From MilesR: German DAK Reinforcements (400 Points)

 First, please let me begin this little submission with a heartfelt Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and/or whatever you prefer to celebrate to everyone participating in the challenge.  This year is really special for my wife and I as it's likely the last time we'll be hosting our son for an extended period - he's a college senior and will be soon entering the workforce so this Christmas is a very special one for us.

Anyway, back to the mini's.  I've decided to bulk up my WW2 North Africa collection - Why?  During last summer's Historicon game "DAK and Dragons", I had miscounted the number of German DAK figures I needed and had to create some last minute substitutes.  Since I'll be re-running that game this year, more troops have been added to the mix and so I present to you 68 German DAK infantry and Fallschirmjagers troops with some armored support, all in glorious 28mm scale.

 First up a stalwart Panzer IV from Rubicon models.  I really like the Rubicon kits and the Panzer IV kit comes with lots of options.  They are really easy to build and I find them to be the best kits out there for 28mm scale vehicles.

Next up are 38 plastic Perry DAK figures.  Why 38? - cause that's how many come in the box!  This is my second box of Perry DAK and while they are more realistically proportioned compared to most 28mm figures they do look good on the table and are a joy to paint up.

How about some light armor support in the form of a Panzer II?  This is a resin kit from Warlord Games and I really just can't recommend it - the parts fit horribly and the details are somewhat worn away.  I suspect the mold used to cast this resin model has seen better days.  never-the-less after a little bit of work a serviceable model will emerge.

 More infantry support in the form of 30 plastic Fallschirmjaegers.  These figures are from Warlord and its a superb set.  Warlord has come a long way in the quality of their plastic figure sets and these are highly recommended.  These are WAYYYY better than their metal FJ's which I painted up a few challenges ago.

 Just to keep the Italian allies happy, they get some recon support in the form of a resin Autoblinda AB41 from Warlord.  Unlike the Panzer II, this model was really well done and very easy to paint up.  Sadly, I lost the decals in umm a red wine "incident".  You'll likely see a handful of Italian Paratroopers join the fold over the next few weeks.

Pro-tip: spilling red wine on decals often renders them useless.  Knowing is half the battle.

And lastly, some more recon support for the Germans in the form of the iconic Sd.KFZ 222, again from Warlord.  This kit was also really well cast. The body and tires are resin and the turret is metal.

With these troops, I'll have enough to have a historically accurate DAK & Dragons game - last year I had to substitute in some German engineers for one player that were in, gasp, early war European uniforms.  I'm sure you all can imagine my shame....

Oh the indignity of using troops in the wrong uniform AND wrong theater of operations while running a very serious historical simulation of WW2 infantry combat tactics against the dark gods of Egypt.  This gaffe really hurt my credibility with the button counting crowd.

Please excuse the poor picture quality - I'm learning to use my new iPhone.  Hmm, I feel the need to end this post with a catch phrase.  I wonder what would be most appropriate.  Oh yes, here it is:

BOOM

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The first points stonk from Miles with 400 pips to add to his tally. Wow.

I love your whole 'DAK & Dragons' game idea, Miles. It sounds like a heap of fun and know it has been very well received when you put it on at Historicon. 

You've done great work on the Fallshirmjagers and German troops, but the armour takes the show here. I'm a big fan of armoured cars and have always loved the design of the Sd.kfz 222 in particular. Its silhouette still looks so futuristic even after nearly 80 years. 

I'm not sure what could have caused you to put decals into red wine, but I completely approve of drinking festive beverages while at the (relative) safety of your hobby table. That being said, please decal responsibly, people - it's all fun and games until someone accidentally puts armour markings on the end of your nose, or merlot stains on your Panthers

Welcome back to the top of the points-list, Mr. Reidy. We await the response from the other heavy hitters...