Wonderful mortar's vignette, nice mix of metal and plastic...Gorgeous MG's stand as well, the bases are perfect... Most impressive close ups and big +1!!
Thanks Phil! What I enjoyed most about this was seeing it all finished after spending a week or so planning and building the different figures. It turned out pretty much how I planned. It's always good when that happens! I'm especially pleased with the mortar team 😊
Always so entertaining in delivery/presentation and educational as you discuss the subject... Great results explained. Fantastic and engaging post as usual... xx SF
Cheers Steve, much appreciated! Kitbashing is definitely one part of the hobby I could probably talk endlessly about as I find it fascinating. To me it's an integral part of how I approach the hobby in looking to make my projects as unique and individual as I can 😊
Cheers mate! Yeah the landmine was an absolute find! I had 2-3 bits I was considering using when I came across that piece. All it needed was a bit of a tidy up and that was it. Really pleased with how it turned out 😊
Cheers buddy, much appreciated! Yeah I really did have to keep an eye on the size of the bases with these. There was definitely a danger that they could get out of hand. I'll have to take the same approach with the six pounder anyway 😀
Personally I like the goofy looking warlord metal minis, I think it's the collectors bug in me. I know they can be terrible. But as you say, on gaming table three feet away you really can't tell the scale difference. But the new chunky plastics are so much nicer in most cases I get why you need to do this. And that US marine sprue is the gift that keeps on giving. I'm loving these ideas for not having duplicates and crewing 3D printed artillery pieces. Cracking work, can't wait to see the completed project on the table.
Cheers Danny, much appreciated mate! I have a few metal miniatures in my German army but the plan is definitely to replace them in the future. And the three foot rule is absolutely spot on. I'm just happier knowing they are pretty much all the same scale. That USMC sprue is probably my favourite. I've used the bits and pieces from it on four separate armies now and it just proves to be so versatile over and over again. I'm hoping to finish the whole thing in the next 2-3 weeks so looking forward to seeing the whole thing completed 😊
Thanks Norman! Like I said in the video I only really do this so that the scales remain the same and so most of my armies are plastic. The metal crews work just fine but sometimes I enjoy the challenge of kitbashing new crews. My favourite so far is probably the HMG crew for my winter US Airborne. I really enjoyed working on that 😀
Cheers Dan! It's been a while since I kitbashed/converted so many figures at once but these were really enjoyable to work on. Just the light mortar and six pounder to go now 😀
Thanks Marc, much appreciated! I think in the right scaled army the metal figures would certainly work but the scale difference with the plastics is really pronounced. Very happy with my versions though 😊
Cheers Cal. I always try and use the originals as a guide when I replace crews like this but sometimes need to create something new and unlike the original. The others have now been replaced so will get to painting them soon 😀
Cheers Torbjorn, much appreciated! Yes the size difference is really pretty clear with these. I think that taking the time to replace or make your own really goes a long way to improving the look of an army 😊
Thanks Garry! Before I started this project I was worried about how the paint scheme would turn out as I'm not the best at painting camouflage. But keeping it simple has really helped and I'm really happy with how these have turned out 😊
Thanks Victor! I think taking the time for conversions and kitbashing really does have the potential to expand an army or project further. With these, I have so many more ideas and plans that I can seeing it certainly growing outside of my original plan 😊
Hi mate, nice to you back on the channel. These are excellent mate, full of character and I think they look more dynamic with the cool bases you’ve also done. Top work buddy, take care 😁👍
Cheers Lee! That's very kind thank you. I tried to stick as closely to the original metal figures as a guide but I'm really happy with how these turned out. They are the correct scale but also look like what they are meant to be doing. I was tempted to make bigger bases but glad I stuck to this size 😊
Thanks David! That definitely sounds like a plan. I think 3D printing has the capability of taking kitbashing to a new level in being able to print specific or unique parts 😊
Great set of conversions - I particularly like the prone fella. Great to see what you can do with spares from other box sets. 👍 Must admit I have used the odd BA arm in my ECW stuff - an arm with an open hand is very useful 😀
Thank you! I was quite surprised that there wasn't a prone option in the box as they can come in quite handy. With this chap it was just a case of hiding as much of the USMC body with Airborne equipment! Oh yes, hands are always important. I have many many arms without hands in my bits boxes because of this 😁
Thanks Leslie. Yes the scale is very noticeable when next to the plastic figures. I have a section of the metal Airborne and they scale well with them but really not so well with the plastic equivalents. Definitely glad I made my own 😊
Cheers Chris, much appreciated! Hopefully the video shows that this type of kitbashing and conversions are pretty simple to achieve with a little bit of trial and error. I've really enjoyed working on these this week 😀
Very interesting change of miniatures, i was a fan of metal now i hate them, the plastic has now much more definition, and you have the power to do your own unique minies. I really like the mg team with those grenadier bullets, it came out excellent. Cheers sir. Your content rare but gold.
