Late War Germans. A present.

A week ago 2 friends gave me a very belated birthday present. Al are Late War Germans models (15mm Battlefront) they no longer need.
The present contained:
-Two (panzer) Grenadier platoons with a Company HQ (plastic).
-An Opel Maultier and a Horch Kfz 15 car plus bits and pieces.
-One Pak 40 platoon (plastic).
-Four Panzer IV.
-Three Panthers.
-One Tiger. Hatches are missing but if I ask nicely they will search in their bitbox.
Some tanks miss their hull MG but these are easy to make and replace. And I have to attach the Schürzen to the Panzer IV. Which will not be an easy task.

Because the infantry platoons are based for Flames of War I want to re-base them so I can use them for Battlegroup. Just like the rest of the models. This means I start a new army; Late War Germans!

Two (panzer) Grenadier platoons with a Company HQ

Opel Maultier and Horch Kfz 15 car

Pak 40 platoon

Panzer IV

Panthers

Tiger

Thanks for reading and looking.

Battlegroup: British Reconnaissance teams.

These miniatures were given to me (thanks MW) so my British troops would have some better Reconnaissance teams. There are 2 Staghounds, 2 Daimler I and 2 Daimler Dingo. All Battlefront miniatures and all to be used with Battlegroup Overlord and Battlegroup fall of the Reich.
After a close look I noticed that a few miniatures were standing unstable. I quickly saw that the wheels weren't glued in a straight position. So first thing was to solve that problem. Next was placing an AAMG on a Staghound, it was broken of and missing, and glue on bits and pieces that came loose. Then painting. Because not all pieces were painted and I wanted them to match with the rest of my British (Canadian) army I repainted them all. I did this without stripping of the old paint. The result is pretty good if I may say so.

British Reconnaissance teams.

Daimler I teams.

Dailer Dingo teams.

Staghound teams.

Also I finally got my next Battlegroup book. Battlegroup Bitzkrieg. The book concentrate on the invasion of Poland and French by the German army. It contains several army-lists for the Polish and German army for the invasion of Poland and several French, Belgian, BEF and German army-lists for the invasion of France. Further it contains background info, a few extra rules,scenarios and painting guides. After Overlord and Fall of the Reich this is my third book in the Battlegroup collection and as with the other books the book looks great. In combination with this book I'm going to use my Early war French Battlefront miniatures, that I collected for FoW. Later on I will see if I need to expand my French miniature collection.

Thanks for looking and reading.

More troops to paint for Battlegroup.

A new post. As most of you already must have noticed I don't post much new posts in my blog. This has several reasons. First and the most important one is that I don't do much painting anymore. Hope this will change in the future. Another thing is that English ain't my mother language and lately I'm getting more problems concentrating on writing and reading english and thus make more and more mistakes. Also spent a lot of time reading books.
But now my 3 weeks vacation is getting close (2 more weeks to wait), I am bored and I want to have something to do in the evening (there isn't much to watch on TV) I bought some new stuff to paint. Box with the M26 Pershing platoon, the D7 Bulldozer blister and the M4A3 (105) Sherman blister. Ofcource these can also be used for FoW but the chance that will happen is zero.

From left to right M4A3(105) Sherman, M26 Pershing platoon, D7 Bulldozer.

Thanks for reading.

Easy Company.

Painted just before 2013 comes to it's end. Easy Company.
It took me ages to paint these miniatures but they are finally done.
Not my best painted miniatures by far but it has to do. I didn't paint the tags on the helmets for now because every-time I tried to paint them it became a blurry mess. Maybe I will try it again in the future.
They are pained so they fit in with the rest of my 101st Airborne Division and not in winter theme.
Painting these miniatures made me realise that I no longer can paint without glasses.
The pictures aren’t very well. Somehow I can't take pictures at the same standard as in the past.

Easy Company

Captain Richard Winters with Captain Nixon

Lieutenant Ronald Speirs

First Sergeant Carwood Lipton

Corporal Darrell 'Shifty' Powers

Private Eugene Roe

Toccoa Sergeants

Thanks for looking.

Tank Destroyer Platoon, M18 Hellcats.

