“The Concept Of The Allies Actually Invading Germany Seemed Unimaginable.”

“Yet I was astonished at this sight. I wondered if I was hallucinating, or if this was a delirium of some kind.”

These four plastic 15mm miniatures are sold by “Battlefront Miniatures” and can be found inside the company’s “Hit The Beach” starter set for “Flames Of War”. The figures consist of two soldiers aiming a Panzerschreck, and two other Germans carrying the reusable launcher’s anti-tank rockets. Together, the pairings unsurprisingly form a Panzerschreck anti-tank team for each of the Panzergrenadier Platoons which come in the box.

The models are supposed to be placed inside the specially-spaced inserts found on a handful of two-hole small bases, but unfortunately I didn’t spot these until after I’d already permanently attached a couple of to some three-hole small bases using plastic glue. Fortunately, it is easily a mistake I can live with, as the miniatures’ actual in-game ‘footprint’ hasn’t actually changed in any way, simply they are depicted being stood somewhat further apart from one another than “Battlefront Miniatures” envisaged.

"I had never seen such an assembly of ships, and I'm sure nobody will ever see such a thing again."

Those figures not immediately attached to their base were super-glued onto wooden strips. The entire quartet were then primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. I next applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the soldiers’ boots, ammo pouches, and braces.

The Germans’ other pouches, their rifles, some straps and the handle to the odd protruding Stielhandgranate was treated to by a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna before being washed with a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. In addition, rifle tops, and the stoppers belonging to any drinking flasks were all given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"The Ion Age" WIPs - Three Retained Knights carrying heavy weapons

The soldiers’ Panzerschrecks and accompanying anti-tank rockets were simply ‘picked out’ with “Vallejo” Buff and given a lick of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. I pigmented a couple of camouflaged helmet coverings using a “Vallejo” Heavy Brown base layer, followed by some sporadic splodges of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. These were then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and then highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

Sticking with the 15mm scale, albeit moving genres from historical across to science fiction, I have finally got some paint on three more Retained Knights by “Alternative Armies”. I’m currently in the process of trying to clear a few of my painting sticks so they can house more of my “Flames Of War” Germans, so these (not) Blood Angels Devastator Space Marines will be getting some serious attention over the next few days in order for me to ‘pop’ them onto a proper stand…