Experimenting with Speed Paints

 Most of my painting using Speed paints has been on figures of a more colourful nature.  I thought it might be fun to try the techniques on some WW2 figures.

Choosing the right colours was an interesting exercise, as the paints seem to be tailored towards the fantasy world, with 'Goblin Skin', 'Slaughter Red' and 'Palid Bone' being examples.  However, it is possible to mix the paints and to thin them down to make lighter tones.

As an experiment, I primed and based some 54mm Airfix Japanese and a single Britains 8th Army figure. Here are the results:

I am going to paint some more Japanese and some Airfix Australians.  I have in mind a Jungle based skirmish game.

Training Manuals - Airfix Guide Nos 12 & 20

Having been mentioned several times in previous post comments and as they are a constant source of information and inspiration, I thought I should mention these two little gems that have been in my collection for decades, They are Airfix magazine guide 12, Afrika Korps and number 20, 8th Army in the desert.:

These slim little books are packed with organisation, uniform, equipment and campaign history, all supported by great photographs and drawings:

Over the years I have collected a number of these guides and here is my complete collection:

Army Reforms 2 - 8th Army

Continuing to reorganise my old Airfix soldiers, it is the turn of the 8th Army.  I really like these figures as there is so much potential for conversion jobs, to upgrade existing and create new weapons that are not included in the set.  I have used a few matchbox figures, especially their mortar teams. I have also scratch built some 2 pdr anti tank guns:

The tanks are by EKO, similar to ROCO minitanks:

Artillery consists of 25 pdr field guns, 5.5" medium gun, 6 pdr anti-tank gun and 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns:

Then, best of all, we have the infantry. I just love these advancing figures:

Support weapons are the 2 pdr anti-tank gun, Boys anti-tank rifle, Vickers machine gun and 3" mortar:

In addition there is a motorised battalion, with mostly Matchbox figures:

And last but not least some sappers: