unfortunately, I have yet to paint summer Germans so they are winter fellas….luckily there aren’t many close ups! Lol
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Fantastic write up, it was like reliving it all again. A very tense and fun battle.
The 88 must have loaded up solid shot. As the shell whistled past the medic, the draft must have shocked him somewhat.
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You say “a bit much” but if he’d been able to reach the broken senior leader, that may have cost me the game. Routing the section helped me to whittle down their morale….without that I would have definitely not pulled this out of the fire, so it was warranted I believe!
'I vos only obeying orders' (NB Didn't work at Nuremburg) and ...
I really must explain the concept of 'War crimes' to you at some time. lol
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The bigger draft came from his trousers I’d say!
As for war crimes…..my grandfather was involved with those trials and in bringing prominent nazis to book……unfortunately he died when I was very young. I doubt though he’d find much wrong with my action…….besides, where is the proof? There are no written orders…..
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There may be no written orders but you wrote it in your war diary above!
How much more of an admission of guilt do you need? ;D
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Ah yes......time to change my name and move to Argentina me thinks!
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Talking of war crimes, I have tried out my test scheme for my Summer SS.
As usual, I have tried to keep it muted…..and the camo scale down which naturally darkens them. This is my attempt at the two main camos that I will be using. All three have been painted the same in this instance but future chaps will get a little variation…..mixing in an autumn pattern pea dot etc…
So the smocks and helmet covers are my simple (as in, if I have to paint more than a couple of dozen, I won’t end up a nervous wreck!) take on “blurred edge” M1942 and a pea dot M44 on the trousers. I’m happy enough with them anyway.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9A0C33D3-180A-4D33-AFD4-92E9EA68D193.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F6307FED-EF5F-4042-9772-EEA36721ADA6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Just a matter of doing another 50 troops now! :'(
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It would be nice to see some larger shots, to be honest, it's just blurred in these pictures.
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That’s the effect of the camo! Lol
Honestly, any bigger and the painting is really bad! :?
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That’s the effect of the camo! Lol
Honestly, any bigger and the painting is really bad! :?
Unfortunately, at this distance, it's so blurred you can't even get an overall impression other than a muted blue grey colour. We've seen your painting, it's quite good enough to withstand a close up.
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Hmmm….I don’t like posting close ups but is this any better?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/92726DC9-C155-4F8D-B754-3961EE544752.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/26C92096-761D-42D6-B600-8D0BC3251EC4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Great closeups.
Excellent painting.
You are to hard on yourself.
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Great closeups.
Excellent painting.
You are to hard on yourself.
Seconded!👍
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Cheers fellas!
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Thirded if that is a thing ;D
Looking good to me :-* :-* :-* :-*
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And a fourth lol
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Agree with all the above, they do look good. I was hoping for closeups so we could get an idea of colour selection, pattern and technique, as it always helps to learn from others.
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Nice set up, and AAR.
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Agree with all the above, they do look good. I was hoping for closeups so we could get an idea of colour selection, pattern and technique, as it always helps to learn from others.
If you REALLY want it, I tend to make my own reference notes and selections for each scheme. Drop me a line if you do.
And thanks guys.
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I like it! I would definitely like to see your documentation.
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Thanks to Bearwoodman ( Gideon), a crisis has been averted and he has kindly donated a new can of Dullcote to the cause! This was very timely, as just before I set off to see him, my last can ran out half way through spraying these chaps, the latest batch of painted SS!
Anyway, top chap!
As I said, more SS. Tried to vary up the mix a little of camouflage combos, but the net effect, is that on the table together, they all look…..green! Lol
Anyway, they are exactly what I was trying to do with them so I’m not complaining!
I want to get straight on with some more. I can’t do these in large batches…the camouflage makes my eyes screwy! A small batch to at least give me two sections ahead of next Saturdays game with the guys.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A9F23521-CC7E-400C-B74F-5EBD6986C10E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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My eyes are crap too
But with my strongest glasses they look great
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Looking good! I paint my guys (and/or gals, as appropriate) 2 or 3 at a time, to keep my eyes from buggin' out... :o
Your SS boys have perhaps inspired me to move mine up in the painting queue...
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Superb job on the camo painting, those close ups look fabulous.
Who makes that chap jumping over the rock in your last pic?
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It’s Warlord mate. They do a set of five minis alighting from half track…called “Raus!”
The same set as the fella in the cap sitting with the mg42gunner knelt beside him. I just added rocks.
Cheers guys!
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Jamie dropped off some lovely looking armour today, and I will put pics up next week when I have my table set up.
However, as I had painted the crew in anticipation of its arrival, here is the priest! Cool model, great paint job!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/061132D4-D8E7-423E-9FCB-A9E8D5D54DB0.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BCB2813A-62AC-4E4D-99F8-E9353B5BF315.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7D400257-F563-4E60-89AA-FFA4D84A8B79.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/67FCDA80-2952-4F61-AA42-42CC5B4F9C49.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
How much use is the big beast of a gun in CoC?
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Potentially very useful for dislodging sections from buildings…..9HE plus top mounted mg….not so shabby.
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How much use is the big beast of a gun in CoC?
It is one of Digit's snipers. lol lol lol
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Potentially very useful for dislodging sections from buildings…..9HE plus top mounted mg….not so shabby.
I believe you can only use one of these at a time.
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I would need to check that as they don’t occupy the same position. I would have thought so long as a command was issued to each they could fire….but I could be wrong.
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Excellent work, Digits! Those SS look fearsomely brutish, authentically camouflaged, and of course, not at all shiny!
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Indeed thanks to you!
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It’s Warlord mate. They do a set of five minis alighting from half track…called “Raus!”
Cheers for that.
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More troops. Mostly no smock.
A couple of these are from “Raus”, one with an added ppsh. Have enough for two sections now….still a way to go….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/DBD69BA5-71FE-483B-8F18-10D29944CD24.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice mixed group :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Looking really good, hope the forthcoming game goes well for you all.
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Cheers guys. Yup, even though painting camo is laborious, I’m enjoying these minis.
Hopefully, I can get the balance of the platoon painted over the next couple of weeks.
I have also ordered some support in the form of tripod mg42, small infantry gun IG18, pak 40 and pak 43. The latter is Heer but a quick paint job to the trousers and they will easily match in.
For the big game this weekend I will mix in the few I’ve painted and borrow Jamie’s Germans to make up numbers. Playing big CoC so a chance to use some of my armour!
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Some of the guys are coming over for a game.
The British are ad arcing on the time hamlet of Bidford sur Avon with orders to take and hold the crossroads, ensuring a good line of communication for their breakout.
There are reports that Gerry may be present in force……
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C419F0DE-0BFA-4229-9227-085E17297FB7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/36AA727F-99DB-42E4-BEE8-5CE6B325BBA4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Great looking table :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
What size is it?
How many players?
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It’s a double table so 8’ x 6’, and there were four of us playing.
I will do a quick synopsis of the game in a while, but first I want to show some new toys. Thanks to Jamie for painting the AFV’s, I love ‘em!
This one made into the game, a Jagdpanzer IV
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8C69AD30-25D4-4FA2-BDB7-666912B25E5E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Some great close support in the form of a Brumbar.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/66919004-D6EB-4FF2-8EAD-8C1C37378B5B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/07FE9FE4-ECB4-4762-B4F7-EC4CDB29000D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And another panzer II! This picture can’t do it credit. I will ask Jamie to put up his own pics of the tank…especially as he painted the insides!!!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/526DBAF4-09AC-4D2F-8E0E-DB696E00110B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/149C38CA-4539-422D-8A81-542FB00E496E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Less a battle report (Us Brits got spanked, twice!!!)
more some eye candy.
First the players:-
Digits (Our genial host) & Vodkafan, both vicious Boch.
Flatpack & myself, has.been, the noble British.
The scene starts quietly enough with the morning mist
settling over the village, & no sign of the war.
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The mist starts to clear & the farm starts to stir.
The clank, clank, clank of a King-Tiger scares
the British who are due to advance.
It is really the farmer trying to start his rusty
old tractor, but it sets the trend for the attacks.
(Really Digits just wanted to show off his new,
painted by Private Buzz, toy. Nothing to do with
the game, but most definitely 'Eye candy')
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The deployment jostling phase.
Brits do get a fair way across the table,
but as it turns out the Germans were
dug in at the buildings. As has been discussed
on LAF crossing open ground, against opposition
who are in hard cover, is near to impossible.
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Opening moves do not end well for a British tank crew.
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Some great photos guys :-* :-* :-*
And some very scary ones for the brits
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First game lost, or according to the Wyrd Sisters
in Shakespeare's Macbeth, 'When battle's both
lost and won'. We move on to the very important
business of the day, to wit Sausage Butties, then
we figured enough time for a second game, (which
we Brits also lost.)
It started better, we successfully laid smoke, survived
an ambush shot from a concealed German anti-tank
gun, and even caused its crew to break & run, then...
Digits ended the turn (= smoke removed) and managed
to keep rolling double sixes for activation (each time that
gave him another turn) He opened up on the British Inf,
now caught out in the open, then again, then again...
well you get the picture. The rest of us had to leave,
our time was up. For all I know Digits is still rolling double
sixes, caught in his own wonderful version of groundhog day.
To add insult to injury Vodkafan's Pz-Jager successfully hit
& then blew up the out-classed armoured car. When it
exploded it also hit a section of infantry hiding nearby.
Dicing to see if the casualty was the 'leader', not only
was it, but he was ...dead!!!
Best not mention that my dice rolling for risk to officers
this day meant the casualty rate amongst British officers
rivalled the first day of the Somme.
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A few pictures to finish off.
Must however offer thanks to:-
Digits, for setting it all up & umpiring (despite playing
as a German he often gave us poor Brits helpful advice)
and providing top class sausages. Poor lad had bust a gut
to build a barbeque, only for the weather to rule out
using it.
Flatpack, for putting up with my horrendous dice throws
and for getting us there when sat-nav lead us to a field!
The perils of Digits living on a very new estate.
Vodkafan, for not once gloating at us poor 'Tommies'.
Wonderful scenery, troops, vehicles & scoff.
Lots of laughs too. We got to 'Throw dice & blow
things up'. What more could we ask for?
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Yes, hats off to the brave and plucky Brits…… ;)
To be fair, the first game, especially being big CoC and the guys first for a while, was more of a learning curve.
I actually thought that big CoC would last longer to play out…..but in reality, with more things getting hit all the time, especially today, officers, the morale starts getting sapped quite quickly! So yes, a second game was in the offing and as Pete said, the Brits started well, with armour hitting and killing some of the dug in Germans, and routing the pak40 crew after killing its officer.
Both games used the same forces and to be fair, to save time, we repeated the same jump off points.
Brits being the attacker had superiority in numbers, with a squadron of Cromwells led by a firefly, the Humber car, and a swollen platoon.
The panzer grenadiers were joined by a jgdpanzer and a STuG, with a pk 40.
Dice rolling definitely defined this one. As Pete says, I seemed to be unable to throw anything but double six for an awful long time which turned around our fortunes and slowly drained their morale.
Great sports everyone!
The highlight for me as mentioned above was James taking out the Humber after two failed attempts with his Jagdpanzer. Blowing it up, only Pete could inflict a straight kill on the senior officer standing too close to it! Priceless.
Enjoyed myself.
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Enjoyed reading that, thank for all the effort in posting.
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More pics from the first game:
The all-important road junction, the target for the British. Road bisecting the board longways. View from the German side
(https://i.postimg.cc/59zqx5XZ/20210703-094139.jpg)
The farm yard to the left of the junction and a view down that lane. It's quiet...too damn quiet :-[
(https://i.postimg.cc/xTSGqkHq/20210703-094219.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/tC56TBpm/20210703-094227.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQq8d2H5/20210703-094816.jpg)
The other direction the British could come from is up the road directly to our front...
(https://i.postimg.cc/cCWK1njS/20210703-094758.jpg)
A Cromwell tank rumbles into sight at the end of the lane! The attack is on!
(https://i.postimg.cc/P5JCqh6P/20210703-110211.jpg)
They are soon joined by a squad of regular infantry at the jump off point and an Officer who is inside the building to their rear.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VNb5jgPw/20210703-110315.jpg)
I missed pics of the German infantry deployment here. A squad is split between the farm buildings, they have a good view of the British squad and give them a brisk shooting up which causes some casualties.
As feared, British infantry are assembling in the centre also, another two sections.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1tGtdzzY/20210703-111453.jpg)
Meanwhile as the German panzerfuhrer I get a Jagdpanzer on the table and take it off road behind the houses to the right of the junction... more about him later..
(https://i.postimg.cc/qqQ7kZys/20210703-111532.jpg)
I get my other AFV on the table, a war-weary Stug. It rumbles into the farmyard and goes on overwatch. The British infantry have gone to ground out of sight, but if you notice, the business end of my 75mm is aimed at the tiny gap of daylight by the side of the house...notice also that the German half-squad in the farmyard has also taken some casualties from British return fire.
(https://i.postimg.cc/X77J246Q/20210703-114848.jpg)
The British infantry attack begins in the centre.
(https://i.postimg.cc/QCjp4wj1/20210703-141136.jpg)
This pic is actually from the second game where they tried using some 2" mortar smoke as cover, I didn't have a pic from the first game but the attack was the same.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Z5WqSHRN/20210703-115555.jpg)
A second German infantry squad deploys in front of the farm buildings and fires. The sheer volume of fire from the German MG42s and automatic weapons gives the British an excellent seeing to and breaks up the attack.
The Cromwell at the end of the lane advances to give the entrenched SS a taste of 75mm HE.
Unfortunately for him he became visible through the gap and my Stug brewed him up with his first shot.
(https://i.postimg.cc/sXrf5RJP/20210703-121205.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/rw7wF40P/20210703-121144.jpg)
Meanwhile my Jagdpanzer IV uses the cover of the houses to approach the junction
(https://i.postimg.cc/L6CswwHR/20210703-114921.jpg)
But when he tries to cross the open space he is targeted by another Cromwell tank that has appeared!
(https://i.postimg.cc/G3z3TVTY/20210703-122930.jpg)
Luckily for me his shot ricochets off my side armour and I make it across the gap, but my crew are rattled!
The British attack fizzled out soon afterwards and they got no nearer to the Junction. The British were especially unlucky to lose three officers, I think two of them were hit twice over.
It was a fun game and us newbies were starting to pick up the rules. Many thanks to Digits for his hospitality and excellent vittles.
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Don't have many pics from the second game, just a couple of my PAK 40 in action.
(https://i.postimg.cc/9QyQ0MdX/20210703-132043.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/FKmsL4py/20210703-132053.jpg)
This failed to knock out the first Cromwell that appeared and then became the target for every other British AFV on the table. The survivors eventually left the gun and ran away. lol
And a couple more pics of the lovely King Tiger
(https://i.postimg.cc/j53smJbc/20210703-095231.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RVHMpFb1/20210703-095419.jpg)
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Nice write up of the first game James! Glad you popped it up, I forget what order things happened…especially as it seemed to go fast! ;D
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Some great photos :-* :-* :-*
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More pictures from the killing fields.
We Brits tried to advance on the target road junction, but never got close.
German armour and machine gunners appeared from everywhere.
I reckon the only way we could have done it, is with shore bombardment from about 40 battleships.
Enjoyable game.
Initial battlefield.
(https://i.postimg.cc/63sZ9Z2v/2-E1-D8275-F29-E-43-EF-A2-E2-7-B7-BBE7-EEBF8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XZ8qLpgj)
Advancing British troops
(https://i.postimg.cc/9MG7zfZN/26-C537-DD-A839-4-A90-9-D4-A-99-C7582-B2-FA7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/N9jMzBN1)
Bringing British armour on.
(https://i.postimg.cc/4xStSqXw/A96-DEC58-04-A1-458-D-A454-51-A10526-C3-D6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gx3nwMX6)
Lovely armour painted by Jamie.
(https://i.postimg.cc/wjvLFgY7/F1-EB4-EA7-D574-40-C9-B4-B6-5706-C6-E4287-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bs7ZwXJh)
British armour take a “lucky” hit from German armour.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BvPD9p63/509-ABFC7-2966-4231-B962-88-CEC2-D41168.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdcz5SxZ)
So after an early finish in the first game, we Brits tried again, only to come to same conclusion again.
German antitank gunners, firing rounds off at advancing British armour.
(https://i.postimg.cc/1RrFQf98/47-A2-EEF8-A8-F9-4-D98-950-D-7150-D248-DC37.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7bbh1PJ4)
British armour return fire.
(https://i.postimg.cc/VL7bJp01/265-B9-C50-B458-4712-90-C3-E044-F9352-C1-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xczd7sPF)
But, yet again, British armour fails again.
(https://i.postimg.cc/W1hqg80Z/16-DF3536-3-ED1-4-C49-A9-B4-7-DAE12-DC4-EEC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bZfvjQCY)
German armour coming forward.
Is that a panzer 2 ? (I do know the answer btw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/NfGHfBMp/4-BF91-E32-BBE3-4498-9-E16-1146-EDFAE2-FF.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/DmDZxV1X)
Good fun, and the day went quickly.
Cheers Digits, lovely set up.
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Great pics of the Sherman Bob and I especially like the pic of the British troops starting to advance through the trees, really put me in mind of some of my favourite old films.
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I don't know what was funnier, Pete getting his officer killed or the pictures of you all dressed up lol lol
Nice pictures, hope the rain wasn't too bad.
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Pete getting his officer killed
Officers, Officers (Plural).
It was getting to remind me of a scene from Spinal Tap,
where they are explaining how all their different drummers
died, 'Well he choked on vomit...wasn't his!'
'Killed when the armoured car exploded... he wasn't in it,
just in the next field'. :o
The rain wasn't a big problem. Digits, with total Teutonic
efficiency looked at his phone & announced, 'It vil rhain in
28 minutes und zen schtop' 'Zer hiz a small poss-a-bill-hitty
hit vill schtart again at 13,00 hours'.
lol
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And indeed…at 28 minutes it did!
Get yourselves Accuweather app….bloody brilliant!
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@ flatpack: I agree Bob, it WAS a lucky shot through the gap, I never expected it to work so well to be honest.
Thinking about the game again 24 hours later, I think the British would have had to start with at least twice the number of infantry to have any chance of success, and with the whole troop of British tanks putting pressure on all at once to keep the german defenders busy. You might have lost half or all your tanks in the process but once the infantry were up in amongst the houses superior numbers would have told....the terrain made us make choices, I like games which do that.
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To be honest, that wouldn’t really matter. It’s the speed at which you loose assets or they get injured / broken that reduces the morale so fast.
In realising just how fast this happens with multiple players….I have to think it would be better to adjust the starting morale levels up to start with!
The Brits rolled poorly on the first game starting morale…that really didn’t help. Combine that with the “luck” or rather lack of it, every time Pete rolled on his saves…..more kills than shock and then almost every time, hitting an officer! The kills, had they not been an officer, do not necessarily diminish your morale so fast, but the number of officer kills and injuries was just too great.
Let’s be fair, this was more a learning opportunity (and fun) than a hard game with everyone knowing the rules and having experience of it.
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Sounds like great fun. Gorgeous models and table.
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Great table, vehicles and figs. Sounds like the British tankers need a refresher course.... :)
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British tankers need a refresher course ?
Every time we entered the table we were fired on and hit, and destroyed.
I would not have liked to be a british tank crew in 1944.
Tommy cooker was the correct phrase, me thinks.
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British tankers need a refresher course ?
Every time we entered the table we were fired on and hit, and destroyed.
Yes, well then, there is that... :o
Our tank duels usually aren't that lopsided. As an example, our most recent WW2 game saw 2 US Shermans go against a StuG and a Panzer IV. At the end of it all, the StuG was KO'ed and one of the Shermans abandoned. The Panzer hid behind the burning StuG covering the road, and the other Sherman got off the road to cover the GI's advance.
Now, when our British Paras put a PIAT on the field, that's a different ballgame. For reasons known only to the dice gods, our PIATs tend to do yeoman's work with German armor... :D
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Lovely table.
Great looking figures.
Looks to have been fun,
even if you were on the losing side. :)
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As others have said that was a great looking and (most importantly) fun looking game! As for the outcome, well I would not claim to be an expert, but it would seem to reflect quite accurately some of those grinding Normandy battles. Perhaps the allied players can console themselves with the thought of what the RAF is doing to the German supply lines.
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allied players can console themselves with the thought of what the RAF is doing to the German supply lines.
Despite the air attacks (Rain stopped the use of the Barbie)
Digits still managed to produce a ready supply of sausage batches...
So the Germans managed to do their Wurst. :D
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Despite the air attacks (Rain stopped the use of the Barbie)
Digits still managed to produce a ready supply of sausage batches...
So the Germans managed to do their Wurst. :D
Not a Wurst Case Scenario then.
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Very nice looking table and game.
Rapid collapse of force morale due to leaders being killed fits with my CoC gaming experience.
T.
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I hope your dice are better than Pete’s! Lol
All you had to say to him, was “don’t roll a one”…and he would! :D
Anyway…back to painting some minis hopefully.
I want to finish the SS platoon over the next week or so. I have a few support options too, mainly guns…..pak 43, IG18 and pak 40….but I suspect these will take a bit longer.
I want to get my TBM church painted too and I realised playing this game, I need a few more dug outs to make! So plenty to keep me occupied….
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I hope your dice are better than Pete’s! Lol
All you had to say to him, was “don’t roll a one”…and he would! :D
I know....it's legendary and fun to watch...something to do with quantum forces.
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I know....it's legendary and fun to watch...something to do with quantum forces.
I blame another of our group, 'Dicemaster' (Garry). For him
to keep throwing all the sixes that he does, the gods of
probability demand a sacrificial sap (me) to even things up. :D :D :D
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Digits.
Just an idea, but you could save yourself some time painting.
Cut the German figures in half.
Paint just this top half and base it.
This would drop nicely into the dug out, as I can’t remember seeing a German infantryman, that was not in a dug out lol
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Digits.
Just an idea, but you could save yourself some time painting.
Cut the German figures in half.
Paint just this top half and base it.
This would drop nicely into the dug out, as I can’t remember seeing a German infantryman, that was not in a dug out lol
Yes Blitzkreig was definitely off the menu by that stage of the war, the Germans didn't budge out of the dug outs or the buildings our whole game did they?
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Yes Blitzkreig was definitely off the menu by that stage of the war, the Germans didn't budge out of the dug outs or the buildings our whole game did they?
Unless they were in a blooming heavy AFV, & even then they
had to be low down ones, ain't that right Oberleutnant James?? :D :D
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Me thinks we will have a return battle and switch sides if you think it unbalanced ;)
Maybe we will even get to use the bbq?!
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Time to add a little firepower to the SS.
Panzerschreck, MG2 mmg, lmg team and their commander.
Next I will paint a batch of eight infantry to finish the core platoon along with a sniper team to give me a couple of support options. After that, six riflemen to be able to play either grenadiers or panzer grenadiers, and a few heavy guns. I actually painted the heer pak 43 team whilst doing these, but I will paint the gun first I think before putting up.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/23BF4306-D1CE-4EC4-9104-0EEE7C0E0D6D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
But do you not need more crew for the MMG?
