Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone. I hope 2013 brings you all everything you hope for!

Robb

News : First of the promised updates:

Well I managed to paint 20 6mm tanks yesterday.

5 Challengers
5 Sherman Fire Flies
5 M10's
5 Churchills

So I've only 4 Anti Tank Guns and a Typhoon left to do. I reckon with this lot my army will be over 5k

Thanks for looking

Robb

News : I'm back

Haven't posted for awhile but have just ordered some splendid minis from Heroics and Ros to add to my BKC Late War Brits in 6mm, so I shall be posting some pictures of my army as is and the new stuff soon.

Robb

Justice for the 96

Those of you that know the real me know that my real passion is for my beloved Liverpool Football Club.

On the 15th of April 1989, 96 Liverpool Fans were crushed to death at Hillsborough.  Finally, after 23 years the truth has finally come out as to the cause of the disaster.   

As we the fans knew there had been a massive cover up by South Yorkshire Police as to the real cause.  The fans were not to blame, as had been claimed by SYP and a certain news paper editor who's name will not stain my blog!!!

Today in Parliament, the Prime Minister issued an apology to the families of the 96 for the terrible injustice which had been done to them.  

For the first time since we won the European Cup in 2005 I actually cried whilst watching the news tonight, I can only imagine what the families must feel.  My thoughts are with them today as they are every time I think of or watch our beloved Club.

The truth is finally out, and now we demand justice.

YNWA

JFT96

News : More OPEN FIRE! Pics

Battle Front have release some photos of their PAK40 Sprue and the built model.

They have also released photos of the V1.

Want it, want it now!!! :-)

Robb

News : OPEN FIRE! - New Starter Set for Flames of War

Now anyone who knows me knows I have never actually played Flames of War and that I am very much a Blitzkrieg Commander Boy, but having seen the new Starter Set from Battle Front I am very tempted.

Open Fire Should be released in October and will be about £50.

The box includes all of the models shown on the back of the box, including the V1 on Launcher and cardboard Buildings.  The box also includes a mini rule book as well.

The model content appears to be:

6 British Shermans

2 British Fireflys

Company of American Airbourne

3 StuG III G's

2 PAK 40 Anti Tank Guns 

Company of German Infantry

The Photos below show just how nice the new Battle Front Plastic models actually are.

Looking forward to getting this set and giving FOW a go, and at the end of the day, if i'm not impressed, I can always use them for BKC.

Robb

Games : A Quick Battle Report of my Warmaster Game with Jason. 1500pts of Rome v Carthage

An excellent game was had and the battle report can be seen at:

http://grandscalewargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/an-honest-tale-speeds-best-being_5.html

Models : Second Unit of Thanes for SAGA

Well its taken me a while to get my second point completed for SAGA, which is mostly due to me being distracted my shiny things, well my 6mm Carthage Army for Warmaster.


Anyhow, they have come up quite well so I am really pleased.

I just need to paint in a couple of the Shield Transfers in.  Next up I am going to start on my first point of warriors.

Thanks for looking

Robb

News : Zvezda SdKfz 222 Armoured Car

Zvezda add a 15mm Armoured Car to their range of cheap and cheerful vehicles.


There stuff is very nice and I use quite a lot of it for BKC, i'm sure this will be work a look.

News : Plastic Soldier Company announce Battlegroup Kursk

From the Plastic Soldier Company Website:

Plastic Soldier Company in association with Iron Fist Publishing present a new and innovative games system for re-creating the epic battles around Kursk in 1943 on the Eastern Front.

Welcome to Battlegroup Kursk!

These fast, fun and authentic-feeling rules, written by veteran games designer Warwick Kinrade (author of Kampfgruppe Normandie), are designed to play at 15mm and 20mm (1/72nd) scales.

A new and innovative games system for re-creating the epic battles around Kursk in 1943 on the Eastern Front.

These fast, fun and authentic-feeling rules, written by veteran games designer Warwick Kinrade (author of Kampfgruppe Normandie), are designed to play at 15mm and 20mm (1/72nd) scales.

Four detailed army lists included: German Panzer and Infantry Divisions, to face the Russian Tank Corps and Rifle Divisions across a series of scenarios or a short campaign "The Inglorious 12th July" for the savage tank battles at Prokhorovka.

Extensively researched background and comprehensive equipment data with a comprehensive modelling and painting guide section.

In the future we plan to roll out a series of supplements to cover all the campaigns of WW2 and to extend into modern periods.

Due for release September 2012 but preorder now for AN AMAZING PRE-ORDER DEAL :-

1. The first 500 pre-orders will be entered into a prize draw to win £200 of Plastic Soldier Company products of their choice. There will also be a second prize of £100 of PSC products and 2 x third prizes of £50 each of PSC products.

2. The first 500 pre-orders will also receive a free sprue of the upcoming 1/72nd Plastic Soldier Company Stug IIIG due for release September 2012.

Models : First Unit of SAGA Hearthguard complete

The first unit of Scots Hearthguard are finished, on to the next!!!


The shield transfers are from my good friend Justin at Veni Vidi Vici and make the models look fantastic.

