Panzer Vorwärts! Aber mit Verstand!

Well it's about time I got my rear in gear so to speak.  I have not posted anything hobby-wise in awhile and thought I would post a progress check for all of you to see I'm not completely off the net these days.

Major projects when I've found the time lately have been getting ready for my D-Day game featuring the 12th SS HJ assault against the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and the Sherbrooke Fusiliers in vicinity of Buron, Authie, and Cussy on or about D+1.  Originally I wanted to play with the Battlegroup Overlord rules but given the scale and the fact that I may not have all of the vehicles completed in time, I'm thinking I could play the game with my GHQ rules, Blitzkrieg Commander, or possibly even Rapid Fire...

Anyways, here are some shots of recently-completed Armor off the assembly line!  Some 15mm PSC Panthers, a Mk IVH, a handful of beefed-up Mk IIIMs, and to make things interesting, I started a platoon-pack of Waffen SS Infantry from Battlefront.  These will be either individually based, or based in teams (a la the Battlegroup family of rules).

I experimented with the camouflage "Plane Tree" and although it's not perfect, I'm happy enough with how it turned out.  And as it turns out, patience is a big part of getting camouflage right.  That explains why so many of my camo jobs turned out....not so right

Panther taking up firing position somewhere in western Russia, Spring 1944

 For this batch of armor, I followed the steps in the Battlegroup: Kursk book.  Prime and undercoat, dry brush, wash, detail, more dry brush, more detail.  sealant.

Still left to do: apply my secret formula around the decals to make the edges disappear.  This works brilliantly when I can get the combination right.

I experimented with the "paint chipping" as recommended in the Battlegroup Kursk book.  Along the front glacis in front of the hatches it actually turned out pretty well.  Around the turret I think I had too much paint on the brush and it got smudged.

This big cat turned out very well and I'm happy with her.

All panzers are in position sir!

A Mark IVH of the dreaded 12th SS HitlerJugend Division.  TC is wearing a "pea dot" coverall set with the ubiquitous grey garrison cap.

Scanning for targets.  "Reconnaissance has spotted the Tommies!"  and if you look close, you can see the 12th's marking on this tank.

Driver forward!  Prepare to engage targets!!

 Meanwhile, back to the Russian Front....nimble Panzer IIIs dart for cover.  They are no match for the horrendous 85mm gun reportedly on the new Russian tanks!

Still needing detailing on this one.  I guess I just really wanted to take these out to play!

Targets spotted!

 This next batch of pictures are my unfinished group of 12th SS troopers.  They still need some of their kit painted but for the most part, they're finished.  I managed to get the same colors from the Flames of War painting guide "How to Paint SS Camo" and they worked brilliantly.  The only thing I'll admit is that I need to mass-produce these guys so instead of breaking out my "obscenely small paintbrush" that worked so well during my US Army M-81 painting frenzy, I opted for my smallest "normal" brush and dabbed the dots on.  I also skipped the dark dots as it looks like leopard print from a New Jersey shopping mall when I added those...

Started with the light green base.  Added the brown splotches, then the dark green splotches, then light green dots over all the splotches.  Since I'm lazy, I just gave them "dunkelgrun" pants!!

damn officers, they forgot my dots.

Stay tuned.  I can't promise I'll have alot more things to post, but more is coming none-the-less.  Family vacation next week so almost no time for hobby work.  That said, a game could be in the cards for next weekend.

 Here's a list of actual, yes actual, projects I'm working on at the moment:

• Microarmor Panzer IIIM platoon almost finished (Team Yankee / Blood & Thunder)
• Microarmor BTR-70 platoon (just the transports) almost finished. (Team Yankee)
• Canadian Shermans.  Lots of them.  In various stages of completion.
• 10mm Napoleonic Battalions.  Almost finished with a "standard brigade" for Napoleon At War.  That is 4 six-stand battalions to include their artillery support, light infantry detachments, and artillery battery.  I have 2 strips of 5 troops per strip on a base. Funny that all this work will go into playing 1 game.  (in all seriousness, I may start playing other rules sets with my 10mm stuff for Horse & Musket stuff.  I am starting to realize my modest 6 x 4 table will never host Eylau or Waterloo in 15mm so it might be time to rethink plans and keep all that 10mm stuff.  Thank GOD I didn't get rid of it!!!).
• 15mm US WW2 GIs (about 20 of them, individually based in troops and teams to play Disposable Heroes or Battlegroup Overlord)