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/23BF4306-D1CE-4EC4-9104-0EEE7C0E0D6D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
It’s easy to remember they start with five crew…once casualties start to reduce them, we use a red dice to denote crew left. Only comes with three crew, I added a fourth at least!
Next batch started…..
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9E21E2BD-A2B6-4963-8E0F-A96FDC6F437E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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The last of the base platoon are painted!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/81DE1849-662A-4665-801F-50CE7448A8ED.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I like these guys. A bit gritty for sure but suitably aggressive looking. Now to do a few more supports…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1CA330B2-E785-4A24-ABF8-5D35E1EA5BD6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
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Love 'em :)
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Excellent work
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Cheers guys, thanks for the comments.
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Looking excellent and menacing for the Fatherland!
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Those guys sure look the part. I really like the officer on the black great coat. I have him, too. He very much looks the part of a senior Leutnant or a Hauptmann...
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They’re looking absolutely ace!
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Excellent painting.
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Very good painting ! :-*
Hope to see more soon.
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Cheers fellas.
More to come soon enough…just dabbling with a few ancient Germans! ;)
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So, had another enjoyable game at Jamie’s today.
Before kicking off, Jamie handed me my latest additions to the cause.
When deciding to do the King Tiger, I actually bought both a resin one from Warlord, and the hyper detailed plastic one on earlier pages. Jamie has thoughtfully painted the resin one now in Winter dress and it looks the dogs!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8BA22A52-F290-447F-A422-F1BB0253103B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
But, after all the joshing, I do now finally have a panzer II…..Luchs. Great little recon tank for our Normandy gaming. He’s done a sterling job of course!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/77D482DE-FCED-4997-A6A0-9C90D282EBA7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I will do a battle write up later…….
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Both look great. Nice work.
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Both look great. Nice work.
Seconded!👍
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Cracking job on those
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Cheers guys, I will pass on the comments!
So, today’s battle.
Somewhere in France, US glider troops have been given the mission to seize the bridge. Attacking from the North, defences unknown, but not believed too heavy.
The two main features of this battlefield being the Marshy area, inaccessible to vehicles and heavy going for infantry and a large band of light orchard. Main thing here is the orchard affords light cover and visibility within is limited to 18” (6” if firing from without).
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/76942FE6-B65A-4AD5-AD7C-5FA33A352D42.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
US forces had rolled and started with I think 9 support points after adjusting the force rating to include a 60mm mortar over and above a regular infantry section. The Germans (regular grenadiers) got half of this, plus being two points light on force, meant they started with 6 points.
Force morale for the US 8 ( must have been worried) and the Germans 11 (feeling giddy and secure in the knowledge they were the master race!)
When all the jump off points had been established, the two hedge lines encompassing the orchard held the majority, with one in my bottom left and one on the objective.
The US immediately deployed forward of their jump off points safe in the knowledge they could not be seen at range, and proceeded to move rapidly across the orchard, knowing their artillery barrage was keeping the Germans down in their foxholes. Indeed for the first phases, I was unable to bring anything on, and I began to think they would overrun my two hedge row jump off points before I could get anything on the table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B33218BF-72D6-4F2A-9DA3-C0D2A6EDC9F4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C8ADD4C7-F506-49C7-8628-843AAEEBD3F9.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A8500D30-E9F9-4B2D-A751-82418502F78C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E291FB12-385D-4564-92FA-641DDCE16101.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8576796C-E61E-41EA-A80B-198369DD7D00.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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And then, I had a stroke of luck. Rolling three sixes, the turn ended and the barrage lifted. Because I retained the dice, I rolled again and a near perfect set of dice allowed me to deploy all three of my sections, my leader (he may have come out the next phase…I’m struggling to remember) and my only real support choice (having opted for a pair of entrenchments), a tripod MG42. I was initially going to hold a section back to deploy near the bridge, however, thinking I had an opportunity to dish out a lot of firepower on these encroaching sections, I deployed them all along the lower orchard hedge line. Luckily for me, I had a section on each side of the road within 18 inches…and let rip.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D26EC29A-26B1-446C-9136-017F0F4D4439.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1A734323-04B5-4F84-B719-BD99E7BB082A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7D91CF15-0B51-4ADF-9832-940A977CB22E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/050E7E38-DF5C-43C8-B7B8-4132F9737911.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The weight of fire inflicted 6 kills, 7 shock and injured a section leader rendering him temporarily ineffective. This bloody nose stopped the Americans in their tracks and all three sections pulled back out of sight managing to inflict a pair of kills on the tripod mg team first, allowing their second leader to catch up with them to help steady their nerves.
They brought a 60 mm mortar onto the field but needed to despatch a scouting pair forward in order to act as eyes for the mortar. Unable to initially deal with the scouts, I then suffered a few hits from the well spotted mortar and started picking up a little shock.
The Americans moved a section to my left, crossing the road but this afforded my overwatching section to spot it and inflicted a few more casualties before moving a squad and my leader left to help counter the building threat on the left.
Deploying a smoke grenade the left most US section started coming forward but I was able to pin them and I sent the spotters running. Getting a wound on their senior leader helped but their morale was dropping. Eventually I broke this lead section, then immediately played my CoC dice to end the turn. Rolls on Bad things Happen then dropped their morale to zero giving me the win.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/22480970-A26D-4C4E-83F9-EC22DAEFF9AA.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
This could have gone either way though…I was lucky seeing as another phase or two under the pre game barrage would have lost me the two forward jump off points. Getting a turn end and perfect deployment dice was a fluke and without it, I very much doubt I would have prevailed. We will replay this one so I imagine a different result will come.
Cheers Jamie, good day and great sport. Loved the table mate.
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Excellent table.
Love it.
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Great table and nicely written report.
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Looks like a good game.
Jamie does good stuff, not just WW2 tanks.
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(6” if firing from without).
Will go back to reading the Battle report in a minute. Just wanted to say top marks for using the old fashioned form of "without" as the opposite of "within". It is a lovely word and much nicer than saying "from outside" 8)
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The benefits of a public school education! Lol
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Wow very quick and brutal game.
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Well done in getting a game played.
It all looks very nice.
Love those tanks Jamie.
Panzer 2 - you know it will sweep the battlefield clear...lol
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Will go back to reading the Battle report in a minute. Just wanted to say top marks for using the old fashioned form of "without" as the opposite of "within". It is a lovely word and much nicer than saying "from outside" 8)
Without a doubt. :D
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Lovely job on that table :-* :-* :-*
Nice close up of your figures as well
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Fan-freakin-tastic! Absolutely Brilliant!
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Have to come up with a scenario for this Saturdays game……think it is going to be nasty! Lol
Pak 43 “ Barn Door”
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/821D75F9-0C73-42C5-BBDA-50587FA14963.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/144AAB7B-54E5-4F72-A5FA-8D476D84B198.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8A4448FE-BC8F-417E-AF35-18E7E817656F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I have the dismantled carriage wheel sets to paint and mount on a separate base. May make a useful jump off marker….
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Looks rather good. Who'd be a Sherman driver?
I do like the colour on the brass shell casing. What colour are you using?
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I do like the colour on the brass shell casing. What colour are you using?
Cheers. GW paints
Base Balthasar Gold
Then Sycorax Bronze
Then Agrax Earthshade wash
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Ta. It's come out well.
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Nice :-* :-* :-*
Where did the camo net come from?
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It’s crepe bandage, soaked / sprayed greens/ browns. Cut in pieces then soaked in diluted pvs, squeezed out and positioned.
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It would be cruel though wouldn’t it?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5BE58383-645A-4FEA-BCA5-87DADD143823.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Are these both Warlord?
And it wouldn't be cruel lol
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Yup, both Warlord. The 88 is an absolute beast of a gun!
We’ve decided on a scenario for Saturday. US infantry with a troop of M4’s have been assigned the task of locating and destroying a suspected ant tank gun in position which has been causing mayhem and already accounted for a number of tanks and various supports.
To make matters worse, this is Bocage country!
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Yup, both Warlord. The 88 is an absolute beast of a gun!
We’ve decided on a scenario for Saturday. US infantry with a troop of M4’s have been assigned the task of locating and destroying a suspected ant tank gun in position which has been causing mayhem and already accounted for a number of tanks and various supports.
To make matters worse, this is Bocage country!
if I had a Pak 43 and a Pak 40 I would prefer not Bocage. I would ping those Shermans long before they could see me. In Bocage I would just be taking a dozen panzerfausts and panzerschrecks. :D
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Yup, I thought that too, but they have to flush out a gun, so be it!
In other news….I’m stoked!
Just realised Warlord have released a box of Panzer Lehr!
I can add them to my Artizan Lehr and find a few minis to pop about them and try and build a Lehr platoon! Brilliant!
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David! Too much leering. :D
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Yup, I thought that too, but they have to flush out a gun, so be it!
In other news….I’m stoked!
Just realised Warlord have released a box of Panzer Lehr!
I can add them to my Artizan Lehr and find a few minis to pop about them and try and build a Lehr platoon! Brilliant!
You do know Wargames Atlantic are releasing a box of plastic Panzer Lehr don't you?
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I didn’t but that’s great…as long as they match up in size.
Cheers!
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Seems like such a wicked gun should not have ordinary humans clustered around it... should have a demon crew! Can't wait to see it painted.
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I’d argue the gun in the previous page is the one that should be manned by demons but the pak 40 was still a very nasty gun. I know the 88 (in its various forms) has the kudos for being the scariest killer but when mentioning German anti tank guns, it’s always the pak 40 I immediately see in my minds eye.
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So, yesterday’s game was to be set in the Bocage!
Reports indicated a German 88 to be causing significant bother in the area, and the Americans were tasked with flushing it out.
The US infantry were supported by three Sherman 4s and a few other minor supports in clouding adjutant, engineers and a second bazooka team.
Opposing them, a Grenadier platoon, with slightly less than half the US support points, consisting one big nasty pak43 88mm anti tank gun and I opted for a second panzerschreck.
We had opted to add three morale points to our roll off to a max 11, which we both duly achieved.
The battlefield was typical Bocage, with the Americans fighting up the board as we see it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AB518370-008F-4A1D-868C-F5DC9E615149.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
For the first dozen or so phases, the Americans picked their way forward, opting to spread their force on a side front, with the three Sherman’s each taking a separate track. The Germans managing to keep their heads well and truly down, as the Americans took up overwatch positions toward their suspected lines.
All the while this was happening, we were both amassing a lot of rolled fives and adding to our collection of CoC dice.
The Americans, in an effort to either force the Germans hand, or to give themselves an opportunity to create a further forward jump off position, despatched a pair of scouts to reconnoiter forward on their left flank. Their command tank taking up position their too.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/02CF06B0-9197-41D2-928F-80A729BC862B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I held off and watched the scouts approaching, almost letting them overrun my own jump off before deciding I’d best try to see them off. A section deployed directly in front of the scouts and mowed them down. Jamie had by his own admission forgotten to deploy his further jump off marker, but with his sections and tank on overwatch, responded, injuring and dropping my squad leader, inflicting a few casualties and a handful of shock.
I had no choice in my next phase but to pull them back from the firing line to save them getting chewed up further.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CFB0F405-EADC-43D4-BABB-F11850AB2C74.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The Americans now pushed their infantry through the Bocage hedgerows and started the advance on the now pinpointed enemy positions. The command tank, maintained an overwatch position whilst directing his troop forward. One heading down the road, whilst the third tank pushed forward on his right flank to support the infantry there.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7313190F-F61C-4619-B5BE-01CA362F2F60.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CA70FF47-F27E-4E9F-9698-55920E8BEA03.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
My dilemma, was that there was no position I could deploy my pak where it would be able to fire on more than one tank. I opted to try and concentrate its effort therefore on the command tank on my right flank. With its first shot, it struck the Sherman but glanced harmlessly away! Oh no!
I deployed another squad into the position vacated by the first section, to try and stem the approaching infantry.
The Sherman commander, using both his main gun, and the top mounted mg, inflicted a couple of kills on the pak team, including their junior leader and four shock!
I had to deploy my senior leader, and join the pak team in order to steady their nerves.
Meanwhile, the Sherman coming down the road was heading flat out so I decided to deploy my platoon panzerschreck team, who also scored a magnificent shot on the approaching tank, but it too bounced off! Gott im Himmel! Either the Americans had seriously beefed up their frontal armour, or I was been supplied with poor quality munitions!
I had no choice but to declare my final hand and deploy my support shrek to also target this encroaching bull. Again, my men’s training ensured another difficult shot, and this time, the tank erupted in a ball of flame as it blew up.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/91C5E0A3-CBFD-4818-A393-9914AB6AED3B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Infantry traded fire on my right flank, and I started to take losses among my engaged section but equally the leading American section was taking a lot of heat.
The command Sherman continued to pump HE into my lines, using one of his CoC dice to interrupt my own firing. However, once the interruption had occurred, I was able to once again bring a hitting shot onto the hull down comman tank, and this time, the tank was knocked out, the crew bailing out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/443628C2-D755-4565-86A3-BF5A2DE1CA90.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B806196E-32AE-4A63-B982-542B645110B6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The attack on my left flank was developing, an I started to redeploy one of my panzershrek teams in order to support the beleaguered section facing the developing attack.
However, with CoC dice available to me, I was finally able to inflict sufficient shock on the exposed lead section to my right, to break it then end the turn, thus running Jamie’s morale wheel to naught.
Interesting game and despite at times my dice yielding very little comfort, I was buoyed by the fact that every time I fired on a tank, despite at times needing difficult dice to hit, I was throwing lucky dice and hit every time.
It was interesting to play with some of our armour, and I would like to play the reverse some time with a German counter attack, with my IV’s against an embedded Allied force. I have to admit however, for two points on the support list, the panzershrek is a very tasty choice.
Thanks Jamie, good game.
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Lovely looking game 👍
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Great looking game really captured the feel of the tight confines of the bocage
Not having played a lot of games with tanks, how do you get to activate them so much?
The last time we played my tank came on then didn't activate very often
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It could be a problem for sure….but having three tanks meant one of them was assigned troop leader so he activated on a four as a senior leader….the others on threes. Further more, using the radio net, he could command another tank to move or fire using one of his command initiatives.
The alternative would have been big CoC but that would have been very unbalanced.
Like all games designed to give both players an equal chance at winning, the games are typically more balanced than reality would have been. The allies were able to overwhelm the Germans with weight of numbers.
I suspect that in order to represent this, especially when using armour in this fashion, I would be inclined to add a pair of different coloured dice to the allied roll each phase. Any natural threes (or a 1&2 combined) being immediate assigned to a tank, ignoring all other
Results including fives and sixes.
That, or simply allow tanks to activate on a two…..but they only get to either move or fire?
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That did look most interesting. I bet you could play exactly the same scenario 3 times without changing the starting forces and not get the same result. The first couple of paragraphs I thought this was going to be a US win. :o
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Indeed! When I pulled the first section out I immediately kicked myself for allowing the Americans to get into overwatch positions! Then, when the pak team took a couple of kills and a batch of shock, I thought it was over.
Fortunes however can change very rapidly in CoC!
Once I’ve finished painting up the last few SS supports, I will eventually turn my hand to painting the British paras. It will be interesting to play them against German armour!
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Thanks for the pictures and write-up, very tasty looking game. More please.
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Have you considered the Pint Sized Campaigns? Several of them cover actions in Normandy - "29 Let's Go" pits inexperienced US infantry versus run of the mill Germans, "Scottish Corridor" and "Operation Martlet" depict British / German actions West of Caen, whilst "Kampfgruppe von Luck" has British paratroopers against the panzer grenadiers of the 21st Panzer Division - so you can add Unix half-tracks and Lorraine Schleppers to your forces. Playing mini-campaigns probably highlights the best of the CoC rules IMHO. And at £4.75 they're great value.
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yep, what he said, the CoC Pint Sized Campaigns are really wargaming at its best IMHO. And even if you don't play Chain of Command, the scenarios and maps are worth the price alone.
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Yup we have played and are going to play more campaigns…fear not!
Cheers
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Thought I’d share this. Jamie painted me a French SOMUA taken into German service.
Lovely little tank. I need to do a head swap on the commander before adding him.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D77A0A3B-6F8E-4CF5-B323-6EABEF5C3D50.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Just picking the brushes and applying them to up a few more troops to bolster firstly the SS….
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Jamie does great work, but please don't distract him from
doing our AK47 map. :D :D :D
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Very pretty. Aim the anti tank gun at the upper/lower hull join... ;)
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Very pretty. Aim the anti tank gun at the upper/lower hull join... ;)
"But Sarge, I can't see where that is,
it's too darn well camo painted!"
lol lol lol
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Apparently as it was a cast hull, it was considered well armoured but then also expensive to maintain.
Don’t worry, Jamie painted this a little while back, I’ve only just got round to posting it.
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Nice job Jamie.
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Just had another game at Jamie’s, lovely table, straight forward cross table patrol encounter.
I’m sorry to say only a small handful of pictures……a shame because I don’t have a full table shot, a lovely rural setting in French hedgerow country.
There is no real battle report to run with these shots, suffice to say that it was a game strangely devoid of infantry firing action.
The Americans, certainly I feel got a good spread of jump off points. It was obvious that for any real fire fights, sections would need to close up considerably with all those hedge rows. My jump off was a little more restricted, but I did see an opportunity develop over the initial phases of the game when realising the Americans chose to ignore my right, where the two houses with their walled gardens could afford a solid defensible point.
As the game got underway, I tried bringing my off board mortars to bear, but Jamie thwarted what may have been a damaging barrage by calling a CoC dice and ending the turn thus scuppering the potential carnage and severing my link to the battery.
However, as has proven the case more often than not in the last few games, my fellas deployed a sniper, pretty much the only guy to gain any height advantage and thus have a pick of targets. With the very first shot of the game, I killed a section junior leader.
In fact, almost every time he fired thereafter, he gained a kill, only for the kill to be a casualty on an officer! Now this happened a lot in our last game too….with pretty much every kill when checked, appearing to be a hit on his command staff.
I could say it’s my flukey dice, but to be fair, the owning player makes the rolls to determine the effects of hits and whether or not it’s an officer effected and the subsequent roll to see what happens to the force morale. So I’ve come to the conclusion that despite doing very little wrong tactically, Jamie’s dice are in the hands of a very fickle dice god!
The Yanks did bring on a Sherman which sat in overwatch for a little while before moving down the road to attack the massing German infantry among the walled garden of the buildings. Unfortunately, it then fell fowl of my other favourite piece…the dreaded panzershrek which I carry with every regular infantry platoon as a part of the command section. With thirteen dice it meant that I put four net hits on it on my first shot knocking it out…yet another hit on their morale. It’s a horrible thing to face off to, but I always seem to be able to pull off a hit, then with all that armour piercing goodness, it’s a matter of relying on the laws of averages to inflict pain.
I was able to then bring on my panzer II Luchs which up to this point had been hiding from the Sherman, and it managed a kill and a few shock for its inaugural outing.
I managed to overrun a jump off point then end the turn to force another roll on their morale.
By now Jamie was down to three command dice, never a great position to be, and a plucky US senior leader (that had taken over the leaderless section) tried to flush out with grenades a German section that had recently occupied the building next to them only to get charged by another german section that inflicted sufficient casualties with a flurry of stick grenades to see the game carried.
So, great thanks to Jamie for hosting. Enjoyed the game and look forward to the next one. You’d best make a few offerings to your dice gods though fella! ;)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/878CA2F1-91E9-44F1-879E-CCA22161CFFB.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Now I’ve shamed myself, I’ve had to make up numbers in my summer German numbers with winter guys for the last three or four games…..I MUST get a few minis painted!
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Good looking game that sounds like great fun!
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Digits creating merry hell with a hand held anti-tank weapon?
Well shave my beard & call me normal!!! :o :o :o
Good looking game & sounds like you had fun.
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Great gaming set-up!
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Digits creating merry hell with a hand held anti-tank weapon?
Well shave my beard & call me normal!!! :o :o :o
Yup, even I have to agree it’s becoming a trait! Lol
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Great looking table.
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Those cabbages look ready. lol
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Yes, my Germans were able to enjoy a nice bowl of sauerkraut following this little skirmish!
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oh to have a gaming setup as good as that. :-*
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Not painted in a while so time to get a few bits done. First up a few riflemen so I can field as standard rather than panzer grenadiers without me robbing my winter guys.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/117807D6-C316-4F23-A444-ECE25F53588B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Nice additions to the collection 👍
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They look good to me!
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Thanks chaps!
Ok…light fading and I realise I still need to highlight the faces…otherwise done (I may just pop some camouflage on the anti tank gun….)
More support firepower…..pak 40, IG18 and forward observer to bring in all that lovely mortar fire!
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D4B35E21-DA24-4517-9EEF-EAB6691111F8.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Still think I’m missing a gun or two mind…. ;)
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Looking great, nice and dirty, and I particularly like the observer, especially as I have just painted many of the same figures ;)
I just wish manufacturers supplied more crew with their guns. Bringing them up to 5 crew for the standard Chain of Command rules can be really difficult.
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Thank you fella.
I agree, an extra pack of crew would be good…but as I mentioned before, sometimes the base can be too crowded (especially as I glue everything in place before painting!) unless you make the base bigger. I don’t like huge bases though as they are often awkward to place properly on the table. As such, we simply remember the crew losses with red micro dice (red = dead, white = shock), and unless you were basing to be able to remove minis, this way is perfectly reasonable.
I only realised the prone guy looking through field glasses is identical in both the spotter pack and the IG 18 ……except they’ve added a machine pistol to the spotter.
Artizan do a nice set of crew that match in with Warlord and I went that way with the winter chaps. I have another bigger gun to do yet, so I may add another fella to that one.
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Very nice!
Absolutely no need for more guns! :D
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lol You can NEVER have too many guns!
No I quite fancy a 10.5cm artillery piece. At only a point more than the IG.18 I think it may compliment it nicely!
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Played the first map in the pint sized campaign, Bazooka Town on Saturday.
This campaign concerns the actions of the US 3rd Armored Division. The progress being made from the Remagan bridgehead by 28th March was so impressive that the First Army was directed towards Paderborn, with the 3rd Armored Division forming the spearhead for this advance.
Not too many pics as to be fair….I got my arse handed to me before I could get much on the table!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/017569C2-4F4C-4D3A-A0A4-95D777DD0105.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie brought on the sizeable chunk of his force whilst I decided to hold back and make him come towards me. However, I made a very fatal mistake in thinking I needed to push my jump off points up table into the woods. In reality, what I did was expose them to a nicely concocted marching barrage of 81mm mortar fire that saw me paralysed pretty much as soon as it started. He managed to accumulate a CoC dice before me so I couldn’t end it and losing about a dozen chaps, withdrew to lick wounds and hope to hold him on the next map.
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/457E8C79-348D-4267-85F1-C2C83CC96759.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Good win for Jamie….
