The Canadian National War Museum

This past weekend Sierra and I hopped a plane to Ottawa.  We were in town to attend the Ottawa Comic Con but took a whole day to tour the city.  And of course the National War museum was a priority for us both!  Here is a picture dump of an amazing collection of WWII equipment.  I was floored with the size and quality of the collection.  

 Sadly the light is terrible inside with the large windows behind  the tanks facing the camera.  I would love to come back at night and get better pics.  But they still turned out ok.

 A Valentine in pretty ruff shape.

 Sierra found her favorite.  My arch nemesis the Staghound.  It was really awesome for her to see these up close to get a better understanding of their size.  

 Panzer IV/70!

 Cromwell fitted with beach landing snorkels.  Behind it is a T-34/85.

 I took a few pictures of the Stuart since I could get all around it.  And I know alot of people who really love these little guys.

 Back of the Stuart

 Sherman

 My favorite!  Panther with Zimmerit.  This is the largest tank on display.  Its a real beauty.  Just looks frakkin mean.

 Schwimm!

 This was cool to see up close.  A Goliath demo carrier.  Its bigger than I thought.  About 4 feet long and almost 3 feet wide approx.  2 feet tall.

 I snagged some pictures of weapons behind the glass.

 Canadian battle dress.

 An 88!

 Found another Sherman farther on in the exhibit.  This one with a welded hull.

 15cm Neb, Mortar and Pak 38

 SS Pea Dot!

And the 25 pounder on a turntable.

Ive got another batch of pictures on a camera that I have to transfer onto the Computer.  My Iphone died at this point.  :)  I was blown away by the size of this museums collection.  We only had about an hour here so we really rushed.  I could easily spend 4 hours in this place.  We will definetely come back and plan to spend as much time as needed to see all the exhibits.  WWII stuff is only like a 1/4 of what they have here.  Check out this map for just a quick idea of how large and encompassing this museum is!  Again I was absolutely floored. Like a kid in a candy shop.  

Also the staff was very helpful and knowledgeable.  Many of them being Veterans and really happy to talk to you and show you around.  

Ottawa is a beautiful city and no trip would be complete without checking out this amazing museum.

Fallschirmjager mussings

So I have a pretty large FJ army now.  I really like the look and feel of playing them. However Ive got some things Id like to run by you guys.  And it all has come up since version 3.  Specifically the change to MG ROF when pinned.

Lets do some comparison:

A Fearless Veteran FJ platoon with 2 squads clocks in at 185 points.  Thats 7 stands of Rifle/MGs. Unpinned they can muster a total of 14 shots and only 7 while pinned.

A Fearless Veteran SS Panzer gren platoon is 220 points.  7 stands of MG teams.  Unpinned thats 21 shots and 14 while pinned!  double the FJs.

Now noone ive ever seen including myself takes only 2 squads of FJ.  You always add the additional 1.  That was the platoons strength.  More bodies.  So that will cost you 265 points and get you a 20 unpinned ROF and a 10 pinned.  So 45 more points than their SS brothers for still less firepower...

So to me I feel like version three really took the steam outta FJ.  Couple that with the fact that only 1 FJ list gets any special rules (the 1st FJ div out of Cassino) And although the Cassino FJ is a cool list it is practically a Mid War one.  They dont get access to Fausts just Knackers for example.

I suppose it comes down to personal preference and play style.  I think that adding a full strength FJ platoon to a Company as a support option is still a very viable one.  But as for an entire Company Im really losing faith.

What do you guys think?  Let me know your thoughts.

Heroes Of Market Garden. By Grumpus

Over at WWPD the gents recently organized and spear headed a world wide fundraiser event to benefit veterans charities called WWPDvets.  It featured a 24 hour gaming marathon and was supported by contests and auctions.  I happened to be fortunate enough to win one of those auctions.

 I arrived home from work yesterday to find this package.  Its been less than a week since winning the auction so I did not expect anything from Richmond VA for at least another week up here in Canada.  But Canada post's dogsled teams must have been working overtime because here it was!

 First of all I have to say Ive never seen a package so well protected.  To start it was in an air tight bag.  I carefully cut open the bag to release that warm Virginia air to help heat my house.  Then pulled out a small box that was jammed with bubble wrap and blister foam!

