Absence makes the heart grow fonder....

So it turns out I am a rubbish blogger, as far as keeping up a steady flow of posts anyway. 

But real life always has to come before little metal and plastic men.... Right?! 

Life has been hectic over the last few weeks again, but the last week I have managed to settle down and revisit a prodject I started a while ago. 

My 28mm Bolt Action Russian army. I plan to take this army to a upcoming tournament at the end of the month. So wanted to fancy them up a little, to hopefully get some painting scores, because I know full well I won't get meant playing scores. 

So I've decided to do some objective markers to go with the theme of my army (city fight in the snow) on bare with me, my list for the tournament is from the Silow heights selected as I had originally planned 2 tanks with tank riders. 

Now I say bare with me, as my basing and paint scheme is early snow fall. This army list for the tournament is set in The fall of Berlin, there wasn't much snow at that time to be honest. But hey, imagination right? 

So enough of my waffling, pictures. 

My first scenic objective is a meeting of the small council... Wait wrong topic! 

A meeting of Stalins General staff, in this instance discussing the push into Berlin. How ever, depending on the scenario I set for what ever list I write, the picture will have this underneath *insert appropriate fluff here*. 

 

Next is making use of Warlord Games scout squad, love these models full of character, but I just don't see most of them as models, I would want in a squad I played with on the table top. 

But for stuff like this they are amazingly cool. 

Appolagies for my amature photography. I try my best, also I know my white could do with a bit of practise, I tend to avoid it. 

A quick note, command figures are from Black tree designs, tables and most of the stuff on it scratch built. Scout figures are from Warlord Games. The scenice walled corner can be found at http://www.modeldisplayproducts.co.uk

Martin at MDP is a top guy, and visits most of the UK shows. 

Any questions just ask. 

The third objective I haven't acquired all of the bits I need yet, I will update shortly. 

Also still to come a glance of the army I'll be taking to the Ribble Rumble 2015. 

As alway, thank you for looking. 

A blast from the past... Or is it the future?... The passed future?

Warhammer 30k also known as The Horus  Heresy. 

Has been played in out club now for a few years on and off. But reciently with Forge worlds throwing some coal on the fire, and releasing books and miniture in huge waves. It has really taken off. 

And I must admit, although not being Games Workshops co. most devote fan, I do love the "fluff" behind The Horus Heresy, (I mean any future space race that takes on a millennia old military formations (roman legions), just makes me moist!). And I find it so much more inviting than 40k ever did. 

Now if you have looked at my blog before you will know I mainly play historical games. But I am a sucker for a good ride on a band wagon! 

I play Wargames because I like to out mini men and big tanks on the table, make silly noises and have a laugh. Laughing is one thing I have lost from historical gaming recently. And noticing some of my club member playing a campign every week, with some sweet looking minis and all having an amazing time. I simply couldn't resist any longer! 

I'm doing it small atm... Well when I say small, in doing it as large as the grumpy bank man will let me. Sooo in small chunks to be precise. 

So welcome to my one of many band wagons, is not the first and deffinatly won't be the last! 

So I'm starting with the  XVIII Leigion the Salamanders. Originally it was going to be the Iron Warriors, but wow those guys are boaring! 

As soon as I seen the sneek preview of Vulkans model, I went all week at the knees. And new they were the Legion for me. Although they acording to the fluff the stuggled to take part in the Horus Hersy after Istivan, I am lucky that my friend who runs the campaigns in the club has agreed to bend the future historical facts a little. 

So with out further delay. Here is what I'm working on: 

Firstly the tank! A Pre Heresy Predator

A very cool kits, a lot of fun to assemble (a few fiddley parts, but over all good).

And a WIP legionary. 

I will do a post seperatly for everything I'm painting up. 

Hope you all enjoy

Regards 

Somewhere in Northern France...

Yesterday 5th July, saw is play a huge battle, whilst we continue to play test the rules from the salute game. It's a very fun game, and easy to pick up. And lends it's  self to big multiplayer armoured battles amazingly. 

Amongst the boccage and farm land that stretch between villages of northan France. A great battle raged. A meeting engagement of key objective, to be taken at all costs. 

Elements of the britsh brake out force from D-Day started pushing on let objectives to gain a foot hold in Europe. 

In the North west, a German infantry brigade supported by Pak 40s and a Marder set themselves up to ambush a unknown collumb of Alies advancing toward the town. 

A Pak 40 conceals it's self in a shed. Knocking out the Churchill below. 

The brigade was left to defend the german armies forward operation base, a hotel secured in the fall of France. 

As the attack came, british mechanised convoys start led poring towards all of the strategic possistion on the map. Securing the village with ease, infantry units a Firefly and Cromwell hunkered down, with orders to hold the village at all coat. 

Realising what was happening the German FOB sprang into action, calling up renfocments as quickly as possible. 

The right wing of the German reineforcements push into the town, to try and dislodge it's new inhabitants, which would prove to be a much harder task than the first thought. 

As the left wing of German reinforcements rushed to help defend the FOB, their heavy tanks got bogged down by the rough farm ground. 

The Defenders at the fob were atleast overwhelmed by British armored vehicles well supported by infantry. Then the message came over the radio for the FOB to evacuate. The Reinforcement push hard to stop the Alied advance before it gains anymore ground. 

As the Alies come into site, a barrage of AT shots rains down on them, from a group of panzers hull down along the easterly road. 

Dissolution strikes the Alied forces hard as the Stark reality hits home that this is tiger country and they are finding their mark. 

Back at the village the infantry take a firmer grip over it, with Panzer and Firefly trading blow for blow in the streets around them. 

A courageous Cromwell tank, sneeks around the flank of an approaching Tiger tank. 

As the Tiger support is brought up to the town, more british vehicle are being lost. The infantry try their best to disrupt the vicious tanks with piat and grenades. 

 

As the Alies tighten their grip on the key objectives, all seemed lost, apart from a vital cross roads to the East where a squad of infantry and recconacence Puma, hold on and follow orders to the bitter end. 

In the end, it was a major Alied victory. The Panzer and Infantry elements in the area forces to retreat and regroup.

A final tally of the outcome: British armour suffered terrible losses, losing a Churchill, 2 Fireflies and 4 Cromwells, but the infantry suffered light casualties in securing the eastern outskirts, hotel, crossroads and part of Cuverville. 

The Germans lost 3 Pumas, a Marder, 3 Panzer IV's and their infantry company was effectively destroyed. They controlled the farmhouse and the west of Cuverville but were forced to retreat from the village before their remaining armour was mopped up by the British infantry which totally controlled the east end and were awaiting the arrival of the remaining British armour.

Overall a very good fun game, with the advantage swinging from side to side. 

I expect a lot from this rules system, for many things. Simplicity, fun and the chance to get all my toys on the table. 

I will be play testing this agin on Thursday night, seeing how it plays on a 6x4table 1vs1. I will write a small report after that.

Thanks for reading

Regards

Winter is coming.... **Updated**

The last few days I've been working on commotion jobs for a few friends, and I hit a wall of sorts, painters block so to speak. It's always the same with me, when there is somthing I have to do, I lose interest quick. 

So I decided to move on to somthing different to keep my interest thrifting. 

On the 19th of July, we are playing a small friendly Bolt Action tournament, at Fire storm games. We have two team of six, and it'll be mixed team between us and the lovly South Hampton chaps. 

I've decided I want to play my Russians, and of course non of them are painted. I have bought a bottle of Vallejo Karki for the airbrush, atleast they'll have some collour. 😕

I though I would start with the bigger and easier models in the army. 

Starting with my.... Ahem....OT-34/85 😁

My armies is based on a mid - late war infantry platoon, with armoured support. All the infantry will be on rubble base, with the early falls of snow. 

Wanted a wintery looking city fight look for the army. 

Next up a bit of recconacence.. BA-10

Posted else where, but I'll add them to the collection here. 

The for formidable IS-2.

New to the collection, and two the very small painted "pile".

ISU - 152 close support tanks. 

And magnetised barrel, to make the

ISU - 122

Now to paint some infantry 😑

Regards

Villers bocage

Two Friends of mine, have embarked on a quest to write the perfect WWII vehicle heavy rule set. Being no strangers to writing rules, the task ahead of them is monumental. 

In conjunctions with the thoughruly nice chaps at 4ground.co.uk they have decided to use the rules for a massive Villers Bocage display game, at non only than the biggest Wargames show in the Uk, Salute 2014. 

Along with help from myself and many others the guys have put together over 100 of 4ground.co.uk beautiful buildings, to re-create the days, Micheal Vitmans names was on every 'Tommies' lips. 

 A monumental task, that has really taken shape over the last few weeks. 

And on Saturday, we got the chance to give it a dress rehearsal, it also have the 4ground guys a chance to pop over the bridge, and get an eye on it. 

The Board and the game will be on display at Salute 2014

The Smoldering Wrecks of British vehicles. 

British Infantry attempted an Assault on a Germans Heavy tank, through the hotel window. 

And the lovely chaps from 4ground surveying their own products being out to good use. 

Ok neck beards I know your thinking, there were no Panthers at Villers Bocage,

This was just a test game. The right formations and almost the right number of tanks will be present on the day at Salute. The beautiful Dai Waffenkammer tanks curtsy of Greatescapegames.co.uk

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**edit after Salute**

So Salute has been and gone, and all in all it was a great escape for the game, and the gents from 4ground. Loads of interest and loads of very kind comments. 

*sneek peek* 

Bottom right, is a farm house building. This one is a prototype, but they will hopfuly, be putting it into production later this year.

Thanks for reading,

Regards,