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Other maps will require a LOT of buildings and Jamie is doing most of those in mdf. Thought I’d paint another of my TBM buildings to help out…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A9CFBBA7-413E-4066-9450-1ADCB638ACC8.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Really like that building. Well done.
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Oooh! that looks nice.
Who makes it?
Is that the roof it comes with?
how much does it cost?
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Cheers guys
All your answers Pete
https://www.totalbattleminiatures.com/28mm-ss-western-europe
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Cheers David. Bookmarked for now, just awaiting...money :D
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Pretty much all my models are TBM. I just wish they did a few more! I still have the church and a couple of small buildings to paint…in fact I just popped the double damaged building on my paint tray.
The real shame is, years ago I picked up a rather nice cafe de Normandie by Grand Manner but sold it thinking I wouldn’t be doing 28mm……now they don’t stock it :(
Wish I could get my hands on another. There doesn’t seem to be much else available unless you want mdf…but not really my thing. In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, they can look stunning, but I prefer resin.
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Nice job on that building. I've been looking at TBM stuff. Afraid to see what shipping would be to the States.... :o
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Don’t know….but order enough and they may do you a deal?
Anyway, I’m not mad keen painting buildings, but I have come to realise that worse than painting a building, is painting a wrecked one! Lol
Anyway, it will do. I will highlight the door when it dries and maybe add a touch of weathering powder when I can get outside.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C16CD3F9-1312-4F1E-A3A0-A5D5D7349B96.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ABF15B18-4D5F-426F-9DB7-A3FF8231898B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Gorgeous stuff!
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Good job on the buildings 8)
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Very nice work on the building and that table looks superb.
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Thank you chaps. Next I might have a go at the church. I’m leaning towards getting their Black Powder range church as it’s slightly smaller but looks more rustic / rural than the one I have. None the less, choice will be good anyway.
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Fantastic work! As I said before, it keeps getting better and better!
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Cheers matey!
So, the TBM church, based on the Church at Foy in the Ardennes I believe, has been sitting unpainted for a while as I wasn’t struck on it. My perception of an old Norman church in England meant I was struggling to see the attraction of it with its peculiarly shaped steeple.
However, despite my reservations painting buildings, I enjoyed this one and it has grown on me. I’m particularly chuffed with my attempt at lead flashing! Lol
I still need to paint the interior, but I have added a little climber to it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F6E99433-3344-44D6-B5D6-93DA3BF7C4C3.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D4067F9E-D1E4-4652-A3AA-97AF8AE21776.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B9C92598-5B05-41FE-A2D5-409303D81C7C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A569B367-FCB8-4957-9A6B-AD4D0C915ECD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The original I think.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/63E5B1E7-BF68-443A-87CF-4DE84A934F90.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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I think this might be your nicest building you've done so far
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Ha! Cheers fella….you are probably right……getting the practice me thinks.
I need them to release a few more buildings now though! I only have two small houses left :(
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Loving it mate, great work! Brilliant earthy color palette.
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Cracking job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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That's outstanding!
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Just wondering when the photograh was taken.As the alcove has a pane of glass covering it.
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Heh heh!
They based their model on the refit! The stucco walls on the sides clearly cover up the replacement brickwork!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6296BEA9-A239-49C3-B54E-EF56B8506F3C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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'Typical shabby Nazi trick Sgt. Wilson,
firing on a Church!'
Lovely paint jobs you are doing David.
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Lovely painting on that church, the lead looks particularly realistic.
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Thanks all, much appreciated comments, glad you like it!
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Love the church! The Parish Council is gonna have to hold a lot of bake sales to fix that hole, though... :D
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Great work on that church. I’ve painted one of those myself but I’m going to have to have another look at it, seeing your lovely work on the roof in particular.
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Oddly enough I think it's actually glazed in the bw photo.
Your right the model Has more than a little artistic license since the damage location isn't consistent with the period photo.Even allowing for the spire.
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I’ve been looking for pictures of it (St Barbara’s Chapel) from before the war but so far nothing. I even wonder if the steeple was that shape before it got blown off. There is another picture I’ve seen of another chapel near Bastogne which was also hit in the steeple, but the roof, identical to this one, is still teetering above the damaged brickwork.
This church at Foy, was made a little famous in Band of Brothers
“Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne were pinned down and taking casualties by a sniper laying in the top of this church. This moment is reenacted in the HBO series Band of Brothers. Staff Sergeant Darrell C. "Shifty" Powers is the soldier who ultimately killed the sniper.”
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I profoundly dislike many aspects of Band of Brothers . It's more a social commentary reflecting the time of its making in early 2000's.
For one the way Albert Blithe is portrayed and the inference that he never truly recovered from the his injuries slinking away to die a broken man. Is appalling. It couldn't be further from the truth. He went on to fight in Korea earning Both the Silver star , 3 Bronze stars, and 3 Purple hearts .( He actually died in 67 from complications due to a perforated ulcer still a serving member of the forces.)
It could be argued that initially that the rest of unit didn't know what happen to Blythe they assumed he'd died in '48. Initially the book quoted this. But later editions corrected this error.
But they never chose to do this to the series or the DVD release.
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He’s the one that went psychologically blind for a bit? I see that that a couple of the guys remembered going to his funeral! That’s worrying! Lol
Looks like a bad mistake, but I tend to like Stephen Ambrose to be fair. One of my favourite reads is his D-Day book. Recollections from a myriad of folk who were there, it’s a compelling read.
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Great job on the church. Another very nice building by TBM. As you say, wish their range was bigger. I'd certainly buy more of their black powder era buildings.
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Nice model and an interesting Then and Now photograph.
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Great job on the church. Another very nice building by TBM. As you say, wish their range was bigger. I'd certainly buy more of their black powder era buildings.
Rumour on their Facebook page is they are thinking of adding to the Western European range. Maybe they need a little more encouragement…..
Cheers guys
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So, tapping into a rare steak of mojo, I just painted another….small house with interesting roof. Sadly, just one more to go….. :(
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FA07D3CC-4719-4E4F-9504-538623474CE1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie is rendering a whole batch of laser cut buildings, adding stonework, timer, roof tiling etc and they are going to look the dogs…..so I’m tempted to have a go myself on maybe an industrial building and see what it looks like. A few weeks off that one though.
Just added a small statute too.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/700126CC-AC84-4351-8416-E60CF6ED83A5.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Great work on those, but I really dig the statue...
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Great work!
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Great work on those, but I really dig the statue...
me too.
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Your putting me to shame lol
I can't find the time or the mojo to make two strips of terrace houses and your churning out an entire hamlet.
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Cheers guys. The statue is also by TBM!
Ok, so what’s next…we’ll I do have one more building to paint before sourcing new ones, but that can wait a little bit.
Meanwhile, I have been slowly putting together a bunch on minis to represent the Panzer Lehr, seeing as most of my armour is marked accordingly.
A bit of an eclectic mix tbh……seeing as no one does enough (at least in metal) to do the whole platoon. So I have a box of Artizan and Warlord Lehr, a box of Warlord Volksgrenadiers and a plastic warlord grenadier!
The Volksgrenadiers have a short tunic, though a different cut which won’t detract from them on the battlefield, besides, on a lot of them, the tunic is pretty well hidden.
On top that, as I’m a bit pedantic about not having duplicate heavy weapons / mg teams, I am trying to get hold of a sprue of the newly released Wargames Atlantic plastic Lehr so I can build a couple of mg teams. I’m not overly struck on WA miniatures, and I may need to add a little clutter to get what I want from them.
Not sure as yet what to do about support options, but Steve Barber does do a Lehr panzerschreck team and sniper!
Anyway, here is the first two sections based ready for painting.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CAA7A2F6-8F8C-459D-97CB-17947FC959E1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That looks like a really good start on a new platoon. Meanwhile, having just finished my 12 SS Pz Div, I will not be doing yet another German variant .. I will not, I won't. ok, maybe I will...
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I know the feeling!
However, as the uniform is simple, I only need worry about helmet covers! These will be quick compared to SS! (I hope!)
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So far so good! Looking forward to seeing them painted!
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I know the feeling!
However, as the uniform is simple, I only need worry about helmet covers! These will be quick compared to SS! (I hope!)
It's more all the other bitty stuff, waterbottles, straps, capes etc that take all the time, you need to be more precise than with camo... but at least it isn't oakleaf I guess!
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I'm not sure how I missed this thread but spent last night reading through it and catching up.
Quality work throughout!
I love your conversion work and look forward to seeing how you get on with the WA figures.
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Thanks David. Getting my hands on some would be a start! Lol
I was also looking at a sprue of warlord afrika korps last night….probably great for converting an mg team.
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Too busy to start painting minis at the moment…but I did managed to give these Rubicon fences a quick lick of paint last night and add a little detailing. I have left these off my customary plastic strips as I feel they will stand happily on their own on the table.
Useful….minor obstacle that affords no cover. You get about five and half feet in the set.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CDC929DF-0462-4694-AB00-68DF1243EC67.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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They look great! :)
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I think it’s a great little kit…..I will probably get hold of their set of picket fencing next.
That should hopefully give me ENOUGH fencing I suspect (read hope)
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A fantastic thread you have here packed full of WWII goodness!! 8)
Christopher
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Thank you, glad you approve!
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So, we’ve decided we need more gardens so that will be the focus of terrain building for a bit. To kick off, a couple of scratched sheds and a modified kit wood store.
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Excellent - its the little things that make the difference
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To kick off, a couple of scratched sheds
David, make them a LOT bigger & we can Wargame in them. ;)
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Wargames shed, wargames shed....who said wargames shed ?
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We are not all as gifted as yourself my Lord Flatpack with your palatial and frankly amazing gaming barrack house! I get green eyes every time I come over :'(
However, I am in the middle (literally) of having a small office/conservatory adding to the house that will also serve as my gaming space. Will only fit a 6 x 4 board, but it will be better than standing around in my kitchen!
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Will only fit a 6 x 4 board,
So...are you moving on to skirmish, or 15/15/6mm ??? ??? ???
If you is, & you want rid of those nasty 28mm figures & scenery,
I could find room for them. I wouldn't even charge you. :D :D :D
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Ha ha. 90% of our games are played on 6 x 4!
I still just about have room in the garden to put up a double table too!
Anyway, with your collection on models, buildings etc…what the hell do you need mine for? Lol
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Anyway, with your collection on models, buildings etc…what the hell do you need mine for? Lol
The technical term is... GREED!!! :o :o :o
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Hmmm!
So, we played the second battle of the Bazooka Town campaign yesterday.
This is the second map, and my lads were tasked with holding up the American advance.
The Yanks are advancing left to right. The river is a major (but crossable to infantry) so the bridge is obviously a focal point.
This battle is a probe, with the Americans having to exit off my table edge. Should be tricky no?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/94F88D70-A240-47D2-8169-8B7BAE3D0B77.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I only get 4 points of support to his 10. My only real option being a sniper and entrenchment for one team.
I got my arse handed me last time by a walked in mortar barrage.
Not a great start, I roll low for my starting morale, clearly there is a little fear in the air…
Jamie starts bringing elements on to the table. A 60mm mortar team, a 30cal mg section that sets up a base of fire (overwatch), and a couple of sections of infantry. Of course, he also brings on another foo!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/830A91D2-0EB7-4BD9-83D0-CBE38702F62E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9B4C9073-455D-4876-96E6-7377B237E5A2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E1B46C18-E967-42CA-B1B6-C656F353AB78.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I bring in the sniper (position hidden the way we play it) but he’s really pretty ineffective.
It’s a race for the all important first CoC dice which I loose. This means Jamie can bring in his mortar barrage once more, and I’m powerless to stop it even though I get a dice. I can use it to stop his barrage, but him already holding a dice means he can counter it 🥴
Effectively, in a repeat of the first map, he brings in the barrage then moves it to block off my deployment allowing him to cross the river unapposed……then run past my jump off point and exit the table…..all without me putting a figure on the table! 😩😢
I’m not doing well here……but really, these opening maps are a real race for the CoC dice to get an effective and lasting barrage. Jamie had great dice, I had not so great!
So we decided to play it again for shits and giggles ( the outcome as far as the campaign was concerned already determined)……
Campaign tally…..0-2!
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Deciding to replay the exact scenario, I was dismayed when once again, I rolled low for my morale!
Anyway the table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AEE2F8E6-F8AF-430D-A748-B87D41E08B1F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I had tried to get my jump off points a tad further back, but otherwise everything similar to the first game.
Jamie brought on the twin 30cal section pretty much in the same place, plus a senior officer, mortar, foo and sections, again on the road using the hedge for cover.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AEE2F8E6-F8AF-430D-A748-B87D41E08B1F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8763E977-1448-4DA9-B0F9-FD70FFE470DE.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The race for that important CoC dice was on, but this time, I started collecting the fives first!
Twin 30cal (tripods) dish out 20 shots, but Jamie decided to push them forward instaed of sitting back in their fire base to try and get them into close range (knowing my guns would not be at close range if he did so). What this meant was they started bolting forward, thus he was not putting them into overwatch, something that certainly makes you think twice about exposing yourself. Realising this was my chance, I deployed a pair of sections into the damaged houses.
Jamie’s sections were however on overwatch and his foo had stated to contact the fire mission……but I had rolled three sixes and ended the turn deliberately without firing either of the two deployed sections. All overwatch of course disappeared.
Retaining the initiative, I rolled again, bringing a senior leader on behind one house but within control of both sections, and the two sections brought their mg42s to bear on the advancing 30cal section. With that amount of firepower, and the American section caught pretty much in the open, we traded phases but the end was pretty swift for the American 30 calls. In fact the last team, with their junior leader was literally wiped out to a man forcing morale drop rolls for both lost section and loss of a junior leader.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EB9E3F64-8141-4B72-BB14-7DEBA06C1759.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/31594C2A-4F88-4065-BF41-0123E3AC1444.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie had by now also deployed his M4 which sat at the back pouring HE and machine gun fire into my right hand building and I started to loose a few men and gather a bit of shock.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6B12047A-43A4-4382-B4A3-4A403138DFF7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Deciding to join the section and enter the house so as to rally them a little, I had a wobble when fire caught my Senior leader but luckily he wasn’t too badly hit and carried on.
My sniper was having more success this game too and in what for him was a masterful shot, he was able to pick out the foo and kill him! (Chance of officer hit 1or 2, then random hit allocated between him and three present officers!)
By now Jamie’s morale had sunk and he was operating with only a couple of command dice.
I decided that I may as well deploy my old faithful panzerschreck team, who vary rarely seem to miss (never leave home without one guys!) who deployed into the river banks to have a long range shot at the pesky tank.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E002EE39-C339-4E40-A61C-D6CD4DA4DA91.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Sure as eggs….hit!
Two net hits ended up resulting in injured tank officer……bad things happen table….end of game!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4C5F97B0-A5C1-4DA9-A12F-8201B7137A96.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
What a difference getting that first CoC dice makes when there is a forward observer about!
Great days gaming with a win a piece being a cool result. Ok, I’m down in the campaign….but there is always the next map! Lol
Great table and host.
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Great write up! Nice to re live the first game. Not so sure about the second one!
I need to get my skates on with the buildings for the next map. Great little campaign.
Wonder when the wild card will be played?
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Ah yes….I get to field TWO tiger IIs at some point……..have to make this count though…..
And I can confirm….Jamie is dressing a LOT of mdf buildings that will look great when done….looking forward to scrapping among them!
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I must get some GIs painted... 😀 shame all the figs I have are wearing 43-44 kit or in greatcoats
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Fantastic looking game! Thank you for the AAR!
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Great game(s)! And report(s). Well done!
I must get some GIs painted... 😀 shame all the figs I have are wearing 43-44 kit or in greatcoats
No shame there! The '43-'44 kit works all the way through the end of the war. The US Army never quite got everyone kitted out in the '44 field jacket and buckle boots by war's end....
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Great game(s)! And report(s). Well done!
No shame there! The '43-'44 kit works all the way through the end of the war. The US Army never quite got everyone kitted out in the '44 field jacket and buckle boots by war's end....
I know but mine are all Parsons jackets using the Perry plastics, and they just don't scream 44-45 to me..
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Well played! You really seized your chances in the second game Digits.
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I know but mine are all Parsons jackets using the Perry plastics, and they just don't scream 44-45 to me..
Yep - I have several of the Perry plastic boys painted up.
Have you looked at the Empress GIs or the Artizan Designs late war guys? I have several of the empress chaps painted up, and they are very enjoyable figures to paint up.
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I’ve been looking at the Artizan ones myself…just worried I can’t match them up for support choices though.
Started working on some more bits to make the board looked lived in. I need some grave yard areas to pop about the church and I need a range of gardens to pop behind houses. Early days for both but you get the idea. I need a few more tomb stones before I can texture the bases.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/760F292C-D47F-4D6F-B77B-37CA55E501F2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
We are both going to do a few bits of simple garden without walls too as we can just pop hedges or fences around them.
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Grave yard looks good so far. Every church needs one!
I'd look at Empress for late war US guys. They have a decent range, with some of the support options you'd need (MGs, engineers, mortars, AT gun, etc.). They match up OK with Artizan, size-wise.
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Any truth to the story that the graves bear the names of
my officers who threw 1s on the wound chart? ;)
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Grave yard looks good so far. Every church needs one!
I'd look at Empress for late war US guys. They have a decent range, with some of the support options you'd need (MGs, engineers, mortars, AT gun, etc.). They match up OK with Artizan, size-wise.
Do you have any idea of how many CoC platoons I have awaiting paint?
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No, but if you're like me, it's several. And I have 2 more coming...I've decided to do 8th Atmy and DAK. Eventually... :D
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No, but if you're like me, it's several. And I have 2 more coming...I've decided to do 8th Atmy and DAK. Eventually... :D
German, US and British Airborne, Winter Germans, USMC, Volksgrenadiers, Italians for Sicily, US in Greatcoats, US for Sicily, French Foreign Legion, Finns, Alpenkorps, plus another set of DAK to replace the existing ones I'm not happy with. And I can't help but think I may have forgotten some. Oh yes, Empress Late War British.
After those I am calling it done, apart perhaps from the BEF, and maybe Late War US, ok so Australians for the jungle, maybe Dutch 1940... Norwegians?
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lmpressive List!
Still to do on that front….based and primed Panzer Lehr, Falschirmjager, British Paras. Also for future I have a DAK army. I’m of a mind to do some Russians but I’m not of a mind to do much Russian scenery….saying that I’m listening to Barbarossa by Dimbleby at the moment so who knows.
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lmpressive List!
Still to do on that front….based and primed Panzer Lehr, Falschirmjager, British Paras. Also for future I have a DAK army. I’m of a mind to do some Russians but I’m not of a mind to do much Russian scenery….saying that I’m listening to Barbarossa by Dimbleby at the moment so who knows.
I've done the basic stuff.. Normandy Brits and Germans, SS, DAK & 8th Army, plus Malaya Japanese and British, Blitzkrieg 1940 Germans and French, and Soviets. No US so far.
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My "to do" list includes, finishing German Panzergrenadier and SS platoons, finishing a late war US platoon, and doing Japanese naval infantry, British mid- and late-war infantry, French and Phillipino partisan, Panzer Lehr German, DAK, and 8th Army platoons.
I'll get to them all some day, I swear... 8)
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Finished my modular graveyards. Being able to vary the shape and size is useful, and I have deliberately left off any walling so I can vary the surround with walls / hedges / fences to suit the terrain and scenarios.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/45B25B4A-AB55-4AF8-8CE1-72BD84B5F4D1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/76DCFBDE-F2EF-450A-9999-25E6740EF1B6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Now that is a lovely idea.
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Brilliant.
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8)
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Dare I say, 'Dead good' ? lol lol lol
I'll get my coat.
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Very nice. You done good, kid! :)
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Awesome idea! I'm stealing it!
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Cheers guys, I’ve a mind to expand on it as it will also be useful for another project I started (but did little with). At some point, I will scratch a lichgate to go with it as well as make a few more sections. I’m making up one small section now in fact to fill a gap in order that it can be “squared off”.
I do need to find more (simple) grave stones and a few sarcophagi (I like the inclusion of the one I had) having used up a pack and a half Renedra plus a few resin ones I had. In fact for this infill piece I’m using a few bits of slate from the garden to represent crumbled stones….actually think they might just work!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F7617D58-DB53-4CF7-9718-384A48226A11.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Very clever! And nicely executed too.
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Cheers fella.
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Liking these graveyards Digits, nice job.
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That’s very cool indeed may I ask what you used for the pathways please chap…currently assembling a parish church so will shamelessly steal a few ideas if I may
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Green stuff (though you could simply use poly filler…..flattened and rolled with a brick imprint roller. I toyed with doing it with paving slabs but glad I went brick.
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Cheers just found the images of w.I.p it’s simple and brilliant!
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No worries, simple is always best me thinks!
I’ve done enough for my ww2 needs here. I will be doing a little more however in my 17th century horror thread
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130402.45
No I need some more firepower…..going to start putting paint to my 10.5cm gun next…
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Had a look at brick rollers…any recommendations please as the options are bewildering😬
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I can’t really help with others….but I used the small (Dutch?) brick one from green stuff world. A bit pricey but I like it.
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Perfect thanks €12 not so bad and if it looks half as good as your work worth every cent
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Cheers bud, I’m sure your parish church will look very good, looking forward to seeing it!
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It may yet make an appearance on the Interwar board in a few weeks
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We got to play the third map in the Bazooka Town campaign yesterday at Jamie’s.
I’m two nil down, so the stakes are high.
Jamie has been working on dressing his mdf houses and the results are very slick indeed. A real pleasure to sit down to a game when they look this good!
Anyway, map three, take and hold the church or force the opposition from the table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/58618E43-492F-4628-AD69-1470F9D3CA0D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Rolling for starting morale, I roll a pretty pathetic “one” and to cap it off, Jamie rolls a six to determine how many pre moves he gets in the patrol phase, resulting in four extra moves. Not a great start!
The net result being my jump off points are all crowded into the church corner of the table…not ideal tbh.
Jamie then starts deploying a fire base at the top of th3 table, with a mortar team and a pair of tripod .30 cal MMG’s with jnr leader. He also then deploys a Sherman tank sitting in an overwatch position at the head of the road.
In response, I only manage to deploy a sniper who takes up position in a house by the bridge.
He then gets a section, .50 cal and senior leader deployed midway down the left hand edge as you see the table……aggressively pushing on the church…..safe in the knowledge his pre-game barrage will stop me effectively deploying enough to blunt him.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5EED76C0-0B2A-4975-B895-4755BB5E6309.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Finally, I manage to deploy my first …….tank!
Yes, I had decided upon seeing the open firing channels running the length of the road and following the course of the river, to play my wild card!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8FBD11F9-4513-4630-81AE-B3CEE8063C61.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I think this took Jamie a little by surprise….the congested cluster of buildings maybe not being ideal for tanks, with the next map really being the more open. As such he hadn’t taken much at all to deal with the massive armour values that a pair of Tiger Twos carry!
