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Here are some pictures of what I've been working on so far in 2015 for Bolt Action. I've been uncharacteristically productive so far this year ...

The beginnings of my Russian AFV collection. Be gentle, they've only had a base coat here:They are now joined by a fifth T-34/85, two further SU-76s, and a IS-2. Pics to come!

And for North Africa, some Italians. Here are three Semovente 75/18s accompanied by an Autoblinda AB41And here are some M13/40s:I expect a Semovente 90/53 from Blitzkrieg Miniatures eventually, if they ever get around to sending it.

And to grapple with them, a couple of Daimler Mk 1s in desert colors:They will be joined by a trio of Matilda IIs as soon as I get up the courage to paint a Caunter scheme. A pair of Churchill IIIs (also from Blitzkrieg) is on the way as well.

I have also managed to get some terrain underway. These are Warlord's ruined farmhouses on hardboard bases:And a forest's worth of trees, to be flocked eventually:Next up -- American AFVs!

Hey - that's really impressive. I've spent 2 months messing about with 5 tanks that I still haven't painted…

I really like the M13/40's. Terrible tank, but yours look nice.

I wonder if your base colour for the Soviet armour might be too light. You'd normally want that shade of green to be a final highlight.

Looking good man. That table is really gonna pop with all those trees.

I just got back into 28mm myself after a long stint in 15. I think we're gonna work toward some platoon sized battlegroup.

Cool idea with the fallen chimney.

 Tailgunner wrote:
Terrible tank, but yours look nice.

Thanks! I plan to use them as M14/41s, which are only slightly better. But in an Italian armoured platoon, every little bit helps. I keep thinking I will have to get some Vickers light tanks to make for worthwhile head-on engagements against the British but the Semovente 75/18s might give the Matilda IIs a run for their money. Conversely, I have no idea what to do about my friend's DAK Tiger from a British perspective. I hope an eventual desert-themed campaign book has rules for APCR and APDS rounds.

 Tailgunner wrote:
I wonder if your base colour for the Soviet armour might be too light. You'd normally want that shade of green to be a final highlight.

They are definitely and intentionally too light relative to conventional wisdom on painting Soviet armour. I used Army Painter dark tone over this base of Uniform Green, although they are still pretty light. I did my second wave of Soviet AFVs in the traditional "up from Russian Green" style. I am not sure which I like better. I think the lighter color gives the models a good sense of scale in person. I will eventually post comparison photos.

 Strombones wrote:
Cool idea with the fallen chimney.

Thanks, I was really happy with how that came out! Each of the one-structure bases are designed to juxtapose cover with difficult terrain to make for interesting tactical decisions.

As for getting started in 28mm: I think it is easier than getting started in 15mm or 20mm. I have long-term plans of collecting some 20mm WW2 forces for Battlegroup and that market is downright bewildering compared to the 28mm market. For one thing, the Warlord line is mature enough to handle almost everything you might be looking for in 28mm.

Thanks for posting the pictures. You've got quite the collection of nice painted stuff. As for the bright green, it's often effect to darken with stains/washes/filters. Brighter also makes things look larger, so I get what you're saying about scale.

 frozenwastes wrote:
You've got quite the collection of nice painted stuff.

Thanks man! Just wait til the Americans arrive ...

So here is a pic of Soviet armour wave 2 (posing with a Hetzer):And here are some pics comparing the color schemes:

I was at the Great Patriotic War museum in Brest, Belarus. They tried to keep everything they had their in their original colours but there was simply no uniformity. My friend (a local) translated for me that there was little consistency in the paint batches both during the war and after.The difference there isn't as great as your two colours, but I did see some that were almost yellow. There were also great rows of tanks behind the hill in that last picture, but I just can't seem to find pictures of them online. Maybe they're no longer there. Notice also that the SU is the same tank in both pictures. Lighting can make a huge difference as well-- or it could be that the pictures are taken on either side of a repaint that happens periodically to outdoor museum tanks.

