The most Iconic WW2 Half Track yet!

The ubiquitous Sd.Kfz.251 Half Track by Hanomag is one of the most versatile AFVs in German arsenal and one of my favorites. I also have this vehicle in a few scales. 

(click on the pix to enlarge)

Some of it's variants... 

Here they are in 15mm for use with my Flames of War miniatures in front of some HO scale prepainted buildings I got from my local model railroad and trains store.

In a previous post "More PanzerGrenadiers" (http://thehistoricalminiaturist.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-panzergrenadiers.html) I featured these infantry and half tracks that were acquired from two different sources. They were already painted which suited me just fine. The dunkelgelb (German Armor Yellow) was OK but was lacking due to a typical application of camo on these later paint schemes. 

I planned to repaint them to Panzer Grey. Also the infantry was finished with a semi-gloss which is not to my liking. I prefer all my minis to have a flat matte finish that really helps the weathering effects.

Since these were acquisitions I can only guess who the manufacturers were. My guess for the infantry is Artisan. Company B for the halftracks. Chime in and let me know if you know.

Because of the coolness of the Bolt Action rules and the relative ease of play, my gaming group got some renewed interest in WW2 skirmishing. So that meant that the day finally arrived for repainting these bad boys to my preferred color. Time to get them out of mothballs for a makeover.   

Done and shown here with a mix of my German troops from different manufacturers: Battle Honors, BTD and Artisan(?).

At one point I thought these half tracks were from Warlord but upon my investigation of their site and online store, their models did not come with an integral base, like these models show.

I've since applied matte finish to the acquired infantry and have modified some of them as the gun crew for this 251/10.

They're ready to fight!

StuG IIIG

One of the most produced AFVs in Germany, the Sturmgeschütz assault gun was based on the Panzer III chassis.  After many improvements and upgunning the model G sports a long 75mm capable of taking on Soviet tanks such as the T34 and a personal favorite of mine.

(click on the pix to enlarge)

Another fine model from Warlord is this German Army AFV and assault gun: the Sturmgeschutz III aufklarung G aka the StuG IIIG. 

I love the simplicity of assembly and not too many teeny, tiny, little fricken pieces! 

I decided to leave out the side skirts to see more of the model. IMHO this is really a well designed assault gun and makes a fine infantry support weapon. 

After numerous steps of dry brushing, coloring, weathering and dipping, she's ready for the final step of matte varnishing with Testor's Dull Kote. 

Less is more and she's battle ready.

Achtung! Bereit für die Action und Kampf!!

Coming up soon: The units are coming together for an eminent confrontation using Bolt Action rules amongst 'The Streets of Stalingrad'.

Mini Tanks Part 1: The Simple and Reliable SU-76M

The SU-76M was a ubiquitous AFV that was an all around, all purpose gun for the Soviets. From self propelled artillery to tank hunting, she was able to do it all. It's always been a favorite of mine because of its simplicity in her design and I have collected this vehicle in numerous scales. Technically, it's not a tank but an Assault Gun but being built on the T70 chassis it at least fits that size category.

According to Wikipedia: 

"Crews loved this vehicle for its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use. However, the steering was also sometimes regarded as cumbersome, leading crews to also refer to the vehicle as suka ("bitch") or Suchka ("little bitch")." 

(click on the pix to enlarge)

The resin and metal castings of this model are of superior quality.
The crew is fully detailed and can be modeled inside or outside of their vehicle.
There's barely any flash on these models. Truly worth it!

Again, the quality is evident in how the parts fit
together perfectly with no time wasted on prep
(as in sanding or carving to make the pieces fit together). 

Aside from the fine detail of this model's exterior,
the same quality is extended in the fighting compartment.
There's even ammo shells molded on the insides. 

Prep consisted of washing the assembled model in water and dish washing liquid.
After drying she's mounted on nails and is ready for primer and color. 
In between these steps I usually dry brush with a Sand color before weathering.

Here she is with a StuG IIIG (also from Warlord) 
without side skirts that I'll feature in a post all her own.
After weathering and another go at dry brushing with highlights,
I applied Army Painter's Quickshade Strong Tone by brush rather than dipping.
I let it cure per directions then hit it Testor's Dull Kote and voila!

Here's the finished product ready for gaming.
I tested her out using a good combination of firepower:
my Suchka partnered with a T34/76
(this is a nice model from P.M.D. and available from Battlemart).