Hey Lucian. I certainly agree with you about the metal miniatures. It's all about personal preference but for me it's having the ability to take a plastic kit and make something completely unique and different. I wasn't overly happy with the ammo addition but now that it's painted and based, it does seem to work 😊
Awesome stuff Matt! I would definitely recommend having a go at these. For me it brings the whole project into scale but also gives me some more unique and individual figures 😊
I agree with you - I hate metal models too - mostly because they are a pain to clean up - and they need a lot more cleaning up in the first place! Also, paint rubs off them too easily and I have nowhere to spray an enamel primer before I paint them. And the plastics also allow a lot more possibility to customize, pose, and kitbash. I grew up on metals from my first lead D&D boxes in 1981... If I never needed to touch another metal mini again I'd be quite content.
Definitely agree with all your points here! For me the two main ones are the limited poses and not being able to really convert them to how I want them to look. But the painting is definitely an issue as well! While I'd be happy to see all miniatures in plastic, metal figures certainly have their place and I can see why a lot of gamers prefer them. But for me it's plastic all the way 😀
@@OnPointHQ I have been making special weapons teams this way for my Grenadiers and my US Airborne. The 101st now has a plastic bazooka team and a sniper team, and the Grenadiers have a plastic medium mortar team and an MMG team. Anyone who likes metals that much is welcome to trade me some sprues for my metal crews. :D
Hi Steve well I think you should be called king of kit bash these are superb I know what you mean about metals where possible I tend to try and get plastics I know they say there is more detail on metal but plastics are getting better and better and I find enough detail on plastics anyway . Take care mate Terry
Cheers Terry, much appreciated! That's very kind of you. I try to keep things and there are many many better kitbashers out there. But it's still a part of the hobby I really enjoy and always look forward to. I just think plastic figures are a little more versatile and easier to work with. But at the end of the day it's all about personal preference 😊
Great video and exceptionally well painted mate! Smashed it. Inspired me to try my hand at converting a Soviet flamethrower team. The metal model really ain’t great and it looks like a nice easy thing to do
Cheers Josh! Sometimes I see it as a challenge to try and kitbash something inspired by a metal equivalent. Flamethrowers are always a lot of fun to build! I think I've kitbashed about 8-9 so far. A bit of artistic licence is required as far as accuracy goes but always a rewarding project 😊
It's definitely worth it and really improves the look of the overall team. I think with the wide range of plastic kits available now, you'll more than likely find the bits and pieces you'll need to complete them. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, always appreciated 😃👍
Welcome to the awesome world of Bolt Action, you are definitely going to enjoy it! Really glad you found the video helpful. There are quite a few videos in the Bolt Action playlist about kitbashing etc but if you ever need any advice or guidance on something that isn't there, just give me a shout buddy! Thanks for commenting and subscribing, it's much appreciated 😀👍
Cheers Dom! Haha I actually don't think I used too many with these, bits from four Warlord boxes and that Forgeworld piece for the flamethrower. I really need to up my game back to the normal 10 kits 😁
Have you ever considered converting plastic German early war infatry kits into early war 1939 polish infantry with or without great coats? Im thinking of trying this my self and i want to make a bolt action polish army but like you i also am not fond of metal miniatures ...
