"The Bulk Of The German Army's Soldiers..."

"...Was the venerable infantry of the Grenadier divisions."

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 a non-commissioned officer (NCO), two riflemen and a machine-gunner. Together they form the third of six MG34 and K98 Rifle teams I require for my second (maximum-strength) German Panzergrenadier Platoon.

As with all my other “FoW” German soldiers, the figures were initially super-glued onto wooden strips, before being primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. Their details were then ‘picked out’ predominantly using “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal, Buff, German Camouflage Dark Green, Heavy Brown and a series of “Citadel” Shades.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This MK III Space Marine Sergeant is having his metallics picked out.

In addition, the Panzergrenadiers' rifle tops, the general-purpose machine gun, and water flask stoppers were given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Whilst the camouflaged helmet covering was treated to some “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. The headwear was then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before being highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

Alongside my "Flames Of War" project I have also been busily working away at some of the formidable-sized plastic sprues found inside the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness boxed set by "Games Workshop". My current plan is to assemble 500-points worth of Sons of Horus space marines, so have drafted out a roster which comprises of a Praetor with Axe (HQ) and three Tactical Squads.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three MK VI Space Marines primed and shaded

To mix things up a bit I thought I'd build each of my Troop choices wearing different armour, so have already put together a sergeant and nine space marines using the MK III armour found inside the Burning Of Prospero board game. For my second unit I thought I'd build the "mainstay of the Space Marine Legions" using the MK VI bitz found inside my Horus Heresy box, and have even found the time to slightly kit-bash one of them, using a "Forge World" resin shoulder-pad.

However, to give me an idea as to just how long its potentially going to take me to ultimately paint a 4,000-point force predominantly comprising of infantry, I thought I'd dedicate an hour of hobby time each session to simply painting up my 'beakie' marines. This time doesn't include cutting, slicing, gluing, or basing the miniatures, nor drying times, and as a result I have managed to get six of the chain bayonet-welding warriors primed and shaded in just sixty minutes...