Bolt Action

[MrBrightSi]

I know this is the scale model sub forum, but am just wondering if there's anyone on here who collects/plays this tabletop game? Always wanted to get into some form of physical war game compared to something on the pc, i saw the 40k thread and even though it is definitely the more popular, i wanted something historical compared to sci-fi, i was tempted to go the team-Yankee route as the cold war gone hot scenario is something that interests me quite a lot too.

If there's anyone could give me some advice for starting it'd be much appreciated.

[MrBrightSi]

Both of them look brilliant. Quite interested in the first and currently looking through websites for details. The starwar's boardgame had caught me eyes recently, but as much as i like the original 3 and got on quite well with the bioware knights of the old republic and the recent MMO i've never been too hardcore a fan. I've got a dusty 2 player card game that i need to give a try, but the other half refuses to watch even the original trilogy and wouldn't get near enough enjoyment out of it without the backing material.

Had you been in the same continent i'd of offered you a game of fleet haha. Thanks for the suggestions Ash.

[MrBrightSi]

Nuclearsquash said:

Bolt Action by Warlord is a solid 28mm game, but it might be worth looking at Battlegroup Kursk (and it's other campaign supplements) for an excellent 20/15mm WW2 game. (http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=70)

They are also going to be doing a WW3 Cold War goes hot version as well.

FoW seems to have upset some since moving to 4th Ed.

Will definitely keep that in mind. Found that Warlord's company HQ and big shop is 20 minutes away and tonight they had a bit of an open evening/gaming night. Popped down and soon as the 10% off came out ended up investing in a bit of starter kit and paints to have a go at the modelling side and have enough of a squad together to head down now and again to learn how to play. The chap who helped me out said if im free in the day anytime and they're not too busy he'd be quite happy to show me how it's played and give some pointers of painting too, was really open and helpful with enough variety of people there playing to give it all a go.



So we've got the late British infantry with enough to make 2 squads, command team and a support team as well as enough paints and the British faction book with a lot of flavour text as well as various rules, was told to leave a personal rulebook as going down there they're quite happy for players to use the companies rule books which is another decent thing by them.

Will have to update this thread when i've made some progress in building the men up.

[MrBrightSi]

Nuclearsquash said:

Great stuff. Bolt Action is a great game, and easy to get your head round but still tactically deep, I also like the order dice mechanic, so you don't have to wait ages for your turn.

I've got a Soviet force that I'm slowly painting my way through, and a British starter box on my to build pile as well.

Would love to see some pics of your progress if you don't mind. I'm still trying to get my head around how many arms and poses i can get away with for 2 squads of 10 before i only have "piat arms" left.

Managed to finish my 2 bren gunners and a 2" mortar team yesterday, had a lot of fun trying to get everything matched up and looking pretty good, bought a cheap magnifying glass and stand from Boyes and it's already paid for itself.

[MrBrightSi]

Those look brilliant nuclearsquash, thanks for sharing, im a bit in the same boat as i have 2 models to build up that are burning away in the corner demanding my attention, not lucky enough to have a child but do have a very needy pug/cavalier that has took quite a shine to anything he knows he shouldn't be near.

Heres a picture of the work so far after a bit of primer:


From 1 box of infantry i've managed to make:
2x 10-man squads, these have a bren gunner and loader as well as a sten equipped NCO.
2-man 2" mortar team.
An artillery spotter
HQ squad with my free officer -Captain Charles Upham VC and Bar, came free with the Brit army book, great story behind his achievements and have seen a bit about him in Colditz when i went last year). This is a 1st lieutenant and 2 riflemen as retinue.

Will try and update with my painting progress although that is the most daunting of all, i've always sucked at painting any kind of models to any degree of decency and it will be my first time using acrylics over enamels, i'm kind of sad i wont be half high after using the paints.

[MrBrightSi]

Just a quick update. The building of these things has been really beyond fun, they're not that great in the grand scheme, having seen Nuclearsquash's work as well as a lot of stuff online, i had a lot to aim for but the journey to the end of finishing my first two squads is in sight, so i'll post a quick update.

This is a rifleman just before using one of the washes, i do like the colours but far too cartoon-like and bright:


Now heres the bren gun loader with his bren gun bag post dark wash and a bit of highlighting, have to admit the skin tone is very dark with the wash, but it's really made putting the same colours (just webbing so far) back as a highlight really easy:


Also got all this to build for another day:

So thats a bren carrier, vickers machine gun team and a cromwell.

With the bren and vickers team + my original buy i have a 507 point army so can easily game with that. The Cromwell was bought because everyone needs a model of a 1000hp tank in their life.

[MrBrightSi]

Thought it was time for an update.

Well after getting a starter German army for my scary 30th birthday and some extra bits

I decided it was time to turn the spare room from hosting guests to a joint gym/hobby room



Started my bren carrier and currently about to start weathering and decal fixing.



Got the basing finished for my Brits too.



I've since toned down the green grass with some green ink, added a bit of depth to it and kept the colours a bit more in line with each other. Was going to brown ink the bases similar to the mortar as it does keep the soggy/wet ground look, but have steamrollered ahead too fast now so they'll stay as is.

Still got a huge to-do list:

Vickers group
Cromwell
Bren Carrier
German Panzergrenadiers
Pak40
Mg42 group
82mm Mortar
Puma
Stug/h
Hanomag

Still have yet to actually play a game with them, but far too into the modeling side for now.

Edited by MrBrightSi on Sunday 24th September 15:29

[MrBrightSi]

Theres a lot of gaming groups who are into the bolt action stuff right now, it's a bit more reasonable price wise than flames of war that is rigid and a fiddly scale.
As for paints, if you have a Boyes near you, they stock all the stuff you could want for decent prices including sets of paints. Amazon is also your friend for the paint sets too and they are well priced i'd say as a set can last for a long long time through many of the miniatures.

I've recently lost my buzz for it as i've started a new job after 2 years of semi-retirement and hospital treatment, my craftroom has become a blast chiller in the winter months also.

I started with a British infantry set which gave me 30 guys to be going at, 2 squads, a couple of weapons teams and command. That was enough to get me into a game with a group just to get a feel for it, then suddenly you get addicted and there's tanks everywhere and you're reading which gray Hugo Boss chose for German uniforms, just don't ask on any forums about field gray it'll open a massive can of worms.