I haven't no but that's actually a really good idea. I always like the idea of using existing ranges to create a whole new army. I know of people that have used the early war German infantry to make Finnish infantry so I guess there is definitely something that could be done. If you have a go, be sure to let me know how they turn out 😊
@@OnPointHQ np I already got 2 polish infantry sections in great coats coming in the mail ..... I'm useing those metal versions as inspiration and all I need now are some plastic German early war infantry sets as well as the us infantry sets for their Bars as I'm making wz.1928 polish lmgs from those.
Hey Matthew. From the starter army box I have a light mortar and six pounder gun crew to replace. I know how I'm going to make the light mortar and it should be pretty easy. The gun crew will be a bit more involved but I'm really looking forward to getting started on it 😊
@@OnPointHQ I'm trying to think of how to make a plastic crew for a Flak 88. I know the Rubicon kit has one, but I was pondering the Afrika Korps army box. No reason I can't use most of the plastics therein for my Grenadiers, but the shirtless metal gun crew wouldn't be a good fit elsewhere.
![Build Guide and Painting: Bolt Action Weapon Teams [How I Paint Things]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kwjsM-e9b6c/mqdefault.jpg)
Wonderful mortar's vignette, nice mix of metal and plastic...Gorgeous MG's stand as well, the bases are perfect... Most impressive close ups and big +1!!
Thanks Phil! What I enjoyed most about this was seeing it all finished after spending a week or so planning and building the different figures. It turned out pretty much how I planned. It's always good when that happens! I'm especially pleased with the mortar team 😊
Always so entertaining in delivery/presentation and educational as you discuss the subject... Great results explained. Fantastic and engaging post as usual... xx SF
Cheers Steve, much appreciated! Kitbashing is definitely one part of the hobby I could probably talk endlessly about as I find it fascinating. To me it's an integral part of how I approach the hobby in looking to make my projects as unique and individual as I can 😊
Cracking conversions. Always amazing what old bits can be turned into - that GW mine works perfectly.
Cheers mate! Yeah the landmine was an absolute find! I had 2-3 bits I was considering using when I came across that piece. All it needed was a bit of a tidy up and that was it. Really pleased with how it turned out 😊
I really like the finished models - you can tell you did it on account of the massive basing work - good job mate.
Cheers buddy, much appreciated! Yeah I really did have to keep an eye on the size of the bases with these. There was definitely a danger that they could get out of hand. I'll have to take the same approach with the six pounder anyway 😀
I heard Ste is basing his next Stalingrad units in entire buildings. :D :p
@@HeadHunterSix Would not surprise me
Personally I like the goofy looking warlord metal minis, I think it's the collectors bug in me. I know they can be terrible. But as you say, on gaming table three feet away you really can't tell the scale difference. But the new chunky plastics are so much nicer in most cases I get why you need to do this. And that US marine sprue is the gift that keeps on giving. I'm loving these ideas for not having duplicates and crewing 3D printed artillery pieces. Cracking work, can't wait to see the completed project on the table.
Cheers Danny, much appreciated mate! I have a few metal miniatures in my German army but the plan is definitely to replace them in the future. And the three foot rule is absolutely spot on. I'm just happier knowing they are pretty much all the same scale. That USMC sprue is probably my favourite. I've used the bits and pieces from it on four separate armies now and it just proves to be so versatile over and over again. I'm hoping to finish the whole thing in the next 2-3 weeks so looking forward to seeing the whole thing completed 😊
They all look superb!
Thanks Norman! Like I said in the video I only really do this so that the scales remain the same and so most of my armies are plastic. The metal crews work just fine but sometimes I enjoy the challenge of kitbashing new crews. My favourite so far is probably the HMG crew for my winter US Airborne. I really enjoyed working on that 😀
Really like those conversions, job well done !
