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...

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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!"

Mini Tanks Part 3: Stuart! "Look What I can do?"

Not that Stuart!

Mad TV's "Stuart"

Rather this one.

Great comics like this and Sgt. Rock really fueled my 11 year old
imagination paving the way for my WW2 tank affliction!

Again, straight from Warlord, another US tank sent to the Soviets under the Lend Lease program. The Stuart wasn't really popular with the Soviets but gives this war gamer some variety to choose from. It's always fun to have these little guys battle it out as opposed to the proverbial tank vs tank clashes with the T34/85s vs Panthers, Tigers and King Tigers, oh my!  

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Next to the Suchka (SU76) and the T70 for scale comparison.

Another great model from Warlord, clean and easy to assemble.

Ready for color. Stay tuned.

Mini Tanks Part 2: T70

This all metal model of the T70 2-man tank from Black Tree Design was easy to assemble and paint.

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Straight out of the bag. No instructions but very easy to assemble.

Just dipped.

Ready for action along with a Suchka (SU 76 from Warlord)

Since these photos were taken awhile ago, I've since used these vehicles in a couple of light tanks with infantry engagements for Bolt Action. To be posted soon in the near future.

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.

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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")." 

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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. 

FINALLY, SOME KETCHUP!

Ketchup!

Yup, I know it's been a while since I've posted any new eye candy for you, my loyal minions. And there's a lot of stuff that I've been up to. Mostly gaming and some occasional painting now and then. I'm back with some new and old stuff. 

Here ya go!  

While at MilleniumCon last November I stopped by the friendly folks of Battlemart (http://battlemart.com/store/index.php?ccUser=ec37cffd6e9ca8393d7489923ac9c815) and picked up two models (1/50 perfect for 28mm) at the urging of HWSRN (he who shall remain nameless), proprietor of Battlemart. Inwardly groaning about not wanting to paint anymore I went ahead and bought them any way and finally got around to finishing them up in one weekend.

Now all I have to do is find a skirmish rule set without any charts! Suggestions any one? 

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T34/76

KV1

T34 with infantry support 

KV1 with infantry support 

Ready for action!