Condor Legion 8.8cm Flak

We have a saying here in Germany: "Mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schiessen", literally translated as "To shoot with cannons at sparrows", meaning something along the lines of cracking a nut with a sledgehammer.
And that in my opinion sums up the 8.8cm FlaK, when used in an anti-tank role in a Spanish Civil War setting, nicely. Shooting high velocity armour-piercing rounds at targets with paper thin armour could be considered something of an overkill by some, but that's just what happened.

Tropas Regulares de Marruecos

This entry definitely was a close run thing. Just as I type this I'm waiting for a colleague of mine to pick me up for work. I still have to pack my stuff for the week, so I better make this short.
Well, todays entry sees the first few Moroccan Regulars for my ongoing Spanish Civil War project.

Reinforcements for la Legión

My first post in the new year and I'm back to a project from last years Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. Back then I started what was to become my main project for the whole of 2017, i.e. a force for gaming the Spanish Civil War. I settled on starting with the rather fetching Spanish foreign legion but it inevitably became two forces as I simply couldn't pass by all those lovely Republicans on offer from Empress Miniatures.
Still, I'm back to reinforce la Legión in order to finally get in some games using Chain of Command from the TooFatLardies.

A hump for DaveD

At Crisis in November I had the chance to not only meet our honourable host Curt, but also had the pleasure to make the acquaintance of co-challenger, fine fellow and all-round gentleman Dave D. The state of the hobby was discussed, a few beers were had and all in all it was a wonderful time out.

From left to right: DaveD, RobP (behind), ChristopherS, JakeK, Jerry Miller and his wife Christine, myself , Curt and MikeF

Una ametralladora Hotchkiss para la legión

Pardon my Spanish. Actually I'm not even completely sure I didn't make any spelling errors but it sounds suitably "dramatic" don't you agree?

So what's this all about? Well, it has taken me a while but I'm finally back painting some reinforcements for my SCW Nationalists.

WW2 - German marsh pattern painting guide

At CRISIS in Antwerp I, of course, couldn't withstand the temptation to get my grubby fingers on the new Volksgrenadier sets by Empress Miniatures. They're sculpted by Mr. Paul Hicks again and suffice to say they're lovely.
Also I haven't done another WW2 painting guide for quite a while, so I thought this might be the chance to cover yet another infamous German camouflage pattern.

The "Sumpftarnmuster" or swamp/ marsh pattern camouflage scheme was introduced in 1943. It was a variation of the older and more well known "Splittertarnmuster". It came in two main types namely the M1943 pattern with hard edged spots of red-brown and green, as well as the M1944 pattern blurred edge version.
After the war it was used by the Federal German Bundesgrenzschutz, in short BGS, from 1952 till the late 80's. It was exported to several countries abroad and for example some Libyan units wore it as late as 2007.

-Later BGS Sumpfteran variant-

Yet another squad of International Brigadistas

To round out my little Republican force I felt I'd need at least another squad of International Brigades before going back to paint some more Nationalists.

International Brigades Bofors Anti-Tank gun

While lecturing about the lack of need for dedicated Anti-Tank support weapons in Bolt Action in my last post, I still liked this little cutie too much not to paint it up.

The Bofors 37mm gun was used in small numbers by the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War. Its performance was roughly comparable of that of the contemporary German 3.7cm PaK 36 as used by the Nationalists.

Armoured support for the Republic

Comrade Stalin saw fit to supply some armoured support for my hard pressed Republican force.

More SCW Republican Reinforcements

Today I finally sat down and took pictures of most of the miniatures I painted over the last few months. Actually enough for a couple of blog posts, so watch this place.

First off a second squad for my International Brigades.