More German Troops

Busy week, got several more models finished.  Started out with completing the 75mm Infantry Gun with 3 crewmen.  The gun and crew are all Black Tree Design 28mm.  Each model including the gun are mounted on metal bases for safe transportation.

Nex completed the Black Tree Design 28mm MG34 in the Heavy Machine Gun role.  Again the model is mounted on a rather large metal fender washer. 

The last model was the Tamiya 1/48 Scale Panzer IIA/B/C.  I chose to build the B model and added a Bolt Action 28mm Early War Panzer crewman from Warlord Games.  This model was a joy to build, going together in approximately an hour.  I was initially somewhat hesitant to get this model as I hate assembling the individual track links but was plesantly surprised.  The tracks were so easy that even I could do it with little problem.  To complete the model I added a few spare stowage parts laying around in my extras box. 

This model also compares nicely with the diecast Panzer 38T and scales nicely with the Black Tree Design Germans.

Overall, the German Army is coming together.  I have a few more figures to paint, a couple of Panzer 38Ts to repaint and a PAK 36/37 then they will be ready to battle my brothers Polish Army.

Second Squad

Just finished the Second Squad and got started on the 3rd.  All are 28mm Black Tree Design Early WW2 German Infantry.  These came out fairly nice especially considering how little I paid for them. 

I also finished up the Company B models Sdkfz 221.  Added a Bolt Action Early War tank commander from Warlord Games.  These are very nice models and as you can see, match nicely with the Black Tree Infantry as well as the 1/48 scale Diecast Panzer 38T.

 

Also added a few more decals to the Panzer 38T as well did a little dry brushing to add more detail to the model.

 

Will complete the rest of the Regular Army Infantry, finish up the 75mm Infantry Gun then will start on the Waffen SS.

The 1st Squad

     My brother and I have decided to switch sides, he will build the Polish Army and I the Germans.  Neither of us has built these armies so should be fun.

       Since I’m building the Germans, figured that I needed to get a jump on my brother.  He has always been the considerably better builder and painter as well as being much faster than me.   I decided to build a Squad at a time, with a vehicle in between each.   I completed the first of each last week but am just now getting a chance to take some pictures and post them.  All are 28mm Black Tree Design and mounted on 25mm metal fender washers. 

     The Panzer 38T came out nice, especially considering it’s a 1/48 scale diecast model .  I removed the tracks, primed and painted it in Model Masters Euro-Grey.  Then went back and repainted the details, washed the whole model in brown acrylic from apple barrel and applied the decals.  The size of the model goes very well with the BTD early war German Infantry.

 

     After finishing prepping the next squad had to make a choice.  Fat Tire or Hefe Weissbier.

 

28mm Polish Army

Just waiting on three more packs of Infantry from Blacktree Design and the first phase my Polish Army will be complete. 

 

 

 

The Blacktree Design Polish figures are very nice.  Crisp details and match well, both heft and height, to the figures produced by Bolt Action Warlord games.  There is a handy painting guide painting guide on the warlord site that I will be using for these.  The figure on the left is a Bolt Action 28mm Polish Anti-Tank Rifle gunner and the one on the right is a Blacktree Design 28mm Polish NCO/Officer from their command pack. 

 

 

 

Thought I would include a couple pictures of the ever popular 1/48th scale diecast Panzer 38(T), by a variety of makers over the years.  This one is the New Millennium Toys copyright 2008 version.  I have seen these for years, on the internet and a few at walmart, but never a comparison to other 28mm scale tanks being produced today.  The tank on the left is the 28mm scale Bolt Action Polish 7TP Light Tank.  As you can see the model compares very nicely, and in my humble opinon, one can hardly notice that one tank is a 28mm or 1/56th scale and the other a 1/48th scale model. 

 

 

 

 

Figure wise, the total force consists of a Platoon Headquarters, 3 squads of Infantry, a Heavy Machine Gun Team, Anti-Tank Rifle Team, a sniper and a 37mm Anti-Tank Gun.  For the vehicles I have 3 of the TKS Machinegun armed tankettes from Blacktree Design, a Warlord games 7TP Light Tank and a truck to tow the ATG from Force of Arms.  I will start getting this force ready for the table in the next week or two and provide detailed reviews of each model. 

Warlord Games 28mm Sdkfz 222 Armored Car

Recently received my latest warlord games order, got a few things in this one all for the 1939 Polish Campaign.  One of the vehicles, the Sdkfz 222, is the subject of this post.  Thought I would do a quick review and comparison to the Company B Sdkfz 221. 

The Sdkfz 222 is a very nice model, crisp detail and very sturdy.  I comes with the gun assembly, turret and the wheels all cast in metal.  The vehicle hull is cast in a single piece of heavy resin that will hold up great on the table. 

You cant see it in the photo but the wheels connect to the hull with a nice slotted base on the back of the assembly.  This makes for a very rugged suspension that will hold up for years of rought handling.  The only complaint I have is that the wheels seem a bit on the smallish side, maybe its just me.  This size difference is really noticeable when compared to the Company B model in the next picture.  Not sure what to do about that, but my brother can worry about it as this is his model.

Here is a quick shot of both vehicle hulls and the wheels of each model.  Also note that the turret of the Company B model comes cast onto the vehicle whereas the Warlord model has a turret that is separate.  I think the detail is much cleaner and sharp in the Company B (also more detail) model but the Warlord model is a much more rugged model. 