That Hetzer camo is ace.

For one thing, the Warlord line is mature enough to handle almost everything you might be looking for in 28mm.

These guys are the reason I broke down and started collecting 28 WW2. 15 and 20 are awesome but the whole multi-part plastic kit-bashing that was my favorite part of my GW days was just calling to me. Warlord's new plastic infantry are just too cool. I took some of the Warlord Marines arm bits with the rolled up sleeves and mixed them into my US Army infantry and they fit like a charm. Think I'll take some pics of them tomorrow.

 Strombones wrote:
That Hetzer camo is ace.

For one thing, the Warlord line is mature enough to handle almost everything you might be looking for in 28mm.

These guys are the reason I broke down and started collecting 28 WW2. 15 and 20 are awesome but the whole multi-part plastic kit-bashing that was my favorite part of my GW days was just calling to me. Warlord's new plastic infantry are just too cool. I took some of the Warlord Marines arm bits with the rolled up sleeves and mixed them into my US Army infantry and they fit like a charm. Think I'll take some pics of them tomorrow.

They're still missing most of the minor nations. And their acquisitions sometimes mean that they have odd gaps. For instance, they have the Char 2c, which never saw combat. But not the H35, which was used in large quantities.

But they release something almost every month, so it won't be long until they have one.
They have some WWI tanks as well, possibly to expand into "Trench Action"?

 snurl wrote:
But they release something almost every month, so it won't be long until they have one

I'm skeptical. They seem more interested in getting yet another variation of German or Commonwealth infantry out than doing some of the stuff that's ostensibly more important - such as, say, basic infantry for the various missing "minor" (and that term can be a bit misleading given the amount of manpower that some of those "minor" nations contributed) nations. It's not really Warlord's fault, though. They're just following the money. Players apparently want yet another variation of German or Commonwealth infantry, so Warlord's just making what people want to buy.

And I should note that they have the Char 2C because they acquired some models that another company was making... and that particular tank was one of them. Still doesn't explain why they've yet to make an H35 (in any of its varieties), though.

 Manchu wrote:
I have long-term plans of collecting some 20mm WW2 forces for Battlegroup and that market is downright bewildering compared to the 28mm market. For one thing, the Warlord line is mature enough to handle almost everything you might be looking for in 28mm.

Thats likely cos in 20mm you have scores of companies, and kits, that have been going for 50+ years in some cases! Leads to a huge array of anything you could ever want for WW2 in 20mm! It can certainly be bewildering to a newbie to the scale. I'd advise a visit to my forum - www.guildwargamers.com - as we have catalogues of the main makers, huge galleries, a very helpful membership and many manufacturers on the forum. Of course, if you need help, feel free to PM me or ask away. I know most of the makers and happy to help in anyway.

I guess Warlord 28mm is easier as it gives a 'one-stop shop' approach to gaming the period, though without as much variety due to not having been going on so long, like GW did with fantasy and sci-fi. Its a hazard with all historicals to a degree as there isnt the GW model of 'One Stop Shop' in use outside Warlord and FoW really. Though I doubt you will ever have the thousands of available plastic tank kits in 28mm like in 1/72nd just due to mould cost.

I find 28mm a bit of an odd size for WW2 and very cartoony... Same as 15mm. But then Im in love with AB 20mm WW2 and frankly, aint nothing in any scale that touches them... Though deep wallets are required... Plus I have been using 20mm for WW2 since I was 5 with my Airfix and Matchbox figures. Its just the size I personally associate with gaming WW2 as it was the standard for so long and is still used by so many for the period. Like most things, what you are used to is what you associate with periods. 28mm to me is Fantasy and Sci-Fi, Naps is 15mm, Seven Years War and ACW are 28mm...



As for the colour of Russian tanks, it varied greatly.

