Half-Term Holidays

Signing off for a week, it is half-term after all and those with kids will know what that entails :)

Projects to report back on:

• Narvik Wargame (who knows when this will actually [if ever] get done)
• Platoon 20 WW2 British Infantry .. coming along nicely 
• Valiant WW2 American Infantry .. plodding along behind
  
• Revell WW2 German Infantry .. just getting into their stalls
  

Till then happy holidays :)

Narvik (5): The cunning KM plan [Hypothetical Wargame]

Studying his options Captain Von(J) decided that his worst enemy was the complete lack of accurate intelligence. The best the German Naval High Command could offer was to inform that they expected half the Royal Navy to be potentially outside the entrance of Narvik Fjord in less than twenty four hours time.

German Naval Intelligence estimates of Royal Navy strength in the Narvik Region:

Definite Information:

• The flotilla of destroyers identified (5 destroyers, of which 1 was sunk and 1 badly damaged)
  

Probable:

• An Unknown Destroyer Flotilla (4+ destroyers)
• Light Cruiser

Whereabouts unknown:

• Light Cruiser Squadron 4 ships
• Battleship HMS Warspite + destroyer escorts

Possibly within 24 hours steaming:
Three separate RN battlegroups:

• Battlecuiser HMS Hood + 6 Destroyers
• Battlecruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Renown + 4 destroyers
• Aircraft Carrier HMS Ark Royal +  2 light cruisers + 6 destroyers

The unexpected appearance of Royal Navy destroyers in the Fjord had obviously upset the KM Naval Intelligence Community and Staff Planners alike. Previously all these ships had been plotted in Scapa Flow. The clarification that there was five German U-Boats on station, but not where, did not really help him much either. Nevertheless Von(J) determined that if at all possible he would attempt to break out, but was it possible?

Quickly he organised a search plan.in two steps. A small patrol (single destroyer) to the North West of the Fjord as a safety check in a region unlikely to be seeded with RN vessels, which would sweep down to rendezvous with a stronger patrol exploring the South West of Narvik. The second patrol was three destroyers strong and expected to encounter a Royal Navy picket, if any were at all there.This would indicate whether an immediate breakout was feasible as the three destroyers oiling desperately tried complete the process as fast as possible.

Not long after departing, a mere six nautical miles, South West of the fjord the second group encountered a lone RN destroyer on picket. Captain Von(J) immediately ordered the two remaining fully fueled destroyers to sea and the concentration of his forces against whatever the Royal Navy was mustering outside Narvik.

Visibility conditions five nautical miles (twilight)
Sea state - slight swell

Next related post will be of the resulting GQ2 Naval Wargame: Narvik Breakout [Hypothetical]

15mm Early Imperial Romans (4): Lights and Wacky Things

When all is said every DBA army needs is light troops. Obviously suffering from a bit of a chill by the way in which they are hugging their cloaks here are some slingers:

Camp followers, who at a push could double as a Psilio.

Then there is the odds and sods variants that cover all those little tweaks of campaign history. Archers (nice for shooting horses) and a Warband (divide and conquer amongst the enemy tribes as is the Roman way):

There is also the definitive models which mark the DBA army's technology. For the Roman, for me at least, it is the Scorpion artillery piece:

Then there is the plain "wacky" which makes you wonder 'why' - but you still find yourself drawn to paint it. The "tortoise" .. can I use it as a camp? From the front it is impressive:

From the side, it needs a little more protection :(

Remember I did it because it was there. All in all that is my Early Imperial Roman lot! Whew!!! I don't think I'll ever make it to a DBM or Fields of Glory Army list with the Romans.

15mm Early Imperial Romans (3): Mounted Troops

Albeit that the Legionaries were the heart and soul of the legion and the Auxillia could be relied upon to do whatever, whenever without asking questions, the ladies always had an eye for a young man on a horse. Hence we have an over the top display of Roman horsemanship, please note the General's stand in the center, "On my command unleash Hell!":

Scouting ahead of the Legion comes the Light Horse:

Finally a wanton spare in the wanted attention and rather than leave a single Roman figure untouched, knowing full well that it would be a decade before I returned to add or finish the hangers on to this army (by which time the Games Workshop paints would have been well and truly dried out indeed) "Roman on Horse" was commissioned and painted.