I really need a win here to give myself a fighting chance of denying him the campaign, so I had decided to church a spanner into the works…..hopefully.
Anyway, announcing its arrival, the Tiger with one shot, knocks out the Sherman…..first blood and a point off the American morale.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9912F171-5978-4663-860B-1FEA2012797D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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After destroying the Sherman, the tiger then advanced left to start trying to inflict casualties on the group deploying down the left, killing three members of the .50 cal team.
In response, Jamie’s senior leader leader pushes forward with his section and a flame throwing engineering team which I had previously failed to recognise. There was a chance the flamethrower could cause the crew to rout…..so the Tiger backed up sligh5ly then killed the engineers and slightly wounded the senior leader causing him to move his troops into cover.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/055D352B-52D3-4FA9-82DA-F6683FFACD2B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A7C6F540-8E58-496B-A771-22FB80D6E02B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then….Jamie’s luck appeared to change! He rolled a double six no fewwer than FOUR times, and he ran straight across the bridge and entrée the church!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/64D97DB0-0F08-4FB9-8E8C-6ACEADBC1E9D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/74BDA37A-CD6E-425B-B565-08F9FBB8283C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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The turn ends and I’m now at liberty to freely bring on another unit.
My senior leader, sat in his own Tiger, moves onto the table. The stow tigers then manoeuvre to positions with a clear line of sight to the church, then unleash a little HE.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/772D7AA4-73D8-4999-A441-C4C5E8F965A7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The first tank, rolls three sixes, making the roof a little unstable and killing a pair of grunts. Realising I really needed four sixes to collapse the roof, I kissed the dice and called on the gods of luck and then rolled four sixes for the command tank!!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1DDC17D7-C0B8-40C6-B751-FAF9BBFAE835.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The roof falls in on the hapless senior officer and his section. Those that escape the falling rubble exit to the front door. However, before Jamie could move them into cover, I played my CoC dice to interrupt him, and open fire. I wounded and dropped the junior section leader and killed enough that they broke and ran, dropping their morale to nothing and handing me the map!
2-1! I’m back….for now!
After totting up the dead, and calculating replacements, Jamie is down one man for the rematch!
We Hager to play amoung these wonderful buildings once more, but now, I won’t have the benefit of my pussy cats!
I still need to win two battle to win the campaign…but with Jamie’s guys now having the weight of numbers….it’s going to get tough.
He has to win all five tables in seven rounds, I need to win a total of three times to deny him. we shall see what happens!
Cheers for the game and the coffee!
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WOW! :o
Absolutely gorgeous game! Thank you for the excellent pics!
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WOW! :o
Absolutely gorgeous game! Thank you for the excellent pics!
Most certainly agree with that. Having seen Jamie's work 'in the flesh' I can
even say the the pictures still don't do the buildings justice.
By the way I believe he is considering parting with his Wild West buildings,
(also gorgeous). If anyone has a serious interest I recommend you contact him.
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Bit of a flash of the old aggressive Blitzkrieg tactics there old chap. That was a golden opportunity with the Sherman stuck out there in the open at the end of the road. I bet Jamie was well surprised!
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Unfortunately, the big cats have now been called away for other duties.
Going to get tough now….I worry that the last games in this particular campaign will be a race for the all important CoC dice to cancel the inevitable mortar barrage. Still ……I shall make my offerings to the Dice Gods and see what happens….
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Lovely looking game. Nice work.
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Enjoyed following this and a great looking set of games. I have two Tiger II on the workbench and this PSC is very much on my radar.
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I look forward to seeing your take on it fella.
First thing I’ve painted in weeks…been too busy with real life.
3.7cm Flak Support
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3C72D230-E524-4530-998A-149EC58BACBD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2469098C-30C4-4A67-94BC-14C99A3E529D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Did get a game in yesterday too…..more on that later.
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I like the wear & tear on that David.
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Very nice. 1st Corps?
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Warlord, cheers.
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That could keep down the heads of enemy infantry.
Very heavy suppressive fire.
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Lovely little 3.7cm you did up there. Well done!
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Jamie and I played a battle at his a couple of weeks ago. I have been so busy with work, I have not had the chance to do a write up, and truth be told, my memory ain’t what it used to be! However, I have a few pictures, and can describe just how totally bizarre was my plight!
Setting the scene
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A08BA8FA-1C14-4B08-93A1-B965EC8BD4ED.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
“The 3rd Battalion, German 1058th Regiment was located in wooded high ground (Hill 20) about a mile south of Ste.-Mère-Église near Fauville. At around 10: 00 a.m., two companies of infantry and several self-propelled guns launched an attack north along the N-13 highway toward Ste.-Mère-Église. Effective fire from a 57mm antitank gun of the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft (Antitank) Battalion positioned at the roadblock on the south end of town stopped the self-propelled guns.”
Point x marks the guns position
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E3E033B5-BBEE-479D-AEE5-0D1F4A64164E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
“The German infantry withdrew a short distance to reorganize, while artillery and mortars positioned on Hill 20 pummeled the Company G positions—”
“A counterattack by Company I evidently convinced the German battalion commander that Ste.-Mère-Église was strongly held, and no more infantry assaults were launched from the south. They continued to shell the town with mortars, Nebelwerfers, and 88mm antiaircraft guns.”
This was the part we were playing.
Table
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C7AC3458-ED8C-4362-A596-A48E70FC6F3C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I was attacking from this end.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5AC876F1-83B4-446C-AF1D-DE9411B67810.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I had an grenadier platoon, each squad with one mg team. I had a STuG and with the few points I had left, I took an artillery observer.
I don’t recall what Jamie had, other than the anti tank gun and I think a second Bazooka team.
So as I said, no blow by blow account, but I had a horrendous time prosecuting this one
I had to exit a unit off the far end of the table and the hedges you see were all tough Bocage.
My plan, such as it was, was to get a squad up and into a position to chuck a few smoke grenades into the road to try and make it a little harder for the gun to hit me when I started moving the STuG. This I managed.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8EDB3658-C028-4428-96FE-708A1CF9429B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The anti tank gun and the STuG traded a few shots and the gun I think missed one and struck a couple of glancing shots. The crew of the AT gun took a casualty.
We both racked up a number of CoC dice throughout the game.
I tried to bring a squad up on the left flank…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F53DA804-7862-4140-8492-73B8503FFE58.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And it got dismembered when Jamie deployed a defensive squad and mmg squad.
I brought in an 81mm mortar barrage but the turn ended an£ I lost it immediately, The smoke also cleared and the propelled gun slew off the road rather than take more anti tank fire.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8EDB3658-C028-4428-96FE-708A1CF9429B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
It fired it’s HE on the squad and inflicted a few casualties before I managed to call up the mortars again….much to Jamie’s annoyance.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/737DBDC5-2903-4A3D-8146-A636AA9D195B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
To be continued….
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It gets a bit fuzzy here….but the turn ended again and the arty barrage lifted.
Jamie ambushed with a Bazooka team….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/58BC7DEE-06D8-45C5-B88C-2FC1E6E08F08.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And once again, the front armour of the STuG saved it (I think it may have even fired twice but bot sure)
Once that was dealt with the tank started pushing up table through a hedge, risking being disabled.
Unbelievably, I got the barrage back for a third time! And was able to drop it on the centre of the hamlet, nullifying the at gun and stopping any further deployment there.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5F6D9403-0E85-4D98-AB4E-FA0B0ABB2D22.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The tank just ploughed on…..and went cross the little stream….inches from victory…..and then broke down in the shallow water!!!!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C23D44C3-4675-4F8C-ADB4-FE4E28D00659.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I was despondent and kept the art barrage up for a large number of rounds….failing to deliver a killer blow to the at gun……(eventually the gun commander was the only crew left!)
So many times the STuG had survived fire, only to get bogged down within sight of victory and despite me eventually being able to bring in an unprecedented three barrages with fantastic radio work……only for it to keep failing to deliver killer blows……I was just failing to grasp what the bloody hell was happening to me!
Finally it dawned on me that I had enough CoC dice to run a squad straight up the road, past the gun and off table!
I had won…..but I really didn’t feel like I had!
Great game though, great table, and hungry for the next one…….I think.
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That's a fine setup and I like the 3.7cm as well.
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A lovely set up.
Moral victory to Jamie's Yanks I think.
Sounds like you both had a hard, but enjoyable, game.
Looking forward to the next game is always a good sign.
Well done lads. :)
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Fantastic! Gorgeous terrain! Lovely figures! Great AAR! Thank you for sharing!
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Great looking table and miniatures. Sounds like CoC friction at work and made for a good narrative.
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Lovely set up and a great Aar.
You got a game, now that’s a result.
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Very nice layout well done!
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Been meaning to paint up some British Airborne for a while now.
Thought I’d best scratch the itch and get stuck in, so looking for quick and dirty way to get them done…..so test minis.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/47FDFA2D-F7A3-442B-B9B6-2FE451CCAB28.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Not had much spare time this year so it's been quite interesting catching up with your progress.
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To be fair mate, I haven’t done much at all…though I did finally get to put paint on your staff car…..in my Europe Ablaze thread.
Meanwhile, I’m attempting to paint Denison smocks on a full platoon at once……doing my head in! Would be good to have a second allied alternate force done.
Also, I’m on the look out for old Warlord airborne jeeps, as I fancy making a rapid recon force, though not yet sure how to field it in CoC…….
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Talk about doing my head in….I decided to batch paint the denison smocks……now I feel distinctly drained! Lol
I think I will finish these off in batches now….just to preserve what’s left of my sanity!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9E086647-D7BB-4376-84A3-340B6428E5DD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Great looking Paras!
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A great battle and report - that last one there. I can imagine that victory feeling a bit hollow. The Gods of War(games) have a weird sense of humor....
And lovely Paras, too. They sure look the business!
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Cheers, let’s hope so!
First thing I need….jump off markers, courtesy of 1st Corps.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BBC7760D-4A51-4A8C-9CB3-645F7A17975B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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The first section is painted, along with a few supports. Light isn’t brilliant, :?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7420828D-5A3D-4264-BBE7-FB91A9612756.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3DA32913-FE22-413E-AF5A-BFE361C1BC1C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Bet your glad that camo frenzy is done. End result to be proud of, and those crates look just the job.
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Thank you mate.
Yes I like the crates…..it was a toss up with the warlord canisters…..but these have way more character about them I think.
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Love what you did with the drop canisters. I made them a little oversized and emphasised some of the more prevalent details. Otherwise they just disappear on a table.
The Drop zone markers are quite useful too. As they're marked with the correct signal panel arrangement. For safe tobdrop( wicker hamper) ,and dropzone over run.,( the one with the wrecked jeep). There's an ammo dump thats useful for representing a HQ building or feature. If it's any help I did the jeeps,6pndr, and Howitzer( incidentally it's the Airborne version other manufacturer's didn't bother checking the difference between Air portable and Airborne! Also the jeeps are heavily research too.)
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I will take another look. I love the para range you have there…but it wasn’t going to fit with my warlord stuff so much (saying that…the size diff between warlord plastic and metals is atrocious !).
I may one day take a plunge with 1st corps minis….if I ever decide to scratch the itch of something domestic. My grandfather, bring a farmer was reserved occupation and was in the home guard. Maybe something a little “Eagle has landed” with a few paras, civilians, home guard………one for the future.
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Those Paras you've finished there look very good. So do the drop canisters.
Tin Shed Gamer's remarks inspired me to stroll through 1sr Corps' website again. I may have to think about adding some to my very long and quite winding painting queue...
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Well…painting goes on a pace, this time the command unit with an additional PIAT support option
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0D6B71FF-59DA-4FCC-8725-904C7B9A9447.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And a second section
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/60E0D62B-A73A-41BA-803B-702BA192D313.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
One more section to go…..
And then, I will have to start with the smocks all over again as I also have a 6lbr at gun and a Vickers team to do.
I have also scraped together enough minis for a support option section…though I dare say it will hardly ever touch the table, and I hopefully have a few jeeps on the horizon.
Edit: better pics me thinks.
HQ
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AA32379F-C03D-447E-B9A6-A0FB910EEFBC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Section
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/34379AD5-BABA-41FA-B5AA-FE2DF9BC756C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Section
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7F377313-B62D-4841-A385-1A603BDA83FD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Supports
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/355896BE-91E1-4D44-BC79-F83A3D5E65C4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Great job David.
Nice figures, nicely painted.
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Loving it! 👍
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Great job David.
Nice figures, nicely painted.
Plus one to that.
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Better and better! Brilliant work!
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Cheers fellas. Hopefully have a fully playable force in the next day or so.
Better light pic of the models me thinks.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3C72CFB2-23C1-454C-AC26-69B8CE789308.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie threw me a curve ball today and let me have some Artizan paras for a great price. He knows I’m not happy with the skinny appearance of the Warlord metals….these are a little heavier set so now I’m going to redo a few supports and swap in some Artizan into the platoon. As you know from my German units, I’m not afraid of mixing metal and plastic.
Also, arrived home to find both a small warlord order, comes jeep and jeep with trailer, plus these really great little prints. They are close enough to the warlord jeep so as to blend well. Ok, they still have windshield but I can live past that, however, the figures will need head swaps and I can add a few bits of clutter to the minis to make them fit better with the warlord plastics. I also have some k Gus coming to add a littl3 firepower to th3 jeeps on those that are without. But for the price, pretty cool.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E646EB62-4239-4F1B-A8CE-95F585E15C4D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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So had a quick play around with the printed jeeps. The print quality is superb. The helmeted heads in particular though we’re not great so head swaps needed there. Also, the figures were a little devoid of detailed clutter….so spare pouches, water bottles and grenades took care of that. Added a few tarps, slung back packs etc to the jeeps along with swapping out the aerials.
Actually, I’m quite surprised how much I like them. Hopefully will get to add paint soon.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FF4C3BF4-C8C2-4D1D-9BFA-9F2F0D204766.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/38E0518F-F2B7-4F98-8AA5-306EF22B7A33.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9D663E86-4DED-4C6B-814F-16883CDC3B78.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Please tell us more about the jeeps.
Where did you buy the printed jeeps?
Did you have to buy the STLs and then find a printer?
Are they resin SLA prints or filament FDM?
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I bought on eBay from Badger 3d….£15 for the three, ready printed in resin. They also do a cut down Morris and 6lbr.
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They look like Eskice Miniatures to me. I have the files, just need time to print them.
I bought on eBay from Badger 3d….£15 for the three, ready printed in resin. They also do a cut down Morris and 6lbr.
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Those jeeps are stunning and such a good price - they will even do them in 20mm which suits me - thank you so much for suggesting Badger 3D they have loads of really nice minis at good prices - great find.
Love your minis... keep 'em coming...
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Thank-you for the advice about the seller.
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No worries, cheers fellas.
So, the last section is painted, giving me a working platoon with a few supports!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9EBE791D-B7A3-4962-9C10-93E2368FBBB5.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/11840972-9C34-4F1C-AD80-4CDAD6831434.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Now I can do a few supports at leisure. Will start with the Artizan Vickers and a couple of alternate command figures as I find these warlord metals a bit puny…..
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Cracking stuff, and by coincidence, I just finished undercoating my British Airborne, mainly Artizan, and also for CoC, so this is a nice piece of eye candy inspiration.. What was your recipe for the Denison, as I like the look you have achieved there?
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I will send you a pm…
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So, we got to play on Saturday, and continuing with the Bazooka town campaign, we once more had to play table 3, The Kirch of Kirchborchen after I sprung my surprise panzer counter at the Americans last time.
I apologise for the lack of pictures but we both got so engrossed in the action, and I was too busy making notes, we forgot! Lol
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/58618E43-492F-4628-AD69-1470F9D3CA0D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The objective for the Americans being the church.
Turns out I played this slightly wrong and my patrol markers all started at the church instead of the centre of my back table, but I made an even bigger hash of the patrol phase and stupidly locked him up too quickly before I had a chance to spread my JOP’s out better. I need to learn from that.
We both rolled a four so both had a starting force morale of 9.
The game began with a now fairly usual run of luck on Jamie’s command dice rolls…..rolling two lots of double six in a row, effectively giving him three goes before I got to roll! 😫
He used this to get a lot deployed on the table, including a mortar team and forward observer.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/91D87BA6-4BC4-4C3C-8ECB-1F380A433E86.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
A fire base of two 30 cal mmg’s
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0168339E-7D9A-45BA-B92E-2E9B9F6A4946.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
A flame thrower team
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7F7A1FBC-6819-4043-834F-3F032C14ACA7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And a section that immediately ran to the bridge and could have crossed it but instead took cover on the far side from the church.
The forward observer contacted his battery and a ranging shot dropped neatly up table from the church.
I then got a go and myself also then rolled a double six. Maybe a little too eager to get some pain on the bridge section, I declared one of my supports too soon and put the flak 30 where it had a field of fire to the section.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B59F315F-50AA-4832-8130-FCE9C40B0321.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I also put a section in the church that used both its mg 42’s to keep the bridge section dancing.
On my second phase, I also popped a senior leader and a section in the building in my bottom right. This engaged the mmg fire base killing a couple of crew.
Jamie then brought another section to support the bridge attack, though it stayed fairly well covered on the other side of the road. He’d opted to convert a couple guys to carry a Bazooka, which then began engaging the flak 30, inflicting a little shock.
The church section and flak put a few more kills on the bridge section, injuring the junior leader and pinning the section in place.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3FB364D4-B7DB-418D-8975-DA7F2FAA4297.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The barrage then started rolling down table towards me. The first half of the church was consumed in a hail of mortar shells and the first mmg team took shock.
Before it too was neutralised by the barrage, the remaining mg team in the church finally broke the bridge section which promptly ran off the table edge….however, it turned out to be a support section and the impact on the Americans morale was negligible. 😩
TBC
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Looks and sounds very cool! 👍
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Looks good so far. Waiting to see how this little fight plays out...!
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I’m interested and excited to see how it turns out and I played in it!
Needless to say, just like every game of CoC the battle has it ebbs and flows. I felt great at the start and then ran out of confidence when the squad on the bridge was punished.
Will my confidence come back or was the might of MG42 fire too much to bear?
Stay tuned for another episode…..
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Looking good guys.
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…continued.
Not letting this minor set back dictate play, Jamie then started concentrating a little fire on the MG42 sat in the building overlooking the bridge, with his 30 cals. He also pushed his flamethrower team forward who managed to get a burst off on the same mg42 team before taking fire and going to ground beneath the bridge.
Then, disaster struck me. The forward observer shifted the barrage further in my direction, this time completely covering the church, and the building with the mg42 team.
The artillery was too much for those holding out in the church and once their section leader was killed, along with two more of his men, the rest fled in terror, running back towards their own lines.
The same fate befell the tripod mounted mg42 team….but when they also broke….they ran straight through both the flak 30 AND the section to their rear, scaring the crap out of them all, and leaving the flak team pinned. My force morale had plummeted to 2!
I didn’t have many options left. My forward JOP was now free from the barrage and as Jamie had brought on his Sherman and started to roll it down the road, I felt that I may as well give the job to my panzerschreck team to see if they could get me some kind of trophy from what was looking a hopeless mission. They rarely fail to let me down and hit the tank on its front armour, but luck was riding the vehicle, and it only suffered a little shock.
The tank returned fire, killing one of the team and sending the other running.
The barraged continued its journey towards me and the flak crew abandoned their weapon, heading for the rear.
At this point, the turn ended, and the barrage ceased. Jamie tried to re establish the link but the fire mission was clearly required elsewhere. In a moment of self preservation, an American section which had a relatively clear opportunity to run on the church, decided instead to pull back. I decided I would in fact push my senior leader and the section thst had been occupying the house to the bottom right forward to the church to force him to assault the church and maybe buy me a little last minute kudos. Before he made for the church, he was able to rally the flak crew who actually re crewed their weapon.
In the dying embers of the game, I opted not to wait for an assault, but instead, with my section thst had now crossed the road, I tried to push them forwards to a firing position or their last remaining panzerfaust but it wasn’t to be. I lost my last morale points to a little gunfire and I was soundly beaten! 😩😢
Once again, I had fallen in the face of another artillery barrage….and as I only rolled five ‘fives” all game, I never had an opportunity to cancel it out. Lady Luck was not on my side, and Jamie is in the driving seat to carry the campaign.
I have a new platoon for the next one….let’s pray for a miracle!
Well done Jamie, enjoyable game!
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Anyways….with an eye on perhaps the next campaign, I have been doing a little more for my British Paras. These are the printed jeeps with a few head swaps and a bit of added clutter. Not at all bad for the £15 price tag….that’s less than one warlord jeep!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/21C395C1-6B54-4BDE-9961-16937D630F0D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/87F97DC8-9EC0-47B6-929B-1B7B0E5C4873.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Lovely and I especially like your beret color!
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You've done a really nice job on those.For the money they're fine.(The rivet counter in me is hurling abuse but that level of nerd is easily ignored lol)
Mark.
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Gosh, you got those done quickly and my word they look bloody marvelous!
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That first pic very dramatic Digits! I imagined you being slung in a harness suspended from the washing line hanging over the table in the garden lol
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I have read the review now and that was very "Saving Private Ryan" for me. Great stuff. With your morale points
down to zero does that affect how many of your wounded can return, if any? What about the commander's opinion and all that stuff?
Those jeeps look absolutely ace mate which 3D print company did you patronise for those? They do the trailers too?
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They did yes James. Badger 3D….pretty great quality prints tbh.
As for the game…I wasn’t worried about loosing everyone once it started seeing as I get a brand new platoon for the next table (but it has to last me for the last two tables). Explained why Jamie pulled his section back from assaulting the church…..his unit has to carry on to the next table.
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Badger not heard of that outfit..must check them out when I have some funds!
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That first pic very dramatic Digits! I imagined you being slung in a harness suspended from the washing line hanging over the table in the garden lol
Ha…sorry, just got what you meant! Jamie has a nice camera on his phone, held above the table it has a wide angle….yes good pic.
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More supports for the paras. Mostly Artizan. I modified the pistol wielding officer to give him an smg seeing as there is no option for a pistol in CoC lists.
The characters on the right are my attempt at buy one…get four free! They can field as a PIAT, a 2”mortar, an engineering team or a sniper though we don’t usually put snipers on the table tbh.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/33606B94-2B78-4C69-92ED-139A7ECE5B2D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Continually great work mate!
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Thanks fella, I seem to have hit a rich vein of mojo….long may it last!
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I like the team that stands in for a couple of options! Very clever indeed.
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Better and better! Fantastic figures!
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Thanks chaps.
Really enjoying these guys, despite being frightened of starting them for a long while now!
So, the only obvious missing parts are the 6lbr AT gun, a second Vickers team…not that I NEED one, but seeing as somehow I actually have three of them (the Artizan one above plus two Warlord ones) it would be rude not to. I also need to buy a 75mm pack howitzer. I also have a couple of Warlord jeeps to do, but I’m just holding off on them….
