Nev's Wargaming

my historical wargaming blog

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Sherman OP Observation Post

The Sherman OP Observation Post was used for calling in artillery strikes. It had the barrel replaced with a wooden replica, thiscwas to allow for increased space in the turret for radio and communication equipment.

I used the same colour scheme that I used on the Crusader AA tanks

Model showcase: Crusader AA

The Crusader AA tank is armed with two 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft autocannons. Due result of Allied air superiority over the battlefields

The crew man, was painted in Vallejo paints and the following colours, English uniform for the uniform, basic skin tone for the flesh, flat brown for the moustache and khaki for the equipment.

The Sherman saw the first time I painted a 15mm person, I'm rather pleased with how he turned out, it's given me confidence for the infantry I have to build and paint in the future. Overall the Sherman turned out as I planned, took very little time to paint. The only thing I wish is that I had the skill to add decals or even hand paint the insignia on tanks in general, yet I lack that skill.

Anyway, until next time

Happy hobbying

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Crusader AA

The Crusader AA tank is armed with two 20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft autocannons. Due result of Allied air superiority over the battlefields of north-west Europe, none of the Crusader AA saw much use against aircraft, however, sometimes they were used against ground based targets.

Crusader AA tanks

The Crusader AA tabks are in 15mm scale and primarily for use with Flames of War. The crusaders were probably the easiest models I have ever painted, primed in army green, from Army Painter then painted vallejo bronze green and gunmetal grey, followed by an umber wash and a drybrush of army painter matt white. U knew how I was going to paint them when I started, which made it easier. They took no time to do, and I had no problems apart from motivational ones.

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: SAS troops and LRDG weapon teams

The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was formed in July 1940 was the brain child of Major Ralph Bagnold, they began operating in September of that year. The LRDG under Bagnold's leadership specialised in mechanised reconnaissance and desert navigation as well as offensive actions and intelligence. The LRDG would help out special forces, most notably the Special Air Service (SAS). The SAS failed to attack enemy outposts by parachute, so they turned to the LRDG to transport them to attack desert outposts by parachute. The LRDG became known as 'The Lbyan Desert Taxi Service', but their deeds were far greater than a mere taxi service for the SAS.

LRDG BOYS AT rifle team

LRDG 2" mortar team

SAS with rifles

SAS with sub machine guns

My SAS force needed updating for Bolt Action 3rd edition. I bought some SAS characters and a Ford Bofors truck from Perry Miniatures and another Chevy from Warlord Games, this chevy had an anti l-tank gun, but enough about them for the moment as they're a future project. The fact is I expanded my SAS to have more LRDG elements in it such as the anti-tank team and the mortar. I needed to add some more men to the SAS units I had so after a few weapon swaps (my Demolition teams are now no longer a thing currently) I had a new SMG unit and a couple more rifle guys. I undercoated in a desert yellow and used vallejo desert colours to paint them. I think they all turned out okay. They match the already painted models well. The increase in recommended points values for Bolt Action has meant I can fit more in my army which is a good thing.

Until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Work in progress: Samaurai, Ashigaru and more

My desk is full of projects at the moment, maybe too many if I'm being truthful. The first on the desk is my Romans that were my experiment in speedpainting with Army Painter speed paints, they've been lurking on my desk just primed for a few years now. Second up is the 8th Army soldiers for my North African desert rat army. There are some 15mm tanks for a d-day themed desert rat army. Finally we have a number of Samaurai and Ashigaru for Test of Honour, I've got as far as priming them, but I'm stumped as to how to paint the Ashigaru. I've decided on black armour for them, but I have an issue with the clothing, some accounts say they wear clan colours. Other accounts say they wore whatever they had available

Well that's all that's on my desk right now

Until next time

Happy hobbying

[tzekkaz]

Model Showcase: The Shinobi sisters

Employed to do espionage and military deception as well as helping out in sieges, the ninja or shinobi first appeared in Japanese records during the Sengoku period. Ninja means 'one who is invisible', and Shinobi means 'one who sneaks'. They would specialised in infiltration and guerrilla warfare.

The Shinobi sisters are from Bad Squiddo games and are female ninjas that, according to Bad Squiddo's website, may be sisters....then again they might not be.

The Shinobi sisters are for use as the leaders of my ninjas for Test of Honour. I painted them up primarily in vallejo black-grey. The pouches I painted up in orange brown and leather brown, both vallejo paints. The hilt of the sword and the bow were painted black, and the blade of the sword gunmetal grey. The bases were a challenge for me as I wanted to do something different so after using European earth diorama effect I added various flock and clump foliage, I used some flower tufts also from Bad Squiddo games and I was done, or so I thought. I thought about it and didn't like the fact that the feet were obscured by the foliage, a thing of mine. I decided to remove the foliage and mud effect and start again, this time I used less foliage and flock and had the mud effect showing through, I'm happy(ish) with the results. I'm still tempted to change them for a snowy base, but I'm not sure, only time will tell if I decide too.

Anyway, that's enough of my rambling

Until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Deserter Kapitan and Outlaw slingers

The deserter Kapitan is a fearsome individual who has proved himself as both a leader and formidable fighter. He has abandoned his paymaster and recruited his own band of followers.

Deserter Kapitan

The deserter Kapitan is from Footsore miniatures, he is listed on the Footsore website as a gamekeeper, but in the description of the Outlaw retinue set as a one eyed outlaw. When working out my list there were no rules for a gamekeeper or an outlaw with a crossbow so I decided to use him as a deserter kapitain who can be equipped with crossbow.

The process of painting him was fairly easy, I chose colours that blended in a bit with the rest of the outlaws but made him stand out as being different so I used less earthy greens and added in some blue on his trousers.

Forest slingers were skilled at bringing down game with their slings. A sling was favoured by outlaws as they were cheap to make and ammunition was plentiful.

Forest Slingers

Forest Slingers

There is not a lot to say about the forest slingers, I painted them in earthy tones, much like the other outlaw models. They were fairly trouble-free. They are the last of my models for Baron's war at the moment and the final models for my 500 point Outlaw retinue.

Until next time

Happy hobbying !

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Outlaw Noble, signaller and outlaws

The outlaw noble would sometimes choose that lifestyle as a means of building up a fortune, especially when they were the younger son of a noble and destined not to inherit. These nobles would sometimes find themselves pardoned by the King, especially when the king was at war and needed more knights.

Outlaw Noble (left) Signaller (right)

The outlaw Noble I painted in brighter colours than all the other outlaws to represent his former social standing. I tried using greens and browns to tie him into the rest of the retinue.

The signaller was painted up in the now familiar earthy tones matching the rest of the outlaws in the retinue.

Outlaws

The outlaws I picked for this unit are all welding hand weapons on the models. Earthy tones were used and I have now become fairly quick at painting outlaws so they were done fairly quickly.

Until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Throwback Thursday: Warrior Priests

Here we have a couple of warrior priests. One is a plastic kit from Victrix and the second one is a metal one from Footsore Miniatures.

Thanks for looking and until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Throwback Thursday: Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Dane nobility

This throwback Thursday there is a number of character models including Alfred the great and Aethelflaed, Lady of Mercia as well as a number of Earls. The models are produced by a number of companies they are:

Victrix

Bad Squiddo Games

Gripping Beast

That is all for now, thanks for viewing my models

until next time

happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Outlaw commander, poacher and outlaws

Outlaw commanders ran their retinues like a mafia boss. They were charismatic individuals who other outlaws would flock to follow due to their reputation.

The poacher would hunt game and sell it to peasants or even the clergy on some occasions. Sometimes poachers were hired by a lord to steal a rivals game.

Outlaw commander (left), Poacher (right)

Signaller (left), Outlaws (centre-right)

I continued the earthy theme with these models, I pondered how I was going to make the Outlaw commander stand out, I concluded the sculpt itself did the job, he is the only model I have that is heroically waving a sword. The poacher was a bit harder, yes he has a rabbit hanging from his belt and yes he also has a pheasant hanging from his belt but I needed to make him easily stand out. This was easy to do as I just painted his hood vallejo English uniform. The outlaws I painted in the same way as I painted all the previous ones.

