Project La Haye Sainte - WIP

Finished putting the buildings together. The laser cut MDF pieces fit together very nicely. There was one corner section for the tongue and groove which apparently wasn't cut out. It was easily snipped out with a sprue cutter.

The instructions sheets, which they are several, are clearly illustrated and the steps are in logical (to me anyway) order. I followed the instructions step by step and had no issues.

Except for the working main gate doors, all the other come closed, but can be gently/carefully pushed open to create a less static appearance. If any of the doors break off, which I did on a couple, you can glue them back using strips of paper at the hinges.

Some Victrix and Perry figures on 40mm squares shown for size comparison. This is the largest piece of terrain I have, but it has a lot of usefulness as it is modular and can be used separately in different scenarios.

Some 79th Cameron Highlanders - not sure if they took an active part in this battle, but they are listed on the OOB for La Haye Sainte.

The set comes with complete (undamaged) doors, but in actuality, the large doors for the barn were torn down by the occupying KGL troops, and used as firewood the night before the battle. Warlord has an upgraded (read: more expensive) version of this set which includes a pile of dead French that can be used as a makeshift defense. This set comes with metal branches and other debris for this.

There are five main sections of buildings: Great Barn; Gate and Pond, Farmhouse and Pigsty, Stables and Hay Lofts, and Farm Garden House; all of which have removable roofs.

Need to pick up some craft paint - namely off white and brick red. The roofs will be painted gray; although the instruction sheets shows some of them red. The roof color has been a matter of debate - either red or gray, but I'm going with gray. Until next time happy painting and good gaming to you all!

New Project - La Haye Sainte

Couldn't pass up this ebay purchase - it was listed at 30% off. The seller's description said the box was opened (which it was), but all contents were intact (which they were; although a lot of the metal figures had bent muskets/bayonets).

I've seen this set on YouTube videos before and always thought it would be a cool gaming scenario. With the discounted price this will now become a reality. Plan to start on the buildings first as it will be the largest terrain build I've ever attempted.

A few Perry sets have also been ordered, namely Nassau troops, to flesh out the troop strength. For French, the already completed Middle Guard in greatcoats will be used along with the plastic French that came with this set. A box of Victrix British Flank Companies to paint up as KGL infantry may also be added.

Until the next update, happy painting and good gaming to you all!

Bolt Action Tank War Game

Thanks to my buddies showing up today, despite the slim chance of snow, managed to play out a Bolt Action Tank War game. We used the the Bastogne scenario which had a crossroads in the center of the table being the objective. The victory condition having a unit within 3 inches of the center of the crossroads at the end of Turn 6 - and also no enemy units within 3 inches of the same. The victory went to the Germans, as the Americans were overly cautious and failed to move towards the objective in time. I was only able to take a few pictures as I was preoccupied being one of the American players.

Above - the one Panzer IV the Americans were able to take out early in the game. The Germans had one Panther and two Panzer IV's, as well as an Sd.Kfz 251 halftrack. They also had several Fallshirmjager squads and one each Waffen SS and Panzergrenadier squads - and several tank hunter teams as well.

The Americans had three Shermans, one M-10 TD, an M5 Stuart, an M20 Scout Car and a couple of M5 halftracks. For infantry, a couple of 4th AD squads and several 101st squads - all with bazooka teams.

The P-51 failed to make a successful attack on the Germans - but did strafe a Sherman by an inexperienced pilot.

The M20 Scout Car burns after being taken out by the Panther. US infantry taking cover in a wooded area.

 A squad of 101st in heavy cover. They failed to move up close enough to use their bazooka team. Meanwhile a Sherman burns, having been taken out by a Panzer IV.

The surviving Panzer IV moving up to hold the German's left flank. A tank hunter team with Panzerschreck taking cover behind it.

 A Fallshirmjager squad occupying a the ruins of a building near the center of the town.

 The P-51 piloted by Wrongway Feldman about to strafe a friendly Sherman.

The view towards the center of the town early in the game - before the Panzer IV was taken out.

All in all, it was another nice Bolt Action game which allowed us to get more familiar with the rules for armor and aircraft. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all happy painting and good gaming.

Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Derby, Duke of Lancaster, KG - Verlinden 120mm English Knight

Finished up the Verlinden 120mm figure. He's on a temporary base until I can find a more suitable one - smaller.

I used Vallejo acrylics for the entire figure, and pretty much painted him up like how I would a smaller figure. Painting the separate parts and then putting them together afterward.

The great helm and cap of maintenance with royal lion crest makes him look a bit top heavy, but that's probably realistic.

As I mentioned in the previous post, the heraldic lions on the jupon had shallow outlines, which assisted in their painting.

Henry was a great-grandson of Henry III and campaigned in Scotland and Flanders. He was at the Battles of Sluys and Crecy, as well as the Siege of Calais. He died of the Black Plague in 1360.

Here he is below alongside a Front Rank 28mm mounted figure painted in the same arms.

That was a nice little project and now I can concentrate on the Bolt Action game I'm hosting this Friday. Thanks for stopping by and wishing you all the best in the hobby!

Verlinden 120mm English Knight 14th C. (aka the Duke of Lancaster) - WIP

Started on the 120mm resin kit today; which is the first actual painting project for 2020. Finished most of the main parts of the figure. The lions on the jupon/cyclas are outlined on the figure a bit shallow and faintly, but useful nonetheless. As you may be able to see, I've used brass rods to assist in attaching the various separate pieces together.

Although the box art calls this figure an English Knight, he's actually based upon Henry, Duke of Lancaster, as illustrated in the Osprey Armies of Crecy and Poitiers book (image below):

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous "first of the year" post, was that I have committed to host two Franco-Prussian War Bolt Action games at our annual big con in May, Enfilade!

Thanks again for visiting and wishing you all the very best in 2020!

Just a Quick 2020 Update

Haven't done much hobby stuff recently - partly due to me pinching a nerve and not being able to sit for extended periods; as well as just getting over a 2 week bout of the common cold. That all said (and done), I'm slowly get back into the groove.

Finally finished putting together the Academy "Da Vinci Armoured Car" kit I got off of ebay over a year ago. It's actually a snap together kit with minimal parts, and took only about 20 minutes to finish. It's a wind up "toy" that can roll along the table top. Here it is below next to an old GW Empire Master Engineer.

Those are supposed to be cannon sticking out around the car - I drilled out the ends of the barrels. It's probably a bit small for 28mm, but could be used nonetheless. Possibly as some war engine in Dragon Rampant. Still need to decide to paint it or not.

Here's what it looked like during the build. The top of canopy is what is used to twist the gearing for propulsion.

I also picked up a copy of the Tank War Bolt Action supplement. I had intended to use it for a game I"m hosting next week. However, besides a few bits of special rules and crew experience upgrades, I probably could've just used the main rule book. The scenarios aren't really detailed and don't include illustrations of table set up for them either.

Lastly, I also picked up a Verlinden 120mm resin figure - "English Knight 14th Century." It actually looks exactly like the illustration of the Duke of Lancaster in the Osprey Crecy and Poitiers book. I haven't painted large scale figures in a while, but couldn't pass it up as it was going for only about $20.00 on ebay.

Well, so much for now. I hope to post details of next week's Bolt Action game - however, there's snow in the forecast, so might have to cancel it for the sake of folks having to drive here. In any case, hope you all are have a great start in the new year - the "Roaring '20's"!

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!