A fine fellow he looks too, useful as a messanger or a DBA campaign Roman Army map marker.

Next "Lights and all the other Wacky things" :) 

15mm Early Imperial Romans (2): Auxillia and Foot General

All good legions have heroic foot Generals, the bring and buy purchase gave me the option of several command stands complete with Legion Banners, trumpets and "significantly" pointing generals:

However for those times when a DBA battle calls for a more earthy, grim Centurion as General (or rather commander):

Following in the footsteps of the Legions of Rome we have those of the conquered who aspire one day to be called as Roman through their faithful (unflinching and unquestioning) service. These come as two types the 4Aux:

The there are the 3Aux, as I have an eye to be versatile to cover the Middle Imperial Rome period too, and a partial eye for a DBA campaign where (as a special) I was going to allow cavalry to dismount and fight as foot (in the badlands of Thrace).

Next come the mounted elements :)

15mm Early Imperial Romans (1): Legionaries

My span of wargaming covers the beginning of BC (or the more politically correct BCE - Before Common Era) to future CE (Common Era) 2000+, so to flesh out my other (non-WWII) periods here comes the Romans.

Standing adroitly to attention are the Legions of Imperial Rome, part of an ongoing project to map the Rise and Fall of Rome and her enemies in DBA Armies. Therefore may I present my DBA army of II/56 Early Imperial Rome. The figures are from Warrior Minitures, true to 15mm scale, what they lack in variety of posture they make up for in atmospheric pose.

Romes Imperial Legionaries, more than I need for the DBA army, but they came as a job lot from a wargames Bring and Buy stall:

Seen here in a close up, yes I have been experimenting withe the macro function on my camera :)

"Generals and Auxillia" to follow next :)

Revell German Infantry Figures

With both the British and American infantry painting in full swing it seems natural to turn my attention to their German Infantry opponents. Swaying slightly off the 1944 D-Day theme or rather going from Western to Eastern Europe I decided to use the Revell (mid-war Russian Campaign 1942 "Stalingrad") Panzer Grenadiers. Mainly due to their aesthetic appeal to me, their patient wait of over ten years in darkened cupboards and boxes, plus the simplicity of their "Field Grey" painting scheme.

Shown below are the figures in their "raw" state in the numbers required for a German "Leg" Cross Fire infantry platoon. Remember there are three of these infantry platoons to the "Leg" company.

Shown below are the same selection of figures with the rear boys now to the front. This is a very neat variety of poses and IMHO so atmospheric to the summer of 1942 in Stalingrad.

Other figures from the same pack, useful for the Company Command and Heavy Weapon Platoon are shown below. There is only one omission, in that the figures do not include an 81mm mortar section. However I have a SHQ mortar pack that will fit in nicely, slightly later war but never mind.

The officer looking through the binoculars always strikes me as so sinister. The blackened NCO on the bottom right is using a captured Russian SMG which I thought was a nice touch. The MMG team set up for firing and the MMG team moving will be very useful in certain skirmish rule sets to distinguish between firing eligibility.

This painting batch is slightly different from the Platoon 20 British and the Valiant Americans as the plastic is much softer, which means it needs the watered down PVA treatment which will be interesting! The figures themselves are really nice, but I did take the trouble to remove some ever so fine flash markings as I new they would destroy the look of the figures if I left them as is. My only dislike was the firing MMG team, it looks great but came in four parts. There was the base, the MMG gunner and the No2 (but in two sections/halves) which resulted in a bit of a superglue hell. Luckily the phone did not ring during the process (old joke).

I am hoping to really "factory process" these ones en masse, as I do not believe the figures lose you in detail (as Platoon 20 and Valiant do, in a very nice way) so after a shade undercoat, the base colour and a light highlight I think I will be there. No strange camouflage to worry about and fairly basic black strapping, boots and those water bottles etc. If in doubt make them look dusty and dirty. I have seen plenty of other sites showing these figures in simple but effective schemes :)

Narvik (4): The German Player's Call [Hypothetical]

This is where my mini-naval campaign departs from the historical, as after the Narvik (1), (2) and (3) postings the short-term initiative rests with the German Player Captain Von (J).

