“We Shall See Who Fights Better And Who Dies More Easily.”

“The German soldier faced with the destruction of his homeland, or the Americans and British.”

These three 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 an Officer, Panzerfaust and NCO, and together create a Formation Command Panzerfaust SMG team for the Panzergrenadier Company Headquarters.

Despite eventually being permanently attached to a three-hole small base, the models were initially super-glued onto wooden strips and all primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. They were then shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before being carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII.

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An NCO, Panzerfaust and Officer

I then applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the soldiers’ boots, ammo pouches, braces and the brim of the officer’s peaked cap. This was followed up by a lick of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna being brushed onto some of the German’s other numerous pouches and the Panzerfaust bearer’s rifle. These areas were all later treated to a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

In addition, the Officer’s pistol, the top of the Panzerfaust bearer’s rifle, the NCO’s submachine gun and the tops of any drinking flasks were all given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I also applied this concoction to the handles of their shovels, which are partially stowed away on the soldiers’ backs. However, I may well go back and re-paint these areas with some “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, as I’ve not found any historical examples of the spades being all-metal…

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An NCO, Panzerfaust and Officer

There really is a ton of detail on these diminutive sculpts, and I was determined to try to ‘pick them out’ with as many ‘realistic’ colour schemes as I could discern. Resultantly, the Germans’ gasmask canisters were pigmented with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil, their drinking flasks layered in “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and the Panzerfaust itself in “Vallejo” Buff and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

As some final touches, the NCO’s helmet was given a quick touch of “Vallejo” German Camouflage Dark Green and “Citadel” Nuln Oil to help it contrast somewhat with the soldier’s grey uniform, and the Officer’s cap badge spotted with a smidgeon of “Vallejo” Silver. Lastly, all the faces and hands had an application of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade”, before being highlighted with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone.