More Recent Painting

Shawn at Ambush Alley asked me to paint some figures for possible inclusion in the hardbound edition of Tomorrow’s War. These are some works in progress; the photography will be done by those who know what they’re doing

First up is a wheeled Claymore APC in 15mm from Old Crow:

Wheeled Claymore APC from Old Crow

Rear view

Top view

I wanted a weathered, battle-worn look to the vehicle. I washed it with black wash and used some Vallejo grime pigment to dirty up the exhaust ports and joint areas. I’m happy with how this is turning out. There are two more of these on the table; one more with the same turret and the second with a communications/command dish in lieu of the gun.

I finished my second Khurasan Lion Transport (to carry around my Puddy-Tats):

15mm Lion Transports from Khurasan

I also got a full squad of 15mm USNC troopers done from GZG. Here is the first fire team:

The helmet idea is stolen from a fellow sci fi painter Kobayachimaru from http://chroniquesdufortbastiani.blogspot.com/. I wanted something different than what has become the “standard” gold face plate since HALO.

Here is the first of my Neo-Soviet Paratroopers. The bases are not finished yet. The figures are Project Slipstream SAS from Micropanzer.

15mm Neo-Soviet Paratroopers

And finally a GZG Grav APC to carry the UNSC troops around. The photo is a little darker than the actual model, but you get the idea.

The model has been heavily weathered to reflect atmospheric reentry and heavy combat.

So that’s my painting update. Skip Peterson and I will be finishing up our models, taking higher quality photographs with terrain and combat situations, then shipping the lot off to Shawn for possible use. I’ll try to post some more photos as the work continues.

15mm Sci Fi Painting

Time for an update on some of my recent painting.

Awhile back, I ordered some buildings from Critical Mass Games and had only painted one of them. Over the past two weeks I have slowly been getting them done. Here are a few.

Critical Mass Games 15mm building

Another CMG building

More CMG goodness

Another one from CMG

I wanted all the buildings to look like weathered concrete. I also wanted them to have some strong primary colors for identification purposes as to function. I heartily recommend these models to anyone looking for 15mm science fiction buildings. I have about 10 more to paint and am actually enjoying bringing them to light.

Next up is a medium hover tank from Combat Wombat. Scott was nice enough to send me a few models to review and I have been remiss about painting them up.

15mm medium grav tank from Combat Wombat Miniatures

I absolutely love Scott’s sculpting and casting. The models don’t require a lot of work, other than filing and the occasional air bubble in the resin that needs to be filled. I chose to leave a few as “battle scars” and weathered them with scorch marks and rust. I am quite fond of the “reactive armor” look of many of his vehicles. This model consisted of a chassis, a turret and some grav lifters (which I left off this model). For basing, I drilled a hole in the bottom, used an acrylic peg as a stand and attached it to a poker chip which I covered with sand and painted. The high level of surface detail lends itself to a drybrush/wash method of painting. The only hiccup I had in the entire process was remembering to wash the model thoroughly after filing and prepping; otherwise you may have trouble getting primer or paint to adhere. On my second attempt everything worked out fine. Being made of resin, Combat Wombat’s models are very affordable and very recommended. Check out his line at www.combatwombatminiatures.com. He has a few new pieces, including a modular cargo lander/carrier called the Bullfrog that reminds me of the old Space:1999 Eagle.

Continuing on, here are a few shots of Rebel Miniatures Titan Marines. I purchased these with the intent of painting up a police/militia force for Tomorrow’s War. I am creating a force of quasi-religious zealots who use walkers and infantry as their primary arms. Here are the first 10 I have painted. I apologize for the dark lighting. I managed to blow out my photo lamps and need to buy some replacement bulbs

Shoulder pad detail on the figures.

Finally, I finished two medium Circles of Felids and their Lion transport.

15mm Lion Transport from Khurasan

Staring down the business end.

Two battle circles, a transport and a baron. Meow!

I was not sold on the Lion when Khurasan first brought out the model, but I found it fun to paint and it is an absolute beast on the table! Although the first time we took it out for a drive, it got hit with an anti-tank plasma gun from a hidden bunker.

Puddy cat APC goes BOOM!

My Felids will ultimately have three Lion transports and another two battle circles, so I have quite a bit more to paint. Khurasan continues to put out incredibly detailed, fun to paint figures and I continue to buy them.

I may retake and post some new photos once I get my lighting fixed.

Recon for the Win!

Saturday’s 1942 Western Desert bash at Unique Gifts and Games saw a determined British defence of a town on the Via Balbia outside Tobruk. A mixed force of DAK and Italian armor supported by Panzer Grenadiers and Bersaglieri pushed to take the town. Captain Clayton, the British garrison commander, had other thoughts. His AT gun platoon, featuring 2 6lbrs and one 2 lbr guns, made quick work of some of the leading recon elements approaching the town. A sharp fight broke out between the DAK recon platoon and the British defenders. Several Sdkfz 222 armored cars and a PzIIF were soon burning wrecks, but the remaining PzIIF overran the left 6lbr gun and forced the crew to abandon their position. This unhinged the far left of the British line where the majority of the German armor and Panzer Grenadiers were pushing. The pivotal moment of the game was the British armored relief column, led by two full platoons of Stuart Honey’s, failing to receive orders and slowing down the entire British left flank, leaving the town to its doom. The grenadiers dismounted and proceeded to clear the edge of the town under covering fire from the DAK armor. On the British right, the Italians had their troubles with trucks getting bogged in the soft sand, so the Bersaglieri never really got engaged. Some long range sniping by the garrison and a platoon of Grants destroyed an Italian Semovente 75 assault gun and one truck. Honors of the game go to the lone 6lbr  on the British side and to the German recon platoon, which succeeded in forcing the gun position and unhinging the British defence.

The game was played using Fire and Fury’s Battlefront WWII rules. A big thank you to all the players for making this a fun game to run.

Captain Clayton's gun is disrupted, but not before brewing up a Sdkfz 222 scout car.DAK Panzer Grenadiers unload under fire and asault the town.

DAK grenadiers unload under fire and assault the town.

Western Desert Game This Saturday at UGG

This Saturday, August 15, at Unique Gifts and Games (UGG, see link at right) I will be running a 15mm WWII miniatures game set in the Western Desert. I will be using Battlefront WWII rules published by Fire and Fury (www.fireandfury.com). The scenario will feature a mixed Deutsche Afrika Korps battlegroup, supported by elements of the Italian Centauro armored division, running headlong into a British counterattack in what will hopefully be a swirling, madcap meeting engagement. All miniatures and scenery will be provided, and the rules will be taught. We plan to start promptly at 1 PM. I look forward to seeing all of you there!