Hello All.
As promised, I will be conducting an Infantry Tutorial on this forum. I will be adding to it as I complete the various stages so this thread may take a few weeks to complete. Do not hesitate to ask questions!
FOCUS
Before starting your Infantry project, decide what it is exactly you want to complete. This could be as small as a squad of figures or a Company - its up to you. This will allow you to gather the number and poses of figures you need beforehand and keep the project focused on a goal.
For this project, I will be modeling a German Grenadier Kompanie 1941-43 (could double as dismounted Panzergrenadiers) with a few attachments. They will be based for Schwere Kompanie but could be used for various rule systems including Microarmor: The Game.
This Kompanie will consist of:
1 x GHQ Stand (Kompanie HQ)
1 x Forward Observer/Radio stand
3 x ATR stands
3 x Platoon HQ stands
12 x Squad stands (with LMG and rifle elements modeled)
This would model a Kompanie with Kompanie HQ with 3 x ATRs attached, and 3 x platoons of 4 x squads each.
As well, I will be modeling the following to use when Squads deploy into maneuver and fire teams or when causalities have been taken:
6 x LMG stands.
6 x Reduced Squad stands.
Attachments and additions to the Kompanie will be:
3 x Anti-tank (panzerknacker) Infantry stands (to replace the ATR stands in later Kompanies)
4 x Panzerfaust teams (for use in 1943).
2 x 8cm Mortar stands (added 1943).
3 x MMG stands (MG34 on Lafette tripod).
3 x HMG stands (MG42 on Lafette tripod).
- More to follow...
Infantry Tutorial
Moderators: dnichols, GHQ, Mk 1
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Ritter
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Infantry Tutorial
Last edited by Ritter on Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:02 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Ritter
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HQ
The Kompanie HQ will consist of 5 x figures:
1 x Kompanie commander Oberleutnant
1 x 2IC Hauptfeldwebel
1 x Unteroffizer
1 x Kompanie runner.
1 x Radioman (Funker).
I now base the GHQ on a small FOW base, turned upside-down (makes it super easy to pickup and makes edge-finishing not necessary - I don't know why this isn't the standard way!) Ignore the painted figures for now
I will elaborate on the methods later.
The Kompanie commander is a Russian Officer taken from the Individual Infantry blister. I bend down the sides of his cap and add a drop of superglue to the top to look more like a 'Crusher'.
The 2IC Hauptfeldwebel is a German Officer. I changed the pointing arm to one gripping his field glasses and removed the map.
The Unteroffizer is again a German Officer. I changed the pointing arm to one at his side and removed the map.
The Kompanie runner is one of the new figures from the German Individual Infantry #2 G-525. I bent down the arm holding the Kar-98 and turned his head a little.
The Funker is a German Flamethrower taken from the Individual Infantry G-144. The wand and hose are removed with an x-acto and nail-clippers and the tank on his back is squared up to look more like a radio. You could also remove it altogether and add one made from square stock.
Next the Forward Observer
Troy
The Kompanie HQ will consist of 5 x figures:
1 x Kompanie commander Oberleutnant
1 x 2IC Hauptfeldwebel
1 x Unteroffizer
1 x Kompanie runner.
1 x Radioman (Funker).
I now base the GHQ on a small FOW base, turned upside-down (makes it super easy to pickup and makes edge-finishing not necessary - I don't know why this isn't the standard way!) Ignore the painted figures for now
I will elaborate on the methods later.The Kompanie commander is a Russian Officer taken from the Individual Infantry blister. I bend down the sides of his cap and add a drop of superglue to the top to look more like a 'Crusher'.
The 2IC Hauptfeldwebel is a German Officer. I changed the pointing arm to one gripping his field glasses and removed the map.
The Unteroffizer is again a German Officer. I changed the pointing arm to one at his side and removed the map.
The Kompanie runner is one of the new figures from the German Individual Infantry #2 G-525. I bent down the arm holding the Kar-98 and turned his head a little.