Models : The Start of the Scots

Well the Scots Warband has arrived and I am very impressed with the models.  They are the Gripping Beast figures which are a little expensive but very very nice.  The intention is to have a 6 point Warband, and to this end I have purchased the 4 point Starter set and 2 additional units of Hearthguard (Thanes).  The list is as follows:

Warlord
Unit of 4 Thanes
Unit of 4 Thanes
Unit of 4 Thanes
Unit of 4 Thanes
Unit of 8 Warriors
Unit of 8 Warriors

I may try fielding the Thanes in 2 units of 8, I haven't decided as yet!

All 25 models in the starter set are different sculpts, which is nice to see.

From my limited experience of SAGA the Scots Battleboard looks like it might be powerful both defensively and offensively and it also has a rather nice ability to give yourself a mini orders phase during your opponents turn, and a ability to make your none missile troops shoot.

Anyhow, the models are build and based, next it's on to the painting.  I shall post updates as I go along.


First Model complete, 1 Thane:

Robb

Models : SAGA Scots Warlord

I thought I would finally give SAGA ago as I have had both rule books for quite a while, and so I have order myself the Scots Starter Army from Gripping Beast.


When I bought Northern Fury I got a free Scots Warlord figure, so I have painted it up as a tester.  Lovely model.

Models : House of York Army for Warmaster Medieval

I have been getting into Warmaster a little of late, which is typical of me now Warhammer Historical have gone for a Burton.


I invested in 1250pts of models from Pendraken, and the army consists of the following


Richard III
2 Lords
4 Units of Shire Longbow
3 Units of Shire Bill
1 Unit of Dismounted Knights
1 Unit of Mounted Knights
1 Unit of Pike
1 Heavy Cannon
2 Units of Peasants
2 Units of Irish
1 Unit of Shock Cavalry
1 Unit of Handgunners


The first model I have painted is my Heavy Cannon, photo below:

The models from Pendraken are really nice, I can highly recommend.

Robb

Models : Finally! Mission Accomplished

I have finally finished my Early Parliament Army for Pike and Shotte. It seems to have taken forever, but as I was keen to start my next project, a House of York Army for Warmaster, I managed to spur myself on to get this finished.

Photos of the completed army below:

This is my first completed 10mm army! Woo Hoo!

Robb

News : Lots of nice new Models from Forged in Battle

Shiny!

A quick post im afraid.
A real focus on Paratroopers from Forged in Battle this time round

http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2012/05/31/59652/

Robb

Models : More Pike & Shotte

Another unit of Ironsides completed.  Ive also managed to paint my second Infanty Commander (just in need of its flag) and my General.  Dragoons and Heavy Cannon next I think.

For anyone who hasn't tried Pike & Shotte, you really should if your interested in the English Civil War, 30 Years War or Italian Wars.

Robb

Models : Second Unit of Pike and Shotte, and a Cannon

My second unit of Pike and Shotte is done, and ive managed to paint my medium guns as well, photos included blow.

Unit of Pike and Shotte

Medium Gun

The army is slowly coming together, but I still have to paint a large pike block, 2 Musket Units, a Storming Party, 2 Large Cannon, a unit of Ironsides, a unit of mounted and dismounted Dragoons, plus another unit of Ironsides which is nearly done.

Robb

Games : Pike & Shotte - Parliament v err Parliament

Game of Pike and Shotte

Link attached from Grand Scale Wargaming which talks about my game with Jason.

Models : A couple more units for Pike and Shotte

I have posted below pictures of a couple more units from my Pike and Shotte Early Parliament Army.

Hoping to add a Battle Report soon as Jason and I had a cracking game the other night.

Small Unit of Commanded Shotte

My Second Unit of Pike

Models : 10mm Parliament Army for Pike and Shotte

I know this isn't WW2 related but this is my latest Project.

I have had a 10mm Parliment Army from Pendraken for quite awhile (highly recommended models), but have never been able to find a decent rule set to use them with, but the other week I played Jason of Grand Scale Wargaming fame at Warlords Pike & Shotte and fell in love with it almost imediately.

The game is ment to be played at 28mm really but there are conversion tables in the back of the book for using smaller scales.

We have decided between us that we would use the following sizes for units:

Pike Blocks - 40 x 40mm
Large Pike Blocks - 60 x 40 mm
Shotte - 40 x 20mm
Commanded Shotte - 40 x 20mm
Large Commanded Shotte - 80 x 20mm
Cav Units - 60 x 40mm
Medium Cannons - 40 x 20mm
Large Cannons - 40 x 40mm

My Army currently consists of:

General
Infantry Commander
Cavalry Commander
2 x Pike & Shotte Units
1 x Large Pike & Shotte Units
1 x Commanded Shotte Unit
1 x Large Commanded Shotte Unit
1 x Firelock Storming Party

2 x Medium Cannon
2 x Large Cannon

4 x Cavalry Units
1 x Currassier Unit
1 x Dragoon Unit (Mounted and Dismounted)

I've added a few photos below to show what I have done so far:

Unit of Currassiers

2 Units of Ironsides

Unit of Pike & Shotte

 

Large Unit of Commanded Shotte

Cavalry and Infantry Commanders

News : More new models in Forged in Battles ever increasing range

Well you could never say Forged in Battle don't release plenty of versions of their models,  there are lots and lots of different Shermans in the range, including the following new releases:

And a couple more StuGs to keep the German end up:

Keep up the good work FiB

Robb

Models : T-26 Command Stand for BKC

As you can see I have completed my Early War Command Stand for Blitzkrieg Commander.  My army now covers the Invasion of Poland to the Fall of Berlin.  I just 3 trucks to paint and then the Russians are done (thankfully).

