Bolt Action in Action

I finally have completed enough miniatures to play Bolt Action.  My goal was to complete two basic Armies by March, but life interfered.  Ryan and I have played two games now: a 500 point game and an 830 point game.

Last night, my Heer army was crushed by the M4 Sherman.  I think bad luck on the dice contributed, along with some deployment choices that left me in the open. We played the Envelopment scenario, with Ryan playing the Ammies on defense.

American List Basics

2d Lt and 1 man
4 infantry squads (three with 7 men and BARs, one squad with 6 men and ATGs, but no BAR)
Light Mortar
HMG Team
Sniper Team
Air Force Observer
75MM M4 Sherman

All US units were regular, except the Observer who was Veteran.

German List Basics

2d Lt (Regular)
2 Heer Regular Grenadier Squads (LMGs, 2 Panzerfausts in each squad)

Capt +1 man (Veteran)
1 Veteran Grenadier Squad (LMG, 2 Panzerfausts)
1 Veteran Grenadier Squad (LMG)

Light Artillery (Reg)
MMG Team (Reg)
Sd.Kfz.231 Armored Car (Reg)

Highlights

Ryan brought his Sherman on to the table with his first move and proceeded to chew up my infantry with the two MGs and main gun.  I also lost soldiers to his two infantry squads on his right flank. 

I tried to get my Panzerfausts in close, losing one entire squad to the HMG and infantry.  I did get two of the weapons within 6 inches of the Sherman…both missed.

We played four turns before I threw in the towel having lost five entire units.  I was disheartened to learn that my light artillery can only pin his tank; there is no chance of a penetration.  I did score a hit at the end of the game with the arty, but it didn't make a difference.  We will play a few more times before I start altering the lists.  I suspect some of my misfortune reflects playing skill and an exceptionally bad day of dice throwing.  If not, I'll build the Panther model that is in the closet!

Bolt Action - US Army Infantry

Since I have last posted, I finished my US Army infantry for Bolt Action, and I have made significant progress on the Germans. The leg infantry are Wargames Factory figures; the crew-served weapons are Warlord Games products.

Basing

For the crew-served weapons, I based the units on chipboard, using South Korean 100 Won coins for the figure bases.  I used wood filler for the terrain base.

Modifications

As noted previously, I built the Wargames Factory figures in my hotel on a busy trip, with no reference to the Army lists.  Having spent time developing several force options, I decided to modify several figures to create an Air Forward Observer unit.  The Americans receive two air strikes per game with this unit.  I carved up a backpack, included as stowage in the M4 Sherman kit, to create a radio base and handset.  I melted and stretched sprue for the radio cable and antenna. The radio isn't accurate enough to win a modeling competition, but it looks fine on the war-game table.

Finished Platoon

My Americans are ready for battle, but I eventually need to add an aircraft model. I used a mixture of Vallejo, Tamiya, and craft acrylics on the models.  I applied a base coat, used Citadel Earth shade wash for shading, and applied highlights. 

Once my German force is complete, I plan to add the aircraft, a scout vehicle, and possible some trucks to round out this Late War platoon.

M4 Sherman for Bolt Action

M4 Sherman (75mm gun)

Catching a sale on www.squadron.com, I picked up a 1/48 scale Hobby Boss M4 Sherman for Bolt Action. At $14.00, the cost was less than half the going rate for other manufacturers.

The Hobby Boss kit brought back memories of my scale modeling projects; however, I didn't feel obligated to worry too much about the smallest bits.  This tank will be handled on the gaming table.  I also worried much less about the painting results, but I am very pleased with the final result.

Warning - Instructions are Wanting

I have one major gripe about the Hobby Boss kit: the instructions.  I was merrily following them step-by-step, and I fortunately realized that the instructions directed construction of two options for the suspension bogles as sequential steps.  At several points, construction options are not explained well.  Web reviews mentioned that the angle on the front glacis is incorrect; I'm not too worried about this flaw in a wargaming model.