The Funker is a German Flamethrower taken from the Individual Infantry G-144. The wand and hose are removed with an x-acto and nail-clippers and the tank on his back is squared up to look more like a radio. You could also remove it altogether and add one made from square stock.
Next the Forward Observer
Troy
Last edited by Ritter on Sat Mar 15, 2008 9:08 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Ritter
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Forward Observer
Pretty straight forward, I used the Observer and a converted Flamethrower figure from the German Infantry Individual Infantry blister G-144. I added a KAR-98 from the rifleman figure in G-525 and a gasmask container made from an arm of a spare German Officer - keep the rest of him for a crew helmet on a vehicle.
TR
Pretty straight forward, I used the Observer and a converted Flamethrower figure from the German Infantry Individual Infantry blister G-144. I added a KAR-98 from the rifleman figure in G-525 and a gasmask container made from an arm of a spare German Officer - keep the rest of him for a crew helmet on a vehicle.
TR
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Ritter
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isaacc
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Well don't different rulesets define figures differently? For example, Combined Arms uses 2-5 man "elements", whereas FireFly use squads. In Combined Arms it generally takes three bases to make one squad. But, moreso different rulesets define bases sizes differently. That is my main point. Even using the FOW bases you use, there are different bases sizes as defined by the rules.
I don't know. I'm asking. It has been my past experience that the size and shape of the base is an important part of the rules as it fits in with the rules' scale, artillery rules, etc.
I don't know. I'm asking. It has been my past experience that the size and shape of the base is an important part of the rules as it fits in with the rules' scale, artillery rules, etc.
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Ritter
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Actually, I base most of my Infantry on plastic disks - only the Artillery, AT and AA guns and now the GHQ are based on the small FOW bases.
Yes, different rulesets do define base size but as long as your bases are not too out to lunch, they should be fine. In the scope of a FRIENDLY game, 1/4-inch bigger/smaller bases are really not an issue and if the bases are too out of whack, measurements can be taken from the base center.
Whether your rule tell you that 3 figures on a base equals a squad or 10 figures, it really doesn't matter as long as you, the player, can tell the different types of units apart from each other. As well, if your ruleset says 2 x teams equal a squad, then use two bases - whether they have 3 or 5 figures really shouldn't matter. A 'Squad' of infantry based for Firefly, could be used to represent a single 'element' in Combined Arms. Likewise, a 'HMG team' based for Schwere Kompanie could be used for an 'Infantry Support' stand for Microarmor: The Game.
I've played FOW with my Schwere Kompanie based squads with no real problems (other than the issues I already have with FOW!
)
It’s really up to you. The information in this tutorial has more to do with suggested basing of GHQ Infantry - a little scratch building, a little swapping, a whack of painting and how-tos and a whole lot of fun!
Tomorrow, The ATR and Platoon HQ stands!
Troy
Yes, different rulesets do define base size but as long as your bases are not too out to lunch, they should be fine. In the scope of a FRIENDLY game, 1/4-inch bigger/smaller bases are really not an issue and if the bases are too out of whack, measurements can be taken from the base center.
Whether your rule tell you that 3 figures on a base equals a squad or 10 figures, it really doesn't matter as long as you, the player, can tell the different types of units apart from each other. As well, if your ruleset says 2 x teams equal a squad, then use two bases - whether they have 3 or 5 figures really shouldn't matter. A 'Squad' of infantry based for Firefly, could be used to represent a single 'element' in Combined Arms. Likewise, a 'HMG team' based for Schwere Kompanie could be used for an 'Infantry Support' stand for Microarmor: The Game.
I've played FOW with my Schwere Kompanie based squads with no real problems (other than the issues I already have with FOW!
)It’s really up to you. The information in this tutorial has more to do with suggested basing of GHQ Infantry - a little scratch building, a little swapping, a whack of painting and how-tos and a whole lot of fun!