This platoon took me 5 Years to paint. I started painting the first models at the beginning of 2008. But when I realized that I, at that moment, couldn't use the platoon for my army I set the platoon aside. Three models painted. The first Scoutcar was painted somewhere between the middle of these 5 years. With the release of the NUTS armybook I finally had a reason to finish this platoon. Bought an extra Hellcat to get a platoon of 4 and Scoutcar and set to work. Only difficultly was to paint it in the same (ugly) style as I painted the first models 5 years ago. I think I succeeded in that pretty close. The last painted Hellcat is the second on the left and the last painted Scout car is the one on the left.

M18 Hellcat

Tank Destroyer Platoon

Tank Destroyer platoon (top view)

Security Section

Tank Destroyer section

Thanks for looking.

Rocket Battery, RCA.

Finally a new platoon painted. This time it is for my Canadian Company. It was about time.
The Rocket Battery, RCA.
In Flames of War this battery contains a Command team, Observer team and 2 or 4 Land Mattress. Because I bought 2 blisters to get 4 Land Mattress I also got 2 Command teams and 2 Observer teams. This means that I can take the following options. One Battery with 2 or 4 Land Mattress or Two Battery's with 2 Land Mattress each. That's why you will see in most pictures of my painted battery 2 Command teams and 2 Observer teams.
More about the Land Mattress can be read in this PDF: Land Mattress
The picture below is used as reference for the colour of the warheads.

Rocket warheads

Crew loading a Land Mattress

Complete Rocket Battery, RCA (front view).

Complete Rocket Battery, RCA (top view).

Finally the long wait is over!

Although it was still cold outside and the wind was blowing the garage was, because the sun was shining through the windows, at a suitable temperature to prime my miniatures. So with no moment to loose I grabbed my black spray-can and my miniatures and went to the garage and started to spray. Finally after a long wait.


At the back we see from left to right, A staff team for my Canadian Artillery. This one was never painted because I didn't need it. Now with the new rules it may come in handy. Then in the middle there is a M18 Hellcat tank-destroyer and a scout car. These are the last models for my tank-destroyer platoon. The rest of the platoon I already painted about 5 years ago but because I never were going to use them I never painted the last models. Now this platoon can be used with my 101st Airborne Division from the NUTS book which give me reason to paint these models. At the right is a Stuka D for my Mid War 90. Leichte Afrika Division DAK army.
Next row we have 3 25mm SA-34 guns + Command team for a 25mm Anti-tank gun platoon. An addition for my Early War French Escadron de Reconnaissance Compagnie. These were a gift. Thanks Les.
In front of those we have a Rocket Battery, RCA with 4 Land Mattress and 2 Command teams and 2 Observers. For my Market Garden Canadian Infantry Company.
And last in the front row, Easy Company. An addition for my 101st Airborne Division. Also from the NUTS book.

The plan was to paint the M18 Hellcat and a scout car first but because the weather put me behind schedule and I am going to play in a small tournament in June using my Canadian Company, I have no choice then to paint the Rocket Battery, RCA first.

More new and updated Spreadsheet Armybuilder Files.

Because it is still bizarre weather over-here I still can't paint any of my miniatures. So instead I updated and made some more new Spreadsheet Armybuilder Files.
First the ones I updated. These 3 Files contained so many errors I had to rebuilt them completely.
Market Garden - 1st Airborne Division Parachute Company (3v1.0)
Market Garden - 1st Airborne Division Airlanding Company (3v1.0)
Market Garden - Frost's Perimeter Force (3v1.0)

Next we have a list with all new British Spreadsheet Armybuilder Files
Market Garden - 1st Airborne Division Field Company, Royal Engineers (3v1.0)
Market Garden - 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron (3v1.0)
Market Garden - Glider Rifle Squadron (3v1.0)
Market Garden - 11th Armoured Division Armoured Recce Squadron (3v1.0)
Market Garden - Guards Armoured Division Armoured Recce Squadron (3v1.0)
Market Garden - 11th Armoured Division Lorried Rifle Company (3v1.0)
Market Garden - Guards Armoured Division Lorried Rifle Company (3v1.0)
Market Garden - 11th Armoured Division Motor Company (3v1.0)
Market Garden - Guards Armoured Division Motor Company (3v1.0)

Updated and new British files can be found here: UK and Commenwealth Army Files


There is also one new Polish Spreadsheet Armybuilder File
Market Garden - Polish Parachute Company (3v1.0)
This new file can be found here: Allied Army Files

Thanks for reading.

