Bolt Action: Stalingrad Soviets (Paint Guide)

Hi guys, after a few hours research on google (how did we cope without it) for uniform colours the first thing to note is that the Soviet Army uniforms come in a wide range of colours and shades. At the time they came from various sources and the Soviet Union was a vast area with millions of soldiers. Hmm, what to go for then.

I guess the classic "look" is greeny yellow sort of Khaki colour but the photos on Warlords Infantry box shows a more yellow/brown colour.

So I decided to just make something up! I knew I wanted a yellowish colour so decided to prime with a black primer rattle can (GW) then used Desert Yellow (Army Painter) rattle can which gave me a dark yellow base.

The plan was to use a wash over the entire model after painting all the base colours. One wash to rule them all.... 

So as far as the bulk of the models goes the yellow base was perfect. I then blocked in the flesh, weapons, helmet and straps. I then highlighted the flesh but at this point decided to leave the helmet the base colour and not highlight. It looked better darker.

If you plan on doing this or any other wash technique be sure to make the painted areas lighter than you want as the was will darken the areas as well as add definition to the piece. In terms of washes I made my own magic blend...

Gone are the days of making your own washes (thank goodness) and I like the GW range of washes but the following would work with any wash based product. I did not use inks. These radically alter the colours and would not suit what I wanted to achieve.

I started with 1 part Nuln Oil (GW), 1 part Baal Red (GW old name), 2 parts Flesh Wash (GW old name) and 4 parts Earth Shade (GW old name). I used an emply pot and made a full pot to use for the army. I even used it on the stone bases to break up the grey.

The final effect is great and I am happy with it. I plan to grubby up the units except the inexperianced squad to show they are new to the field.

I did plan on an all over light drybrush of Khaki but the models just do not need it. If it aint broke why fix it.

With the above techniques I can knock out a squad in two hours. To the standard achieved I am happy with that!

I have put some photos below including a paint list. I did use a metallic on the metal areas before washing as am after thought.

Any how 60 more dudes to paint so I will do another blog in a few weeks when more progress it made.

Enjoy.

Bolt Action: A brave new world for a 40k player PART 3

Hi guys,

A quick update from my American Bolt Action force...

I have finished my 1/48 scale M8 Greyhound and painted it up. I base coated in black then hit the top with white to give the next base coat some fading. Avoiding olive drab as I much prefer the dark green look, which is pretty close anyway once olive drab weathers, so I used gw spray paint dark angels green then dry brushed a few times with a touch of olive drab and military green. Added some rust, weathering and mud and I am a happy camper.

I have also done a test model for my infantry and to keep me from spending too long on each model I basically primed white then gave myself for 5 minutes to paint all the base colours on. I am relying on the two washes to bring in the details. The first a heavy red-brown then a black. I will go back and highlight the flesh and paint weapons to finish it off but I am pleased with the result.

I am hoping to batch paint these in large batches to get them done. I will do a more detailed post and list my colours etc when I do.

I also have an M4 Sherman to put together. Again, it is 1/48 scale and I will do a review of the kit when I assemble it and post it up.

Photos below!

Happy Gaming.

Capt Tycho.

Bolt Acton: Terrain

Hi guys,

Another quick one (I know the hobby is flowing at the moment). I have been working on some non-40k terrain to prep for my first bolt action game.

I have decided to work on a few buildings first. I printed off some brick patterns off the internet and applied this to some foam board. Nice and easy start. I got the patterns from a brill site called paper brick (http://paperbrick.co.uk/).

Stuck together with a hot glue gun i had the basic shape. After that I added some balsa wood for the details. I need to base and paint it up but here is a work in progress...

Happy Hobby
Capt Tycho

Bolt Action: A brave new world for a 40k player PART 2

Hi guys,

A quick update for you. I managed to get my p51 painted for Bolt Action. I trawled through the internet looking for a suitable colour scheme. I am happy with how it turned out.

Check out the photos below.

Happy hobby
Capt Tycho

Bolt Action: A brave new world for a 40k gamer

Hi guys. After much thought, and reading reviews for Warlord Game's Bolt Action, I have taken the leap and decided to get into it.

For the muggles out there Bolt Action is a platoon based 28mm scale game set during World war 2.

After speaking with my friend Alex (who is doing a German force) I decided on doing an American Force. What can I say I loved Band of Brothers, Fury and the M1 Garand.

After having a read of various theatres I decided on basing my force around Patton's 3rd Army. Specifically the 5th Infantry Division "Red Devils" & support from the 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seven". Both saw action together in Europe and the Red Devils have a red diamond unit badge which will be easy to replicate on the helmets.

So here is my list...

5th Infantry Division "Red Devils" & 7th Armored Division "Lucky Seven" (999pts)

Armies of the United States (Allies) Headquarters (188pts)
Air Forward Observer (85pts)
Platoon Commander (103pts)
First Lieutenant

1st Platoon - 1st Rifle Squad - Veteran Infantry Squad (75pts)
  Veteran NCO with Garand Rifle
  2x Veteran Soldier with Garand Rifle
  2x Veteran Soldier with Bar M1918A2

1st Platoon - 2nd Rifle Squad - Veteran Infantry Squad (78pts)
   Veteran NCO with smg
   2x Veteran Soldier with Garand rifle
   2x Veteran Soldier with Bar 

2nd Platoon - 1st Rifle Squad - Regular Infantry Squad (118pts)
   Regular NCO with Smg
   9x Regular Soldier with Garand rifle                     1xRegular Soldier with Bar

2nd Platoon - 2nd Rifle Squad - Regular Infantry Squad (118pts)
   Regular NCO with smg
  ·9x Regular Soldier M1 Garand rifle   
   1x Regular Soldier with Bar

1st Platoon - Bazooka Team (60pts)

1st Platoon - Sniper Team (52pts) [2x Pistol, Regular (52pts)

"Alfie" - M8 Greyhound (110pts) [Coaxial MMG, Regular (110pts), Turret Mounted Light AT Gun]

"Apollo" - M4 Sherman 75MM (200pts) [Coaxial MMG, Forward Facing Hull Mounted MMG, Pintle-Mounted MMG (360) (15pts), Regular (185pts), Turret Mounted Medium AT Gun]

Thats the list done now its time to order some models. We have decide to use Warlord Games infantry but avoid using the tanks as they are 1/56 scale and look (to me) to be too small next to the heroic 28mm infantry models. Tamiya do a range of 1/48 scale which will suit the scales better. We think.☺

The box sets from Warlord are fantastic value. I got two boxes of infantry for £22 each. Each box contains 25 infantry and ALL the options to make hq, snipers, BARs (Browning Automatic Rifles), Bazooka teams. Loads of arm options, weapons and equipment. I also picked up a forward air observer which was a metal miniature but what I was not expecting was 2 other guys in the set to represent the runners. Amazing value for £6! Yes GW £6 for 3 miniatures remember them days? Not £18 for 1! Ahem.

So I got the them assembled and primed ready for some paint.

Below is a few photos of my progress. Including a P-51 Mustang my daughter (14 months) picked for me. Its 1/72 scale but this will represent incoming air craft as American Air Observers have a rule which means they can call TWO air strikes per game which is awesome.

There is also a photo of my daughter Robin playing with her Dads new toys.... monkey!

Next up terrain...