Monday, 24 August 2020

What's on the painting table?

 Blitzkrieg - 1940 - yet another side project!


So this is an SIG33 self propelled gun - I got it 2nd hand. There are a couple of bits missing but I thought it did the job OK - the previous owner had assembled it with (I think) unmixed Araldite epoxy and it was a bit sticky and blobby so I chiselled it all off and reassembled - bit of filler and a coats of paint. As you can see the kit (Early war Miniatures I suspect) came with no decals. I tried to use some old Airfix ones but they were dreadful so I did the markings by hand. They aren't marvellous when blown up like this but look alright in real life and are an improvement on the Airfix efforts.


It really doesn't look that bad in real life - they have changed the settings on Blogger so all pictures are massive. It all looks a bit rough and wonky. There is part of the shield missing and teh crew are PSC figures.

Next up - Zvezda 1/72 Russian dragoons (1812).

As usual from this manufacturer these are nice figures. They come as a hard plastic kit which makes them a bit delicate but less of a problem with cavalry than the infantry sets. I use small cavalry units so two sets provides what I need. Word of warning - don't try to stick them on different horses for variety - doesn't work!



A couple of problems with the sets- Set one the rank & file are actually Imperial Guard Dragoons - which is alright but they have a plastron you have to paint over if using as line. Set 2 - the command set have been made in thigh length jackboots (not shown on box art) which I am not sure they wore at all and isn't a typical campaign look so I painted over them. 

Again these figures will look better on the table than close up- I think wargamers worry far too much about making their figures competition standard - slap it on and get them on the table I say!  

Saturday, 22 August 2020

Hannibal at the Gates!

 So a while back I was enthused by the Punic wars. I painted up some figures. I had a game, tried some rules. Never played again. Recently found some stock so may resume but for the meantime here are some pictures:

The two sides square up.


Cavalry clash on the wings all figures 20mm/1:72 - I believe these are HaT.

Gallic cav from Qualiticast.


Elephants - the attraction of this conflict for many - these are again from HaT


Hannibal's Punic veterans confront the triple acis.


Numidian light cav (Newline Designs) lead the equites a merry dance (Not sure about the Romans; possibly front are Newline Designs and maybe some Italeri)


Hastati & Triari

And that's it really - I can't remember what happened but there may be more of this at some point,