From SamuliS: 50 Shades of Panzergrau (32 points)

After a slower week I'm back with another change of subject. This time some Blitzkrieg era tanks in the form of a platoon of Panzer 38's. After a long time of just playing games with late war armies I'm really getting a bit fed up with all the big kitties, tricked out Shermans etc. Luckily there has been a rising interest in playing other eras as well so I've dug up my Early War German army and figured it would need some more armor as previously I've played it predominantly as an infantry and mechanized force with just some PzII support. 

I was thinking about painting up some PzIII's, but as I drive a czech car there really wasn't any other choice than to go with some czech tanks as well! Sadly the Pz38 wasn't made by Skoda, but at least it's close enough :)

It was pretty refreshing to do a reasonably fast paintjob on these fellas instead of the heavy colour modulation that I've done for all my other Flames of War vehicles in the last few years. I was thinking about doing the same with these as well, but as I've already got a fairly large army painted with a simpler drybrush + wash combo I decided to do the same here too so that they won't stand out from the others too much. I've got another 5 to do still so that I can field them as a company, but they'll have to wait a bit longer as I only just got them in mail and I really need to start finishing up a lot of the WIP projects that I've started during the challenge.

5 tanks and 2 crew should give me 32 points and get me past the half way mark on my target of 1000 points. With the end of the challenge nearing I really need to start focusing on finishing some of the projects that I've started during this challenge. I've got 40k units, more Napoleonics, Skaven in both Blood Bowl and Fantasy form and some terrain in various stages of readiness. If I actually finish them all it should get me pretty close to my target so fingers crossed. 

Artist: Dropkick Murphy's

Album: The Meanest of Times

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Sometimes, and maybe even oft-times, a change is as good as a complete break.  And, Samuli, I share your love of changing it up sometimes from big prowling cats, long barrelled Shermans and titanic JSIIIs, to the fun, frantic, and slightly chaotic tank engagements of the Blitzkrieg era of WW2.  And these Pz38s are just perfect for that period, and will grace any battlefield.  

Although you mention that they've been a quick paint, they certainly do not show any signs of that - I love the careful weathering, the recognition insignia scratched and slightly faded through the weeks of a tough campaign, and the great little command figures standing proud from the turrets.  Really terrific work, indeed, Sir!

And it's really satisfying to start and finish a platoon quickly, knowing that "they're done" at the end, with nothing further to finish.  These tanks look great, and more than justify a well-deserved 32 points towards your total for Challenge VIII.

Fine work, my friend, and best wishes for the final push to the end on the 20th March!!