JamieM - FoW Soviet Naval Chaps (108 points)

These have been sitting, stuck to bases but with no basing done, for an absolute age.

Flames of War is a great "portal" game for people who don't play historic wargames (like me). I've learned a huge amount more about WW2 than I did before. And I know that some of the details are unrealistic (artillery on the table) and they can make some of the rarer units seem commonplace, but thanks to them, I know my Tiger from my T-34, know roughly how good each tank was, who fought whom and where and know a great deal of the background of individual units through the briefings they provide.

One of the forces that really struck me was this one, the Soviet navy, all dressed up in navy uniforms.

My understanding is that they were pressed in during the early German advances and they were given guns, but no new uniforms (these came later, when they looked more like your traditional Russian troopers). They were clearly effective as they earned the nickname "the Black Death" from the Germans and were loathe to give up a position once they held it.

Not the most exciting of paint jobs, black base, dry brushed with successively lighter greys (then a black wash where this was too bright, then more highlighting when this was too dark, then a black wash when this proved again too light, etc.......) and natty blue trousers for the commissars, so the troops know who to shoot if they rebel!

54 total figures across the bases and they'll go alongside a few other bases I painted to make an early war company.

Great work Jamie! These fellows look great, and I can sympathize with your description of the process of painting black - it's too light, then too dark, then too light...I've been there many times! And you describe the experience of Battlefront very well - there is a lot to pick at, and they can be a frustrating bunch, but overall they really do facilitate a lot of interest - and gaming - in the periods they opt to tackle.  And while artillery on the table is dumb, the overall game is a fun excuse to push toy soldiers around and blow stuff up!

These Soviet naval lads will be part of just such an exercise, I'm sure.  Well done Jamie! That will 108 points for your score!