Bolt Action Blitzkrieg German Infantry

After numerous fits and starts, I finally got this project completed - the boxed set of 30 Bolt Action Blitzkrieg German Infantry from Warlord Games. The box consists of five identical sprues each with six figures of which four are standing, one is kneeling and one is prone, along with a wide variety of weapons and different load outs for field equipment. 

In the end, I assembled the figures to form three 10 man sections each consisting of two SMGs, one LMG team (gunner and loader), and six riflemen. Having assembled several boxes of Russians earlier this year where the two arms and the weapon were all separate, I used many of the parts from the sprues that had the arms and weapon all as one piece to minimize the frustration I experienced when trying to glue and align three parts simultaneously.  

I was impressed by the amount of detail on the uniforms and equipment. All the figures came wearing their gas cape bag across their chest, and their Y-straps had all the correct buckles, hooks, and studs. For those who want to super detail their miniatures and paint all those tiny bits, the opportunity is there. The field equipment is separate from the figures, and  provides lots of variety for the arrangement of canteens, mess tins, spades, rolled up ponchos, and gas mask canisters. As with most of the Bolt Action multi parts sets, all the head are separate, and there are lots of variations to chose from. The only big criticism that I have is that the sprues don't provide for a pair of binoculars or an MP 40 as a separate piece. Both are molded as part of a right arm, so having a figure carry both is a bit problematic. In the end I solved the dilemma in two different ways, One was by using a set of binoculars left over from one of the Russian boxes so they could be held in the left hand while the MP 40 was slung over the right shoulder, and the other was by carving away the hand gripping the SMG and placing it in the left hand while using the binoculars held in the right hand. Another minor bug is that all figures come molded with the standard ammo pouches for a rifleman, so if you want to give a figure an SMG or LMG with the correct pouches for that weapon, you have to carve away the rifle ammo pouches first.

 Once all the figures were assembled, sand was glued to the bases with PVA and everything primed flat black with a rattle can. I used Vallejo acrylic paints as well as some Citadel shades. For example the faces and hands were painted with Flat Flesh and given a wash of Reikland Fleshshade. The early war German tunics were greener than later in the war, so after painting them with German Field Grey, they were treated with some Biel-Tan Green shade. And finally the trousers were painted with Stone Grey, followed by the application of some Nuln Oil shade. After painting the collars and epaulets dark green, the Litzen on the collar and the piping on the epaulets were painted white, the Waffenfarbe for Infantry. I also painted the appropriate decals on the sides of the helmets. (I know actual decals for miniatures are available, but I just find it easier to paint the designs on.) The rest of the colours were pretty straight forward from there. If you are looking for a detailed method for painting early war Germans, I highly recommend Sonic Sledgehammer's video on the topic on Youtube.

Here is the final result.

Group shot of all three sections

Number 1 Section

 Since Number 1 Section got the standing LMG team, they ended up with the prone rifleman wearing a wedge cap. The brown bands on the helmets are rings of rubber inner tubes, while the olive coloured bands are the straps from the canvas bread bags worn on the belt.

 

Number 2 Section

 

Number 2 Section got a prone LMG team, as did Number 3 Section. All sections ended up with one figure throwing a grenade, and one figure wearing a wedge cap, just for have some variety. 

Number 3 Section

Number 3 Section with the section leader pointing and his SMG slung over is right shoulder. The kneeling figure on the right is the section second in command, who would be in charge of the LMG team.

Solving the SMG binocular dilemma

I now have three sections of early war German infantry ready for either Fall Weiss or Fall Gelb. Next in the painting queue is a box of Bolt Action German Pioneers from Warlord Games with lots of special equipment and weapons. Stay tuned.