Sarissa Buildings

Purchased these two MDF buildings from sarissa-precision recently and spent the last few days assembling and painting them. I found out about this company whilst browsing this site for Old West inspiration Cowtown Chronicles. I then missed out on seeing the buildings in the flesh at the Derby show, since a didn't attend in 2011. Having read further good reviews elsewhere I decided to make a purchase.

They are from the 28mm WW2 range, and they are Small Terrace No1 and House No1 respectively. Both come in kit form consisting of walls x4, base x1, upperfloor x1, roof sections x2, chimney x1 (but comes in four pieces), window frames and door frames. The internal window frames are already molded/cut onto the model. The brick work on the house is also separate, you get two lengths for the front and one for the back. There is no rear door on the house but there is on the terrace and neither have windows on the side walls. Both models go together very easily.

I have assembled them pretty much as they come except for the chimneys were I have added the chimney pots. I have on the terrace house used embossed plastic card for the roof tiles, though I now think the laser cut roof which comes with the model is excellent and paints up very well. Both models were sprayed with Halfords grey primer and it does not hide any of the detail, nor did any of the further painting using an old small house paintbrush (though I used acrylic paints, not emulsion). I did spray the internal walls before assembly.

Here are a couple of photos with a Bolt Action US Para for scale comparison.

The terrace main external walls I have sprayed with an old can of GW Roughcoat, before painting.

The external walls of the house I covered with a render product from 4ground (who also make nice laser cut MDF buildings & accessories). This product worked quite well but may have been even better if I had followed the tutorial on the 4ground site which I found after I had applied the render.

Overall 10/10 for this product from Sarissa. Plus good service and products were received very well wrapped and I mean well wrapped. There is obviously a lot of scope to do more with these buildings if you wish. I will certainly be getting more in the future. I particularly like the warehouse- city block.

Painting Fallschirmjager-a guide & observations

It is a little presumptuous of me to make out this is a painting guide so I would prefer to refer to this entry as a series of observations on painting 28mm Second World War Fallschirmjager. Listed below will be the paints used and sources/inspiration. I will begin with the jump smocks;

Revised 01/07/12

Since writing this post I've still not been completely happy with my version of Splinter camo. So out came the reference material, followed by the paints, brushes etc., closely followed by a prepared Artizan Fallschirmager. What I was not totally happy with was the base colour which looked too dark, so I set out to improve this detail.

And here is the first result;

The base colour for the smock on this figure is Vallejo 'German Camo beige' 821 (N.B. unless stated otherwise all colours used are Vallejo). I then washed this with GW Devlan Mud, and highlighted again with base colour 821. The brown 'lozenges' were then painted in 'German Camo Black Brown' 822, then highlighted with 'German Camo Medium Brown' 826 and finally 'German Camo Pale Brown' 825. The green was painted first in 'German Camo Dark Green' 979, then 'Luftwaffe Camo Green' 823, and finally a mix of 50/50 823 with GW Skull White. Once this was done I further highlighted the base color with a 50/50 mix of 821 and Skull White.

The trousers have been painted with 'German Field Grey WW2' 102, again a wash of Devlan mud, highlighted with base colour, and then a further highlight with 50/50 102 with 'Russian Uniform' 924.

N.B. The panzerschreck is painted 'Middlestone' 882 washed with Devlan Mud. Then Ogryn Flesh but only into the recesses, then highlighted again with 882.

Version No2;

Only the base colour is different on this figure. I've used Foundry pallette German Splinter Tan 85C, only. I have then washed in Devlan Mud and then highlighted in base colour. The Green and brown camo colours are as  above. I then highlighted the base colour with a mix of 85C and Skull White, 50/50.

The 'rain' splinters are Charadon Granite. I've decided the these are in. Though I try and make them smaller and more numerous than when I first attempted the 'rain' marks.

I'm not sure of Vallejo equivalent for Foundry 85C, but maybe 'Deck Tan' 986 or 'Splinter Camo base' 345 from the Panzer Aces range.

Both models together to give a rough idea of the slight difference in colour;

Much happier with how these two turned out. These schemes will now become standard. Though I might try using 'Flat Earth' 983 for the brown camo on some future ones just to see how that turns out. Flat Earth is recommended by some as the colour for brown lozenges/splotches on the smocks.

The original entry below for reference;
    
Splinter Smocks/Splittermuster- (both Army 31 and Airforce 41 versions). I used the Foundry palettes for this. These being German Splinter Tan (85), German Splinter Green (84) and German Splinter Brown (83). I do not use the Shade colour for either the green or brown, I just did not see the point in having three colours for the green/brown, BUT I have started using Vallejo German Camo Pale Brown (825) as the third and final colour on the brown. The Vallejo colour is more muted and I personally like the effect. 

Water Tan/Sumpfmuster 43- The base smock colours are all Vallejo. Starting with German Camo Beige (821), then highlighted with Khaki (988) and finally Stone grey (884). These are the colours recommended in the Flames of War supplement HELLS HIGHWAY, in the guide for Fallshirmjager. But for the green/brown I have used the Foundry palettes 84 & 83 as above (plus Vallejo 825). 

