Monday, December 26, 2016

Bolt Action Gingerbread Stalingrad Battle

Had our first Bolt Action Tank Battle on the Gingerbread Stalingrad board! It was Jonathan and Kevin on the German side with two Panzers each.

Nathan had a Soviet Medium tank and a Sherman on lend lease from the USA. I ran with two T-34s.

Nathan started the moves by advancing his Sherman into the ruins for some cover. The Soviets moved two more tanks on before the Germans emerged to open fire on the Red armor!

There were plenty of misses due to the cover provided by the ruins. Quite a few hits were also scored which caused pins, but first blood went to Nathan as his Sherman hit and destroyed one of the Panzers.

After a few exchanges, one of Kevin's Panzers returned the favor by destroying a Soviet tank with a long shot.

The two T-34's commanded the center of the board from the Tractor Factory. One of Jon's Panzers took a hit and caught fire. However the crew was able to get the flames out and retreat from the building they were hidden in.

The Germans had the last three moves in turn six. Kevin's Panzer moved out  for a clean shot into the factory,  but failed to hit. So the game ended in a draw with one kill each.

It was a quick fun game with new players!

Friday, December 16, 2016

Stalingrad Gingerbread Tank War Edition!

In honor of this festive time of year we decided to indulge a little. So, we're thinking Stalingrad, Bolt Action, World of Tanks and Gnigerbread all go well together. Here is what we came up with.

Using Graham Crackers and traditional "royal icing" made from powdered sugar and egg whites we set to work. The crackers are pretty brittle so we used a set of dental tools and hobby knife to cut the window and door openings.

Here was the first test structure

and the next with it.

What would Stalingrad be without the tractor factory. Here it is in the early stages.

Here it is with the rest of the Gingerbread buildings. It even has a hammer and cycle sign posted above the entrance. For World of Tanks fans, this looks like a tier six match.

Russian, British, German and US tanks clash among the ruins!!

It was a great afternoon of fun.

Now to get the armies together and let the Bolt Action games begin.

About three years ago we built a Gingerbread Fortress which we posted here on the blog.

Have a Great Battle!
The Old Crow



Wednesday, December 7, 2016

How To: Make Impassable Terrain for Bolt Action or Warhammer, Historical or Fantasy War Games

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
Having Impassable Terrain on your table top battleground gives you distinct advantages and equal disadvantages. It can cover your armors flank or block line of site for your casters fireball. No matter which you are befitting from, it makes your table look great.

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
We started with a hardboard base and a can of spray foam insulation. When using the insulation foam, there is always a little left in the can and you can't save it! So, spray the remainder on a piece of old cardboard and let it harden. Once it dries you can peel it off and place it on your hardboard.

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
You can use White PVA glue or a hot glue gun. We added bits of foam, rock and debris to fill in gaps and add texture

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
Once you have everything glued and its dry, add a base coat of paint. We always advocate checking mis-tinted paint at your local hardware store, Home Depot or Lowes. We found this ugly dark green which works great for terrain projects. We then used light green and grey to drybrush on highlights.

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
Then glue flocking and ground cover into the recesses and add any foliage. We used an eclectic mix of HO scale pine trees and bushes plus a few oddball pieces clipped from plastic floral arrangements.

We diod two pieces at once. That helps you keep working on one while the other is drying.

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
And there you have it, instant gracious cover or pain in the rear site blockers!

Impassable terrain for Warhammer or Bolt Action
Enjoy

Saturday, October 15, 2016

4Ground Polish Rural Dwelling Model Kit, The Eastern Front

4Ground produces great model kits and this Polish Rural Dwelling kit is another grand example. We showed you the Two Story Terrace and Ox Wagon, and now we'll move on to models we're planning on using on the Eastern front!

The kit seen here contains many swell components.

One of the interesting features on this particular kit is the cracked missing daub portions along the lower sections of the walls. The dwellings were built using woven sticks like wattle fences and then covered with a mixture of materials usually made of a combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw.

Here the mud daub pieces are removed and wattle pieces placed inside.

The interior is divided into two spaces. in the main area there is a fireplace made of the hearth and stone back wall.

Two additional layers build the depth and then a face and side plate go over top of them to finish it. A second stone hearth for cooking is added for a final touch.

Doors and windows have a nice blue trim and a variety of shutters are included.

The porch and roof have a nice wood grain finish and blue accents again finish off the roof.

For thatch, fur is included in three pieces. One for each side and a third for the ridge line.

Here they are in place.

Using PVA glue watered down, you can brush it on to give the thatch a more natural appearance. A stone and wood capped chimney adds the final touch.

Here are a few parting shots of this jolly good 4Ground  kit.

We continue to be impressed with the attention to detail 4Ground gives these model kits.

Have a great battle!
The Old Crow



Monday, August 22, 2016

WW2 D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio!

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio
The largest  D-Day (1944) living history reenactment in the country takes place in Conneaut Ohio. Featuring over 1,500 reenactors from across the US and Canada perform a living tribute to the veterans of WWII through dress, mock battles, and living history displays. We had the opportunity to be there this year!

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio
There were many demonstrations over the weekend and the mock battles were superb, especially the beach landing!

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, British
Encampments for Allied and Axis forces were filled with relics the reenactors brought to display.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio Germans
And loved showing how these weapons were used in the day.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, Germans
You could meet the real men and women that lived through those times too. Last year the Conneaut D-Day hosted over 150 WWII veterans.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio
Reenacting the capture of the bridge at La Fiére, the Americans gained control of the key crossing of the Merderet River.

Here German light armor advances on the bridge.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio
And is incapacitated as it nears.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio
After the battle, a column of German soldiers head back to camp.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, German 88
There were several "Big Guns" including the feared German 88

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, STUG
and several armored vehicles including a Panzer III, Stug (seen here), M4 and an M4A1.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, M5 Stuart
Also three variants of the M5 Stuart.
D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio,
Georgie's Gal, a B-25 Mitchell, twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation took part this year. It made several passes over the beach on bombing runs. 

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio,
The B-25 was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, although the majority of B-25s in American service were used in the Pacific. The B-25 was named in honor of General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of U.S. military aviation.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, Polish
The Polish contingent brought an artillery piece..

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, Polish
jeep to deploy it...

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, Commonwealth
and a nice sampling of arms.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, US Army M3 Half-Track
The US camp held many jeeps, trucks, motorcycles and this M3 Half-track.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, US Army M3 Half-Track
There were a couple more participating in the actual landing. One hauling a howitzer.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, German Armor
The German encampment contained its share of armored cars,

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, German Vehicles
transport vehicles of every size...

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, German Vehicles
and many motocycles.

D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, German Vehicles
Watch the D-Day Cooneaut site for next years event!!
D-Day Reenactment at Conneaut Ohio, US Pressman
You can see additional images from this year on Cleveland.com 

Have A Great Battle!!
The Old Crow