STALINGRAD Bolt Action Mega Battle!

I really struggled to find a water feature that I liked, then I spotted the ‘La Haye Sainte Sand Pit’. I turned it into a Polluted Pond for my Stalingrad project. It could equally be utilised for 40K, Star Wars Legion or even 15mm Napoleonic’s as intended.

These guys with a Veteran Unit rating, access to up to 6 SMG’s, an LMG and a Flame Thrower, can deal out more damage than any other squad available to the Germans.

They come in a 30 man box set using Warlord Games’s Blitzkrieg German plastic sprues, with additional metal heads, a host of weapon  and specialist equipment arms.

The range of variation in the metal heads has allowed me to field a unit of characterful individuals, all with unique ways of camouflaging their helmet (Ooh, Er, Missus!). I have painted one with a ‘Soviet Amoeba pattern’ cloth cover, as well as an Hungarian equivalent, and the chap with a battered and bandaged bonce particularly stands out. Not at least that He is carrying a Teller Mine.

Miniatures by Warlord Games:

Blitzkrieg German HQ (1939-42)

German Pioniers

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/28mm-road-barbed-wire-barricades?search=barbed%20wire

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

Barbed Wire is available in some Campaign Books, and I am keen to utilise it in my Stalingrad Battles. I like the 4Ground kits, and the way the models can be easily placed almost anywhere on the tabletop. The Pioneers are able to remove whole sections after taking a down order when adjacent.

I love the model and have been itching to get it assembled, painted and on the gaming table.

I intend to home brew some special rules for it, so that I can use it as a mobile objective in my games of Bolt Action. I’m going to count it as an ‘armoured carrier’ as the fuel tank is made of steel, and it hit by a flame thrower or heavy weapon, I plan to use an explosive template.

It will be capturable in a similar way to capturing transports, but it will not be removed, just taken over by the enemy player. I can’t reasonably see many drivers being willing to put up a gun fight in the driver seat of this vehicle.

I will also ask the community for ideas that can shape my special rules for this fantastic, characterful addition to my Stalingrad Mega Battle.

I love the model and have been itching to get it assembled, painted and on the gaming table.

I intend to home brew some special rules for it, so that I can use it as a mobile objective in my games of Bolt Action. I’m going to count it as an ‘armoured carrier’ as the fuel tank is made of steel, and it hit by a flame thrower or heavy weapon, I plan to use an explosive template.

It will be capturable in a similar way to capturing transports, but it will not be removed, just taken over by the enemy player. I can’t reasonably see many drivers being willing to put up a gun fight in the driver seat of this vehicle.

I will also ask the community for ideas that can shape my special rules for this fantastic, characterful addition to my Stalingrad Mega Battle.

Miniature by Warlord Games:

GAZ AAA Fuel Bowser

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

I love this model, definitely the “Cheeky Monkey” of my Soviet forces. I love the way Warlord have captured the less the complete utilitarian look with the un-smoothened weld lines, and I have tried to highlight them with my painting.

It’s cheap and costs only 15 points more than an MMG team at Regular, and it’s fast at 12 inches, and on a road it’s very fast at 23 inches movement. It may be ‘open topped’, but  with Recce, it can get out of trouble very quickly.

It may lack and real punch being equipped with a lone LMG, but it has the potential to be a real nuisance, tearing off to target enemy weapons, officer and artillery teams. Many a time have I lost an objective to a few surviving enemy infantry models, this could offer a solution to getting a bit of  fire power to where it is needed. In the end stages of the game, a few pins last minute and the odd infantry kill could make all the difference. Just don’t expect it to delete any large enemy Veteran infantry squads.

For a small unit of inexperienced infantry, the BA-64 is a credible threat.

To recreate this scene:

Miniatures by Warlord games:

Soviet BA-64 Armoured Car

German Feldgendarmes

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/28mm-model-kits/28mm-world-at-waw/28mm-checkpoint?limit=50

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

Another much needed addition to my Stalingrad miniature collection, is a Panzer III J. It provides a much needed ‘anti-tank’ weapon to the German’s arsenal, but also looks cool!

This model has been constructed from the same plastic Warlord Panzer III kit as the previous Panzer III L. It has the slight edge over the later model and the T34/76 that it is going up against, in that it has strengthened rear armour. This “extra-arse-armour” will be particularly useful in an enclosed city fight, where enemies will often be up close and very personal.

I have used the transfers to mark this tank as a member of the 24th (Leaping Horsemen) Panzer Division.

To recreate this scene:

Miniatures by Warlord: https://store.warlordgames.com/products/panzer-iii-plastic-box?aff=42

T34/76 Medium Tank

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

Another much needed addition to my Stalingrad miniature collection, is a Panzer III J. It provides a much needed ‘anti-tank’ weapon to the German’s arsenal, but also looks cool!

This model has been constructed from the same plastic Warlord Panzer III kit as the previous Panzer III L. It has the slight edge over the later model and the T34/76 that it is going up against, in that it has strengthened rear armour. This “extra-arse-armour” will be particularly useful in an enclosed city fight, where enemies will often be up close and very personal.