Notes: The Foundry German Splinter palettes are I believe no longer available, though maybe still be  able to be picked up at shows from retailers (I sure I saw one of the colours on a stand at the recent WMMS show). 

The green and brown colours may not be exactly right particularly the brown may be to light after I have applied the Vallejo colour but I like it.

The 'rainmarks' on the smocks. The jury is out on this one. I have painted on the dashes, and have gone from a dark green to a drab green/grey. Basically I use Games Workshop Charadon Granite (now called Stormvermin Fur). I'm not sure whether it is worth the time or effort painting these, but for the moment I will continue to do so.

Remember 'Splittermuster' is brown 'lozenges' with green 'splotches'. Sumpfmuster is green 'lozenges' with brown 'splotches'.

Early Jump Smocks- these are the easiest to paint. The problem I had was the colour. They are referred to as grey/green, green/grey or olive green? I have mainly settled on Foundrys' Storm Green (27) palette as the colour of choice. Early attempts at this were painted in Foundrys' Granite (31) palette. Granite is more grey (not surprisingly) and this was based on the illustrations in the Osprey Men at Arms No 139 German Airborne Troops 1939-45.

N.B. One trick I like to use to further mute the colours on the smocks (can be used on rest of uniform) is to apply a wash, dare I say a glaze, of GW's Graveyard Earth (now called Steel Legion Drab). This is something I have done for a long time and I find it pulls the colours together and dulls them down (hence glaze). But I do not have 4 parts water to 1 part paint, nothing quite so scientific. I thin the paint till I'm happy, generally by running the brush over newsprint, so as long as I can see the print but just make out the brown color I then apply to the model.

Trousers (Fieldgrey)- fieldgrey is a nightmare. I have used a combination of colours, and since there were variations in the actual colour, I believe I can get away with it. These are the combinations/colours I have used.

1. Foundry; German Late Field Grey (78) palette.
2. Vallejo; US Dark Green (893), highlight German Field Grey (810), highlight Green Grey (886) (reference Battlefronts HELLS HIGHWAY). A slight variation on this is to wash 893 with GW Badab Black (now called Nuln Oil), then highlight.
3. Vallejo; German Field Grey (810). Wash with Badab Black, highlight 810 and then with Foundry Storm Green (27B).
4. GW Charadon Granite (Stormvermin Fur), highlight Vallejo German Field Grey (810), highlight with Foundry Sorm Green (27B).
5. Foundry; Storm Green (27) palette. Though I will probably restrict this colour to the jump smocks at least for the Fallschirmjager.

Helmets- Vallejo German Field Grey (810) and then sponge on Vallejo Desert Yellow (977) or just German Grey (995) by its self.

Tunics - Foundry Storm Blue (39) palette.  

So there you pretty much have it. For bread bags/gasmask containers/ammo bandoleers etc. I have used mainly Field grey No 3 or 4 (see Trousers) or variations on canvas/khaki or grey. In the case of the ammo bandoleers I have also used one of the Camo smock patterns. 

For further reference I would recommend in no particular order.

Flames of War/Battlefront-books or the website particularly the Hobby section for painting guides flamesofwar.

Osprey books-ospreypublishing.

The kamouflage.net for camoflage patterns from around the world old and new.

The Mick Farnworth guides on Artizan Designs site-artizandesigns.

Histoire & Collections-particularly German Soldiers of World War Two.histoireetcollections. Also available from Amazon.

And whatever searches you can find on the net for other painting guides/inspiration.

These colours will be/can be used for Heer infantry, and no doubt I will. They are maybe not totally accurate but one rule I follow when painting anyfigures/period is; am I happy with the finished result. If I am then if the colour is perhaps a touch to light or to dark so what. Its a hobby and meant to be fun. I hope the above is of use.


    

      

8cm mortar with Fallschirmjager crew

Further fire support for my 28mm Fallschirmjager Platoon.

Once again Artizan Design figures.

With the addition of this support weapon this gives me a nice little Fallschirmjager platoon to use against my US Airborne. So know I'm going to start concentrating on terrain and what I want to paint as the mood takes me, plus a new little project which I have just started (much to my surprise!)

New Citadel Paint Range...What the....!

Games Workshop has done it again and reworked their products. This time its the paints. Having used Citadel colour for a very long time, I was quite shocked (it must be my age?!) when I saw this announcement games-workshop. (I must be in shock, since I've decided to put an entry on the blog, not something I normally do for gaming news).  GW paints have their detractors but I like them, know the colours and what will work/not work.


With a weeks leave coming up I can see this bemused painter/gamer taking a trip to the local GW store to check out the new range. Once I've got past the obligatory greeting of 'WHAT ARE YOU PAINTING AT THE MOMENT MATE'. What I'd like to say in response 'Is none of your damn business young man' but since I'm to polite I'll probably respond with 'WW2 Fallschirmjager in splinter camo smocks actually' (Yes, I'm a sad old b******d).


Anyway GW have put up a downloadable conversion chart-old to new versions of their paints. Which will help in the mean time. Conversion chart.

