Death Korps advanced party is on its way.

[Mabus]

The problem is they don't fit on a 60mm base, don't ask me why but I don't like models withought bases.

[angelusmortis]

I'm debating whether or not to put the mortars on bases. Reason being I can hook them up to the Centaur if they arent mounted to represent them being embarked for towing. Maybe I can set them up on a base so they are removable from the base.

[Mabus]

What base can you use though? There are no GW bases big enough to fit a H. Mortar.

P.S Seeing those pictures have made me want to order some of my own H. Mortars.

I can't wait for the easter holidays.... I'm gonna order a fair bit from FW!

[angelusmortis]

You can base it on whatever you want. I'm thinking a thin peice of wood or some plastic, perhaps the regiment trays from WHFB. Its not too hard to figure something out.

As far as the Heavy Mortars are concerned, the rules are in IA5:SoV, and they are pretty nice. In addition to the regular HE shell, you also get one other type. Personally, the Infernus is pretty nasty, as it forces any non-fearless Infantry unit hit to do a fallback move with no morale test. They simply just get hit, and fallback. This is in addition to the regular HE damage it does. Very nasty things.

[Turtleboy(AWOL)]

man you gotta post pics of this army when it's done. I've been waiting for a true death korps army to surface since they released the models in the first place and this is the first hardcore, no holds barred death korps army I've seen evidence of. props to you (though you must be brutally broke!)

[angelusmortis]

All told it's cost me about $2500 (give or take). Fortunately having a wife and three kids and claiming zero on my W2 gets me around $6k back every tax period. So it didnt break me, but it was indeed trying to (heh heh).

I am really itching to paint them but I am hesitating. I am not the greatest painter, but I am a decent one and I just want to take the time and make sure I do the best I can. I am going to assemble and prime everything before I paint anything. That will give me time to ensure I get the scheme I really want as well. I think I am going to go with a simple grey primary/brown/black secondaries, something like German WWII uniforms. I figure if I keep it simple I stand the best chances of not screwing them up.

[angelusmortis]

Update. I've gotten two more packages in last couple weeks. All told my army on hand stands as thus.

• 1x Command HQ
  
• 1x Lascannon Squad
  
• 2x Heavy Bolter Squads
  
• 3x Platoon HQ
  
• 3x Infantry Squad Firing
  
• 3x Infantry Squad Advancing
  
• 1x Grenadier Squad w/Heavy Flamer team
  
• 3x Heavy Mortars w/Centaurs
  
• 3x Towed Medusa (one is missing a piece so I still cant assemble it)
  
• 1x Graia Pattern Hellhound
  
• 1x Demolisher
  
• 1x Leman Russ
  
• 2x Gorgon
  
• 1x Baneblade
  
• 5x Artillery Crew (going to use to fill out Heavy Mortars/Medusa crews and convert some Infantry w/meltas using SM melta guns)
  
• 3x Heavy Artillery Crews (for the Medusa)
  
• 3x Chimeras (will be converted into Trojans for Medusas)
  

Still waiting on the following and that will finish my list for now.

• 1x Mortar Squad
  
• 3x Infantry Squad Advancing
  
• Piece to the Medusa that was missing.
  

I've also decided on a color scheme. I am going with a 143rd Siege Regiment scheme and for vehicles I am going with two toned grey feathered pattern. So far, using ssgtdudes technique for painting camouflage on vehicles, I have done the pattern on the majority of my vehicles and artillery. If I may be so bold, it has come out far better than I could of hoped for. I am ecstatic over the results.

Unfortunately, I cannot post pics at this time. I loaned a friend of mine my camera as she was going on a pilgrimage to Israel and will have to wait till she gets back (should be any day now). Once shes back, I will post some more progress pics. I think you guys will like them.

[angelusmortis]

Update (heh heh, again). Got a surprise package today. Recieved the 3x Infantry Squads Advancing unannounced today. So now just need the Mortar Squad and that peice of the Medusa and then my list will be complete. Well, at least for some time.

[Mabus]

If you make a big order don't all the minis get to you at once?

By the way, I would like to know what kind of shells you use for your Heavy Mortar. I like the infernus shells personaly.

[angelusmortis]

I made two big orders actually. One was about $1500 and the other was about $700. They told me it could take up to a month to fill it. They also said that as they get a sizeable portion they would fill it and mail it. So far, its taken them almost 2 months to fill the order (I ordered it on Feb 15) and about 5 packages I've recieved and I'm still waiting for those last couple items.

As far as what shells for the Heavy Mortars. Well, I've got a couple ideas. The Infernus shells are a no brainer for just about any list, however, the smoke are really attractive especially for an Apocalypse game. As I have two Gorgons, if I load them up with two Platoons and start plodding across the kill zone, it would be nice to drop smoke on them every turn as it will make them that much more survivable to be able to get across and drop their cargo intact.

Illum rounds seem pretty worthless IMHO. They can only be usefull in very rare circumstances. For example, if its night and the enmey blunders into a kill zone (and I mean bluder because its not like he cant tell its a kill zone) then you may want to use it. But an opponent that blunders in like that your probably going to beat anyways (because thats not real bright) and also the fact that it lights up both sides makes it pretty worthless.

Seige shells would be situational as well, but I am not adverse to using them if the mission calls for it.

[Mabus]

Yeah, the infernus shell is a no brainer, you're right. Still, they are the only type that I am concidering. Smoke could be fun, although if Front and Side Armour 14 isn't gonna save your Gorgon, I can't really see smoke doing that much. I still can't get over how slow the Gorgon is. It is a nice model though.

I notice you haven't got any Bombards. I intend on getting two. They are awsome. Yeah their armour is a bit crap and they have a minimum range of 36' but their Heavy Siege mortars ae awsome.

[angelusmortis]

Well, as far as the Gorgon is concerned, AV14 is nice, but when it only moves 6" a turn it wont last long. So, by giving it smoke each round all hit will be glancing so that dramatically increases its survivability, especially when coupled with structure points. Also, being that its primary purpose is to transport and deposit Infantry safely, I think the advantage of the smoke outwieghs the use of the Gorgons weaponry.

I plan on eventually getting 6x Towed Basilisks, 3x Bombards, and 3x Manticores for Apoc (also 3 more Heavy Mortars and 3x Thudd Guns, but whose counting?). But those are back burner probably until next January when I do taxes again (only time my budget allows for purchases like those). As far as the Bombard is concerned, its pretty nice, however, it can only fire every other round so thats a pain. But, used in conjunction with other Arty it can be pretty lethal, especially with the 7" Blast marker.