Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Back of Beyond => Topic started by: sukhe_bator on 26 January 2009, 01:02:08 PM
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Although I model the RCW in 15mm, many of my previous projects would translate quite easily into 28mm and much was gleaned from 20mm raw materials. Baron Ungern-Sternberg was known to have had the TSR as one of his military objectives. It seemed churlish not to provide such a choice military objective for gaming purposes, so ...
The Telegraph office/station
An out-of-the-way Telegraph office/way station. This could be the focus for a punitive raid as well as a terrain feature appropriate for the railway. I made simple adaptations to the Airfix 4mm weighbridge office. By removing the bottom two levels of clapboarding the height was reduced and the roof replacing with model corrugated iron sheeting. The addition of a simple, rustic, verandah with modelling matches and distressed plastic corrugated sheet gave it the necessary battered outback look. The addition of oil drums and a woodpile, and a metal pipe chimney for the inevitable log stove give it that lived-in look.
Reckoning that ‘telegraph’ would be a borrowed word in both Russian and Chinese I used Altavista’s Babelfish site to get a rendering of (I hope) ‘Telegraph office’ in Cyrillic and Chinese characters to put on the side. A simple chain of telegraph poles, modelled truncated and buttressed against the wind, based on a tourist photo on the web, completed the overall effect.
Loading ramp
One particular feature of isolated railway branches is the goods loading stage or station. Such wayside halts were also found on stretches of the Trans Siberian Railway and its branches. I reasoned that timber would be most plentiful so opted for a simple timber staging made out of modelling matches, built around an expanded polysterene core. A commercially available kit of a 4mm line-side crane, suitably weathered, completed the effect.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/TSR004.jpg~original)
Water tower
The only photos of water towers on the Trans-Siberian Railway show substantial brick built octagonal towers on the main lines. I was looking for a more ‘back of beyond’ feel so looked to other C19 conflicts for inspiration. I based my example on the rudimentary wooden trestle types from the American Civil War period. The simple matchstick drum was built around the cap of a miniature spray can with card hoops and an octagonal balsa wood shingle roof. Lollypop stick and straw piping, together with accessories from an old Airfix Water Tower kit, and scrap chain completed the effect. On reflection, more substantial timber legs are needed to support the weight of the water column, which will require remodelling. The Peter Pig ACW water tower would be a quite suitable commercially available alternative in 15mm.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/TSR007.jpg~original)
Refuelling point
This is simply a skin of scrap modelling matches covering a polysterene mound set against a wall of wooden planks. This is a simple but vital scenic detail for any wood-burning steam locomotive.
Siberian wooden settlements
There are a number of photographs of old Siberian log cabins, roofed with wooden shingles on the internet. I based several models on these and included a stables and barn in the same style. Plots of land were fenced in using fencing of two styles. The first style was a simple fence of vertical slats, with gates at intervals, some with small V-shaped roofs over the threshold. These gave a ramshackle ‘Fiddler-on-the-Roof’ look. They are also still used to define compounds in modern-day suburbs of Ulan Bataar. The second style was documented in 1913 by the traveller-photographer Stephane Passet in Kyatkha (Siberia). This is the horizontal pole style, similar to that used in America. I reasoned I could make my own, or use stock 15mm ACW scenery.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/TSR006.jpg~original)
Trans Siberian Railway Station
A trawl of the internet found some images of small station buildings past and present. The majority of the smaller ones shared similar features – simple layouts, wooden boarded sides, often arranged in decorative patterns, sky-blue and white painting (presumably Buriat national colours ), and unusual cowls over the chimney stacks. My generic version has (hopefully) the Cyrillic for ‘Nowhere’ as the signboard
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/hols005.jpg~original)
Many of the trains also had box cars for troops. I reasoned I had the option of using PP’s Wild West range at a pinch, since some US rolling stock found its way on the TSR to aid the war effort. However, I chanced upon an OO scale RATIO kit of a GWR box van which was the same width as the gun cars so opted for a relatively simple conversion. Since the Russians used a 5’ gauge with wider rolling stock, the 4mm scale box van would look in keeping. I reduced the gauge of the axles to the required TT scale by cropping them and sleeving them in aluminium tubing. This required narrowing the chassis slightly. Apart from shaving a bit off the roof sides and omitting some of the more fiddly subframe parts, that was the extent of the work, beyond a suitably war-weary looking paint job and Russian markings.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/Converted4mmRATIOGWRBoxvan.jpg~original)
A final, more unusual piece of scenery - Telegraphy transmitters
In 1919, Urga (Ulan Bator) was the site of one of chain of 3 25KW Marconi wireless transmitters (the others at Urumchi and Kashgar) which were established by the Chinese authorities to help reinforce their control on the region. Marconi equipment was railed to Kalgan and then transported by camel and bullock train 800 miles across the Gobi Desert. This included three 100ft steel towers in sections and 50hp petrol engines (a load of over 300tons). The journey took 6 weeks. Some idea of the enormous logistical task can be gleaned from the enormous cavalcade Mr ST Dockray, in charge of the project, organised to establish the other two stations. An enormous caravan of twelve hundred camels, four hundred and sixty eight ponies and one hundred and seventeen bullock carts were used.
