Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: Wyrmalla on October 30, 2017, 11:53:37 PM
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(https://orig00.deviantart.net/d429/f/2014/212/1/6/spring_in_ukraine_by_radojavor-d7t4i0y.jpg)
Well my WWII blog's gone on for over a year now, which means its time to get distracted again...
See I've been pining to play some modern games for some time. Some of you may recall my S.T.A.L.K.E.R. thread in the PA board from a while ago. This is using that as a basis, just with the video game specific stuff stripped out. I'm working through what I've built already - tidying up what I can - , but so far there's plenty of new bits to break it up to scratch.
I'm going for a conflict set somewhere in Eastern Europe. The plan at the moment is to go for four platoons so that most battles are accurate to the location: Nationalist Territorial Defence Battalions, "Non-State Actors" (little green men), Spetsnaz (GRU), and generic Separatist/ Militiamen.
Rules wise the plan's to see how Spectre: Operations scales up to platoon sized games. I'm starting out with single squads, then introducing modern IFVs and hopefully later tanks. I've no idea how the system handles things, but hopefully it should be quick enough without too much tweaking.
Here's where I'm at for now. I'll maybe start posting more of the older stuff, but may keep that to my original thread. Up to you guys. :P
These are what I started out with, mostly as they were the easiest to finish. They're your regular Empress Miniatures Russians with very little tweaking other than to give some of the soldiers more accurate loadouts (i.e. AK-74s for the RPG teams). Right now I have two of the three platoon squads done, along with the command section.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912630_md-Russian%20Motor%20Rifles.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912631_md-Russian%20Motor%20Rifles.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912632_md-Russian%20Motor%20Rifles.JPG)
(tsk, the camera couldn't bloody focus right)
They're wearing a mix of plain green uniforms and gorka suits, along with a variation in polymer and wood stocked AKs for variety. I'm not going for near future stuff, rather just modern, so no fancy T-14 tanks or anything. The Motor Rifle platoon's mounted in 3 BMP-3s, which are still in the works.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912624_md-WIP%20BMP-3.JPG)
The camo's a variant on the usual brown/ green/ black pattern. I'm not sure if I want to include the black stripes, or leave them as is and just say that's how the base they're from decided to paint them?
Besides the proper military types an irregular force is planned. I'm rating my technology on a slope. The Russians are in the top of the line technology (sort of). The Nationalists aren't quite there, but good enough, with their equipment being a bit more rag-tag. The Separatists are going to be riding ex-moth-balled gear, or even home-made technicals (I was wondering if a captured Humvee would be interesting too, but don't want to go overboard). Whilst I haven't started on the infantry yet, I did throw together a support vehicle for them.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/16/909847_md-BRDM-2.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/16/909848_md-BRDM-2.JPG)
Whilst the BRDM-2 doesn't really cut it for full scale engagements, throw on some slat armour and a ZU-23-2 on the roof and it can be a nippy fire support vehicle. This one's a HLBS kit with a Spectre Miniatures ZU-23-2 stuck on the top (yes, I fixed the sights...). The armour's just plasticard. The stowage is mostly by Die Waffenkammer/ HLBS.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912627_md-WIP%20BRDM-2.jpg)
I also have an MTLB in a similar role. This one's for the Nationalists.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912620_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
I've gone a bit more overboard on the armour here ...as the MTLB's a gloried artillery tractor to be honest (all the armour kits I'm making are based on photos though, not sure if I can get away with posting them however). Sticking those ZU-23s on the back of random vehicles is kind of fun. :)
Now AA guns strapped onto the back of recce vehicles is all well and good, but having something with an actual official designation is maybe more effective...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912621_md-WIP%20Shilka.JPG)
Yes, this is based on a photograph. I'm thinking of maybe covering the front in sandbags, as it looks a bit bare compared to the rest of the vehicle.
The Nationalist forces will be riding in BMP-2s, up armoured and covered in crap.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912628_md-BMP-2.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912629_md-BMP-2.JPG)
This one's painted in some mock digital camo which I've seen going about. I'm not massively into how it looks though, so will probably go for a green/ grey stripe pattern with the other lot (I'll just say this one's been nabbed from a dissolved unit). Its by HLBS, with bits from TT Combat (obligatory mattress), HLBS, Spectre, and Die Waffenkammer (that terrain thread in the PA Board hurt my wallet bad this month...).
The soldiers need something to fight over, and I've began putting together more scenery to go along with my existing collection. The plan's to have enough for a town board. Whilst I probably have enough cottages I'd like to have shops, garages, maybe a pharmacy or a police station to mix in with them.
This is due to be either a cafe or a grocery store, depending on which order of bits shows up first.
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22279906_1835472396493618_733057410582109408_n.jpg?oh=1385f8190cfa74fa8c4493a3dce4fb4d&oe=5A6E0FB3)
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/22382126_1835473336493524_1865427093181542762_o.jpg?oh=b7a7f61ed9b093ec3d97f2a2974cca3f&oe=5AA96BB6)
I'm thinking about going over the walls in pebbledash, but need to work out where the rear door and air con units are going first.
This is an older building which has languished for a while now. The plans to make it a petrol station, with separate pumps. Right now it too's in limbo awaiting bits, so its still fairly natty (lots of gap filling to do).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912622_md-WIP%20petrol%20station.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912623_md-WIP%20petrol%20station.JPG)
And to go along with all the cottages are a load of sheds/ garages. These'll also work for a more urban area as storage units. They're still being worked through; only two having roofs so far.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912613_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912614_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912617_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912616_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912618_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912615_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/10/30/912619_md-WIP%20Shed.JPG)
I don't want to go too overboard with the interior details, just enough to hint at what the real things are like. I need to go back and do the same to the existing buildings which I made years ago as well, as a fair few of them don't have any furniture.
Anyhow, any input would be appreciated. Criticise the hell out of stuff as necessary. :)
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Your stuff is looking good to me.
Excellent painting on your Russian guys.
Bmp3's work as a ride, would your men have that modern of kit?
Love your buildings.
Really nice builds, can't wait to see them done.
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The BMP-3s are for the Russians, which have been in service in limited numbers since '85. Due to the amount of Cold War era surplus the rest of the forces will have I felt like giving the Russians a bit more punch (and damn, balancing those for a platoon level game will be difficult. Spectre luckily has rules for "light tank cannons". ...Those things use the BMP-2's main gun in a co-ax mount).
I do have "recorded" stats for vehicles in service with the Ukrainian armed forces for the past decade, though whether they're exact is obviously questionable. They had some carry over BMP-3 from the U.S.S.R. I believe (single digits), with more being "acquired" recently. BMP-2s and BTR-80s have been the mainstay since even before the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. (surprisingly few MTLB in the official records past a certain point).
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Wow nice start!
Where did the corrugated iron come form? I'm always looking for a good alternative source.
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Always fun to see your work. I too am interested to see if the Specter rules work for bigger games.
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Wow, cool inspirational pic and amazing terrain!
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Excellent work as ever. I look forward to seeing more of it.
A number of models of current conflict vehicles crop up in the Modelling press (one of the magazine's must be an AC/DC fan as the BRDM decorated with their logo is a regular).
An alternative to Spectre is Skirmish Sangin, they are working on a platoon plus version which might scale better.
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Looking good! If you're looking for an opponent who has played lots of Spectre, I'm over in Edinburgh and always up for a game of Moderns
As for the BMP 3's the combination of Light Tank gun/ATGM, Auto-cannon and multiple MMGs make it a bit of a terror against infantry forces.
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@ Rich H
I was picking that up from a model rail shop, though it just came in vacuum-form sheets with no labels unfortunately (they were always crap telling me how to buy it myself, and now they're shut down. "I'll buy 100 of these things at your prices" - "meh, that's nice"). The stuff I'm using now is the black card on the roof, which is nowhere near as good, but cropped up in a craft store.
@ commissarmoody
Fingers crossed. I mean, I have used 7TV for platoons sized modern combat before. Spectre maybe more able at the task... ;)
@ Ockman
Thanks man. Ah, wait till its painted and looking like crap (god those shelving units in the sheds are going to be a pain in the arse). :)
@ Ultravanillasmurf
Aye, I remember looking at Skirmish Sangin years ago. Spectre is just what came to mind for modern games as I had their .pdf of the rules still on my drive. I'm invested now, but if it craps out its not like I'm beholden to them or anything. The Spectre rules seem streamlined enough, though definitely err towards smaller games with all the individual tokens (though hopefully that the game touts Mogadishu style scenarios it is in fact capable).
And yeah, I did buy a load of back issues of Military Modelcraft International. Pity the Facebook groups they mention for more pictures come up with dead links. "AD-DC's" shown up in a few of their issues. :P
@ ChargeDog
Hah, I just play at my local club. ...As I can't be bothered loafing the terrain boxes anywhere else. I was in Edinburgh a few days ago though, and considering the sorry situation that you guys have their for modelling shops (loads of roleplaying ones though). :)
Aye, my regular opponent has British armed mostly with rifles and in a battle taxi (can't remember which, but its not one of the upgunned modern variants). I tend to make my own forces for playing games so I can supply any would be players. In that case the plan's to balance out the BMP-3s/ mini -tanks and all the support weapons the Russians have (1 RPG + 2 disposable AT tubes a squad) with support vehicles on the enemy side like the Shilka. Even at a squad level the other side would probably need a BMP-2 and a ZU-23-2 to balance out the firepower a bit.
My game tonight, we'll see how it goes. Luckily the BMP-3s are still unfinished. I've not played with this terrain properly in years, so I'll be bringing along a spare pot of black paint to cover up all the chip marks. :D
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I am following this intensely. It all looks amazing.
I love how much crap you have put inside of the buildings that will only be visible with the roof lifted of.
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I gave up on buildings without interiors years ago. The first shed doesn't have a second door or windows, so only really will be used to block line of sight, or have some loot in it possibly. The others hopefully will be more dynamic in game terms, with maybe a shooter hiding in one, or as something to run through to slow down any pursuers in Zombie games.
They're about as packed as I could manage whilst being practical. That's an issue I've been having with the interiors - can a model actually fit in here and be moved without the players destroying the thing? I learned after a while to go for low ceilings in the houses and larger than normal room sizes so people can actually fit their hands in... :)
And yes, I am the guy who'll procrastinate over board setups being "realistic" then spend the game thinking "oh crap, why are there no parking meters on this city board?". :D
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Great project- I'll be following with interest
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Another Wyrmalla scratchbuilding and conversion extravaganza to follow, hooray! lol 8)
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Wow nice start!
Where did the corrugated iron come form? I'm always looking for a good alternative source.
Besides Slaters, have you tried South East Finecast?
http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/Building%20Materials/Building%20Materials.htm (http://www.sefinecast.co.uk/Building%20Materials/Building%20Materials.htm)
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All looking awesome. Love the improvised nature of the vehicles. Also love those interiors. Is that Rusty Rail stuff you have in there?
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... Also love those interiors. Is that Rusty Rail stuff you have in there?
I recognise some Skytrex chemical drums and Rubicon boxes.
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Aye, I bought a load of those Rusty Rail bits for the sheds. Storage units which I've been to have never been really clean. I remember ones full of rusty shelves and random cardboard boxes (with a car hidden beneath) when I was a kid. Pity models need to fit in them, otherwise the whole floor would be piled in junk. :)
I've deleted the shopping list, but I must have placed a dozen orders from sites on that list on the PA board. The bits for the two shops turned up today, so I'm rotating through projects as they suit my fancy. I'm still waiting on my Black Cat Bases on though (1 month now), so I can't bloody finish anything as that has all the little bits (shop tills, tin cans...). Boo. :(
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A nice forceful start - will follow with interest.
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Hi Wyrmalla.
If you need help in selecting photos for inspiration, I can help. I have a large selection of photos of various cars and uniforms of this conflict.
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Hey cuprum. Yes, I remember your previous threads on the subject. I was using Tank-net's threads for reference, but they updated their forum a while ago and a lot of them were deleted. I already have folders of images, though pointers to more are always useful. You never know what might spark some inspiration. :)
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Hmm ... That's a lot of photos ...
Tell me what you are interested in. Improvised armored vehicles? Interesting coloring? Any specific types of tanks or armored cars?
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I'm covering multiple forces, so really, whatever. I've hundreds of photographs already, but new stuff's always interesting. :)
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Good. At me - now already midnight. Tomorrow I will select for you interesting photos.
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You can download some photos here: https://yadi.sk/d/_uKiNWvR3PLAYn
(http://s16.radikal.ru/i191/1711/a0/1a7fa79421fa.jpg)
Download button
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@ cuprum
First, thanks cuprum for that folder. I hadn't expected so many pictures, but expect that you have better access to cyrillic forums where this sort of thing crops up more.
Work's come along on some more bits and bobs. The same models which were on my painting table during my original post are still there, just blame that on other priorities.
Instead I worked on a pair of Technicals. For the National and Seperatist elements (too grubby for the foreigners).
The first of the two is more of a "Narco Tank". Its not based on any one design, rather its a been a mish-mash of stuff from around the world.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/11/5/913828_md-WIP%20Technical.JPG)
That's mostly to cover up that its not made from an actual pickup truck. I had a 1/56th US WWII truck going spare. Having widened the chassis and removed a set of the rear wheels I then made the body from scratch (thus why its so heavily armoured). I'll likely be painting this to look like its made from rusted sheets so it can be used by anyone, including in other settings.
The second one's a it more down to earth with its design. Whilst its not an exact copy, I based it on a picture of a similar vehicle (hah, which ****** had in his folder oddly enough).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/11/5/913827_md-WIP%20Technical.JPG)
(https://cs5.pikabu.ru/images/big_size_comm/2015-01_2/14205315549544.jpg)
This one's a Toyota Hilux by a Antenocitis Workshop, admitedly still short on greenstuff filling and details. The gunner I made from a Project Z Spec Ops soldier by Warlord games, though with a head and gun by Empress, and his legs were modified to fit te rear of the pickup. The back's jumbled up with stowage as you'd expect. Looking at it now that tarp above the front windshield is clear of any shots, but I can imagine it winding up with a few holes anyway if things get too hairy. :)
While I'm posting these I'll stick up some older technicals which I originally made for my S.T.A.L.K.E.R. collection. These are all based opn 1/43rd scale diecasts which may be a bit large for 28mm games, though aren't massively overrzised alongside the Empress and HLBS vehicles. The painjobs could do with some touching up, but here's the original pictures from the other thread.
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/96a7/f/2015/046/2/d/armoured_uaz_van_by_frufruhm-d8i6oky.jpg)
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/9135/f/2015/055/c/a/armoured_gaz_69_jeep_by_frufruhm-d8jbij9.jpg)
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/0b05/f/2015/055/6/3/hillbilly_armour_land_rover_defender_by_frufruhm-d8jbiq1.jpg)
The Landrover's maybe the most passable, however the size difference with the infantry's still pretty clear. They'll do if I'm ever short on vehicles, or for terrain (an ambushed convoy perhaps) in a pinch.
Now I did manage some terrain. These are road and street blocking barricades made from 1/43rd diecasts by DiAgostini.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/11/5/913817_md-Barricade.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/11/5/913815_md-Barricade.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/11/5/913816_md-Barricade.JPG)
1/43'rds too large of course, but they work a bit better when hidden under the rubble (and it isn't as much a jump in scale when using 1/48th vehicles). The rubbel and stacked furniture's mostly either cork or balsa wood, with some Renedra sand bags, Tamiya bricks, and some other junk thrown in.
Nobody comment on the fact that that Ambulance didn't see use outside of Russia. These things were going for £1, and I bought like 50 of them. :)
I'm still waiting on my order from Black Cat Gaming (over a month now), so I'm get to painting any of the larger terrain pieces. Ideally those would be my priority in order to branch out from the usual tables we play on. Oh well.
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That Technical looks good.
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Nice work as usual!
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Great work on the technicals. Not that you need any help with them but I thought I'd pass along this in case you'd not seen it before:
http://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1423&context=cgu_fac_pub
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Cool stuff! Really nice barricades, the camper van is great as well!
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Ah, I haven't read that document. The most I know about Narco Tanks is fro Tank Encylopedia's article on the subject. I'll give that a look, as I have a thing for them. :D
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I'm glad if I could help. I do have a very large number of photos and information on the belligerent units of both sides.
Wyrmalla, you do not take into account one moment. The region in which hostilities are taking place is one of the most industrialized in the former USSR. There are a large number of factories and coal mines, and the majority of the population has the appropriate technical skills. For the game is more suitable terraine like Stalingrad (factories and workers' settlements around).
Outside the cities, the relief is flat, treeless steppe, intersected by artificial forest belts to protect against winds.
Photo with different ideas for terrane: https://yadi.sk/d/s0miTI6Y3PSWqN
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My terrain set at the moment's based on buildings found in Chernobyl. I don't see myself making an industrial area, as I've already committed to a winter one for my WWII stuff and don't want to waste resources. Rather what I have suits either a marsh area, or a village - which I'm sure crop up all over the former U.S.S.R.
