Mixed Bag

 These are figures that I have completed the rump end of July and the beginning of this month. First up is the first four figures from the latest Empress Miniatures Spanish Civil War release.

Next up is another batch of Soviet partisans, again Britannia Miniatures from Grubby Tanks.

To finish off some Italian Wars additions, Dave kindly gave me this Wargames Illustrated Giants in Miniature figure who I have painted up to represent a character my fictional family Baldini family, Principe Fillipo Baldini and his faithful hound Jacamo from Steel Fist Miniatures.

Inspired by receipt of the above and Dave’s current output of Wars of the Roses figures I dug out this Perry Miniatures cannon and crew.

Back in the Italian wars vein I cleaned up a unit of sword and buckler men which are now under the brush.

 

People

 Following on from the vehicles posted last week I have completed the command pack from the latest release of Spanish Civil War figures from Empress Miniatures.

Splendid sculpts from Paul Hicks full of character, I have subsequently ordered the next three packs. Two of these are the same as the previous infantry but these sport Spanish helmets, the third pack comprises of an officer/NCO with SMG, a standard bearer, infantryman with a Madsen LMG and lastly a man with flamethrower. They are now primed ready to start when I have completed one of the two packs of British paratroopers that accidentally fell into my shopping cart when ordering the SCW packs.

Until next time…………KBO

Vehicles

 First up for the 1940 Germans in 20mm a 8.8cm Flak(sfl) auf Zugkraftwagen 12t (Sdkfz 8) aka Bunkerflak. It is a 3D print from Mardav Models and comes in two parts, the Sdkfz 8 and the 88mm gun to which you have to add the seat and hand wheels.

Next up a 28mm Panzer 1A supplied by Germany to the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War that has been converted to carry a Breda 20mm cannon. Only four were converted this way, the Panzer 1As were supplied in the pre-war three colour camouflage pattern which I have repeated on the modified turret. 

A metal kit from Empress Miniatures which also comes supplied with the original twin MG turret.

Until next time……………KBO

Progressing Slowly

 A couple of photos of toys I have painted so far this month. First up is another four British paratroopers from Empress Miniatures.

Next four figures are from the recently released Spanish Civil War Nationalist infantry figures from Empress Miniatures again.

Four more are currently under the brush.

Off to GHQ today for a large SYW bash.

Until next time ……………..KBO

May Painting

 The month has been a tad fallow on the painting front, spring always brings other distractions it appears from following other folks blogs. Here are some completed items below.

A small unit of skirmishers for the sixth century Romans. Figures from the most splendid range from Aventine Miniatures, the shop should be going live with the new owners next month. They are retaining the services of sculptor Adam which is excellent news.

I have recently purchased the new Nationalist infantry figures from Empress and promised myself that I would paint something from the pile of potential before painting them. Queue these Republican officers and medic.

What is this you may ask, well I recently ordered up a couple of packs from the Empress Arnhem Heroes range. Simply for the pleasure of painting and owning you understand, I will not be getting a full platoon. No Sireee not me😇

😈 are you sure about that?

Until next time………..KBO 

 

¿Pólvora negra, en serio?

Readers may recall I mentioned tweaking the RCW amendments used at the recent game at WMMS to use in a Spanish Civil War setting. After making only slight changes we set too yesterday. I fielded three battalions of three or four companies each, some of which had attached LMG or 50mm mortars. They had additional support of either anti-tank or field guns and a tank, armoured car or truck.

I can't make a coherent blow by blow account of the action in pictures but below are some shots  followed by our thoughts.

The peace of the Hermitage is about to be shattered.

The Republican Brigade commander, the flag bearer is a runner who could be sent to a battalion commander and allow a failed order roll.

Air support could arrive if the enemy rolled a blunder followed by a roll of four.

The Nationalist brigade command with runner.

The Anarchist battalion "rushes" towards the Hermitage.

The other battalions of Internationals converge on the farm complex.

The battalion of Regulares also "rush" towards the Hermitage.

The Anarchists "rushed" a little quicker.

A company of La Legion head to take cover in the station building.

The Republicans deploy a French 75 to make sure the Nationalists do not get too comfortable in the station.

The Hermitage becomes the key focus of the action.

Meanwhile the Internationals hunker down and trade shots with La Legion taking cover on the slight railway embankment.

A blunder ( a FUBAR in our game) by the Nationalists brings a staffing run from a "Chato"

The Nationalists get no further than the railway coming under heavy Republican fire from the farm constantly disordering (pinning) them.

By turn ten of twelve the Republicans were holding onto the Hermitage and getting the better of the Regulares and with the Legion pinned at the railway we decided that the Nationalists would withdraw, if we had used the Black Powder broken brigade rule they would have been doing so anyway.

We thought the rules worked pretty well a little more fine tuning is in order but our next SCW outing will be another go with Rapid Fire Reload, last used in May 2022! Tempus Fugit.

Until next time.

KBO

Finally!

Way back in 2023 I swung by Devizes on the way back from holiday to visit the Attack show where I picked up a pantile ruin building off Colin AKA Charlie Foxtrot Models. Having picked up a NWE farm building at the recent WMMS show I thought I ought to get it done before commencing on the farm house.

Hopefully it will get it's table debut on Tuesday.

Next up on the bench something in 1/72nd scale.

TTFN & KBO

Surely Some Mistake?

The place Spain early 1937, objective seize and hold the bridge. Nationalist forces approaching the bridge are four squads of Foreign Legion including two 50mm mortars and a HMG with support of a squad of Regulares.

Also heading to occupy the bridge is the following Republican force consisting of five squads of EPR with HMG and 50mm mortar support.

The opposing forces converge on the bridge.

A squad of SFL wait for their comrades to nullify the threat from the the flanks.

The Republicans have the same plan it appears?

The Nationalists consolidate on their left flank engaging the Republicans on the other side of the river.

The Republicans advance to counter, but there is some confusion (a FUBAR roll) and one squad advances to the rear.

On the Nationalist right a squad and heavy weapons teams in support prepare to give the Republicans on that flank a hot reception.

The Republicans come under heavy and accurate fire, a hot reception indeed 

The Republican platoon commander moves up to encourage the faltering troops on the other flank who are missing the support of the retreating squads less than enthusiastic return to the fray.

A random event draw saw the Republican Assaultos miss an order to advance and support their left where the Republican heavy weapons teams were all but eliminated so that the Nationalist could concentrate their fire on them alone.

Up to turn three it looked as though the encounter would peter out into a draw, however as happens a lot after the break for lunch the balance switched dramatically to the Nationalists the draw of the order dice favouring them. The Republicans suffered from some devastating fire blunting their ability to reply. Turn four and the Nationalists took advantage of this storming over the bridge causing further mayhem.

Turn six and the Republican platoon commander ordered a withdrawal.

A rare victory for the Nationalists, surely some mistake?

As an aside several years ago I made a periscope that seldom gets used, too old school? With the use of measuring sticks in our recent games I thought this ought to get used too especially as Bolt Action uses true line of sight. We are both getting on to keep crouching down if needed and risk not being able to rise again😂 so out it came.

The periscope cunningly disguised as a house front.

Until next time..............

KBO

El Camión De La Verdad.

Or is it?

The truck is a Lledo, Days Gone By model sourced from a local charity shop. The loud speaker is from a seller of die cast spares found by Dave on EBay. The figures are from the latest release from Empress Miniatures, Nationalist Command.

Included in the pack is a representation of Franco and a radio operator. I have added two German advisors and a Spanish officer from their range to make up a command vignette.

Trust that Santa bought you all at least one hobby related present. 

Until next time.........

TTFN & KBO