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So I'm kinda new and trying to figure out which book or couple books to pick up.

I'm a late war german armor kinda guy (interested in mid if the same models will work).

So far I own the open fire:
Grenadier platoon
3x pak-40s
3xStug G(?i think g)

I purchased a platoon of
5 panzer IV's (PSC still boxed I believe they can be made to any variant H,J,etc)

I am thinking of buying the Late war panzer company from PSC
Which is:
15 SdKfz 251/D Halftracks (not really sure about what these can/are be configured for. I.E. troop transport, reece, AA, etc.)
10 PzIV's
http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_22_24_50&products_id=212

What I want to play is a German armor comapny and I have been thinking to go about 10-14 PzIV's with infantry , artillery, assault gun and AA.

My questions.
Is the grenadier platoon I have enough or would i need another to be competitive?
Can the Grenadier platoon be put with the halftracks that I am thinking of buying to make them a mech platoon. Basically are these the right and useful halftracks for most list.
Are these the right halftracks for recon units (I wanted puma's but this is the best deal for the least money).

What book would be best to use these units with? Best as in most options or what most people play from. I'm not 100% how games work. For instance in a game everyone has to use the same books or as long as it is the same period (late war) and same points then everything is ok?

Also:
Is this a good deal. It seems like it since separately the 12 PzIV's would be almost the same price as the box set and since I need/want the PzIV's i might as well get the half tracks too right.

I am not particular about any front and I know a new book is about to hit...night fighters or something along those lines which....does not look interesting to me. I say this because IR panzers and funky night fighting rules are not what I want to dive right into yet.


Thanks for all the help guys/girls!

Also throw this out there. I live near Philadelphia, PA by the airport and just wondering if anyone here that plays is from that area?

That army deal comes with 130 plastic soldiers too.

PSC halftracks are just basic halftracks.

The recon halftracks are different. First that are based on the smaller 250 chassis. Second, the halftrack patrols have 2cm cannon in turrets on two of the three.

Atlantik Wall might be a good option for you to start with, esp 2PD and 9PD GepanzertePanzerGrens.

There's a few lists in this thread you may find useful
http://forum.wwpd.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=14210

I'm down near DC.

Ah I saw where it comes with 130 pieces but I thought that meant with all the crews figures and whatnot.

So i'm guessing with those halftracks I could get loose pieces from other spru's or say left over infantry pieces and model them to look like the versions I could use. I'll check the modeling forums for some of that...probably outside my skill level but don't get better without trying.

Thanks for pointing me to those list. I'll check out atlantik wall too.

Would you say all the books are still used or does the community tend to move on when new books come out and stop using the older ones?

Typically BF comes out with a series of softback books covering a specific campaign. These books have both Axis and Allies lists. Then a year or so later the compile all the recent softbacks into two hardbacks, one for Allies, and one for Axis,

When BF went to V3, Atlantik Wall and Overlord hardbacks replaced Earth & Steel and Turning Tide that originally collected the Normandy softbacks. Grey Wolf and Red Bear also got revised printings. Honestly that cheesed off a bunch of people because the hardbacks had been replaced or revised soon after being printed.

There are some pdfs on the website that cover certain army lists that didn't fit into the books that have been published. Unfortunately BF is not going to release any more pdfs and only put them out on their new Digital books ap and Forces list building website.

re Halftracks, PSC makes a conversion kit that lets you model the Stummels, Mortars, Flamethrowers, and one other I can't remember.

If you got the Army box, the German heavy weapons box, and the halftrack conversion box, you'd have a lot of options covered.

Here's the site for BFs pdfs. download any that catch your eye.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Default.aspx?tabid=108&art_id=881&kb_cat_id=100

This one might be interesting to you, but you'll need some of the 251/17D halftracks w 2cm autocannon.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/Portals/0/Documents/Briefings/Fuhrer-Brigades.pdf