Just to freak you out – and get out of what I’m meant to be doing – another post to bring you up to speed with Distraction No.1 my Puma squadron.
I finally managed to pull out the airbrush and paint some camo onto my Pumas. I’m not the best with the airbrush and it wasn’t working to well by the end of the day but I did finish them.
Next task is to work over the models again, dust them up a bit, (to down play my airbrushing), the D&D them. I also got the Silflor foliage from the States to cover up any of my mistakes.
I’ve also gone out and got a British Armoured Car Squadron to go up against the Pumas. They have been simply put together at this stage and are nowhere near completed as I need to stick loads of gear on them to make them look good.
I was having difficulty because Battlefront don’t make the final version of the AEC III Armoured Car – but yesterday after a bit of searching on the net I found that Old Glory and Skytrex make a version and after a brainwave called my LGS to see if they happened to have any.
They have a couple of drawers of Old Glory stock hidden away, as no one seems to like it much, and I managed to find some AEC III’s there. At no less than 50% off as well. That’s what I call a result.
Now I just need to pick up a couple more things at some point. I’m planning on running a 920 point game on a larger than normal table to give both sides a lot of manoeuvre space. I also want to write up some rules to make this aspect of FoW more interesting.
Have fun…
Friday, May 30, 2008
Finally...
Here comes another one…finally!
Have I been bad? Last time I updated this page was about 3 months ago, just before we left to go to the States. Since then I have been a little busy and more than a bit slack on the blogging front.
I have however completed a few more things for my Sword beach project.
In the States I managed to pick up a small-box-girder bridge (SBG)and two fascines for Churchill AVREs. I have now completed them up to the decal and dirty (D&D) stage – so I should really take some photos. The SBG was particularly painful to finalise as the bridge was much heavier than the tank, so I had to base the AVRE – I’m not really into basing tanks. I also had to fashion the special lugs that attach the bridge to the AVRE. It’s not perfect but I think it looks pretty good. The only problem is when I move the tank, because if I’m not careful the SBG swings off the side of the tank. But hey, I can live with that.
I’ve also finished the 4 M10 3” Wolverines to the D&D stage. They don’t look bad at all, with loads of bags and boxes, some bought, some made by me. They’re a nice unit and look great on the table top.
On the German side I’ve completed, bar some Silfor grass, the 5cm KWK defilade bunker. I’m reasonably happy with how this turned out – the concrete look isn’t perfect, but the pedestal gun mount isn’t bad, and I’m pleased with the gun shield, which I made out of plastic card.
I’ve also made 6 MG Tobruks and 2 basic open gun emplacements, but these have yet to be painted so I won’t go on about them just yet.
I’ve also done a bit of commission work so I haven’t been entirely slack – I just don’t paint fast. Another responsibility has been preparing a new set of articles and intelligence briefings for Battlefront and I’m hopeful to be sending off some by the end of today – in fact I should be working on them rather than writing this.
BIG NEWS
On the bad news front, the June 2008 goal is now completely out the window – obviously. The goal is now June 2009. On the good news front after some discussion with some wargaming friends we are planning on running a Battlegroup tournament next year somewhat set around June 1944 and my D-Day table will be a part of that.
I’ll be aiming to finish my Sword beach project well before then and be able play the proper mission on the table. The basic table will then form the basis of a larger L shaped table which will make a Battlegroup game that much more interesting.
A number of other games will also happen at the tournament and the Battlegroups will be teams of 3 who don’t need to bring anything to the tournie. I’m pretty excited about what I consider to be a pretty unique idea and it will provide added impetus to me to complete stuff. I’ll be supplying all the British and Germans troops and vehicles on the table as well as the terrain.
So I’ve got my work cut out for me and am really looking forward to it.
Hope your all having fun…
Have I been bad? Last time I updated this page was about 3 months ago, just before we left to go to the States. Since then I have been a little busy and more than a bit slack on the blogging front.
I have however completed a few more things for my Sword beach project.
In the States I managed to pick up a small-box-girder bridge (SBG)and two fascines for Churchill AVREs. I have now completed them up to the decal and dirty (D&D) stage – so I should really take some photos. The SBG was particularly painful to finalise as the bridge was much heavier than the tank, so I had to base the AVRE – I’m not really into basing tanks. I also had to fashion the special lugs that attach the bridge to the AVRE. It’s not perfect but I think it looks pretty good. The only problem is when I move the tank, because if I’m not careful the SBG swings off the side of the tank. But hey, I can live with that.
I’ve also finished the 4 M10 3” Wolverines to the D&D stage. They don’t look bad at all, with loads of bags and boxes, some bought, some made by me. They’re a nice unit and look great on the table top.
On the German side I’ve completed, bar some Silfor grass, the 5cm KWK defilade bunker. I’m reasonably happy with how this turned out – the concrete look isn’t perfect, but the pedestal gun mount isn’t bad, and I’m pleased with the gun shield, which I made out of plastic card.
