"March"ing Matildas

Inspired by Matt's call to a March kit building challenge (see Mad March), I decided to dip my toe into the challenge.  As mentioned in the previous post, I have a Tamiya 1/48 Matilda kit laying unbuilt for several years.  This challenge would provide sufficient motivation to actually unbox the kit and get on with it. 

Likely little surprise to regulars, I also have a tall stack 1/100 (15mm) Zvezda models similarly laying around unbuilt.  Since there are Matildas in this stockpile, why not make the build a trio of Matildas?  The Zvezda Matildas are both Mk I and Mk II models.

The little Zvezda models only have six or seven pieces so they can be put together in a flash.  The larger Tamiya model contains considerably more pieces and took much more time to build.  However, all three models took less time than I expected.

While Matt's challenge required only the raw build, I forged ahead and painted my offerings as well.  The paintwork was kept simple using bronze green.  Decals were omitted from the Tamiya build since I just did not like the look of them.  For me, unmarked AFVs on the table are fine.

Perhaps one day, the 1/48 Matilda will actually see tabletop action with a complement of support troops?  She is ready when the call comes!

Since building these models put me into the WWII gaming spirit, I downloaded Chain of Command 2 to give the rules a look.

Prussian Musketeer Regiment #34

The 18mm SYW project has not seen much in the way of attention over the last six months.  My plan prescribed working on a French army in the New Year.  That plan has not survived collision with other projects.  The main Project Interruptus has been building out a few Battles for the WotR in 28mm.  I did manage to field a handful of Bavarian and Irish regiments late last fall but the production line has been silent since.  Until now, that is.

Off the painting desk today is a 23 figure battalion from Prussian Musketeer Regiment #34. The figures are all Eureka Miniatures and the flag is one I made myself.  With David from Not by Appointment recently publishing his flag set for Musketeer Regiment #34, I will likely reflag this unit with one of his superb flags once I get enough of his flags together to print an entire sheet.

Also off the painting desk is a pair of German trucks in 15mm.  With Graham's recent SCW games loaded with transports, I figured I ought to do something about my own WWII transport situation.  To that end, two more Zvezda Opel Blitz trucks make their way off from the workbench.  Nice little models.

Finally, on the remote gaming front, I took to the skies Tuesday in the next instalment of our WWI aerial combat campaign.  The two German pilots added two more kills to their totals and returned safely to base.  Hurra!

Later today, I join Ross and friends for a playtest of one of his planned games to be presented at Virtual Huzzah on May 22.  We will be playing a French Revolution game using his MacDuff to the Frontier rules and 54mm figures.  I used an earlier version of these rules more than 25 years ago to fight both colonial and French & Indian War battles.  I wonder if I will remember any of it?  No matter.  Should be fun.    

In the category of It's A Small World, I signed up to take part in another virtual game on May 22 with the authors of the newly released WotR rules, Test of Resolve.  I did not make the connection to Ross' playtest and the Test of Resolve game both being a part of Virtual Huzzah until re-reading Ross' email and writing this post.

A Mix of German Vehicles

For something completely different from the regular figure offerings, I dug deep into The Lead Pile and pulled out a stack of 15mm Zvezda plastic vehicles.  A moderate stack of these models has lingered around for exactly five years.  Looking back in my invoices, I see I bought fifteen models (three copies of each model) for $2.99 apiece.  Each is a neat little snap together model with crisp detail.  

Having received two sets of Vallejo Pigment sets two years ago as a Christmas present from a gaming buddy, I finally had reason to give them a try.  Not knowing what I was doing, I mixed up a little 'mud' to slap onto the wheels, tracks, and undercarriages of the models.  I like the effect it offers and adds some interest to the predominantly grey of early war German vehicles.  Jake, sorry it took two years before I pulled these pigments out for a trial run.  Glad I finally got to it!  I think I will go back to a pair of 1/48 Shermans and muddy them up a bit too.

One final decision in the building of these models was whether to base or not.  With the only recent 15mm WWII action an infantry only affair, no need to address vehicle basing at that time.  Now that WWII gaming has piqued my interest, I want to try expanding the collection to include a vehicle or two.  While indecisive for a time, I finally rationalized that since the infantry was based on 3mm thick bases that the vehicles should be mounted on 3mm thick bases too.  This allows for all stands to lay on the same plane during a game.

On to the individual models...

Sd Kfz 222 Armored Car

Sd Kfz 251/1 Ausf B

Opel Blitz Truck

Panzer II

STuG III AusF B

Besides the ten remaining unbuilt Zvezda models, I also have a number of Command Decision models to add into the collection.  I may begin adding these into the project over time.  Perhaps I should strike while the iron is hot?  First, back to the figures with two units of Spanish-American War Spanish infantry off the painting desk next.

State of the Painting Desk

After more than a fortnight away scrambling around the Peruvian Highlands, I return to the painting desk.  In my absence, the painting desk lay fallow and the gaming table quiet.  With much activity on the home/work front following my return, I was unable to get in even one short painting session in this week.  Hopefully, I can make some time for a painting session or two this weekend after wrestling the yard back into shape following two weeks' neglect.

What is on the painting desk this morning?

State of the Painting Desk

Well, in the background are three battalions' worth (36 figures) of French Line infantry for the 15mm Risorgimento project.  After fielding a few French battalions of Freikorps, When the Navy Walked, and Lancashire Games, I turn to the large pile of unpainted Old Glory French.  The Old Glory figures are much more dynamically posed than the others and offer an interesting contrast.  Sculpting is quite good but many of the bits are molded fragilely.  Already, one officer's handgun has been lost.  I am interested to see how these figures fit with the three manufacturers mentioned earlier.  My Old Glory Austrians and Sardinians are very handsome and I see no reason why these French should not be as well.

In the foreground is a sample of five offerings from Zvezda in their 1/100th (15mm) line of plastic WWII vehicles.  The pieces snap together with only a bit of glue and the results are good.  The few other vehicles on hand for this project are molded in metal.  Once painted, I will make a comparison.  An assortment of fifteen such kits were picked up about a month or two ago when they were offered on discount.