Bolt Action German Additions

One of my last games of 2018 was a game of Bolt Action against a friend with Soviets.  I though that this game would make a great excuse to get my generic German army on the table again.  This army is old, way older than Bolt Action.  I've had the army for years and used it with tons of different rules but I have not used it in Bolt Action for a very long time.  Well, I was in for a bit of a shock as it was not in the same condition I remembered it being in.  Specifically there were lots of models missing so it was bit of a challenge to put a decent list together for the game.  After the game I resolved to fix this long neglected army by filling in the gaps.

I set out to find some Crusader Miniatures Germans as they are some of my favorite 28mm figures.  I started checking eBay and watched a few auctions as my plan was finalized.  I was still a bit confused as to what had happened to the army and I gradually remembered that I had planed to update the army years ago and had sold off a bunch of figures I did not like.  Then it hit me - if I had forgotten selling stuff off what else had I forgotten.  So I set off to check the dead lead pile to see what I might already have.  And wouldn't you know it, I had basically every pack that I was currently watching on eBay.  It was like I had already worked this out once before.  Damn I hate getting old.

With my newly acquired (but likely 10 year old) stash I miniatures I set out to paint them all up.  I have 35 more Germans for the Bolt Action army.  It is pretty satisfying to have finally completed these.  And yes, they were in the same box as the cavalry and the motorcycles I recently completed.  This now completes all the 28mm Germans in my collection.

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Kradschutzen Squad

More items from the dead lead pile all finished up.  This time we have a German Kradschutzen squad for Bolt Action.  I bought these figures at least 12 years ago and they were in the same box as the cavalry figures I finished the other day.  Don't ask me why it took so long to finish these, I really have no idea.  The figures are from Black Tree Designs, which I guess has been renamed again.  They are pretty good game models.  I am really looking forward to trying these on the table.

WWII German Cavalry

Many years ago, probably about 11 years ago, I ordered a bunch of stuff for various projects. This was actually a bout of retail therapy. During that time my family and I were going through some tough times and I was not thinking too clearly for a while.  As a result I ended up with a whole bunch of stuff that I never got to or just plain for got.

Enter my Crusader Miniatures German Cavalry collection. These are actually from the now defunct Crusader USA.  I did manage to assemble these back in the day but for about 10 years they have been in a box in my garage.  They did not do too well in the box.

The Crusader USA figures were manufactured my Old Glory and for some reason they used a much softer alloy then their other figure lines.  As a result these soft figures bent very easily especially the thin horse legs as you can see.  II was able to straighten them out but several figures required green stuff reinforcements on the ankles.

After a few days of work I now have a nice cavalry squad for my Bolt Action Germans.  I am really happy with how these turned out.  I wouldn't mind adding a few more and I really wish they would do a mounted MG34 team.

Rubicon Panzer IIIM

Another Christmas gift is complete.  This time we have the Rubicon Models Panzer III.  This is another first generation kit from Rubicon and I 'think' it has been updated with more detailed and accurate kit.  This kit claims to build the J through N models but it will not build the J.  I went with the M version.  The kit has a more traditional design than the Panzer IV I just built.  Assembly was quick and easy and the instruction were accurate.  I went with a quick three color paint job for game set in '43 and later though this tank would be rare after 1943.

Rubicon Panzer IVH

For Christmas I received a couple Rubicon kits for my Bolt Action Germans.  The first one I built was the Panzer IV kit.  This is the first generation kit and it is a little odd in some of its design characteristics.  It was easy to build and can be built in three (four?) different versions.  It is not the most accurate model of the Panzer IV out there but for wargaming it is more than adequate. I went with the IVH version so I can use the model for '43-'45 themed games.  I wouldn't mind having a couple more kits to build the other versions but I think this one is no longer available.  Rubicon has completely redesigned this models and released a new version.  I have not seen that one in person but I expect it is excellent.

This was a very quick build and paint job and, as often happens, the photos for the blog post reveal lots of flaws that I was not aware of.  Oh well, nothing a little touch-up won't fix.

Speed Freeks Completed Set

At the beginning of November my friend, Tim, gifted me a most generous and unexpected birthday present - Speed Freeks.  We had both been excited for this release but for slightly different reason.  We both fell in love with the previews of the models.  Tim was more interested in the actually game as he is not an Ork player and has no plan to start an army.  He is, however, a fan of games like Gaslands so this seemed like an game that would be easier to get on the table...and the models are cool.  I was actually more interested in the models than the game as they make excellent additions to my ever growing and expansive Ork hoard.  I kind of figured the game would be somewhat of a throwaway game.  It turns out it is a pretty fun game all on its own.

For the last couple months I have been working diligently to complete the entire set.  If you have been following along you have seen the posts for each individual Speedmob and a brief blurb about the game itself.  I am proud and excited to reveal the completed Speed Freeks box set!  This is the first time I have ever completely painted all the models in a GW boxed game or starter set.

All the models included in the game assembled and painted.

These are the terrain pieces included in the game.

I purchased an old set of Ork barricades that were painted but just needed some weathering.  These are the old resin models from many years back.  I actually forgot to get one of them in the picture.

Next up for this will be to assemble and paint the new Mekboy Workshop kit and the junk piles included with that set.  I also have a second set of the old resin Ork walls to finish.  This will give me tons of terrain for 40K, Kill Team and Speed Freeks.

Once again, these items were painted at the end of last year so no painting credit for this.

Speedmob #2

I finished up the second Speedmob for my Speed Freeks game at the end of last year but I ran out of time to get the pictures and make a post.  This mod features the Kustome Boosta-blasta and three Ork bikers.  The Kustome Boosta-blasta is in the running for coolest model ever!  These new Ork buggies have so much detail it is crazy.  My only complaint is that much of this detail cannot be seen once the models is assembled but for some reason it does not seem right to leave these details unpainted.  The take forever to paint and build.

I was really hoping to get these on the table for some New Year's Eve gaming but ti was not to be.  I am not sure when I will get to use these but I am looking forward to it.

So no paint credit for these for this year.  Now on to Ork basing updates!