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Quite the project going on here, congrats!
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I know I've seen those street barricades with the wrecked cars before, but I still geek out over them like it's the first time. Such great execution on those. ;D
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What mine? Last time I posted them was ages ago like this:
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2016/4/15/792893_md-Barricade.JPG)
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Amazing stuff here.
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Hmmm they may not be the very same ones, but you posted something similar in an old thread. Either way, awesome stuff.
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And we're back. Something, something, playing too many computer games. ;)
Well here's what I've managed this past week and a half. A start on my National forces.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919690_md-National%20Defence%20Battlalion.JPG)
I'm going for squads of 6, with an RPK, PKM, RPG-7, and 2 UGLs. These're made from a mix of Empress, Eureka and Wargames Factory minis. I'm mostly setting them apart from the other forces by giving these guys American heads and some European camo (mostly) DPM), rather than mostly Soviet camo on the Seperatists (these have plenty on them too). The surplus desert gear also helps.
One squad down, 3 more to go. :)
Here's the Hilux technical as well. Its not 100% based on that picture from earlier (that wasn't even a Hilux), but close enough.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919693_md-Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919694_md-Technical.JPG)
This one's made by Antenocitis Workshop, who're expanding their modern range and planning on including some more technicals. As with the WIP picture I just slapped some armour on it, and another of those Wargames Factory soldiers on the back. Unfortunately its not the same scale as my other vehicles, coming in closer to 1/43rd than 1/50th (though I've seen worse). I'd say the Spectre MIniature's Hilux is probably more appropriate, but I'm committed now (a second one's sitting waiting to be turned into something or other).
This one may be a bit incongruous. A ZiS-151 which managed to power on for a good few decades after the War to be converted into a cargo vehicle or APC of some sort. Its based on a Tamiya Deuce and a Half (the fuel tanker variant), which hopefully isn't super obvious under the armour. Meh, I think it looks the part.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919691_md-Armoured%20Truck.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919692_md-Armoured%20Truck.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919681_md-WIP%20Truck.JPG)
I scraped through and finished the MT-LB with ZU-23-2. Nothing too outragious with the camo or anything.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919695_md-MT-LB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919696_md-MT-LB.JPG)
MT-LBs are great. Not really a combat vehicle of course, I just like how they look (the civilian conversion seen in the film Siberiade comes to mind; watching it growing up probably had an effect on my opinion of the thing). Hmn, I ought to buy the command variant of it from HLBS ...though justifying one of those showing up within a platoon sized game may be a bit much - unless its an objective. Hmn...
The three BMP-3s (...could have picked some better phrasing there) are done as well. These big green hulks have sat in the gloomful "almost done" state for ages now, till I just decided to give them a dry brush and liberal coat of mud, then call them well enough finished.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919697_md-BMP-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919698_md-BMP-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919699_md-BMP-3.JPG)
They're painted in a slight alternative on the usual tan scheme; substituting it for a light green. I'd seen some recce Tank Destroyer painted that way, though have no idea of the origins. Instead, well, let's just assume that they've either been repainted in the field, or the unit's based in some distant depot where they ran out of paint. :)
No markings on these for obvious reasons (no, not as I'm crap at painting). ;)
Oh, and the armoured jeep thing which I posted originally is in a sort of limbo state. I think its going to be relegated to being a survivor vehicle for zombie games or something. It has more of a Narco Tank, or Middle Eastern IED vehicle than what you'd see in Europe (especially now that I've added on slat armour). I'll not scrap it, rather its just not really fitting in with this current project much.
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Nice, especially the BMP-3s. I have one still gathering dust (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bmp3-work-in-progress.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/bmp3-work-in-progress.html)).
I was interested to hear about the size of the Antenocitis vehicles. Are they a lot bigger than the Spectre vehicles?
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They're too large. The maker caters to Infinity, so they're 32mm rather than 28mm. I just happened to have picked them up as they had posted them on a Facebook page and Spectre was out of stock of their's.
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The lastest additions are pretty good, don't beat yourself up.
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Next up. ;)
(http://www.obramba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ukrajinska-vojska-oklepniki-AT105-saxon-4x4.jpg)
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Next up. ;)
(http://www.obramba.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ukrajinska-vojska-oklepniki-AT105-saxon-4x4.jpg)
good to see that those Saxon' s are being put to good use.
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There were Saxons in the Tankograd Yugoslavian forces book.
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@commissarmoody
Heh, that's from the initial delivery (they'd been sitting mothballed in a depot in England for decades). Initially they were deployed as combat vehicles, before being relegated to internal security or logistics purposes (mostly) I believe. The armour's just too thin (designed for anti-riot duties), and isn't rated to stop 12.7mm, so they were decommissioned by the British.
Here's my first pass on the Saxon from last night.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/11/920064_md-WIP%20Saxon.JPG)
The angle of the front plate's too shallow, and the turret's a bit too tall, but other than that I think its looking decent enough. The scale's maybe a bit off as well, though calling it "roughly" 30mm works. Now for round two of the gap filling. :P
So as not to mess around with the original look of the vehicle I won't be going for an armour kit like the ones below (you can only have so many vehicles with slat armour before things begin to get silly):
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIw3JA1WsAAG9yh.jpg)
(https://i0.wp.com/cdn1.img.fr.sputniknews.com/images/101511/47/1015114768.jpg)
Instead this style (with the stripped off external storage boxes) seems more appropriate.
(https://www.wykop.pl/cdn/c3201142/comment_lbmOh2U06FHmEzdeWlCAKpiUImREelNm.jpg)
The same artist who made the picture on the first page of this thread also has a few others. I'm thinking of making this Saxon an ambulance, as well to be honest they aren't really fit for much else.
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/8438/f/2017/041/4/8/winter_war_by_radojavor-dayjzxl.jpg)
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That's what I read also. Mostly used for supply runs, ambulance service and behind the lines patrols and troop movment.
Better then a unarmored car and looks military so it will work. lol
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Mildly OT. ;)
(https://scontent.flhr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/25158280_1966920490187393_3876974185873466220_n.jpg?oh=0e042fbe54bd0f5f1d1122f9bc8e1076&oe=5A9203D5)
Want, so much want. :D
...I have slight PTSD from providing tech support for those things. Now I need an excuse to go order them (I'm holding back from ordering any of the Russian stuff on that site, as most of its not due to enter service till 2020 - and well who knows how much things will have changed by then). :)
Anyhow. The Saxon's coming along. The base body's done, now its detailing that and finalising the wheels. The underside's also came up with a few inaccuracies which will need to be resolved with some creative (read: liberal) application of mud.
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Very nice, what is it?
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A rugged laptop. ;)
(sitting on top of a Gaz Tigr, with Spetsnaz for scale. Found on Kings Hobbies and Games).
Sorry I mean a rugged laptop...
(http://assets.hardwarezone.com/img/2014/06/DSC01772_0.jpg)
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If it's anything like our ruggedised laptops it's still work as well as it always did.
Very slowly and with an out of date operating system with no support contract....
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Despite the flair that seem to attach to the Rugged systems, most of the users are just field agents; not the glamorous military. :P
They're a paint in the arse to take a part with their twin chassis (oh you finally busted open the screws to get in here, well F you sucker). Considering the ones that did need serviced usually were thrown under a bus. Luckily we'd persuade people to have the depot look at them instead (though if that's all a guy had then that's not much use to them - the new guys still tried forcing a depot service on people).
Though yes, other than being bricks, getting much use out of the things was a high bar. Probably why they're sold to organisations who don't give a crap about the state of their OS (...Windows for Warships is a treat coming from 10). :D
Ah, not to go on about my former life. ;)
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How does the Tigra compare to the Empress one?
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I don't have that particular one; I just took the picture from that seller's Facebook page. The Kings Hobbies and Games stuff varies in quality. The straight 3D prints can be pretty rough, the resin casts are much better (I have some of his Zil Punishers awaiting painting and they're good enough for gaming). Looking at the Tigr I believe it to be resin.
At a glance the Empress one come with pewter details rather than being all resin. It also has a conventional cupola and gun mount which you're likely to see in the field. Conversely however Kings Hobbies and Games offer the lesser seen upgraded variants of the Tigr (the owner Tim seems to be into making variants like these, see all the 2020 Russian stuff). Whilst they may not be realistic for all real world scenarios (I'm not sure if they've even seen combat), they're pretty cool for gaming.
I'd considered taking the 30mm turret version (which FYI, the particular gun used there is standard across loads of modernized vehicles like the BTR-80) and sticking it on a Zil Punsher. However I don't have a dremel. The resin which Kings Hobbies and Games uses is harder than Empress'. So at the least you've less of a chance of breaking one of his ones.
So, as a summary - unless the scale's different (which I don't suspect them to be based on the Punishers I have), barring the difference in the lack of pewter details both could be used alongside each other without too much of a difference from what I can see. The Modern Miniatures Warfare page on Facebook may have more pictures as a comparison, or well, if you're actually interested King's Hobbies and Games owner Tim Spakowski is pretty responsive to inquiries (and for a small business owner he's not a bad guy to talk to).
Edit: and it looks like Kings Hobbies and Games have a 20% off sale on a load of stuff if you are looking, including the new Spetsnaz and Punisher (Falcatus)
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Queue :P
(https://image.spreadshirtmedia.com/image-server/v1/mp/compositions/T812A1PA1663PT14X100Y45D1011580017S58C20%3A12/views/1,width=300,height=300,backgroundColor=E8E8E8/shill.jpg)
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Thanks.
I have an Empress one, but have not got round to building it.
Kings Hobbies and Games certainly have a very interesting range of vehicles.
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Love this thread - very accurate depictions. Well done.
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Heh, the Saxon so far's gone through plenty of "meh, nobody will notice" moments already, as I find another reference photo which shows I've done something wrong. Not like you can tell in the online pictures. :)
Second hand shops have failed me yet again today as I try in vain to find any suitable vehicles. They screwed me with their lack of American 1950s vehicles, and continue to be crap for any Soviet style diecasts. However, I did pick up two things. A truck and a racing car.
(http://static.carmodel.com/photos/76449.jpg?1)
The truck (you all know what a damn Formula 1 car looks like). I'll be armouring it up (and uh, removing the circus signage) and turning it into an APC. ...If I can find something to jemmy off those dumb all rivets holding the bed on!
Meanwhile I came across this image on a particular subreddit going be "Sh*tty Technicals". I'll lop off the wheels and suspension from the racing car and rebuild the body if I decide to go ahead with that thing (having come home and looked at this picture again the car might be too big to be a good donor). :)
(http://img0.reactor.cc/pics/post/%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%8F-%D0%A3%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%97%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%84%D1%8D%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%8B-%D0%B0%D0%B2%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%97%D0%A1%D0%A3-3546868.jpeg)
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And here's the Saxon.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/16/920520_md-WIP%20Saxon.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/16/920521_md-WIP%20Saxon.JPG)
Its the medevac variant, so no guns and two side doors instead of one. I'll give it a cleanup tomorrow once the milliput's set.
I'm calling it good enough for gaming. ...Don't kill me anyone who's actually ridden one of these and sees all the mistakes (they were still being used in Afghanistan not too long ago).
Now the next sexy little thing I'm oggling is this:
(https://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/ukraine/wheeled_vehicle/btr-4/pictures1/btr-4_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_Ukrainian_army_Ukraine_Morozov_002.jpg)
The BTR-4. Specifically probably one of the variants with a turret. I'm not sure which, though found that there's actually one called the 4A which is made to use BTR and BMP turrets (including the BMP-3). Those 30mm guns seem a bit finnickly to build.
As its largely based on the BTR-80 I'll be casting up some spare wheels from Empress' one (I wanted some of their Spetsnaz assault helmets, so thought I may as well buy one of those too) and using it for some general measurements (though the 4's longer due to the larger turret and rear doors). Building the Saxon, and well all my German vehicles is giving me the confidence to be a bit more adventurous with my builds. :)
Oh, and in regards to the BTR-80. I may just be dull and go for a regular one with slat armour and stowage, or could have some fun (and again dread building one of those 30mm guns) and turn it into a BTR-3.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a7/Kharkiv_Morozov_BTR-3E1_APC_%289689290574%29.jpg)
Or alternatively I could make a pot of soup, and actually be productive with my time... ;)
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Unless you are going to share the soup with us, I would vote for you building and posting.
Nice work on the Saxon.
I look forward to seeing your work on the BTRs. I just assembled and base painted my BTR 80, nice model, just never finished it. I am hoping for some inspiration.
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Fab job so far. Some really awesome scratchbuilds. You sir are a genius!
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BTR gun doesn't look *that* bad....
Simply do the main larger rings and green stuff the rest ;D
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Aye, I need to keep telling myself "its not a show piece. I could stick a cotton bud out of the thing and no-one would be the wiser". We'll see whenever the package shows up I guess. :P
More crap finished over the weekend. :)
The second squad for the National Defence Battalion.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920681_md-National%20Defence%20Battalion.JPG)
At this point the US helmets and desert camo, mixed in with some European stuff is what I'm going to use to set these guys apart from the Seperatist forces. Its kind of difficult as well realistically they'd both look the same, but well, gaming. Those Wargames Factory models are probably going to be purged as their guns are far too chunky compared to the other company's (probably as the others are pewter).
And the Saxon was a quickie.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920679_md-Saxon.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920680_md-Saxon.JPG)
A fun little terrain piece, or maybe as part of a convoy/ scenario. As Ironclad Paul would say its a "useless vehicle". ;)
Ah, and well something which is probably more useful than all of the soldiers put together, some terrain.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920678_md-Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920676_md-Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/17/920677_md-Shed.JPG)
A super interesting shed. It helps if I sit the roof right... With it cleared away something else'll need pulled out of the building pile (which I really need to get back on top of).
Next on my table's a T-80 and a Tank Crew ...if something shiny doesn't cross my view first. :)
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Very impressive miniatures and terrain!
I love the detailed interior, it looks amazing!
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A nice update. I like your unique painting style with this subject. And yes, lovely tat in that shed.
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The contents of that shed look great, where did you get that bath and toilet?
The figures and the Saxon look good.
[Edit] autocorrect corrected...
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I posted a link to the seller in the pinned PA terrain thread at the top of that board. Its a guy on the Dakka Dakka forum who just makes them himself (I bought a load of them, as well you never know. ...And people are always forgetting bathrooms when making houses). :)
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Great shed, the clutter looks brilliant :)
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A T-80U fresh from some scrap yard.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/18/921018_md-T-80U.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/18/921019_md-T-80U.JPG)
The T-80U's perhaps not the most contemporary of tanks (and in retrospect I should have done it up as a T-80UD), but to be honest I just washing in the mood for tearing resin. Still, there were loads of these produced, and some were being scrapped straight from the factory with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. I can imagine that this one's been pulled from one of the tank yards and hurried to the field by some defence battalion or whatever.
With predictable results. A tank crew from a downed tank. ;)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/18/921017_md-Tank%20Crew.JPG)
Empress' (Red Star's) Chechen range is all over the place with scale. I'd avoided them as I had some of the original line who were more like 25mm than 28mm. Luckily half of it matches Empress' stuff (same sculptor). These however seem more in line with the stuff he did for CP Models - more like 30mm. I guess they're in scale with the vehicles at least. They probably should have AK-74s rather than AKSU, though its not like we won't be seeing those in use for a good few more decades yet.
I've ordered a T-72 from Empress, along with that BTR-80. With that hopefully I'll put a bit more effort in as their's appears to be one of the older models without so much tat on it to tear off. I wouldn't mind making one of those ERA covered monstrosities. :)
Just a pity nobody makes a T-64 anymore in something resembling 28mm.
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Not sure if you've seen this, but butlers printed models does a T64 in 28mm scale.
https://www.butlersprintedmodels.co.uk/28mm/post-ww2/t64.html
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Not sure if you've seen this, but butlers printed models does a T64 in 28mm scale.
https://www.butlersprintedmodels.co.uk/28mm/post-ww2/t64.html
Has anyone tried any of their models in 28mm? I am sorely tempted but worried about printlines.
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I think - you are worried in vain. Boxes of dynamic protection, metal grilles and ordinary trash hide any defects)))
(http://s020.radikal.ru/i723/1712/fe/1940de9775a4.jpg)
(http://s018.radikal.ru/i514/1712/75/d6e8e7ca7394.jpg)
(http://s017.radikal.ru/i435/1712/02/e482c2b8aca6.jpg)
(http://s019.radikal.ru/i626/1712/b6/6f954b261820.jpg)
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Not sure if you've seen this, but butlers printed models does a T64 in 28mm scale.
https://www.butlersprintedmodels.co.uk/28mm/post-ww2/t64.html
I think his 28mm scale is 1/56, you might want to see if he will print them at 1/50 instead
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Aye, I'm aware of that company. They're 1/56th mostly as far as I've seen, and judging by the pictures available the quality's nowhere near what I'm looking for unfortunately.
