Flames of War Objective Marker Vignette. "Mother...Hans will not be coming home for Christmas".

SOLD
Part of the reason I like the Flames of War range in particular are the objective markers. A series of small vignettes that add a great deal of atmosphere to the game and look excellent on the table or in the display cabinet.

The German objective marker consisting of a Kubelwagen crashed at the side of the rood is typical. The dead driver, the broken telephone pole and fencing create a scene of roadside devastation that will look superb on the gaming table.

One of the bonuses of painting pieces for the blog is that I get to paint exactly what I want and this is no exception.

Once prepped and cleaned I under coated the whole model with Games work shop skull white undercoat and the airbrushed the Kubelwagen in German yellow and various sand and earth shades.


This was then left to dry before the real painting and detailing. The first thing to do was block in the road and scenery. After applying various shades of highlights I picked out the detail of the demolished telephone pole, fencing, helmet and sculpted shrubbery.



This was then set aside to dry after which I applied various filters before detailing the car itself. The dead driver is nicely sculpted and I saved him to last painting him in German field grey using the three-tone highlight technique. Followed by a little more shading to the vehicle to accentuate the detail and three coats of matt varnish to protect the finish.



A little Games Workshop flock and some Woodland Scenic’s shrubbery were then added just to improve the overall appearance of the vignette and there we have it.

“Mother…Hans will not be coming home for Christmas”.
(Ebay item number 190246468939)
SOLD

This model is available on Ebay this week along with the other model in the set "Mother...Tommy Atkins will not be coming home for Chrismas" . (Ebay item number 190246478052)

SOLD

"Mother...Tommy Atkins will not be coming home for Chrismas"

SOLD

M5A1 Stuart from the 2nd Armoured Division tank Company Boxed Set from Flames of War.

The commander of a M5A1 Stuart contemplates the fate of a British Centaur and its crew.

I have always had a particular liking for the M5A1. With its somewhat obsolete appearance and the idea that M5A1 crews pitted their 37mm cannons against the 88 armed Panthers and Tigers and won seems almost incredulous. I know they were fast and they took the German Armour from the rear but the crews must have had cahones the size of melons.

So when choosing the first models from the set to complete the choice was obvious. The Light Tank Platoon with the three M5A1 models was the first to the modelling bench.

What the models lack in size they make up for in sheer heft. The metal track set is well detailed and gives these little models a real feel of solidity when handled. The detail is easily up to what I have come to expect from battlefronts Flames of War range.

The turrets did need a little drilling with the pin vice to get the main gun to sit correctly (and firmly in the turret) and of course the resin parts did require a bit of fettling as per the norm with the flames of war range. It is always worth spending a little bit of time prepping the model prior to assembly followed by a few dry runs to test the fit and overall appearance before reaching for the glue.

Once base coated, using Games Workshops excellent spray undercoat, it is time to break out the airbrush. The models were then painted overall in Olive Drab before being dusted with various sand and earth colours, this when a good airbrush comes into its own, to begin the weathering process. Once the paint has completely dried it is on to the next stage and this is where you will either breathe life into the model or destroy all the work done thus far.

I always apply the decals at this stage, about half way through the weathering process, just prior to lining. Once the decals have been secured with Microset and completely dried I then apply various filters. Basically artist oils thinned with turps to tone down the paintwork and make the model more believable on the games table. This process has to be done extremely carefully as you do not want brush strokes or puddles of paint gathering on the model. When you have achieved the effect you want you will need to set the model aside for a day or two prior to highlighting and the final weathering with various powders and pastels.

The choice of pastels and weathering powders is important to the final appearance and should be applied slowly as too much is worse than too little in my opinion. Once you have finished with powder it is time to seal everything with a several very light and fine airbrushed coats of a quality matt varnish. Do not brush on the varnish or the powders will simply turn to mud and destroy the work. There is a real skill in this seemingly simple task but you want the atomised varnish to hit the model almost dry on the first two coats so as to preserve the weathered finish.

Worthy of special note is the commander figure. He has the finest facial detail of any figure I  have seen in the Flames of War range. He was a real delight to paint and worth the extra time that it took to bring out the detail.

The M5A1 from Battlefronts Flames of War range is a superb little model full of character and an excellent addition to anyone’s collection. Remember the Generals Paintbrush painting service is available to the gamer and collector. Email with your requirements for a quote.

M10 3" GMC Tank Destroyer Platoon. On Ebay Item number: 190244476976.

Tiger Hunt.

I have just finished painting the Flames of War M10 GMC 3” Tank Destroyer Platoon set from Battlefront. You can check out the assembly and painting of the M10's on previous postings here on The Generals Paintbrush.

