Unknown episode of WW2 (part 2)

Last Friday night history of World War II took another surprising turn and had a pleasure to re-enact another unknown episode of war: battle between US and Italian forces against Soviet and French menace. It's another game we had to play at Rilian's place - last time it was Italian vs US and since then we were still kinda hungry got more WW2 gaming.

Since the last game Rilian also found 2 more commanders willing to start Bolt Action adventure, so we had 4 armies on the table - each 1250 pts worth. Must say no matter how much I like the game, the size of battle was just too big: the battle started about 20:30 and the last bullet was fired after 2:00 a.m.
My side clearly lost but we didn't manage to bring game to the 6th turn.

Any post-battle conclusions?
Not realy: it's Bolt Action so no matter what brilliant plan you prepare the dice drawing and rolling is true god of war. Because all other armies were early war, I also had to adjust my force to this period. Sadly that made my unit choice very limited but still it was fun.

Also I tried to upgrade some photos with AI so make the report more eyecatching but I'm not really sure it was good idea. I got feeling the upgraded photos look like taken from WH40000 battle of video game 🤔 Here's the material anyway - judge for yourself:

Below: brave G.I.s defending crucial supplies...

And here: Rilian's seld made aerosans:

That's it. Hope the next time I get opportunity to field proper mid/late war stuff 😎

Unknown episode of WW2

Last weekend I had a pleasure to re-enact one of unknown episodes of World War 2:
deadly struggle of my trusty (winter) Americans against Rilian's supercool (desert) Italians...

The idea to face our armies was spawned quite a long time ago actually, but sadly until now we couldn't synchronize the calendars to make thing happen. 

War is mostly logistics after all... 🙄

Since we decided to sactifice whole evening for the match decision was made to prepare larger then standard armies: 1500 points each side. Italian force was early war period army, so I did my best to keep Americans on similar level. Sadly I don't have any vehicles strictly from early war - maybe it's the sign straight from mighty Cosmos to start assembling another force 🤔

The battle was fun - we were playing Key Positions scenario, so once again I was really glad I decided to field solid squads of trusty G.I.s: now tese are double cool thank to Fire and Manoeuvre special rule. During the game we were trying to take some photos, but sadly it's pretty hard to take nice battle report quality pictures in heat of battle and without dedicated lighting. Hammering beers to make crucial strategic decisions easier didn't help much either... 🤪

This was our playground - the buildings were designed by Rilian:

Swarm of saracens advancing towards US positions:

Some supercool Italian toys:

Italian damn scorcher crawling to obliterate squad of G.I.s. with a single, deadly strike... 😖

And war-rugby match: US tanks attacking Italian assault squads at point blank range!

Hope next time I can provide better quality material. But until then - over and out!  

M8 Scott "Bushmaster"

I didn't think I might get anything painted yet in 2023 but I guess that only means miniature painters must fight to the very end on hobby front. This little cutie is actually accidental paintwork. Last months our small Bolt Action community got 2 more recruits so I am trying to get my ass back into gaming. After preparing new section of forest I was asked about playing game from Normandy selector. Personally Normandy war theatre for me is as good as any other as long as I have proper models and here I can provide my G.I.s with M8 Scott Howitzer Motor Carriage - which is just really cool looking model.

I've painted such thing before at the beginning of COVID isolation 3 years ago but don't think it was ever tested in proper gaming. Besides shortly after it was turned into Easter gift for my son (when I was still hoping to infect him with miniatures hobby). 

Anyway he got it almost 3 years ago and I got it back maybe 1,5 year ago? That was pretty sad experience for me: not only he turned it back but also model was kinda ruined. They were having some renovation at home and whole model was covered with thick layer of plaser powder or something. Model was fucked - definitely wasn't display piece anymore. 

The piece has been starring at me all that time until I decided to get my shit together and make it useful once again. The paint has been washed off so the howitzer could support Americans fighting against zee Germanz in Normandy. M8 Scott is nice and simple model. US models were painted just olive so getting it done didn't take much time. Despite that some shading, decals and weathering can make any model look interesing and believable. 

Did my best trying NOT to get into weathering frenzy again. Hope my trusty G.I.s can make proper use of this thing kicking German army out of Normandy sector: 

M8 Easter egg

Some quick bloggy feeding before bringing something more serious 😉

Easter daemon is nearly here but looks like the video game I ordered for my kid won't arrive before middle of May 😑 Stupid thing, but none self-respecting dad can leave the kid without a souvenir on Easter, Xmas or any other similar occasion, correcto?

Several times before he mentioned he likes M8 Scott I painted recently so decision was made the model needs new home and new master. It was painted for gaming purposes but it actually never seen game table which makes is even better gift: no bullet holes etc. 

And since the howitzer got promoted to the special gift, it also recieved special display base - it simply makes storing easier and looks much better from a distance. Besides just like in case of Mordred the Damned I put some special dedication on the bottom.

The piece is attached to the base by 2 cut screws - this prevent model from falling off but at the same time it can be taken off any time to stand against  boy's LEGO horde 😊 

Merry Easter lockdown!

M8 Scott "Hunter"

Heya in 2021!

There's not much winter outside so I had to summon some myself!
Not that I like it (I actually hate winter, riding bike on icy streets sucks like hell!) but I decided to participate in historical themed painting contest (you can see entries here) and tried to paint something different than olive green. 

Repainted infantry mix presented a while back is my first entry. Must say I  found winter themed army much more interesting than everything-green so there's a chance more models will be repainted this fashion.

As for the model itself it's one of the funniest pieces in US arsenal, kinda remainds me that jumping thing from oldie Moon Patrol game. Don't have high hopes about it on the battlefield but it still might turn out to be the black horse of the game, as underestimated unit.

Hope you and the judges like it. Now back to COVID isolation.   

🤘