 I seriously could hide behind this box in a nuclear war and survive.

 After several minutes I found the minis!  And man O man they are nice.  5 stands in all!

 Sierra is going to love being able to add these warriors to her Brit/Polish para forces for plenty of kicking my butt.

Grumpus did an exceptional job painting these guys and my meager photography skills do not do them justice.  Sosabowski has a damn mustache even! There are cap badges on the berets!

Now I could use some help identifying some of them.  From Left to Right I see Digby (Is he a FoW Warrior?) Frost. Urquhart.  Sosabowski.  And front is what I think just to be a Sniper team.

I may do some work on the basing to make them match Sierra's para platoons more closely.  But keeping them different might also be wise so they stand out as Warrior teams.

Grumpus I happen to have most of these figs unpainted.  And would love to send them your way if you need them?  Really appreciate the work you did and the generosity of putting them up for auction for a great cause.

Cheers

Rob (zsavk)

My Germans pt 4 Gepanzerte Panzer Gren Platoon

Ive been slowly adding units in order to be able to field a fully armored panzer gren force.  Recently I finished the HQ with schrecks and my second combat platoon of Grens with half tracks.

 I decaled the vehicles with Grossdeutchland markings.  

 These halftracks turned out a little darker than I like.  Ill have to trim back on my black wash next time.  

 Company Commander and Panzer schreck.  

 I used a combination of different flock, static grass and clump foliage.  Also I added some broken fencing and posts using square match sticks.

 Couple good shots of the whole platoon with CO, 2IC and Shrecks leading the charge.  The 250 in the back ground is not apart of the platoon.  Its just doing a drive by.

I also finished up a pair of sdkfz 251 cannon halftracks.  I seem to have misplaced the pictures.  Ill add a few later.  

Its also worth mentioning that the above platoon is a mix of old Panzer gren figs from a blister and the new plastic guys from Open fire.  They seem to fit nicely together and offered up some more variety in poses.

British Para Review

Well Ive been adding to Sierra's Para company. Picked up a ton of blisters.

Got her a Airborne royal engineer blister, 4 recce jeeps, Frost, Sosabowski and Urquhart.  As well as 4 Howitzers.  Now I have to say I am rather disappointed with the contents of some of these blisters.  Specifically the Engineers.

The Engineer blister (BR806)  seemed severely lacking.

• It only contains enough figures to field 3 squads not the full 4 offered in the Briefings (minor irritation)
• It does not come with any Piat figures
• It does not come with a supply jeep. (not surprised)
• Worst of all is the complete lack of unique figures.  My german pioneers are very unique and easily distinguished from their comrades carrying Mines, Sachels and knackers gallore.  Where as the Brit paras only really get one noticeable unique fig.... This one carrying a coil of barb wire.

 The blister only comes with 6 medium bases.  But enough figures for 3 more.  So I used some spares I had.

 The lack of diversity in the figs is really bad.  Over half the figs look like this.

Normally Im very pro Battlefront.  And with good reason. Its hard to find  faults with the vast majority of their product.  This blister is the exception.  If your planning a Brit Para Company I recommend budgeting to include BSO 120.  Which is an assortment of Command team, Staff, Piat, observers and flame throwers.  You will need them!

Wargaming Table

The Crew from the game shop has been coming by to play some games and as often happens when a bunch of dudes get together and have some adult beverages we got to planning larger battles.  This ofcourse ment that my single table was simply not big enough for our plans!

So We set out to build a second matching table.  Daniel had some 2x4s kicking around his house and I had the plywood.  A quick stop at Home depot and I had the rest of the lumber and 4 wheels.

