STALINGRAD Bolt Action Mega Battle!

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?

T-34/76 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.

https://store.warlordgames.com/products/soviet-50mm-light-mortar-and-flamethrower-teams?aff=42