Wargaming effort has been a bit lacking so far this year - not a lot of painting and NO games, not even a solo. I have actually missed two games at my mate Julians, one last Friday when friends Nick and Karen came to dinner at our place and another one tomorrow for reasons that are too irritating to go into - and the first Sunday game we have scheduled at Barrys is not till 28 Jan - so I really must motivate myself to get some solo games in!
I have, however, not been totally idle in the last 11 days or so, and here is the fruit of my labours - more Blitzkrieg Germans - cos I didn't paint enough last year, did I?!
The Rubicon 1/56 (28mm) Flak 36/37 was a bit fiddly to put together, but has come out quite nicely.
It turns, the gun can change elevation, and the two folding parts of the base actually fold up as they should do!
You also get lots of crew and various detritus such as the officers tripod observation devices, as well as boxes of 88mm shells (both AT and AA versions - they look very similar to me)!
Oberst Klink from the Warlord metal Blitzkrieg support pack
Size comparison with one of the 88's crew - I think they are close enough?
Aggressive, Iron Cross wearing officer.
Forward Observation Officer - with map and field telephone.
A medic.
MG 34 in sustained fire mode ie an HMG.
An 80mm Granatwerfer 34.
I also built and painted the last of the three PzKfw III models I bought a couple of months back.
This is a command vehicle (the II marking on the turret)
It is also a slightly upgraded version of the Ausfuhrung E version - as per below. (Hence the reason it is "the bosses" vehicle!)
Finally, I realised these eight 20mm pack horses I bought mid last year for the SCW collection had been awaiting basing for about 6 months - so they are completed now too!
Thanks for dropping by and as Stew always says, double thanks if you leave a comment!
That Flak gun is superb
ReplyDeleteThanks Scotty. It turned out nicely!
DeleteLove that 88! Very nice.
ReplyDeleteCheers John! I did put off building the kit for quite a while, but i am glad I finally got it done!
Delete88 gun! Great one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michal. I hope it can knock out the French and British tanks!
DeleteSome fab work Keith, love the 88!
ReplyDeleteCheers Ray!
DeleteI don't think you can expect a lot more of the first ten days of the year. All those Germans, armor and the 88 gun with crew! Splendid work, by the way. Your games will get back into a groove, solo being the simplest game to play.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joe, the only problem with solo is, I need to come up with the next scenario each time! But I plan to get one in over the next few days.
DeleteIf you can lay hands on a copy of charles grants 'programmed wargame scenarios' it has a pretty solid scenarios generators for 2 players, 1 player, and no players (i.e. you are the ai that runs both sides). The scenarios can be used for ancient, house and musket, and modern conflicts (it has some rough percentage based force generation for you to work with).
DeleteThanks Dave I might have a look for it although the main issue is, I have started three "sort of" mini campaigns, and I need to think of the next "instalment", as they are telling a story.....
DeleteLeverage your followers to decide what to do. Appoint a general and two underlings on each side to bicker. Make a discord server and watch as a gm and laugh at the drama. Call it kriegspieling
DeleteLOL - You must be an old D&D fan Dave? I have never played that type of RPG personally.
DeleteWell, I did a lot of AD&D gaming in highschool...so oldish, but not truly oldschool. I was making this suggestion from the kriegspiel point of view. I've been involved (online) in a number of wargames with extreme fog of war which entails having a GM issue maps and delay communication with fellow team mates. It's really fun and rewarding....gives you a sense of why the embarrassing defeats in history happened.
DeleteYou have been very active at the workbench! Love the 88 and crew. No gaming for me yet in 2024 either as I slowly recover from illness. The games will find us later.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering why you had not commented Jon - and then, I found this in Spam - again! I have no idea why that happens, the only other thing in there this time was MY REPLY to a comment from Phil - go figure that one!
DeleteThanks for the comment and glad you like the 88 - I have no doubt that you will play twice as many games as me again in the coming 12 months, regardless of a slow start to the year! Hope you are soon fully recovered - your Christmas Covid does seem to have knocked you about a bit.
88’s always seem problematic putting together, but are always worth the effort. Nice weathering on the tank, is that done with powders?
ReplyDeleteThank you Norm, no, the weathering is just plain, old fashioned dry brushing of various shades and colours!
DeleteNice work Keith. Never let the grass grow. This reminds me I have some pack animals I need to paint up somewhere.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris!
DeleteIt's only been 11 days since the new year, so no games yet just makes you normal. 😁
ReplyDeletelike everyone else, the 88 steals the post. it's cool. it's iconic. nice job.
Thanks Stew...me, NORMAL....WOW!
DeleteThe gun and crew are fantastic Keith.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Richard
DeleteMissing out on gaming chances is a kick in the duff, but I would still qualify your hobby activity for the new year (thus far) as a plus. Still acquiring and painting (+), and of course, still blogging (+), which is a plus for us who visit here as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed....missing games always grinds my gears, but we all have other calls on our time, unfortunately! I am glad you enjoy the blog, as it has become an integral part of my hobby experience/ pleasure!
DeleteThe 88 was quite a good-looking gun, probably because it is so iconic. Lovely work, and I do feel a bit sorry for Colonel Klink finally being sent to the Eastern Front. I too am looking forward to the resumption of our gaming after the Christmas-New Year layoff, which is also looking like late January/early February.
ReplyDeleteYes, no doubt it is an iconic weapon, Lawrence, like a Sherman, Tiger or T34.
DeleteAll the models a looking good in your growing blitzkrieg collection.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter...not sure if it will grow further...or if it's big enough now, for the task it's required for...I could obviously keep adding till I die, if I wanted to!
DeleteGreat work Keith! Especially the 88mm.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Ben!
DeleteOberst Klink is my favorite by far! That 88 looks menacing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve! Hopefully it works in my favour, unlike the 20mm version I did a few months ago, took to its first game, let my opponents use it ( cos I was playing Allies) and it promptly destroyed one if my Sherman's....
ReplyDeleteThe classic '88' that we all wanted to have for our games when we were kids. To be honest I can't remember if I actually had one or not! Loved the figures and tanks and I've found generic pack horses to be really useful for all of my periods, from the 17th-20thC:). Fingers crossed you can get some games in soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve...I did have an Airfix SaKfz 7 and 88....I had great plans to buy one per week with my pocket money...I even negotiated a raise from 20p to 25p per week to facilitate a weekly purchase....but it never happened, I only ever had the one!
DeleteImpressive showing for the new year, Keith! Love the 88 and crew. They really remind me of 1/35th Tamiya kits.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean - the kit definitely has that sort of vibe, doesn't it?
DeleteThe 88 is a wicked looking bit of gear. I never got one (or more) for my flames of war force. I might fix that problem one day. I love that the kit can be moved. pew pew pew! It's a high detail scale model, not a toy (I said defensively...)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it can be pretty deadly, Dave - I have several of both this version and the later PAK 43 by FoW (old original resin and metal from the late 90's!)
DeleteLovely work Keith and you have reminded me I still have an 88 to get sorted out sometime 👍
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt - and I literally just bought another one - happy days!
DeleteCracking stuff Keith…
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great looking 88 as are your other additions to the collection.
All the best. Aly
Thanks Aly - a few more 3D additions have just been purchased (in addition to the extra 88 I mentioned above to Matt) but its going to have to stop soon!
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