I’ve also made 6 MG Tobruks and 2 basic open gun emplacements, but these have yet to be painted so I won’t go on about them just yet.
I’ve also done a bit of commission work so I haven’t been entirely slack – I just don’t paint fast. Another responsibility has been preparing a new set of articles and intelligence briefings for Battlefront and I’m hopeful to be sending off some by the end of today – in fact I should be working on them rather than writing this.
BIG NEWS
On the bad news front, the June 2008 goal is now completely out the window – obviously. The goal is now June 2009. On the good news front after some discussion with some wargaming friends we are planning on running a Battlegroup tournament next year somewhat set around June 1944 and my D-Day table will be a part of that.
I’ll be aiming to finish my Sword beach project well before then and be able play the proper mission on the table. The basic table will then form the basis of a larger L shaped table which will make a Battlegroup game that much more interesting.
A number of other games will also happen at the tournament and the Battlegroups will be teams of 3 who don’t need to bring anything to the tournie. I’m pretty excited about what I consider to be a pretty unique idea and it will provide added impetus to me to complete stuff. I’ll be supplying all the British and Germans troops and vehicles on the table as well as the terrain.
So I’ve got my work cut out for me and am really looking forward to it.
Hope your all having fun…
Friday, February 22, 2008
Update
Update!
Yes it’s been a little while but the good news is that its been a relatively productive period – and hopefully I’ll be able to provide evidence of this shortly.
In the past 2 and a bit weeks I’ve completed:
6 x Mortar Carriers;
4 x HMG Carriers;
4 x 122mm Howitzers with German Gun Crews (a commission for a friend);
2 x 6 pounder guns
2 x Loyd Carriers;
2 x IS-2s; and
1 x Universal Carrier
Not a significant dent into my Sword Beach Project requirements but I happy with the output at least. The Mortar Carriers, Loyd Carriers and 6 pdrs are contributions to my British Army and the IS-2s will help with my playtesting. The 122mm guns help go towards some big purchases I’ve made lately.
Purchases and other news
My wife and I are leaving next week to go to Hawaii and Seattle and as such I’ve made a few purchases in the States already – some of which will be shipped to a mates place there and one (some books from Amazon) will be shipped start home – to make more room in my luggage.
To help with two articles I’m writing for Battlefront, I purchased four books I hope will turn out to be full of helpful information. I’m also going to look for a couple of others in the US.
I’ve picked up some Silflor grasses and foliage which I’m quiet keen to get my hands on – but what I’m really looking forward to seeing – and it should be waiting for me in the US – is a Land Mark Normandy Village and Farm set. For some reason I just love having, making and painting wargaming terrain and I’m hoping that this set will make my tables just that much better.
For our trip I need to replace my destroyed digital camera and will be buying one this weekend. I’ll have to test it before I go and that test will of course involve miniatures. So we’ll see how it goes…
Have fun…
Yes it’s been a little while but the good news is that its been a relatively productive period – and hopefully I’ll be able to provide evidence of this shortly.
In the past 2 and a bit weeks I’ve completed:
6 x Mortar Carriers;
4 x HMG Carriers;
4 x 122mm Howitzers with German Gun Crews (a commission for a friend);
2 x 6 pounder guns
2 x Loyd Carriers;
2 x IS-2s; and
1 x Universal Carrier
Not a significant dent into my Sword Beach Project requirements but I happy with the output at least. The Mortar Carriers, Loyd Carriers and 6 pdrs are contributions to my British Army and the IS-2s will help with my playtesting. The 122mm guns help go towards some big purchases I’ve made lately.
Purchases and other news
My wife and I are leaving next week to go to Hawaii and Seattle and as such I’ve made a few purchases in the States already – some of which will be shipped to a mates place there and one (some books from Amazon) will be shipped start home – to make more room in my luggage.
To help with two articles I’m writing for Battlefront, I purchased four books I hope will turn out to be full of helpful information. I’m also going to look for a couple of others in the US.
I’ve picked up some Silflor grasses and foliage which I’m quiet keen to get my hands on – but what I’m really looking forward to seeing – and it should be waiting for me in the US – is a Land Mark Normandy Village and Farm set. For some reason I just love having, making and painting wargaming terrain and I’m hoping that this set will make my tables just that much better.
For our trip I need to replace my destroyed digital camera and will be buying one this weekend. I’ll have to test it before I go and that test will of course involve miniatures. So we’ll see how it goes…
Have fun…
Friday, February 8, 2008
Distraction No. 2 - Tiggers & IS-2s
No posts for a while as I still have not purchased a camera and I would like to put photos of my stuff - but alas - not to be.
