HaT Germans

Hat WW2 German Tank Riders on a German SWS halftrack by Roco.

These figures are a nice size and are in a soft plastic that should take paint well.

There are enough poses for a full squad.

The troops will look good riding on a truck, halftrack, tank or even seated in an office.

Size comparison with the new HaT set 8262 and a Caesar Miniatures WWII German. They fit together well.

HaT Germans

This is the HaT Industrie WW2 German Tank Riders set.

44 figures in 11 poses riding on tanks.

The set is nearly flash free and all the figures are one piece.

The troops are early to mid war with their high boots and smart appearance.

Here is one soldier in a Stug III from Roco.

Building

This is one of the Dollar Tree buildings I picked up.

It is a neat little tree house like kids would make.

I cut it out of the tree and sanded it down.

It makes a nice little guard house. Caesar Miniatures WWII German guard for scale.

With the wooden sidewalk it would work as a small dock or boathouse.

Band

I got a couple of the LW Napoleonic Band sets.

I converted them to WWII German. I made the glockenspeil out of wire and plastic.

Some of the figures needed larger bases so they would stand up.

I made the saxophone and trombone. I added a helmet to each soldier and added the officer hat to the band leader.

It makes an okay band. Troops get a morale bonus when they can hear a cheery or inspirational tune.

60mm Troops

Surrounded by dirty, yellow, Commie, pigs!

Separating the sheep from the goats.

Cats and dogs after a shower.

Herding ducks.
A few more of my 60mm finds on eBay this week. It was a good auction week.

60mm Troops

Did some eBay shopping this week and picked up a few 60mm troops and animals.

I was not sure if this was supposed to be a collie or a big shaggy German shepherd dog. I decided to go with shaggy German shepherd. Lassie did not serve much time in the service.

A couple donkeys, with an MPC ring hand soldier.

They are supposed to be 60mm but these look like the Night of the Lepus scenario!

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Lepus-Stuart-Whitman/dp/B000A0GOGE

Martians

Using Rustoleum Plastic Primer, I primed the plastic dishes.

The plan is to prime the plastic in preparation for painting.

Make modual Martian buildings.

I just painted them, no sanding, no washing. All I did was take off the paper price sticker.

The paint covered well, it was windy and a little cold so the paint did not cover evenly, it beaded up in some places, but after several coats it worked out just fine.

Martians

When the Martians take over the Earth, naturally they will have to construct cities for their own use.

So a quick trip to the dollar store rounded up some architectural shapes for use by Martians.

Each plate or dish was only a dollar.

Stacked up they make impressive other worldly buildings. Now a little paint...

Easter Island

Even the inside view of this building is interesting.



It's a Sponge Bob toy for the aquarium.

I got it at WalMart in the fish tank section.

Looks like a great entrance to a mad scientists lair.

Two 1/72nd scale figures guard the entrance to the secret cave headquarters of their master.

Easter Island

I got this at WalMart a couple days ago.

It was less than $10.

I will use it with my Easter Island heads.

No painting, no assembly.

Just cut off the tag and on the table.

Wargame Scenarios

I look to books, history and movies for most of my wargame scenarios. I also like to link them together if I can. The book The War of the Worlds, by HG Wells describes a Martian invasion of England around 1898. The Orson Wells War of the Worlds radio broadcast depicted a Martian invasion of the United States in the 1930’s. The George Pal movie The War of the Worlds shows a Martian invasion of the United States in the mid-1950’s. Then in 2005 we got another updated American version of The War of the Worlds.

Each of these stories alludes or even depicts warfare against Martians in many parts of the world. Since my wargame collection includes the US Army since the beginning of the nation, I can play US Army vs Martians scenarios based on the depictions in these stories. I use walker Martian war machines for at least the 1898 and 1935 Martian attacks. For the 1953 attack I can use the Pegasus Martian war machine. For the 2005 Martian war I can use the new Pegasus Martian war machines that should be out very soon.

The troops that I use for the Boxer Rebellion, the HaT British Colonial and Americans I can use for the 1898 invasion. I can use the HaT & Imex WWI US Army troops for the 1935 invasion. My Imex Korean War troops work well for the 1953 invasion. For the most recent 2005 version, I can use the new Caesar Miniatures US Army.

Playing a science fiction game with historical figures allows me to get double duty out of my American Army. It also allows me to play another period, with an investment on only one side of the conflict. I am also using the Twilight Creations Martians! figures for Martian infantry. They are similar to the Martian soldiers in the Mars Attacks! movie. Twilight Creations says their Martians should be available soon as separate figures.

The other advantage of science fiction wargaming with historical figures is the terrain gets to do double duty. I already have American civilian buildings for use in historical wargames. So the cost of terrain is already paid for to do science fiction gaming with historical figures. Historical sci fi gaming is a good use of your collection.

210 Howitzer

This massive German howitzer was able to toss huge shells.

I intend to have it towed by Panther tractors.

It will destroy fortifications.

I have a small battery of two.

No German Army is complete without a few.