The clatter of Enigma exchanges between the German Naval High Command and the Captain Von(J) goes as follows:

------------------------------

To: C-in-C KM from Captain Von(J) Narvik Force
Narvik Situation Report

Local Weather conditions poor, driving snow and poor visibility

Have rebuffed RN destroyer probe of Fjord 18th December

Fierce engagement
1 Enemy Destroyer Sunk (HMS Hotspur)
1 Enemy Destroyer Crippled (Unknown)
Von Roeder (KM) Destroyer Crippled "cannot make return journey, function is now purely of static harbour defence value - disembarking majority of crew to fight as infantry"

Remaining OrBat:
6 Destroyers Fueled
3 Destroyers Fueling

Awaiting your orders
-------------------------------------------------
From: C-in-C KM Forces to Narvik Commander

Your Situation Report is understood
Additional intelligence suggests heavy build up of RN forces in or heading to the Narvik area

Composition unknown but traffic indicates presence of Destroyers, Cruisers and/or Capital Ships
U-25,  U-46, U-48, U-51 and U64 remain on station in Narvik area

[Umpire's Note: not under KM player's control]
No additional KM forces available

Luftwaffe promise long range reconnaissance tomorrow

What are your intentions?
Can you defend Narvik or will you attempt to break out before being trapped?

Von Raeder
-------------------------------------------------
Game Options:

(i) Defend Narvik .. possibly face heavy RN units
(ii) Order immediate break-out (6 Fueled Destroyers)
(iii) Order delayed break-out (9 Destroyers)

(iv) Another Plan

Note to readers, feel free to advise Captain Von(J) as to the merits of his above options and even offer other cunning alternative plans ;)

Am I going MAD? Or is Airfix's WW2 British Infantry really old ESCI?

After my success with the Platoon 20 British Infantry metals I was on the hunt for cheaper plastic packs. I was looking for the Revell ones but I came across the Airfix boys. 

When I was a lad I had purchased Airfix's British Infantry pack (1/72). Not quite as exciting as the German pack (the German guy throwing the potato masher grenade is still a classic, as per the German NCO beckoning his troops forward, you just know he is going to get shot first) but the British PBI were necessary to stem/hold the Grey tide until at least the Airfix British paratroopers (or Americans if you are being funky) dropped on them, or rather behind them. So with a deep pang of nostalgia I picked this familiar box illustration up (a 'new' release packet from Airfix?) and off the hobby shop shelf. I smiled at the familiar front cover, isn't that a Richard Todd lookalike on the front?

Then I looked at the back and froze in bewilderment.

These figures were not Airfix's. The poses were not right and nor did they match the artistry on the front, but they were vaguely familiar. ESCI, I am sure of it, their British Infantry. Is anyone else of the same opinion? I put them back on the shelf and moved on muttering to myself, dark things about, "Is nothing sacred?" and wondering "Does Italeri have the Airfix molds now?"

Breaking News: Courtesy of a Google Search on "Airfix british infantry esci"

The boys and girls at the Airfix Tribute Forum have covered this mystery already (in almost far too much detail) but I am too lazy to un-type the above. So I am apparently not MAD but as the wife says just rather SAD ;)

Second Platoon (20) of British Infantry "move out" (or off the painting tray)

Following closely on the heels of the First Platoon come the Tommy Second Platoon (and looking remarkably similar pose-wise to the First Platoon at that). Here they are stalking through the Normandy undergrowth together:

From another angle:

And another angle:

And yet another angle:

Those of us who like counting numbers will see that I have actually painted twenty three figures, which is technically two and a bit platoons. The third batch/platoon is now on the stocks which should finish off the basic infantry allotment for a company :)

Many a Normandy or Late War scenario now beckons. With that also note the (Valiant) Americans are already well in progress, so it is time to start thinking about some German opponents, the Revell Panzer Grenadier plastic are favorite at the moment. Also I think the Brits need a bit of Churchill or Cromwell armour support section, not to mention their trusty support weapons (the latter [Vickers HMG, 2" and 3" mortars] would fall into the 'new aquisition' category and require a postal delivery) and not to forget a Bren Carrier or two.

The Painting Tray

Time for a reflective overview of my current painting table projects. Behold my current realm of self-imposed chaos and madness:

Can you spot these above?