Firstly there was no set mix of standardised paint, and it varied in colour from region to region and from factory to factory, with factory batches often changing slightly between colour. Also temperature seems to have had an effect of the paint. The American reports on the tanks sent to them for evaluation by the Russians noted the colour difference in the paint after exposure to cold, where it turned darker, and the effect of prolonged exposure to sun causing one to change to a more yellow-green. I have long suspected that whatever colour green (outside Lime Green!) you spray a Russian tank is likely to be near enough to something the Russians used at some point! I think with darkening that green could work out fine Manchu.


Nice Italian tanks, like the effect you got on them.

It wouldn't hurt for some manufacturer to produce an efficient "jumping off point" product line in 1/72. Warlord has built their 28mm version of that around a ruleset. I wonder if the same could be done with 20mm.

Furthermore, WL has been producing their own stuff lately: I recently purchased a Hellcat and it's a beautiful kit, very much a cut above the stuff they bought. The same is true for their great plastic infantry kits. Sure, there are "holes" in their line (what, no Hungarians?!) but they've made amazing progress in the scale in such a short period and things only seems to be getting better.

P.S. -- who makes 20mm Hungarians?


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Big P wrote:
I think with darkening that green could work out fine Manchu.

I may tinker with them a bit more in future but I am quite fond of how they look on the table now, especially when I have the darker theme on table as well.

Big P wrote:
Nice Italian tanks, like the effect you got on them.

Thanks very much. I was very pleased with the tiger stripes on the M13/40s. That's only the second camo scheme I ever tried (the Hetzer was the first tank I ever painted) and frankly it was a bit intimidating going in.

The thing with 20mm is the fact that most who game in that scale are used to the wide array and tend to thrive on that to a degree... They like the variety. For example, my German Army has figures from six different makes, plus vehicles from another 12 different sources.

I have long since remarked that a 20mm, or even 15mm, 'big box starter set' for Battlegroup will work well as an intro. Its something I suspect you will see from PS one day when we can do it.

Oh yes, over time I hope Warlord will continue to add stuff. Though I game in 20mm, Im more than happy to see the period grow in popularity no matter what size. Choise is good.

20mm Hungarians... Shellhole Scenics have a good range, Liberation Miniatures do some too.

Yes, BA has definitely been a gateway game for me. I expect WL has been very good for WW2 gaming as well as other periods. What is really necessary now is a "next step" product for 20mm, perhaps specifically for BG. Having gotten all the BG books together now, I'm at a bit of a loss. Every time I start investigating 20mm miniature lines, it quickly becomes overwhelming. Contrast this not only to what WL has done for BA, HC, and P&S but also how Studio Tomahawk paired up with Northstar to release convenient "here's what you need" sets for Saga and Muskets & Tomahawks.

Yes, I agree... 20mm has far more variety of makers, plus all the plastic kit makers on top of that, with huge amounts of specialist kit makers on top of those!

Sadly its such a wide market its difficult to do a one stop product, as so many offer so much.

Its part of the reason we set up the Guild to showcase 20mm lines and companys for people new to the genre. Sometimes the sheer variety and masses of stuff available can be overwhelming to a new person to 20mm.

We have been trying to work up a BG 'Battle Box' for Germans, British, US and Russians in 20mm but havent quite got the logistics sorted as yet. I hope to see BG Army Deals on the PSC website once the webshop gets its revamp this year.

I played 20mm for many years (I may well be about the same vintage as Big P), and prefer it to 15mm - although I like PSC's 15mm range a lot, and appreciate the advantages of the smaller scale. However, in the process of edging back into WW2 gaming after many years of playing WH40k, I've gone for 28mm. This is because the minis are more easily customised, and I find the larger size of the vehicles more satisfying, partly as a result of those years of playing WH40k. The exaggerated style of 28mm doesn't bother me, and seems to be just as common in 20mm anyway. As I'm only really interested in plastic kits (metal lost its appeal a long time ago, and I don't like working with resin), there's obviously only a limited range of models at the moment. But that's also an interesting challenge - one of the perverse pleasures of WH40k during earlier editions was building stuff that didn't exist in kit form. I'm now enjoying having to improvise with what's available. Part of this process involves converting Tamiya minis and accessories into 28mm scale, but also sourcing bits from other scales. I'll put up some photos soon so you can all point and laugh...