First up though, because we are eyeing the campaign Kampfgruppe Von Luck, I need an extra section. Whilst I’m at it, I thought I’d add yet another alternate senior leader into the mix (yes, that will be five, don’t ask!). I love this mini from Artizan, but like the Officer above, without an smg, pretty useless, so the simplest of conversions and I’m ultra hobby with him! Lord alone knows what an adventure HE had descending from the heavens……must have scared the crap out of Jerry! Lol
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C3C60723-9DF8-44D6-BD61-DED883C44BBF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F234F8FA-4208-4C54-8453-5AB7A83A1120.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Ooh. I like that, off to browse the Artizan site now :)
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Love that figure, keen to see what you do with it. Looking at some Airborne to use as dismounted SAS in NWE having just read of Roy Farran's escapades in France just after D-Day for Operation Wallace. An almost unbelievable story.
Thanks chaps.
Really enjoying these guys, despite being frightened of starting them for a long while now!
So, the only obvious missing parts are the 6lbr AT gun, a second Vickers team…not that I NEED one, but seeing as somehow I actually have three of them (the Artizan one above plus two Warlord ones) it would be rude not to. I also need to buy a 75mm pack howitzer. I also have a couple of Warlord jeeps to do, but I’m just holding off on them….
First up though, because we are eyeing the campaign Kampfgruppe Von Luck, I need an extra section. Whilst I’m at it, I thought I’d add yet another alternate senior leader into the mix (yes, that will be five, don’t ask!). I love this mini from Artizan, but like the Officer above, without an smg, pretty useless, so the simplest of conversions and I’m ultra hobby with him! Lord alone knows what an adventure HE had descending from the heavens……must have scared the crap out of Jerry! Lol
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C3C60723-9DF8-44D6-BD61-DED883C44BBF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F234F8FA-4208-4C54-8453-5AB7A83A1120.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Ha….I was intending to use some of these for 02 Hundred hours. I went all in with the pre launch and will end up with a lot of SAS models……should be arriving end of August with luck….talk to me then…..
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Lovely stuff
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All your Paras look good so far. So does your 5th Senior Leader (Let's see, Plt. Sgt., Plt. Lt., Co. XO, Co. Cdr., and Bn. Cdr. Yup - that's 5...... :D)
As for him, where didja get the Sten Gun? Warlord? Somewhere else?
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It’s off the weapon sprue that you got with the early warlord British infantry…..you can still get sprues I think. Useful to have as it also has Bren, PIAT etc which are not attached to arms .
Cheers guys.
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Love that figure, keen to see what you do with it.
Your wish, mine to obey…
Sorry the light is crap, but you get the idea. I like this model.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F3A6BF91-6114-4039-8950-96AB36065333.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3236D39F-BF24-4607-BE0B-448C3528DC97.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Lots of character there!
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That guys looks aces! Looks like he's calmly getting his men in order... :D
And I figured that's where the Sten came from. Having spare weapons lying about sure comes in handy, doesn't it?
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It certainly does Stanley!
So, todays offerings…..support or alternate section with Scot McShortbread….(yes, he’s descended from McShortbread as depicted in my Nap thread!)
We intend to play KvL at some point, and I will have limited supports, these being probably the backbone of what I can take. Will probably look to the anti tank gun soon….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2FD65136-2AB7-457E-8109-545E16811755.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Your wish, mine to obey…
Sorry the light is crap, but you get the idea. I like this model.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F3A6BF91-6114-4039-8950-96AB36065333.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3236D39F-BF24-4607-BE0B-448C3528DC97.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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So, having had a good run the last few weeks at the airborne, I think I can relax a bit and concentrate on a few outstanding bits for this thread before moving onto another…
There is still the airborne anti tank gun to do.
Also been on the go a while, the German 105mm, a pair of carriers that Jamie painted for me a while back, but to which I have yet to finish the crews.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/659F4689-42AA-4454-B486-5017C1404D73.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then I may have a go at some scenery. I have a few different sets of walls unpainted….would be good to get at least one of them done.
I also bought this Normandy barn from Grand Manner. It may well mix in with my rural farm buildings. It could do with a little farm clutter / machinery etc. I have a tractor but if anyone can point me at other items of interest then please do so?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E6C41C3A-0A11-40FA-96A0-87682E1D5C41.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/961E67EB-A679-4546-AC49-FB181F361F98.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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if anyone can point me at other items of interest then please do so?
A few small blocks of wood with a tarpaulin (paper towel soaked in PVA glue) cover,
will do for a stack of hay bails. If you don't fix it to the floor it can be used elsewhere too.
Having seen a farmyard this week, I would suggest:-
old rusting wrecks (doesn't have to be recognizable, a few wheels & bits will do)
Chickens,
Oil drums that have seen better days,
stacks of wood, for the fire,
& hints as to the type of farm. Cows/ sheep/ arable etc.
e.g. sheep would have a place to dip them. Small pool/bath with gates & fences.
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Yup, all great ideas thanks Pete. It’s specifically the wrecks / machinery I’m after…. dated pieces of the right scale. Any ideas?
Edit:
Another finished support…this time for the British Infantry.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A1A4A3BA-E460-465B-84F5-A5D77FBA4A6B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Yup, all great ideas thanks Pete. It’s specifically the wrecks / machinery I’m after…. dated pieces of the right scale. Any ideas?
Give me a few days & I'll see what I can drag up. :D
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Cheers fella! 😉
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Don’t know….but order enough and they may do you a deal?
Anyway, I’m not mad keen painting buildings, but I have come to realise that worse than painting a building, is painting a wrecked one! Lol
Anyway, it will do. I will highlight the door when it dries and maybe add a touch of weathering powder when I can get outside.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C16CD3F9-1312-4F1E-A3A0-A5D5D7349B96.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ABF15B18-4D5F-426F-9DB7-A3FF8231898B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Sorry about postomancy but what colours do you use for walls?
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Errr…always a bit tricky to remember soecific buildings but typically for my walls :
Base colour zandri dust (GW)
Watered down wash of Agrax (GW)
Dry brush zandri dust
Dry brush flayed one flesh (GW)
Light dry brush in centre of panels in Ivory
Hope that helps?
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Don’t know….but order enough and they may do you a deal?
Anyway, I’m not mad keen painting buildings, but I have come to realise that worse than painting a building, is painting a wrecked one! Lol
Anyway, it will do. I will highlight the door when it dries and maybe add a touch of weathering powder when I can get outside.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C16CD3F9-1312-4F1E-A3A0-A5D5D7349B96.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ABF15B18-4D5F-426F-9DB7-A3FF8231898B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Isn't that the truth. :D Somehow the first idea that comes to mind is that intact buildings were way harder to paint, but painting ruins bascially is twice the work really. Your ruin looks great though.
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Cheers fella.
Ok, so recently discussing Lehr with Jamie and then seeing Cpt Jim’s thread and use of the Wargames Atlantic models, I am going to try and flesh out the metals I have (a box of both Artizan and Warlord Lehr) with a few of the Atlantic minis, to try and get a cohesive enough platoon together, along with a few supports. I’m not overly concerned with too many supports as I have plenty of armour, which truth be told, I want to use with the Lehr, but none the less, a few bits would be most welcome.
Steve Barber models has a “panzer Lehr” panzerschreck team…but the jacket is all wrong and as it’s my favourite support, never mind needing one for my hq section, I will be making a pair of teams. I have ordered a few metal panzerschrecks from the assault group, along with a tripod mounted MG, all of which will get plastic Wargames Atlantic crew so watch this space.
I received a couple of sprues of WA and first impressions leave me a little flat if I’m honest. I kinda like the more heroic build of the metal minis from Artizan and Warlord, with these WA being a little slim. Add to the fact they have little in the way of personal kit to bulk them out, it’s clear to feel happier with them, I will need to raid the bits box.
As well as supports, the main reason for getting the WA is to build a few more MG teams…..as the metal boxed sets I have effectively give me a team each….clearly not enough.
So first team is made. As I’m worried how they will sit with the metals, where possible, I will try and combine a metal mini (choosing maybe the slimmer ones) into a team to make them blend better.
This metal mini was carrying yet another Panzerfaust, a feature that repeats on an awful lot of the available metal minis!. I simply carved it off and gave his an ammo box.
For the plastic figure, though the WA sprue comes with a couple of MG42’s, I prefer the look of the warlord ones, as well as the bulk of their arms, so I have used warlord. Likewise, the bullet belt in the WA set is very small, so I used a spare warlord. The WA holster is massive, so again, I used warlord. I’m worried this may be a recurring theme…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/12D3A972-BB71-4BAA-8B22-72FDAFECFA21.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E8990434-88C0-4FC4-ACD1-B9DA5E8C3996.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F0DEC87B-D93B-4357-A243-7B3D05DCACFD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Any gapping and mold lines will be sorted with a little gs before I paint them.
I also had a go at my first support….and engineering / flame thrower team. This was straight forward enough…I used a few bits I had left over from the Warlord early war pioneer set, plus a warlord holster. Will sort gapping out……but works ok for me.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/830C67AE-F32C-40CC-B6ED-927896FD45D4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/929B2768-ADA0-4820-9D9C-DC2EBC2D5F65.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
So, I will post a few more as and when I get to them or the parts arrive. I’m not convinced they will be a perfect shoe in, but beggars and choosers comes to mind. If I want to field a reasonable looking Lehr force, I will need to resort to this.
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Very intersting to hear your take on the WA boxed set. In general I'm all for WA and what they do (cluster-bomb us with plastics sets); naturally there's some hits and some misses. The Panzer Lehr box looked a bit dissatisfying to me from the pictures shown online, especially as we got so many great metal figures for late war germans anyway.
Anyway, the bases you put together there look really good so far.
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It's interesting, because their Aztecs look chunky and well fed, the Lehr, not so much.
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I think I would be hard pushed to want to build a force using them alone for sure.
To be fair, with these two additional teams, I now have everything for a core platoon except the Panzershreck…which is coming.
I have swapped the WA mg 42s for a couple of warlord and added warlord clutter.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D1275F5B-20AD-420C-ADA7-43889E875DAC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/83B2C283-C49A-4AB5-87A8-4DCA0046332B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Again, I need to fill a few gaps before painting,and I’m looking if I have another bullet belt to have hanging from the firing one……looks daft otherwise.
By mixing them directly with a few metals, I don’t think they will overly stand out.
It’s funny you say you were a little put off by the box? I’m not the worlds best painter, but I do believe giving them a shiny look didn’t exactly help their cause. I will reserve full judgement until I have added a little paint myself. I’m hoping my dirty style of painting will make them look a little more “worn”.
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Lovely work there. I'm interested in seeing them painted.
And I forgot TAG sells separate weapons. Thanks for the reminder. And the more I think about it, the more I think I'll grab up some Warlord and/or Artizan PL guys...my other WW2 platoons are of mixed manufacturer, why not these guys? 8)
Anyhow, well done so far!
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Very nice posing! Good animation!
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Cheers guys.
Yes Jim, that would in my opinion be wise. Though the problem I face is simply the sheer number of troops carrying panzerfausts in the metal sets….you’d think they were more like volkssturm!
I think mixing them up will give you a better looking overall force, and like you, my other units are a ready mix of metal and plastic……I hate any two figures to repeat if I can help it. I think the WA minis certainly can fill holes, or be converted sufficiently to do so. I just worry that out of the box, they are a little…..soul-less.
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Those minis are now based and undercoated along with the rest of the Lehr platoon. Just trying to decide if I’m in the right mood to paint them yet….or move to something else.
These paras have burnt me out! Lol
The Warlord anti tank gun. In hindsight, they would have been better painted then popped in place. I’m in two minds as to whether or not replace it with an Artizan one…..time will tell.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/399E0195-10FC-4D8F-A925-122A8F3E66AD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3E395E28-F01D-49D5-B0F0-2DEC91E3D977.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And I picked up one of these from the same place as the airborne jeeps.
Fallschirmjager in a kubelwagon with drop canisters……..is it enough to respark the German airborne I once started…..?
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FC146B10-8567-4795-B734-D16148C37A69.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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The Warlord anti tank gun. In hindsight, they would have been better painted then popped in place. I’m in two minds as to whether or not replace it with an Artizan one…..time will tell.
As you saw in my thread, i paint and mount the crew figures on separate bases. One advantage is that they're easier to pant up that way. And casualties can be removed, too. Having said that, I think your gun and crew look great! Although you're getting burned out on painting Paras, you could get the Artizan gun, and paint up a crew for it too... :)
EDIT:
Yes Jim, that would in my opinion be wise. Though the problem I face is simply the sheer number of troops carrying panzerfausts in the metal sets….you’d think they were more like volkssturm!
I think mixing them up will give you a better looking overall force, and like you, my other units are a ready mix of metal and plastic……I hate any two figures to repeat if I can help it. I think the WA minis certainly can fill holes, or be converted sufficiently to do so. I just worry that out of the box, they are a little…..soul-less.
So let it be written, so let it be done...Warlord and Artizan Panzer Lehr fellows are duly ordered...and I don't know if the WA PL guys are "soul-less" out of the box. But they certainly are a bit kit-less...I may have to move a squad of them up in my painting queue to see how the do look all dolled up!
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Too late….I started the Lehr!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5EC27E5A-AF91-4049-9331-BC41FA7009D1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I saw how you did your crews…..useful idea, but I like the more natural positioning of a crew and I’m not everl6 fussed ensuring there are “five crew and leader” on a gun…..so I simply use a small dice to tell me how many crew are gone.
Saying that, painting is harder I will grant.
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Alrighty then. They look good so far, with all 3 manufacturers represented.
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Indeed they are. I will have to catch up with a panzerschreck team (or two) once the TAG weapons arrive. Hopefully these should be relatively quicker to paint…..😏
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One would think, wouldn't one? ;) No camo, except maybe a few helmet covers...
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I always find its the equipment on them that takes all the time, Zeltbahn, water bottle, mess tin, bread bag, entrenching tool, gas mask case etc...
Just painting some winter Volksgrenadiers at the moment, and it's taking an age. Mainly Warlord, and some nice sculpts, but labour intensive and my mojo isn't there.
Not to mention I am easily sidetracked... 1st Corps BEF, yes please!
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Hopefully will move them along a bit this weekend.
Meanwhile, I’ve been painting up some walls (Empress). I lost the doors but I can scratch those at some point anyway.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/24683CE8-0A70-41D9-A728-A289A648C270.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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For someone who professes to be useless at scenery...
you do a very good job.
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Cheers Pete. I’m coming along methinks 😉
So, the walls will make for interesting “compound” challenges. Quick set up, as I want to take a few pics of the paras.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4F784585-D73C-4210-8942-F8947998EDAF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Thank you to Jamie for the big cat.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EA6822F4-F132-44C3-AEA5-BD7B4133E889.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
First para pic….jump off markers, drop canisters etc.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F6284263-DE16-4831-A3CF-F45708A2D9BE.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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David, you need a BIG ruined wall section,
where the Tiger got out of the farm yard. :D
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Love those walls. You've certainly done them justice.
But, as Mr. has.been has pointed out, I too wonder how the Tiger got out of its cage. Must have some fantastic pioneers in support! :D
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Worry not fellas…..
“The wonderful thing about tiggers
Is tiggers are wonderful things!
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs!
They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!”
He simply jumped over!
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Lovely atmospheric photos David.
I guess the Tiger could have driven out the back of the farmyard, off table ?
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Finally, thank you Bob! Actually there are wrecked wall sections I could have swapped….IF I was actually playing a game right now and not just taking pics!
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Digits I am really envious of your artistic vision. Great work mate!
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Actually there are wrecked wall sections I could have swapped….
Absolutely smashing idea David. lol lol lol
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Thanks guys.
So, a few shots of the airborne before I find a box for them. We will be playing the Von Luck campaign soon so hopefully a few pics in a battle report soon enough.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2188AE46-F8DC-457B-BF8F-CE24F021B4E6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C8C8ED62-CA31-4945-91D1-1F2B036D1326.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5A99C9EA-2A6C-465F-BAFF-F3D5A8ACA674.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EE5C454B-E98B-45E8-8EAE-3816D528154A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1E6ED06A-3855-4093-ABF6-1593BAFAB31E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D835817E-0657-4168-9D96-F49068920A56.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/58804757-B4DA-4A60-AF44-C0943B885B21.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E7410A42-A633-4053-8AC1-2BD8C7CCA509.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B9DDFFB3-728E-47A6-AC2F-47AD1765A2B6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/43F2496C-24A7-496A-8A9E-4262132FA8A2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Also the TAG weopons turned up….so a quick panzerschreck team….”Hans and Willi”, wishing each other luck as they are about to expose their position and bring untold retaliation down upon them….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/311EA281-D7FD-4E61-9C0D-EA08F5BD5D8C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C3150679-BBAD-4DB5-B4C5-4EED3C096F17.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
So Warlord prone Lehr mini and WA plastic with the launcher.
I will tidy up the gs when it has cured a bit.
Talking of green stuff, here’s a tip. I’m forever rolling little bits out to do minor infills etc…and the left overs often get thrown out. Instead, I keep adding the left overs in the form of sandbags to a little section such as this. Stops waste and you can always find a home for sandbags!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C5883A1D-1F94-4C73-B3F4-762DC9892C11.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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A. The "Paras in Terrain" shots look fantastic!
B. Nice 'Schreck team. Hans needs to get a bit lower.... :D
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Whilst I’ve been painting walls, I also got to thinking of finishing off the two gardens I started when I began making the church yard.
I wasn’t overly enamoured with the brick walls, I’d picked up cheaply somewhere, but they were a little bland looking.
The solution was to plaster the walls first….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ABA29517-6AC7-4D90-8091-FA654C10A912.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then today, paint and plant up!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FCEED123-1374-40D1-878B-5C079160409F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3F202B31-F065-43CB-A79B-410D21123342.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C281C81A-7CAF-4C0C-B9F8-569222495CAC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/56C547AD-22B1-456A-AD1C-9B790698E16F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Lovely work, my own terrain making is feeling very poor quality.
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More nice-looking walls. You've dolled them up nicely with that plaster...
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Cheers….yup, the original ones were a little ugly and didn’t sit squarely enough, so plastering made sense. I’m not normally so confident with plaster but this seemed to work well enough……so much so, I’m now tempted to try my hand at converting a few mdf buildings. In particular, I want some industrial scenery at some point…..
Anyway, back to the Lehr…..
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you are getting good at this terrain building
Stunning job :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Nice garden makeovers David.
Alan Titchmarsh would be very proud of you. lol lol lol
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Cheers!
So grabbed 30 minutes or so to do a rush job on doubling the cow herd…..
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9FAF464E-55ED-4697-8495-F23AD0D6240F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Poor buggers 😢
Also, I made headway on the Lehr last night…..uniforms done, boots and gaiters done, will do the helmet coverings later then break them down into smaller groups for the detailing.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/94C208BC-10CC-45B6-A3DD-8A3544C0A562.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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You painted all those cows in 30 minutes?!
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No, just five of them….doubled up what I had!
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Love the cows. Are they 3d prints?
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No…a mix of warlord plastic and metal. Cheers
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David, don't forget the exploding one!
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Two of them I think but yup…not forgotten. See page 14.
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Great progress :)
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Er, don't have a cow, man...too late, you have 10 of them. Well, 7 if you only count the live ones...
They look good though. Quite cow-like! :D
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Well, we could congratulate Digits about his cattle for...
Heifer! lol lol lol
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Well, we could congratulate Digits about his cattle for...
Heifer! lol lol lol
You should get a Guernsey for that one.
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I think it’s been milked enough guys!
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I think it’s been milked enough guys!
Pull the udder one David! lol
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Enough already!
Ok, so I’ve never done the whole force in one paint run before….and I may not do it again! Lol
Either way, I now have a working platoon of Lehr, to go with my armour painted of course by Jamie.
These are made up of a box of Warlord, a box of Artizan and a few Wargames Atlantic to make up the difference. I won’t have a great deal of supports for these, as they are non existent unless I make my own. However I can always borrow from my other units or indeed rely on a plethora of AFV’s.
Commander and panzerschreck with alternate commander, forward observer (with map), and flamethrower team (WA with warlord parts).
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/07E4B39E-3E89-4AF3-9280-EFA6BD1219AC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Three sections
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/50591A45-7D2D-4ED3-9CCF-79BF6F31E92D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F740CEA7-A7DD-4BB2-9F84-55DF4FA5F117.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F7D16EA7-EBDB-4A99-81C0-E170004431C1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
All together
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E3D64989-DE2F-4EFD-A389-37959A210EDF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That is growing into a really lovely collection - enjoying this thread - keep 'em coming...
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Wot 'e sed. Nicely done, and your productivity is shaming me....
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Sehr gut! 👍
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Beautiful stuff David.
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Nice ! The Puma looks great 8)
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Cheers guys
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BEC76D74-143B-432B-86AE-3B9E1DC1D12B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Your Panzer Lehr chaps look great. Love these pics of them in situ... :D
I'm still waiting for my Artizan PL fellas to show up (hopefully next week) scratch that - they came today!, and I'll start on mine...I still gotta order some TAG tripod-MG42s and Panzerschrecks, but once the Artizan boys show up, I at least can start on the platoon proper...
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I look forward to seeing them mate. I need to get hold of a couple of kneeling WA minis before I can do the tripod mounted mg…but it can wait for now. I’m just glad I got them done….I have had the Artizan minis for years!
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Cracking job :-* :-* :-*
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Thanks.
So, looking to expand on my range of buildings for Normandy, I have decided to bite the bullet and look at some of the growing range of printed models available. I admit to being a bit particular about cast resin with nearly all of mine currently being by TotalBattle Miniatures….but they haven’t released anything new in……forever!
Much as I would prefer them in printed resin, for the cheapest option, pla prints are readily available and I’ve zeroed in on Highlands3D prints. I bought this damaged house, to see exactly how the print would come out, because if successful, there was an intact version of the same available plus a few others I liked the look of.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C9179857-4F71-4715-AB90-7FB296AC45DF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/13C3D296-3E85-4AF6-9071-728953D25F66.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I’m happy to report I’m actually relatively impressed with it. For many, it could be painted up exactly as is. It’s a clean print with lots of detail. On the back of that alone, I have ordered the intact version plus two other models.
However, I think to be just that little bit happier with it, I do think in my mind at least, it could be slightly enhanced.
For one thing, the intact version has plaster work damage in the exact same places as this damaged one. Fine if all I intended to do was to swap it out when damage occurs….but I want to be able to terrace them and have both on the table. That should hopefully be a simple case of replastering wall areas with a little filler. This would also mask a few print lines and give a more natural finish me thinks. That is presuming of course the filler will adhere to the pla?
There are also the inevitable areas of the print, where the designer is trying to convey rough or irregular finishes say to damaged stone / lintels etc.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BC3500A5-DFC9-4556-BFB9-F45B2A07271A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Inevitably, this is where you seem to see the most obvious print lines. Some suggest sanding, but I’m dubious as each time I’ve tried, it tends to simply lift whole lines. It may work but I think I may try adding either a little plaster or fine sand to mask the lines.
