US Forward Air Observer Team and P-51 Mustang for Bolt Action

Picked up this Testors 1/48th scale P-51 Mustang from Hobby Lobby for under $10 using their 40% off coupon. It's a plastic diecast model that is quite perfect for wargaming. It's durable and even comes with a stand which the plane can rotate on.

The Air Corps Forward Observer is an old Easy Eight tanker with a head swap from the Warlord Games 8th Army set. The radio operator is a Victory Force Miniatures figure.

The plane is pre-painted and uses pins and screws to put together. I painted the figure and interior of the cockpit. The panel lines of the plane were given a pin wash, and the blue nose paint was dry-brushed as well.

This is what it could do if it successfully made an air strike - and making it past flak.

This is the box as it came from Hobby Lobby.

And here's the FAO with the head swap. Oh, and I raised the position of the pilot using Green Stuff - after cutting and prying him off the seat.

Thanks for stopping by and wishing a very Merry Christmas!

Bolt Action Antitank Infantry

Kind of a bookend to my previous post. I felt obligated to do a headcount of weapons which have the potential to take out tanks.

Per the rules, Bazookas have +5 Pen, and Panzerfaust and Panzerschrek have +6 Pen. They all have  the Shaped Charge special rule which ignores the long range penalty. Panzerfaust can only be used once per game. Tigers have 10+ Damage; Panthers, Panzer IV's and Shermans all have 9+ Damage.

I'm hoping to get a Tank War game in before the year is over. Until then, best to you all during the holiday season.

Tanks for the Memories - Closing out 2019

Thank you all for stopping by my humble blog in 2019, and leaving such nice comments. I truly appreciate the sentiments and feel a bond, albeit virtual, with all of you. On the gaming scene, and in a slightly altered state of mind due to a few glasses of wine and other spirits, I ordered a copy of  Bolt Action Tank War. While awaiting its arrival, I figured I'd do a headcount of vehicles.These are all 1/50th-1/48th scale; mostly Corgi and New Millennium diecasts, a few Tamiya kits and a couple of Solido armored cars.

The Americans are outgunned, but I hope to add a P-47 or P-51 for close air support.

Thinking about an Operation Cobra scenario which will preclude the Jadgtiger and Pershing, but the rest of the vehicles could be used.

NM: 1/48th New Millennium; TA: 1/48th Tamiya; SO: 1/50th Solido; HM: 1/48th Hobby Master; CO: 1/50th Corgi; KE: 1/48th Kengi

Again, thank you all for another great year of hobby blogging. Your continued visits and comments really mean a lot to me and I sincerely apologize if I've missing any of the post on your blogs. In any case, wishing you all the best this holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!

Bolt Action Western Desert Play Test

With the kind assistance of several local gaming buddies, I was able to finally get a play test of the Western Desert game using the 2nd Edition Bolt Action rules.

I came up with a simple scenario taking place near the end of the 2nd Battle of El Alamein with the DAK attempting to retreat off the table. We played six turns with the DAK failing to get any of their units off the table. However, they managed to kill of a unit of 8th Army infantry and immobilizing their Crusader tank early in the game. The game was declared a draw after turn 6.

8th Army troops, including a Matilda tank securing the right flank of their front.

One of the British squads was killed off by DAK marksmanship emanating from the bunker in the distance.

DAK infantry trading shots with 8th Army troops at the "Bloody Oasis".

I failed to enforce the 1" distance between units. 

Rommel in a bunker keeping track of game turns. Although not making it off the table, the Sd.Kfz. 222 did well. First it frustrated the Crusader's firing by using it's Recce evade move out of line of fire. In subsequent turns it used it's auto cannon and MMG to good effect on Indian troops. The Panzer IV, which could only fire HE, ended up with 6 Pins near the end of the game and did not play a big part in the battle.

All in all it was a fun game with a lot of rules discussion both during and after the game. A key rule we failed to use was the adding of Penetration of HE to Damage of infantry - we only used it against vehicles. Anyway, happy to have gotten the recently completed figures and vehicles bloodied and with such good company. Until next time, happy gaming and painting to you all during this Holiday period.

Liberian Napoleonic Stamps

Not a gaming post, but somewhat of interest for Napoleonic fans and/or philatelists. Found these old stamps while rummaging through old stuff I collected as a kid.

On the actual gaming front, I am scheduled to host a Bolt Action Western Desert game this coming Friday. Until then, wishing you good gaming and painting.

EDIT: I found out (via Google) that these were issued to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's birth. Still unsure of the connection to Liberia though. Oh, and I see they're valued as a set at a whopping $1.80 on ebay. :)

20-Player Dragon Rampant Holiday Bash

A bunch of us gathered at Bruce Meyer's place this evening for a large Dragon Rampant game. For the record, Bruce is the owner/proprietor of Company B Models and Miniatures. Due to the large number of players and table space, we were all limited to 12 points, so mostly 2 unit warbands, but still a lot of action.

My warband consisting of a unit of Elite Riders with Enchanted Weapons and a unit of Heavy Riders with missiles. They're actually WHFB Empire figures which have found a new lease in gaming life with Dragon Rampant.

My first few turns ended with failed die rolls to move. This actually saved my units to partake in the latter part of the game in which they destroyed two units - at the cost of losing both of my units near the end of the game. The game mechanic of having both units which take casualties after combat can and did result the destruction of the winners of the combat.

A lovely warband of Toy Soldiers run by Gary W. I wasn't near his action, but they seemed to do well as they survived until the end of the game.

The Dino-beast took a lot of hits from the Snow-ballers. I added a hit or two on it also, but it managed to survive too.

 A Mammoth-beast giving our left flank needed support.

And Rudolph laying waste to all comers.

Some gratuitous shots of Bruce's game room and some of his extensive collection of figures and models.

The models on the table are some of Company B's offerings in 1/56th scale.

A nice way to round out the work week (although I'm already off on Fridays). Best wishes and Happy Holidays to you all!

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!