Ahhh... The old days of Rogue Trader and converting Tamiya 1/35th kits into Orkish battlewagons...

Sorry, Manchu - we've taken your thread off topic.

Big P wrote:
Ahhh... The old days of Rogue Trader and converting Tamiya 1/35th kits into Orkish battlewagons...

 Manchu wrote:

 Tailgunner wrote:
Terrible tank, but yours look nice.

Thanks! I plan to use them as M14/41s, which are only slightly better. But in an Italian armoured platoon, every little bit helps. I keep thinking I will have to get some Vickers light tanks to make for worthwhile head-on engagements against the British but the Semovente 75/18s might give the Matilda IIs a run for their money. Conversely, I have no idea what to do about my friend's DAK Tiger from a British perspective. I hope an eventual desert-themed campaign book has rules for APCR and APDS rounds.

Those little Italian tanks pack a mean amount of MMGs. They can sure scare the hell out of infantry even if they are a bit lacking in tank combat.

Eumerin wrote:

 snurl wrote:
But they release something almost every month, so it won't be long until they have one

I'm skeptical. They seem more interested in getting yet another variation of German or Commonwealth infantry out than doing some of the stuff that's ostensibly more important - such as, say, basic infantry for the various missing "minor" (and that term can be a bit misleading given the amount of manpower that some of those "minor" nations contributed) nations. It's not really Warlord's fault, though. They're just following the money. Players apparently want yet another variation of German or Commonwealth infantry, so Warlord's just making what people want to buy.

And I should note that they have the Char 2C because they acquired some models that another company was making... and that particular tank was one of them. Still doesn't explain why they've yet to make an H35 (in any of its varieties), though.

Warlord's acquisition of a plastics manufacturing concern in 2013 coupled with their partnership with Italeri has meant that for 2015 they will be release one or more plastic kits every month - their own words!
They've recently been releasing plastics related to whatever book is out and needs support. So, Tank War heralded the Panther and Panzer IV releases; Ostfront just launched, along with the late Tiger plastic kit, the Soviet infantry in winter coats kit, and the T-34/76 plastic kit next month, followed by plastic German veterans kit, to be used as Waffen SS or late war Panzergrenadiers (camo smocks, etc)... Andy Hobday let slip plastic Fallschirmjager, but they may just be made from the plastic German veterans kit, unknown.
I can only imagine that the Early War in Europe book coming later this year will bring along the release of plastic BEF and French infantry and perhaps plastic Matildas and Panzer 38(t)'s or Panzer II's!
How about the Empire in Flames book - perhaps plastic Chinese troops! It has been noted that Warlord just added a "China" section to their Bolt Action minis list on their website (just has some tanks and trucks in it now)

Not on your list of hypothetical releases?

The groups that I specifically identified as not having anything available. i.e. no Hungarians. No Romanians. Both contributed significantly (particularly the Romanians), and both have been completely ignored in the release schedule aside from an error-ridden book (at least the Romanian list was pretty bad; I don't know enough about Hungary in WW2 to recognize possible inaccuracies in that list).

I get why Warlord is doing things this way. That's what people want to buy. But it gets rather irritating when a Volksturm box (seriously!?) is released, and an army that had over a million men has nothing.

Even armies which I think are popular (Based on anecdotal evidence of course!) are missing stuff like Japan and it's artillery and they have a couple of never/rarely used in combat tanks while missing more commonly used tanks.

I really hope China gets some good quality soldiers soon. Unfortunately having a section on the webstore doesn't mean much. Romania and Hungary have had them for a while with just tanks.

The complaint that WL's range is not (yet) exhaustive is just dumb. The fact that anyone would even level a complaint like that shows how important WL is to 28mm WW2 miniatures. I get it when 40k players bitch about GW "ignoring" their army but that sentiment couldn't be less applicable when it comes to historicals. WL doesn't own the rights to WW2, after all.

