Thursday 1 December 2016

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Konflikt '47" December 2016

"Secrets Of The Third Reich WIPs - The regular British infantryman is almost finished already
This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my ever-increasing mountain of metal, plastic and resin models has been somewhat surprisingly superseded by an impulse purchase of a rule-book at last month's "Warfare" wargames show in Reading, and a subsequent rummage through a box of partially painted miniatures which has stood unattended for a couple of years. Consequently I intend to try and dedicate myself for the next few weeks to a batch of "Secrets Of The Third Reich" figures by "West Wind Productions" and some 'World War Two' models by "Warlord Games", in order to be able field a couple of 'sizeable' forces suitable for "Konflikt '47".

Indeed, as far as previously painted "West Wind Productions" miniatures are concerned, I already own enough 'Weird War Two' figures to deploy a minimum-sized 199 point German reinforced platoon for the "standalone game inspired by the hugely successful Bolt Action"; one which contains both a Leutnant and his two Wehrmacht Infantry Squads, as well as seven "animated corpses of the Totenkorps...
A basic "Konflikt '47" reinforced German platoon, with accompanying Totenkorps Squad
Disappointingly however, I do not yet currently own quite enough finished "Secrets Of The Third Reich" models to field a similarly-sized British contingent. Although I am only short of a single (regular) Tommy equipped with a carbine rifle, and two red beret-wearing, identically-armed, members of the Airborne Infantry.

As a result of these slightly frustrating omissions I am initially focusing the majority of my attention upon three of "West Wind Productions" characterful Commando sculpts, two of which have had their Gas Mask heads swapped for British Para Heads in Berets with Gas Masks. Eager to play my first game of "Konflikt '47" these figures have already all been based, primed and worked upon, with my 'missing' regular Infantryman already close to completion.
British Matilda Mark I Infantry Tank WIP - The vehicle needs to be based before much more work can be done 
One of the real attractions of Chris Hale's alternative World War rule-set is the fact that players can additionally also utilise any of the ('historically accurate') units found within the "Bolt Action" Army books. This has rather inevitably led to me returning to an 'old' metal and resin "Warlord Games" model of a British Matilda Mark I Infantry Tank I actually started painting for a game of "Savage Worlds" a couple of years ago.

Having dusted off "the first of the infantry tank concepts to see production and combat", I have given the 'slow and under-gunned' motor vehicle a generous double-coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, and started work on both its turret-mounted Vickers heavy machine gun and accompanying commander. Unfortunately, I don't though currently own any more of the "Games Workshop" 120mm x 92mm oval bases I predominantly super-glue such transports upon, so once I've finished painting its underbelly I'll have to wait until my new stands arrive through the post before I can make any more progress on it.
The Mausoleum WIPs - Three long-dead swordsmen in various states of completion
Such a 'healthy' obsession with "Goblin Clockwork Miniatures" brainchild and all of its 'Weird War' shenanigans does not however, mean that I have forgotten my plans to paint ten skeletons with which to re-enact The Mausoleum scenario from the "Frostgrave" rule-book, and I have still been busily putting pigment to plastic on the first three of my Undead warriors by "North Star Military Figures". Indeed, I have even found time to locate a number of old "Games Workshop" Dwarven shield emblems with which to decorate the bony antagonist's rather bare and formerly uninteresting wooden shields.

34 comments:

  1. I have some secrets of the 3rd Rich models as well. It is a stalled project but totally suitable for Konflict as you say. Maybe it will nudge me back into action.

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    1. I do hope so Clint. Just as soon as I can get my three outstanding British soldiers finished, I'll be doing some BatReps and trying to nudge you even more so!!!

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    2. needles to say I have late war Germans is Oak leaf camo (both spring and Autumn.) And It may happen over the Painting challenge. Not enough troops yet, only about a platoon I think painted at the moment. And about a squad of werewolves.... the company kept sending me the wrong things and the were wolves were miss labled so I got them free in the end.

      So feel free to nudge away.

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    3. "So feel free to nudge away." - Splendid news, Clint. I have dabbled with camo on some of my more specialist German "SotTR" minis, and hopefully will be able to field them once I've finished painting up a full-strength reinforced platoon (20 models). I think a couple of them need re-basing but hopefully they'll soon be back in the fight!! I'll try and include some of the different unit rules for those who don't have the "Konflikt '47" rule-book, just to entice further you understand ;-)

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    4. Well and truly nudged.

      I think I have 2 Germans started. If I get home and find that to be the case I will try to get them finished this weekend.

      And maybe do a check to see what I have and what I would need to get a force together.

      Curses! Hooked again. You rotter!!!

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    5. "Curses! Hooked again. You rotter!!!" - Ha Ha Hah!!

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  2. Konflict '47 has definitely hit the radar but has taken a back seat to other projects at the mo. Nice to see these minis getting an airing though Simon.

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    1. Thanks Andy. I did play a lot of "Savage Worlds" "Weird War Two" with them when I first started this blog. But the posts were poor tbh and not as structured as I like to do them nowadays. I too am glad to see the "SotTR" minis back on the tabletop though, and hopefully being involved in some nice BatReps too.

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  3. What a great way to utilise models that were previously collecting dust, always enjoy finding a use for a model that's sat waiting for a use

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    1. Cheers Dave. There's sadly a few that won't be getting an airing as I've decided to go for the official "Warlord Games" heavily armoured troops etc rather than fork out on individual models from "SotTR". But most will certainly be dusted off (maybe re-based) and utilised over the next few months.

