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Tank Aces North American Office: Tank Aces League
The Players
with Joe Krone

The North American Battlefront Miniatures office was very excited about getting the Tank Aces campaign as a great excuse to build and collect some new forces. We created a lunch-time league and for the first week we busily assembled and prepared our tanks for battle. Over the league's remaining weeks, we played the three-round campaign and continued to work on our tanks so in the end we had a fully painted 900 -point force.

Find out more about Tank Aces here...
The Players
Robert Villnave

Robert Villnave
Senior Account Manager

What Nation and Company did you choose?
Soviet Inomarochnikiy Tankovy Batalon (Lend-Lease Tank Battalion).

Why?
Protected Ammo!  In reality I was already planning this force out for a Late War tournament at my local club, The Icehouse Warriors, here in Newark, Delaware in early May.  So it just seemed appropriate.

What Ace Skill tree did you choose? Why?
Specialist: Prior Experience.  I just liked the idea of a 76mm Sherman with ROF 4 with a single re-roll.

What is your assembly and painting process?

First step is to bath all of the models in warm soapy water.  Then the assembly begins.  I glue hulls and turrets to wood dowels.  These then fit nicely into some 1”x4” boards that I have drilled appropriately sized holes in to hold the dowels.  This makes it easy for me to hold the models during the priming, airbrushing and painting process without having to touch the model itself.
Rob's 500 Point Force
5x M4 76mm  = 475 points.
Rob's 500 point Force
Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?
I find it easier to assemble and paint a single platoon at a time.  It allows you to have a hard focus on what you are doing.  Some of us get burned out too quickly because we bite off more than we can chew.  I too am guilty of this some times.  So I have my fair share of unfinished projects.  So these days I build a specific list, buy the models I need for it, and then begin to paint one platoon at a time.

Developing a paint plan prior to starting your first platoon is a good idea.  I keep all of my paint plans in those small black and white cow patterned notebooks. As I think of ideas I write them down.  I even tape/staple in color pictures or sample pallets.  So it is more like the journal that Sean Connery’s character had in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.  Complete with a rubber band holding it shut.

This method worked great for my Raiding Aces force so I hope it will help me complete my newest project as well.

Rob's 700 Point Force
8x M4 76mm = 665 points.
Rob's 700 point Force
What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
The components of what I used for the Tanks Aces were part of a larger project for my local club. I want to show the Soviet players in my local area that Soviet armor is still quite useful with the new Hen & Chicks rule.

Lesson’s learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?
Reluctant Trained forces are something to fear! Keep on the move. If you keep moving then chances are your enemy has to move as well. The new rules regarding side armor shots and turrets are great. If you know you are going to suffer side shots then at least turn some front armor towards the enemy to give you a chance they will hit it. Warrior saves are important, but only useful if there is a place for them to jump to. So keep another tank or two tanks close by so your Tank Ace can jump to another tank if his is hit.
Rob's 900 Point Force
1x M4 76mm; 5x M4 76mm; 5x M4 75mm  = 885 points.
Rob's 900 point Force
Bruce Beardsley
Office Administrator

What Force Did You Choose? 
SS-Wiking (from Grey Wolf).

Why?
As a neophyte to Flames Of War, I wanted to choose a rock solid German force to counter the new American lists that the majority of veterans’ in the office were doing. I was especially interested to see how an established German list would hold up against the release of the ‘Easy-Eights’ and ‘Jumbos’. I knew this would add to the challenge.
Bruce Beardsley
What Ace Skill Tree Did You Choose? Why?
Night Owl. As this skill progresses the Ace can choose to fight the battle at Dawn or in the Fog! Then all the advantages that the other guy has could be completely negated.

What Pitfalls have you found in Building and Painting your Platoons? How did you avoid them and keep yourself motivated?
Again, as a neophyte I did a little stumbling in the dark as to the best list for me to take that would be forgiving enough at my experience level.

Bruce's 500 Point Force
5x Panzer IV H; 2x Marder III M  = 500 points.

Bruce's 500 point Force
What is your assembly and painting process?
I always use the assembly line process, this was especially effective at the lower points cost for the Tank Aces Campaign. Plan, Build, (start playing em’), Paint. Get shot up!

Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?

GF9 Rapid Cure and researching your camo schemes. There are numerous, seldom scene German camouflage patterns out there!
Bruce's 700 Point Force
5x Panzer IV H; 4x Panzer IV H  = 700 points.
Bruce's 700 point Force
What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
My plan is to fill out my 5. Panzerkampfgruppe with some Gepanzerte SS-Panzergrenadier Platoons and 6 Hummels for Artillery support!

Lesson’s learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?

