ChargeDog's Adventures in Bazistan and Zaiweibo

[ChargeDog]

Your point about the doors is telling, though I thought armour packages for HMMWVs came after the invasion of Iraq (proper ones replacing the "hillbilly" armour even later).

The other interesting thing is there is no option for the skeleton version, from my memory of Evan Wright's book (and the mini series) (so YMMV) the US 1st Reconnaissance battalion used HMMWVs without doors.

From what I've looked at in the Haynes Manual (impressions coming soon), there were the upgraded Humvees (the M1114) and basic armoured kits around in the Balkans but only in very small amounts. As they were used for more combat roles, that's when the bulk of the armour kits were developed

As for no skeleton version, having an interior would require a different shell to the fully enclosed version. Otherwise you'd be paying way more. However, I'd also like to see Spectre do a version! Skeleton versions were also used in Afghanistan to make them more suited for the terrain and on the SF versions so plenty of use cases.

[Wyrmalla]

Special Artizan Service Miniatures have just shown off their own Humvee. Which happens to be a partially skeletonised variant, well, at least it has an interior. I believe they're charging $55 for it, though it also comes with 4 crew - both sitting in the vehicle and dismounted, so you're paying for them.



Currently I'm in two minds which to go for. The Spectre ones seem to meet the basic layout requirements for many of the variants available. Though them being solid resin pieces may mean some work's required to alter them. Meanwhile the SASM vehicle, whilst having an interior, also lacks doors (if you wanted to go the way of say replacing them with those half door armoured sheets you'd see).

Spectre's I guess works if you're going for an enclosed Humvee, whilst well, SASM's what you go for if you want an interior and are willing to scratch build some parts. Personally I'm thinking that SASM's may be more appealing to modellers over that older Tamiya kit in that whilst its not plastic, it is 1/50th rather than 1/48th. It is probably worth saying that SASM also have two of the Humvee's replacements for sale as well though, if you're wanting to cover near future games (though one's already in service).

I'd been eyeing up remaking one of those Ukrainian airborne Humvees for my 28mm (I'd made on previously, but it was 1/43rd scale). For convenience Spectre may be the way to go if you're in the UK or Europe just as they're local, and it would mean being able to buy some more stuff from their site to go with it (that is, if the other stuff is in stock...). ...I am wanting one of those new Russian drones that SASM just brought out though.


Thanks for the write up, its given me something to think about. Its good to read that they're casting these in house so they may not have the same supply problems that they've had with other products.

[Dr. Zombie]

I would really like to see a picture of the Spectre hummer with a mini next to. Preferably a Spectre and an Empress one.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

I would really like to see a picture of the Spectre hummer with a mini next to. Preferably a Spectre and an Empress one.

At Salute 2017, UTI Long Smile said that Crooked Dice had a Mini being sculpted, though he was concerned that "Agents from a vague but menacing government agency" had spirited the sculptor away. As we have heard no more I suspect that might be the case.

Does anyone else do a 1/50 scale mini (proper one not a BMW).

[ChargeDog]

I would really like to see a picture of the Spectre hummer with a mini next to. Preferably a Spectre and an Empress one.

I knew I'd forgotten something in the post. Ask and you shall receive.

[Dr. Zombie]

Great! Thanks.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Covers his face in embarrassment....

[ChargeDog]

Covers his face in embarrassment....

It's fine, happens to the best of us :v


Hey, it's monday so it's time for a new Wargaming Week. This one is a bit... thin.



As always, it's on the blog at https://hntdaab.co.uk/blog/2018/06/18/wargaming-week-18-06-2018/

[ChargeDog]

Today's post is now up! Been a busy week and haven't had much time for hobby so it's another tactics/force creation post for Spectre Operations



As always, it's on the blog at https://hntdaab.co.uk/blog/2018/06/22/spectre-operations-building-a-force-irregular-forces/

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Interesting as always. Thanks.

[AlexM]

I don't know if I'm late to the party, but the M1114 was in production in 1996, and were in the Balkans, then the Middle  East, along with M998s and whatever else they could scrounge up. The increased threat of IEDs, EFPs etc led to the development of the M1151, which was further armoured, and deployed to Iraq in 2006 I believe. Then the bombs got bigger, and MRAPs started surfacing (I believe first with the USMC) in 2007-8.

[ChargeDog]

Today's Wargaming Week is now up on the site! Not so much hobby but lots of news.



As always, its on the site at https://hntdaab.co.uk/blog/2018/06/25/wargaming-week-25-06-2018/

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Interesting summation.

I did not realise the Crooked Dice figures were more than generic US style police (do we have a chorus of an Abba track?).

[ChargeDog]

This week's post is up, taking a look at the Haynes Manual for the Humvee. Great reference guide although not sure I'll be using the maintenance tips any time soon



As always, it's on the blog at https://hntdaab.co.uk/blog/2018/06/29/impressions-am-general-humvee-enthusiasts-manual/

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Interesting, thanks.