• The "unmoved" and long "untouched" Metal Morian Goblins [Top Middle]
  
• The WWII allied infantry phalanx Yanks and Tommies [Middle Middle]
  
• The Single Engined RAF Fighter Project (Hurricane and Defiant) lying in wait. Worry not they will get done, when I get the "aircraft itch and I am off, otherwise I best leave them alone or disaster will follow [Top Left/Middle]
  
• A German WWII Hetzer, how did that sneak in? [Middle Left]
  
• 15mm Ancients (Cavalry: From Xyston,  Sythian [2LH], Spartan [3Cv] and Athenian [3Cv]; all from a winded project long halted but will resume) [Top Right]
  

Also of note the new feature of the ever growing Vallejo paint pile [Bottom Left] (hmm, nice); handy tip from the nice man in the shop store flat so it is easier to shake and mix the pigments together (we'll see if it works)

Valiant's Multi-Pose GI's Figures

I had to face facts. I was avoiding the dreaded task of cutting out the the arms and torsos off the Valiant plastic sprue. It was one of those things that was something worse in thought than in doing, so with a sigh I gently picked up a craft knife. The result being the figures in gray below (with an escort of Platoon 20 British Infantry)

There that was not so bad, I said to myself. Mostly good in fact, although it took longer than I expected, and a few of the poses look a bit questionable, though let's see how they paint up. The two GI's with guns slung to the left could perhaps have been done better (somehow?). Another view of the same thing below:

In the background you can see my second squad of British Platoon 20 infantry have advanced to the "shades" stage. But look:

This angry man wants attention! A metal Morian Goblin, I avert my eyes and go do some housework instead, it's just a mental thing with me at the moment, akin to writers block, figure "brush freeze" :(

Note to Self: British Infantry Painting Guide (1941-1945)

Although specifically this is meant for my Platoon 20 WWII late-war (D-Day+) British Infantry project, I think it will be probably valid for all post France 1940 BEF European theater metal British Infantry I will do. In fact (still to be confirmed) the BEF will probably just have a bit more Khaki equipment on them

Sequence:

Preliminary Phase (often rushed and bits lazily forgotten about)

• Wash Figure in soapy (detergent based) water
• Remove Flash (I regret this if I forget it)
• Change Water (To honour the monks of Vallejo, although to my shame I still do not use "distilled" as they have recommend)
• Base figure individually
• Basic terrain ground on base
• Undercoat metal figure (probably Games Workshop Black or Scorched Brown, this may change to a cheaper alternative)

• Basic terrain shade of Brown (Watered down Anita's Acrylic, used to date: Bark Brown, Burnt Sienna, Chocolate Brown - maybe with a bit of Black thrown in)
  

Base Coverage (of basic colour to area)

• Tunic and Pants (Vallejo: English Uniform)
• Webbing, Pack and Puttees (Vallejo: Khaki)
• Helmet (Vallejo: Russian Green)Boots (Anita's Acrylic: Black)
• Dark Shade of Flesh: (Anita's Acrylic: Bark Brown, alternatively used GW Dark Flesh)
• Guns: (Anita's Acrylic: Metallic Black)
• Note (2014/05/22) Mortars, HMG and PIATs should be painted "Tamiya Olive Drab Green" rather than 'shiny' metals

Shading

• Black-wash figure for shading : (My preference instead of inking, is a weak wash of black, Anita's Acrylics Black, most effective for Webbing details and adding shadows)
• Also black-wash base with with Anita's Acrylic: Black
  

Highlights and Details (or rather how far will I bother to go? Sounds many layers, but in reality it is a bit of a fiddle about phase)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Tunic and Pants again (Vallejo: English Uniform)
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: English Uniform + Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow, which is a weak whitish yellow)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Webbing, Pack and Puttees again (Vallejo: Khaki)
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: Khaki +  + Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow [again, yes well it was handy on the painting table])
• Final Highlight, just a dab here and there (Anita's Acrylic: Lemon Yellow)

• Highlight base colour again: prominent Helmet (Vallejo: Russian Green
• Lighten (feather) area of highlight (Vallejo: Russian Green + Tamiya Yellow)

• Boots (Anita's Acrylic: Black)
• Lighten with a touch of Gray (I have been using GW: Codex Grey) mixed with Anita's Acrylic: Black)