Tomorrow, The ATR and Platoon HQ stands!
Troy
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dougeagle
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Looks so far there Troy. Can't wait to see more.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with MSH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with MSH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
Doug
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
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dougeagle
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Looks so far there Troy. Can't wait to see more.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with SH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with SH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
Doug
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
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dougeagle
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- Location: Northern Alberta
Looks so far there Troy. Can't wait to see more.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with SH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
All of my miniatures are based on the 1x1 for GHQ rules and have played them with SH and even with Troy's Schwere Kompanie with no problems at all.
Doug
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
Bruce Lee
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Ritter
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ATRs and Platoon HQs
German ATRs are now available in the G-515 Early war AT weapons. I add an underused modified standing, firing rifleman from the G-144 blister. I remove his rifle, and base, with nail clippers, seperate his legs into a less ridgid pose and bend at the waist with needlenose pliars. Makes a great addition to LMGs and ATR stands and I for one mave many of these figures in the spares box!
Platoon HQs are based on a small 1/2 inch base I punch out of a sheet of magnetic material with a punch I made from a galvanized pipe. I use the standard officer figure, (only he is now a NCO) and the new NCO (great figure!) from the G525 blister and add one of the figures pictured, again from the new G525.
Later, the Squads.
Troy
German ATRs are now available in the G-515 Early war AT weapons. I add an underused modified standing, firing rifleman from the G-144 blister. I remove his rifle, and base, with nail clippers, seperate his legs into a less ridgid pose and bend at the waist with needlenose pliars. Makes a great addition to LMGs and ATR stands and I for one mave many of these figures in the spares box!
Platoon HQs are based on a small 1/2 inch base I punch out of a sheet of magnetic material with a punch I made from a galvanized pipe. I use the standard officer figure, (only he is now a NCO) and the new NCO (great figure!) from the G525 blister and add one of the figures pictured, again from the new G525.
Later, the Squads.
Troy
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Ritter
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1st Line Squads
The choices for squads are now more varied, as there are more figures to choose from. The tough part is giving them an easily identifiable look on the game table to differentiate them from other squads. I, for one, do not like the look of labels on the game table but this is a simple solution. I prefer to make the number of men or their easily identifiable equipment the factor in identity.
For a basic German Rifle squad (or 1st Line in SK speak) I like to use a 1 x prone LMG figure and 3 x riflemen to represent the entire squad. This base could also be used as a Platoon in Microarmor: The Game, a half-squad in FOW or a flock of chickens in the legend of zelda
I used the standard prone LMG figure from G145, only trimming the stand to fit on the base (something I do for many figures). For the three riflemen, I use the running figure from the G144, the grenade arming fellow and advancing Rifleman from G525.
Later, the attachments!
Troy
The choices for squads are now more varied, as there are more figures to choose from. The tough part is giving them an easily identifiable look on the game table to differentiate them from other squads. I, for one, do not like the look of labels on the game table but this is a simple solution. I prefer to make the number of men or their easily identifiable equipment the factor in identity.
For a basic German Rifle squad (or 1st Line in SK speak) I like to use a 1 x prone LMG figure and 3 x riflemen to represent the entire squad. This base could also be used as a Platoon in Microarmor: The Game, a half-squad in FOW or a flock of chickens in the legend of zelda
I used the standard prone LMG figure from G145, only trimming the stand to fit on the base (something I do for many figures). For the three riflemen, I use the running figure from the G144, the grenade arming fellow and advancing Rifleman from G525.
Later, the attachments!
Troy
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Ritter
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It's Fimo, a bake-to-harden clay. I use it to position figures when I'm trying to decide what looks best and for photos. It also make great groundwork material for small hills/earthworks on larger bases.cbovill wrote:Troy,
Thanks for doing this tutorial, can't wait to see the finished product! BTW, what is the stuff that your figures are mounted in on top of the bases? Looks like some kind of putty.
Chris
Troy