Kursk

So my friend Harold is running a Kursk Flames of War game at Gateway 2009 and I have to get painting. He is modeling the thrust by the II. SS-Panzer Korps towards Prokhorovka. The II. SS-Panzer Korps consisted of the 1st (Leibstandarte), 2nd (Das Reich) and 3rd (Totenkopf) SS-Panzer Grenadier divisions. His scenario focuses on the center thrust by Leibstandarte towards the town of Prokhorovka. My SS were already starting out as Das Reich, but I don't think anyone will notice or care.

So this is the status of everything as I start this project:

German Tank Force
12 Panzer IV H - Base coated in dark yellow
4 Tiger E- Base coated in dark yellow
3 SdKfz 7/2 AA quads - Still in packaging

German Grenadier and Support force
Armored PanzerGrenadier Platoon - 80% painted and based
Armored PanzerPioneer Platoon - 80% painted and based
6 Stug III G - Assembled
3 Wespe - Partially assembled (tracks on)

Stukas - Completed
FW190s - I may have kits of these guys somewhere

First Soviet Armored force
10 T-34 obr1941 - Completed
4 su76 - Base coated green

Stormaviks - Base coated green

Kursk

My friend Harold is running a big Kursk game at Gateway 2009 over Labor day at LAX. Unfortunately for me I volunteered my miniatures, which were mostly unpainted at the time. I mean no problem, right? I have months, right... uh... yeah...

In any case this is what I have to provide:

Order of Battle
German Tank Force
2 Panzer IV G or H HQ (Tim)
5 Panzer IV G or H (Tim)
5 Panzer IV G or H (Tim)
4 Tiger E (Tim)
3 SdKfz 7/2 AA quads (Tim)

German Grenadier and Support force
Armored PanzerGrenadier Platoon (Tim)
Armored PanzerPioneer Platoon (Tim)
3 Stug F or G (Tim)
3 Stug F or G (Tim)
3 Wespe (Tim)

Stukas (Tim)
FW190s (Tim)

First Soviet Armored force
1 T-34 obr1941
10 T-34 obr1941 (Tim)
10 T-34 obr1941
5 Churchils
4 su76 (Tim)

Second Soviet Armored force
1 T-34 obr1941
10 T-34 obr1941
10 T-34 obr1941
5 Churchils
10 T-70

Soviet Prepositioned Defensive force
Strelkovy hq
Strelkovy Companie with 3 platoons
2 Anti Tank Rifle companies with 12 rifles each
1 Tankdestruction company with 4 57mm
1 Tankdestruction company with 2 45mm
1 Tankdestruction company 4 76mm zis3
Katusha Artilery Battery (fullhouse with extra crew)

Stormaviks (Tim)
Aircobras

Anything with my name after it I have to come up with...

Now where is that can of spray dark yellow?

Follow. But...

Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.


Tim: There he is!
King Arthur: Where?
Tim: There!
King Arthur: What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim: It *is* the rabbit!
King Arthur: You silly sod!
Tim: What?
King Arthur: You got us all worked up!
Tim: Well, that's no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur: Ohh.
Tim: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin: You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim: Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!
Sir Galahad: Get stuffed!
Tim: He'll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad: Oh, yeah?
Sir Robin: You manky Scots git!
Tim: I'm warning you!
Sir Robin: What's he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur: Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors: Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin' right up!

[after Bors is killed by the killer rabbit]
Tim: I *warned* you, but did you listen to me? Oh, no, you *knew*, didn't you? Oh, it's just a harmless little *bunny*, isn't it?

Ok....Important Safety Tips!

• Always choose costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

Got it...

• Think twice before using simulated knives, guns or swords. If such props must be used, be certain they do not appear authentic and are soft and flexible to prevent injury.

Hmmm don't like this one

• Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.

Very Important, got it...

• Don't run with scissors

Ok, I get that one too...

• Don't try to take stairs two at a time going down a concrete and metal stairway at night when the power is likely to go out leaving you in total darkness and descending into a pit of inky blackness with god only knows what at the bottom as you accelerate at10 meters per second squared.

Sigh... would that this was something I can say "Let's not and say we did". I consider it a dress rehearsal for my audition as a crash test dummy. Entertaining as all this sounds, it is sadly not nearly so entertaining to experience. On the good side...nothing broken beyond my pride... on the down side... Stairway 1, Tim 0.

Right now... Vicodin is my friend




***Flashback Shot***

In my youth I went on a calm rampage against a certain type of cactus, after I kneeled on it and it left me some pointy reminders embedded in my knee. Many a cactus knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you! Or was it blasted by a shotgun? Either way I was able to exact my revenge against the offending cactus and its brethren that day. I think I will insult the stairwell prodigiously and call it a day.