Cheers Dan! It's been a while since I kitbashed/converted so many figures at once but these were really enjoyable to work on. Just the light mortar and six pounder to go now 😀
Brilliant work and fantastic painted. And I think they look a hell of a lot better than the metal.👍
Thanks Marc, much appreciated! I think in the right scaled army the metal figures would certainly work but the scale difference with the plastics is really pronounced. Very happy with my versions though 😊
Some nice kitbashes Ste. Brilliant work on the models, and matching the original poses
Cheers Cal. I always try and use the originals as a guide when I replace crews like this but sometimes need to create something new and unlike the original. The others have now been replaced so will get to painting them soon 😀
Great work! The metal figs looks like hobbits in comparison! Replacing all mine too!👍
Cheers Torbjorn, much appreciated! Yes the size difference is really pretty clear with these. I think that taking the time to replace or make your own really goes a long way to improving the look of an army 😊
Lovely looking figures and the paint work is spot on, all the best, Garry
Thanks Garry! Before I started this project I was worried about how the paint scheme would turn out as I'm not the best at painting camouflage. But keeping it simple has really helped and I'm really happy with how these have turned out 😊
@@OnPointHQ Totally agree, I think you nailed it, all the best, Garry
Wonderful work! The conversions are spot on and allow an ever expanding army
Thanks Victor! I think taking the time for conversions and kitbashing really does have the potential to expand an army or project further. With these, I have so many more ideas and plans that I can seeing it certainly growing outside of my original plan 😊
Hi mate, nice to you back on the channel. These are excellent mate, full of character and I think they look more dynamic with the cool bases you’ve also done. Top work buddy, take care 😁👍
Cheers Lee! That's very kind thank you. I tried to stick as closely to the original metal figures as a guide but I'm really happy with how these turned out. They are the correct scale but also look like what they are meant to be doing. I was tempted to make bigger bases but glad I stuck to this size 😊
Excellent work will have a go at the flame thrower team also the mortar team as i have a 3d printed mortar.
Thanks David! That definitely sounds like a plan. I think 3D printing has the capability of taking kitbashing to a new level in being able to print specific or unique parts 😊
Great set of conversions - I particularly like the prone fella. Great to see what you can do with spares from other box sets. 👍 Must admit I have used the odd BA arm in my ECW stuff - an arm with an open hand is very useful 😀
Thank you! I was quite surprised that there wasn't a prone option in the box as they can come in quite handy. With this chap it was just a case of hiding as much of the USMC body with Airborne equipment!
Oh yes, hands are always important. I have many many arms without hands in my bits boxes because of this 😁
@@OnPointHQ Prone figures seem to be a bit marmite - some like them and some hate them 🤔
Interesting how much difference in the size of the metals and the plastic figures.
Nice kit bashing with these Airborne.
Thanks Leslie. Yes the scale is very noticeable when next to the plastic figures. I have a section of the metal Airborne and they scale well with them but really not so well with the plastic equivalents. Definitely glad I made my own 😊
Very well executed mate, love it, very inspirational, definitely going to attempt more of this myself.
Cheers Chris, much appreciated! Hopefully the video shows that this type of kitbashing and conversions are pretty simple to achieve with a little bit of trial and error. I've really enjoyed working on these this week 😀
Very interesting change of miniatures, i was a fan of metal now i hate them, the plastic has now much more definition, and you have the power to do your own unique minies. I really like the mg team with those grenadier bullets, it came out excellent. Cheers sir. Your content rare but gold.
Hey Lucian. I certainly agree with you about the metal miniatures. It's all about personal preference but for me it's having the ability to take a plastic kit and make something completely unique and different. I wasn't overly happy with the ammo addition but now that it's painted and based, it does seem to work 😊
Like others I’m going to be trying this myself. Really great vid, cheers!
Awesome stuff Matt! I would definitely recommend having a go at these. For me it brings the whole project into scale but also gives me some more unique and individual figures 😊
superduper conversion!
Thank you, much appreciated! One of my favourite parts of any new Bolt Action project is kitbashing new plastic crews for gun teams 😃👍
I agree with you - I hate metal models too - mostly because they are a pain to clean up - and they need a lot more cleaning up in the first place! Also, paint rubs off them too easily and I have nowhere to spray an enamel primer before I paint them. And the plastics also allow a lot more possibility to customize, pose, and kitbash.