Play to your lists/armies advantages! Watch out for those American Jumbos and use that Stormtroopers! German Special rule to get back into cover.
Bruce's 900 Point Force
5x Panzer IV H; 5x Panzer IV H; 2x Marder III M = 890 points.
Bruce's 900 point Force
Dave Griffin Dave Griffin
Account Manager

What Nation and Company did you choose?
7th Armored Americans.

Why?
Good mix of newer tank types and something different from Cossacks or Rifles which are my usual armies.

What Ace Skill tree did you choose? Why?
Hit and Run.  I think I will need the extra firepower these teams can provide at critical locations.
Dave's 500 Point Force
1x M4A3E8 Easy Eight; 1x M4A1 (76mm) Sherman; 4x M4A3 Sherman = 500 points.
Dave's 500 point Force
What is your assembly and painting process?
1.    I always hand-paint my tanks a black undercoat to make sure all the nooks get filled. 
2.    Spray the armor colour on.
3.    Decal and paint tools, MGs, treads etc. 
4.    Black Wash.
5.    Highlight.
6.    Weather.
7.    Seal.
8.    Shoot.


Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?
I usually assemble an entire platoon at the same time so there is a consistent look to them.
Dave's 700 Point Force
2x M4A3E8 Easy Eight; 1x M4A3E2 Jumbo + 2x M4A3E8 Easy Eight + M4A3 (76mm) Sherman = 700 points.
Dave's 700 point Force
What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
Probably integrate them into my Armored Rifle army I’ve been working on.

Lessons learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?
Concentrations of firepower, in precise locations, open avenues of approach. Utilise while denying the enemy maneuvering room.
Dave's 900 Point Force
2x M4A3E8 Easy Eight; 1x M4A3E2 Jumbo + 1x M4A3E8 Easy Eight w/ hedgerow cutter + M4A3E8 Easy Eight; 1x  M4A3E8 Easy Eight + M4A3 (76mm) Sherman + M4A3 (Late) = 900 points.
Dave's 900 point Force
Brian Sayman
Account Manager

What Force Did You Choose? 
5th SS Wiking.

Why?
I like the Fearless aspect of the German army.  I tend to respond better in gameplay with elite armies.

What Ace Skill Tree Did You Choose? Why?
Teamwork.  With limited models which give me a limited number of shots per turn I need to make everyone count so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Brian Sayman
Brian's 500 Point Force
3x Panther A or G = 490 points.
Brian's 500 point Force
What Pitfalls have you found in Building and Painting your Platoons? How did you avoid them and keep yourself motivated?
None really.  Building and painting three Panthers can be done with ease.

What is your assembly and painting process?
I clean every model line, flash and then soak in Simple Green to take care of the mold release prior to any assembly.  You have to be organized sometimes when taking on multiple units as to not mix up the parts but with only needing a few tanks for Tank ACES, it was easy to manage.
Brian's 700 Point Force
4x Panther A or G = 655 points.
Brian's 700 point Force
Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?
Dry fit everything before you glue it down.  It doesn’t hurt to take an extra second or two to make sure the model goes together as smoothly as possible.

What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
I will continue to build my 1750 point list which will now include Panthers as I have taken a shine to them.

Lessons learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?
I really have a dislike for tank destroyers – they have caused me nothing but problems and have been the one bane that I can’t figure out how to deal with yet.
Brian's 900 Point Force
2x Panzer IV H; 3x Panther A or G; 3x StuG G or StuG IV = 895 points.
Brian's 900 point Force
Jordan Carasa Jordan Carasa
Canadian and US Account Manager

What Force Did You Choose? 
4th Armoured Division.

Why?
I have wanted to work on my American’s for a long time and this is giving me a deadline to get an army done.

What Ace Skill Tree Did You Choose? Why?
Bushwhacked!  It is all about the little guys jumping out of the bushes with BIG GUNS.  Plus I want to paint up some gun teams.
Jordan's 500 Point Force
3x M4 Sherman; 3x M4 Sherman = 500 points.
Jordan's 500 point Force
What Pitfalls have you found in Building and Painting your Platoons? How did you avoid them and keep yourself motivated?
Just getting it all done.  I have hobby ADHD and cannot stick with a project.  Having a deadline with an army to do should be a huge help.

What is your assembly and painting process?
Assembly for me is an assembly line, 99% of the time. I start with the tracks on each tank for the platoon then the magnetization of the turret. After that, I pin the MGs or .50 cals. Last but not least is the barrel of the tank. Then everyone gets a black primer. That is followed up by the Sherman Drab (CWP220) spray. I then use a gloss varnish on any areas that will be getting decals. After the decals are dry, I apply a second coat of gloss varnish. I then do a very light dry brush of ½ Dry Dust (FWP364), ½ Sherman Drab (FWP321) for a bit of a highlight. All metals are painted in Panzer Grey (FWP303) (thanks Jeff Brooks!) and pick out other small details. When all that is done, I have a super-secret wash that I coat the whole model in that is followed up with some more matte varnish!
Jordan's 700 Point Force
1x M4A3E8 Easy Eight + 2x M4 Sherman; 2x M4A1 (76mm) Sherman + 1x M4 Sherman = 665 points.