I have used the transfers to mark this tank as a member of the 24th (Leaping Horsemen) Panzer Division.

To recreate this scene:

Miniatures by Warlord: https://store.warlordgames.com/products/panzer-iii-plastic-box?aff=42

T34/76 Medium Tank

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

This entry is dedicated to all those who have a sore head after yesterdays festivities!

Miniatures by Warlord Games:

Blitzkrieg German HQ (1939-42)

German Pioniers

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

Soviet and Heer Pioneer Flame Throwers.

Merry Christmas one and all!

Soviet 50mm light mortar and Flamethrower teams

German Pioniers

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

FANTASTIC! I have now filled in a much needed gap in my German forces for my “Stalingrad Mega Battle”, a German “Anti-Tank” Tank.

My Panzer IV and 2 Stugs are great as  anti enemy infantry, infantry support, but near useless against enemy armour (except maybe shooting an armoured car up the jaxi at close range). Now I have something credible to take on the Soviet T34’s, aneven the dreaded KV’s.

I have used the 24th Panzer Leaping Horseman decals from the Warlord transfer sheet that came with the kit.

It’s a striking and I hope effective new addition to my army, and will need a few mates to back it up against all my Soviet armour.

Miniatures by Warlord: https://store.warlordgames.com/products/panzer-iii-plastic-box?aff=42

Scenery by 4Ground:

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/index.php?route=product/search&search=urban%20ruins

Discount code: TTMINI5

When I saw this kit, I immediately saw it’s potential to add a bit of  scale to my Stalingrad battles. I really couldn’t wait  to get it home and on the table top.

The 4Ground kits are great as they are, but I wanted to give mine the full treatment to make it stand out on the tabletop.

I assembled mine using super glue and activator spray. This method is only for the experienced or “Brave” hobbyist. I then filled in the gaps with “No Nonsense, Fine Surface Filler”, cleaned of the excess with a dry washing up sponge. After the filler had dried, I applied a second layer to a few areas that needed a bit more.

I then made a wash 50% Vallejo German Camo Beige WWII (70.821) and 50% water, I applied this to the whole model, sponging of the excess, and gently drying satisfactory areas with an hair dryer. This took less than an hour. A particular bonus of the 4Ground kits is that they are pre-coloured and take paint. This technique will not work on other kits that are not primed or pre-painted.

I was really pleased with the end result, and felt almost like I had cheated as it was so quick and easy to do. Now I have a fantastic landmark for my “Stalingrad Mega Battle”.

If anyone is interested in acquiring their own with a discount: TTMINI5

https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/indie-design/tftb-master-builder-series/tftb-grudinin-mill-chimney

I kit-bashed an MMG team for my 100th Jager Division platoon. I chose the heads from the plastic Opel-Blitz kit ( https://store.warlordgames.com?aff=42 ) from Warlord to match the rest of the platoon. This gives a clear overall look that helps differentiate them on the table top. I decided to give them a bipod rather than a tripod to add to their light infantry feel. I have only used them once in a tournament at Factorum the home of 4Ground buildings and a serious Bolt Action players community, and they got SPANKED!

If anyone is interested in recreating something similar I have used the ‘Blitzkrieg German’ plastic box set as described with the ‘Opel-Blitz’ passenger sprue from Warlord games. I would be grateful if anyone searching could use my affiliate link: https://store.warlordgames.com?aff=42

The scenery is from 4ground: https://www.4groundpublishing.co.uk/tftb-pavlovs-house-destroyed-end-block-bundle?search=pavlov

They have kindly furnished me with a code so that I can provide a discount: TTMINI5

Hi Chaps,

I was seriously ill with Covid 19 last year, and part of my self motivation to get better  (I am not fully there yet) has been giving myself hobby targets. Chief amongst them has been my “Stalingrad Mega Project”.

I have worked really hard on this, when I could. I was still coughing up blood when I started it. However dark it’s beginning, mentally I view it as a ladder out of a pit. I have enjoyed every minute, and wish to thank the community for the support, encouragement and good wishes.

I was particularly moved by the Russians and surprisingly, German hobbyists who have contacted me privately to express their good wishes. All of which have been expressed in a very positive light. I was particularly moved by one individual who’s Grandfather was a sole survivor of an huge family. Also it has been useful in supporting my Godsons Max and Freddie, who I wish to be proud of their Russian/Kyrgyz  heritage and have built them armies accordingly.

Particular thanks to the team at OTT, who were kind enough to feature the project on the weekender twice, and award me a coveted “Golden Button”.

Big Thanks to Big Ben Cresswell at 4Ground and  John Stallard and the Warlord team, as well as Alessio Cavatore, Oriskany Jim, Laughing Boy, Commodore Rob, Tony D, the lads at Causeway Giants and many more.

I will soon release details of my website, which I am developing to show case my miniature collection. Happily OTT are massively supportive, and so have my pals at Warlord Games and 4ground.

I have had to take some time out to work like a beavor to pay off my overdrafts accrued whilst sick, but am now back in the hobby zone thank God!