And with the T-72 I'll be sticking on the ERA similar to those pictures; not going for something too distract a change. Probably just the original vehicle with addon armour instead of replacing parts (going for a reclaimed vehicle look, rather than one which has been progressively modernised).
Another anachronism brought to you by Empress Miniatures, an early model T-90.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/19/921203_md-T-90.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/19/921204_md-T-90.JPG)
As with the T-80U its not like these things still aren't chucking about somewhere. I didn't do what Queeg did with his and give it a welded turret however, though again I'd like something more modern if I have the chance. Despite its age this one has a cleaner paintjob than the other one (I wonder why :P), ah, though I'm not sure I colour matched the grey/tan exactly.
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Very nice.
Nice collection of tat on the turrets of those tanks in the photographs.
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The Red Star T-72 comes with a full set of roadwheels and tracks, instead of cut down ones like their T-80 and T-90. Finally. I've been wanting to cut the front mudguards off of one of these things like in most of Cuprum's pictures! : lol
Right, now to start arsing about with the BTR-ABC123 :P
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The Red Star T-72 comes with a full set of roadwheels and tracks, instead of cut down ones like their T-80 and T-90. Finally. I've been wanting to cut the front mudguards off of one of these things like in most of Cuprum's pictures! : lol
The Imprint/Empress T90 and T72 both have a full set of wheels.
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/t90.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/t90.html)
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/empress-t72m-work-in-progress.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.co.uk/2017/07/empress-t72m-work-in-progress.html)
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Aye its the Imprint ones I'm using. What I mean is the T-80/ 90 they do have the tops of the roadwheels cut off to an extent and are missing the tracks about the front. Their T-70 though has more of its track assembly intact (though has too much of a block above the tracks so that you can't leave off the fenders without rebuilding that area).
Edit: Though saying that, Imprint's T-72 and T-90 are almost the same tank. The only real different is the front plate and parts of the turret. ...Which seems pretty lazy to me. I guess the T-90 is built on the 72, but I had thought there were more differences even with the early models. I guess not.
The plan with the T-72's to turn it into a T-72B1 (or one of that family). Mostly that's just adding ERA, changing the smoke dischargers and messing with the barrel a bit as far as I can tell.
Empress' BTR-80 looks like too much of a job to turn into a BTR-3. I could manage it, but don't have the heart to obliterate all that detail. For the 3 I'd pretty much need to strip the upper detail down to nothing and start again (it has a raised roof).
Instead, seeing as the BTR-80's not really for a specific use anyway, I can either use it as itself, or turn it into something different. I'm thinking a BMM-80 Ambulance?
(http://oruzhie.info/images/bmm-80/bmm-80-simfonia-01.jpg)
There's tonnes of weird derivatives out there, though most end with "no production contacts have been outlined", and I'd rather avoid too much fiction at the moment. No Terminators yet I'm afraid. :P
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That is interesting, my 2013 Imprint T90 has full road wheels but half return rollers (there is a photograph of the bits on the T90 link above, I seemed to have forgotten to take a "before" photograph of the T72). I can see why you cannot remove the side skirts.
I will be interested in seeing your ERA additions.
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Damn, some Spetsnaz turned up from Kings Hobbies and Games today. Whilst they're supposed to represent Russians, and work as them, I think they actually look a bit more like what the other side are using.
Which is a pity. Um, in my over sensitive gamer mindset, as I was going to use some of the Mike Bravo Miniatures IDF with Tavors for those guys. See the heads on these Spetsnaz are so nice (with their goggles and fancy helmets) I'm not sure I have the heart now to go ahead and cut them off. I was intending to replace them with the GRU Assault helmets with the ballistic faceplates (from Spectre Miniatures).
Oh well. :P
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If you don't want to do head surgery, Empress have some heads in siege helmets in their range which could be used as an alternative.
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Yeah, its those that I have. Having rifled through what I have I'll probably go for a mix of the helmets. Two squads of eight - 1 breacher, 1 LMG, 1 explosives guy, 1 VSS, and 4 AKs. Split up into three Zil Punishers (carrying 6 each). That's roughly half as many men as what I'm going for with my other units, but covers their better training - at least under the Spectre rules.
I guess I'll order some of those Tavor armed guys after the holidays. With a headswap and some gear changes they could work. I believe RPC Fort have production rights to the Negev LMG, so I probably don't even need to switch that off of the Mike Bravo IDF (though a Soviet produced LMG is maybe more realistic given the Fort Tavors are re-chambered for Soviet rounds).
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Christmas is over and here's the start on the third force for my modern games, an FSB assault squad.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922111_md-FSB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922110_md-FSB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922112_md-FSB.JPG)
They're a mix of Spectre Miniatures and Kings Hobbies and games Spetsnaz, with Empress heads for those who didn't have ballistic face plates. The sniper's a spare Russian MG gunner who's had his arms replaced with some Chechen fighter's and from one of those I replaced with the new helmets.
4 AKs, an LMG (I've no idea what its supposed to be), VSS rifle, GM-94 Grenade Launcher and a guy with a shield. The plan's to go for two squads like this bunched up in three Zil Punishers (with a capacity for around six men each). Oh, and a sniper in one of the spare seats.
Hopefully something I can get done quickly enough, though one squad of these guys could probably outdo most regular soldiers. I doubt I'll be adding to the Spetsnaz force like I am the others due to how specialised they are. But hey, as I mentioned earlier having an opposing Spetsnaz unit armed with IMI Tavors and some European jeep (Kings Hobbies and Games ...Christ that's a long name to type all the time ... do some Italian ones which are in country IIRC) could be good.
Another vehicle off the list. Some close range anti-infantry firepower.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922106_md-Shilka.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922107_md-Shilka.JPG)
...At least that's what I've been lead to believe. How many wargamers bring helicopters to their games? ;)
From HLBS, just with some armour slapped on. I started out with the mesh like on the turret, but it started to look dumb, so went for some regular slat armour on the hull (the real vehicle this is based on had it all over).
With the BTR-80 I've gone ahead and just made it the regular variant.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922108_md-BTR-80.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922109_md-BTR-80.JPG)
After painting the Shilka I'm a little fed up with slat armour messing with the profile of vehicles. Instead some spares tracks seemed to work (ah, and passengers if we're back in Soviet times) as extra armour. Oh, plus some of the passenger's heads got swapped so they weren't quite so stuck in the 1990s with their gear (American ones which are pretty easy to pick up on the internet). :)
Those passengers are fun. Their arms and heads are easy enough to swap out so I may pick up some more. A load of guys sitting on the roofs of transports would be cool for a convoy.
One more shed. Shed time, all the time. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922105_md-Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922103_md-Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/27/922104_md-Shed.JPG)
Maybe one of the shops next I think. ...Or a shed. Woo sheds! :D
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Looking good - your speed and quality of work is admirable.
As is the back stories you create. Like old Oleksiy who enjoys reconstructing soviet era vans in his shed, even if they will never fit through the door and drive in the open roads around his village. So melancholy :P
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-41813389
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(Or I could just be a cad and that door is wide enough. Either way - lovely work all 'round.)
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Excuse me a minute while I check to see if that door is actually wide enough...
*lift music plays*
All right, its 1.9 inches wide, and the van's 1.6. I've seen worse attempts at squeezing a car into a garage. :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-MaC9fFtz0
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Nice work on them. Inspiring.
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Love the shed - its all the crap in it and that wonderfully dusty van that does it for me. And the lived in vehicles are top notch as usual.
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Discovering that I had no more vehicles on my painting table (well don't talk about the boxes beside it), I thought it was time to start on something else. I said I'd make one earlier, so here's a BTR-4.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/3/923109_md-WIP%20BTR-4.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/3/923110_md-WIP%20BTR-4.JPG)
(http://cp14.nevsepic.com.ua/184/18398/1385029069-btr-4-28.jpg)
Two days work and I'm calling this one done, barring the usual tidying up. This is the main variant with the 30mm cannon, co-axial 12.7mm MG, 2x ATGms and a Grenade Launcher. There appears to be a couple of variants in the layout of this design with the hatch covers, etc (including for some reason the orientation of the damn firing ports from left to right...), but this is the one I could find the best pictures of. The BTR-4E's interesting as well, as its export variant built to take multiple turrets from older designs:
(http://www.architektonix.com/images/maketing/model/btr-4/BTR-4E_model-14.jpg)
At which point I notice that I forgot to add the bloody spotlight at the front. ¬¬
I've put an order in with Siberia Miniatures for one of those Chinese BTR-80s. Its not as good as the Empress one, and I'm holding out on its size. The idea though is to turn it into a BTR-3, as the lack of detail (and being made of plastic instead of resin) makes me less apprehensive about rebuilding it into that modernized variant as I'd originally intended to do with the Imprint BTR.
The idea's to pair those two with the IDF which I'd ordered for a second Spetsnaz force. Probably with a third vehicle, just as the carrying capacity between those two is about 14 men; compared to the 18 I have in planning for my existing Spetsnaz. Though saying that, I'd better not. Two 30mm cannons is already overkill. :)
Meanwhile, damn, so cool. :(
(https://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/ukraine/exhibition/arms_and_security_2017/pictures/brdm_nik_ukroboronprom_ukraine_925_001.jpg)
A BRDM-NIK. One of a series of models aimed at modernising the BRDM. Its mostly an armour kit, along with removing the (pointless) interior wheels for a set of doors for the crew (or passengers). It still has that horrible turret with the crap depression which the BTR-3 had tried to fix though. If I can get a hold of a spare BRDM I'd make this. Which is to say "respond to my bazaar thread PMs people!". ;)
And yeah, there's a whole load of cool looking models from a show last year of these prototypes. Pity they're in 1/24. :D
Anyhow, happy New Year and all. Ah, we'll see where I am a year from now (probably making Space Ninjas or something).
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busy over the holiday I see. :-*
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That is a nice model. Well done.
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Cool, told you that barrel was easy :D
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I just accepted that it'd look like a piece of crap, but nobody would notice. ;)
Now, what possible use could I have for just the top half of a BTR-80?
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/4/923234_md-WIP%20Gun%20Truck.JPG)
It should actually be a 70, spoilers. :P
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Wreckage?
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I'm not going to spend all morning scratch building half an APC just for wreckage. ;)
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TAB-79?
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OK, clearly I'm being too obtuse. :P
(http://i.imgur.com/k6IyO6m.jpg?1)
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lol cool :D
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Nice! :D
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(http://c.radikal.ru/c41/1801/82/57cb9c3b2556.jpg)
(http://d.radikal.ru/d20/1801/77/930f4ec8d0c4.jpg)
(http://c.radikal.ru/c19/1801/6b/a7733073f3e9.jpg)
(http://d.radikal.ru/d35/1801/44/492e1a284cd0.jpg)
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Battle Trailers!
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This thing, sort of like, is designed to quickly strengthen the block-post on the roads... ::)
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Yeah, that's what I assumed they'd be for. Obsolete, or more likely salvaged from a junk yard, vehicles plunked on whatever carriage is available. I doubt they'd be used for convoy actions (though the Yugo wars/ other ones in the region had all sorts show up). The BMP-2 turret one's been perplexing me, as to whether its the whole upper hull of the donor vehicle, or everything's fabricated barring the turret.
Heh, and I'm waiting on that BTR-80 showing up from you Cuprum as its where I'm taking the turret from for this. Shouldn't be too difficult to scratchbuild one, but I'll have a spare turret leftover from making a BTR-3 out of those Chinese toys.
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Yes, this is the case with defective or damaged military vehicles. Both sides in the period of active hostilities have experienced a significant shortage of combat vehicles (rebels and government volunteer battalions). And all these monsters were really used in battle:
(http://c.radikal.ru/c28/1801/19/f73a2f1ece54.jpg)
(http://b.radikal.ru/b08/1801/d9/0d4acc43dbff.png)
(http://d.radikal.ru/d09/1801/ad/6c7e909a100a.jpg)
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Well the consideration's that anything's better than nothing I suppose. An armoured truck which is capable of protecting its passengers against rifle rounds is enough to bring men to a battle, though not actively participate in it (i.e. the battle bus concept ...which is kind of flawed). Call those things what you want, I'd just rather be in a truck with some armour plates on it than without, and just hope that the enemy don't want to waste some of their heavier ammunition.
...Though say that to the guys with ZU-23-2s and Anti-Material rifles. The later is something I should make at some point. :)
If I was covering wars in the Middle East I'd have thrown out of this "modern" kit which I've been building and just found a load of lorries and pickup trucks for both sides. That and as many T-54s as I could get a hold of. ;)
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That top image reminds me that I have a Great Patriotic War memorial I was going to put together years ago. If I'm making a Soviet style village then its not really one without a monument.
Whether or not its defaced is another question. :/
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In the first phase of the conflict, the insurgents practically did not have any armored vehicles at all. They widely used rescue and demilitarized (for private non-military use) armored vehicles.
(http://b.radikal.ru/b03/1801/e3/9d59cc986f24.jpg)
BTR-60, redone for hunting trips.
(http://d.radikal.ru/d16/1801/ad/5b190dba25b5.jpg)
Or even bank cash-armored vehicles
Even the museum exhibits (a well-known case - the tank-monument IS-3 removed from the pedestal).
(http://a.radikal.ru/a41/1801/03/634b597cdd4a.jpg)
I also know of the successful attack on the Ukrainian block post, made with the help of two military armored engineering vehicles (the post was simply destroyed, like bulldozers, despite shooting from small arms).
(http://a.radikal.ru/a06/1801/dd/68e621041b6b.jpg)
At the same time, improvised armored cars were actively built and used in combat. Similarly, from the Ukrainian side, volunteer battalions were armed only with small arms and badly needed at least some armored vehicles.
After the appearance of a significant amount of regular armored vehicles on the battlefield, these "monsters" really began to be used only as armored personnel carriers for the delivery of soldiers to the front line.
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And we're ranging too far into discussing current conflicts, rather than the models, as the board rules stipulate. :/
I threw together this monument. I'll fill in the border with some gravel (the milliput's still curing, so it'll stick if I do it now), and maybe stick a brass relief with a Hammer and Sickle on the front there.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/5/923461_md-WIP%20Monument.JPG)
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Nice statue.
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When I visited Ukraine a few years ago, I talked to some of the people about their views on the conflict. Very enlightening! Definitely an under-represented period for our modern games!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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When I visited Ukraine a few years ago, I talked to some of the people about their views on the conflict. Very enlightening! Definitely an under-represented period for our modern games!
But not one to be covered on this forum (see thread sticky above).
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Oh do the middle East you should look at some of the mad max style APCs those Dash fellows had put together.
Watched a video with fully armored f150s assulte a pshmurger positions.... They got massacred. Lol
But still interesting.
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I'm sticking with Europe, but there's a lot of potential with the Middle East. Specifically bikes with DHsK on the back for some quick fire support. :)
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I'm sticking with Europe, but there's a lot of potential with the Middle East. Specifically bikes with DHsK on the back for some quick fire support. :)
those do look pretty cool.
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One of the shops is still being painted, a little at a time. That memorial was a lot quicker to do however. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924173_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
Nothing too extravagent. Maybe a bit heavy with the bird crap. ;)
And yes, I managed the BTR-4.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924174_md-BTR-4.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924175_md-BTR-4.JPG)
Its armed similar to the BMP-2, though with an unmanned turret. The Export version has a different turret ring which can accept the older turret, which lends it a lower profile. I like the sci-fi looking thing this one has right now out of the options.
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Nice statue and BTR4.
What did use for the front of the statue?
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What, the relief, or the stone work? The Relief's just a hackjob mess of greenstuff.
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The relief - I wish my hours of work was as good....
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Earlier in the week I managed a game. Whilst there isn't any pictures of any figures on it, this was the setup. An abandoned industrial area in some bedraggled area of the world (Glasgow).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/21/926884_md-Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/21/926885_md-Game.JPG)
It could've done with a mat beneath it instead of that plain grey looking at it now.
Meanwhile, here's a shortlist of some "planned" projects (i.e. I'll probably forget about them within a week).
BTR-3:
(http://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2017/09/1l-Image-14.jpg)
One of the (many) modernisation projects of the BTR series undertaken by Ukraine. Its mostly a BTR-80 armed with a similar setup to the BMP-2. The plan's to make this from one of those toy BTRs as I've said, rebuilding the roof and adding a new turret.
BTR-94:
(http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/Ukraine/photos/Iraqi_BTR-94_in_Baghdad_2004.jpg)
An earlier BTR-80 modernisation attempt. This is before the 30mm guns were introduced, rather it has a ZU-23-2 in an unmanned turret. The design didn't hit it off (though the market's fairly saturated), but it was exported to Iraq and used locally. An Empress BTR-80 with a ZU-23-2 in a new turret should work (I have an 80A on order to use the turret for something else eventually).