Jordan's 700 point Force
Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?
Get familiar with the models you will be working with. If it is a new kit to me, I will build one as a ‘trial’ to make sure I know what I am doing. After that, the assembly line starts!

What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
This army is going to be getting some mechanized infantry support. I have a few boxes of armored rifle platoons that need to be worked on and who can forget, General Patton and Lt. Col. Abrams.

Lessons learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?
Ambushers. I had not used them before and my plans with them got changed real quick. Another rule that I found was that teams shoot with half their value, rounding down when moving. When we found that rule, it made me think about taking some half-tracked AA in the last turn of the campaign.
Jordan's 900 Point Force
1x M4A3E8 Easy Eight; 2x M4 Sherman + 2x M4A1 (76mm) Shermans;
1x M4A3E8 Easy Eight + 2x M4 Sherman = 900 points.

Jordan's 900 point Force
Joe Krone
Global Events Manager

What Nation and Company did you choose?
US Tank Destroyer Company.

Why?
I wanted to challenge myself in both game play and painting. I was looking for an excuse to start a new army and the tank destroyer company allows you to take more than one platoon of M10’s or M18’s. Since I do not even have one single platoon of these painted it was the perfect opportunity to try something new.
Joe Krone
While most players will opt for medium to heavy tanks I knew it would be a challenge to fight against them with a front armor of 4. Yes, they are Veterans but I will be rolling very few armor saves and pray that my opponent can’t make his firepower checks.
Joe's 500 Point Force
4x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon jeep & 2x M20 scout cars; 2x M20 scout car = 485 points.
Joe's 500 point Force

What Ace Skill tree did you choose? Why?
I went with Bushwhacked because the ability to ambush some anti-tank elements will help me when my M10s are up against some tough opponents. The ability to pop some tanks could potentially open up some new areas to reveal my M10s giving them a fighting chance from the beginning of the game.

What is your assembly and painting process?
I typically paint all the armor or gun teams that use the same color at the same time. I will prime them or airbrush them followed by a quick dry brush highlight and then a special wash I mix up. The wash use black, brown and green giving it an almost oily color with a hint of green. This allows me to wash pretty much anything in the World War II range. Once the wash stage is complete then I pick similar models to work on and finish them all in one go. So, for example, I would paint all of my M10s to completion and then my jeeps and finally utility vehicles. I learned the hard way when I first started in Flames of War so now I always paint the tank crew separately and glue them in when they are done.

Joe's 700 Point Force
2x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon jeep & 2x M20 scout cars; 2x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon jeep & 2x M20 scout cars; 2x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon jeep & 2x M20 scout cars = 675 points.
Joe's 700 point Force
Do you have any tips or advice about assembling or painting?
1.    Dry fit your pieces prior to gluing them together. I always level my tracks and make sure they look straight from the front and back of the tank. There is nothing worse than having your tank look crooked or resting wobbly on the table.

2.    Paint your tank crew, passengers, etc. separately and then glue them on the tank. I even wait and paint the extra stowage, spare tank tracks and anything else that isn’t part of the tank because it speeds up my process and I can always add them later to spice up my vehicles.

3.    Decals really make or break a decently painted tank. Take your time and apply them correctly. Using a gloss coat on the area you intend to apply decals as well as a gloss coat afterwards helps hide the decal. I also use decal set before the final gloss coat and don’t forget to seal and dull coat your tank when everything is done. I will apply decals right before I weather the tanks so any mud or grime can also be applied to the decals.

Joe's 900 Point Force
2x M20 scout cars; 4x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon Jeep & 2x M20 scout cars; 4x M10 3in GMC with 1x Command .50 cal Recon Jeep & 2x M20 scout cars = 890 points.
Joe's 900 point Force
What’s next? Where do you take your army now?
I have been painting my Tank Aces in conjunction with a 2000 point Tank Destroyer army. This will give me options when playing games or travelling to tournaments. This might be the first army I actually paint every option in the army list but we’ll see.

Lesson’s learned from playing the new Third Edition with Tank Aces?
Well, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect because we were playing the league around the same time that 3rd edition was released. Tank Aces was a great way to learn the new rules because we didn’t have to worry about assaults. It allowed us to concentrate on the nuances of moving, shooting, and the new terrain rules without the worry of planes and assaults. I would highly recommend any new players or groups to play Tank Aces before embarking into the rest of the rules.
Next week we'll take a look at some of the action from the games.

~ Joe.
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Last Updated On Wednesday, September 14, 2016 by James at Battlefront