Market Garden, Bridge by Bridge and NUTS army files.

The last several weeks I have been making a lot of new army files. This mainly because the weather overhere is too bad to do any painting (can't prime the models). So instead of painting I spend more time on making army files. The reason it is such a long list of new army files and I have not posted them earlier is because I also needed time to place them on my own webpage for download. By placing them on my own website it is easier to download the files. Each army has it's own webpage, links to these pages can be found below my blog name. There is one page for the US Files, one for the UK & Commonwealth Files and one for the German Files. The Allied Files link will still bring you to the old page for download but will also get a new webpage soon. This also means that links that brought you to my pages in older blog posts no longer will work.

This has been the first time I made some German army files so I started with some easy ones.
From the Bridge by Bridge armybook:
-Bridge by Bridge - 107. Panzerbrigade Panzerkompanie (3v1.0)
-Bridge by Bridge - 559. Schwere Panzerjagerabteilung Schwere Panzerjagerkompanie (3v1.0)
From the NUTS armybook:
-NUTS - 653. Schwere Panzerjagerabteilung Panzerjagerkompanie (3v1.0)


And then there is a long list of British army files from the Market Garden armybook:
-Market Garden - 1st Airborne Division Parachute Company (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - 1st Airborne Division Airlanding Company (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - Frost's Perimeter Force (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - Commando (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - 11th Armoured Division Armoured Squadron (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - Guards Armoured Division Armoured Squadron (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - 2nd Houshold Cavalry Armoured Car Squadron (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - Inns of Court Armoured Car Squadron (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - 52nd (Lowland) Division Rifle Company (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - Canadian Division Rifle Company (3v1.0)

Then last for the US Airborne from the Market Garden armybook:
-Market Garden - Airborne Divisions Glider Rifle Company (3v1.0)

And for those who have missed it an update:
-Market Garden - 101st Airborne Division Parachute Rifle Company (3v1.1)

For download just click on one of the links below my blog name that correspond with country the army file belongs to. 

Thanks for reading.

Market Garden US Parachute Company Army-files.

I built the first army files from the new Market Garden book. Yep I bought the set with both books. But before I go the files I like to tell a little about these new books.
First Market Garden. This book contains all the allied army lists from the old "Hell's Highway" and "A Bridge Too Far" books and old Market Garden PDF briefings. The book also contains new army lists, army lists based on the Battle of the Scheldt. These are mostly Canadian lists but also a few British.
The Bridge by Bridge book. Like the Market Garden book this book contains all the army list from the old "Hell's Highway" and "A Bridge Too Far" books. Beside that there are several new lists included that saw action during Operation Market Garden. There are no specific lists for the Battle of the scheldt.
In both books the old army list from "Hell's Highway" and "A Bridge Too Far" books and PDF briefings have been updated with new stats, new points and even some new Company diagrams.
The look of the books. The layout of the books is great.The books have a hard cover and a sewn spine. They are sturdy. The lists in the books are, in my opinion, nice lists. There is not much wrong about these.
The biggest problem I have with the books is the many errors they contain. A few errors I don't mind, nobody is perfect, but there are more then just a few errors and some are just big errors. My personally opinion is that the proofreaders did a sloppy job. By just opening the book I already saw some errors, I didn't even have to read the book to see them.

On to the army-files I built.
The first 2 new army files from Market Garden I built are;
-Market Garden - 82nd Airborne Division Parachute Rifle Company (3v1.0)
-Market Garden - 101st Airborne Division Parachute Rifle Company (3v1.0)
In the "Hell's Highway" book the Parachute Rifle Company was 1 army list in which you could select which division you liked to play with some different options. In the new Market Garden book it are now 2 different army lists and both lists are now very different compared to the old one.
Something I like to note is that you should read the Notes sheet of the files because these contain important information.

Links to download both army files can be found here: US Files

I now going to slowly work my way through the book and update the old allied "Hell's Highway" and Market Garden PDF briefings to new army files. In between I will also built some new ones. If I will built army files for the Germans in the Bridge by Bridge book is something I doubt I will do.

Thanks for reading.

Glider Field Artillery Battery.