Dockray reached Urga in the midst of the conflict between the Chinese and the Whites. He repaired the station and informed the Chinese Authorities what was going on. However the station was shelled by the Whites, putting it out of action and Dockray was captured. He was detained by Ungern-Sternberg but later escaped. My take on the station gleaned from Internet articles, old photos etc.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Marconi%20station/Newbatch002.jpg~original)
The receiving room, with feeder wires entering through the top stack, and generator hut
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Marconi%20station/Newbatch005.jpg~original)
The overall array
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Good lord that's great, nice lot of stuff magnificently put together.
So you used general 00 scale railway stuff for trains and carriages?
Where did you get the tanks and vehicles from and are they 15mm?
Lots of questions sorry.
great stuff .
really liked the radio array
dodge
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Stunning, marvelous, beautiful - what more to say? And all in 15 mm. What a sha ... ;)
No, just joking. That's very creative terrain building of yours, and at least some really original buildings you won't see elsewhere.
What sources are you using mainly, any good links?
Thanks for sharing those nice pictures!
:)
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The armoured car, figures and resin train kit all in 15mm scale by Peter Pig on TT scale track. The flat wagon the MkV tank is sitting on is a scratchbuilt frame on Peter Pig wheels
OO scale kit for box car - converted to TT (crudely) by hacking the axles. Would work well with HLBS train I'd imagine...
The crane and telegaph office are adapted from OO scale kits.
The rest is all scratchbuilt.
I'll hunt out some references/links
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Amazing stuff man, congratulations :o :o
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This will look absolutely fantastic when everything is painted and based !
:o
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Very nice work especially the comms tower.
Did you scratch build the trees or where did you get them from?
Cheers
Kieran
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Stunning, marvelous, beautiful - what more to say? And all in 15 mm. What a sha ... ;)
No, just joking.
lol lol
Ah, Admiral Benbow - you said what some of the rest of us were thinking! ;)
Seriously though, I had to keep looking to be sure that the terrain was NOT 28mm, the level of detail is so good, and the overall effect so impressive.
Lovely work - whatever the scale. :)
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They are excellent!
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sukhe_bator
Thanks for stepping in and giving us such great stuff on the BOB board. Like others, I'm sorry that its 15mm but Wow! Great stuff! I'm sure that Dodge is also thankful as he has almost single handedly been carrying us on for the last couple of months (many thanks Sir). Now, when are we finally going to hear from Ignatieff with his promised report!! ....and yes, I know that I rarely post on this my favorite board, but hey my icon is Dunsterville, so that should count for something, right?
