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Being a modeller for quite a few years now, I decided to explore the endless possibilities that the world (through internet) offers, and come up with a series of ways of building, modelling and painting fast (but not hastily), to create the worlds I was seeing in history books since I was little. . .If you care to join me. . . This is the place to be! And, I promise you to find the way (or ways)!!

Tuesday 18 September 2012

British Artillery Battery - Finished!!

Hi everyone! I hope you are all well!

Last weekend I managed to complete (from A to Z) my British Artillery Battery unit.
 It’s been a long journey for me, in terms of time, effort, budget (you all know how things are in Greece for us employees of the private sector…),and plenty of other things, like normal life, that were getting in the way constantly.

From a FOO and his companion radio operator, to the units’ Officers and their maps, many other models have played their part to a certain (big or small) degree. Since this post was meant to be a BIG one (you don’t have – I – everyday the chance to complete a whole unit, even in 20mm scale), I took a lot of photos, I played (in photoshop) with them- don’t worry I haven’t ‘touched’ the models, I only ‘unified’ the terrain pieces onto the table (erased the black lines to be exact), and in order to give a historic flavor in these I made them ‘black-and white’. A tedious task, may I say, but it was well worth the effort. If you come to think that while taking the photos, my kitchens’ sink flooded, for no apparent reason (s…t happens let me say) so I had to play the role of ‘Bob the builder’, then you will acknowledge the effort I put on for this post. If not, at least please pretend doing so…. :-)

On with the photos then:

The Normandy battlefield, dipped in serenity and calmness. Hedgerows and trees all around. A nice farm on the west, abandoned by its inhabitants.  The Brits haven’t woke up yet, I guess it was too early for them. :-)



Hidden in the bushes, up in the hill, two men, two brave men observe the battlefield, looking for Germans. Taking notes, looking for their enemies and confirming coordinates with their fellow soldiers back in the HQ.


Back in the HQ, safe behind their sandbags, the radio operators write down the coordinates and hand them in the Officers Tent for further analysis and interpretation.



The Officers process the numbers, mark their map and issue orders. The symphony is about to begin…



Back in the reserve, the Matadors after carrying upfront the guns are being parked behind the trees. Some soldiers guard them with a worried eye (they had too much of whiskey the night before – a spoil from their US allies). Things could have been worse for them, they all agree… :-)


The guns in full array, ready to unleash some fat missiles. At least they will get a decent breakfast….
In the meantime, their crews are beginning their preparations by unloading the materiel from the trucks, piling the ammo crates, on their pallets. They will soon receive their orders.


A view from up above:



I must confess I feel very lucky, that I had the chance to share my work with you during all these months. You were able to see this thing starting from scratch. I got many ideas from the web and from your work as well. Your help and support, helped me to carry on and complete this project. For that, I’d like to thank you (and if you all were around, I’d buy you a beer..). :-)

In case you are interested, I already have started my new project – German Field Artillery Battery. I now have plenty things to make, but, based on my experience from this project, I reckon that I’ll manage to sort it out as well. That doesn’t mean that I’ll abandon my plucky Brits in the meantime, so no need to worry. Things will go as planned.


Stay tuned boys and girls! :-)
T.

41 comments:

  1. A wonderful game table with incredible nature and a completely realistic gun crews, congratulations

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    1. Thank you Bart. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  3. Great job, Thanos! The figures, vehicles, and scenery look really nice on the tabletop battlefield. So, the Germans are about to experience the British outside-symphony of hot exploding lead...let her rip!!

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    1. Yeap, that's their intention.
      Thank you Jay.

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  4. Absolutely fabulous Thanos, it has been a real treat to see this project develop from start to finish.

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    1. It took a while indeed Michael, but I managed to pull it through in the end. :-)

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  5. Wonderful! Your table looks so full of life... I learned a lot from your tutorials. It's good to see all the terrain pieces in action. They add so much to the visual experience. I'm jealous :)

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    1. Thank you Ender...I am very happy that you found my posts useful for your projects. That was my intention from the beginning (as well with my self bragging)!! Hehe....

