8.8cm PaK43 - Sculpted Bases

I decided to splash out recently and subscribe to the new look Wargames Illustrated, and as a bonus got to choose a small box set from Battlefront as an incentive. I decided to choose the 8.8cm PaK43 Anti-Tank Platoon, mainly because it was the only option available that would fit into my as yet un-started late war German army.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the new PaK43's come on sculpted resin bases, with the base of the gun becoming part of the actual base, making assembly (my most hated part of this hobby) a lot easier. This suits me down to the ground. It means I have a nice base with no real hassle. Of course, the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if it was the right direction to go.

It seems that Battlefront are targeting the lowest common denominator these days, in an effort no doubt to get more people playing Flames of War. This is a great direction, don't get me wrong, but what about those of us who enjoy making our own bases, adding little bits of detail to make our army stand out, or to suit a specific battle?

Would it not be better to have two sets available, even if one was special order only, so that hard-core modelers could have the full kit with no sculpted base?

And if Battlefront are going to be re-modeling all their box sets to include sculpted resin bases, what about making a sculpted base for the command team, so that the whole set is consistent?

I do like the new PaK43, and may even get distracted enough to start on it before I've finished my long over due Brit Airborne.

Weekend Painting

Managed to get some painting done over the weekend, including finishing the bases for some men I've had around for a while. If I keep at it, I might even finish my January challenge before the end of the year!!!

The Art of DAS

I've tried several ways of basing my figures, and I've not been entirely happy with any of the ways. The best way I found when doing my Germans was to use a bucket of left over GIB Plus 4 ready mixed compound. The main problem with this was that it was very messy, and as I paint my figures before basing them (silly me) I needed something that was cleaner, less messy to apply.

So I started using DAS. It's a pliable putty form, and whilst it id far from perfect - it's a pig to use, and take a bit of time - I do like the relative cleanness off it, and the ability to easily press a patter into it (I use the rounded end of one of my painting brushed to give the ground a walked over feel).

The biggest problem with DAS is that it is an 'air hardening compound' so once the packed is opened you have to find somewhere airtight to store it. The best place I've found was one of my wife's new Tupperware containers.

I've been using the same block of DAS for about six months now, and it's still in good working order.