BRDM-Nik:
(http://gur.gov.ua/images/items/20171226-1.jpg)
Another in a series of proposed developments (an iteration on previous failed proposals). It was between this and the Ares plant's Gecko. This looks more sci-fi though (and less of a scratch build), even if I'm not 100% sold on the turret (i.e. compared to some of the upgrade packages out there for it). It appears to have some sort of transport capacity with the removal of the middle roadwheels (taken from another design).
BMPT-72 "Terminator-2":
(https://cdn.rbth.com/all/2017/04/30/tass_12345400.jpg)
Earlier I posted saying that I wanted a T-72. I'm not happy with how the ERA was turning out on that. Well, I found that with the failure of the Terminator project a cheaper alternative was proposed. This I've actually started on. ;)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/21/926886_md-WIP%20BMPT-72.JPG)
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Nice board. Possibly could have done with a bit more light ^___^.
Nice set of projects, look forward to seeing how they turn out.
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Its not quite been a month since an update, so nobody gets to whinge. :)
Through dribs and drabs of working on things I've thrown together a few more vehicles. Here's the BMPT-72 "Terminator 2" in a close enough state for painting. ...Screw building that turret again. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930189_md-WIP%20BMPT-72.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930190_md-WIP%20BMPT-72.JPG)
It'll be painted in that regular green/ tan camo scheme instead of a fancy digital one, just as the blue and orange ones the prototypes come in look weird. :)
I had said that I wanted a BRDM-NIK. Ah, well once the HLBS BRDM-2 actually turned up, looking at the blueprints of both vehicles made me realise I'd need to pretty much do a complete scratch build for how little of the original vehicle was left. Instead, rolling back the work a bit and considering I haven't had many Russian built modernisations, here's a BRDM-2M.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930188_md-WIP%20BRDM-2M.JPG)
Which is pretty much a BRDM-2 with a BTR-80 turret, side doors and a replacement engine. Though I couldn't find any real world examples, this alternative does seem fun as well.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930191_md-WIP%20BRDM-2M.JPG)
...Though I was told it was a silly idea. :(
Just a regular armoured truck, nothing to see here...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930186_md-WIP%20Checkpoint%20Vehicle.JPG)
Or is it a BTR?
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/9/930187_md-WIP%20Checkpoint%20Vehicle.JPG)
That's where that half of a BTR which I'd shown made of plasticard went. A mobile checkpoint fortification is its intended purpose I believe. It'll be painted as mostly rusted plates over the truck body, with beat up parts of salvaged BTR breaking through it in places (its supposed to be a recovered BTR-80, though that's a BTR-60 turret from the BRDM-2. I guess they just stuck whatever bits they had together. I could have given it the 80A turret...).
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Very good.
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Here's two quickies from yesterday.
Well I'd ordered this diecast to turn into a BTR-3. It turns out metal's hard, who knew? I wasn't in the mood to be clipping and filing the roof to reconstruct into a more accurate one, so instead went ahead and turned into a terrain piece. More terrain is never a problem. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/10/930521_md-BTR-80%20Wreck.JPG)
I want like a whole column of those things sitting burned out...
This was thrown in with my last order from Kings Hobbies and Games by the owner. I haven't really had a use for it, but it was quick enough to paint. Terrain I guess.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/10/930520_md-Toyota%20Jeep.JPG)
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Something Russian. An obsolete BRDM-2M, now in Seperatist hands.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/16/931750_md-BRDM-2M.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/16/931751_md-BRDM-2M.JPG)
Typically its after I'm done painting something that I find better photographs of the real vehicle. Some of the details aren't accurate (engine configuration/ size of the skirts). Whatever, the mantra "nobody knows what this thing is anyway" persists. :)
A blockpost/ convoy vehicle mating the remains of a salvaged BTR-80 with a heavy truck.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/16/931749_md-Checkpoint%20Vehicle.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/16/931748_md-Checkpoint%20Vehicle.JPG)
The dust effects are way too heavy on this. Blame that on me forgetting how strong that powder is, even if its like a 9/1 ratio of water to it. I suppose the thing's been sitting outside for a while, or we can just say that this thing's from the war in Afghanistan.
And well, this thing's eventually been painted. A Narco Tank / VIED/ Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Wagon.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/12/931045_md-Narco%20Tank.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/12/931046_md-Narco%20Tank.JPG)
I was going to give this to a friend, but it seems so universal that I'll keep it just in case something's needed in a game. Originally it was going to be painted matt black (like one of those Narco Tanks), but the rusted look is more appealing (...orange is my favourite colour). :)
*edit, and damn, I actually removed the spare wheel from the bonnet (looked daft), but forgot to take a picture.
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Very good.
I like the BRDM 2M especially.
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If I have the time I'll start painting the BMPT-72 today. I'm thinking of going for this style of angular camo, but in the style of that older European camo the Russians use.
(https://i0.wp.com/tanknutdave.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/BMPT-72-6.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAs4e0vk46w/UPNu2vJ1HaI/AAAAAAAABZc/dTi3M30pIgc/s1600/russian+tank.jpg)
Maybe with two tones of yellow instead of the black? Hmn, or the black being a minor colour - just to fit in with the tones that the real BMPT-72s have been shown painted in.
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The Osprey New Vanguard on the T90 has some photographs of the bmpt.
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Great work- always nice to see improvised armour being modelled
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Well, more stoof! No, it didn't take my long to paint these today (nobody respond with "yeah, you should have spent longer on them then!"). :)
Here's one of the trucks which I picked up from Siberia Miniatures. Its more likely to be a terrain piece than a convoy vehicle, but who knows.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/18/931981_md-Truck.JPG)
What's great is that as its a toy the doors and bonnet lift up, so the lack of a driver can be explained away as it being abandoned by the side of the road during an attack. Pair this with that wrecked BTR-80 and I have an ambushed convoy. :)
Probably of more interest however, this futuristic hover craft/ space tank looking thing.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/18/931982_md-BMPT-72.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/18/931983_md-BMPT-72.JPG)
Yes, the soldiers of the future will continue to drink beer (or space vodka. There's a beer keg on the engine deck anyway. ...Um, in the future they also perfected beer which doesn't get warm).
I wound up going for a tan / green scheme with this, substituting the black of that traditional Russian camo for a yellow so as to make it not quite match the older gear. I gave it the usual over done weathering, but laid off much in the way of rust/ grim/ liquid shit as it is still supposed to be a relatively new addition to what my forces would be fielding.
The scheme may also work for greener areas in the Middle East (heh, or "elsewhere" - maybe in games set in alt-history European/ North American settings)?
I'm wondering whether it would be appropriate to provide this to the Seperatist forces, or keep it solely to their more militarised benefactors? Hmn, I'll go for the later, with it being something fancy brought in from outside the country to give the locals a bit of a nip when they don't expect it.
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That BMPT-72 is great. The colours look good.
I would only use it for their masters, just in case the separatists get out of hand.
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Damn, and now I've cleared all the vehicles I'd been working on. Time to start on something new. Maybe infantry, or terrain, or maybe I should look through those boxes of resin? I'm conscious of running out of space for my terrain months ago (but still making more), so I may have to sort that out first.
Unless anything else crops up, I may have a go at finishing off the vehicles for my NDB platoon (which yes, I still haven't actually finished off any full motorised platoons for any of the sides yet). They already have one BMP-2 with slat armour, though I've kind of gone off that at the moment (...tell that to the guys in the field though. "Boo hoo, you want to look pretty, and don't want to get blown up by RPGs at the same time").
Looking about for alternative upgrade packages for the BMP-2 over the years there oddly doesn't seem to be that many dealing with the armour. Most are turret replacements, and one of those is seeming a bit too fancy for the NDF. There is the BMP-2D though, which was brought in during Afghanistan as a heavier armoured variant. I can't speak for its proliferation prior to the dissolution of the SU, or what sort of production it saw afterwards. Regardless, I'm sure a few made their way into the Great Post-Soviet Republic of Somewhereistan. :)
(https://img00.deviantart.net/565a/i/2016/324/d/a/bmp_2d_by_wormwoodthestar-daop0uq.jpg)
(That and I need to get me a BMP-1. There's was some nifty packages out there for bringing it up to the BMP-2 standard. I was considering downgrading one of the BMP-2s I had to a 1, to then modernise it, but ...that was a really dumb idea).
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Project update: screw rivets.
Moving on...
I'm sorely tempted to make this. Ah, a non-destroyed version.
(https://i.imgur.com/jLunKEz.jpg)
Its just so weird that I must have it!
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Is that a BTR or a BMP turret?
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A BMP-1 turret on a Gaz-Tigr. I can't comment on what the circumstances of how this monstrosity came to be, but it was in Separatist hands till an RPG came along I guess (the Tigr only has 5mm armour).
I'm thinking that an intact one would be painted in either regular Russian green, with an old BMP-1 turret. Or in that standard green, with a hand painted camo over it, plenty of grime and rust coming from where they replaced the roof hatch with the turret.
I've seen Humvees with BTR-94 turrets and all sorts of strange stuff, but seeing a Tigr going through the same treatment is perversely interesting.
Spectre predictably don't have their BMP-1 turret in stock, but I'd have to be going to Empress for the Tigr anyway, so may as well pick up a BMP-1 as well. Their BMP-1 is a HLBS 1/48th scale, but it should work. I'm more concerned about then using the BMP-1 with a BPPU (BTR-80A) turret I have in 1/50th scale, as it may look too small. Alternatively there's the BMP-1UD which features one of those 30mm turrets like the BTR-4 has, plus extra armour (I can't confirm if that upgrade's just for the BMP-1 though, as most sites mention its actually based on the BMP-2. It may be its for both/ or re-named to fit that convention the Ukrainians used for the BMP-3/4 i.e it was designed in 2001. Though damn that's so confusing).
(https://topwar.ru/uploads/posts/2011-11/1322018455_mb-2.jpg)
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/snA1PIPgsdg/maxresdefault.jpg)
(yes that's ERA on a BMP-1. Yes, on a regular BMP-1 that would usually blow the vehicle sky high if hit. Its a modified variant which is made for lightly armoured vehicles)
I am just loving these modernisations. Again, its that kick out of converting a vehicle to fit a given situation which is so interesting.:D
Mentioning BMP-1s with ERA. This was a fun model to read the backstory of in a modelling magazine a few months ago (summary: bad idea). :)
(https://magazineclonerepub.blob.core.windows.net/mcepub/3485/158590/image/6fddd187-5a29-4821-8434-457661ef49e3.jpg)
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Mentioning BMP-1s with ERA. This was a fun model to read the backstory of in a modelling magazine a few months ago (summary: bad idea). :)
After the first hit it was probably a much smaller target....
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Interesting 8x8 beyond the top BMP.. large looking turret.
Good luck with the conversions.
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Just throw a rock at that thing and run away. Fast. :)
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I'm in need for some inspiration to paint something. Whilst the pair of BMP-2Ds are coming along and about ready for some paint, I want something a bit sooner.
In which case, which one look better?
A realistic paint scheme?
(http://tribunist.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0229E1-640x336.jpg)
Or fictional camo?
(http://media.moddb.com/images/members/1/539/538749/xo6ZoYj7rrg.jpg)
My Spetsnaz need a ride, and I have a trio of Zil Punishers ready for them. Two are due the fictional turrets like in that second image (taken from the video game ARMA III), though I'm awaiting confirmation from the manufacturer whether that project's been greenlit. So I'm going ahead and making a "vanilla" variant without the turret. In which case at the moment I've convinced myself that if its supposed to be the regular variant, maybe I should paint it black? Its just the other two, being armed and so for a fictional escalated conflict, maybe should be in camo.
Admittedly the questions I pose in this thread may be somewhat retorical, as I wind up convincing myself one way or the other as I type. Hmn, I think I may go for one in black, then the other two (with guns) in black or camo. Whilst ideally for games fielding the entire spetsnaz force I'd want three (so they ought to have a uniform paint scheme), practically I'll probably only field one in most games so the differences won't matter. If I ever want all three in a game I could substitute the black one for a BTR or something.
Thanks for the input guys! ;)
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Modern digital camo ;)
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Someone make me a template then!
God that hexagonal print looks like a right pain in the arse to replicate. :(
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This lot appear at Salute and other UK shows.
http://www.anarchymodels.co.uk/hd01---hexocam-3-p.asp (http://www.anarchymodels.co.uk/hd01---hexocam-3-p.asp)
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Holy crap, that thing's amazing!
(god I have such a low bar for amazement. But cool!)
Hmn, I may have a go at some ARMA III style camo in feature then. This is that bloody German camouflage all over again. :D
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Nice updates - you really work fast!
Camo-wise you can mix and match digital with traditional camo like the Australian Army does (for cloth spare wheel covers, etc):
(https://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/oceania/australia/wheeled_vehicle/hawkei/pictures1/Hawkei_PMV-L_4x4_light_wheeled_high_mobility_protected_vehicle_Thales_Australia_Australian_army_021.jpg)
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The Punishers are kind of all metal spaceship shipped boxes though. I don't think they're allowed to not look impersonal, or at least for the kind of ops they run any extra gear is unnecessary.
Here's one in black. Yeah, I bashed this one out in an hour. ...And most of that was waiting for the ink to dry. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/25/933109_md-Zil%20Punisher.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/25/933110_md-Zil%20Punisher.JPG)
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Scary piece of kit! Nice paint job.
Looks like someone in Russia has watched too much Dark Knight, though the back end looks more VBCW.
Is it made by ZIL, I thought they had closed?
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Its based on a Zil commercial truck chassis, so that maybe the reason? It doesn't look like the company who bought the Zil name make military vehicles from what I could find. You'd think though that Zil were the designers, as you'd want your company's name on the product.
Its not even called "The Punisher", that's just a media title. The thing gone under a few official names as well, as what the vehicle looked like has changed a fair bit since its inception (it started off looking more like the Tigr, then a mess of a Aliens style thing, before eventually becoming this. I believe there was a variant proposed which had a multiple rocket launcher at one point).
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I'm still working on that pair of BMP-2D. My thoughts on them remain either using them with the Seperatists, or potentially the NDF. As such they're being left in a neutral Soviet green rather than a specific pattern. They come across to me as an ulikely candidate for appearing in modern conflicts (though correct me if I'm wrong, its just most of the writing on them has them placed squarely in Afghanistan), unless they cropped up in the Chechen Wars? In that case having them as some surplussed to the Seperatist forces seems like a reasonable explanation as to their appearance in this conflict.
Meanwhile, I'd been considering a BMP-1. The Ukrainian BMP-1UD is an odd looking beast, with its addon armour and new turret, though I'm finding a Russian BMP-1 with a BPPU turret more palatable at the moment. HLBS sells a 1/48th one which fits the bill, ah, however the issue with that is that the BPPU turret which I have is 1/50th scale. I'll see how they pair up whenever I get around to placing another order. Otherwise maybe the turret will need to be built from scratch.
Speaking of the Seperatists. That Chechen Wars Kickstarter is shipping now, so I may begin painting those whenever they turn up. Kings Hobbies and Games have recently unveiled a line of models for the more recent war in Ukraine as well (by the same sculptor), so it'll be worth keeping me eye on that (and a little birdy may have told me to expect a lot more for that conflict...). Tsk, unless people actually prefer my vehicle fetish? I've been told before that I focus too much on all the armour. :(
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This has been taking up space besides my painting table for a good while now, so I gave into its pressuring and just said "its good enough".
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934435_md-Grocery%20Store.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934436_md-Grocery%20Store.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934437_md-Grocery%20Store.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934438_md-Grocery%20Store.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934439_md-Grocery%20Store.JPG)
God I hate painting signs. Must be an old shop with all those Soviet era posters about.
I may get around to filling out those shelves more (adding newspapers and a cigarette stand specifically) at some point, but yeah "good enough". No, I am not aware if its illegal to have a shop without a fire exit or not. Hey, they have a staff toilet at least, which I suppose is more than what most modellers bother to add in their's (...I do have like 20 28mm scale toilets going spare though). :)
Those shelves are looking awfully full for a disaster scenario situation. I guess that one super market in 28 Days Later was as well. Well most miniatures shops just sell them that way, though I suppose that Kickstarter for scatter terrain which just finished are doing damaged shelving units now too (those websites and that Kickstarter are mentioned in the PA furniture thread if I recall rightly).
With that Chechen War's Kickstarter now shipping it dawned on me that I haven't painted any Separatists so far (let's not talk about the possibility of the postal van being currently stuck in a snow drift). Here's the first squad of them.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934430_md-Novorossiyian%20fighters.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934431_md-Novorossiyian%20fighters.JPG)
As opposed to the Nationalists these guys have more green in their uniforms, along with lacking helmets (the NDF have mostly American made ones), just to set them apart. The camo's also all surplussed Soviet or Russian stuff as opposed to the NDF having some British or American camos mixed in with their Communist era uniforms. There's a Novorossiyian flag on them as a final indicator (which is a suitably generic symbol for multiple factions).