Breaking Out the Airbrush

I have the cheapest airbrush known to man - a Testors model purchased at the Post Exchange toy section.  It is a simple sprayer; anything resembling nozzle control isn't optional.  One of my phobias in scale modeling was ruining a model during the painting process.  Since the model will be used for gaming, I was liberated from worry.  I also sprayed with acrylic paints for the first time.  Given the winter temperatures here, I set up a spray booth of sorts using a plastic bin in the washroom: I never would have attempted this with toxic enamels.  

Using Vallejo Olive Drab, I sprayed thinned OD as an initial layer.  I screened off the bottom half of the tank with paper, and lightened the top half with a blend of olive drab and white.  I should have made it even lighter since the weathering washes made the model too dark.

Weathering and Lightening

While working on my Warmachines project, I ended up with left-over Armor wash and applied it liberally to the tank.  It didn't flow into the recesses too well, so the wash darkened the panels too much. Now I know why modelers paint a gloss coat before using washes.  I also used an ink wash, carefully applying it to the recessed areas.  I then lightened the panels up significantly with a wet brush of an Olive Drab and White mix.  The machine guns were painted black and dry-brushed with gun-metal.

For weathering, I used three different brown tones of craft paint, heavily thinned as a wash as well as applied with a dry brush.  I tried to mimic mud splashes along the sides and front of the vehicle.  To finish up, I added a small amount of white glue to the darkest brown, using it to fix small amounts of ground cover to the track areas and front.

The overall build time wasn't too bad, and I'm sure this M4 will see a lot of gaming action.  I won't worry too much if it gets dinged up given the price point.  Great local prices on Tamiya 1/48 scale models have shifted my initial Bolt Action plans from the Pacific to the Late War in Europe. I eventually will get back to the Pacific, but I want to try out this modeling scale and game at a lower cost given my limited budget and varied interest.  I bought several Warlord Games German units, the Germany Army supplement, and Wargames Factory Infantry after New Years. My US infantry is on the paint table.  Hopefully, I'll be playing 1000 point games by March!

Minor Mods

My desire for variety overcame trepidation about attempting figure conversions.  Carving up a few Wargames Factory figures turned out to be easy.  I kept it simple.

I would rather not have several "guy throwing grenade" figures, but I could not find another arm configuration that worked for this torso. To change up the pose slightly, I cut off the "finger pointing hand" on the straightest arm in the pack, replacing with a gripping hand. I used an M1 rifle with ammo pouches on the stock as the weapon. The pose looks a bit stiff, but I can live with it.

I also wanted to model a standing figure with the anti-tank grenade equipped rifle, but the arm angle would not work. Cutting off and repositioning the hand proved very easy.

Overall, I am happy with the results. I am looking forward to getting home next week with figures ready for painting. I ordered some Warlord Games units yesterday for my American force, so I should be playing pretty soon.

In closing, it has been a somber day here in Washington, DC, as I reflect on the losses on 9/11 and afterward.

Jet Lag Modeling

For the second time, I brought a wargame project along on a trip back to the States. I always suffer from jet lag, waking up around 3 AM. Working on a project is better than watching infomercials.

I am assembling my Wargames Factory WWII Americans for Bolt Action. The package contains 30 soldiers, and I will be able to field three infantry squads, an officer, and a sniper.

28mm WW II Americans

This is only my second 28mm plastic model effort, the other one being our recently acquired Warmachines models. The details look good, but I was disappointed by the lack of flexibility with the poses and weapons. The box includes a sprue full of weapons, but the figure sprue lacked right arms with open hands. All the right arms have molded in weapons, binos, etc. I am not ready to try converting the figures. In any case, there are enough options to meet my needs.  The assembly went smoothly, but I learned that getting both arms positioned can require patience when gluing.

Work in Progress

I should finish the whole set on this trip. I may wait on the small packs and canteens, given my lack of tweezers. Bolt Action coming soon!

Balanced History - Two Reviews

Two business trips, a great family vacation to Japan, and a hectic work schedule in-between has kept me off the Blog lately.  I finally have the gumption and inspiration to post.  First, a book review of sorts on two histories that I am reading simultaneously - the authors both share a common approach despite the difference in topic and period.

Guadalcanal by Richard Kern

While riding a bus to my son's swim meet in Daegu, another parent suddenly asked to take a picture of me (with her phone of course) reading this very detailed history of Guadalcanal.  Why?  Her father works with the author, Richard Kern, in Virginia.  A few hours later during the meet, her father had already replied back, thanking her for the post....a normal experience in the digital age of course.