To say thanks to the Industry Luminaries who have supported me, and it was wonderful to meet some of these chaps. I am working on bespoke mini projects incorporating real diamonds as a thank you. I am a massive fan of Faberge (and have handled and sold pieces whilst at Christie’s and at Antique Vault Ltd) inspired me in this mini-project.

The 4Ground safe that I did in the project : https://4groundpublishing.co.uk/28mm-furniture/28mm-furniture-safe

I have been contacted about commissions, but will not undertake any until mid December, when I have sent out the ones that I am working on at present.

Thank you all who have been so decent.

I am in a privileged position that I will have further support for my activities, the first of which is 5% off 4ground products, which is cumulative with their Black Friday deal. Sorry to be so commercial but I need to address my overdraft facility.

Further 5% off code TTMINI5

Much more to come.

Somewhat sadly the competition is coming to and end, however I would like to keep the project going as I intend to develop it a LOT further, as an ongoing project adding more and more units, vehicles, objectives and scenery.

In the meantime there are some recent images below.

I have got an enormous amount done, thank God, and now have more that enough finished, to play a decent sized game with my mates.

Also, I have an huge amount of more miniatures, vehicles, artillery pieces and buildings in various stages of incompletion.

I have had a great time participating in the challenge from Ontabletop, and have had a visit to 4Ground, got three new gamers willing to try a game, and even managed to get Alessio Cavatore (the game designer) to do an interview for the project. I am so glad I decided to go for it!

As a basic precaution, I use pin together all all materials that a glue will not bond together like hard plastic with polystyrene cement as the active agent.

Super glue is in my opinion not robust enough on its own to use to glue plastic to metal, resin to metal or metal to metal components together on their own.

For instance with the simple head swap in these images, I have drilled an hole in each component so that I can insert a cut piece of paper clip, held in place by green-stuff (2 part epoxy modelling putty). I use a tiny amount of super glue as an instant way of securing the two pieces in place. The end result is a secure fix.

In my humble opinion, no ‘Bolt Action Stalingrad Mega Battle’ would be complete without a couple of T34’s.

Unfortunately the troop of 3 T34/76’s are all the later 1943 examples, and too late for Stalingrad. So I ordered some more of Warlord, and after a relatively light build (partially due to the easy and separate assembly of the tracks, which can be then painted and simply slid onto where they need to go) and the simplicity of their paint scheme, I now have two up and running.

I would hope that assembling the ‘Stalingrad Tractor Factory Zavod 1941’ variant would be appropriate for my purposes?

T34/76 Medium Tank

An absolute must as the iconic centrepiece of my planned Stalingrad Mega Battle.

A surprisingly simple and enjoyable paint, which I am really pleased with, especially as the decorative lime plaster look that I have given the figures stands, out quite separately from the concrete rendered brick base.

The model is from Warlord Games, and is a superb adornment for the centre of any table top Battle for Stalingrad!

The Stalingrad Campaign Book has two selectors (”Rattenkrieg’ and the ‘Into Hell’) selectors that allow reinforced platoons to take 2 StuG’s  (rather than 1) as a support option.

This combination is ideal for giving my Jager 100th Division platoon the ability to take out entrenched infantry whilst the infantry moves swiftly to capture ground. They are in trouble still as the anti tank rating of a light howitzer, which is the StuG’s only weapon is near useless against T34’s and the famously impervious KV1’s.

These iconic vehicles were quick and fun to paint, and a great addition to my collection. They however need to be used carefully.

Stug III Ausf D

WOW! I can barely believe that this has happened!

I reached out to Alessio to let him know about my project, and he said that he was aware of it, and would be happy to be interviewed. I took several seconds to check that I was not dreaming, and then phone John Stallard at Warlord to ask for help with the tec side, and He made it happen via Karl and Robin his resident “Tecsperts”.

I am still mildly in shock that I have been able to get an interview with one of the big names in the industry, and author of the game, on how to plat Bolt Action in Stalingrad for my “Bolt Action Stalingrad Mega Battle”!

I hope that you enjoy listening as much as I did participating.

I have to give credit to @joechump for suggesting this!

He suggested that I try utilising some ‘Special Effects’, well, Christmas Lights and my Smoke Machine for Parties, and I am glad He did.

Using red and orange fairy lights with a serious cloud form my smoke machine has added several convincing dimensions to the overall effect, particularly powerful in the fading light.

It was a bit of fun, and I have added two more techniques to my repertoire.

Cheers Dave.

Soviet 50mm light mortar and Flamethrower teams

Another new and useful product to the market that saves a LOT of time is 4Grounds brick set.  Previously I had been individually cutting out bricks from Tamiya’s wall set. Tis took lots of time and was messy with lots of time spent carving away melted plastic spoil from the cutting process.

The 4Ground bricks can be separated individually much more quickly, with minimal trimming using a scalpel. Also, complete sections can be cut, and carefully glued in place as curved brick work, which would take ages with my previous method.

hey make a great addition to rubble on bases and scenery, and can further augment brick buildings with further courses, or precarious loose bricks jutting out at odd angles.

In short, this is a seriously useful, adaptable and time saving product.