As a prelude to the battle the attacking forces made a series of probes against the defenders of the castle. Eye witness reports talk of an MG-42 peppering the gatehouse and Besotten Jenny from Itter village to the East. The outskirts of Itter were only 100 metres away and to represent its proximity to the castle James designed and built a suitably Austrian looking Inn. This was to form part of our proposed talk, and indeed the extended game play, and presented me with a wonderful opportunity to create a little stand to represent those troops that opened fire from this vantage point.
I should say at this point that the inspiration for this piece came from seeing an amazing Fallschirmjäger unit, appropriately titled, 'Let it Rip', painted by the very talented Nick of 'Moiterei's Bunte Welt' fame. I just loved the narrative of the two troops taking advantage of the available cover to form a defensive position. So it was that I decided to try and create an homage to Nick, but mine was to be based in the bar!
No sooner had I resigned to create such a piece than the idea floundered, I just couldn't find the right poses for what I had in mind. The idea was temporarily shelved, but I couldn't shake it off completely and periodically I would come across bits and pieces that I would think might be useful, a barrel here a 3D printed crate there and before I knew it the groundwork was done.
Determined to give the project one more go, I started looking more closely at the various companies that were producing likely miniatures. Eventually it was 'Warlord Games' that came to my rescue and by using a combination of packs to obtain the requisite gunner and loader, I was able to source what I wanted. With a couple of quick head swaps, this time using the 'Warlord Games' plastic Waffen SS sprue, along with a snip of the bullet belt the piece was complete.
I had initially kept the miniatures on their bases, covering them with pumice gel, but given that this scene was to be set inside an inn decided to rethink this and opted to pin them to a 'Warbases' MDF base, which I had scored with a craft knife to give the effect of floorboards.
Whilst the piece had taken a lot longer to realise than I had expected, I have to confess that I am pleased with the outcome, can't wait to see it reunited with James' Inn hopefully in the not too distant future!
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Lovely work Michael as always your attention to detail stands out. I am just too impatient....😀
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt, my problem is been distracted by other shiny things.
DeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you Alastair.
DeleteWhat a great little vignette! 10/10 Sir M!
ReplyDeleteThat's very generous Ray, thank you very much.
DeleteSuperb bit of conversion and a very good effect overall, almost as if the whole thing was designed by some manufacturer - very skillfully done sir.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely comment Joe, thank you. Overall I was really pleased with it, looking back I was quite cross with myself that I forgot the MG-42's bipod!
DeleteWhat everyone above has said, the attention to detail is amazing sir! Great little story piece and should look superb in-situ.
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Thank you so much Roger, can't wait to see it in the actual inn, hopefully not too long now.
DeleteFantastic little vignette/base- very unique.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, just found your splendid blogs too.
DeleteLove all the scenic effects you've added to that base Michael. The poses look natural too, fantastic result.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Dai, pleased with this one.
DeleteReally excellent vignette.
ReplyDeleteThe barrels look familiar, renedra?
Thank you Paul. The barrels and bottles were from actually from Angry Stag Wargaming: https://angrystagwargaming.com
DeleteNicely done Michael, your vignettes are always an inspiration! It seems they are somewhat your forte. The little details you add give them that extra Oomph!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Terry, I have to confess that I do rather enjoy the planning and execution of these pieces.
DeleteAn elegant little piece, full of character and drama.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much A.J. that is very kind of you.
DeleteWoow! That's really awesome work!
ReplyDeleteSo kind Michal, thank you.
DeleteExcellent vignette! A pleasure to look at! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Nimrod, greatly appreciated.
DeleteWonderful Michael a piece with plenty of character, but I have to say that any men walking into a bar these days are very lucky :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Frank and of course, what was I thinking! :D
DeletePut simply, that looks ace!
ReplyDeleteSo kind Kieron, thank you.
DeleteJust an absolutely brilliant piece Michael! The colours are fantastic and great decision cutting the figures off their bases, what an huge difference visually 😀
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Ivor, it really was a last minute decision, but so pleased that I did it.
DeleteEverything's perfect, splendid vignette Michael!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so very kind Phil, thank you.
DeleteBrilliant work, Michael. I was going to ask about the bottles, crate and barrels, as I could see these being used at the Red Lion in Blackwell, as I need a yard and dray for the pub, so would need some additional bits for it, but saw the link above.
ReplyDeleteRegarding my contribution to the Schloss Itter project, I did intend to make a start on this whilst basing up some other figures, only to discover the figure I had set aside for this was the wrong sex... Need to rummage in my loft to find the right figure. Wheels are in motion, don't you worry.
Great to hear from you Jez and glad to help. I have also used dolls house accessories in the past as well. If you happen across any Austrian bar maids in your travels then do let me know.
DeleteCan't wait to see what you have been up to with regards a contribution to the Schloss!
They look superb Michael! I'm actually quite chuffed, reading my vignette was inspiration for you.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you like it Nick, yours was truly inspirational.
DeleteA wonderful little miniature diorama.
ReplyDeleteAgain you blow me away with all the details you added. This would be perfect for a painting competition.
That's so kind of you, I really enjoy tinkering around with these bases.
DeleteWonderful looking vignette! Superb attention to detail and lovely painting!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you so much Iain, that is wonderfully kind of you.
DeleteGreat looking weapon team. Such a fab mini diorama it has been made into.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon, always keen to add to the narrative if I can and this was a wonderful opportunity.
DeleteSuperb once again - 'works so well as a stand alone element too. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you James, can't wait to see it in situ as it were.
DeleteStunning piece Michael, works as an individual piece in it's own right, and sure it will blend in seamlessly with the Inn
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, hoping to reunite the two before too long, worried that I didn't think where James had positioned the bar!
DeleteBrilliant scenic base - very evocative!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, I really appreciate that.
DeleteMarvelous work on both the terrain and figures, Michael.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean.
DeleteYou are really flying with this, looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it's pieces like this that saw me fall behind the curve, but we have a little more time now.
DeleteYou should be please Michael, the poses and painting are spot on. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, really pleased with how this one came out.
DeleteWonderful work Michael. I see this pair as the mirror image of Mellish and Henderson in the final battle scene in 'Saving Private Ryan'.
ReplyDeleteNow there is a moment, thank you Curt.
DeleteThat's lovely, a real little work of art.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
Delete