Display case upgrade

Last week I've finally managed to drag new vault for the miniatures collection 🤗

In fact I bought it last year but wasn't sure where would I live in 2026 so it had to wait. It's not hobby dedicated display case, but spare piece from local computer shop. As you can see it's over twice size of classic Ikea's Detlof so finally I can put whole Undead, Chaos and Bolt Action armies on single shelves!

It didn't have working lighting so last weekend I got some parts and temporarly placed LED tapes in front corners. I still have to prepare some rails for it (light should spread more evenly) but it's cool already. Check it out: lights on (night):

And here the vault during day (lights off). Massive beast, ain't it? 😎

Sherman M4A2(76)W

This one is kinda re-post of model painted recently.

As you remember (or not) it was painted for local paining contest. After all entres were done one of organisers asked me to prepare another set of pictures, because the ones I sent were too messy. Those pics were taken on painting desk (which I actually cleaned a bit before taking shots...) bur there were some painting stuff, mug, plinths or crap like that.

Back days I tried to use different backdrops: white sheets, printed backgrounds etc. All in all conslusion is I cannot take  decent photos using any background except "natural ones" you can see on my pics. But contest has it's rules so if you don't like them - don't participate. For the second set of photos I took the only bright t-shirt I found in the closet. It's linda beige but colors on the model turned out pretty fine. I now can see I could use one more lamp straight from above to get rid the shadows. But apart from that - ain't that bad.

Here's the gallery of all entries - take a look, some really cool miniatures were painted for the contest!
And the final results are here - check the small scale infantry!

Sherman M4A2(76)W

Having some more foot soliders prepared for winter, the time has come to provide some heavy support for the boys. I always wanted my GIs to have heavy tank support and recently I've found mint condition model on second hand market. Plus I needed the second entry for the painting contest so apparently once again Allmighty Cosmos has been guiding me 😵‍💫

Although it's another tank from Sherman family in the display case, painting this one was kinda challenging, because as it turned out - I run out of all olive paints and the only one I could use was grassy light green tone. It's been mixed with some browns and violet and all in all it turned out fine. It's clearly brighter then it's older brothers: M4A3 Sherman 105 mm howitzer or M4 Sherman T34 Calliope but I think I like such "pale" tone even better: makes bigger contrast on the battlefield and exposes mud, dirt or oil streaks.

Last weekend the model was brought to gaming-bunker for some field tests. It survived (yaaay... 🙄) but didn't perform anyhow spectacular. I know, it's Bolt Action so some bad luck with dice rolling can obliterate the best battle plan, yet I was hoping for little more. On the other hand I was facing Soviet army swarm without armored platoon, so it's cannon didn't get proper target: the meat chopper was much more effective. Oh well, it's nothing new 250 points vehicle for 1000 points game is just too expensive so I think it might re-appear in larger battle.

 

So here're the pictures and hope you like it:

And below Mr and Mrs Flatnoses taking Sunday ride:

US infantry (winter war) #5

The entry for 25 mm - 28 mm infantry unit category for ongoing painting contest just left hobby station. As menioned before - I am more then satisfied with new US winter infantry box, even despite the fact painting the same coats was simply boring. 

What you see below is the basic United States infantry unit I field in Bolt Action v3: no assault weapon, no Browning - just 12 rifles to maximize army's special rule. In fact I am trying no to leave deployment zone without 3 solid units of grunts, so sooner or later you might expect to see more of greatcoats and repainted metal models painted earier. After all not all soliders got proper winter clothing on time for Battle of the Bulge...

The next piece which just arrived on painting station is M4A2(76)W tank. I know most tanks in US disposal ale quite similar, but for this one I chose early hull to make it stand out and of course - this one is equipped heavy anti tank gun, which should make enemy think twice before entering into my fire zone...

The unit was painted for winter campaign, so I tried to take some shots using proper backdrop. Must admit I've found taking photos with such a bright background quite pain in the ass: the camera couldn't catch proper white balance which was kinda weird since most of enviroment is white 🙄

To show the difference I took photos of the same unit also in standard grassy land and straight on the painting desk - as you can see models' colors are different despite it's the same camera, settings and lighting. Taking pics it probably most frustrating element of this silly hobby...

Anyway here they are and I am off to assemble and undercoat zze tank!

See? Same settings, different background and models instantly look better... 🙄

And here're the boys led to battle by the command squad painted recently:

US infantry (winter war) #4

It's winter here (or rather: supposed to be) so it seems to be good idea to paint some more infantrymen for my Bolt Action winter themed force. Especially there's XXIX edition of painting contest on strategie.net forum running, which always works motivating. After dealing with Slaanesh force for Warhammer Fantasy painting some olive green was just breath of fresh air. Plus it's good warm up before painting ordinary G.I.s.

