Chain of Command: Normandy (Part II)

The German Panzer Grenadiers, despite hindered by 2" British mortar smoke, pour a merciless level of fire into "Polygon Wood" (see below):

Too hot for First platoon. Sergeant Hardy down, even the cool Lieutenant Cream could not hold the boys back and they piked out of the wood in unmistakeable 'rout' formation (see below):

Meanwhile from the hard cover of the graveyard another German Panzer Grenadier section blasts away at two fresh English "Tommy" sections (see below):

Again the fire is devastating and "shock" mount on the Third British Infantry section on the far right of the British line (see below):

Things take an even turn for the worse as the heavy calibre barrel of a Tiger Tank rounds the corner of a French farmhouse (see below):

Through the narrow periscope slit the gunner begins acquiring a bead on the remaining fresh British Infantry section.

To be continued ..

Heavy Metal Robots

Technically 1/144 scale but they look OK for 28mm Science Fiction in my eyes, the "Fab 5" hunter-killer robot squad (see below):

Going  left to right along the back row Kodiak, King Cobra, two Grizzlys to the right and "little" Jaeger in the front row. Again something to scare unwary Space Marines ;)

Last unmade GW Sci-Fi (Hive Tyrant) model assembled

This little critter had been hanging around in a box for years (literally) so I decided over this Bank Holiday to at least put it together (see below, a GW Finecast Hive Tyrant):

I went for the up close and personal "tearing arms and ripping claws" look as I have never appreciated the Tyranids long range bio-morph weaponry as it does not "honest Sci-Fi" IMHO. This beast is destined to jump out on unsuspecting (unless they read this blog) Space Marines wandering aimlessly around in Space Hulks ;)

And I thought I didn't do Space Marines

I thought I said I didn't really do Space Marines but then I had a "bargain shiny" moment in a charity shop as someone was obviously in discard mode and selling old unmade stuff at half price. Hence I start making these guys (see below, Black Templars):

Which became these thirteen "bad boys" (see below):

Then there were these five, Blood Angels Death Company,whatever that is (see below, shiny metal and plastic which brought on some interesting superglue moments):

Then there were some odds and sods in a cast off box, Scouts and left over parts to make three "unique" Space Marines (see below):

At the very end from the "spare box" the miscellaneous Frankenstein Space Marines even got their own (Space Marine signature) '1970's style shoulder pads' (see below):

But remember,I don't do Space Marines (other than one off Space Crusade game nights), yet somehow I have forty nine of them now, which means I guess I have no shortage odd painting projects ahead of me.

Hmm, I should really do that 1940 Battle of France Fairey Battle first!

Chain of Command: Normandy (Part I)

A training scenario: A platoon of British infantry advance supported by armour (aka Winnie the Churchill Tank) meeting a platoon of German Panzer Grenadiers with armour backup (aha Timmy the Terrible Tiger).

After a disappointing Patrol Phase the Brits get a Squad on table, claiming the "high ground" in the middle of the table.Like a magnet this raws a German Panzer Grenadier Team opposite then (see below):

Both sides bring on their armour early, the Germans gaining a significant psychological edge with their Tiger (see below, after twenty years it finally makes it onto a 'live' wargaming table, its wargaming destiny is being fulfilled):

The Brits meanwhile hammer one section of the German Squad, shock and KIAs cause the German Senior Officer to come on as fast as he can to restore 'a sense of teutonic order' about things (see below, note this means leaving the two man team of Panzerschrekers playing cards in a bunker - they may be just a tad reluctant to come on later, who knows?):

Meanwhile the Tiger crawls forwards, cobered by another Panzer Grenadier Squad deployed in the French Farmhouses (see below):

The Brits have not been idle either as two full squads deploy in rough ground on their right and try to reduce the Gothic graveyard held by the final Panzer Grenadier Squad (see below):

Meanwhile the murderous firefight goes on in the middle leaving both sides 'shocked and KIA'ed' but just holding on.

To Be Continued ...

More 15mm Russians - PSC T34/76 and T34/85

The last "batch" of Russian vehicles were put together,the ubiquitous T34/76 (and T34/85 option). Something to stir fear and dread into any German Tanker or Landser (see below):

These 15mm kits go together so sweetly (and quickly) I am starting to curse my 20mm myopia for the last twenty years (see below):

It remains to be seen how quickly I can paint them. Given the option between Zvezda and PSC, I would say quality (detail) wise Zvezda has the drop on PSC but PSC has more durable 'harder' plastic. Zvezda "snap together" very sweetly, no glue strictly needed although I use liquid poly for "insurance purposes".

Something different ... 20mm Zvezda WWI Russians

Why? Er ,,,

I am sure I will find a reason at some point .. until then, because they looked kinda cute sitting on the shelf ;)