Out of Storage Part 3: WW2 in Color and in 15mm

Got out some of my old-time favorite minis for playing Flames of War.

Two Tigers and an Elephant aka Ferdinand

An assortment of half-tracks: 2x Sd Kfz 251/1s with
MG34s and an Sd.Kfz. 251/9 with a 75 mm L/24 gun  
Buildings in the back are JR Miniatures with a
Tiger and an Elephant doing a photobomb

One of my favorite AFVs, the T34/85

A column of T34/85s and truckload of Strelkovy

German 3.7cm Flak 37 auf Selbstfahrlafette Sd.Kfz.7/2
Gesundheit!

New and Old Toys, Part 6 Stalingrad

You ever set up your game table for a specific scenario and end up with 'free play'? Such was the case one day after I set up my Stalingrad table intending to skirmish an urban ruins clash against the usual suspects of belligerents. After the table was set (...the battle lines are drawn...) I had some visitors 'oohing and aahing' over the set up. Now mind you, these visitors of mine were not gamers. And unbidden they started pulling minis from collection and placed them on the table. The result was pure fun and unplanned...

(click on the pix to enlarge)

The initial setup: 28mm urban ruins on
my 5'x7' gaming table

A PanzerGrenadier column with BMW Troopen scouts
and fullysupported with a PZII and SdKfz 251 Halftracks
with some command elements in tow entering the sector

The objective: ammo and supply dump made up with
my collection of crates, barrels, oil cans, sandbags, etc.

Soviet Strelkovy and Maxim MG Team race to get into
position when all of a sudden, the Bugs attack!

At the opposite side of the table StormTroopers advance
supported by an AT-ST while a trailing Rancor goes amok

Standard StormTrooper maneuvers as they fan
out outflanking an unsuspecting T34 and the dinos

A T-34 and a BA-6 are duly engaged with the Alien and
a raptor as a T-Rex and a Bug are locked in combat 

A Stug IIIG with some BMW Troopen get in on the action

The Alien sneaking up on an unsuspecting Soviet Scout
observing the passing of the PanzerGrenadier column

Blade showing up for a cameo appearance

A soviet sniper sights on a T-Rex from Hobby Lobby

A mixed bag of belligerents including an armor
clash between a KV1 and JagdPanzer IV 

A melee and free-for-all ensues!

"All together now!"

Medic!!! Part 1

If you're a war movie buff like most of us gamers, you've all heard the inevitable and familiar cry for help that accompanies any battle scene. Medics are ubiquitous in most scenes were GI grunts are engaged in hot fire fights. 

Medic!!

But what about the Germans, Soviets or the Brits for that matter? Of course they have medics. They're just not featured in most movies that I've seen. Thank God for Google and through that engine it has yielded some great pix for reference for converting some of the miniatures in my collection.

Soviet Medic

Ultimate Soldier I used as my 'role' model for my German Medic.

I don't know about you but I haven't seen German Medics in the foreign films that I've seen. 

So using my acquired figures I selected a pose that could be easily modified and with a little paint, a steady hand and much squinting... Voila! instant Medic! 

(click on the pic to enlarge)

The Streets of Stalingrad, Part 2: A Bolt Action Meeting Engagement

And now the long awaited outcome from Part 1: on three sections of the table, the battle continues...

The center: Infantry squad vs Infantry squad.

Soviet Command element braves the open street and runs into the Stug then quickly ducks into a building.

"Oops!"

"Contact!"

"Load, HE..."

The Stug with no target in sight stalks the streets in search of one.

"Target lost, where did they go?"

T34 in ambush mode.

The T34 comes out to play as the Soviet infantry looks on.

Time for a showdown.

Shots were traded but no hits scored for both AFVs. Meanwhile on the far left flank another showdown between the HT and an SU76 is about to begin.

The HT is cheered on by infantry.

Where's the HT?

'Here I am, Ivan.'

Direct hit!

3rd Squad prepares to move out and exploit the opening.

Soviets mourn their lost Suchka!

Prepare for action...