Desert Fox Freebie Figure - Warlord Games

This Rommel figure came with the Western Desert starter set. He could have the Officer Bonus rule in the 2nd E. of Bolt Action. Probably something like +5 to Morale, 5 extra orders and a range of 24".

Based his uniform on the one below.

Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all a great holiday season with good gaming and painting.

From the Western Desert - Wishing You All A Happy Turkey Day!

A day or so early, but figured I'd test out my new cellphone camera. The Sarissa bombed out building in the background completes all of the kits from the El Alamein starter set. The palm trees are props from a dinosaur themed birthday cake for my oldest son - about 20 years ago.

Wishing you all the best this holiday seasons - not the least Thanksgiving for those so inclined. I'm looking forward to yet another big meal on Thursday!

Tamiya 1/48th Sd.Kfz. 222 Armored Car

This is the last vehicle needed for a play test. Wanted something the Boys anti-tank rifle could take out.

The kit went to together quickly with minimal parts. Only wish it came with a crewman for the turret.

Turret rotates and the gun can elevate. The hatch is a brass etched part which comes with the kit.

With 28mm Warlord Games DAK infantry for size/scale comparison.

It'll have the Recce evade rule.

And compared to a Panzer IV.

Attending a game day up at Boeing Museum of Flight tomorrow. Not hosting anything, but hope to get into a couple of games - and check out the museum displays again. Until next time, happy gaming and painting to you all.

Tamiya 1/48th Crusader Mk. I/II

Another plastic 1/48th Tamiya kit for the 8th Army force. The anti-tank rifles should be able to penetrate this thinner armored tank. I also like the sleek and angular look of it. The difference between the Mk. I and II is the former had a hull mounted machine gun turret.

Left the turret hatch in the open position as I plan to add a TC later - the kit didn't come with one.

I brushed on successive light coats of Vallejo Dark Sand. A wash of Future/Pledge floor wax and pin lining were added afterward.

Along side 28mm Warlord Games plastic 8th Army figures. Note the mold lines on the helmets and such; I left them on as they convey an old school plastic toy soldier look; Not really, I was just too lazy to scalpel them off.

I'm happy with how the figures match up with this scale.

The removable/optional machine gun turret next to the tank.

And next to the Matilda. Both tanks sport 2 pdr main guns, but the Crusader was faster due to its lighter armor.

Next up is a Tamiya Sd.Kfz. 222 Armored Car. Once completed I'll start working on terrain for a game. Thanks for stopping by and happy gaming and painting to you all.

Warlord Games DAK and 8th Army Artillery and Mortar Support

These are some really nice kits; although I had to look at internet images of the cannons to figure out how the parts went together.

The PaK 38 and 6 pdr will be able to take out the Matilda and Panzer IV, respectively. I think the medium mortars may also be able to take them out too.

The German cannon and mortar were painted with Vallejo Iraqi Sand, and the British cannon and mortar painted with Vallejo Dark Sand.

The British crew were painted with Vallejo Khaki and highlighted with Iraqi Sand. The Germans were painted with Yellow Green, Khaki and Green Brown - highlighted with the same mixed with white.

The cannon come with round bases like the mortar teams, but I chose to use plywood bases I had from Hobby Lobby.

I also added a TC to the Panzer IV - as well as Afrika Korps decals from Warlord Games.

Next up is a Tamiya 1/48th Crusader Mk. II - just wanted something with light enough armor for the anti-tank rifles to take out. Thanks for stopping by and happy gaming and painting to you all!

Empire Master Engineer on Mechanical Steed

This is the figures I got off of ebay back in January of this year. I finally got around to painting it. What prompted me was signing up for a Dragon Rampant game day next month. He'll join the five Pistoliers to form a Heavy Riders unit.

He's a model I always wanted and it took a long time find one (reasonably priced) on ebay.

As with the Pistoliers, he's colors are associated with Nuln.

This is a metal model and I was worried the usual 25x50mm base wouldn't support the rearing horse pose, but it is balanced very nicely.

Next up are some light artillery and mortar support for the DAK and 8th Army. Thanks for stopping by and happy gaming and painting.

1/48th Tamiya Matilda Mk. III/IV - Completed

Known as the Queen of the Desert in the early part of the Western Desert Campaign, particularly against the Italians. It's heavy armor proved virtually impenetrable against the early enemy tanks and artillery. However, they were decimated at the Siege of Tobruk by German 88's. Later German armor and artillery made them somewhat obsolete - read...slow moving targets.

I used Pledge (formerly Future) floor wax mixed with inks for the wash. It's not at heavy/thick as Minwax and dries as fast as acrylics.

With some Warlord British figures. Tamiya 1/48th seems to work well with 28mm figures, IMO.

The OD green was toned down a bit with some highlighting/drybrushing.

According to the Western Desert Bolt Action supplement, Indian troops trained closely with the Matilda's early in the campaign.

The Matilda was used in all theaters the British operated in, and even on the Russian Front by Soviet troops.

So much for now - waiting on another (small) order from Warlord Games. This time some light artillery for both the British and Germans. Until next time, happy gaming and painting to you all!

1/48th Tamiya Matilda Mk. III/IV - WIP

Finished the basic "Desert Dazzle" camo scheme.

I used paints already on hand: rattle can Krylon Matte Glacier Gray (which is used as a basecoat for dapple and white horses); Testors Flat OD (spray can); and brushed on Vallejo Dark Sand 847.

A pretty straight-forward pattern...once I figured out which colors were which as painting guide is in black and white. It'll next be given a wash/stain; followed by highlighting.

Prior to, and during painting (actually masking), the rear view mirror on the left fender and turret mounted co-axial MG were broken off. I'll use a brass rod to replace the MG.

The painter's tape from Dollar Tree worked very well for the masking process.

Thanks again for stopping by and happy gaming and painting to you all.