I decided last year that I wanted a Mediterranean based infantry force in my collection. I must admit that this is a bit superfluous, but what the heck. The reason was that I did not like how my current bases looked when we played using a more arid looking game mat when playing Italian and Tunisian campaign games.
Well, I had no interest in painting up a company’s worth of German infantry, so I needed to turn to the market. I did not see anything I liked, so I turned to my friends at Gajo. They have some newer BF figures on their site, but I was not as interested in how they looked. I then looked through the older figures section and saw they offered a different look on the older metal figures. These looked interesting. I wrote to Gajo for more pictures and they sent them for me to look at a few days later (they will send samples too). I was happy with these and ordered the company.
The company includes three platoons of infantry, mortars and the command. For some reason, there are only two light mortars, so I need to order two individual figures to fix that at some point.
I went through all the figures and straightened up the guns and organized the figures. I sprayed the bases tan (these had the older gray flat bases, which work better for the older models). I then glued down all the figures I their respective units.
I went with my new Mediterranean base method on all the models. I started with Vallejo sand pumice, followed by a GW sepia wash. Next came the Vallejo light sand drybrush, followed by application of Scenic Express Summer flock with white glue. Tufts are three different colors of Gamers Grass 6mm tufts. Dark Green, Olive and Tan tufts on all the bases, with some random duplicates to go around.
I was not thrilled with some of the color choices on the figures. Specifically, the gas masks and canteens (these were silver) and MG ammo strips. I painted these in German green. I then changed the color on the ammo boxes to green and tan. I added tan to the MG bipods. I also thought the uniforms needed to be lightened a bit. So, I grabbed some Vallejo Field Grey and hit the high points with some wet brushing. Finished up by painting the borders dark earth and a Krylon spray paint dull coat.
With that, I have some Wehrmacht troops to fill out my forces for Mediterranean battles. Next I have to do the big project of Herman Goering troops for the campaign!
- Manteuffel