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  6. Beautiful scenery, guns, vehicles, figures, everything! Thank you for bringing us along the ride and teaching me everything I'll need for when I'll start my NW Europe British army in a couple months.

    *(and about that beer, I don't think distance is an issue, unless you don't want to pay the shipping and handling fees!)

    Keep it up!
    FF

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    1. Α gentleman keeps his word mate! What beer do you prefer? :)

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  7. This is fantastic Thanos and clearly well worth the time you spent doing it. You are the envy of many today I can tell you that.

    You've a real knack with macro photography and I'd like to know how you get those shots. So I'm going to ask you this "Tutorial please!!"

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    1. Thank you my sweet Anne!
      When it comes to photos I am afraid I don't do much, my Iphone camera does all the work....I am absolutely in love with it. It knows when and how to shoot.As if it's alive. :)

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  8. Wow! what an impressive looking set up and minis, excellent all round...

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  9. Stunning Thanos, excellent painting, minis and table mate, a very cool project, btw, I was a FO in my last job, gunners are the best:)

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    1. Really...give us your lights Al. Did I hid these poor sods properly? :-)

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  10. wonderful Thanos, those are some fine figs, guns, terrain pieces and trucks. its a wonderful compilation of the work you have done in recent times and it is a joy to see it all set up as you have! I am glad I have seen these post and I cannot wait to see what you do next. I will admite that you have been a great source of knowledge for some of my work ans I hope to use what I have learnt from you in my own Orongro project, I feel that I must show you something of use but I think it will be hard you are very good at what you do!

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    1. You know what I think mate?
      If you like your work, then it's damn fine! Never, never, never hide your work. Be proud of it! :) I am sure that yours will be excellent. Thank you.

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  11. Makes me want to go and play Blitzkrieg on my PC. Cracking work on these as already said the miniatures and the table are wonderful

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    1. A lot of money spent on a good purpose. That's how I see it. Thanks Brummie!

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  12. This has been a great project T- the whole package looks excellent.
    Thanks for sharing it.

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    1. The honour is mine sir. You are the ones who visit my blog and I should be thanking you for that. :)

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  13. More, more, more of this!!! Beautiful models! Thx for sharing :-)
    Our wargaming group will play this Saturday and after seeing your pics I can´t wait to start the game.

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    1. Hope you had a good game mate!
      Thank you for your kind words.

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  14. Excellent work Thanos!! Those are some beautiful figures and photos.

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  15. This project turned out excellent!! Enjoy them pounding the enemy.

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  16. Congratulations, Thanos. All so lovingly built!

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    1. Lovingly indeed Bill. I like these little men. :) Thank you

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  17. Great work! Fantastic minis, a great looking table, and quality photography. It's been really interesting seeing how you've built up the whole battery, including all of the supporting elements like spotter and scenery that normally get forgotten.

    It will be interesting to see how you get on with your German battery. At the end, combined with your US airborne from a while back, you should be well-equipped to tackle a Brecourt Manor type scenario!

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    1. That's the plan Alan...I am currently looking for some good looking figures and terrain pieces to do the job! :)

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  18. I forgot to say, their's only one element missing now. I wonder if anyone makes a model of a Tommy brewing some tea :-) ?

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    1. Yeap, AB figures do some figures of plucky Brits drinking tea! :)

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  19. Very cool Thanos, great looking unit, you will want a big table to deploy them though.

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    1. Space...a vast ocean of planets and stars, but not in my workshop room. I already have a big problem of storage. Its good that I am still single, but when I get married...I'll definitely have an additional problem regarding that (among other issues as well, but that's another story..) ;)

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  20. Fantastic T!

    A real labour of love an it shows. FOO's are notorious lazy blighters, add a Airfix Halftrack to keep them happy!

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  21. Fantastic gaming table! And all the parts of your previous posts come very well together! Excellent looking unit!

    Greetings
    Peter
    http://peterscave.blogspot.be/

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