Operation Typhoon - Part Three

This Soviet armour formation consists of three packets of SV58 T26 tank. The models were simply undercoated with Knarloc Green, before being washed with Thraka Green and then dry-brushed with more Knarloc Green. The light infantry tanks’ tracks were painted Boltgun Metal over a Chaos Black undercoat, before being washed with Badab Black. The red stars come from “Pendraken Minatures” decal range PNDC6 Russian Stars, whilst the tank numbers are from PNDC7 Russian tank numbers red/white.

I'm just finishing off my fifth (and momentarily final) Soviet formation, with some veteran infantry (identical to my Russian Regulars except they'll be accompanied by the Soviet flag). Then it'll be on to the Germans, with some of their formations already 'in the can' from my BKC days - although a few require repainting as I now dislike the all white winter clothing I've previously painted them in (and some have bizarrely discoloured a pinkish brown over the months!?!).

Operation Typhoon - Part Two

The bulk of my Soviet Infantry will be Regular soldiers, with each formation consisting of three stands of five models, plus two support stands (Mortar and Machinegun). The infantry stands are made up of the two poses found within “Pendraken Miniatures” World War Two Russian selection SV20 and the two further poses which make up SV29. Both of these packs are described as Riflemen, winter equipment. The Mortar Team is made up of the models found within pack SV48 120mm Mortar with crew. Whilst the Machinegun Team come from SV31 Maxim model 1910 team, winter equipment.

Instead of wearing great winter coats, the soldiers from packet SV20 wear Telogreika (a padded winter jacket) and so, along with any Ushanka worn by some of the other models (e.g. the Maxim crew), these figures were undercoated with Dheneb Stone, before being washed with Devlan Mud and dry-brushed with more Dheneb Stone. The Regulars’ helmets and the 120mm mortar were painted with Knarloc Green, before being washed with Thraka Green.

My formation of Soviet Cavalry (carrying Submachine guns) consists of three stands of horse, and a further three stands [only two shown] of Soviets on foot for when they dismount (e.g. to fortify a building). The riders are from packet SV54 Cavalry with Submachine gun. As with the Telogreika and Ushanka wearing models from SV20, these figures were undercoated with Dheneb Stone, before being washed with Devlan Mud and dry-brushed with more Dheneb Stone. Their horses were painted using either Chaos Black or Astronomican Grey with Badab Black wash, or either Dark Flesh or Dheneb Stone with a Devlan Wash. The models on foot are from packet SV21 PPsh Submachine gun, winter equipment, and consist of soldiers wearing both heavy winter overcoats, Telogreika and Ushanka.

I currently have the first of my Soviet Tank formations close to completion and my Russian's fifth and final unit (for now at least), some Veteran Infantry.

Operation Typhoon - Part One

This series of articles and battle reports (using a homemade quick play rule set) will initially cover the Third Reich’s invasion of Russia from October – December 1941. The 10mm metal models and the majority of resin scenery are by “Pendraken Miniatures”. The paints used are predominantly “Citadel Foundation” and “Citadel Washes” from “Games Workshop”.

Having decided to play a series of weekly skirmishes over the next month to ‘test-out’ my quick play rule set, I thought the opening confrontation should be a simple small battle on a 4 x 4 table, with both armies only fielding five formations each, most of which will be infantry (of varying quality).

This should give me enough time to get the necessary miniatures painted, and provide me with enough models per side for a reasonable (hour-long) game. I can then add to these ‘core’ formations over the next few weeks, creating larger (and longer) battles.

I have first turned my attention to the Soviet Army, and already painted up all the models needed for a formation of Conscripts. These five stands are predominantly made up of the two poses found within “Pendraken Miniatures” World War Two Russian selection SV29 Riflemen, winter equipment. Each stand also contains a single model from SV35 Commissar with megaphone (in order to keep the inexperienced soldiers in line when the going gets tough).

The soldiers were undercoated with Calthan Brown, and then washed with Devlan Mud, before being dry-brushed with more Calthan Brown. The models’ face and hands were then picked out with Tallarn Flesh, and their rifles’ with Dark Flesh. Both of these areas were then washed with Devlan Mud. The rifle barrels and the Commissar’s megaphone were painted with Boltgun metal and then washed with Badab Black. The Commissar and the Conscripts’ helmets were painted with Knarloc Green, before being washed with Thraka Green. The Commissar was then dry-brushed with more Knarloc Green.

I next plan to paint a formation of Soviet Regular Infantry. These will consist of three stands of five models, plus two support stands (Mortar and Machinegun).