First foray into the Western Front in 28mm (updated 27 08 23)

[TacticalPainter]

A bit of a back story to the project. I've always been interested in the First World War and my long time board gaming opponent has too. When I returned to miniatures after a very long break I tried to find ways to get him interested. With that in mind about five years ago I bought the Lardies Through the Mud and Blood rules and enough Germans and British 28mm from Great War Miniatures to make up the numbers for each side. Just as I started painting the figures my friend confessed that miniatures was just not for him. He's a counter and hex man and the rather fluid nature of a miniatures table was too much for him to get his head around. So the project stalled and I focussed on my Second World War collection for Chain of Command. However, joining a new club has introduced me to a wider ring of players two of whom are avid players of the First World War and so I finally had my first game using Through the Mud & Blood. Enjoyed it and it gave me the impetus the resuscitate the project and get painting.

So the basic British platoon is as good as done. I'm short a corporal for one section but otherwise I have enough for a full late war platoon that should cover most of 1916-18. The corporal and a few other riflemen are in the paint queue along with a big batch of Germans that include regular infantry and stormtroopers.

As 'big men' is such a key concept in the Lardies rules I've based the officers and NCOs on larger bases and added more terrain.  Here are a couple of officers:



Here are the NCOs






The other ranks are on 25mm bases and the GWM range gives plenty of great characters and enough to make up rifle grenadiers, bombers, rifle men and Lewis teams.










I've decided to try using rare earth magnets in my bases and store the figures on metal letter trays racks. Happy with how that's turned out too.

[flatpack]

They look very nice figures, great start.
Good luck with the Germans.

[vodkafan]

 Hey nice choice of figures TP, great to see you moving up to "proper" scale 

[TacticalPainter]

Hey nice choice of figures TP, great to see you moving up to "proper" scale 

LOL, you’re not paying attention. WWII is the only period I play in 20mm.....

[vodkafan]

LOL, you’re not paying attention. WWII is the only period I play in 20mm.....

That's correct, I only know you from your CoC games. O lordy What other gaming goodness have I been missing? 

[Driscoles]

These Sir, are absolutely brill!

[Captain Blood]

 Very nicely done. Well done 

[armchairgeneral]

They look excellent 

[TacticalPainter]

A bit more from the workbench. I’ve finished painting the remaining GWM British infantry and command figures. They need a good varnish and then I’ll finish off their bases.



I have six of the GWM trench raiders, a lovely set of sculpts with great character. Here’s the first two:



I think these and the officer with the pistol are some of my favourite figures.



While I have other British to do, like a Vickers team, I’m keen to complete enough Germans to begin playing a few games. These are the first two, a bit of a ‘proof of concept’ to make sure I’m happy with the colours, which I am.

[Driscoles]

Still very good 

[Shahbahraz]

Very nice work.. must not be tempted by WW1, must not be tempted by WW1, must not be tempted by WW1...

[Marine0846]

Lovely British.
So well painted.

[Dr. Moebius]

Great painted miniatures. I like your style and details like the dirt and scratches on the helmets.

Thanks for sharing
Alex

[TacticalPainter]

With the core British platoon done, I’ve moved on to the German platoons. That’s a plural as I plan to have a regular platoon and a stosstruppen platoon. Once again these are all Great War Miniatures and the first batch of ten are painted with just the bases to be finished off.

[flatpack]

They are coming over as very well painted figures. Great stuff, well done.