Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Maxim HMG Team'

Well I did not think I was going to be able to get another model finished this month, but Friday night I squeezed in my Soviet Maxim HMG Team.

I've got two boys graduating next week (one in High School, one in Jr. High) with family flying in.  Then taking the extended family off to Disneyland the week after.  Gonna be busy.

Once June come around, I'll be busy with the modeling/painting.  A bunch more models for Bolt Action, then need to finish out some units for Warhammer Fantasy.

Soviet Union: Maxim HMG

Soviet Union: Maxim HMG

Soviet Union: Maxim HMG

Painting Points: 3

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Flamethrower Team'

A few weeks ago, Warlord Games announced a new Soviet Union 'Flamethrower Team', '50mm Light Mortar Team' and an 'Ampulomet'.  When I heard that they were releasing these models, I had to order them right away.  With Royal Mail taking there usual two weeks to ship items to me, they finally arrived late last week.  Seeing how I already had a few items on my painting board, these models were going to slide to the back burner for a short while.  With already having a 'Medium Mortar' for my Soviet army, I am in no rush to finish the 'Light Mortar', but I am for the 'Flamethrower' and 'Ampulomet'.

The Soviet did not previously have a 'Flamethrower' model from Warlord Games for their army.  Yes there is a 'Flamethrower' with the 'Assault Engineers' (still yet to model and paint) but not in their standard Soviet uniform.  So this model was first to hit the painting board once I cleared up my other models.

Last night it was there turn for the board and they were completed after my game of X-Wing last night.

Soviet Union: Flamethrower Team

Soviet Union: Flamethrower Team

Painting Points: 2

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'ISU-122/152 Tank 201'

Saturday was all about painting the 'big' stuff.  As you know I completed a ZiS-3 76mm Divisional Gun, but I also had worked on a few vehicles too.  When the ZiS-3 arrived from Warlord, the ISU-122 I also ordered, arrived at the same time.  I waited until Saturday to get started on this tank since I was going to use the airbrush and had to get the garage all setup to use it.

While I was assembling the ISU-122 during the week, I noticed on the bottom of the resin chassis that it was engraved "ISU-122/152".  I then did some research and learned that the hull of these two tanks were identical.  While opening the package for the gun turret, I also noticed that Warlord included both turrets.  The A-19 gun for the ISU-122 and the 152mm howitzer for the ISU-152.  With this, I knew I had to utilize magnets for the guns so then I could have 2 tanks for the price of 1.

This coming weekend is going to be fun to try these two new toys for the Soviets.

Soviet Union: ISU-122 (A-19 Gun)

Soviet Union: ISU-122 (A-19 Gun)

Soviet Union: ISU-152 (152mm Howitzer)

Painting Points: 10

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'ZiS-3 76mm Divisional Gun'

Some of my Soviet models have started to trickle in from Warlord Games.  Once I saw I received my ZiS-3 76mm Divisional Gun, I knew I had to quickly assemble it and get it painted so it can hit the tabletop.

The 76mm was the backbone in many ways of the Soviet field guns. Capable of accurate direct fire and also as a howitzer, the 76mm was a classic in design and was universally used by the Russian armies even though the Korean War and beyond.

I cannot wait to see how this weapon does on the battlefield.

Soviet Union: ZiS-3 76mm Divisional Gun

Soviet Union: ZiS-3 76mm Divisional Gun

Painting Points: 3

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Submachine Gun Squad 1'

It was a pretty busy week this week with 'real' work so afterwards I just wanted to relax.  Plus this past Wednesday was my youngest sons birthday so we had to go out for dinner, but I was able to get a squad painted this week. 

I had 8 Soviet models left from my sprues and plenty of submachine guns left, so I though I would add the existing 3 SMG men that I have and make a full squad of 11.  I can then run them a separate squad, or use these SMG men as additions to my existing units.

Soviet Union: Submachine Gun Squad 01

Soviet Union: Submachine Gun Squad 01

Painting Points: 8

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Sniper Team'

Now that the core of my Soviet Union army and my son's United States army are complete, it was time to start adding some additional units to them.

Seeing how I had some extra Soviet men on sprues, I decided that a 'Sniper Team' would be added to my army.  Hitting on a 2+ and ignoring cover will come in handy to pick off some enemy officers.

It has been a few weeks since I last painted a Soviet infantry model, I had to reference my own blog just to double check on some colors.

While I was painting these two models, I also had two Soviet SMG men already assembled.  I decided to paint these at the same time.  The SMG men are just extra men that can be fitted into my existing units.