The proper entry for the contest is plastic infantry I got at the beginning of the year. For a long time I prefered metal models over plastics, but Warlord did really great job on this set. I especially like faces which are way better sculpted then faces of most Bolt Action models I have. But last year I also got US headquarters set on Road to Berlin 2025 which is supposed to command winter Bastogne offensive and which you can see below.

Painting scheme is well tested color combo backed with Citadel artifical snow. That white goo makes great contrast to olive and green and therefore infantry looks just more interesting on battlefield. I added magnets to all freshly painted models from Bolt Action range to makes transporting models easier and safer - it's the tip I spotted on Road to Berlin events - definitely recommended!

The HQ set contains officer, medic and forward observer. There's always something to do for additional NCO so there's never enough of them. Medic on the other hand has never paid off during the game but since I painted one quite a long time ago - now I can field a team. Not mentioning the fact model with stretches looks just so cool! Dude with radio is the observer - not sure I am brave enough to call an airstrike on the battlefield, but it can surely work also as an artillery spotter - indirect weapons are always good choice.  The one with white helmet is old spotter from Black Tree Designs range but with head swapped for plastic. It's the third time I am painting this specific model and help me Satan - the last one.

Right - time to start painting some cannon fodder for Battle of the Bulge campaign... 🫡  

As you can see spotter brought dark grimoire instead of military maps:

...which allowed the team to beat gravity!

Spoils of war

Last evening there was a lecture about conquering Elbląg 80 years ago, which was mentioned earlier. It was also part of hobby event from last weekend, so results of painting competition were also announced yesterday. 

Just like in case of soviet OT 34/85 painted for the contest, also IS-2 brought me some more hobby stuff: German paint set + some US winter infantry, which is great, because:

1. I am now working on some Foliescu's brilliant German infantry;

2. I was planning to expand my winter G.I. force by another squad so it fits Bolt Action v3 requirements.

So here's the loot - too bad they didn't give some free time so I could deal with it shortly 🙄

And here you can read about last evening event (Polish only). There was also photo report attached (here). As you can imagine on each end every public event there's a chance for a local goof to show up. Here's ours - never miss opportunity to mess somebody's day 🤪

Till the next time.

Captured IS-2 (painting contest)

I was actually going to paint some zee Germanz winter infantry from Foliescu's line (which is brilliant) but last week I was asked to paint something for local painting contest. The overall theme was 80th anniversary of liberating Elblag from under German occupation (just to make it clear: Poland was "liberated" by soviets, so you can imaging the rest). 

Because of this event there's been organised 2-weeks painting / wargaming course in local library, with friendly tournament and painting contest to crown it all. 

Anyway the challenge has been accepted but since I don't play Germans nor Soviets my options were rather limited. While digging through my resources I've found IS-2 heavy tank which was part of prize-loot for other painting contest 🤪

As mentioned earlier I don't play Soviet army but from what I was told in battle of Elblag Germans also used some captured vehicles, so I imagine it surely is one of them. Wasn't sure about the markings but I was pretty sure the crew would't like to be taken as Soviet unis from afar so markings were applied on each side of vehicle plus it got a flag on the hull just in case some lost Stuka decided to pay a visit...

I do not like to work fast with painting (and this was surely hasty paintjob for my standard) but I like the final result. Italeri's stuff is always tops. The commander is metal piece from Warlord's set, but I think as professional he doesn't mind driving Soviet wheeler. To glory!

Yup - from above it surely ain't soviet tank ^^

And some enthusiastic US tank hunters for the scale:

Spoils of war

Yesterday courier delivered the last part of spoils of recent painting contest, which turned out to be more then successful for my hobby zone. Thank to paintjob I did on OT 34/85 (flamethrower tank) and winter infantry assault squad my hobby supplies got by:

 

-    set of resin bases from Micro Art Studio,

-    IS-2 heavy tank from Modelmania,

-    rust & chipping effects from Rebel.

Must say the Cosmos itself must have guided guys, who were choosing this stuff because all is what I am hoping to use shortly!

Right now I am working on bane thralls unit for Warmachine Cryx force, so these skull bases should fit perfectly spectres hovering over ancient battlefield. It's actually the very first plastic unit from Warmachine line I am working on and must sadly admit - it's f#@king crap compared to it's metal predecessors... 🤬

The other piece is IS-2 heavy tank for Bolt Action. Funny thing because before it arrived I was thinking about the entry for the next edition for the painting contest and suddenly, out of the blue, 46 tons of solution came to my door. These tanks come with assault squad (just like this one) so looks like I got entries for 2 categories.