Oh, as for source models. 1st image: Left- Empress Chechen Wars Russian, middle - Studio Miniatures "not" Glen (with arms and head swap, and an AK slung over his back. No, that vest isn't bullet proof!), right - Empress generic soldier with Warlord Games Head. 2nd image: Left Eureka Miniatures Soviet with Warlord Games head, Middle - Spectre Miniatures Insurgent, Right - Spectre Miniatures MENA fighter (with a Wargames Factory PPSh-41 across his back).
After some distractions here's that pair of BMP-2Ds.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934434_md-BMP-2D.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934432_md-BMP-2D.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934433_md-BMP-2D.JPG)
Just done up in Soviet era colours. The only thing that'd betray them as being later is the odd more modern backpack. I'm wondering whether to give them any markings, leave them plain, or have some hastily painted over ones? I suppose leaving them blank would be the most universal, though maybe be just a bit dull. :P
The stowage is by Die Waffenkammer, HLBS and Empress or milliput. The BMP-2s are HLBS.
Here's another wrecked BTR-80 as well. This one is from my old S.T.A.L.K.E.R. stuff.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934428_md-Destroyed%20BTR-80.JPG)
I tore off the slat armour I'd given it and just burned up the front a bit. Its 1/56th scale, so no use with my current vehicles, and well I may as well use it for something. It'd been gathering dust alongside other junk. Personally I think the paint job on the first wreck is better, though I guess its just a dumb terrain piece. :P
Ah, and last up, this guy's been staring at my for a few years from one of those collections of models I keep for various skirmish games (you wind up collecting a lot of those with all these blogs of mine). I posted him in the old S.T.A.L.K.E.R. thread, and so here he is again, just with a repaint (his skin was looking awfully yellow the first time around).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934429_md-Rick%20Grimes%2C%20Walking%20Dead.JPG)
A Studio Miniature's "not" Rick Grimes, with a green stuff sheriff coat and a fuller head of hair made out of greenstuff. I prefer that company's take on him (once I added my own corrections) over Warlord Game's Heroic Scale figure to be honest. Odd that he shows up in the same post that the Glen figure appeared in. :)
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that is one great looking stop and rob. :D
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Nice shop.
My Laserburn crew would go out of their way to trash the toilets in any scenario I ran. Too many action films I guess.
Good job on the figures. I found the Studio Miniatures sculpts to be a bit random.
Nice BMPs.
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Love the amount of detail you've put into that shop. The vehicles are great too.
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Squad two for my Separatists. Tsk, I think my camera's failing a bit (reseating the SD card a dozen time before it works may be an indicator), focus!
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934606_md-Novorossiya%20Fighters.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934607_md-Novorossiya%20Fighters.JPG)
I'm upping their number to seven men in a squad (maybe even eight). These are mostly Empress generic moderns with Wargames Factory Special Ops balaclava heads. The guy with the PKM's an Empress Chechen Wars Russian (with a head swap), as is the one with the Degtyaryov MG (though with his arms and gun swapped out).
Again, hopefully the colours are differentiating them from the Nationalists a bit. They're overall more green and black, as opposed to the tan on the NDF, though yeah, realistically they could be NDF if I just got rid of the Novorusiya flag. ...Um, maybe not that one guy in the red water proof jacket so much. :)
I'm short on the last few guys to fill out the third squad of these, so'll put them aside till that Chechen Wars Kickstarter shows up. Most of the figures from there will likely be their own thing seperate from these guys, though the Russian airborne should fit in (I'm concerned how their guns will look next to the more realistically proportioned Empress/ Spectre ones). I could just make some greenstuff hats and turn them into Cossacks I suppose.
Meanwhile...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/3/934608_md-Portaloos.JPG)
Ah, ...Glory to Arstotzka!
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More nice figures.
Have you been weathering your camera?
Certainly plenty of facilities ^__^. Are they Ainsty ones?
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Nah, I can't remember whom, but I found them from that scenery thread on the PA forum.
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The portaloo look like the TT Combat ones - nice job on them, I really need to get round to painting mine!
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The portaloo look like the TT Combat ones - nice job on them, I really need to get round to painting mine!
I think you are right.
Thanks
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Well, I'm down to just the command section for my National Defence Forces. Here's the third squad in their Motor Rifles Platoon.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/5/935108_md-NDF.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/5/935107_md-NDF.JPG)
Those MICH Helments could maybe do with a repaint to done down the drybrush I think. In keeping with the other NDF (National Defence Forces) these guys are wearing mostly surplus NATO gear, though I've thrown in Soviet and commercial stuff as well (three of them are wearing civilian forest camo). Ah... though I'm not sure how that comes up in the pictures, they probably just look like green smudges. :)
As for the source models. In the first picture its: Left - Empress Insurgent with a Wargames Factory Survivor RPG, and Empress MICH helmet. Middle - Eureka Soviet with Empress US Head. Right - Empress Universal Soldier with MICH helmet. 2nd image: Left- Empress British with Empress Chechen arms, and Empress MICH Helmet. Middle, Empress British with Warlord Games spec ops arms, and Empress US helmet. Right - Empress Chechen wars Russian (whom I may transition over to the Seperatists at some point).
Oh, and as for what's actually left so far with the platoons:
National Defence Forces
- 4 man command section (Commander / 2nd / Medic/ Sniper with Dragunov)
Non-State Actors
- 7 Man Squad (as per the others
Seperatists
- 5 man command section (commander / 2nd/ Sniper with Dragunov/ Sniper with VSS/ AT Rifle)
Plus those Chechens whenever they turn up, probably as a 2nd Separatist Faction. I placed an order with Mike Bravo Miniatures for some IDF with Tavors to use as Spetsnaz, but haven't heard back from them in 3 months, so'll probably have to cancel that unfortunately. I do have some guys with M16s who could work instead however.
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If you want troops with bullpup rifles, there are always the Empress Chinese with QBZ-95.
I have finally got round to assembling two PLA sections,, now need some Barbara Streisand HMMWVs.
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Shame about the Mike Bravo Miniatures, I did an order from them when they first started up and still have not see the figs. lol
Aside from that, what ultravanillasmurf said is not a bad idea.
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Mike Bravo Miniatures acknowledged that they've been having issues on their Facebook page, though I'm awaiting a response to the emails I sent. Its a poor situation when the company has to set up a dedicated email for complaints as presumably their main forms of contact are untenable.
I want the IDF specifically as they come with Tavors. Outside of Israel a few countries have issued them to their forces, with there being a particular variant made by RPC FORT in 5.45x39mm. Given the update from Mike Bravo I'll hope that they turn up at some point. However I've sifted through my collection and found a few guys with M16s, who may work as stand ins for the Spetsnaz I had planned (which RPC FORT, or a similar company, also does in 5.45x39mm).
As for the Chinese, if I was still covering S.T.A.L.K.E.R., I believe the PLA turned up in the later novels. Their guns don't really see much export though, so in civilian hands, or these irregular armed forces I doubt you'd see much of them. Judging by the opinions of some Finns, Norinco's not as well regarded in Eastern Europe compared to the native production, as say how Americans see the company ("if its rare then it must be good!"). Aside from cleaning issues (re: InRange TV's mud test not being able to clean out the fire control group), I'd rather take a Tavor (in 5.56) over that Chinese thing.
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I do hope they show up. Then I might give them another try. :)
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Updates:
An order arrived from AliExpress (screw those "express" shipping times), and I'm mildly hacked off. ¬¬
Yeah, all those guys who say that those diecast BTR-80s from that site are "identical" to Empress' ones are just plain wrong. When they're advertised as 1/56th and look exactly like the 1/56th ones I already have, I believe that they may be 1/56th...
The modelling community may want its eyes tested. Meanwhile I guess that's another three BTR-80 wrecks. I have a bloody column of these things now.
(I did consider using them regardless, but they'd look weird next to all the 1/50th scale stuff. That and as the details are that much smaller I can't just swap out some spare bits like a BPPU turret)
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Any chance of a comparison pic of the BTR's, especially with an Empress mini? I've not got any vehicles for my Russians yet so would appreciate a look.
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I think many go for 1/56 or 1/48 as a ‘go to’ for 28mm vehicles rather than 1/50, which I think is your preferred? Might explain why these suit their needs but as there are no comparison pics I can’t say for sure. Also a bit harsh lumping the whole modelling community under one banner, tho I can understand you being pee’d off after spending cash!
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The measurements are around:
Empress = 14.5cm long, 3.5cm tall, 5.5cm wide.
AliExpress = 13.8cm long, 3.2cm tall, 5.2cm wide (without turrets).
The BTR-80's not a massive vehicle, but the difference in size between those AliExpress ones and Empress' is noticeable when you have the two side by side. They'd work with 28mm stuff easily, as its the 1/50th and 1/48th vehicles which are too large, but unfortunately that's the scale which the majority of vehicles are in (I prefer 1/56th, but all my modern stuff is in the other two scales due to availability. ...Its difficult to get over having cars where the driver's feet can't reach the peddles). I wouldn't mix those BTR-80s with any of the larger scale stuff, as them being 1/56th scale (or there abouts) isn't that concealable (which is partly why I'm peeved at those who said they were identical...).
Quality wise I'd avoid them unless you're willing to replace the gun and hatches, plus fill all the gaps. They're quite obviously toys when compared to any of the resin vehicles on the market, and having diecast components makes fixing some of their flaws a bit difficult.
This comparison cropped up on Facebook:
(https://scontent.flhr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/23593490_10159578454605542_609614042118785748_o.jpg?oh=792a0cf62df2f51ba43c0433be287f72&oe=5B0A857D)
Which doesn't illustrate the size difference particularly well in retrospect. Though maybe I'm more a stickler for consistency in scales than others. Those 1/48th vehicles I have look a bit out of place next to me 1/50th personally (which is why I try and keep all the vehicles of a particular model in the same size range. A luxury we have nowadays I guess with what's available. ...I can hear the older gamers scoffing at this).
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I've had a couple of similar toy/magazine vehicles only really useful as wrecks.
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I see what you mean about the comparison photograph. If you trace a line along the top of the rear decks (which appear aligned) and along the front of the nose there is a difference in length but it is difficult to see otherwise (that depends on them being close in height).
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Fantastic thread.
Really interesting reading.
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@ Ultravanillasmurf
As are all the proportions just that bit smaller to make it noticeable. Regardless they'll turn up as wrecks I guess. That'll make 5 of them, so a Mechanised Infantry Platoon and a support unit. :P
This is the last of the Separatist Platoon. I'm not 100% on which vehicles they'll be riding, though these're probably where the Mad Max convoy are going (which could do with some additions as most of those are 1/43rd scale). Probably a mix of vehicles, as its not like in most games I'll be using the whole vehicle pool anyway.
Command
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936220_md-Separatists.JPG)
The Commander pulling his best James Bond pose. :)
Snipers
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936221_md-Separatists.JPG)
"Mine's bigger"
And the rest
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936223_md-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936222_md-Separatists.JPG)
Some of those uniforms are debatable value, though probably because it was bought from the local shopping centre. :P
They're the usual mix of Empress, Spectre, Eureka and Wargames Factory soldiers. Yes, the balaclavas are apparently part of their uniforms (...or its just cold).
Something else taken from a mothball and hastily brought to the front.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936224_md-2S3%20Akatsiya.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936225_md-2S3%20Akatsiya.JPG)
This 2S3 Akatsiya's (Acacia) made by Tank Mania. I messed up with the suspension placement, however this thing was such a pain in the arse to build that I just committed to it. The resin's so brittle that its difficult to fix any mistakes. ...Which has made me a bit biased against the thing coupled with the seller not including the brass etched parts and the bloody thing being untouchable for weeks as I waited on the nicotine smell to fade. ¬¬
It'll probably do as a terrain piece next to sandbags and pallets for an entrench artillery position.
Anyway, back to waiting on that Chechen War's Kickstarter turning up. Hmn, its been a week. Meanwhile someone in Texas has their set! :(
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And a quickie. When all you have is a hammer...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/11/936294_md-WIP%20Improvised%20RPG.JPG)
An improvised AA system. The warheads are launched by an external wire and set on timed fuses. Once the firers work out how much range they can get per fuse timer the idea is to fire them at an aircraft and let the airburst do the damage. I've no idea on effectiveness of course, but they must be decent enough that a few different types of mount exist.
More here: https://twitter.com/klkamashiq/status/956859332787830786
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUaCg56XkAEAE_f.jpg:large)
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Well RPGs have been a threat to US helicopters since Vietnam.
Neat looking piece of kit, but how do you aim it at a helicopter?
I would have thought it was an indirect fire mount, airburst HE would make that very nasty.
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Nice job on the "uniforms", especially as they look like they were bought from various places in a shopping centre.
Is that a PTRD? Is it a Warlord plastic one?
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My understanding of that system comes from conjecture on Reddit and Google translated reports.
The warheads aren't controlled directly with a wire and as such determining the timing of the explosion is presumably difficult and based on experience. Rather each weapon is remotely fire, and the warhead allowed to go off on its merry way. I'd assume that the team has to quickly ascertain the speed the enemy is moving at and then guess where it will be in the time it takes for the warhead to travel that distance (before then hurrying to change the timer on each warhead - unless that is somehow controlled externally). Presumably the airburst has some effect, even if its imprecise and explodes some distance from the enemy.
It all seems a bit messy to me, though there may be some finesse I'm not aware of. However, like I said, if that's all you have you make do (and I guess the setup's somehow better at the role than just slinging one of those RPGs on your shoulder and aiming them manually > having multiple warheads go off at once probably produces a larger air burst, giving a larger margin of error).
Oh, and the mounts look custom built, rather than just being for say camera equipment. I can't comment on every variant, but you could fit some sort of gyro into the assembly and use the external controls to dictate the elevation (rather than just for firing each RPG simultaneously, which honestly could be done with just a stick or something). A camera on the system would also help for aiming, but I can't see any on the examples, so I guess the crew are close enough that they can eyeball it.
Yeah, the PTRD is from the Warlord Soviet sprue, as are some of the pistols the Separatists use. I've included some PPSh-41s from the same sprue along with Wargames Factory's set too. Whilst the later may not be as effective as more modern weaponary, they at least use calibers which ought to still be stockpiled. The PTRD however I'd expect to have a more conventional role, as it doesn't differ much from modern Anti-Material Rifles (though those are easier to control). Though in Eastern Europe home made weapons haven't really taken off like they did during the Chechen wars on in the Middle East. There's still armouries carrying workable Soviet era weaponry in a usable state.
Though as with my earlier point, people have to improvise. Not everyone gets a fancy TOW. ...As per that Gaz Tigr with a BMP-1 turret which I posted earlier (so much for the Soviets upgrading their whole BMP-1 inventory to the BMP-2 standard). :P
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Pretty sure timed fuses were used in Somalia to attack helos. Crude, but if you fire enough...
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Pretty sure timed fuses were used in Somalia to attack helos. Crude, but if you fire enough...
I wasn't even aware that RPG warheads could be timed. :o The things we learn on this forum
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They're just glorified grenades, though set to either explode on impact or (I assume) use a bit of tape you can use to set the detonation time (I'd also assume that there's a minimum timer, so that it can't explode outside of a safe distance. However, knowing the Soviets...). If regular grenades have a timer then why not RPGs? Seems like a simple thing to integrate (though I again presume that it doesn't override the impact detonator).
Apparently its a sight among militias to see some idiots running along a street, trip, and then blow himself up as most militias don't bother to leave in the warhead's safety pins...
Someone on this forum probably has first hand experience with one to know. Otherwise Forgotten Weapon's likely has a mention of it in one of his videos covering the RPG family (...I don't feel like I need to check whether he has one covering those, as he has videos on everything). :)
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I know that RPG-7 rounds have a 5 second safety timer to prevent them causing unwanted damage - I think the Osprey Weapons book on the RPG (a really good slice of basic knowledge on them) mention groups using this to create airburst effects for cheap
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Imagine that... an armed warhead just relying on a 1980's timer to stop it going bang next to your head... :o
Hey - are you sure these Chinese knock offs ones have a 5 second timer?
Yeah, should have...click-BANG
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The Rottman book is good, the author having been on the receiving end of RPGs adds something to the writing.
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After two weeks of spending 16 hours a day at university, besides being shatterred, its back to playing with my toy soldiers.:)
Here's a shot at an IS-3 based recovery vehicle (BTT-1 I believe is the designation. I've no idea what the source model is, but it appears to be 1/48th scale. The level of detail makes it look like a garage kit, though it may just be old (the material is a cream resin). I'd bought it in a job lot with two other vehicles off of Ebay. Unfortunately the BMP-3 and BTR-50 are far too large to use for anything barring sci-fi stuff.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/11/27/760063_md-Soviet%20Vehicles.JPG)
With a bit of work its came out looking like an old AFV which has seen better days:
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/3/26/939183_md-BTT-1.JPG)
(showing off those typical Soviet weld lines...)
