Finlay finished the first half of my winter German's. I really love these models from Warlord Games they are dynamic and characterful. I will add some more photos soon but honesty I couldn't wait to share this. Not only is this the best army I have ever painted it could be the best mini photo I have ever taken. That coalesces perfectly with our recent podcast on miniature photography here. If anyone is interested I will put up the paint recipe soon, subscribe to the blog or comment on this post to be notified.

Click on the image below to open the *huge* full sized image and then click or pinch to zoom in on that image to see the detail.

Hope this inspires you to paint and hobby more.

The best paint conversion charts I have found are located here: https://redgrimm.github.io/paint-conversion/index.html

Example showing in the screen shot below using the example Yriel Yellow by Citidel:

1. An equivalent or similar paint in another brand (in this case Vallejo)
2. The original colour
3. The mathematical difference between these 2 colours

Thanks to whoever put them up there they are great!, i hope they never disappear!​

Once upon a time I made come game stat cards for kings of war... had forgotten about these until someone mentioned them. They worked well and helped for me as a new player at the time. I laminated them in ID card sleeves, could do the same for any game system. The trick was to use a good graphics design program and lots of "layers" and guides

Soviet Peoples Militia squad box from Warlord Games is up for pre-order, this one appears in the Stalingrad book and hopefully also on my table soon...

Order here: https://store.warlordgames.com/collections/pre-orders/products/soviet-peoples-militia-squad

 Join Rex and Dan in this episode of the Valhallagames podcast where we talk miniature photography (a LOT of miniature photography!). Note the show times below if you want to skip over parts that aren't relevant to you or your camera type.

In our usual segments we also talk hobby, plastic and metal lust and what we are reading and looking forward to playing.

If you're getting value out of the podcast feel free to support us at https://www.patreon.com/valhallagames. If you have had a life-long dream of supporting a podcast, you can make your dreams come true starting at $3 per month.

Search for valhallagames in your podcast app or click on the image below for the web player

EP 13 "freeze-frame"
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:57 Break
00:03:40 Hobby catch up
(including Rex's rail yard project, Dan's battle for Berlin force and British Airborne paint & learn)
00:18:18 Break
00:19:40 Main topic "freeze-frame" - Part 0
Miniature photography introduction and background
00:21:33 Why do we take photos
Making sure you satisfy your end purpose
00:27:17 Photo composition, setting the scene
What makes a great photo, arrangement, just the miniature or in its environment. Improving the miniature environmental scene, lighting, backgrounds
00:58:21 Photo tech for ALL camera types, basic camera, DSLR & mirrorless)
"Exposing" your photos correctly (dark/light), "depth of field" how much is in focus
1:12:30 Big boys/girls cameras
Utilizing cameras where all the aspects of the shot are customizable (DSLR\Mirrorless)
1:30:16 Bonus content: Editing/developing, shooting [in the] RAW
1:35:52 Bonus content: Photography backups
1:38:02 Photography sum up
1:39:38 Break
1:41:04 "What are you reading" segment
Rex: https://amzn.to/2QDtPaz Dan: https://amzn.to/2QSeGlT & https://amzn.to/31IhYhB
1:54:10 Things that we are lusting after and things that we have bought lately
https://store.warlordgames.com/products/stalingrad-battle-set
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaHpBBEumFA& (https://www.otpterrain.com/)
https://store.warlordgames.com/collections/new-releases/products/bolt-action-battlefield-debris
https://store.warlordgames.com/products/carro-armato-semovente

Stay classy!

​Following are some example of our images, enjoy! :-)

UPDATE 19/10/2020: A warlord rep has confirmed this to be true.

I got an odd web survey invitation from Warlord Games. Almost as an answer to Dan's wish from the last podcast it seams as if Warlord might be looking to re-sculpt the British army minis. Those units do look a bit dated in my opinion and they could do with a refresh, here are some screen shots from the survey I'm not sure how many people received this it may have been warlords entire online store database in which case most people would have seen this anyway. My thoughts along with the images below.

In summary, Dear Warlord games, if you build it I will come. [buy]

Continued below...

Coming soon - Valhallagames has secured a site wide discount voucher for 3d printed terrain for our subscribers and community. This is from an Australian 3D print provider (with hundreds of products). 

Details to be revealed soon. :-)

Next podcast less than a week away... "Freeze frame" all about miniature photography plus the usual chit chat about hobby and products.