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Thank you for your comments. It seems only fair to share since the 28mm BoB ranges have been inspirational to me. It has been a very rewarding challenge finding and converting figures for this campaign. Here's a few figure conversions I'm proud of. Chinese border patrol on camels (Peter Pig British cavalry on Essex Medieval Mongol camels)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/chinesemountedinfantry.jpg~original)
Converted Minifigs GP lorry
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/chineselorries.jpg~original)
Ungern Sternberg's Ox drawn gun battery
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Sternbergsartillery.jpg~original)
Mongolian militia (Peter Pig RCW with Essex Mongol heads)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/mongolianinfantry2.jpg~original)
His madness the Baron (a Minifigs Trench mortar crewman head on a SYW Cossack Ataman's body and horse)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Ungern-Sternberg.jpg~original)
And finally, no BoB scene would be complete without a Yak caravan! (Oxen with a shaggy coat and packs made from Milliput, led by a Two Dragons Samurai attendant with a mongol head)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20fortress/khovd021.jpg~original)
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Again, absolutely stunning what you created for that period. My favourites are the chinese border patrols, great looking unit! :o
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oh my, oh my, oh my :o
wonderful creations and painting :P
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Stunning! :-* So well researched, such great skill and so brilliantly executed. Superb! Well done. I salute you sir!
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fantastic work ! :o
My favorite are the patrol on camel :-*
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AS I've said elsewhere Sukhe - stunning work as always. More please! :o
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Some simple conversions I've done over the last year or so
Siberian Rifles (FER) with the distinctive shaggy caps
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02229.jpg~original)
White Siberians
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02228.jpg~original)
Col. Kazagrandi in Circassian cloak
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02233.jpg~original)
Still to come, Siberian cavalry, Ngolok Tibetan and Tungan cavalry converted from SYW, Crimean and other Cossacks...
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Excellent stuff
How do you find 15mm to work with?
dodge
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Tricky but rewarding. 15mm's have had a bad press over the years but there really are some excellent figures out there nowadays to work with. If you want to recreate impressive scenery or a massed cavalry charge there's no better scale i.m.h.o. Plus you only need a tiny amount of green stuff to make a big difference. Head swaps are simple, spear and lance conversions quick with a pin-vice or mini drill. My largest conversion to date has been making the Yak caravan from an ox team. That used a lot of green stuff!
Perhaps my biggest challenge yet will be the planned Ngolok and Tungan conversions. I'm okay adding with green stuff and the clothing etc is quite baggy, but will have to whittle off the rather profuse cossack beards with a scalpel and still leave a recognisable face at the end of it. No radical nose jobs allowed!
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That sounds really trickky to do good luck
dodge
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First shots of initial work in progress. You need so little green stuff at this scale. A piece half the size of a matchstick will do several complete figures!
From L to R. The original Minifigs Crimean period Caucasian Cossack figure, green, sans mostache and with Tibetan 'chupa' coat and floppy fur hat, next with a variant fur cap, with a substitute head and added length of hair at the end. The bipod rests for the matchlocks are small lengths of plastic rod. Crude looking a.t.m., but I think once painted will cover a multitude of sins...
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02248.jpg~original)
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:o Freakin Awesome!
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Thanks,
They look pretty gruesome close up and are certainly quick bodges compared to some of the sculpting talent I've seen on this forum but will paint up okay. Its just so fiddly - I'm trying to think of ways to do ammo belts for the Mosin-Nagant a.t.m. - the 5 round clips - but I worked out I've got to model them about 3mm x 2mm in size! aarrgh!
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For the sake of completeness I'm including a couple of pics of the set pieces for the campaign. A Chinese fortress based on descriptions of Khovd (W Mongolia)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20fortress/khovd006.jpg~original)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20fortress/khovd010.jpg~original)
Mongolian monastery
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Mongolian%20monastery/mongol005.jpg~original)
Caravansarai/Han/wayside inn
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20fortress/Chinese%20Caravanserai/mongol003.jpg~original)
Isolated railway on Chinese Mongolian border
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Comrade%20Blyukher/DSC02438.jpg~original)
And Siberian village buildings
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Siberian%20Village/siberianbarn.jpg~original)
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Wow sb, that is indeed nice work. :o I've been doing Vietnam and Moderns in 15mm and no matter what other scales I work in aside from 15mm, I love coming back to and working in the "wee scale". I find I can get alot more completed and more on the table in the scale.
Your stuff is very inspirational. Keep up the excellent work. ;)
-Todd
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Amazing stuff, indeed. I am tempted to try doing BOB in 15mm, myself.