History : The Sherman

During World War II, approximately 19,247 Shermans were issued to the US Army and about 1,114 to the US Marine Corps.  The U.S. also supplied 17,184 to Great Britain (some of which went to the Canadians and the Free Poles), while the Soviet Union received 4,102 and an estimated 812 were transferred to China. These numbers were distributed further to the respective countries' allied nations.

The U.S. Marine Corps used the diesel M4A2 and gasoline-powered M4A3 in the Pacific. However, the Chief of the Army's Armored Force, Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, ordered no diesel-engined Shermans be used by the Army outside the Zone of Interior (the continental U.S.). The Army used all types for either training or testing within the United States, but intended the M4A2 and M4A4 (with the A57 Multibank engine) to be the primary Lend-Lease exports.

First combat

The Sherman was being issued in small numbers for familiarization to US armored Divisions when there was a turn of events in the Western Desert. Rommel had taken Tobruk, and Egypt (and the Suez Canal) was threatened. The US considered collecting all Shermans together so as to be able to send the 2nd Armored Division under Patton to reinforce Egypt, but delivering the Shermans directly to the British was quicker and 300 had arrived there by September 1942.

The M4A1 Sherman first saw combat at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942 with the British 8th Army. The first U.S. Shermans in battle were M4A1s in Operation Torch the next month. At this time, Shermans successfully engaged German Panzer IIIs with long barreled 50 mm L/60 guns, and Panzer IVs with short barreled 75 mm L/24 guns. Additional M4s and M4A1s replaced M3 Lees in U.S. tank battalions over the course of the North African campaign. The M4 and M4A1 were the main types in U.S. units until late 1944, when the Army began replacing them with the preferred M4A3 with its more powerful 500 hp (370 kW) engine. Some M4s and M4A1s continued in U.S. service for the rest of the war.

Encounters with a company of Tiger Is, with their heavier armor and 88 mm L/56 guns, in Tunisia were typical of the mid-war period: the fearsome quality of a few German heavy tanks and their crews could sometimes be overcome by the quantity and mobility of the Shermans, supported by artillery and airpower, but sometimes at a great cost in U.S. tanks and crewmen. By June 1944, the Panzer IV had been up-gunned with a 75 mm L/48 weapon, and 75 mm Shermans were out-gunned on a regular basis. The first Sherman to enter combat with the 76 mm gun in July 1944 was the M4A1, closely followed by the M4A3. By the end of the war, half the U.S. Army Shermans in Europe had the 76 mm gun. The first HVSS Sherman to see combat was the M4A3E8(76)W in December 1944.

 

Pacific Theater

While combat in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) consisted of high-profile armored warfare, the mainly naval nature of the Pacific Theater of Operations (PTO) relegated it to secondary status for both the Allies and the Japanese. While the US Army fielded 16 armored divisions and 70 independent tank battalions during the war, only a third of the battalions and none of the divisions were deployed to the Pacific Theater.  Indeed, even the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) deployed only their 2nd Tank Division to the Pacific during the war.  The environment in which armor from both sides had to operate was generally described as tropical rain forests, which most armies simply classified as jungles. For this type of terrain, the Japanese and the Allies found light tanks easier to transport, maneuver and employ.

 

During the early stages of combat in the Pacific, specifically the Guadalcanal Campaign, the U.S. Marine Corps' M2A4 light tank fought against the equally matched Type 95 Ha-Go light tank; both were armed with a 37 mm main gun, however the M2 (produced in 1940) was newer by five years. By 1943, the IJA still used the Type 95 and Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tanks, while Allied forces were quickly replacing their light tanks with 75 mm-armed M4s.  The Chinese in India received 100 M4 Shermans and used them to great effect in the subsequent 1943 and 1944 offensives.

To counter the Sherman, the Japanese developed the Type 3 Chi-Nu and the heavier Type 4 Chi-To; both tanks were armed with 75 mm guns, but of different type. Only 166 Type-3's and two Type-4's were built and none saw combat; they were saved for the defense of the Japanese homeland, leaving 1930s vintage light and medium tanks to do battle against 1940s built medium Allied armor.

During these latter years of the war, General Purpose High Explosive (HE) ammunition was preferred, because armor-piercing rounds, which had been designed for penetrating thicker steel, simply went through the thin armor of Japanese tanks, and often out the other side without stopping. Although the high-velocity guns of the tank destroyers were useful for penetrating fortifications, M4s armed with flamethrowers were often deployed, as direct cannon fire seldom destroyed Japanese fortifications.