And the last thing is rust and chipping effects set from Vallejo line. Most of paints I use is Vallejo and I really like this brand, so I am more than happy I got new effects to test. It's rather for painting wrecks but I actually might use it on my next contest entry so close the circle. Soviet armour is not much more then mobile wreck after all 😁

Till the next time!

OT 34/85 (painting contest)

And here's the second entry for Strategie historical wargaming painting contest. Once again it's winter themed model but this time from soviet army. Although I don't play this army this model has been rotting in the pile of shame for quite a long time now so I thought I might do it a favor and save it from almost inevitable oblivion.

As for color choice I tried to use similar tones to M4A3 Sherman painted some time ago. Must say I really like that one and in my opinion it's pretty hard to make just boring green tank a bit more interesting. To break basic green some artifical snow was added so the model fits sovied assault squad painted a while back.

This version of tank is equipped with hull mounted flamethrower instead of standard mediom machine gun so I borrowed flame effect from Cryx Defiler. Back days I wasn't sure about using such add ons but now I regret I have only one to swap between models. Must check if I can get any more especially for Cryx death-chickens. That's it for now - back to work 😑

This is what it was when I found it in the bits box btw 😁

Take care o/

US infantry (winter war) #3

Not sure it's because it's been bloody hot here recently, but just a while ago I've managed to finish another bunch of US soliders from upcoming defenders of Bastorne army project (you can see rest of the guys here - squad #1 and here - squad #2). From what I can see these were the last unpainted infantry models from US range I could find - for sure from winter war range.

There's another reason for bringing out Bolt Action stuff on the painting station instead of something for Slaanesh Chaos Army project, and that reason is historical wargaming painting contest (only Polish language). It's periodical event but it's always fun: I guess you can see there models from less popular ranges - mostly wargaming models instead of dedicated display pieces.

I tried to keep similar color choice as on the previous winter squads so they all mix nicely when placed on the battlefield. Also tried not to overdo snow effect. Some artifical snow is just great for the contrast but too much of this stuff can easily ruin the paintjob (I screwed my Dodge 3/4 battle taxi this way).

I know the backdrop kinda sucks for winter themed models but it's the best I could get for my camera settings. Tried several times and have no idea how can I get proper colors using neutral background - like white sheet of paper or something like that. Here they are anyway. There's also vehicle for the same contest coming so stay tuned!

And the whole winter infantry at this stage. I think I might re-paint some old GIs winter fashion, so defenders of Bastogne can get full squads.

Oldhammer Weekend 2022 summary

I've just came from Oldhammer Weekend Poland 2022. 

Wasn't sure about getting there at first but I am really glad I decided to move my ass got the event, 'cause it was a blast! 🤗

Whole event started on Friday. There were lots old Herohammer-era games to be played and lots of people from "the branch" to be met (even some guys from the Crown of Command team! 😲), but I only decided to took part in Warhammer Fantasy Battle 5th ed "tourney" and brought some stuff for painting contest - there was not much time for anything else if someone decided to run the campaign.

I had lots of fun - no doubt about it!
Especially the last time I played WFB was over 20 years ago! 😁
As for the campaign I've managed to reach 5th score and brought 2 statues from painting contest: 3rd place in large model category for Warhammer 40000 Carnifex and 1st place for the best army! 😲 That was surprise because there were other stunning armies, and in my opinion - renaissance styled dwarves and savage orcs were true contest killers. But on the other hand - it's great to be appreciated and recognized: 

"So YOU are the guy from Elbląg, who's painting deaders!" 🤣 Here they are:

It was also great to finally meet some fellow painters, who (until now) I knew only by their works. Especially Tymon Ultraa (who robbed most of statues from painting contest 😋) and Kuba (who's savage orcs wiped the desert with my Undead).

Below you can see some of the photos I took during Warhammer campaign and between the battles. I regret I didn't manage to take a try of Gorkamorka, Heroquest and Man-o-War, but hopefully next time I can plan my time little better.

Adam and Piotrek did hell of a great job with bringing another edition of Oldhammer Weekend to existence and hope I'll be able to participate in the next of the event.

The mummy-crushers... 🥶

Undead marching towards Chaos Dwarves positions...

Dwarves defence line...

Dwarves with spears are better then skeletons without them ^^

Some Warmaster manoeuvres:

Group shots of painting contest works:

Classic Herohammer duel-photo:

Savage orcs WAAAAAAAGH! force:

Sunday Evil vs Good (well... more like Neutral) 3 vs 3 mega battle:

Warhammer 40000 3rd / 4th edition match:

Time to order some green stuff and start working on mounted wight lord for the nexxt year! 🤘🏻