Battlefront Matilda II

So with V4 being played in my group, I am starting to make some changes to existing armies to refresh them for the new version of the rules. One of the biggest changes in V4 is the morale rules. Tank units now take a last stand test when they have less than 2 active tanks. This means for a unit of 2 tanks, a single bail or kill means a test. In V3, the unit needed more destroyed than active tanks to test. So, my unit of 2 Soviet Matildas need reinforcing with a third AFV.

My 2 Matildas were only painted up this year. Strangely enough, they were painted with V4 in mind. It goes to show that I was still working out what V4 meant when I painted up just two. That article was more of a trash to treasure post than a proper review, so here is a review.

I am not covering any new ground here. The Matilda blister has been around for a while. You will see that I painted up mine up as a Lend Lease Soviet Vehicle but given that battlefront are currently releasing MW books for V4, I expect we might see Matildas featured in a future book. This is pure speculation based on historical usage. Will we use plastic Matildas from our friends at Battlefront? I hope so.

Review:

The blister contains a resin hull, 2 metal tracks, a CS and a 2 pound gun, two hatches and commander. This is my 5^th Matilda and I have not had a problem to date. Inspection of the pieces revealed no obvious issues. The distinctive tracks and sides are clean and without casting issues. The hull is nicely detailed including rivets. I particularly like that there is an option to have both turret hatches open. Finally the CS is a simple but well thought out inclusion.

 After a quick clean-up, dry fitting was a breeze and after just a few minutes, I had a fully assembled tank. Given that this is to be a 3^rd tank in a unit with an existing commander, I simply glued both hatches closed. I fitted the turret with a 2 pound gun barrel.

Unlike the recent Valentine I reviewed earlier, the Matilda hull is not recessed for a magnet. Not a big issue to add one, I chose not to.

Painting:

As I am matching an existing unit, I again painted up this tank in Green. You might recall in the original article I covered that the Soviets generally didn’t repaint lend lease tanks unless they were repaired. At the time, I painted my first 2 tanks up as repaired as I had literally dragged them from the spares pile and completed my own repairs on them prior to painting. I have simply followed the same scheme on this one. After putting this one away, I noticed that I had originally used VJ German Camo. Medium Brown on the exhausts of the first two. This one had the exhaust painted VJ Cavalry Brown with a highlight of VJ Red Leather.

I will add some decals as soon as I can find them.

Conclusion:

The Matilda is one of those great models that I keep coming back to. It was used in a number of theaters (Desert, Eastern Front, and Pacific) by a number of the allies. There is also an option for Germans to run a Beute Matilda! The model is nicely detailed, easy to put together and cuts a fine figure on the table. If Battlefront bring out a plastic model, I could well see myself to buying 20 or so more to run in Late War.

I hope you enjoyed this review.

On the Prowl in a recent game.

100 Hasty Posts

Today I hastily post up my 100th blog post and look back at the 99 that proceeded it.

Nearly 8 months ago I shared my ambition of blogging about my my hobby; namely painting, modelling and gaming. I have written lots of reviews of figures, terrain and books. I have reported back on tournaments and events I have attended. I have even provided my thoughts on releases and the new V4 rules. Most importantly for me, I am still here, still painting, still playing and still blogging.

Here are some highlights:

My first review. Some unassuming German HMGs:

My first report from a tournament. This one was Team Yankee at Moab.

A post about the small world of wargaming.

My first list building post. The mighty Romanians from V3.

The first of my painting tips from an average painter series.

My thoughts on V4

And...

My first treasures from the top drawer post

I hope you have enjoyed the first 100, I did.

MOAB 2016 - Flames of war - Day 3

Day 3 dawns and 2 more games to go. 8 games is a long event but does provide plenty of game time for keen FOW'ers. 

The tournament was ably organised by Nigel who ran a fun and well organised event. It was won by John - Well done. The sponsors were very generous and there were prizes for all plus a box of box of buildings for the "terrain pool".

Overall the level of painting and terrain was excellent. Here are the some pics I snapped on the last day.

German Halftrack

One of my new HMGs on the table

Ambushing Panzers. Achtung!

Another table shot.

German Grenadiers

RSO Pak 40.

And one more table shot.

And with that, another tournament is done. I hope you enjoyed the coverage. Please feel free to leave a message.

MOAB Team Yankee - Day 3.

For day 2 action, please click here

The Team Yankee guys played an all-in game on a large table for day three at MOAB. Here are a few pics I snapped checking it out. The table was set right in the center of the main hall as a show piece event.

I also managed to pick up a copy of the new mini rule book for Team Yankee. Thank you Battlefront.

I hope you have enjoyed my coverage of Team Yankee at MOAB. Please feel free to leave comments.

Semovente 105/25 or the Small World of Toy Tanks.

Story:

At MOAB one of the key draw cards is The Bring and Buy stand. This is where players consign lots of unwanted figures to the organizers who sell these on the owners behalf for a 10% cut.

I stopped by and picked up four nicely painted Semovente 105/25. I have been looking for these models for a while as I have wanted to use them in some of the Late War Italian lists.

Taking my spoils back to the FOW area, I showed them to one of the painters of the group, Ben. Ben quickly informed me that he had actually painted them years earlier as a commission job.

The world of toy tanks and man dollies is indeed small!

History:

The Semovente 105/25 is an Italian built self-propelled gun. 12 were built and saw service under the Italian flag in 1943. After the Italian surrender, the Germans captured these units and built a further 91 vehicles. These vehicles then saw service in Italy and the Balkans.

Looking at photos of the vehicles in WW2, the Semovente 105/25 had a distinctive camouflage scheme different to the models I picked up. Oh well, they look pretty.

Pictures:

And onto the eye candy…

MOAB 2016 - Flames of War - Day 2

For my post on FOW Late War day 1, click here.

So with day light saving starting earlier in the day, 20 odd gamers arrived early for a second day of late war fun.

Here are some of the pics I snapped:

Battle for rail head.

Pak 40 on over watch.

Heavy Mortars

I see your counter and raise you 4

Road covered.

Panzers emerging from the wood.

German infantry advancing through a ruins

US Tank Company

Team Australia dice.

Shermans forward.

Soviet defense.

Chaffee Company.

Another game underway

A very nice, player-provided table.

Soviets in the barracks.

Stay tuned for day 3...