Eumerin wrote:
Not on your list of hypothetical releases?

The groups that I specifically identified as not having anything available. i.e. no Hungarians. No Romanians. Both contributed significantly (particularly the Romanians), and both have been completely ignored in the release schedule aside from an error-ridden book (at least the Romanian list was pretty bad; I don't know enough about Hungary in WW2 to recognize possible inaccuracies in that list).

I get why Warlord is doing things this way. That's what people want to buy. But it gets rather irritating when a Volksturm box (seriously!?) is released, and an army that had over a million men has nothing.

So in less than three years of Bolt Action's existence, Warlord should have sculpted and released every unit, artillery piece, support weapon, and vehicle for every nation that participated in World War 2.

Interesting re: Volksturm complaint. What's wrong with the Last Levy's Volksturm miniatures? It's full of Volksturm and Hitler Youth, both figures that are lacking from other manufacturers' catalogs.

Judgedoug writes A bunch of good news

I really haven't stopped thinking about those panzergrenadier mock ups since I saw them on xmas. They are the prime motivator that jump started the painting and expanding of the Bolt Action starter set I bought so long ago. I keep trying to figure out when these things are going to drop but can't get an answer. If plastic Fallschirmjager come along too then my wallet is gonna vomit.

I know that 28mm sometimes gets a bad rap for WW2 because it may be a bit big for the grand scale that many feel is appropriate for battles of that era. I tend to agree with this and find that 15 and 20 are more fitting for combined arms and maneuvering. However I think there is something to be said about the ability to customize 28mm multi part plastic kits. It gives people like me who have no sculpting talent to speak of the chance to create unique models, even with the most simple of swaps. It was what drew me to GW and now I feel that Warlord is bringing back that enjoyment for me in WW2.

With Battlegroup and Warlord plastics I can have my cake and eat it too.

Now to finish up these kitbashed Warlord models so I can post up my 28mm Battlegroup skirmish game already.

You're all ignoring my point - and blatantly so, imo.

I'm not complaining that Warlord hasn't released every last thing. I'm complaining that they're ignoring some of the more important parts of the war - i.e. not one release from Hungary or Romania - in favor of what are essentially minor details units (like the Volksturm). At the rate that Warlord is going, they'll have every last exhaustive option out for Germany before they get a basic rifle squad out for Romania or Hungary. And both of those nations (Romania in particular) had much larger armies, that played more significant roles, than some of the other nations that Warlord is selling.

Im afraid mate thats WW2 in any scale...

I can buy scores of different companys 20mm Germans, but only two or three make Hungarians.

Popular stuff sells, so you have to get that out to meet people's wants and fund the more esoteric lines, sadly things like Hungarians and Slovaks will always take time and may not recoup development costs.

I can buy WW2 Royal Thai Army figures in 20mm. Now that is exotic and odd... but it aint gonna sell to many, so the same firm also makes WW2 SS, Heer etc etc...

Popular stuff sells and that eventually funds odd stuff.

So really Warlord are just beholden to economics of scale like all wargame companies.

 Strombones wrote:
However I think there is something to be said about the ability to customize 28mm multi part plastic kits. It gives people like me who have no sculpting talent to speak of the chance to create unique models, even with the most simple of swaps.

Right there with you Strombones. I was so proud of myself when I changed a hand on my German officer (not pictured [yet]).

Eumerin wrote:
I'm complaining that they're ignoring some of the more important parts of the war

Nope. I didn't ignore that point. As I said, WL doesn't own the rights to WW2. I don't know why you're complaining about them not releasing [what Eumerin wants] rather than any number of other companies.

Big P wrote:
but only two or three make Hungarians

And one of them doesn't even post pics of what they sell. I am sooo ready for MadBob's 1/56 Hungarian AFVs. Well, I am ready but my wallet ...

Someday....Chetniks.