After a long hiatus I finally painted a new platoon for my US Airborne Company. It is a Glider Field Artillery Battery platoon containing 6 105mm Howitzers M3.
The 105 mm Howitzer M3 was designed for use by the US airborne troops. The gun utilized the barrel of the 105 mm Howitzer M2, shortened and fitted to a slightly modified split trail carriage of the 75 mm pack howitzer.
Beside the airborne units it was also issued to cannon company's of infantry regiments.

Because I have lots of models and teams in my bits box I decided, instead of buying a blister from BF with the Artillery HQ, to make my own HQ section. The platoon commander used to be a command team from the Tank Destroyer platoon (SP) which, with the new rules, no longer need these command teams. The Observer team is made of 2 models I found in the bits box. The Staff-team is made of 2 models that were also from a command team from the Tank Destroyer platoon (SP) and 2 models from the Infantry Aces pack.
Some pictures are a bit shiny but that has nothing to do with the varnish used to seal the models but with the lighting when I took the pictures.

105mm Howitzer M3

Glider Field Artillery Battery front view

Glider Field Artillery Battery

Happy New Year

For 2013 I have no specific plans made or goals set. I just take it as it comes. There will be no New Year's Resolutions. But as usual that doesn't mean that there is always something that must be done before a certain date. And this certain date is getting closer rapidly.

On the above picture we see a Hellcat, a Scout Car and an US Glider Field Artillery Battery. As I have a great tourney on the 23 February, more about this later this year, and there is big possibility that I need this platoon and models, these models must be painted before that date. This is the first must of the year.
On the background there is a Stuka D for my 90. Leichte Afrika Division gladly this one can be painted later on in the year.

Next we have a blister containing Easy Company. There is a possibility that a few teams are needed from this blister for the tourney but it looks that I can paint all models in this blister sometime this year without any pressure on me that it must be painted soon.

Home made Barbedwire and Minefields. I made these about 31/2 years ago but because of bad handling it is time to repair and improve these. Probably going to make complete new barbedwire. This is also a must do because I need these for the tourney. I already know for sure that I will take 1 platoon with a supply vehicle.

For the rest I will just see what this year will bring me. One thing is certain I am going to enjoy it as much as possible because life is too beautiful to just let go by.

Thanks for reading.

A new army file an a few updated army files

First the new army file. It is for the 1st Polish Armoured Division PDF. I started with this file when there wasn't even talk about Flames of War version 3. I was already half way when I decided to quit with making any new army files. Now with the V3 rules and the fact that Wayne updated the PDF briefing I decided to finish this army file including the new layout.

The first updated file is the army file for the Polish Forces in Italy, 1944 (PDF). This one is updated because Wayne has, like the 1st Polish Armoured Division PDF, also updated this PDF. And because I had to update the army file I also gave it the new layout.

The second updated file is army file for the NUTS - 101st Airborne Division. There was a minor error in the Hide button of the Engineer OoB sheet.

Last updated file is the one for the Turning Tide - 3rd Canadian, British 3rd, 50th T&T Infantry Divisions. Beside that I solved some minor errors this file now has the new layout.

Here you find the links to the army files: Files

Thank you for reading.

NUTS. Army file for the 101st Airborne Division. Part 3

OK this ain't funny. For the second time in a row I had to update the file. I really hate this.
The Rifle platoon gave the wrong total points in the OoB.
Updated file is available since yesterday.
I do feel sick about this and hope this was the last update for a long time.

Thanks for reading

NUTS. Army file for the 101st Airborne Division. Part 2

Although the file was checked many times on errors I still found a little bug. The points for the Support Section of the Airborne Divisional Recon Platoon were wrong. A new updated file is already up for download. Because I left the version number the same you have to check if you already have downloaded the new version. Checking is very easy: If you select the Support Section of the Airborne Divisional Recon Platoon, the points for the Support section must be 110 points and not 60 points which was the case in the old file.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

Thanks for reading.

NUTS. Army file for the 101st Airborne Division.

Here it is the new army-file for the 101st Airborne Division to use with the new Flames of War army-book NUTS. With this army-file you can build a Parachute company, an Airborne Engineers Combat company or a Glider company.
Before I go on I first like to thank dvang, 1stBn and lap1964, all three members of the Flames of War forum, for helping me to check for mistakes and errors and to point out what I should add, what is unclear, and what to change.

