A Project too Far? – British Paras for Bolt Action

Another quick update, here’s a chap I painted a while ago. The face and hands take a while but I think the result is well worth it, and a well painted face definitely ‘makes’ a miniature in my view.

For anyone interested in a tutorial, head over to Darren Latham’s Youtube channel, as his face tutorial is the one I use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER7f-W-BHVg

Although the building of a new board has taken up the majority of my hobby time recently, I’ve managed to get the odd bit done here and there. My latest work has been finishing the bren gun carrier conversion. Here he is, I think he’s turned out nicely, will be good to get him painted up. The head comes from the British Para 17pdr crew.

They there all, another quick update. I’ve been splitting my time between painting, terrain building and converting to keep things fresh. Here’s the latest project on the conversion table. This chap will become an ‘alternative’ posed Bren Gunner for on of the sections, adding variety to the force. The model started out as an SAS Bren Gunner wearing a denison smock, so the bulk of the work is already done. As you can see I’ve started with the trousers, resculpting them to fit with the uniforms of the other soldiers. I plan too add some different equipment using the Plastic Paratrooper sprue. Hope you like!

They there all, another quick update. I’ve been splitting my time between painting, terrain building and converting to keep things fresh. Here’s the latest project on the conversion table. This chap will become an ‘alternative’ posed Bren Gunner for on of the sections, adding variety to the force. The model started out as an SAS Bren Gunner wearing a denison smock, so the bulk of the work is already done. As you can see i’ve started with the trousers, resculpting them to fit with the uniforms of the other soldiers. I plan too add some different equipment using the Plastic Paratrooper sprue. Hope you like!

It’s been a bit quiet on the Western front of late…i’ve been working my way through the infantry so nothing exciting to show. However I’ve taken a quick break from brown, green and ochre to model up some HQ units for the list.

First up is the senior officer of the platoon, the Lieutenant. This chap was compiled from two kits, a crew-member from the 17pdr and the head from the Morris tow’s driver. I thought i’d put an extra bit of work in to make the leader of the force a bit more unique.

Bit of trivia regarding the pronunciation of ‘lieutenant’. If you’re British, its convention to pronounce the rank as ‘Leftenant’, so called because the officer was said to have been ‘left in the tenancy’ of the platoon. The more you know!

Next up…the Batman! No, not the deep-voiced cape donning vigilante! As the army list comes with an extra man in the Lieutenant’s unit, I thought id model him as the lieutenant’s assistant, know as a ‘Batman’. This chap started life as a crewmember for the British 6pdr gun, but with a switch of the arms and head, and some modelling on the denison smock, he’s now part of the 1st Airborne Division.

I’ve taken a break from basecoating Denison smocks to work on a Forward Observer for the force. The Brits get to take a free one in every list, so whatever list I run I’m sure to use one! Therefore I thought I’d spend some time making him unique.

The original model was the loader of the MMG team, the one feeding the belt. Chopping off his head (war’s a messy ol’ buisness!) and cutting away the belt and hands, I’ve added a head from the Perry’s Zulu British infantry and hands from the plastic Para sprue from Warlord. Green stuff was then used to blend it all together.

I imagine this chap looking back to shout coordinates to his radioman, having just sighted some German armour or advancing infantry.

Taking a slight detour from modelling and painting, I’ve decided to put together an army list so I know what models to prioritise. I’ve never been too fussed about ‘competitive’ armies, preferring to go for forces built around models that I dig. I’ve also chosen to structure the army using the ‘British Paratroop Reinforced Platoon’ found on page 22 of the ‘Market Garden’ theatre book. This platoon structure somewhat restricts the force, most notably in its lack of tank support, but provides a themed and interesting challenge for games. The men of the British 1st Airborne Division who dropped around Oosterbeek and Arnhem fought without the support of XXX Corps, so in reality tank support was non-existent.

This is not to say the force is lacking when it comes to anti tank options! Each section is equipped with anti-tank grenades. These are potentially deadly to enemy armour when combined with the British National Characteristics of ‘Up and at em’ or ‘Blood curdling charge’ (IF they can get close enough). The list also includes a Piat anti-tank team and…well…a 17 Pdr! I’d say there’s enough AT options to make even the most stalwart of German Panzer crews shake in their jackboots! I couldn’t resist adding in a British Airborne Recce Jeep. Although I doubt it will take out many Tiger I’s,  the model is fab and a bit of reconnaissance and light MG support never hurt.

So that’s the list, a whole load of infantry and some extra goodies for support options! Feel free to make suggestions if you’ve found success with something different! Cheers!