Soviet Union: 'Sniper Team'

Soviet Union: 'SMG Men'

Painting Points: 4

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Rifle Squad'

Yesterday my sprues finally came in from Warlord Games in the UK and I was able to complete the remaining 4 Riflemen of my 'Free Rifle Squad'.  Once they arrived I quickly glued them all together, sand on the base, black primer, and away we went with the paint.  By the end of the night I was able to have them all completed and this morning they received their dull coat.

So it is now official, my Soviet Union 1000 points is all ready for next weekends Gathering in the Desert: Operation Scorpion.

Soviet Union: 'Rifle Squad'

Soviet Union: 'Rifle Squad'

Painting Points: 12

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'T-34/85 Tank 101'

Well technically I have now completed my 1000 points for my Soviet Union army for Bolt Action.  I do still have 4 Riflemen that I need to assemble/paint once they arrive from the UK as part of my army special rule "Quantity Has A quality All Of Its Own" that allows me a 'free' twelve-man strong Rifle Squad of Inexperienced infantry equipped with all the options available to them.

Besides finishing that squad, the last item on my plate was my Soviet T-34/85 Tank.  As I mentioned in my 'Daily Chronicle' the other day, I went out and purchased a new Iwata airbrush for the purpose of base coating my vehicles.  This past Saturday I got to use that airbrush for the first time and applied the base on my tank and last night decided to finish up the rest of it.  I was also contemplating if I wanted to airbrush the 'wash' once completed, or brush it in.  Since it was already late a night (after watching two episodes of 'Band of Brothers'), I elected to brush on the wash.  Today I applied the Soviet Red Star decal and the dull coat.

Soviet Union: T-34/85 Tank 101

Soviet Union: T-34/85 Tank 101

Soviet Union: T-34/85 Tank 101

Soviet Union: T-34/85 Tank 101

Since I am ahead of schedule on getting my army completed in time for the Gathering in the Desert event, I may elect now to build a few more infantry and swap some of the options I have chosen.

Painting Points: 10

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Commissar'

The other night while painting my 'Lieutenant', I had decided to also paint up my 'Commissar' model.  Currently in my 1000 point list, he is not needed, but in the future he may be used and he can also double-up as a higher ranking officer such as a Captain or a Major in larger point games.  I am still waiting for some additional rifleman to arrive from England, so instead of waste time and leave him sitting alone, he hit the painting board.

Soviet Union: Commissar

Soviet Union: Commissar

Soviet Union: Commissar

Painting Points: 1

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Senior Lieutenant & Soldiers'

The light at the end of the tunnel is getting nearer.......

Last night it was time to paint up my Soviet Command 'Senior Lieutenant' and his 2 soldiers that will be accompanying him.

Soviet Union: Senior Lieutenant & Soldiers

Soviet Union: Senior Lieutenant & Soldiers

All that is left to paint for my 1000 points list is my T-34/85 Tank and my 'free' 12 man Rifle Squad.  I am still waiting for some sprues from Warlord Games so I can complete the Rifle Squad, but today I will start on what I do have.

Painting Points: 3

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Guards Squad 3 & 4'

I was able to also finish most of these squads this past weekend, minus the bases.  Last night I completed the bases and present to you 'Guards Squad 3 & 4'

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 03

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 03 

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 04

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 04

Painting Points: 22

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Guards Squad 1 & 2'

Well this past weekend was better than expected with what I wanted to accomplish in painting my Soviet Union Army for 'Bolt Action'.

Besides completing my 'Anti-Tank Rifle Team', '81mm Medium Mortar Team', and my 'Medic', I was able to complete two of my 'Guards Squads' plus the start on another two squads.

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 01

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 01

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 02

Soviet Union: Guards Squad 02

Tonight we will complete 'Guards Squads' 3 and 4.

Painting Points: 22

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union 'Medic'

While painting my Infantry models in an assembly line fashion yesterday, I had decided to take a break and paint up my Medic.  I wanted to feel like something was getting accomplished and finished.

I tried to paint this model similar in colors as the example model in my 'Armies of the Soviet Union' book.

Soviet Union: Medic

Soviet Union: Medic

Soviet Union: Medic

Painting Points: 1

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Bolt Action: Soviet Union '81mm Medium Mortar Team'

Today is the day that I start to speed paint my Soviet Infantry models, so last night I decided to paint my 81mm Medium Mortar Team to get them out of the way and have another unit complete.

Soviet Union: 81mm Medium Mortar Team

Soviet Union: 81mm Medium Mortar Team

Soviet Union: 81mm Medium Mortar Team

Painting Points: 3

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