Until next time

Happy hobbying

[tzekkaz]

WIP Thursday: Outlaw noble and outlaws

Having finished the Outlaw commander and his unit, I moved onto the Outlaw noble and his unit.

The Outlaw noble is nearly complete, just needs his base done. The outlaws are close to completion and should be finished in the next few days.

There is also a deserter Kapitain and some outlaw slingers waiting to be painted

[tzekkaz]

Throwback Thursday: huscarls with dane axes

This week I am showcasing some Huscarls armed with Dane Axes, these are for Saga but like my other Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Dane models will be repurposed for Lion Rampant.

The models are plastic models by Victrix, who I think produce some of the best models I have ever seen. The shield designs are not as intricate as I would like but but my hand is not as steady as it once was.

I hope you have enjoyed viewing the models as much as I enjoyed painting them.

Anyway until next time

happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Model Showcase: Outlaws

These men live outside the law, hunted as fugitives they evade capture and punishment. Using both close combat weapons and bows the outlaws are skilled warriors.

Another eight models completed towards my five day challenge. Like the outlaw bowmen I went for earthy colours favouring greens over the browns in an attempt to show that they live in the forest outside of the law. I'm not sure what course they would actually have worn but I like the Robin Hood look of the greens, especially as Robin Hood was one of my childhood heroes.

I hope you enjoy looking at the models

Until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

WIP Saturday: many outlaws and commanders

This week my WIP Wednesday is on a Saturday as I did not have time on Wednesday to do it, okay the truth is I forgot.

This week I have been failing in my five day challenge. I did my beginners retinue for Barons' War in a few days so I foolishly believed I could do the Outlaws in the same time frame.

Currently I am working on my Outlaw commander and his unit, which consists of him, a poacher, two outlaws and a signaller.

I also have a unit of outlaws with an outlaw noble and a unit of slingers with a deserter Kapitan all primed and ready for painting.

Until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Throwback Thursday: Huscarls

This week I continue the Anglo-Saxon/Anglo-Dane theme with some Huscarls. The models are all by Footsore Miniatures. I gave the Huscarls more intricate shield designs due to their higher standing within society.

Thanks for having a look at my models

until next time

Happy hobbying!

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Outlaw bowmen

The peasant bowmen of the medieval era trained rigorously every Sunday. It was law that all men had to learn the longbow so should their feudal lord go to war they would called up to fight for him. Sometimes these men would find themselves on the wrong side of the law, these men often continued to train and used their skills in archery to help them survive.

I decided earthy tones were, once again the order of the day, so like the previous bowmen I used earthy natural browns and greens. There is not a lot to say about them as everything went according to plan. I am attempting to get my entire outlaw retinue, 30 models, painted in five days, so far so good, just 22 models left to paint....

Anyway until next time

Happy hobbying !

[tzekkaz]

Model showcase: Mounted knights

Of noble birth, the Knight would work his way up through the knightly ranks from page and squire. They would often be given wealth and land by the Lords and Barons for their service. They trained to ride horses and use armour and weapons associated with the knightly class. They wore early heraldry, bright colours and banners so that they might be easily distinguished on the field of battle.

The knights were quite the break from the earthy muted tones I normally paint in. I do struggle to paint bright colours, especially white. I copied the loosely followed heraldry Footsore miniatures had used on their knights, freehand painting patterns, and heraldry. I was not sure about doing my usual umber wash on them as I was not sure how grimy I wanted them to look, I concluded grimy was good, I did not want them looking like they had just stepped out of the castle. The hardest model to put the wash on was the Knight in white. To wash him, I flooded the area to be washed with water and used a brush to put a few drops of umber wash on. The wash watered down and flowed nicely, giving the Knight a grimy look without looking stained brown. With hindsight, I should have probably used this method on the rest of the knights. Oh well, you live and learn, and this hobby, for me, is all about learning new stuff.

Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed the models

Until next time

Happy hobbying!