Today's title is a straight lift from one the more clever songs of the 80s. +5 points if you know the band and yes, I'm keeping score! I've got a large drop of British under way for Chain of Command. This platoon is all
Artizan Designs. When a figure is modeled as well as these, I assume the sculptor is also a painter. I used a basecoat, wash and selective highlights to give these some pop.
The photos start with each section, and then pics of the teams that make up the section (or squad as we say in the US). British sections were made up of a Bren gun team plus a rifle team. Three sections make a platoon, including a HQ with a PIAT and 2" mortar team. Specialists will be featured in future posts.
First Section
Rifle Team
Bren Team
Second section
Third section
Hugh and I started the CoC Market-Garden campaign found in
Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy #74. The campaign is 4 linked battles representing the British 5 Platoon's spearhead for 3 Para’s advance on Arnhem. I ran the German training/replacement unit blocking the Para's advance. Thanks to some white hot dice and great generalship (tongue in cheek!), I beat Hugh's Para's quickly and soundly.
We reset and replayed the battle as the British must win to advance the campaign. In our rematch, I got a beat-down before I withdrew off the table. My force morale plunged as a result and the next campaign battle just got exponentially more difficult for the Germans. Ouch!
Gang of four ;-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent work on the British! Really like your colour choices. What did you use for the uniforms?
Your game looks great too. CoC really seems to be the hype lately. Maybe I shozld give it a try. But somehow I don't enjoy READING lardies rules...
+5, doubled because you're first! I'm using Vallejo English Uniform for this project with a AP Soft wash. I did bring English Uniform back over for highights above the waist but the shading is very subtle.
DeleteDB is a bit tricky. I think CoC is much more tightly written. I so love the way TFL has broken IGO-UGO that I'm willing to get over that bump.
Ooh, you beat me to it, Moiterei! Please, sir can I have 5 points, too?
ReplyDeleteI can only repeat what was said above: the colours are great! For such dull colours, you've really made them pop!
Thanks Rosbif, and in for +5. I'm very impressed by the listening habits of my followers so far!
DeleteVery nice British, Monty - hey...you may have something there - Field Marshal. Haven't played CoC, but heard/seen good things - sticking to Bolt Action for now though. Best, Dean
ReplyDeleteDean, thanks! I hope to try Bolt Action myself this winter. Yea, I need one more set of rules to learn.
DeleteTerrific work as always, Monty! A poor mobile data connection meant that I was beaten to the punch on the Gang of Four question.
ReplyDeleteDo I get points for having listened to the album in 1979 WHILE WARGAMING at my mate's place?
That beats all Evan, triple points. I must meet this Vikingologist and Musicologist some day. Unfortunately, there's a bit of a drive from here to there.
DeleteThe line "To have ambition was my ambition" cannot be beat. ;-)
That album cover was one of my faves!
DeleteAs I recall, the rule set we were using was for Middle Earth wargaming, a slim A5 volume in purple cardboard covers (things were all a bit DIY back then). I can't for the life of me remember the name though!
One feature I do recall was that Dwarven units charging added extra hits for impetus, the only infantry units to do so. Nice if you're going in against a horde of Goblins!
Any other greybeards remember that rule set?
I was watching WH fantasy players last night. The fellow running Dwarves told me about the version 8 updates and said his Dwarves get an impetus bonus for charges and he always opens by charging. Looks like there is a straight line traced from the 1970s rules to WH. ;-)
DeleteMonty, your Brits look great! As others have mentioned, your color choice is good. Your CoC games looked fun too.
ReplyDeleteHope we see more CoC games from you!
Thanks Jonathan! I have another campaign game this weekend. Fingers crossed that I get the photos for another AAR.
DeleteLooking forward to it!
DeleteExcellent brush work Monty, you've really done a lot with what can be a bland uniform. Some nice poses and facial expressions on the figures too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul, and congrats on making the FoW Masters! That is a huge honor and one that you've undoubtedly spent many hours earning.
DeleteThere is a HUGE SAGA Grand Melee coming up in Chicago. I'm thinking of going but honestly, a guy like me is just fodder for the good players. I might go anyway just so I can say I did the tournament thing one time. ;-)
Excellent work.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thanks, I appreciate it!
DeleteGreate paintwork !
ReplyDeleteLike your terrain set-up, especially that you angled it a bit.
Thanks Michael! I wish I had Photoshop so I could dress it up a bit more.
DeleteExcellent work on those Tommies, Monty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Stephan, and good luck in the Challenge!
DeleteGreat job on these Bristish trops Monty, nice terrain and inside building too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Phil, it's amazing what they can do with Lasercuts!
DeleteThese look great Monty, lovely job; I'm afraid I had to Google the song though - no points for me. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. Dinovember, and no worries. We'll see that you get a lovely parting gift of 5 points for playing along. ;-)
DeleteGreat work, Monty. Those chaps look fantastic, and I am deeply envious of you having a wonderful place like that to game in. "Gang of Four", isn't it? My history teacher at school (a card carrying member of the Communist Party of Great Britain - yeah, comprehensive schools in the 80s, hearts and minds, etc...) was a big fan of the band. I can still remember him playing the song on an ancient reel-to-reel tape player. Good times.
ReplyDeleteA perfect post...great painting and fun nostalgia!
Thanks Sidney, I appreciate that! Growing up in the US, it was hard to find great bands like Gang of Four when you couldn't hear them on the radio. I was lucky to have a friend from the UK who "put me in the know" on good music like this. Seems like everyone outside of the US knew of them and this number as well!
DeleteReally nice work Monty! I do agree it seems certain sculptors are painters – others, not so much ...
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're having a great time with Chain of Command too.
I'm late to the party so I can't claim to have know which band it was – but I promise I did! Great stuff!
Thanks Jonas! Some lines can be a pain in the rear to paint because of the way the kit is laid out or squeezed together. These were the exact opposite! You're in for the bonus points as well Jonas! ;-)
DeleteSince it seems the answer is clear I'll move straight on and say lovely looking figures and game! Currently play Bolt Action and Operation Squad, but hey a third set of rules can't hurt right?
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Christopher! It's strange to say we "suffer" from a plethora of choices. I play 5 sets of rules regularly and I confess, its one too many. I'd probably do better to prune one and focus.
Deletevery nice! :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Ottomans, eh? What is next out of that painting hat?
DeleteI'm getting into CoC as we speak - learning the rules - all on the blog and YouTube. But anyway, your stiff looks great. I'm playing in 15mm and need to brighten up my painting a bit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Itinerant!
DeleteMonty, I can't remember if I've seen you play Bolt Action. If you have, how does CoC compare?
ReplyDeleteFMB
I haven't got to play BA yet. I hear that CoC is a bit deeper. It does seem to reward you to for making tactically sound decisions.
DeleteWhere did you get your buildings? Where are playing? A game store in Chicaoland? It's not games plus.
ReplyDeleteThe buildings are by a US firm:
ReplyDeletehttp://crescent-root.com/pages/Product/28mm/28mm.html
We're playing at Fantasy Flight Game Center in the Twin Cities. If you're up here, give me a shout!