Then there is the irregular flooring. For some reason, the print again becomes too obvious in areas. But that’s the easiest fix of all me thinks. I will simply mask it with another layer of added detritus in the form of bits of fallen timber, brick dust and rubble.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A054DBE9-2D2B-4BA0-A2AF-8B3EEF5258BC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Anyway, looking forward to having a play once the others arrive.
For me, they score more highly than the laser cut mdf houses. If I had the patience and skills, they can look fantastic, as witnessed by Jamies houses in many of this threads battle reports, but I am a big fan of the raised detailing and more robust looking structure of resin buildings, with these prints starting to show more promise in that department. Hopefully, with minimal tinkering, I will be happy with the results. Time will see.
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Good luck with the new buildings David.
I'm sure you'll do a grand job.
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Looking forward to seeing how your 3D's come out.
And, FYI, I've started painting up my Panzer Lehr 1st squad. My plan is to finish them by Thursday, and post piccies on my WW2 thread. Stay tuned...
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Well I’ve ordered some more little bricks for rubble, and once it arrives with the othe4 prints, I will make a concerted effort….looking forward to your Lehr.
Now….just finishing off a Napoleonic regiment. Should get it done before the prints arrive…
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Not been doing much of late apart from a little adventure into late medieval England. That and the matter of a small operation (my first GA) on Monday have had me focused elsewhere.
Feeling a little sorry for myself as I recover, I have been tinkering and adding plasterwork to the garage as I’m wary of the print lines. A couple of bits from 1st corps and a piece of wills plasticard and this should look pretty at home on the board.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4341A5E6-84C0-43CD-ABCF-074A7F7AFAA8.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Now to get it painted…
Edit…just realised I’ve put the lower floor back to front! Bugger……will need adjusting!
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Building looks nice now. It will look even better when
you work your magic on it.
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That is fantastic! I can't wat to see it finished Digits!
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I too look forward to seeing those all dolled up!
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Such amazing work!!!!
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Cheers 😉
Ok so garage is painted, just need to do the forecourt and car.
Not the easiest thing to paint……so many print lines means paint and washes bleed. I’m glad I put plaster over it or it wouldn’t have looked too great.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CF3889FB-7EFB-4831-9328-55F2899B0296.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/29DAA7F5-F3CB-441B-BE79-55FE48391E77.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A387FB4B-6CC3-4FC7-B105-5EFE2F43F893.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Excellent work David.
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This is really fantastic - well done, very convincing.
On an unrelated note (and apologies if you’ve mentioned this elsewhere), but where is your neoprene (?) grass matt from?
Thanks!
Shtim
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Cheers both.
All my mats are Deepcut Studios.
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Lovely job on the garage David.
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That has come out very nicely!
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Gorgeous result.
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Gorgeous! It came out fantastic!
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Brilliant work! 👏🏻
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All very kind, thank you.
Truth be told, there are a limit on the number of good resin cast buildings available. I’m not a fan of the layer lines, a horrible example being prominent on the down pipe on the brick garage building above.
They will tell you to use a bit of sandpaper on layer lines….but unless I’m doing it wrong, that makes sod all difference! So adding a little plaster layer where you can helps draw attention from the areas less easy to disguise.
There are a lot of good buildings available in 3D print and more appearing weekly. So it may be a bit more work…but it does mean I can expand on my collection.
I don’t have Jamie’s skill with the mdf laser cut buildings…..he can work miracles with those….but I’m reasonably happy with this.
Saying that….bizarrely, there was a spurious partial layer of bricks on the OUTSIDE of their printed plaster layer! I had to disguise that with a dollop of plaster and it worked ok (bottom right hand corner of main building)
I have seen this on a few other prints too. I suspect it’s an attempt to show a little exposed brickwork but the designer has forgotten to recess it and not noticed it on the print…..be aware there are a few out there.
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Another cracking addition.
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Well, whatever magic you worked on that garage, it looks spiffy!
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Ta.
Ok, I decided to start on the demolished building. Same dressing ie a layer of pollyfilla going on. I will just do this to the outside walls. A little on the broken lintels to disguise the ugly print lines there. The exposed brick on these is not the best detailed I’ve seen, so chances are, I will cover most of it with plaster.
The inside top floor is again a mess of print lines, but I will be scattering in some sand and bricks as it should be a proper mess anyway.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/62F3FD4E-6B23-4AC3-BC57-ECBD708FEAC5.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Bought a few useful, and relatively cheap bits from Debris of War.
I really wanted the bridge, which at 11 inches long is a good size as I will soon be making myself a river (I’ve been hoarding the hardened foam boards for this, along with various woodland scenics water effects ingredients. Will be a major project over the winter.
The little sheds / lean to’s are a little on the small side but have character, certainly to add to gardens etc and the mattresses and three piece, will look good Heald buried in additional rubble piles which I will be making shortly.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/21C2FE43-B248-42D4-964C-6A5797015968.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That garage looks outstanding, well worth the extra work.
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Lovely job on the garage mate.
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Great work on the garage, as for print lines I use artists gesso it fills them although smooth th8ngs like down pipes always are hard to fix
Cheers
Matt
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Cheers all!
Artists gesso ? I will take a look, ta.
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We played table four of the Bazooka Town Campaign yesterday. Jamie just needs to win this and the next table in three attempts to win the campaign. American morale should be high at this point as they have only suffered the one set back in the campaign so far, and that was due to the sudden appearance of a pair of mighty Tiger IIs, an unfortunately rare occurrence! The Germans are struggling to hinder the American advance.
With the battle still raging in Kirchborchen, elements of Task Force Richardson have moved north to the next village, Nordborchen. They need to move through the area known as Jammertal – The Vale of Woe. This is a probe attack with the Americans looking to move one unit off the German table edge.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FE6D5402-575E-4EF5-8571-093EA0EE98C6.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The Germans are running low on support options with a paltry four points available to them.
The Yanks have 10 points but have to allocate at least six to armour, so I knew to expect the usual Sherman. I suspected Jamie would also take the now ever present and deadly off table mortar barrage with his keen eyed spotter. I wasn’t wrong.
The morale throw fell for once in my favour and I started on 10 points to Jamie’s 8 which also gave me the first roll of the game.
However, as per usual, Jamie with his now special US Airbourne super dice, rolled a six giving him four moves in the probing phase before I could respond. As such, I initially felt I’d been pushed too deep in my own half to have an effective defensive line and was worried this lack of depth would work against me.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5A17578D-3F04-4866-8794-36E460228839.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Anyway, I started rolling for the first few phases and twice rolled a pair of fives which started to make me feel better as I was fast gaining the important CoC dice I’d need to counter the inevitable mortar barrage.
I deployed the first unit (at 1) in an attempt to get at least one section up the table, in order to stop Jamie using the jump off point at the table edge, the other side of the farm house. This prompted Jamie to suggest that I’d never heard of sitting back and waiting! He’s probably right, but I’d seen how that worked out against a creeping barrage and had decided aggression may be a slightly better solution.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0443142A-16E5-4A9F-AB58-0028FE6B3060.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie then deployed a section, along with a spotter and senior officer into the large house (at 4) but they had limited effect on the table there as the window orientations didn’t allow any view down table.
I then pushed the section up to and subsequently into the farmhouse (at 5) but before I could get them into good firing / overwatch positions, the Sherman arrived (at 8) and went onto overwatch in the direction of the farmhouse. I decided then to keep them away from the windows for now.
Jamie then declared his hand by running out his “fire base”, in the form of a pair of .30 cal machine guns, at the hedge row (6) and another section making this the focus of his attack and applying pressure on my jump off point at 3 and a lesser extent at 2.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/83E92CEE-DD37-413A-A4C4-9F1B55DD3C2D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
At this point, I declared all four of my support points in the form of a humble panzer II which arrived to the right of my table edge road. The little tank was screened by the centre of town from the Sherman, but I was nervous about Jamie’s bazookas but pushed it up to the hedge line (at 3) where it fire it’s mg at the fire base. It later transpired, Jamie had neglected to take bazookas! Oops!
Jamie, then pulled his fire base back to avoid being hit by he fire and nervously approached to hedge with his section, keeping sufficiently far enough back to stop them becoming engaged.
He had deployed his hq section into the wrecked house to the left of building 7 and this now started to move forward to the rear and side of 7.
At this point, I brought on my senior leader at 9 along with a section as far left of my jump point at 2 which was able to inflict four kills and injure the nco in charge of the command section.
With no target at the hedge line for my little panzer, I placed it on overwatch. This had effectively stalled the American advance.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0E8FF788-99D9-4611-938F-C8A80243549E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I then pushed my section from 2 to the back of building 7 and was surprised when the remnants of his command section failed to pull back. By now I had a completed CoC dice so was more confident I could nerf his barrage should it appear.
Jamie then started rolling his Sherman forward in an attempt to deal with the German armour.
My commander now issued orders for the advancing section to attack the remainder of the command section skulking behind 7, which they did with overwhelming firepower, wiping them out and consolidating into the cover afforded at the back of the house
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5481C7F4-5416-4FC3-9E8C-E3BB56AF7E72.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7B779C59-0530-4133-81AE-212FF6E3D548.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie had by now also deployed a mortar team but this was too close to be of any use with the approaching Germans.
So the Sherman came rolling on….
It was almost parallel with the farm house where my section debated running out and attacking with their panzerfausts…however I was nervous Jamie still had a section in reserve which could still have used his jump off at the table edge, which could have decimated the section once it had exposed itself. As such, I decided to rely once more, heavily on my panzershreck team who subsequently popped up at 2, and popped three net hits on the frontal armour of the hapless Sherman, knocking it out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7D27D61B-2478-42B3-B25D-0599AFB2430D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The Americans morale had plummeted to three, and Jamie decided a tactics, withdrawal was best to ensure he had sufficient forces left to try again.
He now faced the problem of still having to take this table, and winning the final table on his first attempt. This one is now in the balance.
Jamison will get an extra point of support to attack this table next time, which throws up a couple of interesting possibilities. Will he take the might Pershing instead of the Sherman? Throwing his men behind that behemoth down the road and hoping it’s frontal armour is enough to withstand the inevitable hollow charges? Or does he opt to take an M8 fast wheeled greyhound to race for the table edge? Does he opt to take bazookas? Do I stick with the little tank or put my points into panzerschrecks and road blocks?
All will be revealed……..
Panzer II ( a real one this time 😃)…..who knew?
To be continued…
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Great write up to a great game. A real conundrum for me and I have no idea how to tackle it next time around!
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Great write up to a great game. A real conundrum for me and I have no idea how to tackle it next time around!
Jamie, take off & Nuke him from orbit. lol
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I think we are mixing up our genres somewhat! Lol
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Jamie, take off & Nuke him from orbit. lol
Not strictly necessary.. by this stage virtually every German tank had been sabotaged in some way, material shortage meant the armour cracked and spalled, ammunition was unreliable and limited types, and most of the experienced tankers were buried on the steppe or in Normandy. And the Pershing was a pretty effective unit.
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A little scenery building. I need some security fencing for a number of projects to, including this one.
There are 3d prints available from the likes of Sabitaged, but they look a little clunky sometimes and a bit brittle.
Instead I decided to go the following route, using O scale Woodlands Scenic chain link fencing. It is on its own a tiny bit low, but by adding the barbed wire , this is easily overlooked ( or not! 😩) and looks more in keeping with what I had in my minds eye. To be fair, threading the wire though is a real bitch, but there is enough strength in the WS product to take it. The fence itself is made of wire mesh on a plastic frame me thinks. The plastic is the weak part, so be careful not to snap it.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F7D9270B-C7BB-44F9-8846-3102F605F941.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Anyway, needs painting….
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Good find there David.
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Good find there David.
Plus one to that.
Credit to you doing all that 'threading' too. 8)
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Cheers. Ran out of barbed wire but still have twice as much to do again….what joy! Lol
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Gorgeous game! Thank you for the alerting us to the Woodland Scenics fencing!
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Cheers.
Rematch of this table tomorrow.
I have a 50/50 chance to pick the right supports. If I win tomorrow, I win the campaign. Jamie still has to win this plus the next table. It really is on a knife edge….
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Keep us all informed, please.
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I worries! 😉
So, same table as before, again Jamie rolls high giving him four free movements in the probe phase and as you can see, has three jump off points well up the table. You can’t see my third…but it’s in the copse on the right.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C0E7C271-2B31-4638-B9AF-88E395ADD3BE.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
So it would appear Jamie pulled out all the stops with his disinformation campaign…..genius!
We had been discussing what happened in the previous game and that in reality he had pretty much a couple of options only.
With the extra point available this time around, he could take the mighty Pershing, or he could max out on the bazookas in case I pulled the panzer two from up my sleeve again and trust to his FOO and blow me to hell. We exchanged notes on the subject and this meant I thought I had just two options.
Either stick with the panzer two, running the risk of a Bazooka shot or three, but giving me some respite should the mortars start up, or max out on panzershrek……my four points buying me two above the one I already have.
I was convinced he was going to field the Pershing to be honest. I’d seen it on his painting table on my last visit, and it’s probably what I’d have done….push it down using hedge cover off the road but supported by infantry.
I rolled slightly higher starting morale so got the first roll of the dice. Got a five…so started the rush for the CoC dice. However, I had initially started intended to stay quiet…….making him sweat and drawing him into closer ranges…..so I didn’t do anything else.
On Jamie’s first roll, he also bagged a couple of fives…..(oh oh), deplored his command section into the wrecked house in the middle, and a section into the yard area to the back and side of the left hand farm house.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/101F4C04-8A30-4A64-A097-E5EDFC0F3B51.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FDAFE046-7397-4630-B472-B767EB90AD43.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I couldn’t believe my luck…..Jamie doesn’t make many mistakes, but had he really just popped a section mostly in the open …..with a solitatary tree trunk to protect them?
This threw me into a minor dilemma. Instead of sitting and waiting, could I not simply deploy a section and let the lead fly, hoping to whittle him down? We both need to leave this table with the minimal of casualties should it go to another map. Or, was he being cunning and drawing me onto the table in order to hit me with the inevitable mortar battery…..?
Oh well, you only live the once and the aggressive side of my play style took over immediately and I deployed TWO sections to punish him.
Jamie declared there was a pre game barrage in place, but I rolled high to bring both on. This also meant I was wrong! Jamie couldn’t afford a Pershing too, so it wouldn’t be long before that searching round came down…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6972897D-52B9-45DD-94A4-18657ADBBA45.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Admittedly I couldn’t get all four mg’s on them but I did a few casualties and a heap of shock, initially clipping the junior leader. Had I over committed? Already half my force was arrayed on the left and they were grouped awfully close should the FOO pick on me….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4BE36991-47B4-4278-AE71-4DB823E38D0B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
He tried to move the section into cover behind the house, but left the Bazooka team exposed…..which I then duly punished, killing them and finishing off the junior leader!
Jamie then brought on his first senior officer, who rallied a heap of shock off the remainder of the section.
He also brought on his third section near to the right hand house with greenhouse.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CFEC6ED9-C5AB-4DB6-A0FC-561BE5F17CFD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds).
TBC
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Then Jamie rolled a double six…..oh no. Here comes the FOO and I’m thinking he may just hit both my squads in the open. Not only would I loose the game, but my casualty count would be awful meaning I’d be on the back foot in the last map. I felt a little deflated. My over aggressive attempt to deal with the one section was going to cost me.
But, in a stroke of sublime misdirection, Jamie suddenly scared the crap out of me. His second senior leader turned up in a jeep at the road entrance. Wheeled vehicles move double distance on roads…..and rolling flat out he moved 24” straight down the road…….and on his second phase, obviously before I could get a go, he moved another batch of dice down the road, and an M8 greyhound joined the race down the road…….Jamie was looking to race along the tarmac to exit and take the game!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1E75FD1C-128E-47D4-B1CD-AD28BA23DF1B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3F79F6C5-318E-4F44-8B12-99E8DE4C2EDE.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I failed to get a panzershrek onto the table and was only able to bring on one mg team into the wrecked house to try and deal with the jeep. I did manage to score a minor wound on him, but the jeep kept coming!
My middle section also took shots at the jeep and scored a second glancing wound on him! This was looking dire…..
Mortar fire and small arms fire poured into the roof section where my mg team were sited and duly pinned them in place. Bugger!
Now, yes, I had fallen completely for the subterfuge. But I forgot to say, when debating my choices, I discounted taking three panzershreks as I thought I wouldn’t roll enough ones to use them all……..and I thought each of my sections also carries a pair of panzerfausts……so I had indeed decided to take the humble little panzer II again, and needing to roll to get him on, finally I managed to do so! I duly popped him blocking the end of the road, knowing the jeep couldn’t jump though hedges, and opened up on the jeep….missing it! 🫣
Jamie rolled to jeep as far as he could….there was a chance the bugger could jump out and still get the victory!
But on my next, the tank opened up at point blank and the heroic driver was killed!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/568C5108-90E6-4DA3-9E38-25D88B64EC9F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie’s ploy had very nearly succeeded……it was brilliant, but it wasn’t quite over…….the greyhound was still coming. Jamie was almost out of morale, and on my final command roll, I got my last five, giving me a chance to ambush it with the schrek. As you know, my favourite piece of kit, and once again, it didn’t fail me! 7 net hits 🤓
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/70560116-21AE-47A4-9D9C-17465C9449A3.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Game won, campaign won…..just! That was so close, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Jamie’s tables and hospitality throughout were top notch. Good ebb and flow and my guys survive to draw out the war for another few weeks maybe! 😉
Looking to our next adventures….we will be having a go at operation Martlet.
Jamie will be the Brits, I will have command oth the 12th Hitlerjurgend.
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Congratulations David. Commiserations Jamie.
Entertaining &, as usual, pretty.
I have played against 'commanders' who when given two options choose a THIRD!
Frustrating ain't it? :D
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Mightily! Lol
Just goes to show how easy it is to confuse me! I fell for it! It didn’t even cross my mind and yet with the long straight road, it makes perfect sense! We have never used the jeep like that before so it wasn’t even in my mindset. The game also came down to the luck I needed to get the tank on the table. The pre game barrage was still in play so the game was won on a 50/50 in the end, the jeep would have raced off into the sunset! The campaign would then hinge on the next map which we didn’t really fancy…especially Jamie as it was too busy a table! Lol
After this though….I’m buying a kubelwagon!
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Schwimmwagen David. It can cross rivers too. >:D
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Good call!
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Awesome write up. Really captures the excitement of the game.
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Well done chaps.
Very entertaining.
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Great report. The figs and terrain look good, too.
Of course, the US boys will just pull back, and blast the place with artillery.... ;)
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I saw that fast race move (with a kubelwagen) in one of Tactical Painter's Chain of Command Games....it didn't work there either lol
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I call moves like that "cheese moves". As the good Captain found out, that joy-ride in his jeep was a good way to get KIA'd...oh well - he can get his Silver Star, and his wife or mother will get that dreaded telegram...
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To be fair….it’s in the rules so all fair and above board. In any case, I struggle to come up with many other ideas how to use the jeep as it happens.
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To be fair….it’s in the rules so all fair and above board. In any case, I struggle to come up with many other ideas how to use the jeep as it happens.
Yep! I didn't say we didn't do stuff like that. That's only what we call it! :D
And had the good Captain been successful, a DSC might have been in the cards for him, and no need for that telegram. Sometimes the difference between bravery and stupidity lies in the result! ;)
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Depending on the circumstances it could be worth the gamble, but it's a heck of a gamble and the occupants of the jeep are very vulnerable. Chances are you have a leader plus a team in the jeep, so losing them plus a support (the jeep itself) would make a dent in your force morale.
As Vodkafan pointed out, my opponent tried a similar move in one of our Bloody Bucket campaign games. He got much further than I thought he might, but it too ended badly. Had he pulled off the coup de main it would have gained him a very cheap and easy victory, so it's easy to see why you might try it.
Not to hijack Digits thread here, but anyone interested can follow that game here and see what happened:
https://thetacticalpainter.blogspot.com/2021/03/bloody-bucket-campaign-turn-6-scenario_26.html
(https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/923/eNDtk7.jpg) (https://imageshack.com/i/pneNDtk7j)
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No worries about hijacking fella. It was a wake up call to face it, so one to be wary of next time for sure.
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Great figures and terrain and well reported. Thanks for posting.
Re the attempted coup de main, in this case it wouldn’t have worked, the Probe scenario objective for the attacker in the rules state a team must reach the table edge, a single ‘big man’ even in a jeep wouldn’t qualify he’d of need some company with him.
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So it does! 🧐
Never mind…..outcome would most likely have been the same anyway, but it pays to read it carefully! Thanks.
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I built a workshop / factory unit over on my “ Europe Ablaze” thread, dressing up a rather bland looking laser cut mdf piece, and I’m quite happy how it turned out. This will sit nicely alongside my more rural collection of cast resin pieces.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AF63B9AD-F0DC-4A15-ABFB-44642F1F1CE5.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
This is similar to modifying the printed pla garage a few pages back, as I realise I have run out of good cast resin buildings so need to learn how to add printed buildings (as well as laser mdf) to the collection without ruining the overall appearance of the collection.
With that in mind, I have decided to set about another print…this ruined house. Like the garage, and in order to mask the obvious print lines, the first thing was to plaster over the “plaster” which will give it more depth.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/00242F6D-E811-404E-8264-A6113C4E94E3.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The issue with printed wrecked buildings, from what I’ve seen, is that as soon as they try to “design” debris…..it is ultimately rather flat in appearance, and because of its desired jumbled nature, the print lines become even more exaggerated. Plus, they print them as if no debris falls outside the building. In the case of mdf wrecks, they are almost entirely devoid of rubble.
Anyway, in order to both disguise the bad print lines and to give it a more realistic level of damage, I have added more debris.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/A4E0DDBB-5D94-45AD-A1D5-1F50C364056B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7F57065C-F5EC-4280-B789-ED8476383E09.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I simply have a few bags of sand, bricks, rock debris, cut up planking and a few choice pieces of furniture (debris of war) for added interest. I simply pile it where I want it…then pour superglue on which runs though it and sets it instantly.
In the case of the outside pile…..I simply put down a small piece of paper first under the building and around where I want the pile……build up the pile against the building then apply superglue. When it’s done, I simply tear off the excess paper.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7A6551AE-D782-4380-B03E-9005E2CC9325.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Anyway…one for the paint queue….
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And something I’ve been meaning to finish for a while…security fencing. Bit of a pain threading in the barbed wire but finished now.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/ADD9D0BD-816C-46FF-BB60-E93477A184D1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
One for scale
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2DEF8BD7-1CB9-4D66-9F33-85A15B64F06B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That factory has turned out very well indeed. Great job. A silk purse from an MDF sow’s ear ;)
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Cheers fella.
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The buildings are great but I am especially impressed with the wire fencing.
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The buildings are great but I am especially impressed with the wire fencing.
+1 to that. That fencing should prove to very useful and versatile...
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Fencing = brilliant.
How are the fingers after all the threading ?
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Cheers….yup, the wire threading is a real bugger! Think I’ve done enough of it now!
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That factory is brilliant!
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Cheers.
Ok, today saw the opening game for Operation Martlet. However, before we started gaming, Jamie handed me some new additions to allow smooth gameplay.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5FAF3A74-352D-4840-B701-28D657AA0888.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The 250’s need gunners which I will sort out. I don’t have summer campaign Mk IV, my others being in winter dress.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/24C2EE18-A90F-41D8-91EA-B41E2B6BBBD3.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The AVRE, is Trenchworks and there is a fascine roll to paint for it but I love this tank. The Stuart isn’t strictly for this campaign, but it will come in for other games to be sure. I will sort out a commander for it. Both of these are lovely paint jobs….well done and thank you Jamie!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BEC4D894-C8F7-42B6-AD98-F9E5AFBE2E5E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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he does excellent work does Jamie.
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Keep up the good work Jamie.
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Indeed.
So, we had out first game of the Operation Martlet campaign yesterday.
Game 1 is a probing attack, with the Brits looking to move a unit off bottom of this table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D3CE862A-A73A-493C-9AFB-277A783DD179.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Worth noting, this campaign (I suppose like others) is pretty brutal in that you have to watch your men closely. Losses are costly and with limited replacement opportunities, you can ill afford to squander the chaps.
The opening turns in this campaign fully utilise the overwhelming fire support from the allied warships meaning that pre game bombardments restrict Germans coming onto the table on a 5 or 6 only!
That doesn’t mean Tommy will get his own way though…..as the jump off hour approaches, heavy mist and clearly piss poor compasses, ensure that it isn’t easy for him to get his forces coordinated onto th3 table either!
Anyway, following the patrol phase, we ended up with the following jump off positions.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8A01EE82-24FE-4F5B-B3E3-0F6515457409.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Note how far forward the Brits are on the top most jop. The house by the bottom German jop is fortified into a bunker. We both have 10 on the morale wheel.
Well, we started throwing dice. Long and short of it, the Brits lost a few chaos in the mist. An AVRE went missing…..a section and a PIAT team also got lost in the fog. They were however able to deploy a section into the walled area b6 that top jop. They made sure they clambered over the wall and started moving, all be it slowly at first, toward my table edge, popping a little smoke out just in case.
They also got a forward observation team, a two inch mortar and a senior leader into position.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AB7C04D6-1790-482A-B14F-99E54D42BC93.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Now whilst this was going on, I was trying desperately to make my guys brave the artillery bombardment and get themselves into position to try and thwart Tommy….but the swinehund wouldn’t get out of their foxholes! This would look like I may fail to stop Tommy without getting a single chap on the board to stop them! In fact the only guy who was brave enough (or certainly foolish enough) to get himself on the board was my senior officer….who, realising he was alone, dived inside the barn for cover. Finally I managed to get a section on, but they were too late to catch the British section before it disappeared behind my barn!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6C5C9073-F97B-49F9-BF4C-749817685B90.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E3B20C4F-1AA2-410C-BFA2-D3E3DFC6D38B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
They readied themselves for the dash to to my rear lines, calling for smoke to be laid down to obscure any fire I could bring if I moved my section back across the courtyard to take a pop at them. They also made contact with their fire support, as if the Ship bombardment wasn’t enough.
Now, whilst trying to get stuff on the table, I was however rolling a few Fives, and I had amassed enough for a CoC dice…now was the time, use it or loose it……end the turn! The ship bombardment lifted, and the smoke disappeared…..we had a slim chance to do something!
First a tank arrived…a little way off to be immediately helpful but…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2013FF4E-73D4-447E-B940-1FD8A04AF973.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then I was able to get a section into the top floor of the strengthened farm house.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FD632DD6-96F3-4A31-81DC-0C08A9FD537B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Tbc
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This section (by the way…all my sections are reduced in numbers…each simply being two mg’s with a junior leader, still, 16 firing dice isn’t too bad….) then attacked the FOO, putting shock on before the section in the courtyard finished it off…first blood. The senior leader hightailed it back to join his mortar team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/0B39C9FA-84E6-4835-AF85-B81631BF02AA.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The plucky British section now picked up the pace and started the final dash to my table edge.
More smoke landed to protect itself from the courtyard, but I was able to deploy a third section into the open behind them, with little to expose themselves to, and they chewed up the Brits, killing five of their number, including their Junior officer and inflicting nearly enough shock to pin them.
Now my tank rolled up to the hedgerow and fired its main gun.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5EED0B0F-0CD5-44DB-8A4B-E8874876A12F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The shell failed to kill anyone, but the shock of the tanks appearance and the near miss from the shell pinned them in place!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/24BD7C59-E666-4DE3-B6CA-CDF7046E36C2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Surely, just a case of mopping them up now.
Almost, Jamie had also amassed enough fives and also had a CoC dice. Knowing e game lost, he used it to move his forward most JOP forward even more ( the jops stay in place if this table has to be played again, so next time he will have even less distance to cover) then withdrew his forces from the table. This wasn’t without loss though, as another couple of the shot up section were captured, and two more got lost (for the next game at least).
A temporary reprieve then! Most importantly, I hadn’t lost a single man, but Jamie is down 8 men next game, four of them permanent. He also has to raise another junior leader from th3 ranks. The mist will stay in play next turn, and of course, I will still be facing that awful bombardment……
Will Jamie press on and try to get ttmap 2 quickly, or will he wait, gather himself (and a few replacements) wait for the mist to lift, then simply breeze through my lines?
We shall see……
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Well, how easy it is to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. And vice versa...
Looking forward too the next BatRep... :D
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still, 16 firing dice isn’t too bad….)
16? That's a sniper for you David. lol lol lol
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Only 16 firing dice ?
Times must be hard lol
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You still gotta hit! 😉
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You still gotta hit! 😉
Need I remind you David that I got a hit EVERY time!
OK it was on the 'Risk to Officer' throw & it concerned MY officers. :'(
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Anyway, thought I’d finish off the forecourt and car for the garage. Simple bit of scenery to set the scene. I need to find a small sign image but otherwise it will do.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6889CF74-DFF4-4337-8B16-6CD101C68540.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/76BF86A6-42C7-43F0-84D7-AE5EC963E7BA.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Lovely. Cracking job. And somewhere for the Panzers to
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Lovely. Cracking job. And somewhere for the Panzers to
I always hate it when people comment and don't end their lol
Apart from that, lovely bit of terrain!
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Cheers fellas…car and pumps from 1st Corps.
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Lovely job there David.
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Great work on the First Corps pumps and vehicle!! :-*
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Now, dat's purty! Ya dun good!
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I always hate it when people comment and don't end their lol
Apart from that, lovely bit of terrain!
Panzers to get petrol...
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Thanks guys, I’m glad you like it. I’m thinking of adding a few more civilian vehicles to my battle fields…..easy win for setting the scene. Maybe a little truck would be good to park next to the factory….I need to go look.
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Meanwhile however….I’ve painted up some crew for my half tracks.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/AAD5C620-2A11-42A6-B68E-5250979B1FA3.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FE2B6F30-81AE-442D-9C06-3ED60DD89DC4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Such a great thread, love the red car.
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I like the halftrack crew.
I made sure my halftracks had crew as well, and the 2 more I have waiting their turn in the painting queue will have crew too!
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Cheers.
Ok, I painted the print I’d started to mess with. I’m not overly happy with it, as I’m not happy painting ruins, it’s more hard work and I get impatient! Lol
Anyway, one wrecked grocers.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BD88B551-54E7-4DCC-8417-89C963D381C7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5E9A83D7-269B-4F5B-A994-6D3CCEFB20F1.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Well, FWIW, I think it looks good.
Are they gonna have a fire sale now? :o
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Ha..I suppose so!
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Love all the new additions especially the half tracks - cracking work do keep 'em coming.
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Cheers fella. Ok then…
This one has been sat on my paint tray too long long!
105mm arty and a forward observation team.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CC745355-4BFE-4E1A-A0C8-358588FF395D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4BDCD14C-911D-4612-8CE6-1D7FA22CF54F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/C5808774-60F8-41F2-9AEF-CE8DC29E6531.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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They look good to me!
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Thanks Jim!
Ok, small scratch build. I wanted a chicken coup, and had a few bits of wall going spare. This is a re purposed hay store (hence the tallness…which helps me pop minis in 😉). Will but up nicely to a farm house / barn.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7C1248C8-D36E-44F0-AFCF-FD08EED0B471.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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That is a brilliant bit of scenery/small scatter! The composition is great from the discarded bike to the chickens. I will shamefacedly save a pic and try and emulate in 15mm for my own collection. Thanks
Balm
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No worries. The beauty of farm out buildings, is the ramshackle, make and mend do nature of them. I lived on a farm as a kid, and remember the amount of re purposed material, pallets, corrugated sheet metal, old gates etc used to knock together holding pens, stores and sheds.
Go for it!
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That there stall/coop thingy looks good.
Now all you need on it is a wheelbarrow full of s**t nd a shovel leaning against the wall... :D
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Yup…need to keep eye out for wheelbarrows (just not laser cut wooden ones!)
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Yup…need to keep eye out for wheelbarrows (just not laser cut wooden ones!)
I have 3. Two from the Miniature Building Authority (each came in a set with a woodpile and an outhouse), and one from a WizKids terrain set - all pre-painted. Actually, those WizKids sets are pretty darn useful - I have a couple of them...
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I will take a look…cheers
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Painted. A little final wash on the chickens I think, but I’m quite chuffed with this simple piece.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2FDD3A58-11D1-49B8-913F-D5BEC5C10EA2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Beautiful work David, & all for chickenfeed.
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Indeed…best things in life are free! Cheers Pete!
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That is a lovely piece one feels like one is down on the farm.
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That thing looks even better now!
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Great work, lots of character! 👍
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Thanks chaps. A few more pics including the removable roof for ease of figure placement.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4517DA87-7EDC-4737-AAF6-7F1216CBEE01.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/02C1CAE6-5C58-4253-B75A-5D369AD4998B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EA4BA7FA-E95D-49BF-9053-373289D77902.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/FBCD7C8C-82A8-4321-B952-2A335E2E8195.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Another outstanding addition. Your terrain collection must be pretty substantial by now.
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Digits, Just stumbled in on your thread because I am doing up a 15mm CoC army and all I can say is wow. Very nice models, terrain and game reports. Well impressed all around.
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Glad you dropped by mate. The beauty of CoC I feel, is you don’t have to concentrate on too many miniatures / AFV’s tbh, therefore leaving a lot of room for the scenery and giving you time to indulge. I’m not the greatest painter, sure I can turn out good enough tabletop standard little men, and I’ve stumbled upon a scheme for my buildings that suits me. I don’t like painting tanks…but Jamie does 😉. But I do like collecting good looking buildings. I prefer them in cast resin, but there are few making them. I have found a limited range of printed buildings that allow me to add a little plasterwork and elevate them slightly, and I quite like scratching simple structures like the one above. Whatever floats your boat, give it everything….good luck with your 15mm!
Ash, you are probably right…but there is always room for a few more!
This printed barn arrived today. It’s printed in two halves….but a couple of lolly stick braces popped behind the walls has sorted that. Next up, plaster work. This one may well get a little wisteria growing up it.
Next to it, a medieval (thereby timeless) open fronted barn from Grand Manner. It’s a little bit small..but I’m going with medieval people were small so suits my table! Anyway, just started with an undercoat and the first roof coat.
Can’t re bear where I got the walls…..I’ve had them a while. They will get painted and will allow for various farm yard enclosure configurations.
Happy with the chicken coup, I think I’m going to knock up a few rabbit hutches as well.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7897BE07-979F-476C-99FA-A01AE8A75491.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Outstanding buildings David.
Some great finishing touches.
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Thanks Bob!
So, probably the smallest structure I’ve built!
Nice and simple….going to do a couple of these rabbit hutches. Easy detail to pop alongside a wall, easy to make.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/6A819A00-445F-4B3A-9EF2-92AB52BC235A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Edit:
There you go, two hutches.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/D40D7A84-F995-4759-8DFC-F662082AABC2.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Very nice. What are you using for your chicken wire?
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It’s a bit of white sewing mesh that I painted silver and simply stuck over a back background.
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It’s a bit of white sewing mesh that I painted silver and simply stuck over a back background.
Very nice. Always looking for new materials.
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David,
Please tell me one of them is named Starsky !
lol lol lol
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I see you’ve been taking lessons from Pete! 🥴
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I was going to say:-
Did you make it for a couple of bucks?
How did you get the Bugs out?
or
Watership Down, you've read the book, seen the film, but have you tried the stew?
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You two need help! Lol
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Hare stew is nice. Makes a mean pie filling too.
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That reminds me,
I was going to have lots of Bunny Rabbits tattooed onto my bald head.
From a distance they would look like... hairs. :D
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Where are the moderators when you need one?😐
Lunatic!
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Lunatic!
David, You're mellowing to me. :D
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But Pete…
It would have been hare today…….
Gone tomorrow lol :o :`
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Digits, love all the bits and pieces your are scratchbuilding.
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Thanks you sir! A nice sensible response at last. 😉
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A nice sensible response at last. 😉
Hey David, one out of three ain't that bad. :D
(Your work is very good, by the way)
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Thanks!
Anyway, the hutches turned out ok. I have fashioned a simple dove / pigeon house thingy, and started to collect together a few bits to scatter about any farm / barn. As well as these, I have ordered a a pair of misprint vintage tractors, and a pile of hay bales which can be piled to fit in this hay barn giving elevated firing steps etc…or simple barricades.
I have an idea to dress a few tall walls with also…
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/5B88DA3E-A617-4661-853A-66F3D543CE84.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Good work David. Nice to see your Badger vehicles are on the painting table.
Mine haven't got that far yet. :?
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To be fair they only arrived today….I was just cleaning them up, not that they needed much work. I’m super impressed with them and looking forward to adding paint. I’m toying with buffing the crew up a little to look like they are wearing smocks however…..
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I’m toying with buffing the crew up a little to look like they are wearing smocks however…..
Show off! :D
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Love the rabbit hutches and the Pigeon COOP (c'mon - house thingy? Really?.... ;D)
Well done, lad!
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Ha! I didn’t want to show my ignorance by spelling it wrong!
Pete….they won’t be that impressive believe me!
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Ha! I didn’t want to show my ignorance by spelling it wrong!
Yeah, I get that. Pigeon COUP means something quite different. A little Orwellian maybe...think Animal Farmish... :D )
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Yeah, I get that. Pigeon COUP means something quite different. A little Orwellian maybe...think Animal Farmish... :D )
A coup? By pigeons? Now that'd be fowl. lol
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You’ve been learning from has.been…..stop it! 🤨
Ok, so a few more bits of clutter….I bought some hay bales…not quite enough…so had to disguise partially with a strategically placed tarpaulin that masks the bodged framework this covers, but piece made to pop into the hay store above which will give a little firing step for a bit of interest.
The lean to greenhouse is from war bases. I’ve added a little detailing and intend to find some suitable high walling to affix it so I can fill it out a bit with some grape vines or some such. My grandad used to do just that, so will be mini homage to him. I will also be looking to add a few wire trellis lines to a wall section, upon which I can pin some “ trained” fruit trees…just for added interest.
I bought two green houses….will mod the other one slightly differently for a back garden.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B7CA4550-50CD-47D0-87F0-9F79534B427B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Those hay bales oughta work. Looking forward to seeing them painted an in situ...
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Nice work on the chickens, I really like the pigeon house too, my father is having a lots of them :)
Please leave the hay bales out of a ww2 scene though. Old farming equipment (sowing machines, etc) worked by utilizing the momentum of the turning wheels, this is not enough for pressing these kinda rectangular hay bales. The bale presser is driven directly by the tractor engine via a cardan joint. Tractors with these cardan outlets however appeared only in the late 50s in Europe, the older, belt driven baler models were cumbersome and rare, most farmers stacked the bales with a pitch fork, the old school way :)
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I looked about and found a few references to be fair….but yes I would agree they would be rare
1930s US footage
https://www.gettyimages.fi/detail/video/uutismateriaali/mr_00025530
European production
https://www.claas-group.com/the-group/history/products/balers
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I looked about and found a few references to be fair….but yes I would agree they would be rare
1930s US footage
https://www.gettyimages.fi/detail/video/uutismateriaali/mr_00025530
Yes, there were models belt driven and also with their own engine, but not common in small Normandian family farms :) The farms in the USA Midwest were bigger and had better machinery even back then. Also, cardan driven models are able to press the bales right on the field, you do not have to collect all the hay into one place first.
But enough of negativity, building a hay baler in 28mm would be awesome :)
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Ha…and beyond my skill set I’m afraid! Lol
Anyway it’s removes me if anyone takes offence to it being there! 😉
It’s painted…just waiting for wash to dry on the tarp….
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Ha…and beyond my skill set I’m afraid! Lol
Anyway it’s removes me if anyone takes offence to it being there! 😉
It’s painted…just waiting for wash to dry on the tarp….
Maybe the farmer bought the animal food from an other, bigger farm, not every family farm has its own meadow to produce hay.
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Yes…I like that reason!
I may just buy a flat bed lorry and pop a few bales on it! Grand idea!
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Anyway, not entirely sure I got the colour right but bales painted.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E34F299A-8154-4FDD-9DC1-F23DA6E5F21A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/21859D2F-8F0B-426D-8891-018A333631DA.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Anyway, not entirely sure I got the colour right but bales painted.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/E34F299A-8154-4FDD-9DC1-F23DA6E5F21A.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/21859D2F-8F0B-426D-8891-018A333631DA.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Coming from an Agricultural background and having hauled many thousands of bales of hay and straw I see that what you have are bales of straw in the barn. All ready for bedding for the winter. Your thread has been a true inspiration and given much food for thought for my own projects and an incentive to get my own stuff painted.
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And may I ask where you acquired said Bales please?
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Yeah - that colors looks okay. They look good in that barn thingy, too.
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Cheers fellas…..the bales (I think you are right JB, are definitely more straw than hay….but that’s what they are sold as 🤔) are from Anyscale Models. You should use your Agra background to knock up a few bits for sure!
Btw…I put in a Wanted add, but if anyone has any of the chickens from the Warlord plastic sprue going begging, please contact me on pm? Ta.
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Anyway, not entirely sure I got the colour right but bales painted.
Hay! Looking good. :D
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Hay! Looking good. :D
Hay, now....
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Those do look the biz.
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Looks nice!
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Cheers fellas…..the bales (I think you are right JB, are definitely more straw than hay….but that’s what they are sold as 🤔) are from Anyscale Models. You should use your Agra background to knock up a few bits for sure!
Btw…I put in a Wanted add, but if anyone has any of the chickens from the Warlord plastic sprue going begging, please contact me on pm? Ta.
Can't help with the Chickens I'm afraid but the look and colours of the bales are great Digits and it was in no way a criticism and realistically Hay is a lot finer than straw and at that scale would look like boxes with string. Nice job all the way round, I just wish I had your imagination.
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Don’t sell yourself short fella! 😉
Ok, another set of finished walls to add to the collection….not sure where I got these ones from though!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/CA7A9EB1-FEC2-424E-ACFD-6C06153DC01D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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And another barn from Grand Manner. A little on the small size but as it’s medieval in origin, that’s fine. Crappy pics but you get the idea.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B9FB93E7-EFA2-4BDC-ADE2-846030A20933.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/9DAF0EBC-CA0E-4260-B819-DF64D5D7851C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/F9AFBBDC-2B5C-4EC6-AEA1-CBB95EF9B1E4.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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More lovely stuff David.
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Cheers fella…..slightly better pics.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8AC6D3E8-6133-4108-B6E3-0965BDD7795B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/74739BB9-4691-4043-9A8E-A02523DD9095.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B8373CA8-570B-4390-A705-9FEC813FF30F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EB85E1E0-EB4D-4BDF-8579-18D5BD0FCACD.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And work started on what will be my final barn. This one is a printed two part that I’ve glued together and started on the plasterwork. Should look a bit better painted!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/2E8A2306-AEED-4F17-9162-A3ACFDD6F2EC.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Thinking on other ideas….I’ve a mind to make some pig pens and possibly but a model silo…or make one, not decided yet.
Edit: ready for painting
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/4F702712-DAC2-44D5-96C6-F7F51DC99998.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Also working on a wall section with espalier fruit trees, and the lean to as an orangery. A little bit too artsy perhaps? I don’t care.
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Doing a bit more walling. To make it a bit more interesting, I’m doing this brick wall as maybe the walled enclosure of a posh residence or well to do farmer. This is the first part, the orangery! Yup, more akin to making a dolls house perhaps, but I like the detail it adds!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3E6A5821-FDF4-434D-A00C-22A8A92D503F.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/1D54403F-1ABE-44AF-BA38-4FC8EA220C53.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Continually brilliant work! 👍
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Thanks Grumpy.
Some espalier trees!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/01473FB8-0FFD-4D7A-A276-847C99F498B7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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David
You scaled down garden centre is coming on well. lol
Great work chap, keep it up.
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Superb attention to detail
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Thanks!
So the whole bit of walling together. I still need to buy some low walls to match to extend this but I think a good addition to the miles of walls, fencing, hedge lines etc I already seem to posses….but you can’t ever have enough!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/B8600170-65C2-473F-AC35-B1DC6694D216.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3F11578F-084B-4FBE-9748-20BD2A457E4E.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/495D4633-9FEA-4597-AA2D-0D0318C10778.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Very nice job with both.
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He ‘s a bit good our Dave.
He makes all of his scenery look characterful and real.
This wall painted by most would look great, but Dave’s scenery looks great and tells a story.
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Crikey Digits! This is some excellent work and great inspiration for "Godfrey's Cottage" I'm in the process of. Where do you get the trees, plants etc?
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Many thanks fellas.
Jamie….all the better for our games. I’m lucky I can play on your great tables too so just returning the compliment!
JB….the ivy in the corner is by AK Interactive. The plants in the plant pots are simply tufts available anywhere and the foliage on all fruit trees is Woodland Scenic olive green.
The trunks and branches are cut from an artificial flower and re purposed. All fruit is painted coriander seed. Hope this helps. There are a few gardens back a dozen pages or so, that have various fruit and veg ideas you could use?
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For shits and giggles, I just totted up my walls and fencing.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/BB742473-DA52-4134-9E91-73BBFC7A08CF.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
A. Security Fencing, Woodland Scenic kit bashed 64”
B. Barbed wire defences 24”
C. Log / Stake fencing, Rubicon 68”
D. Plank fencing, Rubicon 108”
E. Wire Fencing scratched 96”
F. Brick Walling, Debris of War 30” ( another 48” on order)
G. High plastered walls, Empress 84”
H. Plastered walls, unknown 40”
I. Stone walls, Warlord 96”
All in all that’s 55 feet of liner obstacles and that doesn’t include all my tree lines / hedgerows from Last Valley which would be about another 12 feet…..so 67 feet in total!
I may be feeling a little insecure……lol
Edit: I forgot I have Bocage ( Last Valley ) and both dry stone walls and TBM walls yet to paint….plus the walling and fences I’ve already made into gardens and stockades….and a load of “peninsular” walling from Grand Manner….so lord knows…probably another 14 feet on top of this…..I need to lay down!
