Men of Angmar

Finally managed to get the bases done on the last group of figures. I've also added a unit of cavalry. These are refurbished figures that were in need of some TLC. I touched up the paintwork and added the black shields to bring them in line with the rest of the force. They are a mix of manufacturers,  foundry, citadel and gripping beast.

I also completed 6 further infantry figures. 4 of which are the GB plastics with a few head and shield swaps. The others, 1 is an old foundry Arthurian figure, based as a leader. The second is a very old citadel Easterling figure.

With the figures done so far I can probably eke out a basic army for Dragon Rampant.  On the painting table I have another 10 warriors half done and a couple of wardogs. I have also ordered a Carn Wraith from Reaper miniatures to act as the Witchking himself. So a few photos of the force so far. 

New Middle Earth Project

After much pondering on the different wars as detailed in the books outside of The Lord of the Rings. I decided on putting together some armies to fight the battles that brought about the fall of Arnor in the early part of the Third Age. Namely the war with Angmar. Luckily I already have plenty of Orcs, wolves and Trolls but I am lacking suitable figures to represent the Northmen of Angmar who fought in the Witchkings army.

I've decided to go for some suitably dark age figures. First up some plastic Anglo Saxon Thegns and a few unarmored types. I added to these some leftover Dark age figures sitting in the lead pile. To differentiate the figures from typical Saxons, I've used various heads and shields from Romans, Celts, Germanics and Spanish. Helps give the army an unique look.

So here they are, the first 34 models, still need their bases completed. Pretty happy with how they have turned out.

I've deliberately gone for a very dark colour scheme with the clothing, keeping to browns and dark grey. The shields are done with a simple black and dark grey to add to the view that these are the bad guys.

I've got another 30 or some infantry figures to complete and have even repurposed some old Dark age cavalry to give me a first mounted unit. In the future I'll need to add some hillmen to represent Rhuduar.

WW2 Winter Soviets - supports

Finally completed 2 more support options for my Soviets, leaving just 4 spare infantry figures to complete. First up is the second artillery piece from the Plastic Soldier Company boxed set. This time I went for the 45mm AT gun with the longer barrel.

The other support option I completed was another tank. This time a T34/85 from Warlord games. Once again I went for a winter camo effect. This time I drybrushed a darker green, which I feel looks better. This brings me up to 3 armour options.

I think this pretty much completes this force for Chain of command. I may in the future add a few extra support options.

WW2 Winter Soviets - artillery

I eventually managed to pick up the Plastic Soldier Company artillery set. Well worth it as you get 2 gun carriages and 3 different options. For my first model I went with the 1943 76mm Infantry gun. This is a very nice kit and goes together quite easily. I did 2 head swaps on the crew to add a little winter variety as they are dressed in the summer uniform. I was surprised that the heads from Warlord did not look out of place. The PSC figures are slimmer but not as noticeable in the crouched position.

I also managed to complete a command set from Warlord games. This gives me a second Senior leader, a spare Junior leader, medic and a radio operator. These will always come in handy.

I've now only got a handful of figures left for this collection. There is the second artillery piece awaiting basing, 4 spare infantry figures from the last of the plastic Warlord figures. I have ordered a T34/86 to add to the armoured element. After this possibly a mortar, armoured car and a unit of scouts to complete the force.

WW2 Winter Soviets - T34/76 and more

After completing the BT7 I decided to build and paint up my T34. The T34 became the mainstay of Soviet armoured forces. It was a quick and easy to produce tank, well suited to the Eastern front and more than a match for its German contemporaries.

The model is the plastic kit from Warlord games. It does come with 3 turret options. I went with the 1943 variant to suit my mid war collection. Once again I went with the winter camo. The green looks too bright in the photos. Much better seen in the flesh.

The camo paint scheme starts with a grey undercoat followed by a covering of a matt white spray paint. I then do a very light drybrush with live green over raised areas of the tank. Then I use a quick stipple effect of light grey then white over the top. Simple drybrush of dark and light brown around the tank tracks to represent mud.

As my Soviets near completion, thought turned to the lack of gaming opportunities due to lockdown. So I got most of the toys out just to get a view of what I have and still need. I definitely need to add some roads and probably a stream or river.

Very happy with my progress when I started my winter themed ww2 project early 2020. Might try and pick up some extra Soviet vehicles purely for extra options.

WW2 Winter Soviets - BT7 Tank

I decided to add the 1st armour option to my Soviet platoon. I went for a BT7. At the onset of Operation Barbarosa it was the main cavalry tank of the Soviet army.  It continued to be in operation for almost the entire war, though in greatly decreased numbers after there losses in 1941.

The model is a resin piece from Warlord games. I went for a winter effect camo to match the theme of the infantry platoon.

Quite happy with how it's turned out. I now just need to build the T34/76. On a happier note I did manage to pick up the artillery set from Plastic Soldier company. Great value and gives me 2 different artillery options.

WW2 Winter Soviets Pt3

Finally managed to complete the last few figures I had prepped for my Soviets. First up is an AT rifle team, built from the Warlord plastic set.

There were also 3 extra infantry figures completed. I just need to swap them into existing squads which will then allow me a second Tank killer team.

With these done I've pretty much finished the infantry part of the force. 4 squads with some support options.

Pretty happy with these for a few weeks work. I've now just received my order with a few extras to add to the force. Will try and make a start on these next week.

I now just need to locate some AT guns and probably build some field defences.