Waffen SS Company

Another project I am starting this year is attempting to put on a game for the battle of Rostov in 1942. Not the most well known of battles, it was in reality quite one sided as the Russians chose to retreat rather than stand. However, it does have some interesting potential for a game. It saw the SS Wiking division attack alongside the Slovak Fast division while on the Russian side the NKVD caused some havoc and put up a stiff resistance in the town.

I already have the tanks for SS Wiking in the summer of 1942, so now wanted to put together Kampfgruppe Dieckman which was the force put together by Wiking to attack Rostov. The infantry was the 1st battalion of the SS 'Germania' regiment, along with a company of engineers and artillery support.

I have used the Valiant 'Classic German infantry' box as I had it and, frankly, wanted an excuse to use it! I love Valiants, really nice models.

I've also had my first go at changing heads on some of the models - a pin vice from my ship models meant I could do this now; and using Nigel Higgens (from NBHW) blog, 'view from the duck pond' on which he posted a really good video tutorial on how to do it.

Overall pretty pleased, shame no smocks for the SS, but hey, it was the height of summer!

German Artillery

A WW2 German artillery unit; a couple of 105mm and an OP unit. Just need to do some horses to pull the guns around.

Zvedza guns with Brittania crew:

And the OP team with kubelwagen, also from Britannia:

Seascape Mat

My Seascape mat has arrived from www.terrainmat.com

I like it! It is very malleable and transportable and I'm looking forward to using it. All handwoven, with a nice gloss finish.

However, I think I'm going to need a slight extension to fight the Nile battle - oh well, another one for the list!

Warhammer Fantasy

I don't play Warhammer anymore, but it was how, like a lot of people, I got started in Wargaming. I have decided to sell my small collection to fund other projects, but before they go here are a few photos!

Orc Chariot:

Orc Boss:

Orc Boyz

Orc Arrer Boyz:

Giant:

I am quite proud of that one!

I also have some Empire stuff:

General:

Spearmen:

Cannon:

Handgunners with a Hochland Long rifle

Généreux and Aquilon

My last two ships from Christmas are finished! L'Aquilon and Le Genereux.

L'Aquilon has the black strake, and was captured at the Nile.

Le Généreux was one of only two ships to get away, albeit not forever. It's ensign is now in storage at Gressenhall museum, Norfolk.

Pleased with the rigging on these!

Friday paint night in New Buckenham

New Buckenham Historical Wargamers:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.907885062597704.1073741978.302874659765417&type=1

Le Timoléon 74 gun

The second ship on my new 'Battle of the Nile' project, the 74 gun Timoléon, which was the final ship in the French line. Like several ships at the battle, it has red sides, which visually also makes a good contrast on the table.

My next two ships - the final ones from my Langton starter pack - are both French 76 guns. No ships were 'officially' 76 guns, but several of the larger 74 guns were listed as having 76 guns when captured. Three ships at the Nile - 'Spartiate', 'Aquilon' and 'Généreux' were listed as such when captured and were slightly larger than the normal 74. I will paint my ships as the latter two, which coincidentally were also red, Aquilon having a black strake.