Bocage

Started these just before Xmas but only just got round to finishing them off.

First eleven pieces of Bocage for 28mm games (not sure how I ended up making eleven, slightly odd number!).

I'd been considering on how to make Bocage for a while and a search on the web will come up with several different variations made by others. The general description of bocage is of a bank covered in undergrowth and trees.  As represented here...

I therefore decided I would opt for an angled bank with foliage stuck to the top. Using materials I already had would decide on their construction. The bases are MDF 2mm bases 120mmx40mm from warbases. To this I then cut lengths of cork tile and built it up in steps. The first was 30mm wide, then 25mm, 20mm 15mm and finally 10mm wide. Each tile is approximately 3mm deep. Once the wood glue had dried I spread ready mixed filler (Polyfilla) along each edge to give a smooth(ish) bank, and on each end to hide the different layers of cork. On some I stuck small stones into the filler before it dried. Once that was dried, I sanded each end to smooth it out and then painted PVA glue on to each bank (not the ends) and sprinkled sand on to them. Once that had dried painted each piece and then used a hot glue gun to stick the clump foliage to the top and some to the sides of each bank. Finally added grass, then sprayed it with glue (Woodland scenics sprayer) and lastly GW Purity Seal to seal the whole thing.

The hot glue gun was a new acquisition which I purchased after constantly reading other modellers articles which refered to just how useful a hot glue gun is. I must fully agree, though it took a little while to get use to it. I found it was best to apply a little bit of glue, a few centimetres at a time, and then stick foliage on otherwise the glue would dry out. Also the glue is hot so watch your fingers.

The following show one of the banks with a fallshirmjager stood behind it.

And now the same piece photographed from directly to the front (honest).  

So it gives an idea of the height compared to a 28mm figure which cannot be seen. I'm aware descriptions describe the real bocage as being as high or higher than a tank, but I'm happy with the result. 

Cut out a few more pieces of cork tile to make some more, might try some variations in height and add more stones to them once I get started. 

 

Whats in store for 2012?

Well despite the world going to end in December, that still leaves about 10 months of painting time. My priority for this year is to build up my terrain collection, either buy it or make it. Plus paint as much as I can. I've already decided that I'm going to limit myself to one main period which will be 28mm WW2. Inbetween adding to the fallshirmjager and US Paras and vehicles, I'm going to add in some more Apaches and increase the number of completed F&I war figures. I'm not planning on starting any new projects this year (yer' right)(well maybe one, ssshhh don't tell the wife or I'll be in trouble again for spending more money on toy soldiers).

Now I've just seen this on dampfpanzerwagon and I think I'll sign up to the PLEDGE. Will I do it? Will I paint between 5 to 10 models ( a tank must count as at least 5 figures) a month? Will anyone care? Will I care? Damn right I will. Enough talk time to crack on!

Fallschirmjager (Squad Two)

At last the second Fallschirmjager squad is finished. HURRAH!!!!.

Been a bit of a slog with this one taken approximately three months or so to paint ten figures. Constant stop/start with numerous interruptions for one reason or another. But anyway here they are.... 

Once again mainly Artizan miniatures except for one of the MG34 teams which is from Crusader Miniatures. very nice figures in deed. The Crusader Fallschirmjager are labelled Early War, so it was fitting to paint them in grey/green jump smocks. 

  

Again I've used a mix of GW, Foundry and Vallejo colours. I've used Foundry Storm Green for some of the jump smocks, to add variety but also photos of re-enactors and period photos give the impression that the 'early' jump smocks were a more green colour, rather than grey. But saying that I've also done a couple using Foundry's American Olive Drab, and Granite palettes. The 'true' colour of WW2 uniforms, particularly German uniforms, is both a mystery and a minefield! Field grey!!! what colour is field grey; grey? grey/green? brown/grey (green)?, field grey is whole subject by itself and lets not start on the US M1942 Paratrooper uniforms (no I'm not going to) (curse you Band of Brothers (excellent mini TV series that you were)). I might if a get the time and can be bothered write a small piece on WW2 uniforms and the ups and downs of a wargamer attempting to recreate them on miniatures.

The squad leader is the only one in camo smock and snazzy matching trousers. I took this idea from the following publication.  

  



Published by Histoire & Collections by Jean de Lagarde. The catchy title of German Soldiers of World War Two speaks for itself. On page 112/113 is a description of an NCO of the Grossdeutschland Division wearing camo smock and a pair of camo trousers made from zeltbahn material. The zeltbahn was a triangle piece of material, which could be worn as a poncho or several put together to make a tent if required. One zeltbahn would be carried by each soldier.

Zeltbahn in splinter camo.

This is an excellent book and thoroughly recommended. Colour photos throughout of German army/navy/airforce uniforms and equipment. Picked up my copy from Amazon (were else!). 

Thats enough for today, until next time.    

Gone but not forgotten

Well its been a while since the last post, but that's about to end soon. Painting has been slow but I have managed to finish off a further edition to my 28mm WW2 collection and re-started a terrain project which has been sitting on the workbench for about two months.

 Should add a proper new entry later this week. So until then.....