Sustained fire MG42 with Fallschirmjager crew

At last some support for my small but growing Fallschirmjager platoon. A MG42 in sustained fire mode i;e; mounted on a tripod. The crew are wearing my interpretation of Water Tan camo smocks, except the team leader who is wearing a grey/green jump smock.

Figures are once again from the excellent Artizan Designs range.

The MG42 is fairly famous (infamous?) weapon from the Second World War-'Hitlers Buzz Saw'. Here is an interesting clip from the 'Lock n Load' TV show demonstrating this particular weapon.

Bocage with Trees

Following on from my previous post concerning Bocage, I have now made some more. Eleven pieces again same dimensions but this time with trees added in.

These have been constructed as before, 2mm MDF bases from Warbases, then built up by adding successive layers of cork tile, cut to fit, and then filling in the contour layers with ready mixed filler to give a smooth (ish) bank, covered in sand and then paint.

The trees are Woodland Scenic armatures which I had left over. Since they are different heights I had to cut the tile around them. The tallest is about 3" the smallest about 1". I placed them on on the appropriate level of tile, i.e. the tallest where placed on the first or second level of tile and so on for each height of tree. I wanted to give the appearance that tree was growing out of the bank. So even though this left me with a dip, the clump foliage when added could be built up around the tree. Where the tile had to be cut to be built up on either side of the tree, I made sure there was a gradient on each side leading down to the tree rather than cutting the tile the same length so I was not left with a 'sharp' and abrupt end on either side of the tree of the bank.

Now I need to make some corner pieces, some ends and gateways. Plus more lengths, to truly give that claustrophobic feel, that these Normandy hedgerows envoked. 
     

Ambush at Pa' Randalls Trading Post

The wagons creaked and groaned under the weight of the cargo, but the destination was in sight, the journey almost over.

Pa' Randalls Trading Post, a run down, collection of frontier buildings, abandoned long ago by homesteaders, know occupied by Pa' Randall, ex-scout, ex-thief, ex-drunk.

Safety and shelter were at hand. Rumours abound of Apache Renegades, who had attacked Big Jakes Ranch, scalping men and defiling women . Soon the travellers could enjoy hot coffee, a plate of beans and secure walls around them for tonight. But what was that just beyond the trees to the right? Ole' Bill shifted his rifle nervously in his hands. He glanced back to his partner. Had Nat seen it? What was that moving in the trees? Apaches.....

Victorio and his warparty rushed towards the wagons. The warriors released a volley of lead towards the white eyes . Dahana would be avenged. Victorio felt the butt of his rifle strike his shoulder, and saw the bullet strike his enemy.

Nat fell, his life blood darkening the ground. Ole' Bill panicked rushed for the scrub. His wife 'Two Barrel' Annie shouldered her twelve gauge and ran behind the wagons to seek cover.

The folks accompanying the wagons did like wise. Discretion was the better part of valour.

Victorio let out a howl of pleasure. Victory was assured. The Apache rushed to close with the enemy.

At the Trading Post Pa' Randall, ran out of the hovels he called home, alerted by the sounds of gunfire and the screams of terror. In the near distance he espied the Renegades. Hunkered down behind his wagon, he raised his rifle and took careful aim.

But Victorio was a wily old fox. He personally lead one half of the band towards the wagons, whilst Uday lead the others to cover to exchange fire with Randall.

Victorio was a man on fire. His repeater spat death towards his foe. Ole' Bill, a veteran of the war in the Black Hills, twisted and fell as the bullet ripped into his chest. 'Two Barrel' Annie urged the wagon masters to greater effort, they could still reach safety.

Uday and the other braves traded shot with Pa' Randall. Time and again the Apache cursed in frustration as their bullets tore chunks of wood from the wagon behind which the ex-scout cowered. Then.....

Uday's aim was true. The Trader collapsed behind the wagon. His throat torn through.  A cry of victory cut the air, but not from Uday...

Victorio had reached the wagons. Yuma seized the bridle of the last team, and began to turn the wagon to the South. The other Apaches poured murderous fire onto the hapless white eyes. Many of whom abandoned the wagons and fled to some dilapidated buildings. Now they had to turn to 'Two Barrel' Annie for protection.

The feisty dame stood her ground and from the scrub turned her shotgun towards the Apache. Both barrels roared. But in her haste the buckshot found only empty air. Time was running out.

Even stone was not going to save the recently widowed Annie now. Victorio's bullet found its mark. Even before she had struck the ground, Vasco's arrow hit the fleeing Pedro in the back, he was never to see Mexico again.

Yuma began to lead the captured prize way. Ulzana having looted the body of Nat would not have time to liberate Ole' Bill of any of his possessions, for in the distance could be heard the rumble of hooves.

Capt' Jack had arrived but too late, too late. Victorio's warband was going to slip away again.

But would they reap the whirlwind in their next encounter?

So ended the second part of our ongoing Wild West campaign. I must inpart a big thank you to the Secret Wargamers Friend for putting on a great game. Terrain and most of the figures (except the Apache of course) are his.

In fact here is the great man himself, contemplating the game and what to do next. Cheat maybe?