 Welcome to Valhalla Games first "paint and learn" video. In this first episode Dan uses the fantastic 28mm Offensive Miniatures WWII British Airborne to explain how he paints a realistic depiction of the WWII era red devils uniform complete with the *REAL* colour for those maroon berets. As well as painting, Dan talks about the historical evolution of the uniform its self.

If you enjoyed this video please like and subscribe. Also consider supporting valhallagames via patreon at https://www.patreon.com/valhallagames

Check out offensive miniatures web site here https://www.offensiveminiatures.com/ for a fantastic range of miniatures including the NEW RELEASE British Paratroopers shown in this video.

Dan reveals his finished Battle for Berlin German defenders, in the flip side to Rex's Stalingrad project in this WW2 tale of Two Cities.

As well as motivating each other to move our projects on, Dan references being inspired by James' Berlin forces and terrain work on his "JvC Paints" channel, heres the link- go check it out ;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxK_MmW3EPnOiVGCt4TA85Q

If you like what we do on our Channel, Podcast and Hobby website & Blog, please consider becoming a Patron;
https://www.patreon.com/valhallagames

Thanks All! keep your hobby going!

Lets have a quick look at the 3d Printed Stalingrad fountain from otpterrain.com. Rex has bought 2 (one for Dan also) will the be the beginning of a new 3d printed goods love affair? As always if you like our content please like, subscribe and share.

Join Dan as he reviews the forthcoming Offensive Miniatures British Airborne medic/ casualty vignette, drop container and sniper miniatures. Also the Ltd Ed Tropical Fallshirmjager with pack mule. Look forward to a how to paint video starring the British Airborne, coming soon!....

Podcast EP12: The Dirty Dozen... In this twelfth episode of the valhallagames podcast Dan & Rex talk about all things hobby, new projects, what's new in wargaming, what historical events we "want to game" and finally getting out of lockdown (for Australia and new Zealand at least).

Part two is an in depth discussion around the challenges (imagined or otherwise) in putting the most hated soldiers of any WWII army on the table, and just who are those soldiers? Does it depend on your perspective and what country you happen to come from? Should we be sensitive to political issues in wargaming or always just play "the good guys" so that we don't offend or in the end is it just a game?

We would love to hear your thoughts at https://valhallagames.net/index.php/contact

Game on Australia and New Zealand (but stay safe!).

Search for us in your favorite podcast app or click on the image below to access the web player.

We have a new video on YouTube. In this workbench video we take a look at Rex's new 28mm rail yard terrain project for Bolt Action and Chain of Command (well it doesn't exist quite yet but this will form the centerpiece). Rex thinks about train scale, does this look good or should it be more "Suitable for 28mm" scale? 

Rex's Winter Germans paint recipe is here... (click on the image below)

Dan & Rex face off again in the continuing campaign based on the real WWII battles around Primosole Bridge, in Sicily 1943. "Scattered to the four winds" is the second scenario in the nine scenario campaign. Check out the other games in our channel playlist. This battle report uses the Bolt Action miniature war games rules and 28mm miniatures from various manufactures including Offensive Miniatures, Warlord Games, Artizan Designs and Perry Miniatures. If you enjoyed the video please subscribe for more and check out the podcast by searching for valhallagames (one word) in your podcast app. Thanks for watching! Please share , like and subscribe.

Hi everyone, yes I have been a bit quiet lately, life getting in the way of wargames, hate it when that happens. Here are three test models from the Warlord Games plastic Winter Germans boxed set. 

Model "A" is completed clear coated and based in a deep, fresh snow base style. Although I'm pretty happy with it I feel that there isn't enough contrast in the Great Coat especially at 4 feet in the usual poor light.

The two "B" models have not been clear coated yet and with the above in mind I have overemphasized the highlighting so as to hopefully still be good after the clear-coat try's to kill off all my good efforts. Just an officers hat to go (I hate it when you have to spend an hour working out what colour a hat is) then these three are done and its time for the other 27ish.

