Bolt Action - UPDATE

So I finished a few more troopers.  This time I tried paints from Life Color.  My first 4 troopers were painted with VJ paints.  This time, I tried the LC paints that are made specifically for US troops in WW2.  I definitely liked the uniform color more.  At the bottom you will find a photo of all my BA figures to date. 

 

I used Ammo or Mig Crystal Clear Red for the officer's flash-light and I used Ammo of Mig washes for the rest of the troopers uniforms (NOT the kneeling guy).  I used the new Citadel Washes for the skin and any browns (boots, holsters, rifles).  Then, Ammo of Mig pigments on the metal parts of the weapons along with Ammo of Mig pigment fixer. 

 

 

 On this kneeling trooper, I decided to use the Citadel washes followed by high lighting the high points, BUT, I was not too happy with the results.  Looks dirty. 

                                               
Here you can see the painting differences with the LC paints and the VJ paints.  I like both, but I think the hue of the troopers uniform is more correct with the LC, BUT....the color variation is cool as I'm sure there were some differences in the uniform colors due to different manufactures making them.  Some SS troops behind the US Troopers.  I am working on 3 more SS Troops currently. 
I need to add flock to all bases.

AMMO by Mig Jimenez

In case you guys didn't know, I LOVE AMMO by Mig Jimenez products.  There are a number of reasons why and this is why I have decided to support them with their venture.  Mig is a good guy, but he also has GREAT guys working with him and for him.  His USA team is fantastic and 2nd to NONE with customer service and they just love their work and helping modelers get what they need. 

This is a recent order of mine.  I am looking fwd to try out the AMMO aircraft products on a future project.  AMMO pigments are very good and so are their washes and streaking products.  Now, with all the paints they are making, it helps as his paints are perfect for airbrushing (with a tad bit of acryl thinner) or applied by brush. 

I would easily replace all my military paints (but I would still use LifeColor as I enjoy painting with these too) with AMMO, but unfortunately they don't have all the colors......YET.  When they do, I will be upgrading.  I HATE mixing paint, so having a variety is perfect for me.

If you haven't been to their US site, go.  If you don't see something, write to their customer service email and Iain will help you. 

http://www.migjimenez.com/en/ - Regular site

http://www.ammomigjimenez-usa.com/ - US Site

 

I should add this is NOT a paid add and no one asked me to post this.  I am doing this because I believe that AMMO by Mig Jimenez is a superior product and his people are top notch, and that is what is important.  That is why I prefer his products over the previous companies. 

All Quiet on the Martian Front (Alien Dungeon) - Update

So I snapped together some more of the AD models.  This time a Martian Pod.  I don't know the official name of this thing, as I haven't memorized them yet.  It is one of their main weapons.  I haven't added a specialized weapon on it yet.  It's a nice size!  I bet it looks cool painted.  On of the legs of this thing is pose-able.  I have placed the tank in for size comparison.  I am actually looking fwd to playing this game, seems like a lot of fun.  Perhaps my sons will enjoy it....once they learn how to read!  ;-)

Bolt Action Games (War Lord Games) - UPDATE

Hello again everyone.  Hope you all had a happy Father's Day.  Also, hope you all had a GREAT Flag Day (June 14th) and the US Army celebrated it's birthday (born on June 14, 1775)as well. 

I received some goodies in the mail Sat.  It was a package with my M5 Stuart and my Puma.  As you know, I am working on a small US Para force and German SS unit.  I am slowly painting he minis and now I got my vehicles. 

I wanted something light and fast and not over powered.  I wanted for regular troops to be able to easily kill these vehicles and also for the vehicles not be able to over kill the troops.  So I settled in these two light vehicles for now. 

I opened the boxes to find some very cool vehicles.  I cant wait to paint them!  The constructions seems very easy, not too many parts.  The resin parts are well made, nice details on them, especially the M5.  Metal parts are very well made too.  They have some flash on them that needs attention, but nothing crazy. 

My concern though is that they vehicles that are scaled at 1:56 seem to be a bit undersized to the figures.  I have read that some people use 1:48 scale.  Which is closer to 28mm????  See the comparisons in the photos below where I placed BA minis next to the vehicles. 

And YES, that is still my DeMag D7 looking UNFINISHED in the back ground. 