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Finished painting the printed barn. With so many openings on this one…it will be like attacking a porcupine!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/7C5F8137-2EE4-47FF-9CAD-CDA65AD5D0D7.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/EFC64ADA-C049-41A5-8769-3A602772544D.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/3275D170-7D80-470F-9340-A09DF11F159C.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Those look really great!
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More niceness David.
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Lovely job David.
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Lovely terrain! I love the foliage!
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David, you are gathering far too much nice scenery, now I know
that storage is a BIG worry for you, so (in order to help) I think
you should give away a load of it...
I am willing to take a lot of it, just to help you you understand. :D
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Might I ask where the printed barn was from? I scrolled back but must have missed it? It looks great..
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Cheers…it’s a part of the farm set from Highlands Print on eBay. The whole set looks cool but I only wanted the barn.
Pete….thanks for the offer, very generous of you. 🤨
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Thanks for that.
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My pleasure…now go buy the farm and show us the true potential of the set! 😉. Joking aside, I feel it’s pretty good value as a set, it’s just that I have plenty of the buildings and walls already in other guises. For rural farmsteads, it would effectively be the centre piece of a few battle boards and the different configurations it can be built as I feel are interesting.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334384208144?var=543381515277
It’s worth checking out their shop though…..whilst looking for this link, I see they’ve added a lot more stuff. Could cost me a fortune…..
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This is such an inspirational thread, Digits. Well done!
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Thanks fella, I’m chuffed you think so.
Nothing major but my other walls from Debris of War arrived. Bloody good job I’ve taken to writing down my paint scheme choices!
These walls have character, do check them out.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/8A134963-3F9F-4152-872D-92A4F4232639.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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lol Wise words indeed. I have recently had a couple of episodes of 'I'll just add a bit to that and I'll paint up a few more of those' only to realise that I've got only the vaguest recollection of how I painted the previous items.
Beautiful walls and fences. Don't do vines and espaliered trees it will only lead to the madness of topiary. I've two passionfruit twenty feet apart that are mutually and inexorably feeling their way to a perfect union.
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Hmmm…topiary…..🤔
The writing down of paint schemes is a sad fact I’m getting old tbh…..the memory isn’t what it was!
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Hmmm…topiary…..🤔
The writing down of paint schemes is a sad fact I’m getting old tbh…..the memory isn’t what it was!
Join the club! If those walls vary from your other walls, you can always chalk it up to "A different contractor built it"...
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What an amazing collection of terrain. :-*
It just goes to bloody show how much you do need to do CoC justice.
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It’s been a while since Jamie and I had a battle, so it was good today to catch up.
We have actually played a couple of rounds on our campaign since last posting here but I forgot to do a write up. I will have to find my notes and do a very quick precis at some point for completeness.
Anyway, Jamie had set up a one off game with for us anyway, a little additional narrative.
We were going to use the scenario “ Going with a bang” from the Bltzkrieg 1940 supplement.
My platoon had received notification indicating that some crack 82nd airbourne were advancing on my position operating just North of Gallicshrugville. Their intention to pave a way for an American breakthrough.
My orders were clear. I had to destroy key infrastructure in order to slow any advance down.
As such, the Bridge and the approach road Junction would need expert demolitions placing so as to do most damage.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0010.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The terrain outside the village was pretty flat with hedgerows, with a straight track running South to the bridge. This was going to be tricky with both of us facing challenges.
In my case, not much hard cover to be found, and an as yet untested demolitions attempt that sounded tricky. Jamie had his own issues starting quite far back and only having two admittedly elite, sections plus their supports.
I think Jamie started with a point more force morale than I, and moved first.
I had been assigned a demo team, but knew this would be tricky so with my six support choices, I took a second demo team, a trench, a second Senior leader (really worried this could me messy!) and believing he’d maybe bring a tank, a second panzerfaust team.
He got both sections out quickly so as to get a start on his first objective…stopping me from blowing the crossroads. His first section deploying just behind the stables and the second from the table edge in my right field.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0754.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I had to get something in his way and brought out my first section which went into overwatch
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0755.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
And was then lucky to get my first Demo team on the crossroads, into a prepared dugout. They had to amass 6 pips on th3 dice before they could attempt to detonate. They managed I think 3 on their roll……going to take a tad longer….
In the first few phases, I had quickly rolled a batch of fives …..one more and I’d have my first CoC dice.
Jamie then deployed an M8 greyhound. I think he’d thought it would face down the road to secure or prevent my use of the jump off somehow, nut as this track was a bit tough going, it wasn’t able to speed up too quickly. Unable to see anything, it didn’t fire.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0753.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
He also started pushing his sections forward in support.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0752.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
A senior officer started to manoeuvre a mortar team and a .50cal to the left of the stables….starting to mount a little pressure. The panzer grenadiers would have liked to use a panzerfaust on the armoured car…but it was out of range….
My very next throw and I had the elusive CoC………using it straight away, I ambushed….and a panzershreck popped out of a hedge, and as my most trustworthy of weapons is want to do, hit the greyhound first time of asking, blowing it up before disappearing back to where they came from!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0007.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Th3 .50 cal made it to the hedgerow in my left field…..and only my left hand team had it covered putting a little shock on it, before it responded and winged my junior leader, along with killing another.
The gloves were off and the grenadiers found themselves in a gunfight with the .50 cal and the emerging section. On top of that, the 50mm mortar had found their range and he started dropping in too. His extra dice telling, rolling double sixes and retaining the phase was starting to hurt.
The demo team, safe in their foxhole, continued setting the charges with the encouragement of my leader who was positioned behind them….ready to sprint back to the bridge.
The combined weight of fire had now started chewing up the grenadiers……but finally, the engineers had their charges set………and moved back ready to detonate.
The grenadiers, crumbling under the intense fire, broke, running straight though the retreating demo team as they hit the button. There is a 4 in 6 chance it would blow on first trying and a pleasing blast churned up the junction! 😁
The demo team also broke and the leader high tailed it backward, over the hedge and started setting the second team who had now arrived to setting the charges under the bridge.
I was however down a section and one of my precious demo teams….☹️
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0763.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds) (https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0763.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds).
Jamie with his extra dice, had stared ammasing CoC dice and used one to rout both elements.
My morale was plummeting…..I was down to four dice.
TBC
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So this time, the bridge needed 12 pips to set the charges…..my first roll 3 😕.
Both my sections were on overwatch on the far banks of the stream, against the hedge. The right hand section would see no action unfortunately, but the left hand one was to come under an impressive amount of attention. The .50cal had made it across and started firing…but with a second interrupting CoC dice, I was able to send it packing. I now had two sections firing on my left hand position. Jamie’s sole intent was to whittle down my morale…..knowing I would not be able to amass the pips quickly enough…..
My return fire was quite accurate and I managed to hit and kill a senior leader who was commanding both sections simultaneously…….tough odds that one!
The demo team was slowly getting there…up to 8 pips….
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0766.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
More heavy fire though….and my junior leader was hit….twice…..his death knocking the stuffing out and I was down to one point of morale….able only to throw two dice!
The weight of fire pinned my section……
I rolled…….needing a four or a one to activate the engineers…..nope…..five and a three!
Then Jamie rolls two sixes….he’s going to pummel me! If he can break this section…..I’m finished.
The dice gods……favouring me somewhat…..reduce the incoming hits (being pinned really helps)….and I am close to breaking point.
I get the pips…..the charges are set……but will I get a chance to detonate. Surely, Jamie has this………he only needs to add a couple of points of shock…….but one final glimmer of hope…..and he falls one point of shock short of breaking me!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0773.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I now need a one or four again….yes….a one. The engineers, realising how desperate the position is, hit the button whilst still under the bridge…along with my leader……..and the detonation is good!
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0774.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Their sacrifice noted….battle won!
That was a very exciting game….great narrative and really went to the wire!
Jamie unfortunately realised afterwards that he could have dropped my morale earlier when he had an opportunity to end the turn with a CoC dice and capture the jump off point I’d abandoned at the cross roads…but hey…this is war….crap happens!
Great game, great bacon butties!
If you haven’t tried this scenario, do so.
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Entertaining AAR David. Sooooo close Jamie, maybe next time?
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The odds were he should have just squeezed this…….it was so close as to be untrue at the end but I had jammy dice for sure. We worried a little about balance at first but as I said, the narrative and turning points of the game made for a very entertaining days gaming!
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Well done. Nice write up.
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made for a very entertaining days gaming!
That is a good result. :)
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Knight's Crosses for the demo team and the Senior Leader? Posthumously obviously...
Nice battle and report, very gripping. Well done!
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Cheers guys. Yup, definitely gongs for the engineers…….the officer probably didn’t know what hit him! Lol
Bought a few marsh pieces from Last Vally to go with pond. These will be useful for this as well as Infamy. Jamie handed me a large piece of Teddy bear fur too, so I have no excuse now as I need to make some hills…….something I’m sadly missing.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_4370.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Enjoyable battle report, thanks for taking the time to write it up.
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Thank you sir!
So, one of the things missing from my games has often been height in the terrain.
Jamie game me a fair sized piece of teddy bear fur, so I thought I’d do a test hill to see if it would work…… I think so!
A couple of 25mm hard foam pink boards. I need to get better at carving it, but it seems to be ok. I need to bevel the next ones a little better at the bottom.
I may need to weather it in a tad more but I’m ok with it.
Trees sit nicely on it too so yes, me think it works….now I need to make a few more.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0798.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0800.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Bringing wargaming to new heights. :D
Well done David.
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Thanks!
Made a couple more.
Quick step by step.
I use pink insulation board (blue works the same) as it is rock solid and good to work.
I’m not making these too high as the fur finds it harder to sit well and at 50mm high, these are tall enough for a standard table.
So, one piece glued on top of another with pva. First thing is to rough cut your fur to fit
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0806.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then glue it down using pva on both surfaces. I did this one quickly so found using a bit of superglue dabbed on at strategic corners and edges helps too.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0808.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I then glue down a “scree” with sand / stone mix.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0809.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Once dried, brush out using pet brush, spray with white primer as this will mean using a little less colour eventually.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0810.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then paint as you like.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0812.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
As you can see, I have three thus far. May make another one for myself and one for Jamie.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0813.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_0815.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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The hills are alive, with the sound of....gunfire.... :D
Nice hills, by the way. Well done. The marshy stuff looks good too...
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Very nice work ad inspiration to get my hills made.
Of course now we know how to get a rise out of you. :D
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Very nice indeed. Where are you finding your pink foam? I can't find it anywhere with the local DIY stores.
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Amazon.
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Came to LAF to see what was up and my usual visit points were just not catching my interest. What to do? See what that crafty feller Digits is up to? And, yup, he is once again building to inspire. Nice hills. Really like the idea of the white undercoat on the fur. The greens work well. Are you using an air brush or rattle cans?
Thanks.
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Cans….all from Halfords (car parts store)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_4379.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
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Those hills look great.
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Cheers all. Simple to make tbh. Not sure WHY I hadn’t done any before now! Lol
I need to make one for Jamie and one mid sized one for myself then I’m done……these will take up valuable storage unfortunately!
My next terrain project will be Eastern Front so in another thread.
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Thanks, Digits. No idea if you have the same variety in the UK but over here in the US the color variety in rattle can spray paints has exploded in the last ten years - at least within my knowledge base. Between auto stores, hardware stores, and craft stores there is a very wide array of colors, though not as much in flat as I would like, sometimes have to settle for satin and hit with matte medium to dull it down.
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these will take up valuable storage unfortunately!
You could store them at my house David. :D
Of course I'll take them out every so often...to test they still work. lol
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Mr Smith….you are all heart lol
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Thanks, Digits. No idea if you have the same variety in the UK but over here in the US the color variety in rattle can spray paints has exploded in the last ten years - at least within my knowledge base. Between auto stores, hardware stores, and craft stores there is a very wide array of colors, though not as much in flat as I would like, sometimes have to settle for satin and hit with matte medium to dull it down.
To be fair, there are quite a few her3 too. Halfords auoto parts etc ones in particular have quite a range of Matt paints. They are not as expensive as say Games Workshop / Army painter but to be honest, spraying this teddy bear fur takes a LOT of paint.
Final surface dry brushing with a variety of light greens etc from your paint box helps too.
Peter…thanks for your kind offer, but I’m afraid I will pass this time 😉
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Peter…thanks for your kind offer, but I’m afraid I will pass this time 😉
:'( :'( :'(
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Been a while since I have seen this thread
great stuff loads of inspiration :-* :-* :-*
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Not sure why, but I forgot to put up the last couple of reports from our Martlet campaign.
Anyway, last Saturday we played the fifth game, this time on map 3 - ATTACK ON THE HAUPTKAMPFLINIE.
After working up our campaign losses and standings, and Jamie sorting his replacements, it was time to tackle this one, the scenario being an attack on an objective. The target being to take and hold the crossroads.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_4465_mywffrVhuFXZietbqTxM6B.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
View from my side of the table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_4466_7LJ3ijPwrDDkXwe2mu4kLP.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Jamie will at some point in the campaign at his choosing get a fresh platoon, whereas I will get a replacement platoon on the next map. Therefore I realise I can afford to loose a few men here and if there is a chance to remove a few more British troops, I MAY just get to force his hand earlier than he’d hope.
However, not going to be too easy for either of us. I have a depleted platoon, I’m down one MG team and I am trying to break in a new nco. Yes I do have a panzer IV H and seven points of support. I choose to spend them on another Panzer.
Jamie is down two thirds of a section but has 20 points to spend. As usual, he chooses to take the AVRE, plus a 4th section, adjutant, another PIAT and a forward observer.
I rolled high on the morale table, Jamie not so and he only managed two free moves at the outset of the patrol phase so not a bad start for me.
The orientation of the village affords little or no usable hard cover with a facing towards the enemy but to be fair…with the AVRE on the table, it wouldn’t be safe sat inside anyway!
Despite some players adopting a 30” max range and choosing not to be able to hit moving tanks ( the AVRE petard in reality was notoriously difficult to aim) we were using it per the stats which meant it’s a fairly useful anti tank platform! Without my usual panzerschreck, I would be reliant on the panzer guns and three panzerfaust distributed to my platoon, one per section.
My plan for this one would be fairly straight forward. Ensure all my jump off points were far enough back to avoid them being taken, and curb my usual aggressive play style by keeping my infantry undeployed for as long as possible to see how the attack would develop.
I would be relying on the two panzers to try and inflict a few casualties and hope their armour would protect them from the inevitable barrage….
What developed was a cagey advance from the British. For a while it seemed that the reluctant Tommies just didn’t want to move whenever Jamie rolled their dice.
The advance was so slow that we were both amassing the fives and the inevitable CoC dice.
I did however get the tanks on the table.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1040_dKjdQHUmYn2rtF1FdMrdfx.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1038_p1iZiH1WfKgGoGrJMSYrze.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1035_dyMPTGwHJyn9NfgW5GxUen.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
One senior leader was coordinating the attack down the main road whilst the other was advancing through the walled gardens, ordering his mortars to keep popping smoke to block fields of view and protect the advance.
The radio operator managed to whistle up a few spotting rounds and then I rolled triple sixes ending the turn. Smoke and markers were removed and I had a target so an infantry section opened up their MG’s from the hedgerow near the greenhouses inflicting a causally or two and pushing the British heads down behind the brickwork.
A misunderstand on my part on the rules ended the forward observer’s fire mission (he’d only fired spotting rounds thus far) though to be fair, I had enough CoC dice at that point to end it had it come in hard anyway…(.one to watch for future).
One Panzer pushed up and ended up being shot by the AVRE….but it failed to damage, as indeed did the return shot from the panzer.
After that, being wary of the piat team in the brickwork AND his AVRE, I moved the first panzer up and left to go though the woods whilst the other moved right to try and get a sneaky shot on the flank of the road attack.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1042_g3U33qFdP7qqKpVs93mJM9.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The panzer moving through the woods became the target of an ambush from a second piat team but was lucky to have it clang harmlessly away.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1047_ksyitt2ixgZt91KRf3HymY.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
This however shook my nerve and the second panzer failed to come out from its position on the right of the table for the rest of the game for fear of being ambushed itself! Too many CoC dice kicking about!
The British consolidated into the walled garden to avoid the tank on my left.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1044_xic74wi4JTrqiNZCezhU8k.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
Then the AVRE rolled down towards the junction, leaving his support infantry far behind.
However, in my first ever actual use of a panzerfaust, a team popped up and ambushed it from point blank range, killing the gunner and rattling the tank so that it pulled back….
More smoke had started being deployed and Jamie pushed his support section deep between the buildings to attack the area in front of the greenhouses.
I opted to deploy a section into the stables to the side of this section ready to open up on the exposed section, but Jamie used another CoC dice and interrupted before I could fire. Instead of retreating, he ran them forward, around a corner and straight into combat with a depleted section I had there!
In the ensuing melee…..I managed to inflict a lot of casualties on the British section, loosing all but my junior leader in the process!
It became apparent that this was going to result in a stalemate at best, and the British, now with their morale down to four, decided to withdraw to lick their wounds and no doubt come back stronger!
It remains to be seen whether the British will hand over the reigns to another platoon to finish the job, or come up with a cunning plan to oust me. I Have 5 permanently missing guys, 1 temp and a junior leader not yet accepted by his men so I’m down one section.
Jamie has 10 permanently missing and 1 temp. Effectively he’s also down a section.
He will get plenty of support points to try again however and knowing him, he will be strategising already on how to win the next game! 😉
I will need to hold my nerve I suspect, and look to the dice gods!
Edit:
Due to the Germans unexpectedly slowing down the Brits, I just realised I will not be able to use the wildcard “Punch from Wünsche“ to counter attack later in the game! 🙁. I was looking forward to that too…..
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Just caught up with this Dave, great job on the hills.
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Cheers fella.
Ok, game 6. The British are still trying to force their way through the main German defensive line at Fontenay.
Worried about the losses sustained so far, the Brits pull their troops out to be replaced with a freshly brought up platoon.
The Germans don’t have that luxury, and have to hold with what they have.
Dice rolls at the outset are very much in my favour. I roll high on force morale, Jamie low, and to further thwart him, he only rolls for two advances in the scouting phase.
I am down to two depleted sections for this one, a panzer IV and 7 points of support. Having struggled to make two tanks work for me before, I opted to spend points on a sniper, a small rifle section with junior leader and an adjutant. This later point was wasted as it happens.
Jamie had a fresh platoon and 21 points of support *parrrrrp*
My biggest hope was to inflict losses against this new platoon before loosing the table.
As this is turn 6…..I have lost the option to use the wild card counter attack later in the campaign. A shame as I was looking forward to using a pair of panzer Vs and had bought the half tracks especially for this. Maybe we can fight that game after the campaign conclusion?
Anyway, on with the game.
I just want to post this. These are Jamie’s notes taken through the game. I want simply highlight the ridiculous number of times double or more sixes were thrown but both sides when rolling the command dice! First time either of us had thrown a quad six…..though it turned out to be a damp squib….but in a more dynamic game, this would have been carnage!
Jamie's notes
“Dave rolls a double phase
Dave then rolls four sixes.
Pre game barrage gone and he has a CoC dice
I then deploy three squads and drop smoke
Dave rolls 64443 does nothing
Jamie moves up two of his sections and brings in a ranging shot on the road.
Dave rolls 63322 and moves tank
Barrage comes down more smoke deployed units move up.
Dave ends turn.
Dave’s roll is 11224 sniper fires at FOO and puts shock on 2”mortar
Dave deploys a unit near the barn and fires at the unit in the open. SL injured. 4 dead and 4 shock. Tank rotates to change direction
66311 battery is available smoke is placed. Churchill moves down road
66542 sections move up barrage activated
Churchill crosses hedge to left flank
Dave 32211 sniper misses. Tank moves up really fast!
Jamie rolls 66332. Small unit movement and shock removal.
55432 barrage wipes out 2 sections. More shock removal and a section moves up. Dave has a JL wounded and is only remaining man in that section
66653 tank moves up. Turn end.
66555 full CoC dice now
55442 moves line JL back lots
66541 moves up places smoke
22211 Churchill moves up section on right does too
55521 small rifle section of five appears and throws a grenade and opens up. JL wounded by grenade. 9 shots all no effect!
64311 light mortar fire ineffective unit fires back. 2 shock.
Dave rolls 33111 sniper kills off a 2”mortar team. Morale down to 4
Jamie rolls 5411 puts shock in small unit.
Spends a CoC dice fires again and pins small unit.
65111 2nd CoC dice.
Jamie withdraws and section three lose 3 men and on JL next campaign turn
Also two men dead.”
Long and short of it….the Brits set up a heavy machine gun, an artillery spotter and light mortar to cover three deployed sections as they approach the chateau and its important crossroads.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_4628.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
I had been covering the road with my panzer.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1649.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
My sniper was pretty active through the game, but only managed to take out a couple of 2” mortar firers despite their being a selection of officers and forward observers available!
The artillery spotter successfully brought in a barrage on target twice in the game was ended once by my playing a CoC dice and once again by the rolling of all those sixes. They were in contact with the battery a third time too but by then the infantry had moved up too close for it to be a comfortable choice to bring down.
The section and senior leader moving to my left flank looked awfully tempting and I declared a section of two mg’s a tad early, inflicting injury on the SL, with four more dead and four shock.
One of those barrages though effectively wiped out my section, the only survivor being my junior leader!
The surviving Brits climbed into the walled garden.
I moved my panzer, indecisively left, then right ( looking for opportunity to use it) and this allowed the Brits to rush a Churchill down the road which then veered to its left to support the two sections moving though the field on my right.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/b76/DigitsDavid/IMG_1654.jpeg?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds)
The remenants of the British section, proved too tempting for me, and I deployed my rifle support section such that they could lob a grenade which injures the JL, then sprays them with bullets……missing every single one of them! In return they get pinned by combined small arms fire and he rounds from the two small mortars. My sniper finishes off one of the mortars as I said, and their morale drops to 4.
I decide to bring in my final section as I see a chance to hit another section in their flank behind a hedge over the road….but Jamie then declares they are pulling out!
It seems I had fixated on a support section, not part of his core force. So in truth I had knl6 inflicted a couple of kills that would count.
The sections dashing back to their start positions mostly made it back unscathed with a small handful getting lost en route.
I had managed to hold them up once more. After all the end of game rolling, the following stats were determined.
British finish.
1 permanent loss, 4 temp. New JL with one action to stand in for temp loss JL)
CO +1
MO +1
22 points of support to play next game.
German finish
8 permanent losses, 2 temp. Still have three JLs
CO+3 support +1 point
MO -1
So I get 8 points of support next time.
Jamie is now feeling a little time pressured and I’m wondering how to inflict the maximum damage on the Brits next game. I need to read the signs better and try to hit core units rather than support ones. That one extra point of support does give me ideas though…😉
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Fantastic looking game!
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Yup Jamie puts on a great table!
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Superb! :-* :-* :-*
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Excellent looking game and just noticed the 'hills' and the how to. Thanks for posting that.