What A Difference Paint Chipping Makes

After adding paint chips to the tank I took a look at it and knew it was done. I know that adding streaking grim and rust would have added to the model, but still I stopped working on the model. This was just one of those moments where I had to stop fiddling in order to preserve the paint job already on the vehicle. More work is coming, but that has to wait until I figure out what kind of additional stowage to add.

The next step in this model's life is a display base. Once that is in place and the model is grounded, plan to look at what kind of stowage I can add to the model and to the base in order to tie them together and make a more interesting scene. This is not meant to be a diorama though, so I need to be careful to not veer too much in that direction. It is tempting to add a group of SS walking alongside the tank wearing their splinter pattern camouflage jackets. I know the tank deserves the spotlight here, but it really looks to me like a background piece.

Bolt Action Panther

The Warlord Games plastic Panther kit is is great except for the stowage and tank tools. My intent was to paint this tank for display purposes, so I knew I had to replace them. A bent paperclip to replace that zig-zag tool, replacement track spreaders, a new axe, and a new tow cable were all I felt up to replacing. I will take some nicer photos later, but I wanted to show the tank before I had completed it. Paint chipping, streaking, overall dust effects, additional pigment, and lots of cleanup are still ahead for this guy, but I think it is looking pretty cool. This is my first soft edge three color camouflage job on one of these. My goal is to explore all of the German camouflage paint schemes.

So in game terms, I'm not sure I would ever take a sole Panther. On the other hand, I love how beat up and broken it is starting to look. It might have to pull some tabletop duty just because of how it looks.

Panzer IV at Arnhem

Our club's big game this year is operation Market Garden. I knew stug's were at Arnhem, but it turns out Panzer IV and Panzer IIIs were there as well. As a desperate defense by the Germans, the equipment was in heavy disrepair. I modeled these Panzer IV's accordingly. Each tank has some field repair or damage. I tried a lighter approach to my color modulation again in order to help the camouflage stand out a bit as well. Additional pigments are incoming, but for now, these tanks are ready for gaming.

Oils

Edit (older photos below)

Today I decided to jump in and paint with oils on my first non game related piece. This model is purely for display.  The model only has about half a day of work on him, but I am really enjoying the process. I don't think I'll have trouble finishing him by the Nova Open.

Historicon 2016 Photos

I realize this is just a giant photo dump, but I wanted to provide this for those who weren't lucky enough to attend the largest wargaming convention on the east coast. Historicon 2016 was really good this year. The convention was a little smaller than years past, but had just as many beautiful tables. I was especially impressed with the giant normandy table. The trees and bocage were just towering over the 20mm and 28mm models.

Our gaming club ran only one event, though we did provide terrain for the Bolt Action tournament. As a group we did very well at the painting competition. Richard Rush took home Best of Show for us, which is thrilling. I hope his fusilier ends up in Wargames Illustrated.

As a group we learned quite a bit about the new version of Bolt Action. The Warlord guys were great, and even let some folks sit down and read their draft PDF of it. After playing my first game of Chain of Command, I understand some of Warlord's changes. Leaders are going to be really awesome!

Till next time, happy gaming!