70th Anniversary of D-Day

Just a quick note to remind everyone that today is the 70th anniversary of the landings at Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi aggression.  D-Day was a success, but it cost us dearly in men's lives.  Please take a moment to remember. 

All Quiet on the Martian Front by Alien Dungeon

So a bit over a year ago, I bought into a Kick Starter program from Alien Dungeon that sounded great, "All Quiet on the Martian Front".  It is a table top game that uses 18mm scale models to depict a Martian invasion during the early 1900's right before what we would have known as WW1.  The original invasion was in 1897 and the people of earth won, but the aliens from Mars returned. 

The models seem nice, I have seen better, but they are NOT bad at all.  They go together very easily and you have a number of ways you can make the tanks and alien pods. 

I bought the package that was around $130, so I got a number of cool items, here is some of them:

The plastics are good, I have seen better, but over all, for a table top game they are fine.  Good detail and NOT too much flash, though there is some especially on the gun barrels.  In the photos above you can see both the regular steam tank sprue (the main stay of the US Army) and the Alien pods.  The main sprue gives you a choice of weapon and then you have the leg and base sprue. 

Here is your typical steam tank, Mark II.  The concept is the open bin you see is where the coal goes and antenna looking thing is the smoke stack that is fitted over the coal boiler. 

Here is another version of the Mark II.  Sponson guns and a HMG.  See the rest of the parts in the background?  This is how you can make all sorts of variants.  BTW, there is NO glue on this tank.  You obviously need to have glue, but the parts fit very well.

                                    
Here is yet another variant of the Steam tank.  The Mark III has more weapons and is taller and cost a few more points to field.

Here you see some of the US Army troops.  These are white metal, not quality either, but heavy on the flash, will require cleaning up.

Here you have what the game calls, "Rough Riders".  Obviously a play on Teddy Roosevelt's mounted troops during the Spanish American war of 1898.  BUT these are motorized and their bikes have mounted on them HMGs!  Interesting unit.

And here is a shot of a page in the rule book.  The rule book is well made and looks durable.  I started reading the rules and they do look good so far.  This game is played with a D10 not your typical D6.  That's it for now.  Hope you show some interest in this game.  It will not be in the stores UNTIL all the Kick Starter folk have their things.  I am still missing some of my items as they were not packed and awaiting their delivery.  Links to the game makers below.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1117201778/all-quiet-on-the-martian-front-miniature-tanks-vs

http://www.architectsofwar.com/

War Thunder - Ground Forces - T60 light tank

So I unlocked the T-60 light tank.  This thing was pretty much a support vehicle for troops in real life, or a scouting tank.  In WT Ground Forces however, its a fast firing tank that you can use to spam the enemy with 20mm rounds!  It carried 59 rounds in one magazine.  It fires FAST but doesn't do much damage, especially against bigger tanks, but great for killing player operated AAA vehicles and light tanks.  Also, I'm sure it will cause havoc to low flying aircraft! 

Try getting around the read flanks of the enemy to damage engines or tracks to immobilize.  Then have a friend with a heavier tank finish them off.  Another tactic can be to have 2 or 3 buddies in this thing and take turns dumping the magazines.  The T-60 takes quite some time to reload, so once  you dump your mag, then your friend can unload his magazine and then you run out, your next buddy can dump his....rinse and repeat till dead.  Most players will be so distracted from the intense volume of fire, they wont know what to do and just sit there till killed. 

The T-60's 20mm cannon is like the 20mm cannon the Soviet aircraft are armed with.  Looking fwd to my first game with it. 

http://s223.photobucket.com/user/Billymou/media/War%20Thunder/IMG_4674_zpsf83e9d05.mp4.html

 

PS: Can't get this video to play properly.  Sorry for the link and not a thumbnail.

Sorry for dry spell

Hi all,

I apologize for the lack of updates.  Life got a little busy there for a short spell.  More updates on Models, table top games, Wart Thunder, and other PC video games starting this week!

I also have a great GIVE AWAY contest coming up with an item given to me by my friends at Ammo of MIG (Thanks Iain!), SOOOO, I am going to give it away, but I have to think of what the criteria will be.  Perhaps I will put all the names in a hat of my followers, OR people that post responses on my blog etc.  Something of that nature. 

So if you are NOT a listed follower of my blog yet, BECOME one and the cool Ammo of Mig product can be yours! 

Best,

Panzer Bill