Here's Suchka in action trying to get a bead on a hidden SdKfz 251 HT.
Stay tuned for the next post as she and her sister (T34/76)
will be pitted against a StuGIIIG (shown above) and an SdKfz 251/10 HT. 

The Battle of Kantpronownski, A Bolt Action Meeting Engagement

This a Batrep of the 2nd game we played of Bolt Action. We found it satisfying, easy and fun. It also helps when you play on a great table (assorted terrain, river and roads on Hexon tile system by Kallistra  https://www.kallistra.co.uk/) by my buddy and opponent, Mikey. Thanks for hosting!

Yours truly, supplied the minis (Black Tree Design) and vehicles (HT was acquired from a buddy - manufacturer unknown, so sorry and BMWs from Battle Honors in 25mm) except for all the farm animals but were painted by me.

Photos were both by Mikey and myself. I was actually using my iPhone to check the LOS from the POV of our minis. Worked great and from there I got inspired and decided to use them here on this blog post and batrep. 

(click on the pix to enlarge)

Before the opposing elements arrived at this little Polish village of Kantpronownski, a recon platoon of motorcycle troopen with a command HT drove by and seeing nothing threatening reported back to battalion that all's clear.

Alas, the peace and quiet of this sleepy, little village will soon be disrupted by two converging and unsuspecting forward elements of Soviets and Germans at its CROSSROADS.

Unit dispositions
Off camera on the left: Soviet 1st Squad and HQ

Opening moves: The HT races ahead through the village arriving at
the crossroads only to find the Soviet 1st Squad across the street.

The German HQ rushes into a cottage to direct the battle from under cover.

Then the PzGrenadier 1st Squad with an LMG team wisely dismounts as the HT performs overwatch. The HT promptly opens up with its MG on the Soviets and a fire fight ensues.

The fire fight lasts for a couple of rounds with zero casualties on both sides! 

The Soviet HQ: a Lieutenant with 2 SMGs finally gets on the
 board, moves up and orders the Maxim to sight down the street for upcoming threats.

Maxim moves up to get a bead on the barely visible HT.

Visual LOS check from Maxim POV,
"Pavel Andreievich, I still can't see the HT! We need to move."

Maxim relocates for a better angle as their lieutenant on the right directs their fire.

Panning back the camera shows the Maxim's clear shot, which they take with satisfying results! 

Maxim scores a hit causing a fire but then fizzles out.

Soviet 1st Squad, tired of getting shot at by the HT is getting psyched up for an assault.

Meanwhile, on the German right flank, the Soviet 2nd Squad runs forward.

They rush into position to support the Maxim's suppressing fire and
1st Squad's upcoming assault on the HT.

"Urrah! Urrah!" 1st squad survives the potentially lethal crossing of
the street and immediately goes in for a successful kill. "Look, Ma, no Hans!" 

PzGrenadier 1st Squad and LMG team in position for an outflanking
maneuver as their beloved battle taxi burns.

Bird's eye view of the assault on the HT with the PzGrenadier 1st Squad ready for anything the Soviets might try. "Scheise! Where the hell is my 2nd Squad!!" curses the OberLeutnant.

"On the way, Herr Oberst!" as PzGrenadier 2nd Squad races to reinforce their weakening right flank.

PzGrenadier 2nd Squad takes up the slack heading towards the fence line as 1st Squad, in turn, assaults the victorious Reds thus avenging their dead HT.

Another bird's eye view of the aftermath of the PzGrenadier's elimination of the Soviet HT killers and 2nd Squad's displacement to the fence line.

"Hello! Here comes Ivan!" as PzGrenadier 2nd Squad commence firing on the advancing Soviets.

Soviet 2nd Squad survives another hail of bullets from the German's bad shooting and make it to the other side of the stone cottage. Inside the survivors of PzGrenadier 1st Squad were licking their wounds.

Unfortunately, the rest of the story unfolds with the lack of pictures..

The German HQ charges and kills the Maxim and earns an iron cross. The PzGrenadier 1st Squad survivors gets wiped out to a man in the stone cottage by the aggressive Soviet HQ. And finally the PzGrenadier 2nd Squad kills them in turn for a costly German victory.

Since this was our second game, the focus was on the mechanics to ensure that we got the basic rules right for a better flow of the game. Next we'll use the points system and special rules army rules specific to each nation.