-Eli
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Amazing stuff, indeed. I am tempted to try doing BOB in 15mm, myself.
-Eli
As am I. In fact, I may just do that...
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What rules are you using for your games?
-Eli
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As am I. In fact, I may just do that...
ditto
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I'm using 'Triumph of the Will' by Two Fat Lardies
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/
That ruleset ticks all the boxes for me, though in truth I haven't blooded my figures yet in a big game. It has taken me over a year to assemble the figures, do conversions and build all the scenery, and I still have lots to do, but in a way that makes it all the more rewarding. Don't let the lack of ready made stuff put you off. In 15mm you can achieve good results with less materials and it takes up far less space so you can make much more (at least that's what I keep telling my wife!)
You can assemble most of the figures you need ready made with a little ingenuity which leaves you time to concentrate on tinkering figures to make the 'exotics'.
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simply excellent
like it!
everything!
the train a little bit more! ;)
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Been seeing a lot of really cool stuff in 15mm lately. This stuff is awesome!
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I'm using 'Triumph of the Will' by Two Fat Lardies
http://toofatlardies.co.uk/
That ruleset ticks all the boxes for me, though in truth I haven't blooded my figures yet in a big game. It has taken me over a year to assemble the figures, do conversions and build all the scenery, and I still have lots to do, but in a way that makes it all the more rewarding. Don't let the lack of ready made stuff put you off. In 15mm you can achieve good results with less materials and it takes up far less space so you can make much more (at least that's what I keep telling my wife!)
You can assemble most of the figures you need ready made with a little ingenuity which leaves you time to concentrate on tinkering figures to make the 'exotics'.
Not to derail the thread too much, but could you perhaps say a few things about what you like about this system? I'm not familiar with the TFL products.
Thanks,
-Eli
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TOTW has many things going for it. I haven’t used it that much but what I have seen I like a lot.
The mechanics are simple enough, with rules for trains, armoured cars, mechanical failure, low or poor ammunition etc.
It is not a skirmish set, although it will cater for any number of figures, but basically they have to be in some kind of formation be it a platoon, company etc. It is ideal for 15mm in my opinion since I wanted there to be scope for larger actions on the table. The rules emphasize the importance of willpower amongst your troops. Small numbers of highly motivated troops will outperform hordes of disinterested conscripts.
There is something about the number of figures reflecting the will of the unit rather than physical strength of numbers. However I haven't paid much attention to that since my 15mm figs are based on stands reflecting their relative formations e.g. light cavalry 2 per base, skirmishing infantry 2 per base, rank and file in 3s. I like the idea that you can’t tell a units strengths (or weaknesses) simply by looking at it.
There is a card based action sequence, not an alternating turn sequence so you can’t necessarily choose what happens or what you use next which makes for some interesting situations and simulates the chaos of battle rather nicely. Better quality troops get extra 'action' options and the quality of officers and 'persuaders' like Cheka etc. are catered for.
There’s also a simple hidden movement/deployment system akin to Principles of War with 'blinds' that need to be spotted for to find out what they are, ideal for BoB in my opinion. Great to send your cavalry outriders to investigate a dust cloud only to find it’s a camel caravan while your main body gets attacked by something else!
Well worth a punt if you want to try something a bit different.
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Since I'm aware that I'm a newbie with TOTW - this review that I just spotted should answer all your questions and correct any of my mistakes...
http://thewargameshed.blogspot.com/2006/12/review-triumph-of-will.html
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Long overdue and getting used to my new camera - but my Warlord army is finally finished!
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0576.jpg~original)
Led (from the rear) by General 'Little Hsu'
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0595.jpg~original)
Chinese cavalry - a mix of figure makes but the bulk are converted Old Glory 15s Boxer Rebellion period Chinese Imperial cavalry
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0593.jpg~original)
Infantry - a variety of makes and Nationalities 'pressed' into service
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0588.jpg~original)
Converted mounted infantry accompanied by some mechanised fire support - a Reno and Peerless armoured car
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0586.jpg~original)
105mm with gun crew and team
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0599.jpg~original)
A converted Minifigs GP lorry
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Chinese%20Warlord%20Army/IMAG0601.jpg~original)
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I am amazed! Great job, great army, a wonderful terrain! :o o_o :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Smashing look terrain and conversions. Really insperational stuff!