Having completed an entire podcast on clear-coat (here), I thought I would take Dan's advice an purchase a can of Tamiya TS-80 flat clear-coat. I gave it a try and it went well, having taken that medication (or placebo) I felt all better and have been enjoying the TS-80 flat and "not-so-much-colour-knockback" effect. Recently though I painted up 3 of the exact same mini and I thought it would be worth while doing a more objective test. Below are three soviet squad leaders looking out across the broken cityscape for danger in the form of enemy in grey. Click on the image for the supersized version. The minis are clear-coated as follows:

• One is sprayed with Testers Dullcoat
• One is sprayed with Tamiya TS-80
• One has not had any clear top coat at all

Needing To build upon the Waffen SS army that ive been working on so they can provide suitable enemy forces to my allies, I have been forging ahead, using the outside chance that I might get to Sydney for MOAB this year ( should it be run in the current COVID 19 circumstances!-Kids of the future ask your parents ;) as a deadline/ impetus to get the job done while in lockdown.

  Latest additions are some SS tank riders from the always-fantastic Offensive miniatures, and a pair of Rubicon models. I added the sdkfz 250/9 upgrade kit (also from Rubicon) as id always admired the build, and then having played against one in my chain of command game at Lard Island vs Richard Clark it looked so fantastic on the table i had to get one myself! 

Once armed it was full steam ahead to get the models put together. This was honestly the ONLY time ive ever had an issue using my plastic glue on the Rubicon models. I DID get the plastic magic glue as a back up purely due to the fact i couldnt get any trusty citadel glue. But my issue was the application of said plastic magic..Honestly; the bushes provided coupled with the fact the level of the glue is so low they barely make contact, then the glue dries barren so fast i just gave up! and later i did regret it; various parts didnt glue as well as previously.

I really cant complain as they quite clearly state this may be the case. Its just that IVE never had this issue before with citadel glue. never mind, got there in the end.

BTW- the pick in the pioneer tools on the opposite side to the photo shown below?..dont bother. it sits awkward on the stowage box on that side &  the hole guides they tell you to drill out are too big. MEH...leave it off and consider it stowed elsewhere from sight.

Incidentally; if you are wondering or had missed it ; YES! the 250/251 autocannon upgrade kits let you make  2 turrets each with cannon; 1x 250 alte , PLUS either a 250 Neu OR 251/23. good value. so ive kept the remainder so i can make a 250 NEU, as i believe the 251/23 wasnt actually produced except prototype. 

The schwimmwagon was lovely to put together also. Another fine model from Rubicon. One  suggestion i would have is leave the double-pioneer tools (on the side facing us in this pic) off until you apply paint and then the load /weight decal and then superglue the tools on. I didnt do this- my vehicle like many doesnt have the painted details intact. no issues. but if you want to apply the decal then try my suggestion perhaps.

I grabbed another vehicle i needed to spray up and got out my long-suffering airbrush and whipped up some;

Dunkelgelb ( VMA Dark yellow), zenithal  highlights adding a tiny bit of ivory to the 'gelb.

Green camo; Tamiya NATO green

Brown Camo; VMC Flat Brown / Chocolate brown in a 66/33- ish!  ratio .

i used some blisterpack sponge and chipped with;  

firstly; the dunkelgelb mixed with a little VMC Ivory...just enough to stand out slightly against both the dunkelgelb base and the areas of the zenithal highlight also.

then when dry; VMC Black grey was  sponged on.

 A Burnt umber oil wash was used in a 'standard' way that scale modellers use to define detail and plates of armour etc. 

When everything was done, then all the details painted in to satisfaction, i used Tamiya TS80 flat clear spray ( as i always do!) to seal and knock back the sheen from the  thinner from the wash and the paints themselves. I love this varnish. it doesnt kill the vibrancy of the colours but makes the model lovely and Matt- try it! 

( The Borgward Wanze only got the green cam for a last levy cam pattern)

Its a shame that this schimmwagon kit didnt come with any plastic sheet to create a windscreen. I dont know if Rubicon provide that with other light vehicles. I did have some spare from warlord opel blitz kits but of course- id just used it elsewhere! never mind; at the moment mines kicked out following damage, and ill add one later if i wish.

Heres some staged pics;

The subtle mud effect on the vehicles like all the ones i have done on this army are the "Vallejo Environment" product 73.826 "Mud and Grass", and a dusting from tamiya weathering makeup kit of dark sand and sand just to pick out tyre treads etc. 

Ive left the pair of optional pintle MGs of the swimmwagon at the moment, i can add them if i choose they just slip in and out of the pintle.

The tank riders work is underway and i aim to finish them off in the next few days.

Nothing more needs to be said after the last post. Have a great day enjoy your (relative) freedom. Rex