I have taken a liking to the 'Warlord Games' plastic miniatures as a quick, and relatively cheap way to build up the units required. So to represent members of the SS 17th Panzer Grenadier Div. that attacked the Castle on that fateful day in 1945, I have gone for the late war Waffen-SS Grenadier miniatures. By way of a test, I assembled a couple of frames and found myself spoilt for choice with a myriad of options. In the end I decided to keep things relatively simple for this first run out and based them on 20mm MDF discs from 'Warbases'.
The quality of the sculpts is just amazing, so many fine details and expressive faces, but when it came to painting, I was a little apprehensive. This is area that I have very little knowledge of, and although I have tried camouflage patterns before there seemed so many to choose from! Armed with a clutch of new Osprey titles and some rather good painting guides, I started to make some decisions as to which uniforms these chaps would have.
My rather rudimentary research suggested that the Oak Leaf pattern was the way to go and given that the battle took place in May, I would focus primarily on painting the spring side of the reversible smock. That said, I understand that veterans would often mix and match items of uniform so there was a fair bit of leeway.
Once primed, I gathered together the requisite colours and set about try to replicate the camouflage pattern. Given the scale of the miniatures, I wasn't unduly worried about the finer details, just happy to 'sell' the illusion. The initial green chosen seemed a little bright to begin with, but a heavy wash did the trick and by the end I was achieving a pleasing result.
As these were, in effect, test pieces I was happy to try out a few different ideas and evening had a stab at the autumn pattern on one of the helmet covers. I wasn't sure that I wanted to do include the runic insignia SS, but the miniatures come with some waterslide transfers. These are insanely small and their application was accompanied by a fair amount of colourful language, but the result is rather effective.
Four done another twenty one to go! Hopefully the next batch will be a little quicker now that I have an idea of the colours to use.
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Excellent painting, as always I must add!
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind Mr. Nimrod, thank you.
DeleteGreat looking camo, but warlord plastics as a fast way of producing WW2 figures? Not so sure about that! Lovely figures as always!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you Iain, I seem to take an age preparing metal miniatures and I quite enjoyed sticking the pieces together.
DeleteExcellent result on your test pieces Michael, really like all the character you've added with the different pieces on the frame, keep this pace up you should finish on time
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, lots of choice and opportunities for conversion. Onwards and upwards.
DeleteWell those are rather nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil, very kind of you.
DeleteStunning work Michael!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Fran.
DeleteVery nice work, Michael. Camo looks perfect. Coincidentally, I just ordered the El Alamein set from Warlord - couldn't pass up the summer sale bargain!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean, the half price sprue sale makes them really good value.
DeleteStunning stuff, Michael. Love the camo. Always steered clear of the plastic WW2 preferring metal instead. but you could easily change my mind :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon. Metal will always be my preference, but these so how feel less precious so I won't be worrying about them being mishandled during the game. ;)
DeleteThe job done thus far is brilliant! As you complete the plastic, you might want to think about adding a mortar or MMG for support. There's also the addition of a 75 mm AT gun with Waffen SS uniformed types. I am really looking forward to seeing your full platoon.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I definitely want to include some support weapons at some point. Coincidently an 88 from Rubicon - so excited.
DeleteNice work on these, they really look like veterans. Those rune transfers really sell the figures as SS though!
ReplyDeleteThank you, really pleased with how they turned out. When I sprayed them with matt varnish the transfers seemed to jump out even more.
DeleteNice work on these test figures Michael. I'll be doing some myself eventually, as opposition for my Paras :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Tamsin, they really are good fun to do.
DeleteExcellent work Michael! By 1945 the German troops were wearing a real hodge-podge of uniforms, as units were cobbled together. It certainly allows for a myriad of camo painting options!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terry, good to hear that I am on the right tracks. I might have to try more of the autumn pattern on the next bunch.
DeleteNice job Michael..
ReplyDeleteThank you Dave, that's very kind.
DeleteOooooo they do look rather tasty Sir M.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray, just need to crack on and get the others prepped.
DeleteVery nicely done Michael. Not so sure they kept the SS symbols on their helmets by '45, but I don't think it matters all as they look better for it.
ReplyDeletePea Dot was fun to paint when I last gave it a go. Admittedly, I only had to apply it on 7 members of a squad, so it wasn't a huge chore! :)
Thank you Dai, I shall hold off with the SS symbols on the helmets, most are covered anyway. Would they have any insignia on the helmets in the latter stages?
DeleteIn 1943 High Command or some such sent an order to the factories to stop applying symbols/decals on the helmets, probably due to cost, etc - but units in the field were not ordered to remove them so there are examples of helmets that were worn, though they were not the majority.
DeleteSo from this, I'd say, two or three blokes with no helmet covers could get away with it, especially in 1945 where a vet or three might be there to help the newbies, but doubtful for more than that.
Well I never, fascinating stuff and thank you. I had no idea.
DeleteI wouldn't worry unduly about the camo (or a mix of it) as anything went at the stage of the war you're portraying and the figures look great. The ss runes drtainly define them for what they are !
ReplyDeleteThank you Joe, the idea of mixed equipment is certainly what I have come to believe, but it is good to have it confirmed, thank you.
DeleteWooow! Fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Michal.
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant Michael!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ivor, let's hope the rest come out as well as these.
DeleteFantastic work on the camo......I have a couple of units of early SS to paint but just keep putting them off. Nice work 👍
ReplyDeleteThank you Matt, these were the troops I was least confident about, so I am pleased to get a few under my belt already.
Deletegreat start .
ReplyDeleteThank you my good man.
DeleteYou have cracked the camo Michael and I salute you for attempting those waterslide transfers, they are so small.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Pat, that means a lot coming from your good self. Those transfers were an experience, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be ables to achieve the same effect with a brush, so happy to persevere.
DeleteExcellent work there on the camo Micheal!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Thank you so much Christopher.
DeleteBlimey, these are good, Michael! Such a shame I have no opportunity to paint now...sob!
ReplyDeleteThank you Monty and sorry to hear that you are not painting, maybe one day soon?
DeleteThey look the bees knees Michael! The camo is spot on and as others have stated already you almost can‘t go wrong with SS camo in '45. What was available was worn. So go wild I'd say!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Nick. I have spent quite a while looking at your amazing work in preparation for this project.
DeleteGreat camo work Michael. The rest of the soldiers look awesome too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteVery nice indeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kym.
DeleteThey're brilliantly well painted, but appear to be very stocky. With big heads and short legs.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I know what you mean and part of the problem might be the pose, they are stooped over.
Delete