2017 Hobby Challenge

I played more games and painted more consistently last year than I had in many of the previous years since my departure from Games Workshop.  I had no real goal last year, I just wanted to paint and play.  This year however, I wanted to push myself a bit more.  So I decided to participate in "The Lords of War 2017 Hobby Challenge".  

I set a modest painted model count at 75 models.  With the exception of the elite units in my Undead Age of Sigmar army, I am painting mostly skirmish games.  Here are some specific projects I want to complete.

-New Crew for Batman Miniature Game (Green Arrow/Law Enforcement)

-Team for The DC Universe Game (Justice League)

-Blood Angel Stormtalon (I think that is what is called)(I have been converting this model for years, time to put some paint on it)

-1500pts of Undead for Age of Sigmar

-New Gang for Malifaux (Death Marshals or The Latigo Posse)

I have also set an additional hobby goal, to paint both sides of the "Battle of Five Armies" box (not included in the above model count). I have had two of these boxes around since they came out.  The models are awesome and so much fun to work with.  In addition to the miniatures, I also have a bunch the Forgeworld Warmaster terrain that I want to paint up to go with it.  I would also like to play a game with the forces and terrain when I am done with it, so if anyone wants to try out an awesome game let me know.  

I would also like to try to write more.  I want to post on this blog at least every other week all year through.  I will also try my hand at writing some battle reports and perhaps a short story or two.  

Having said all that, I completed my first two models of the year early Saturday morning.  Two cops for the BMG.  I was thinking of painting GCPD on the back of the jackets, but decided against it as these guys will be pulling double duty in my Batman/ Gotham Police crew and my Green Arrow crew.  

While Batman is a beast in game, I have yet to win a game with my Batman crew.  I was mainly using Batman and Robin in smaller 200pts games.  With all my points tied up in two characters I had a tough time securing objectives as well as keeping enemies off their objectives.  The addition of some low reputation point henchmen (The cops) should help with this.  In addition, it will be nice to have someone be able to use "arrest" ability of the people that Batman pummel.  This will gain some extra victory points and ensure that those pesky enemies don't just pop up behind me.

2/75 complete, 73 more to go.  

Kevin

Deadshot - Suicide Squad

I finished up the leader for my Suicide Squad, Deadshot.  This was a very smooth and clean model to paint. I tried to spruce up the base with some old Batman newspapers.  The cobble stones are nice but a little plain. 

I am looking forward to trying out the suicide squad.  I have some games lined up for the new year.  It will be interesting playing a team that starts to explode if you mess up (at least if mess up bad enough it will be a quick game).

Up next, cops, Harley Quinn and Batfleck.

Katana

The fifth member of my Suicide Squad is complete, Katana.  This was the more difficult model to build in the set.  I had a hard time getting the arms meeting at the wrist and shoulder joints.  Some green stuff helped take care of it. 

I like this version of Katana, she has a lower (for a Free agent) reputation cost and I can use her with my Law Enforcement crew.  She also has the "volunteer" rule, which means that when she is used as a member of the suicide squad she can not be killed by the "suicide squad" special rule (which in turn makes her more reliable then other member who head may go BOOM at the start of the turn). 

Next up will be Deadshot...followed by some cops...

Kevin

Diablo

Diablo was next on the table.  I actually got him done early into the weekend.  I really liked his skin tone, so I was reserved about trying to paint the tattoos on his face.  However once I finished painting him he just did not look "finished" with out them. 

I added some black lines to the chin and checks for the tattoo skull effect.  I also tried for the little sickle on his forhead.  It was basic but I am happy with it.   I am planning on revisiting the flames in  his hand,  I am  not happy with them.

(I wonder if Knight Models will make a model for giant flaming skeleton with dreads Diablo...)

Captain Boomerang

I finished up Captain Boomerang the other day.  I have always kinda liked this villan.  Mainly for the silliness of the character.  He does make a good Green Arrow villan.  The model from the suicide squad has a good Fonzy from Happy Days pose going on.  My squad is coming together.  Squad goals!  I am not sure what that is but I am assured that the young people are using it. 

Suicide Squad

I finished up the first few models from my Suicide Squad box the other day.  First up was Slipknot and Killer Croc.  At the time I painted these guys I had not seen the movie.  Slipknot seemed the easiest out of the group to paint (a little transition from painting nothing but tanks for a few weeks).  The problem with models that are 90% black is that they tend to look a little boring and unfinished.  I was happier with it after I added the buckles and highlights. 

I went with a little more cartoony/comic look to killer Croc.  I have always liked the character.  I especially like him in the Arkham video games.  This one's a little smaller than the latter.  I am also a little surprised that the suicide killer croc is the same strength of every other member of the squad (except Harley, Katana and Slipknot), at 4+. 

I am having a lot of fun painting up these models.  Up next Captain Boomerang. 

Panther and Jagdpanther

I finished up the German Panther from the “Tanks!” starter set while I built my Suicide Squad.  You can build either a Panther or a Jagdpanther from the kit.  I could not decide on which one, so I went with both.  With a few strategically placed magnates I was able to magnetize the hull top and turret. 

One of the reasons the Germans needed the Panther tank was in response to the success of the Soviets T34.  The Panthers had increased armour and a more powerful gun then the Panzer IV.  The Panthers were also cheaper to produce then the larger Tiger heavy tanks.  However the early Panthers where not very reliable any many broke down or caught fire during longer marches.

The Panther was active from mid-1943 until then end of the war.  It was also the third most produced German tank in WW2 (Behind the Panzer and StuG); around 6132 tanks of various models where produced. 

The main armament was a 7.5cm KwK 42 cannon.  The long barrel and large propellant charge created a very high muzzle velocity, which was excellent for penetrating armour.

The Canadian forces faced many Panther tanks during the Battle for Caen in France.  The relatively open ground around Caen was great terrain for the Panthers to knock out allied tanks from a distance.  However by Normandy, 1 in 4 of Canadian M4 Shermans had been upgraded to the 17pdr Sherman Firefly.  There was also an increase in 17pdr M10s.  These allied tank hunters also proved to be dangerous to the Panthers over the open ground.  

One of the biggest concentrations of Panther tanks was during the Battle of Bulge during the Ardennes Offensive.

The Jagdpanther used the same base as the Panther, but removed the turret and embedded the cannon into the hull.  The name translates to “Hunting Panther”, which is fitting as it was primarily used as a tank destroyer.

The Jagdpanther came into service in 1944 and combined the armour and mobility of the Panther with the 8.8cm Cannon of the Tiger 2.  Only around 415 where made, raw material shortages and destroyed factories limited the production.

The British saw only a few of these tanks in Normandy; however a larger number of them were
utilized during the Ardennes Offensive.

Kevin