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Great looking Warlord Army!!!! Thanks for sharing.
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Great stuff! I love to see detail work in 15s. Richard
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Love the shell cases beside the field gun, nice touch.
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The shell casings were inspired by the RA painting of the action at Nery in WW1 - it seemed the most obvious and easiest thing to model in 15mm
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Just found this thread. Wow! Curious to know its current status? The project, I mean, not the thread.
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I second this! :)
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Beyond fantastic minis and terrain very inspiring must get painting and get back to more RCW.
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This is still going strong, though I've diverted my resources to modelling Back of Beyond conflicts further West - namely the Malleson Mission in Turkmenistan. (see separate MallMiss thread)
Inspired by Ignatieff and the LOEK'ers 'multinational' games I'm expanding my range to include improvised armoured trains like this scratchbuilt Ov and this A class Russian loco heavily converted using Peter Pig Wild West train parts
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/IMAG1660_zpspgacwlfc.jpg~original)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/IMAG1657_zpsk3csd0ob.jpg~original)
Turkmen tribesmen (converted from a number of figure sources)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/IMAG1690_zpsm9yh4zek.jpg~original)
and of course an Anglo-Indian force with Brits in tropical gear. 18pr QFs by Peter Pig with a mix of Eureka and Minifigs gun crew
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/IMAG1689_zpsq0ltjlst.jpg~original)
In the pipeline will be mounted and infantry units of Turkmens, and a range of heavily kitbashed and scratchbuilt locomotives, carriages and wagons, a station, engine shed, water tower and Turkmen tents and dwellings, plus modular rail sections and points converted from 00 gauge to TT.
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I just discovered this thread.
That telegraph station would look perfectly at home in the original back of beyond: the Aussie outback.
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Im totally amazed by so much 15mm Goodness!
Magnificent!
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A very impressive collection , always nice to see well painted figures.
Pete.
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Bloody marvellous old boy.
Wolt
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Fantastic :)
Love the British Patrol on Camels.
Cheers
Richard P
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Just found these posts, love the stuff. I have seen the 28mm stuff and always wondered about 15mm and here they are stunning!
Thanks for sharing
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Any more Pics ?
Very inspired by your efforts btw, great job.
Wolt
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WOW Ive just stumbled on this treat and its wonders.
Your miniatures are great but what made me speechless is breathtaking terrain you've made :O
I am tinkering myself with 15mm and TFL game, but havent got any minis done yet..
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Pfiouuuuu ! Superb !
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just the sheer space you have to work with showcases the advantages of 15mm. Wonderful.
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What would be suitable transport for Ungern-Sternberg's forces?
And who makes them in 15mm scale?
Regards,
Geoff - "elliesdad"
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I take my hat off to you sir. Basmachi in 15mm :o it drove me mad painting those stripes in 28mm and yours look far neater than mine!. Very well done. BUSTED
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For the sake of completeness I'm re-posting pics of MallMiss from my other thread...
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/DSCF03651_zps0hzsk1ut.jpg~original)
Sikh company of the 19th Punjabis with MG support with Hampshires and same behind, and 44By RFA
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/DSCF03641_zps2di9suu0.jpg~original)
Another 2 companies of 19th Punjabis with British officers
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/DSCF03631_zpsxpncjxur.jpg~original)
Mounted CO and obligatory RR Armoured Car
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/DSCF03621_zpski8kzrmt.jpg~original)
28th LC (lancers at this point)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Transcaspian%20conflict/DSCF03611_zpstd53rt6n.jpg~original)
As for US's forces, I read he had ox drawn artillery, so used a Peter Pig Russian limber with oxen drawn from their Colonial ranges... as well as carts
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02244.jpg~original)
And he would have had access to pack camels... and yaks (in this case more oxen with Milliput backpacks)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02245.jpg~original)
Don't forget the locals he recruited as well
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/DSC02247.jpg~original)
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Forgot to post a pic of U-S's artillery train
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x200/sukhe_bator/Sternbergsartillery.jpg~original)