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  4. Sorely tempted by Konflikt 47. Lovely looking figs!

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    1. Hopefully you'll find yourself increasingly tempted over the next few weeks Gordon. Pull the trigger, man - You know you want to ;-)

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  5. And I am sure we did not help your addiction this week by pointing you in the direction of new shininess on the paint n chats

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    1. Dave, it was genuinely an absolute pleasure talking with you the other night. I was completely in awe of your soldering abilities!! But, you quite correct. I did find some of the subject matters discussed very tempting, especially the Weird War stuff :-)

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  6. I have a large selection of German forces for Secrets of the Third Reich but not nearly enough Allies to match them in a game. I haven't bought anything for Konflict 47 although I must admit that I am very tempted by some of their sets. I'd very much like to know your thoughts on how Konfict 47 compares with SOTR as a rules set. I like the SOTR rules but I'm curious to know more about the Konflict 47 rules.

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    1. Bryan, I was never a fan of "SotTR" to be fair, and almost immediately opted for "Weird War Two" - the "Savage Worlds" rule-set instead - that is a cracking rule-set imho. However, having played "Bolt Action" I believe "Konflikt '47" will be even better, as its just a smooth-flowing game, so please do follow me through my imminent BatReps and I'll certainly let you know my thoughts on the mechanics. For now though, they already get a big thumbs up on account of how small a minimum-sized reinforced platoon needs to be :-)

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    2. I'm very much looking forward to your WWW2 posts, Simon. Whilst I haven't done much gaming in this genre, it is something that very much interests me. After all, it has werewolves, vampires and zombies - how could I not be interested in it?

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    3. Thanks Bryan. There's a few robots thrown in for the British too; albeit they're currently only apparently available via the British Starter Box. Plus the Soviets have ghouls (with anti-freeze blood) - all very weird war ;-)

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  7. Matilda 1!!?? Ooof... that was an awful tank for sure. ^_^ Cool looking though. Will be a fun addition once painted up.

    Early-early war then eh? K47 seems to be set in latest war.

    I like the Sot3R sculpts, some fun alternatives to the K47/BA line.

    Your recipe for the skellies is a good one. Coming along nicely!

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    1. Cheers Dai, the Matilda is a bit of a swine to paint too!! Hopefully its base will arrive soon and then I can see what parts I won't need to worry about painting on account of the base shielding it from prying eyes :-)

      I thought the early war stuff would be suitable for a Home Front force (which will ultimately contain a certain Home Guard unit) as they'd arguably still be equipped with out-of-date tech. Captain Mainwaring verses Nazi Zombies has got to be a winner right? ;-)

      The "Frostgrave" skeletons are coming along very nicely imho, I've actually finished painting those three already, and have more in the queue ready for the start of the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge on the 20th December.

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    2. Well then! I'd not even considered a fun Home Guard take for K47... Very fun and cool idea. Of COURSE they'd be outfitted with severely outdated or purely training-exercise kit.

      One of these days I should probably get in on that Analogue Challenge action. Would probably help encourage me to lessen the unpainted pile enormously.

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    3. I'd highly recommend the AHPC, Dai, and even if you go for my usual 500pts that would still mean you painting the equivalent of 100x28mm models - quite a sizeable force/s in "Bolt Action" :-)

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  8. I use Bolt Action (the original, not the new `streamlined 2nd ed... streamlining is another word for charge more, give less haha). Konflikt '47 plays just fine using Bolt Action, in fact, I actually prefer it. Allows a more normal WWII type collection - but with some cool weird war additions to boot.

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    1. Thanks for heads up, Steve, and some reassurance. I don't have any plans to go on to 2nd Edition "Bolt Action" myself as I believe "Konflikt '47" was written to work with the original edition army books (which I already own). Hopefully as a result you'll find plenty to enjoy "Konflikt '47" wise on this blog over the next few months :-)

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    2. woohoooo, good-o, just what we want to hear *beams happily*

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    3. FYI - BA 2nd Ed works just fine with existing army books. Warlord has stated unequivocally that the German book was the only one that was getting a 2nd Ed update as it was arguably the weakest of them all (And also the 1st to be released.). (And truth be told, I prefer 2nd Ed to 1st Ed anyday.)

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    4. Thanks Dai. That sounds very encouraging. I'm sure at some point I'll pick up the German 2nd book then... and then probably the 2nd Edition rule-book. But having only played the game a couple of times I want to get the most out of my 1st Edition stuff first. I'll be keeping an eye on your excellent blog though to see what you make of it ;-)

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  9. Some cool stuff there Simon, never been tempted by WWW2 myself though I did dabble into "Panzerfauste" the fantasy WW2 game for a while, before someone offered to buy all my fig's off of me (and away they went!). I do that far too often you know.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. "Panzerfauste" has tempted me on a few occasions tbh but I have always steered clear at the last minute. I'm glad though I didn't know you once had a load of figs as I'd certainly have offered to buy them all too!!

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    2. Ahh that was long before I knew you though so you were safe on that front.

      Cheers Roger.

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    3. Oh those dark old days when no-one commented on my blog ;-)

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  10. I think that there's nothing better than getting a few minis finished off that will allow for a game- especially when the wait has been for so long.
    Good progress on the other stuff too (liking the Frostgrave undead a lot more now)

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    1. Absolutely Joe, though my "SotTR" zeds do still get repeated airings on account of being my go-to Zombie horde :-) Glad you're starting to warm to the "Frostgrave" undead. I should have some finished models posted up soon.

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