This was all brought about a recent article I'd read in a miniatures magazine regarding IS-3s being used as railyard vehicles (for pushing the carriages I assume). Another magazine ran one on an ISU-122/54 AFV - which I'd love to have, though going to the effort of making the mine clearing variant is maybe taxing my storage system a bit much (snap!).
( Military Modelcraft International: February 2018. Volume 22: Number 4 - respectively) & Military Illustrated Modeller: April 2018 issue 84 - respectively).
I doubt that the BTT-1 made it into the 21st century. Seeing as my WWII stuff is 1/56th however, and my moderns are 1/50th it seemed a waste not to use it.
Meanwhile I've organised the plunder from that Chechen Wars Kickstarter ...then stuck it all in a box. Ah, in the state they are right now I'm not comfortable with the squad makeup. I'll be waiting for either Special Artizan Services moderns range by the same sculptor to supplement them, or for phase two of the Kickstarter. SASM's owner's mentioned a quicker turnaround though, so I'll likely use those, along with updating the models to suite later conflicts (right now some of them look like Grandad stuck his water proof coat on and went to war with in his slippers and an RPG-7 which'd been balanced against the coat rack). :)
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Interesting vehicle.
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Not seen that one before! Nice :D
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Quick search found this:
(https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1568/24599813310_7136f2f1b5.jpg)
WTF is that on the right! Looks based on a T-55? I think?
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From a cursorary search, the IS series didn't last that long in Soviet use - at least compared to other tanks. The last combat the saw with them was the 60s, and it seems most of the Arabs were done with them by the 70s (they fared pretty poorly against the Israelis). The T-54 and later models presumably won out of the heavier tanks, and so any IS inventories were quickly dumped.
With them out of service as tanks, you'd think they'd have seen a longer life as engineering vehicles, though I suppose with the adoption of the Ts the Soviets just wanted rid of them to decrease the number of chassis that they had to support (bearing in mind the half dozen different Ts we'd see of the next few decades). That and they presumably had tonnes of more modern vehicles to use as engineering vehicles by the 60s-70s as the older T models were freed up - so why keep on an obsolete chassis?
Which brings us to one showing up in a modern conflict. I couldn't find any information on them seeing life into the later 20th century (specifically the ARVs I mean - the ISS-122 turns up here and there). In this case I suppose someone pulled it out of a scrapyard. Probably not a mainstream military - they have better options-, rather someone without many other options I guess.
Yes, that T-54 ARV's looking more appealing for modern games...
(http://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/greenmats-forum/forum/monthly_2018_01/11.jpg.ca13e59c3bbc61b561ebc552fa0ea111.jpg)
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At least one ISU-152 was used during the Chernobyl 'liquidation' as a heavy tractor and demolition vehicle. So there were a few knocking around.
(http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ISU-152-building-knocking-down.jpg)
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At least one ISU-152 was used during the Chernobyl 'liquidation' as a heavy tractor and demolition vehicle. So there were a few knocking around.
(http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ISU-152-building-knocking-down.jpg)
Very post Apocalypse.
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Lovely conversion work - your pieces look so gritty.
(right now some of them look like Grandad stuck his water proof coat on and went to war with in his slippers and an RPG-7 which'd been balanced against the coat rack).
Word.
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With the Chechen Wars Kickstarter Russian VDV I'm following through on my original plan to do some of them up as Cossacks. That explains away the Cold War era gear, and well is just a simple case of replacing their heads and sticking on a bit of greenstuff.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/8/941679_md-Cossacks.JPG)
With these Chechens, and the existing Separatists, the opposition forces are going to be pretty substantial compared to the Nationalists. I'm still waiting on a peep from Mike Bravo Miniatures in the hopes that their IDF will ever show up to use as Spetsnaz with Tavors (like seriously, WTF Mike Bravo). :(
Speaking of the Cold War. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/8/941676_md-BTT-1.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/8/941677_md-BTT-1.JPG)
Another bit of terrain more than likely. I should really put some scenery together for an open field so I can build up a firing position for some artillery. Stone walls, maybe some barns. Speaking of artillery. I've been considering some - again as an objective marker -, though finding post-WWII stuff is an arse. I did see one 28mm 152mm gun whilst searching, though couldn't find the source. Right now I'm eyeing up Kings Hobbies & Games Howitzers, with the excuse that they've been taken out of a mothball (or from a museum plinth) by the local forces in desperation. There's a wargaming show coming up in a month, so finger's crossed something will appear there. :)
Here's my current heavy artillery however...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/8/941678_md-RPG-7%20AA%20System.JPG)
The ultimate weapon indeed. I wonder how I'll actually integrate it into games? Hmn, perhaps a 6+ save against stopping any enemy air support dice rolls? Ooh, bringing that up to a 4+ if I outfit one of my guys with one of those sci-fi looking drone jammers.
(https://i.imgur.com/HBfiPMh.jpg)
(I do have a few spare Empress Russians... Pft, and that brick of a gun wouldn't be a pain to sculpt)
I'm set on painting up some more terrain now. Currently the petrol station's had some work done on it, so that'll hopefully be done in the next ...year or so. A BTR-3' coming along as well, though as with the BTR-4's turret, bothering to build that particular part is the last hurdle. ;P
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Nice models.
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Finding that those diecast BTR-80s that I'd ordered weren't what I thought, plans to make some of the modernised BTR-80 variants have fallen through a bit. So I returned to the Empress BTR-80 which I'd ordered.
I'd intended to turn that into a BTR-94 - which would have just been a new turret-, however the idea with those diecasts was to have one become a BTR-3DA. As I prefer the look of the 3 compared to the 94 (which it should be noted was only built for export), I went ahead and started on a 3.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/12/942437_md-BTR-3%20DA.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/12/942438_md-BTR-3%20DA.JPG)
This one is the DA model, which proceeds the "E" (export) version, though externally most of the changes aren't obvious (the exhaust's on the other side for example). Compared to the base 80 the 3 has some key differences. Notably the raised roof for better ergonomics (the size difference stresses how small the base vehicle must be) and removal of some of the vision ports to accommodate the new turret and improved armour. The turret is a standard unmanned variant made by the Shkval plant, featuring a 30mm gun, with co-axal MG and Grenade launcher - with the option for up to four ATGM to be mounted on either side.
(https://armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/ukraine/wheeled_vehicle/btr-3da/pictures/BTR-3DA_8x8_APC_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_Ukraine_Ukrainian_army_defense_industry_006.jpg)
(https://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/01/1l-image-BTR-3DA.jpg)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7LNrrRM7GOI/WkjmLrtH-BI/AAAAAAAAcOk/yGA79aNUGvYkUacwyiMQqgB17lCbU5BaQCLcBGAs/s1600/Ukraine_army_takes_delivery_of_50_BTR-3DA_8x8_APC_armoured_925_001.jpg)
I've already made another unmanned Ukrainian made turret for my BTR-4E, which is similarly armed, though I can't speak for any mechanical differences which necessitates the other's larger profile (it is made by a different factory).
(https://www.kyivpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/24/p172sl41m413jo1tsnndmmqhe8m4/original.jpg
https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924174_md-Apc%2C%20Armored%2C%20Btr-4%2C%20BTR-4.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924174_md-Apc%2C%20Armored%2C%20Btr-4%2C%20BTR-4.JPG)
When making this, actually finding accurate examples of the vehicle was a bit of a pain. Modern stuff isn't as well documented as any of the WWII era vehicles (even the ones which were never built!), which meant that the building process was a bit iterative as I discovered sources which gave different angles (that large stowage box on the side didn't exist till the last minute). Knowing the difference between the E, DA, and the other models is a bit of a devil in the details. :)
Some of the details were left out too. A pair of ATGMs on the turret looked a bit silly in the way that they jutted out (perhaps explaining the small size of this turret compared to its competitors), though I made add them back at a later stage if I can find something more compact. As are the various handles inaccurate, as well if they were properly standing out they'd wind up broken soon enough by the way I handle these things. Whilst the barrel has better detail than my first attempt on the 4, looking at better source images has it coming out too thick; which I suppose is an area that can be improved if I ever want to make another. As ever, its a "good enough" / anyone who knows what this thing is probably isn't a wargaming. ;)
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Nice!
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Very nice.
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Nice work! :)
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Here's some lttle bits and bobs to contend with all those vehicles that I have chucking about.
I believe that this is supposed to be a 9K115-2 Metis-M / AT-14 Saxhorn-2, though Empress don't list which specific system it is on their site (the tube carrier matches the late model, though the sights and other gear that the crew have are from the older one > confusing!):
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/15/942718_md-9K115-2%20Metis-M.JPG)
The Wikipedia page lists the Soviet era AT team makeup as three soldiers- 1 gunner and 2 ammo carriers with AKs. I went with two, as the 3rd guy on the model looks more like a radio operator than ammo carrier (he turns up in my Seperatist command squad). They're intended to be Russian soldiers from the Chechen wars, so I've painted them with a mix of Soviet, plus some modern British gear so as to represent some irregular forces.
Something else heavier as well. An SPG-9 recoiless rifle made by Spectre Miniatures, with an Empress Miniatures Russian as the gunner (here's a HMG gunner with new arms/ head), and a Warlord Games Spec Ops soldier as his companion. Its intended for use on the back of a technical, though with the new crew it'll work in its original intended role (if only Spectre did more professional looking crews for their support weapons instead of all those insurgent types).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/15/942717_md-SPG-9.JPG)
I like the look of these old Soviet heavy weapons besides modern soldiers (the plastic case rather than a wooden box for the ammo on the SPG-9 for instance is a bit of contrast). Speaking of that contrast, I'm in the market for one of these... ;)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Maxim_Maschinengewehr_1910.jpg)
I'll have to see what I can pick up at the next show. Warlord do one for their WWII Soviets, though the crew are useless for modern games - so I'm looking for just the gun. Having one of those next to modern fighters would be so cool. :D
I do need to make a fighter with an old Mosin Nagant at some point. All of those Chechen fighters who're just armed with RPGs need some sort of weapon. Hmn, maybe an Obrez. :)
(http://i.imgur.com/S8Xxo.png)
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More nice work.
The ATGW team looks great.
Generic crews for heavy weapons are a bit sparse, I hope Empress will do some in their Universal Soldier range (and crew for their jeep). Insurgents are easier to work with than regional costumes.
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Oh, I meant the specific issue I have Spectre's crews are that they're quite distinctively dressed for the Middle East; so using them for much else is a bit difficult (especially their head scarves). Had they been done up in generic cargo pants and a tshirt they'd go further.
I tend to make my crews out of existing heavy weapons team models, or those Warlord Games Spec Ops - just as they can be cut up. Having Spectre do some would be ideal, though Empress haven't so far done much regarding loose crews (they've their ZU-23-2, though the only difference in the different nationalities is head swaps rather than whole new uniforms).
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So with that Chechen Wars Kickstarter the main issue in painting the models is working out what I'll do with them. Old men in their slippers with nought by an RPG to protect themselves don't really fit in with this whole "modern warfare" thing. :)
Here's most of the guys with beanie hats painted up. This lot at least looked kind of competent, though I did have to give most all of the RPG guys some form of other weapon (...judging by this Kickstarter the Chechens had more RPGs than AKs). With these I went for a mix of surplussed Soviet camo (from out of a used clothes shop no doubt), along with civilian clothing (desert camo trousers and a bright orange jacket definitely says "tacticool" to me). The guy wearing the full head to toe suit wound up wearing some duck hunter style camo, as ...I assume he's supposed to be wearing some hunter get up right?
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/19/943663_md-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/19/943664_md-Separatists.JPG)
In clearing my way through the terrain pile, I found this Ainsty Castings roof access door. I'd bought it ages ago to turn into a bunker entrance, which it doesn't look too bad as.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/19/943662_md-Bunker%20Entrance.JPG)
Work continues on that petrol station which I'd shown off here a while ago. I can only paint those larger buildings in dribs and drabs before they become really dull. Tsk, and meanwhile I'm planning another building for this (besides supposedly wanting to finish the rest of those sheds I'd made).
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I have two versions of the Russian machine gun Maxim
http://siberia-miniatures.ru/index.php?cPath=41_39_98_99
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Nice job.
That bunker entrance looks the part.
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Oh hey you do! Plus heads which would do for Cossacks as well in your Russian Civil War range. I never think to look at your WWI section for stuff for modern games the last time that I ordered something. :)
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Things have a bit slow lately with exam season coming around. Now that that's all over and I'm gainfully unemployed I'm trying to finish off some projects.
This petrol station in particular's been sitting around for over a year at this point. With some furniture and a lick of paint it'll look forward to a new life being used in one game then sitting in box for eternity. ;)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946012_md-Petrol%20Station.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946010_md-Petrol%20Station.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946011_md-Petrol%20Station.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946008_md-Petrol%20Station.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946009_md-Petrol%20Station.JPG)
The fuel tank is from Ainsty Castings, petrol pumps (which definitely aren't to a modern spec) by Studio Miniatures, ah, and the rest is from ...some manufacturers from the Post Apocalyptic Tales terrain thread. Which reminds me to buy more of those shell stacking little bits. Warlord Games at a gaming show have a rack of terrain by other manufacturers for sale. Oddly that stuff isn't available on the original manufacturer's site. Those cardboard boxes are fantastic for tarting up buildings. :)
I'd bought two Toyota Hilux from Antenocitis Workshop when they first come out. Unfortunately the scale problem came around again, and they were closed to 1/43rd than 1/50th (which makes sense given that company sells third party stuff for Infinity). One already was turned into a technical, but with the soldier on the back looking a bit too small. Instead the second's going to serve just as a terrain piece.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946005_md-Toyota%20Hilux.JPG)
Though I can't help but wanting to stick a gun on the back and some Middle Eastern militia group's logo on the side. ...Leaving the company logos on of course (which I may well do at some point if I ever get into MENA games).
Last from the current batch this one was a real quick job.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946006_md-BTR-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946007_md-BTR-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/12/942437_md-BTR-3%20DA.JPG)
As I'd planned, its just a generic green scheme rather than a fancy camouflage. I laid off the weathering and dirt so this vehicle looks more like its just been issued (...so quickly that they left off the ATGMs). Alongside the BTR-4 this pair could work as the vehicles for a planned Spetsnaz unit ...or maybe some State forces who don't look quite so rag tag (having top of the line gear besides Mad Max looking junk is an image).
I'm in the process of making more terrain right now. Mostly finishing off some bits from earlier. That's three sheds, and some portacabins. Among the "to do" pile is a load of bits for a construction site which I haven't made it to touching in a while (which those portaloos from a while ago are for). Last week I started on a proper restaurant as well, after that cafe which I was planning became a convenience store. That's in limbo for the moment as I work out what I'm doing with the wall texture - whether to go with plastic sheets with a brick effect (which I've run out of ), or something else). Which I suppose will give more of an urban element to my terrain, as to date most of it is kind of rural looking.
An order from Empress is on the way as well. The plan being to make a BMD based ZU-23-2 mount (a field conversion I mean, rather than that actual BMD with that gun the Russians made). Add some slat armour with tonnes of gear packed in at the sides, along with a load of guys riding on the back. For that the ideas also to give the Zeus its proper mount instead of the sheet metal one the Empress/ Spectre gun comes from, though I'll need to find some good images (I already have two Zeus going spare, otherwise I'd have bought the Ace Models one which comes with the correct platform).
All this while of course being out of money and in need of some work to support my plastic crack habits. Those two upcoming Kickstarters are going to do hell for what I have left. :)
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Could you please make a comparison picture of these antenocitis cars with some modern miniatures from the popular brands like Empress or Spectre miniatures?
I was going to get me some of these cars for use in my modern "The Division" project but after reading your post I wonder if it is a good idea after all.
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They're even less to scale than Empress or Spectre's lines. In order to suit a 28mm model would have to stand a head taller at least for their feet to reach the peddles. They're made for 32mm figures, and tall ones at that, rather than the typically stocky 28mm, so I'd hazard against buying them.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2017/12/8/919694_md-Technical.JPG)
Many use 1/43rd diecasts as terrain, but even for that purpose they're debatable, as compared to 1/50th stuff this Hilux is the size of a BRDM. Diecasts are cheap, whilst these resin vehicles definitely are not if that's what you're wanting them for. Stick to the existing manufacturers. I'd say that some of the Special Artizan Service stuff would work as well if you want variety, though it may be worth waiting for the models to be updated as the civilian vehicles aren't the same quality as his newer vehicles. This is one of the jeeps.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/10/930520_md-Toyota%20Jeep.JPG)
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Thanks for the info!
Sad to hear about these cars being wrong scale.
I'm using only 1:50-1:54 vehicles in my projects and hoped that Antenocitis cars will fit into these dimensions.
Finding basic cars was not a problem really but finding usable police cars, ambulances, taxi's and such turned out to be a serious challenge which I thought Antencitis cars can help me to solve.