I grew up on metals from my first lead D&D boxes in 1981... If I never needed to touch another metal mini again I'd be quite content.
Definitely agree with all your points here! For me the two main ones are the limited poses and not being able to really convert them to how I want them to look. But the painting is definitely an issue as well!
While I'd be happy to see all miniatures in plastic, metal figures certainly have their place and I can see why a lot of gamers prefer them. But for me it's plastic all the way 😀
@@OnPointHQ I have been making special weapons teams this way for my Grenadiers and my US Airborne. The 101st now has a plastic bazooka team and a sniper team, and the Grenadiers have a plastic medium mortar team and an MMG team.
Anyone who likes metals that much is welcome to trade me some sprues for my metal crews. :D
Hi Steve well I think you should be called king of kit bash these are superb I know what you mean about metals where possible I tend to try and get plastics I know they say there is more detail on metal but plastics are getting better and better and I find enough detail on plastics anyway . Take care mate Terry
Cheers Terry, much appreciated! That's very kind of you. I try to keep things and there are many many better kitbashers out there. But it's still a part of the hobby I really enjoy and always look forward to. I just think plastic figures are a little more versatile and easier to work with. But at the end of the day it's all about personal preference 😊
Great video and exceptionally well painted mate! Smashed it. Inspired me to try my hand at converting a Soviet flamethrower team. The metal model really ain’t great and it looks like a nice easy thing to do
Cheers Josh! Sometimes I see it as a challenge to try and kitbash something inspired by a metal equivalent. Flamethrowers are always a lot of fun to build! I think I've kitbashed about 8-9 so far. A bit of artistic licence is required as far as accuracy goes but always a rewarding project 😊
Might have to do smth like this for my RMC in denisons, havent found any metal minis for em
It's definitely worth it and really improves the look of the overall team. I think with the wide range of plastic kits available now, you'll more than likely find the bits and pieces you'll need to complete them. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment, always appreciated 😃👍
Nice mate, some great ideas there I'm new to Bolt Action so i will be stealing ideas from you LoL!!. Oh and thank you for the vids new sub here.
Welcome to the awesome world of Bolt Action, you are definitely going to enjoy it! Really glad you found the video helpful. There are quite a few videos in the Bolt Action playlist about kitbashing etc but if you ever need any advice or guidance on something that isn't there, just give me a shout buddy! Thanks for commenting and subscribing, it's much appreciated 😀👍
Nice job Ste. So who won this week’s sweepstakes on how many kits Ste used in his conversion? 😀
Cheers Dom! Haha I actually don't think I used too many with these, bits from four Warlord boxes and that Forgeworld piece for the flamethrower. I really need to up my game back to the normal 10 kits 😁
Have you ever considered converting plastic German early war infatry kits into early war 1939 polish infantry with or without great coats? Im thinking of trying this my self and i want to make a bolt action polish army but like you i also am not fond of metal miniatures ...
I haven't no but that's actually a really good idea. I always like the idea of using existing ranges to create a whole new army. I know of people that have used the early war German infantry to make Finnish infantry so I guess there is definitely something that could be done. If you have a go, be sure to let me know how they turn out 😊
@@OnPointHQ np I already got 2 polish infantry sections in great coats coming in the mail ..... I'm useing those metal versions as inspiration and all I need now are some plastic German early war infantry sets as well as the us infantry sets for their Bars as I'm making wz.1928 polish lmgs from those.
Do you have many more metals to replace, Ste?
Hey Matthew. From the starter army box I have a light mortar and six pounder gun crew to replace. I know how I'm going to make the light mortar and it should be pretty easy. The gun crew will be a bit more involved but I'm really looking forward to getting started on it 😊
@@OnPointHQ I'm trying to think of how to make a plastic crew for a Flak 88. I know the Rubicon kit has one, but I was pondering the Afrika Korps army box. No reason I can't use most of the plastics therein for my Grenadiers, but the shirtless metal gun crew wouldn't be a good fit elsewhere.