When you open the file you will see a new (second) Notes sheet. This one is labelled "Important Notes". It is very important that you read these notes first. Compared to the other army-files a lot have changed and new things are added. One of the most important parts to read is the one about how to select your Tank company. At first I wanted to add the text of the "Important Notes" sheet in this blog post as well but because it is such a large quantity of text I have decide not to do so.
An other thing you will notice is that the Company sheets have a complete new look and lay-out.
Not much has changed to the Order of Battle sheets. The only thing is that I added something new to these sheets. You can read all about that in the "Important Notes" sheet.

As usual there is an Excel and ODS version of the army-file.
The links to new files are here : Files. Or you can click on the Files link at the top.
As the list of links to the various army-files on the page is becoming very large, I have decided that when I upload a new army-file or updated army-file I will write, in red, "New" behind the link. This to make it easier to find the right links.
May you have any questions after reading the "Important Notes" sheet and looking through the army file you can ask these questions here.

Thanks for reading.

The big update operation of the army files to the V3 rules part 8.

Final.
Last 3 updated army files to V3 are added to the list:
Turning Tide - US 2nd and 3rd Armored Recon Divisions (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - 7th Armoured, 4th Canadian Armoured Division Motor Company (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - 7th Armoured, 4th Canadian Armoured Division Lorried Company (3v1.0) Approved

2 Files that are updated because I found errors in these.
Turning Tide - Canadian Armoured Recce Squadron (3v1.1) Approved
Turning Tide - 3rd Canadian, British 3rd, 50th T&T Infantry Divisions (3v1.2) Approved

2 Files that just had a very minor update
Turning Tide - US Airborne Divisions (3v1.2) Approved
Hell's Highway - US Airborne (3v1.2) Approved

Use the Files link under the title-header for the full list of links to download the files.

Maybe in the future I will make a few new army files but it won't be many.

Now I finally I can spend this extra time on painting my FoW models.

Thanks for reading.

The big update operation of the army files to the V3 rules part 7.

Again 3 updated to V3 approved army files.
All are US army files:
Turning Tide - US 1st and 29th Assault Divisions (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - US 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - US 2nd, 3rd and 6th Armored Infantry Divisions (3v1.0) Approved

Go to the Files link under the title-header for download.

I have now 3 more army files left to update. Two British and one US army file and then this project finally comes to an end.

Thanks for reading.

The big update operation of the army files to the V3 rules part 6.

Here is the next batch of updated army files which can be used with the V3 rules:
Turning Tide - Canadian Armoured Recce Squadron (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - Canadian Armoured Squadron (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - Commando Troop (Beaches) (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - Commando Troop (Orne) (3v1.0) Approved
Turning Tide - British Tank Squadron (3v1.0) Approved

In the Commando army files I included a new section in the OoB named Commando Replacements.
This include the stats for those teams that you may use to replace teams in the Commando company following the special rules on page 70 Turning Tide.

For the links to download the files click on the Files link under the Title-header.

Now only 6 more files to go.

Thanks for reading.

The big update operation of the army files to the V3 rules part 5.

Again 3 new files have been updated to the V3 rules. Namely.
-Turning Tide - US Task Force A (3v1.0) Approved
-Turning Tide - Ranger Battalion (Normandy) (3v1.0) Approved
-Turning Tide - Ranger Battalion (Brittany) (3v1.0) Approved

In the Ranger army files I included a new section in the OoB named Ranger Replacements.
This include the stats for those teams that you may use to replace teams in the Ranger company and / or Ranger mortar platoon following the special rules on page 188 and 189 TT.

The following army files now have the stats included for the self defence Anti-Aircraft guns like the AA MG and the .50 cal AA MG for shooting at aircraft and the stats for the Anti-aircraft platoons have been changed. Plus I cleaned up these files.
-11th Armoured Division in Market Garden Taurus Pursuant PDF (3v2.2) Approved
-Grenadier Guards PDF (3v2.2) Approved
-Scots Divisions PDF (3v2.1) Approved
-Poles in Italy PDF (3v1.1) Approved
-Glider Rifle Company Market Garden PDF (3v2.3) Approved

The next 2 army files also had a minor update.
-Turning Tide - US Light Tank Divisions (3v1.2) Approved
-Turning Tide - US Medium Tank Divisions (3v1.2) Approved

Click on the Files link under my Title-header  to go to the links for download.

Thanks for reading.