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Model manufacturers seem to be at war with one another over which scale to choose. For instance when SASM announced that new line of miniatures the comments were "why aren't they in 20mm!?". I suppose everyone's catering for different game systems, as is their elements of personal taste as well - i.e. Spectre thinking that 1/50th looks the most realistic, whilst Warlord Games makes all their stuff in 1/56th (I'll still attest that with the larger vehicles the soldier's feet can't reach the peddles without bricks on their shoes...). Special Artizan Service Miniatures have said before that he's willing to make some things in 1/56th if there's enough interest, though I doubt that's where the money is for modern manufacturers compared to 1/50th.
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Model manufacturers seem to be at war with one another over which scale to choose. For instance when SASM announced that new line of miniatures the comments were "why aren't they in 20mm!?". I suppose everyone's catering for different game systems, as is their elements of personal taste as well - i.e. Spectre thinking that 1/50th looks the most realistic, whilst Warlord Games makes all their stuff in 1/56th (I'll still attest that with the larger vehicles the soldier's feet can't reach the peddles without bricks on their shoes...). Special Artizan Service Miniatures have said before that he's willing to make some things in 1/56th if there's enough interest, though I doubt that's where the money is for modern manufacturers compared to 1/50th.
I know what you mean, Moderns was for a long time more of a ncihe market, at similar times around 2004 (I only know as I was working in holland when TAG statered) you only really had TAG in 28mm. Then shortly afterwards MOFO (Now gripping beast ) brought out their Mogadishu and Falklands range and Mongrel their Cold War (now badger games).
Prior to this I dabbled in the 40mm HLBS moderns.
So this had the HLBS 1/50 vehicles for use with their ranges and Later Imprint at the 1/50 scale (now Empress). Minutres wise the scultping for MOFOF-Soapy and Mongrel - Paul Hicks and some small ranges at the time from Eureka (Afghans) led the way. Supporting them were Sloppy Jalopy, Chieftain Models who worked to 1/56th scale and pushed out a good range of cold war gear in 1/56th. Now if you draw a line fomr both the scultpors and modellers they were the same band of lads as in the original Boltaction minis and some supporting WW2 vehicles (Lawrence, Crouchie etc) so you can see why there 1/56th dominated.
However modenr/ultra modern was still sitting with Imprint so you can see the evolution for larger scales with Empress vehicles and their aquisition of Imprint. Plastic modenr kits also tend ot be 1/50 - 1/48 so it sets the scene
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Here's some of the preliminary work on the BTR-DG (ZD?).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/5/946492_md-BTR-ZD.JPG)
When looking at pictures of these vehicles what struck me was that the ZU-23-2 isn't mounted centrally on the roof. Rather, presumably so the passenger compartment can open at the back, the gun's positioned slightly to the left and with its platform tilted. That gives it an odd appearance when you look at it directly from the front (something none of the pictures did, making you think its mounted centrally).
The HLBS model also seems to be for a variant of the BMD-D, or inaccurate. I had found images of a command model which lacks the front MGs, but almost every other image available had them. This is just from my own cursory research, so I may be wrong, but I've started work on giving this one a pair of MGs at the front there (which as far I can tell wouldn't be "wrong" for this particular type of vehicle).
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b2/ee/f6/b2eef6966d9d8a8b977b0dfe9bfd1f14.jpg)
(http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/photos/Command_vehicle_BMD-1KSH_2012.jpg)
Oh, and as for the gun's platform itself. It was kind of fun having a go at making one of these to finally have a more accurate style SPAAG in use in by the post-Soviet states, rather than the more MENA style sheet steel one which the base Empress and Spectre ZU-23-2 come with. There's still more work to do with that detail wise of course. Which I'll also caveat by saying that it seems the particular mount used for this gun on these vehicles is a bit different from the regular ones, in that the winch mount doesn't just out so far (which would block the driver's hatch at the front) - something I only noticed when I tried the longer mount and realised this error, before cutting it down a bit.
As for the ZU-23-2 itself. Yeah, but the Spectre one. End of. I have both the Empress and Spectre guns, and found that the Spectre kit, besides having better details, also scales better with these vehicles. The Empress gun is a different scale entirely (most noticeable when comparing the crew figures - who's feet can't reach the foot rest on the Spectre gun, besides the barrels being a good deal shorter), though for variety's sake I did mangle the crew to work with the Spectre gun instead of having to kit bash yet another guy wearing a head scarf into something more European looking.
Anyhow, this goes to show how much I can waffle just about the process of sticking a gun on the back of an APC. The plan's still to give this slat armour along the sides (possibly also the front), fill in the space in between with gear, then have some guys riding on the back there. I'd guess that these vehicles still retain their original passenger capacity (10 men), though in the field they act as dedicated SPAAGs. I had considered going for the gun mounted at the rear, as some of the models from the War in Afghanistan did, but that would have prevented me from having those extra passengers, and they're something I'd like to feature (...having them in front of the gun would be a bad idea). It would look cooler with the gun at the back though. :)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Btr-d_Belarus.jpg/1200px-Btr-d_Belarus.jpg)
(That's a sweet camo too. The blocks of wood that most of these vehicles use for mounting the gun on really make the overall look...)
I'm liking this little vehicle so far. This is my first BMD and its compact layout is growing on me. I can't work out what I'd do with a BMD-1 or 2 though, as they're a bit too basic to really grab my attention (maybe covering them in some graffiti/ having loads of guys riding on the back would help). Hmn, or possibly covering one of those newer model BMD-4s (I think they're called) with the BMP-3 style turrets for the Separatist side could be a cool project. That's all in the future of course. I have terrain, and a BMP-1 to work on before that. :)
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Nice job. The Empress ZSU23 and the Technical look more like 1/56 (we discussed this on my thread - and no I have not done any more on mine).
That black and white photograph look like it is just balanced on the top and roughly held in place by with chains!
Can you show your bow MGs in more detail (copying is the sincerest form of flattery honest).
Look forward to seeing more on this.
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I remember your own BTR-DG (it actually turns up in Google Image searches). The crew are a tad smaller than the rest of the Empress line. However, the Spectre crewman is pretty tall - presumably to accommodate the larger scale. If you're going to make a 1/50th scale vehicle Spectre's the way to go. I'll likely keep the Empress gun for something else, but likely not a modern project unless most of the gun's covered up to disguise how small it is.
From what I can tell every one of these has the gun held on by either rope or chains. I guess the ridged feet of the gun have enough grip to hold them on. Some have custom mounts that are welded on too, but those are probably the minority given the ad-hoc style of the vehicle (the BMD-D could take a ZU-23-2 trailer, so they could dismount the gun from the roof and decant it somewhere for later use and have the vehicle as an APC I guess).
Right now I've not touched the MGs expect from hacking out some of the resin. I've coloured in the areas blacks just to remind me to go back and tidy up the area later (same with that circle on that hatch at the front on the left being a detail which is missing). The guns themselves would just be a case of smoothing out that area, before adding a cap for the MG and then the barrel (or alternatively just the cap - in cases where the MGs were removed).
That's just what I managed this morning before I left the house (more planning than actual modelling). I'll prototype the slat armour later on before getting an idea about the stowage. Tidying up the base model will come after the slat armour so I can do it all in one pass (as in gap filling/ making the MGs), then I'll add the stowage/ passengers. ...I've banked some Netflix shows, which means lots of modelling time. ;)
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The BTR-ZD with an appropriate amount of junk strapped onto it.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/6/946650_md-WIP%20BTR-ZD.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/6/946651_md-WIP%20BTR-ZD.JPG)
You have to wonder if the original designers ever envisioned this sort of thing happening to their nice air droppable transports...
The slat armour's is supposed to look that way. I.e. hand made. Its someone's interpretation of what slat armour is, rather than being all that effective (the distances are crap/ too many vertical bars/ stowage in between is problematic). I'm still not super into how this style of armour turns a vehicle into pretty much just a box (at least in cases where the armour doesn't conform with the body work), but its fitting for the setting.
Those Empress gunners are looking very 1/56th with the passengers on the back now. I tried giving one a coat a coat to bulk him up a bit, but its still noticeable. Maybe they're just short I guess.
Its going to be a complete arse to paint beneath all that armour. :)
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Nice job.
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After an unannounced break to go off and play with my Elder Scrolls models (you may not have noticed me posting over on the Frostgrave board) I'm back to pick up where I left off here.
I'd had a few things in the works when I last touched my moderns. Not much of that has advanced really, though most of it was already done.
First off, here's this contraption. I don't know if it should really have an official designation, but the Soviets called at least some of their's BTR-ZD/ DG.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954872_md-BTR-DG.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954873_md-BTR-DG.JPG)
There's maybe a bit too much going on here for one model – slat armour, an improvised gun mount and the crew/ stowage at the back. Which I suppose is fine, as well, real combat vehicles don't go out of their way to look pretty. Something else to fit in with a column of soldiers driving to a battle perhaps? I'm not sure how practical having those guys on the back there is (like, there's guys fighting all around them and they're just sitting there), but it gives you something else to look at.
I'd like to give the ZU-23-2 a gun shield, but felt that there was already too much going on, and wanted to stay true to the more common types of this conversion based on the chassis. I need to tell myself that having a dozen vehicles with Anti-Aircraft guns on the back isn't too viable for games, and to go make some more atypical things instead (boring!).
Here's this guy as well.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954874_md-PM-M1910.JPG)
My order from Siberia Miniatures arrived fairly promptly, so I went ahead and make this guy with his 100 year old gun immediately. Of that company's offerings I found that the slightly more expensive of the two choices for PM M1910 guns offered the best level of detail and parts options.
I used the second of those M1910 guns as part of this beauty.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954870_md-WIP%20Series%20III%20Land%20Rover%20Technical%20.JPG)
This old Corgi Series III Land Rover looks just the part for a technical. Using parts from Spectre's Technical Upgrade set along with some minor detailing I think its been brought up to snuff as a gaming piece (someone obviously adding after market parts to this old vehicle). I'd have liked to have added a driver in the cab, but cutting off the pop rivets holding the thing together seemed like tempting fate a bit too much. The inside's probably caked in rust looking at the original set of wheels.
The shop had a second one, which I didn't buy at the time, so I may head back at some point and make another of these. Maybe with the gun facing forward over the cab (a DshK perhaps). A lucky find regardless considering I was looking at Spectre's Toyota pickup, and this is perhaps a bit more "European" looking. A pity that Soviet Diecasts aren't that available here, or in the proper scale. :/
That's about all the soldiers which I'd managed. The rest's been terrain.
Here's another shed. Everyone likes sheds.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954878_md-Shed.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954877_md-Shed.JPG)
Its a bit green. Blame the guy who owns it, not everyone paints their shed in contrasting colours that make them easier for gaming. ...And they have other priorities now, with the whole war thing going on. :)
Ah, and then there's a wall thing. ...I pass this thing on the train every day and thought it'd work as a terrain piece, just to ...well be wall like.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954875_md-...Wall%20Thing.JPG)
I'd made pavement segments to go along with a set of asphalt roads for my Fallout collection. Those have since been re-used for other things. The issue with them however is that they're rather post-apocalyptic. So, I took it upon myself to make some less garish looking pavements which look a bit less thrown together. They may not be Post-Apocalyptic, but they're definitely representative of the state of British pavements. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/17/954876_md-Pavement.JPG)
(Tsk, and yeah, I forgot to add detail to the curb. I'll cut some etches into the balsa wood to make it look like bricks. ...If I can remember that is)
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I love this thread and the amazing work you are doing, it's a real inspiration for my project.
Question for you: what are you using to make slat armour?
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Its exactly how it looks. Frames made out of plastic rod. So I don't run out of one particular type I make the base structure out of square rod (which is also easier to stick together flush), then the horizontal bars out of round tubes.
If I wanted to be more realistic it'd be all square rod and interleaved instead of the horizontal bars sitting on top of the frame. What I have is easier to make though, and looks fine for my purposes (that and its not like someone making slat armour out of spare metal is going to be picky).
Just work out the basic shape for each panel, then make the outside pieces. Then mark along the length where the vertical bars will go before gluing those on first for rigidity, before marking out the positions of the horizontal bars (probably just a mark at each end and one in the middle) and sticking those on.
Personally I'm not 100% sold on slat armour from a modelling perspective. In reality (when applied properly) its a practical addition to most vehicles, but when just looking at it on a model I find that it completely obscures what the actual vehicle is. You wind up with a fleet of boxes with guns sticking out, though I guess that's maybe the look of our times when it comes to military vehicles.
I suppose its better than covering the vehicles in rubber sheets. I could probably get away with finding a spare set of tracks and just make a box with rubber mats all over it and nobody would be any the wiser that there wasn't a resin model beneath them.
(https://alchetron.com/cdn/doboj-664e5149-6ded-4944-822d-6afc66d81b5-resize-750.jpg)
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Nice models. I have missed seeing your work (only venturing into Frostgrave occasionally).
I see what you mean on the slat armour. Having seen your work I am tempted to try and build on, but it would hide by it was I was building. Plus even though Humber Pigs had slat armour, it seem to have been forgotten again and might look out of place on kit for Twilight 2000.
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Thanks for the hints on the slat armour - looks really effective. The two strkyers sat on my desk waiting to be finished look a bit wrong without the extra four miles of width added by the slat armour so I'm tempted to try it.
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I agree it looks like it hides the model but might try it on 1 or 2.
An additional question: originally I was distinguishing between Gov and separatist vehicles with yellow and white lines respectively. Is that accurate? What methods are you using to distinguish faction?
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Ukrainian military equipment has white vertical stripes in front and sides. The number of bands indicates one of the fronts. Slogans and images of the national flag are possible.
The technique of the insurgents usually has just the inscriptions "DNR" and "LNR" (Donetsk or Lugansk Republic respectively), as well as slogans and flags, both Russian national and the flags of these territories. Also, the symbol of the rebels at the first stage was the St. George ribbon and the flag of Novorossia (a term meaning the united territory of both unrecognized republics) - this flag is similar to the banner of Southerners during the American Civil War.
Both sides widely used the usual fabric flags.
This information was relevant for the period of intensive military operations.
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I'm not going out of my way to distinguish the sides much. Missing out National Flags on most models so that they can be used as either side, and possibly for other purposes. Outside of the Little Green Men most of the other models could be used to represent fighters from various conflicts, which helps if I want to play a game set in America for instance (where the guys are wearing after market camo). As curprum said, the white "invasion stripes" should denote various fronts, though I've not been keeping those consistent (only that Acacia SPG and a BMP-2 have them from what I can remember though).
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I do plan on using most the vehicles in both European and Middle Eastern theaters (don't need to be tan to be playable) so will keep faction markings to a minimum.
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Spoiler: This "War in the East" is actually representing a fictional Ukrainian intervention in Moldova. :P
Pft, you know that feeling when you want to make something, but realise that you used up the kit you bought to make that thing years ago for spares? I'm back to wanting a tank monument, though managed to use both the T-34/76 and the KV-1 I shortly purchased afterwards (after I'd used half the T-34's parts for something else) in the projects I've had since my original S.T.A.L.K.E.R. thread. Looking at my terrain collection I'd like a tank monument as the centre piece for an urban table (rather than that one with the brass figures from earlier in this current thread, which works more for a rural village).
...I mean last night I was actually thinking about how great it would be to have some Soviet era apartment blocks, ah, though as I type this my eyes are looking sideways at that restaurant which is still needing finished. Heh, then upwards to that GNR building from Fallout 3 that I started years ago (which I was kind of wondering if I should finish up as an old news station or office block). ...That thing quickly became too unfeasible to use as a gaming piece considering most of my games are on 4x4 tables and that thing would completely dominate any game (thus why my mind then drifted to having some apartment blocks ...then expanding games out to a 6x6 table for wargames shows, which my wargaming club have been considering running again).
Right, back to painting men in silly hats. :P
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You're thinking too small - you could have a 6x24 foot table if you really made the effort.
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You're thinking too small - you could have a 6x24 foot table if you really made the effort.
Follow Rich H's plans.
[Edit - damn you autocorrect]
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I've seen Cold War gone hot boards at a couple of gaming shows before. ...Though they really pack far too many models onto those. Well, the terrain's sparse, but I'm not into filling up every available space in a deployment zone with vehicles (reminiscent of that one scene with the British convoy at the start of A Bridge Too Far). I would like to cover games featuring a bit more of a realistic sized playing area though. By that I mean that tanks don't really operate at the range you see on a 4x4 table unless its urban combat and that sort of thing, and everything winds up looking a bit bunched in as you try and add some variety. In reality a 4x4 table representing a rural residential area would be one house, a decent sized garden, bushes and maybe a phone box ...not a half dozen homes, but well, one seems more fun to play than the other (especially using rulesets like Spectre: Operations "oh you're out in the open? Should I really even roll to see if my guy kills you or do you just want to remove the model?). :)
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Well my week's been partying and ...well work. One of those was more productive than the other, though both have been detrimental to my modelling time. :)
For the sake of keeping this thread solvent I did throw this guy together over the weekend.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/24/956336-WIP%20DNR.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/24/956337-WIP%20DNR.JPG)
He has a face only a mother could love beneath that rag...
