M18 Hellcat (second take)

Hey again,

Apparently whole that COVID-19 madness got most of the globe if even reached such arse en of the world as Poland...
It's just sooo annoying but working more at home allowed me to deal with some unpainted models. Few weeks back I found new home for some of less used toys, but commander of my US force felt quite uncomfortable having no mobile anti-tank weapon, so decision was made to get another Hellcat.

The previous one was painted 2 years ago, so this time I could use some new painting tricks to make it more eyecatching. Hopefully that is.

This time it was painted using brighter color choice (similar to M4A3 howitzer) and instead of fresh mud I chose dust - that looks pretty "delicate" and natural in my opinion.
I also chose to put the commander in the turret this time - the model is just nice touch (despite he and the gunner have no legs) and I also could try some colors I'd like to see on Rangers. I want that unit look different than the rest of the grunts I field.

Hope you like it. some more should come soon, unless that fucking virus steps back... 

Handicap liutenant - no idea why the model has no legs, now it's just pain in the ass to attach it firmly to the turret...

Stay healthy!

Necromutants - all done!

Heyah,

Finally, after many, many years (first blister was purchased in 1997!) all necromutants in my possession are painted and ready to serve for eternal glory of Algeroth! Bwah, hah, haaah!!!

Quite an achievement especially given the fact painting itself wasn't THAT time consuming...

I mean look at the models - rather easy to paint: 

some clothes, some armour, boots, gun, stupid faces and sand on the base. That's it.
Did I mention stupid faces? Ah yes...

Still these are, I mean: these WERE part of models I've been having since the very dawn of my hobby and even though for many, many years haven't been appreciated by getting paintjob. Partly because these were such a crappy unit during our early "powergaming Warzone" (nimrods and nazgaroths for everybody!), partly - back days I was getting many models having no idea what for. Fresh gamer syndrome I guess... 

But they are here and I am so glad I've finally saved them from the bucket of oblivion.

Looking at them I can clearly see giving a try to simple camo uniform was good idea, too bad I don't have desert game table anymore ^^ 

Still I'm quite sure Algeroth's finest will do their best in any circumstances, no matter how deadly local enviroment might be: cold alien planet or green fields of Normandy...

So here they are, whole brain dead family: three squads led by badass Nepharite.
It's actually  ~700 pts combat patrol I hope to see in action shortly...

Some close ups of the last trio.
I know why these were left to be painted in the very end - it's because of stupid faces of centurion and the monkey with open mouth. Absolutely horrible...

As mentioned in the previous post I was hoping to upgrade a bit Eradicator Deathdroid but since there's just been announced 17th edition of online painting contest on Strategie forum (warning: Polish board) I might reorganize the waiting line and put M4A3 Sherman howitzer in front of Cybertronic device.
Such events are great motivators for paint slapping especially given the fact I need that tank for my Bolt Action US force. And some dry pigments are just about to arrive for testing...

Cheers!

Bazooka Jeep (walkthrough)

Hey again,

Apparently I am still alive and kicking despite whole load of shit which was dropped straight on my head recently. End of mourning!
At this moment I am already operating from the new command center and cannot wait to slap some paint on oldie  miniatures which moved with me.

In the meantime decision was made to push the painting (and Bolt Action gaming statistics...) a bit forward. Some time ago I've found an article on Warlord's site about converting bazooka jeep. That nasty bastards seems to be 'uuuge pain in the ass each and every enemy tank crew so I wanted have one as well.
You know, just in case...

The idea in article is about replacing MMG with bazooka set. That's just it. The problem is the gunner is metal piece so it doesn't look natural operating new weapon in remaining original pose. I cannot resculpt the piece so needed other solution, which was replacing that model.

New crew member came from deuce and half truck which I was working on over year ago. Instead of aggressive, "shooting" pose I wanted to see it observing the battlefield, looking for potential target. Here we go.

Basic parts alltogether:

War invalid on the battle station:

Twin bazookas were simply attatched to PVC bit and pinned with plastic rod:

Bazooka missles bag was placed on the seat to make the shooter stand bit higher:

War veteran ready to take his revenge on zee big cat!

And finally - painting:

Job's done!

I must say I like the final effect. From what I know there's no "official" Bazooka Jeep model so each conversion is rather unique and eyecatching.

Especially by alert eyes of tank crews...

Model looks quite the way I wanted but I think next time I might use stronger, more red / orange for basecoat, so the chipped paint looks more distinct (hope it's correct word).

I am trying to get camera settings adjusted to get decent pics using printed background.
No idea wht I cannot make the model look "bright" enough - for some mysterious reasons pics taken on the messy desk look just better. IMO that is...

Take care and watch out for life 'cause it's one mean bitch.

M5 3" anti-tank gun (Bolt Action)

Heya,

Looks like my US force is now getting one more anti-tank piece, after M1 57 mm medium anti-tank gun and M2A1 105 mm medium howitzer.

Not that we play games big enough to require 2 platoons or I am some sort of cannon models maniac - I just got nice, second hand support weapon bundle recently.

Once again models arrived painted, but luckly neither undercoated or varnished, so washing them wasn't challenging.

After dealing with howitzer (which actually hasn't seen the battlefield yet...) I was hoping to paint something quite diffrent but I spotted painting contest running on Polish forum Strategie, so looks like there was a chance for frendly competition but even more important - getting one more model crossed off the list.

The contest rules say you have to show an least one photo from the beginning or works, at least two from the progress and the final ones. The idea is to make people show miniatures painted especially for the contest, and not toys already stuffed in the display cases.
Quite a good idea actually. 

So here's the first one:

after models was ripped off the base, washed and undercoated:

Few days later - unit commander and loader are ready for action:

Two remaining lads ready to hunt zee German big cats:

The gun - rather quick and easy work based on airbrush and oil washes:

All pieces together:

And the final result:

Another anti-tank piece means there's one over my needs so I decided to put the medium gun for sale. If you are interested by any chance - use the contact form of shout in the comment.

That's it for now, laterz!

Pimp my howitzer

Last time it was heavy mortar and today my infantry once again got support weapon:

M2A1 105 mm medium howitzer. 

It's not that I was lacking for anti-tank or anti-infantry weapon, but a short while back guy from Bolt Action group was flogging off his toys so I took oportunity to work on some second hand pieces. The wallet likes second hand deals...

Models came painted but luckly for me the previous owner didn't care much about undercoating - washing the paint was rather easy.

For uniforms I chose standard combo, but on two of the crewmen  I tested cayman green instead of yellow olive for jackets. 

Models of the gun and the men are ok except for the faces of the commander and the guy pulling the "trigger": these two look like had bad, bad accident with acid. Nevermind as long as they can shoot.

Original model came on large, oval base but I changed it for 4" x 2": it's easier to place it in the terrain, buildings and such.

What do you think?

And here's the model before pimping:

And one more thing:

While working on the artillery piece I was also working on a small gift for my friend from legal training. Suffering my company for almost 3 years at the same desk is more than enough to deserve a little something. 

Something more than bad jokes and stupid drawings that is...

Back to hell.