• Flesh: (Anita's Acrylic: Bark Brown or GW: Dark Flesh mixed with GW: Dwarf Flesh or Vallejo: Flat Flesh)
• High light: Mix in Anita's Acrylic: Dusty Peach [May have to add a white - don't think so though]
  

• Guns: (Anita's Acrylic: Metallic Black + GW: Bolt Gun Gray) - Note: Very light touch required here 
  
• Gun Stocks, Top of Bayonet and the Wooden Axe handle[?] on back of pack (GW: Scorched Brown, then highlight GW: Bestial Brown - This will change to an Anita's Acrylic/Vallejo equivalent soon )
• Bayonet holder (Anita's Acrylic: Black, then GW: Bolt Gun Metal for top and bottom clasp)

High Level Detailing

• Insignia markings: A point yet to be explored!! (Watch this space)
  

Final Terrain Detail/Flocking

• White Highlight: Dry Brushed over base
• PVA Glue and Flock
• [Note: Don;'t rush this bit - leave to dry]
  
• PVA Glue and small batches of Static Grass
  

And I really should varnish them now !!!! [TBC]


The End (sigh, ah Bisto!)

Contrails over Japan: B-29 Super Fortress 1/144 Scale

When I was a kid the prestigious sign of model madness was having the bright silver 1/72 Airfix Super Fortress hanging from your bedroom ceiling, or nestling atop of your wardrobe (perhaps shamefully broken into several pieces by an unappreciative sibling/mother), or even cluttering up most of the desktop that was supposed to be for doing your homework on (well s*d 'x' and algebra!).

I never quite made the grade, I had the B-17 Flying Fortress but never the B-29 Super Fortress, perhaps it was a Pacific thing and I was more European focused, Dunkirk to D-Day. However in my second childhood I can come close to model madness thanks to Minicraft:

Sadly too big to fit sensibly in my camera frame using my novice technique!

The wargaming potential for the B-29 is even more restricted than the B-17, despite my possession of a couple of 1/144 scale Zero's. No I think I have this one for pure gawp factor.

Note: My other crazy model wish in 1/144 scale is the B-52 Cold War bomber, which by my reckoning would push the 1/72 Super Fortress for the same amount of bedroom ceiling/desk space. I'm still selling my 1/96 project, nay desire for the Revell Saturn V as educational, but resistance shall we say from others remains strong (but Xmas is coming).

Into the Wild Blue: B-24 Liberator 1/144 Scale

Continuing the flypast of my 1/144 Minicraft American Bombers is the four engined heavy of Ambrose's "The Wild Blue" fame the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. OK perhaps flying a little too close to the ground for comfort:

Again another model that was heavy on the use Micro Sol and Set. It was a nice one to finish despite all the "holding of breath" with the decals. I think it was worth it :)

In the background can you hear the tramp of 20mm Platoon 20 British Infantry in battledress, alongside the dark mutterings for the disgruntled Metal Morian Goblins? They are coming.

B-26 Marauder 1/144 Scale

Minicraft 1/144 scale model. Intended as useful for top-cover/window dressing for a late war 1944-45 (perhaps operation Cobra) WWII 20mm Cross Fire or Command Decision game. I remember seeing a low fly-past of a flight of the these (or at least twin engined US bombers of the period) in one of the early Band of Brothers episodes.

I tried to get a weather worn look about the model through the GW paint transition from Boltgun Metal to Chainmail to Mithril Silver. The decals work (as in I could put them on without storming out in a tantrum) thanks to Micro Sol and Set combinations.

Yes, I'm still working on the Platoon 20 British Infantry in the background ;)

1/72 Mediterranean German Me 109 Fighter

This is an old Matchbox kit that I collected ages ago for no apparent reason other than I liked it. I had always hankered for a Me109 as a kid but I never seemed to get round to doing one.  So when as a bigger kid I saw this kit I could not help myself and picked it up (in London over ten years ago) but had to wait until the mid 2006 before I made it. Initially I was tempted to do the Romanian variant for a wacky Russian front feel (which given my collections would have made more sense) but the German Med paint scheme and markings just caught my eye.

Trouble is it is a bit of lone wolf just now, without even the potential of an Afrika Corp wargame to window dress or a Curtiss Warhawk or Hawker Hurricane IIc to dogfight with.