These are the first U.S. models that I have done from the Flames of War range and I have to say that I am very pleased with the results. The faces on the figures from Battlefront are improving, the first figures had facial detail more akin to Minifig and now I would rate them somewhere between Minifig and Battle Honours. Overall they are excellent miniatures and the poses and proportions are very good indeed.


U.S. 2nd Armoured Hunting German Big Cats.

Of course where Battlefront comes into their own, with the Flames of War minis, is the tanks and these models with the new plastic tracks are superbly detailed and capture the characteristics and outline of the M10 Wolverine.

Closeup of new track detail from Battlefronts Flames of War M10 Models

An excellent value set with, 2 M10’s 3” Tank Destroyers, an M20 utility AFV, a jeep with .50 cal AA MG and 15 finely detailed and painted soldiers and crew. Just what you need for hunting German big cats.

Tiger Hunt.
Contents of the latest painted Flames of war set from The Generals Paintbrush.

As always these finely painted models will be available on Ebay. I will start the auction on Sunday 17 August 2008 at 17.15 hrs. (Finish time and date 17.15 hrs 24 August 2008). Remember I offer a high quality, museum standard, painting service. For those that require something more specific drop me an email for a quote and I will get back to you within 48 hrs. Paypal is available and I ship worldwide.

Painting a Canadian Sniper Team

In this particular post I am going to look at painting camouflage, probably the most interesting and difficult aspect of painting Battlefronts Flames of War 15 mm miniatures. I have on this occasion chosen a particular favourite of mine the Denison Smock or Jacket. Made famous by the Parachute Regiment, it was also a particular favourite of the Canadian Scouts and Snipers, which is what I have chosen to replicate in this particular piece. Taken from the Flames of War the Late War British Rifle Company. I was inspired by, the famous picture of, Sergeant Harold A. Marshall of the Calgary Highlanders. This will, I hope demonstrate, that you can achieve some superb results even on such small areas.

Preparation.
Firstly as always with my 15 mm figs, after having removed any flash and the obligatory dip in detergent, I applied a light coating of Games Workshops Chaos Black. As a rule of thumb Undercoats are normally white, grey or black. However I find that in this scale that a black undercoat saves a lot of time when it comes to lining the figure.


Basic Colours
Once the Primer has dried, I like to leave the figure for 24 hrs, it is time to break out the paints an brushes and get down to work. Starting with the trousers I lay on a coat of English Khaki, paying particular attention to where the trouser meets the gaiter and the jacket to ensure that a very fine line of black is left to define the point of separation.

Once dry I apply two highlights, both highlight colours are made by mixing white to the Khaki. Obviously the first highlight will contain more English Khaki and the second more white. Remember that these colours will be added to the highest points, creases, folds and around the upper knee area.

Next, the Denison Jacket. I will be applying a three-toned camouflage pattern to this Flames of War Canadian Sniper Team. A mid green, a mahogany brown and a sand. While the pattern is almost equal parts of these colours I will be applying the sand as a base coat, because it is the lighter shade it will contrast the darker colours and therefore ease application of the camouflage pattern. Once all three colours are applied you should have a nicely camouflaged model. Again highlights can be added my mixing in white to the green and the sand colour into the brown. Add white to the brown and you will end up with a horrible pink.

Detailing the models
The equipment can now be picked out. I mix a shade for the base of field grey and olive green and highlight in the normal way i.e. adding white to the base colour. I have always preferred my models weapons to have a darker wood finish but this is purely personal choice.

Flesh Tones

I always start with |Citadel Bestial Brown as an undercoat followed by bronzed flesh and highlighted with a 50\50 bronzed flesh and skull white. In this scale this three-tone approach works extremely well.

There we have it the figures are ready for basing. The next sniper team up for painting are a pair of Waffen SS in camo smocks.

Flames of War Game Gallery. Plus Special Requests

I have had a number of enquiries, referenece, if I would also consider painting 25mm figs for clients. The first set are shown here and are from Renegade Miniatures early WWI range. So if any of you collectors want to use my painting service for your 25mm specials send me an email for a quote.

I thought you might like to see some of my latest commission work prior to shipping. Please email me for a quote if you want to add similar quality models and miniatures to your collection

Tiger Hunt.
Flames of War 2nd Armoured Division M10 Tank Destroyer Platoon Set.



Tiger Hunt II.
Flames of War 2nd Armoured Division M10 Tank Destroyer Platoon Set.

New from Flames of War. A Hidden SS Sniper Team keep British Infantry at Bay


Elements of the 7th Armoured Division reach their Objective Marker

Flames of War. 7th Armoured Division Somewhere in Normandy.

Flames of War British Infantry and AFVs