Company B 28mm Scale Sdkfz 221 Armored Car

The first vehicle for my Skirmish Campaigns Poland 1939 is the Sdkfz 221.  The booklet requires a total of 3 of these gems and 2 of the Sdkfz 222.  A quick search of the internet for companies producing this vehicle in 1/56^th or 28mm scale revealed a single maker, Company B.

I must say that Company B has made a very nice model and provides first class service.  I placed my order on Tuesday night and received my model on Saturday of the same week.  The details are crisp and well proportioned.  The detail is so good in fact that it looks more like a 1/48 scale plastic model from Tamiya. 

 

I have a couple of quick pictures of the model and will post more after I complete it.

Skirmish Campaigns - Poland 1939

The Skirmish Campaigns scenario book is a really nice product.  For those out there that game at the skirmish scale I can’t recommend this one more.  The scenarios are large but not too large, offering the ability to reasonably field the forces required for play in both 20mm or 28mm.  Personally, after have been away from 28mm for years, it was like the planets were in perfect alignment.  I previously posted about having owned some of these books.  Also, that the size of the scenarios precluded my ability to afford the number of models in 28mm.  I was delighted to discover that the overall force requirements are never more than a single Platoon of Infantry, Heavy Machine Gun, Anti-Tank or Field Gun or even Anti-Tank rifle team plus a few tanks.  The good thing about the tank requirement is that it's limited to just 6 types in total. 

 

I’m not sure how other gamers out there research and decide what will be their next endeavor but for me it’s really a process of determining what I can afford and how much time will be available to assemble the forces and actually play.  Too many models, large open ended generic assembling of points driven units, not enough money, not enough time to build and paint ect. 

I usually begin with inspiration from something; a movie that I watched, book that I read, conversation with friends, internet article; some kind of event that gets one started.  The next portion begins with a practical search of what is available in the hobby; rule sets people are writing or talking about, scenarios, figures and scales and so on.  I am often frustrated by not being able to glean some kind of base requirement for what is needed to make the transition to this new endeavor. 

I’m not a fan of points based games, don’t like flames of war but not a hater and believe to each his own.  But the older I get the more I like supplement scenario booklets.  This is for far too many reasons to detail here but suffice it to say, it’s nice to open the book and find out that I will need 4x Panzer Mk IIIJ, 2x Mk IVF1, 1x Opel Blitz ect.  And that I can play any of the historical scenarios in this single volume to conclusion within a reasonable amount of time.  This is one of the reasons for this post; I wanted to provide other would be “1939 Polish Campaign” skirmish players out there with an aide (other than just buying the book) for helping make an informed decision. 

Unlike the Skirmish Campaigns scenario books I had owned, this one seems to have struck the right balance, at least for me.  Players will need the following for the first 8 scenarios; the last 2 you are going to have to get German Mountain troops (or you could just use regular German Infantry).  The next 2 paragraphs detail what is required to play the scenarios as a requirement of the whole.  These numbers are with every possible option on the variable attachments for each scenario. 

On the German side you are going to need 1 of each of the following; a Platoon of Infantry, a Heavy Machine Gun team, Anti-Tank Rifle team, Pak 36/37 with crew, 75mm Infantry Gun also with crew, a Platoon HQs, and a 5cm Mortar with crew.  On the vehicle side of things the Germans will need 4x Panzer Mk Ib, also 4x Mk IIC, 2x Mk IIIE, 3x Sdkfz 221 and a pair of the 222.  Also the German player will need 3x medium trucks, a Sdkfz 10/4 SP AAG with crew and finally a Motorcycle Squad of 4 bikes with sidecars. 

On to the Polish.  4x Squads of Infantry, an Engineer Squad, 2x Anti-Tank Rifle teams, a sniper, 45mm as well as 81mm Mortar with crew, a single HMG team and a Platoon HQs.  The Poles have a somewhat smaller requirement in towed weapons and vehicles needing one of each; 37mm Anti-Tank Gun, 75mm Field Gun (French WW1 75mm) and 2 trucks (Fiat 620 I think).  On to the tanks; 1 of the small TKS tanks with the 20mm Gun and 3 with just MMGs.  Also 4 of the Vickers 7TP Light Tanks. 

I may have left something out, but pretty sure this is accurate.  Hope this helps somebody out there thinking about the Skirmish Campaigns Poland ’39 – The Black Brigade.  It’s a great product and reasonably priced; you won’t be disappointed.    The scenarios appear to well balanced and relatively short.  I almost forgot to mention the terrain.  There are a few small hills but is mostly open spaces with small forested areas; no more than 4 buildings with most scenarios only requiring 2-3 single level wooden structures.  I’m still in the process of assembling my forces so haven’t played any of them yet but will try and post my progress as I go along.

 

Poland 1939

Decided to take a break from my normal scale and period (modern 20mm), and go back to an old favorite, WW2 in 28mm.  One of the reasons was my recent discovery of the Skirmish Campaigns booklet for the 1939 Polish Campaign.  I had owned a couple of these booklets in the past but found the scenarios large.  At least  in the vehicle arena for 28mm.   The Polish booklet seems to strike a good compromise, offering accessibility to the 28mm gamer.  Allowing the fantastic larger sized figures and vehicles on the market today but not breaking your wallet in the process.