I have however, just started my new FoW playtesting for Battlefront and had a good defensive battle on Tuesday night at my wargaming club - EMIRS. Great crowd there and its a good atmosphere to play in. Good game, had some good and bad luck and came away with a win.
As a result I've been concentrated on things a little to the east of Sword beach. This has meant putting together my Tigers Marsch set - absolutely beautiful models. I'm hoping to at least spray them this weekend, in case I need to use them next week in my next playtest game. I should be able too field 6 Tigers if necessary.
I've also been putting together a couple of IS-2s. These are my first russian vehicles (apart from a couple of T-34s I used for objectives.
I've also finally picked up some more US stowage so I'll be able to finish off my MMG Carriers tonight and M10s tonight. Quite pleased about that really.
Will put up some more photos next I think.
Have fun...
I have however, just started my new FoW playtesting for Battlefront and had a good defensive battle on Tuesday night at my wargaming club - EMIRS. Great crowd there and its a good atmosphere to play in. Good game, had some good and bad luck and came away with a win.
As a result I've been concentrated on things a little to the east of Sword beach. This has meant putting together my Tigers Marsch set - absolutely beautiful models. I'm hoping to at least spray them this weekend, in case I need to use them next week in my next playtest game. I should be able too field 6 Tigers if necessary.
I've also been putting together a couple of IS-2s. These are my first russian vehicles (apart from a couple of T-34s I used for objectives.
I've also finally picked up some more US stowage so I'll be able to finish off my MMG Carriers tonight and M10s tonight. Quite pleased about that really.
Will put up some more photos next I think.
Have fun...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
MMG Carrier fun
On the weekend I cleaned up my work area and tried to place out on my ready-shelf (where I tend to keep my main project forces to I can easily see them and hopefully be inspired) all the units for this force. I managed to discover a few German bits and peices that with a few quick touch-ups and some rebasing with look top notch.
I also went through all my stowage and started adding it to my remaining 2 M10s, along with the appropriate crew. Just need another Allied stowage set to complete them.
Most fun was had with my 4 MMG Carriers. Did a bit of head-swapping (I hate the fact that BF only supplies the same 3 poses - driver, relaxed chap in front passenger seat, and even more relaxed chap in the back) so I've randomly distributed late war style helmets through the crew. I also repositioned 2 of the vickers MMGs (which I previously had all facing directly forwards) so they look like they are being fired - I cut a seated gunner in half and added him to a standing trunk & legs - if that makes sense - the cut off feet etc until he was the right height. Made up a few green stuff rolls etc and need some bits from the Allied stowage set to complete.
Also need a new MMG Platoon as I've had to 'kill' my remaining two gunners to fit into the back of the Carriers.
Will add pictures on day I swear.
Have fun...
I also went through all my stowage and started adding it to my remaining 2 M10s, along with the appropriate crew. Just need another Allied stowage set to complete them.
Most fun was had with my 4 MMG Carriers. Did a bit of head-swapping (I hate the fact that BF only supplies the same 3 poses - driver, relaxed chap in front passenger seat, and even more relaxed chap in the back) so I've randomly distributed late war style helmets through the crew. I also repositioned 2 of the vickers MMGs (which I previously had all facing directly forwards) so they look like they are being fired - I cut a seated gunner in half and added him to a standing trunk & legs - if that makes sense - the cut off feet etc until he was the right height. Made up a few green stuff rolls etc and need some bits from the Allied stowage set to complete.
Also need a new MMG Platoon as I've had to 'kill' my remaining two gunners to fit into the back of the Carriers.
Will add pictures on day I swear.
Have fun...
87 WHEELS! or Distraction No.1 revisited
Over the long weekend I took my 10 Pumas to a stage that I would be almost happy to game with (in the privacy of my own garage). This means they are about 75% done. So whats not finished - the airbrushed camo, the decals, the crew and some details like handles on tools. It's this last 25% that can sometimes take up heaps more time than you expect, but it does leave you with a great looking model.
It took ages to paint the wheels in simple black - Why? Because as I discovered - there were 87 of the damn things to do. 8 per Puma + 7 more (spare tires) on the backs of the Battlefront Pumas. Very glad that's over.
So... I'm stopping this particular distraction here - at a point where if I have a game coming up where I'd like to use them I can knock them over in a couple of nights.
I also ordered some of the new German decals from Dom's Decals especially for the Pumas so I'll give some feedback on them once they arrive.
Back to D-Day...
Have fun
It took ages to paint the wheels in simple black - Why? Because as I discovered - there were 87 of the damn things to do. 8 per Puma + 7 more (spare tires) on the backs of the Battlefront Pumas. Very glad that's over.
So... I'm stopping this particular distraction here - at a point where if I have a game coming up where I'd like to use them I can knock them over in a couple of nights.
I also ordered some of the new German decals from Dom's Decals especially for the Pumas so I'll give some feedback on them once they arrive.
Back to D-Day...
Have fun
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