Supplies needed:

• sheet 4'x8' plywood.  (5/8") (1 Required)
• 2'x4' lengths of lumber.  (4 - 8' lengths required)
• 2'x4' lenghts of lumber 45" long (8 required)
• 2'x4' lenghts of lumber 31-1/2" long (8 Required)
• 4 wheels.  rotating with locks is best.
• Wood lag screws for securing wheels (12 required)
• 2-1/2" and 1-1/2" wood screws
• 4 pieces of plywood approximately 8"x8" (5/8")

Tools required:

• Drill
• Bit for wood screws 
• Driver for lags
• Measuring tape
• Framing square
• Chop saw with sliding arm or Radial saw (A hand saw will work as well.  And is much more manly)

Optional supplies:

• Another full sheet of plywood for the base.  Its an excellent place to store stuff. (I skipped this for now)

1. So first thing you need to do is cut all your pieces.  
2. Once you have everything  cut its time to make your table and base frames. They are identical.
3. Taking the uncut 8 foot lengths of 2x4 screw the 45" pieces between them.  This will give you a 4'x8' frame.   
4. Measure 32" from either side and make a mark.  
5. Slide in two 45" pieces (2 for the top and 2 for the bottom) Secure them.
6. Now that both frames are done you can take the four small pieces of plywood and attach them to the corners of your bottom frame.  These serve three purposes.  1- they will hold your frame square. 2- they are what you mount your wheels too. 3- your table legs will sit on them)
7. Go ahead and mount the wheels using the lags.
8. Flip the base over onto the wheels.
9. Now you can install your table legs.  They will sit right in the corners ontop of your wheel supports.
10. Almost done!  Take your table top and secure the full 4x8 plywood sheet to it using the shorter wood screws.  During this step you can square up your frame if its a little out.
11. Now with a buddy or by using Egyptian leverage techniques you can lift the table top up onto the legs.  It will slide down right over it and then you can fire some screws in!  
12. Roll out the grass mat!!

 Patton oversees the Engineers

 The base frame

 The table top

 Legs installed

 Ready to rock!  You can see my original table with the base plywood installed.  Ill add one to the new one as well eventually.  Oh And I go full 4x8 feet because it gives you a foot on either end of your table for things like books and minis.  A nice laydown area.  Plus less cutting of lumber!

***We played an awesome Total War battle on two of these tables.  Heres some pics***

 ya my newly painted 88s were ready to rack up some kills until Sierra decided to hand them some rockets.

Market Garden

Ok Im going to veer away from my Germans for a bit and focus on what Im currently working on.  With our impending FireStorm Market Garden campaign Sierra and I thought it was high time to pick up a box of British Paras.
After our Tanks giving event at the Local Game shop  we used our winnings to grab the box set!

Once I got it home and stopped crying about the 106 dudes I would have to paint I unboxed them.

I like to pull them out and clean them up one by one.  And place them in teams.  This is a good idea to make sure you have everything you need to make all the teams you require.  It also really helps to get you acquainted with what types of equipment and gear you will be painting.  You will need to make sure youve got all the proper colors.

 Once they are all cleaned up and organized I mount them onto golf tees with a dab of glue and stick em in styrofoam.  The next step is to prime!

 While the primer dries Ill do some research on the uniforms.  Trying to remember what book has the Brit Para guide in it...  Think its A bridge too far?

UPDATE:  Well I went for the glory and knocked out the Green Ochre Dry brush and all the Reflective Green and Flat Earth camo!  Im liking how its going so far.  Glad to have all that camo behind me though lol.

Havent decided how to base them yet.  Probably just simple static grass.  But Maybe Ill do a platoon on Rubble bases.

UPDATE 2:
Finally completed these guys!  And I think Im converted to Brits.  Really happy with the results and the basing I went with turned out better than I expected. I ended up going with 3 different basing themes.

 At this point the figures are complete so I set about labeling the bases and scoring them.

 Once they were all labeled I glued the figures on.

I decided to do one platoon on rubble bases.  I also made sure that one of the three HQ piats matched each of the platoons basing themes.  I primed the bases without the figures on them first.  Then used a mix of fine and extra fine basing grit around the figures.  After it all dried I primed the grit.

 Heres the completed Rubble based guys.

 These ones I wanted to try out my new snow flock.  I went with a early winter look.  Grass is dead and theres a light dusting of snow here and there.  I really like this look. My favourite of the three.

 Finally the Autumn guys.  I did the CO and 2IC in this theme as well.  Sierra loves orange so she will want these guys to be here #1.

 All the bases are labeled to show platoon.  Also Mortars, Piats and command are labeled.

Once they were all based I gave the whole company a generous shower of Testors Dullcote to seal them up nice.  Onward to Arnhem!