Panzer IV - DAK Infantry Support for Bolt Action

This is one of those 1:50th/1:48th scale diecast New Millennium tanks that Walmart used to sell for about $5.00. It was originally in Panzer Grey. I sprayed it with a light brown and then dry-brushed Vallejo Iraqi Sand over it. A light wash of Future/Pledge floor wax mixed with inks was applied and then dry-brushed again with Iraqi Sand. White mixed with the Iraqi Sand was used for the edges and high areas.

The single numeral vehicle marking was used by the 15th Panzer Division of the DAK.

Warlord 28mm plastic DAK infantry for scale comparison. I think it works well enough; plus I like 1:50th/1:48th scale vehicles.

Still need to add division and Afrika Korps palm tree insignia. The commander's hatch was cut in half with a hobby knife and glued to the cupola. Oh, and a TC is also needed as well.

It's a great little die-cast tank - the wheels spin and the turret and gun are moveable.

I'm still learning how to properly weather tanks - particularly the rusting around the exhaust. I've yet to work up the courage to attempt chipping.

The Panzer IV prior to the re-paint. And a Tamiya 1:48th Matilda awaits painting.

So much for now. Thanks for dropping by and happy gaming and painting to you all!

Warlord Games Afrika Korps and British 8th Army Infantry - Ready for Bolt Action

Finished basing them today. Used some sand mixed with dried coffee grounds along with some Army Painter winter tufts.

Three full squads per side with anti-tank rifles. Plan to add light artillery and mortars later.

I didn't highlight these DAK guys after the Minwax staining as the base coating was a bit watered down and give a pretty good variation of color.

The British were given a little bit of highlighting - Iraqi Sand over Khaki that had been stained with Minwax.

For the record, I ran the Franco-Prussian War skirmish game using Bolt Action on Saturday at another game day at the Fort Lewis Museum. The game went for 6 turns with the French winning over the Prussians. The Prussians had a Cuirassier and two artillery units while the French had neither. Their victory couldn't be solely attributed to the longer range Chassepots, as the Prussians were overly cautious and didn't take advantage of their superior numbers - 10 units to the French's 8.

Next up are a Panzer IV and Matilda to support the Western Desert forces. Thanks again for dropping by and happy painting and gaming to you all.

A Pershing and a Couple of Pattons

Just some comparison shots of a Tamiya 1:48 M26 Pershing, Aurora/Atlantis 1:48 M46 Patton and Corgi 1:50 M48A3 Patton.

The two 1:48 kits of basically the same tank are quite close in size - as one would hope; however, the Aurora/Atlantis Patton's hull is slightly wider. Otherwise the two look pretty close overall. The M48, although in a slightly smaller 1:50 looksa bit bigger - mainly taller, which may be the actual reality.

Along with a couple of Victory Forces minis - the lower profiled M26 and M46 tanks seem to work better with 28mm figures.

Their side profile betrays their familial line.The M46 has an added lower bogie wheel before the rear drive wheel.

I've yet to decide if I'll weather them; although the M26, unless battle damaged, probably stayed pretty nice as they only entered the war in the final weeks/days of WW2.

Anyway, just wanted to post a comparison shot of these "modern" tanks. Time to return to the British 8th Army and DAK stuff. Thanks for stopping by and happy gaming an painting to you all.

Warlord Games British 8th Army and Afrika Korps Infantry - WIP +1

Managed to pull off a marathon session and block painted the figures from the Warlord Games 8th Army and Afrika Korps boxes.

I used the paints from the Vallejo WWII Desert British and German set. After staining with Minwax, they'll be given highlights.

Thanks for dropping by and best wishes to you all.

EDIT/UPDATE: Just stained 'em with Minwax.

Gotta give 'em about a day (with good weather) to dry before spraying with Dullcote.

Atlantis née Aurora 1/48th M46 Patton Tank - WIP +1

Added the tiger markings that were used during Operation Ripper in 1951 during the Korean War. Supposedly they did it because they believed the enemy were superstitious and that it would scare them. Probably scary enough facing a 48 ton behemoth spewing 90mm HE, in any case.

Still need to give it a wash and then some weathering, but most of the main stuff is done.

It's a fairly simple kit with minimal parts and sturdy enough for gaming.

The tracks are flexible and the wheels can spin with the tracks. However, pushing it around like that is definitely not recommended.

The turret can spin, and the barrel can move up and down. The hatches can also open and close as as well. I plan to add a TC later - the one that came with the kit was very 1950's sculpted - that is, hardly any details.

The 28mm Victory Force figure alongside for size comparison. Good enough for me as I like this scale for modelling.

Anyway, just a quick update to this mini-project. In fact, I may put it aside to start on the Warlord Games British 8th Army and DAK guys as the Vallejo paint set arrived. In any case, best wishes to you all and happy gaming and painting!