Anyway this is an eye-candy post while I am in the background painting another bunch of Platoon 20 British late-WW2 infantry (and who knows maybe a Metal Goblin).

First batch of British Infantry finished :)

Keeping this post very simple, so here it is my first British Platoon (Crossfire) or Company (Command Decision) of my late war British wargame force. Double plus good. Even going as far as putting a bit of staged scenery in the picture :)

I've already started on the second platoon/company (delete as applicable) so I have high hopes of having a tabletop wargaming force in the near future if I keep this momentum up. It is quite amazing in that I have been collecting 20mm WW2 kit for ages (since 1992) but I always have put off doing the infantry bit, when it should have been first up as it was/is the "Queen of the Battlefield". Note: When I exactly know what I want (ie which regiment) I will come back to them to do unit insignia markings, shoulder flashes etc.

I hear the Metal Goblins banging there drums in protest (see previous posts for an understanding of my ramblings here) but what the heck I'm enjoying doing these Tommies.

The Boys from Narvik: Scenario Roll Call

Given that the photography from the First Battle of Narvik was a tad fuzzy (a hand held phone in my unsteady hands and harsh complaints as I nearly knock the table askew) I thought it a quick and worthwhile project to take some shots of the Navwar 1/3000 miniatures used on the night.

The Royal Navy Second Destroyer Flotilla (from left to right, HMS Hunter, HMS Havoc, HMS Hardy (FL), HMS Hotspur, HMS Hostile):

Three packets of Navwar RN destroyers is all you need, at today's prices that is £3.30 (and a spare ship to boot: 4 x N1514 H Class Destroyer, 1 x N1515 Flotilla Leader) and you have a piece of RN History.

Meanwhile lurking in the shadows is the 2nd Flotilla's nemesis (on the replay night only, historically a tad different) the "deadly" Von Roeder (Z17):

Then the members of "The Friends of the Von Roeder" society who came to its rescue to chase away the RN 2nd Destroyer Flotilla from delivering a "coup de grace" on the then 'limping home' Von Roeder:

Not actually named on the night they were: Hans Ludemann (Z18), Herman Kunne (Z19), Wilhelm Heidkamp (Z21), Anton Schmit (Z22). Navwar serial number N3503 (all Von Roeder class), and again the princely sum of £3.30 for three packets buys you this piece of history (and a spare valid historical destroyer).
    
Lurking in distant corners of the fjord and too distant to play a part in my concocted scenario were yet more German destroyers.

The Georg Thiele (Z2), Wolfgang Zenger (Z9), Bernard Von Arnim (Z11), Erich Giese (Z12) and the Erich Koellner (Z13). All Maas class destroyers, Navwar code N3504, again £3.30 for three packets buys you these piece of history (and another spare valid historical destroyer).   

The First Battle of Narvik for less than a tenner, a bargain :) 

I'm still hoping to play a follow on battle from this, somewhat diverging from the historical second battle (as the German KM took much less damage in my re-run of The First Battle of Narvik) which could mean even a spirited German attempt at a breakout. All depends to Captain Von (J)'s reply to my next email.

GQ2 Mal-Rule applied on the night: Rather late apologies to Captain (D) the British player, one rule I did get wrong on the night was not flipping the initiative of who moves first in the sequence of play. By this I mean [First Turn] Side A moves first then Side B moves, to [Second Turn] Side B moves first then Side A and so forth in an alternate sequence. However as a matter of fact (IMHO) it mattered little in this short sharp action, a stern chase and then quick retreat (gunnery is taken after all movement and is simultaneous). The German player at most may have got one broad-side (perhaps) advantage on the HMS Hunter early on.

Flesh Highlights, Webbing and Blanko

Well if that title doesn't get some interesting Google hits (and hey ho possibly some wargaming converts) nothing will ;)

The determination is still high to press on to completion with the British Infantry. The colour scheme seems to be coming together nicely. Flesh highlights, webbing, shiny metal bits and assorted bits in the kit.

Eyes to the Front:

Eyes to the Back:

A long time coming but I am very happy with the first Cross Fire Platoon or Command Decision Company (delete as applicable). All that needs to be considered now is how to do a bit of flocking :)