Late War Germans - Test Paints

Did some test paints - Panther, Hetzer, various Armoured Cars and Recce elements.

They still need details done and a wash, but I am quite pleased with how they look so far. Command and Recce elements are on the round bases.

Mat Ready!!!

So, some time ago, I was doing some internet browsing, and saw some fantastic game mats. And of course, decided I needed a desert one (Ayyubids, Sasanians, Desert Storm, DAK etc..). They are all individually made, so I ordered one some time ago, Claudio is now telling me it is ready! Hurrah! All I have to do is pay...

http://baueda.blogspot.it/2012/09/6x4-180x120-cm-backdrops.html

Late War German 1/285

So after Thomo and I started comparing sizes, I thought I would haul out the lead and see what was there. I have already painted and based most of my GHQ/CinC Deutsches Afrika Korps, and that's a few thousand points. I also have an Early War German force all in German Grey, which a few substitutions can do either the 39-40 Blitzkrieg, or 1941 Barbarossa.

I started by looking at all the stuff suitable for Italy onwards. I figured I could get away with basing and painting them all sort of similar, and then swapping in and out things like Fallschirmjager and so on, to cover Italy, Normandy and the Eastern Front.

I picked up most or nearly all of this stuff in job lots off eBay or TMP, so there were a lot of oddities, to which I have added bits and pieces when GHQ has had their sales. I also swapped a lot of bits and pieces, because originally I had no intention of building a Late War force, (I didn't want wall-to-wall Waffen SS and Tiger II).

Anyway, I asked Dean at Olympian Games to cut me some 30mm x 30mm bases. Glued the models down using PVA glue, (I like the way that the model sits 'in' the glue, making it look like it has some weight and partially covering tracks and wheels).

For this lot I thought I would try a slightly different painting technique. So I spray undercoated very thoroughly with a cheap flat black spray can. Once this dried, I then oversprayed with a Testors 'Modern Desert Sand' - which is very light in colour. The results have more depth than a single solid undercoat.

Next steps are to apply a tan and a green ambush pattern using very thinned paint. Once this is done, tracks and any tools/details and so on. I will then wash with a very thinned dark brown ink. This will darken up the very pale yellow base to a much more realistic shade. I have in the past used GW Devlan Mud, but this is now hard to get hold of.

Lead Audit part MCCXVIII

Another attempt at working on the lead mountain this afternoon - this time checking out the 1/285 WW2 stuff. Thomo has been working on his Russkis, and my 1941-42 Wehrmacht just aren't going to cut it vs all those T34s and KVs. I knew I had a load of later Germans so it was time to figure out what was there.

So I have been busy gluing schurzen on to Pz III, Stugs and so on.....  Arrghh... Why do they mould them separately?

The real issue is that GHQ and CinC make things in multiple packs, so for example I have ended up with 15 x 8 wheeled armoured cars when I really only need 3 or so. Time to try and do some swaps I think...

Progress!

Well, after a flu, a stint in hospital, I finally got back to my figures. I can't paint as I am supposed to not be sitting up, so I cleaned up the metal Gripping Beast Vikings, and attached spears, weapons and shields.

 I had already attached them to round magnabases, and I rather like the look of them.  Next up some basic sand & rocks basing material, and they will be ready for the undercoat and the challenge of painting 28mm.

Death's Door & WIP

So I have been sick for the last 5 days with the most hideous cold/flu thing I have ever had in my life, and today, though I am still off work, I managed to put in some productive time. A few shots of the WIP. Figures have been cleaned and glued (mostly), although I have deferred adding some of the cast weapons to the Vikings till I sort out a source for spears.

Top to bottom, some junks (Eureka), Sui/Tang Bolt-Shooters (Khurusan), SAGA Vikings of various descriptions (Gripping Beast), and bottom, some Essex Sui Chinese. 

Bondi, Jomsvikings and Ulfedhnar (that's Berserkers to you..)

The junks and artillery, and a stray sailing ship.

Viking Warlord and Scots Chieftain. I really like the Scots Chieftain. I am not confident of my painting abilities in 28mm, but I am looking forward to painting this guy.

The only thing I want to source is some sturdy spears for 25mm figures. The cast ones that come with the Gripping Beast figures will get all bent out of shape in no time. Suggestions welcomed..

New Kingdom Egyptians

I have been painting these for a loooong time. I have an entire 400AP DBMM army of Chariot Miniatures Egyptians, these guys are in the pipeline. Very nice figures.