This history contains more details on the Guadalcanal campaign that I thought one could find in a single published account. The author used extensive primary source material to include significant use of Japanese sources.  I really enjoyed the balanced use of sources.  Too often, a military history will provide one side of the story, merely sketching the enemy's actions and point of view.  Not Kern.  He addresses Japanese strategy, operations, and tactics at an equal level with the American point of view.

I've read the US Army's official history of Guadalcanal, which gives plenty of coverage to Naval and Marine operations, and Kern's text surpasses it for depth.  One aspect of this book that I found most interesting was his attempt to cover Naval, Air, and Ground operations in balance.  

Given that praise, the book is tedious at times.  Barbara Tuchman noted in an essay on writing history that selection of material is an important aspect of the art of a good history.  Choosing what to exclude without losing the sense of what really happened is a difficult task.  If I have one criticism of Kern's rich history, it is the lack of selection.  In comparing US and Japanese accounts of aircraft losses, for instance, he provides the details for virtually every sortie during the campaign - a bit much.

The book is certainly an inspiration for my upcoming Bolt Action gaming plan.  I am locked on the plan to play Bolt Action in the Pacific, starting with a US Army 168th Regiment-based army and a Japanese foe.  I'll expand to the USMC as my collection expands and painting skills in 28mm improve (assuming no other sudden, expensive distractions....like wargaming the American Civil War).  Modeling the Aussies in New Guinea and British Chindits would also be appealing....more on that in a later post.

Shelby Foote's Civil War Histories

I'm also working on the three volume serie covering the American Civil War by Shelby Foote.  I borrowed the volumes from my library as an e-book, and I've completed the first one.

Similar to Kern, Foote does a great job of providing both the South and North perspectives on the key engagements.  Also similarly, he provides a level of detail on the politics, strategies, and campaigns that I find incredible.  I detected a slight leaning toward the Southern sources, in terms of detail and coverage, so I wasn't surprised to find in his notes that he was from the South.  Nevertheless, the history does a remarkable job of placing Lincoln's decisions on the War within the context of Union politics, and I didn't note a bias in the tone of his work.  Having lived in Maryland, I must admit a lack of familiarity with the battles further the West, so the first volume's coverage of operations along the Mississippi and in my home state of New Mexico were enlightening.  

Despite the level of detail, Foote's narrative certainly flows better than Kern's.  I suspect the difference can be attributed to the source material and Foote's writing style in equal measure.

I shouldn't have started this reading adventure given my other irons in the wargaming fire....DBACW and the upcoming Longstreet rules by Sam Mustafa are starting to look tempting. Will my venture into 10mm figures finally happen with the American Civil War?
When will I ever finish my Napoleonic armies for DBN and Lasalle?

I'm working on DBA terrain and a few more 15mm French artillery stands right now, but I'll be buying a batch of 28mm WW II figures soon.

168th Infantry Regt Army List

I have sketched out a Bolt Action 500 point list based on the 164th Infantry's early actions on Guadalcanal.

The list is based around the Wargames Factory American Army set, which includes 30 figures.  The Wargames Factory set represents Late War Americans, an imprecision that I am willing to accept.

• 1st Lt plus two soldiers - Inexperienced - 74 points
• 1st Squad (8 men incl NCO with SMG, 1 BAR, 1 antitank grenade) - Inexperienced - 66
• 2nd Squad (8 men incl NCO w/SMG, 1 BAR, 2 antitank grenades) - Inexperienced - 68
• 3d Squad (7 men incl NCOw/SMG, 1 BAR) - Inexperienced - 57
• HMG Team - Inexperienced - 49
• 37mm Antitank Gun  - Regular - 50
• Jeep (for tow) - Regular- 21
• M3A1 Stuart -  Regular - 115

Both Company B and Old Glory make an M3A1 Stuart tank model, an uncommon vehicle.

This list captures the essence of 168th operations on Guadalcanal, and I could add a Marine platoon later to create a 1000 point list. Now it is time to work out an opposing Japanese list!