I'm noticing that my pictures tend to look blurry due to how I'm liking them. They're 4K images, but are being scaled down oddly. Hopefully these are better now. :P
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Nice sculpt.
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Nice stuff as ever.
Wish I had the skill to sculpt or the patience to try... I always end up with thumbprints on everything :(
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There's hardly a sculpt where I'm not working on it, turn it around and find a big smear of greenstuff when a pouch or something used to be. :P
Right now I'm on about a sculpt or two a day, though the weekend was mostly BBQ's so I only managed one over two days. That guy's fairly static as originally he was going to be wearing a jacket and have his hands in the pockets, till I went for an outfit change and gave him a gun (which is fairly basic, and I could have just used a spare one, but gave him a plasticard SKS instead).
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In other news its too hot to be productive here, so here's some junk.
The men in silly hats return.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/28/957168-Cossacks.JPG)
Another squad of Cossacks made from Tiny Terrain's Chechen Wars VDV. I used Siberia Miniature's heads for this set. They're just there for variety's sake among the other forces, though they'd work as better trained soldiers among the Seperatists.
And yes, yet more Seperatists.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/28/957169-Separtists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/28/957170-Separtists.JPG)
I'm counting the days till the second Chechen Wars Kickstarter so that half of these guys aren't carrying an RPG and some pocket lint. At this rate the Seperatist forces are outnumbering the Nationalists, not including any "foreign actors". Tsk, which again reminds me of that order of IDF from Mike Bravo Miniatures which will never show up which I'd intended to use as some Nationalist Spetsnaz. I have a load of models with M16s set aside for those now, but I've not been in the mood to strip them, and I really was set on giving them Tavors, so I don't think my heart's really in it. :/
Here's the Land Rover technical too. Combined this thing's probably older than most of the soldiers fighting in the war, besides that PM M1910 on the back (...and that's not talking about the actual diecast being older than me).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/28/957166-Land%20Rover%20Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/6/28/957167-Land%20Rover%20Technical.JPG)
It seemed a bit plain, so I added some Russian Othordox Church crosses about it remincent of the Free French. As ever I continue to over do the stowage with enough bottles of booze to stock a hotel mini bar. :)
I'm still in need of more vehicles for the Seperatists. I guess I'll need to keep an eye out for more diecasts and pick up Spectre's weapons. ...Though I was eyeing up a medieval cannon in a model shop yesterday, but that may be going a bit too far with the home made look of these vehicles. :D
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I dont think I have seen what rules set you are/plan on using for this setting?
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Nice landrover.
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@ racm32
So far we've been trying Spectre: Operations. Its been a bit of a slog however, as the ruleset's focus on realism finds you being overly tactical due to any model who's out in the open being pretty much dead if anyone shoots at them. I've no idea how they scale for larger games, as with a handful of models we've been spending 3 hours to complete a game (maybe those playing platoon scale games just don't care about losing models so much or something). And that's all without bringing in vehicles.
There's other rules out there, which I may look into eventually.
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https://www.forties-factory.com/librairie/3619-guerre-en-ukraine-maquettes-de-blindes-modernes-9782352504979.html
(https://www.forties-factory.com/5553-large_default/guerre-en-ukraine-maquettes-de-blindes-modernes.jpg)
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@ racm32
So far we've been trying Spectre: Operations. Its been a bit of a slog however, as the ruleset's focus on realism finds you being overly tactical due to any model who's out in the open being pretty much dead if anyone shoots at them. I've no idea how they scale for larger games, as with a handful of models we've been spending 3 hours to complete a game (maybe those playing platoon scale games just don't care about losing models so much or something). And that's all without bringing in vehicles.
There's other rules out there, which I may look into eventually.
I use to use Force on Force but the reaction system is where the game would get confusing and drawn out. Right now we have been using a Bolt Action supplement and using fire teams for the smallest unit devision.
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Hey guys, I'm having a go at something new. Besides writing up these ...at this stage bi-weekly posts, I've been considering a platform which would let me post about other things without derailing my existing threads, or starting a new one every time I want to talk about giant killer death robots.
So I've started a Wordpress Blog (I can hear the groans already). Just as a place to collect all the content I'm producing in one place, as well personally I don't tend to stray to far from certain boards of this forum, so people probably aren't aware of the other thread(s) I'm keeping at one time (though admitedly I'm stuck with this modern stuff right now!). It'll help to have a place to post images of other games I've played recently or models I've made, where they may not necessarily be suitable for the existing threads. Though of course I'll be keeping up my current ones, as I suspect that most people don't want to be going somewhere else to be talking about things that we were already doing here.
Here it is then, for the moment there's not much there other than a post which is going up on this site as well, but I'll try and keep things updated, and yes, if the layout of anything's too janky I'd appreciate the feedback! :D
thesticks.net
(http://thesticks.net)
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See the above post for a link to the new blog site. (http://thesticks.net) Here's the contents of the blog's post here of course.
Currently I'm on holiday, due to start a new job in around three weeks. The first week of this holiday's been mostly doing my best to keep out of the sun and not die from the humidity, which has meant watching a tonne of TV and playing with my toy soldiers. :)
Vehicles:
This week's seemingly been all about the vehicles. Having bought one diecast pickup truck last week and painted that up, I was set on hunting down more at the local flea markets. I wasn't able to find the mountains that I had expected (at least in 1/50th, 1/72nd players are set), but did come across enough to keep me content in the short term.
Land Rover Freelander
Whilst I await another order from Spectre (and a replacement part from the first), I was able to complete this first technical.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958647-Land%20Rover%20Freelander.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958648-Land%20Rover%20Freelander.JPG)
This one's made from a Land Rover Freelander – a 1/52nd diecast by the Chinese company Smart Toys (whom I couldn't find a trace of online).
With the vehicle itself the modification may seem a bit minimal. Rather a good bit of time was spent "rehabilitating" the diecast to bring it up to an acceptable standard (something I'm quickly finding out with most of these diecasts). The rear trunk area required a complete rebuild from the poorly detailed plastic placeholder which they'd installed there, even as I was unable to remove some of the pieces as the metal was just too hard to cut through with my regular tools (at least not without spending an hour tidying up the mess afterwards).
The wheels of course are from Spectre Miniature's technical upgrade set, meant to represent off road tires. Whilst not strictly in the Land Rover style, they work well enough. For those looking for other sources of 1/50th scale wheels I did manage to find some for Airfix's 1/48th Land Rover set, cast in resin by Red Zebra models. Their site is a bit archaic, but they may be suitable for larger pickup trucks if you can get a hold of them.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/747d7-dbde60_1dd4ed50297e46138c523c38890bc474.jpg?w=605&zoom=2)
But back to the model. I went ahead and added armour to the "important" areas, the radiator, side windows and rear compartment. ...Ah, not the front window or any other areas. As apparently that's how vehicles role these days. I guess cheap pressed metal doors are enough to stop 7.62mm rounds. The window armour has portholes for vision, or can be folded down (I felt that the raised wing mirror on the right hand side would be a nice feature).
In the rear I mounted a Spectre Miniatures DShK on the roof – slightly further forward that I had expected due to how long it is – crewed by one of the same company's MENA soldiers (who seems suitable enough when painted with a more European completion, though I really wish they'd make some European variants of their MENA crews eventually). To give the vehicle a bit of character (and cover up any mistakes) the trunk's filled with your usual assortment of junk. A mix of bits from Black Cat Games, Empress Miniatures, JTFM Enterprises and Special Artizan Service Miniatures (ah, if you're ever in the need to buy your own storage. Its hitting me just how many different companies I've gone to buying this sort of stuff from over the years...).
The vehicle's painted in a dodgily applied camo pattern, probably more suitable for a jungle than Eastern Europe (though there was that one Metal Gear Solid game which had a jungle in Russia...). I was tempted to add some insignia and slogans, but considered that those would maybe tie them to one particular faction too much, and I'd rather this vehicle be usable by both sides in the conflict where possible.
Infantry:
Nationalist Soldier
With a quick dab of paint, this Nationalist soldier which I'd sculpted last week's now painted.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958645-Ukrainian%20Soldier.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958646-Ukrainian%20Soldier.JPG)
It was a fairly basic affair between working on other stuff. Just a standard gorka and a green chest rig, no camo as I wasn't into muddling the different colours up much more than they would be already.
I'll have to see about sculpting some more soldiers up. Though for the time being I still have loads of pewter to paint. Russian Spetsnaz are currently next up on my desk. With those I've been putting off painting them as I try and work out how to do their uniforms, but something should come up if I stare at CamoPedia long enough...
(http://Terrain:)
(http://Pavement Sections)
On the terrain front, realising that I hadn't painted much this week I pushed myself to paint these segments of pavement which I'd marked for priority in the "to do" pile (which in reality meant that I'd moved them to the centre of my painting area, then repeatedly shoved them aside to work on something else).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958655-Pavements.JPG)
They're not super high on the detail, but good enough for what they're intended for. I'll need to play a game with them before I know what modifications will need to be made if I want a complete set (i.e. If the segments are the right length). Though I've been telling myself to make more road and pavement sections for years, so don't hold out on more of these appearing any time soon! ;D
Work in Progress:
Now into the "I was too distracted by other projects to finish any of these" segment.
I began work on a series of other tehcnicals, which I'll probably go into more depth on once they're finished.
(http://"Spec Ops" Land Rover)
A "special forces" Land Rover made from Airfix's 1/48th scale kit.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958651-WIP%20Technical.JPG)
Which is currently awaiting crew from Spectre Miniatures. Ideally their Razor crew will fit into this with a bit of work. I'd bought Airfix's 1/48th scale crew for that purpose earlier in the week, but found that whilst they fit the vehicle, they're too large for my 28mms (probably as 1/50th is closer to 30-32mm than 28mm). Other than those it may be done, unless I can salvage another kitchen sink to add to the stowage (...note to self: while you have 28mm kitchen sinks, you shouldn't hide one on your next vehicles as a joke).
Corgi Land Rover
An identical Land Rover to my first Corgi technical was also found, which is going through the same treatment.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958652-WIP%20Technical.JPG)
To differentiate it from the first its had an armoured cab added, similar to modifications on Soviet era jeeps in various conflicts. This one's in need of a base plate for a ZPU-2 gun which I'd ordered from Spectre Miniatures, but had been missing that part. Though I also ordered a ZPU-1 gun from them as well which may be suitable (the size of the ZPU-2 is what's selling me on the bigger mount right now...).
(http://BA-64B Technical)
Ah, and last in this "Week of Technicals", I began working on this one last night. It uses Tamiya's 1/48th BA-64B as a basis.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958653-WIP%20Technical.JPG)
The BA-64B's small enough that I'm going ahead and beefing up its bodywork to make it look not quite as titchy compared to my other vehicles. Looking at the measurements of Soviet Jeeps from WWII it seems like they had the same idea, incrementally make each jeep larger, till the post-war Soviet states settled on things like the Gaz Tigr and American Humvee for the same purpose. The idea's to open up that rear area with a firing platform of some kind mounting a DShK (because at this stage the size of the vehicle doesn't seem to matter when it comes to sticking a Heavy Machine Gun on it. ...If I was covering the current conflicts in the Middle East I'd have a load of motorbikes with them by now).
BMP-1
Besides all the technicals, work commenced on a BMP-1 from Empress Miniatures as well.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958654-WIP%20BMP-1.JPG)
This is the BMP-1 which I'd bought to use as a basis for a conversion into one of the modernised BMP-1s with 30mm guns (either a Russian or Ukrainian variant). Looking at my vehicle pool I considered that having something less specialised may give me more options in game though, as I already was quickly collecting a load of vehicles which would be only suitable for one particular side in the conflict (unless someone captured them). Instead its a run of the mill BMP-1 to fit in with the pair of BMP-2Ds I already have, without slat armour or anything too fancy. At the moment what's left to work on is gap filling and tidying up one of the two disembarking soldiers at the rear there (the crouching one's an Empress Miniature's Russian – who could work as just a guy wearing after market gear – and the other's a mix of a Wargames Factory GI and Warlord Games Project Z Spec Ops figures, with a gun from Staturesque Miniatures, and head by Empress Miniatures – going spare from another set of vehicle passengers I'd painted earlier).
(http://Restaurant)
It may still be a bit early to show this one off. Here's a project which I've been working on for the past few weeks on and off, as I intermittently work on it between running out of materials...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958650-WIP%20Restaurant.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/6/958649-WIP%20Restaurant.JPG)
Its based on a local restaurant which peaked my interest as I was searching for ideas for larger buildings for my modern collection. Most of the work so far's just be developing the layout and how all the rooms fit together. Once the structure's established then hopefully the detailing won't be nearly so involved, adding a counter and tables to the front, a kitchen in the back and some sort of office/ storage area upstairs. Along with bits like vents and air conditioning units outside. Typically its constantly being sidelined for tanks and other things, as well, tanks are cool ...and miniature restaurants hardly bring in the views (unless that's what I've been missing all these years!).
Closing
Well that's what's been going on here on my end this week. Once that order from Spectre Miniatures arrives I'll hopefully be able to work on those other technicals and have them painted by the end of next week.
I've also ordered a Humvee from Spectre Miniatures. I was initially putting off picking one of these up, though having to make a second order in a week (to buy that Razor Crew) "forced" me to hit that £30 free shipping total... The idea's to turn it into one of Ukraine's initial run of Humvees which were used in Kosovo, with a new roof, door armour and mounting a DShK (I swear I'm going to need to order twenty of those just to keep up with all these vehicles...). Hopefully though I'll also get to look at Special Artizan Service's Humvee and compare the two at some point; possibly using there's for another of the Ukrainian variants, particularly as their one includes a full interior.
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/ deleted post, damn you laggy uploads! These longer posts take forever for the site to register properly (heh, thus the blog) :P
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An interesting read, thanks.
Have you looked at the Empress crew?
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/empress-modern-british-vehicle-crew-and.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/empress-modern-british-vehicle-crew-and.html)
They are designed for the Airfix kits.
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Oddly I remembered that Empress had made a crew set, but thought that they were just the upper halves of the bodies or something. I'll wait for that Spectre order to arrive first then maybe give those a look if there's any issues. Though I need to avoid the Empress site or I'll never get any of the stuff that's already been sitting unpainted for months touched.
(I do now have 30 zombies to paint over the weekend for a game :( )
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Your technicals are great! How's the ba64 coming along?
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Its in the same state which I posted it in earlier. I've been mostly working on other stuff and messing about trying to make that blog thing not look like complete toss today. :)
its been partially based on this vehicle if you want an idea where its headed.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/48/2e/60/482e60ff549a667d64b3c91ce7457140.jpg)
(Which itself, and other, seem to be based on the original BA-64B oddly enough)
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Oooo, that is silly! I love it.
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So far we've been trying Spectre: Operations. Its been a bit of a slog however, as the ruleset's focus on realism finds you being overly tactical due to any model who's out in the open being pretty much dead if anyone shoots at them. I've no idea how they scale for larger games, as with a handful of models we've been spending 3 hours to complete a game (maybe those playing platoon scale games just don't care about losing models so much or something). And that's all without bringing in vehicles.
There's other rules out there, which I may look into eventually.
If you want something quick and easy to learn, and flows quickly, you could try Wars of Insurgency. Players typically control 3-5 squads of anywhere from 3-12 figs, if that fits with what you were planning. Here's the link for the rules:
http://www.firstcommandwargames.com/wars-of-insurgency.html
The blog looks good, by the way...!
Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww213/mikedemana/Miscellaneous/LPL_bades_zpsl7op2jaz.jpg)
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@ mikedemana
Thanks, but tsk, as I look for new rules I've found out that another gamer here now wants to pick up the Spectre rule set and give it a try, so I shant be jumping ship so quickly it seems. Personally I'd be willing to use the Ogre ruleset if that's any way of judging just what type of rules I prefer... ;)
I thought that this may be the right place to mention it, but I've posted up some more stuff on my miniatures blog not directly related to this thread. Ah, other than the Space Marines, I made one post in particular covering Modern wargaming miniatures releases by the company Kings Hobbies and Games which some may find useful (though as its covering "ultra-modern" stuff, may not be for everyone).
You can find it over here, any comments on how this sort of content could be improved would be appreciated! :)
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/09/wargaming-news-special-artizan-service-miniature-june-july-releases/
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Interesting article, thanks.
As has been mentioned in a nearby thread, the Conflicts that came in from the cold sub forum covers too much, your article highlights what is available but does not fit happily fit within the confines (and rules) of the existing sub forum.
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As far as I'm aware, and having spoken to the mods about this, we can post modern miniatures here. Whilst the board covers discussion of conflicts up until the year 2000, we can post models representing things after that point, as long as the discussion is kept to the models themselves (thus why I've been attempting to keep any talk in this thread to the models themselves, and maintain a less than factual representation of current conflicts).
The issue with posting a thread reporting on new contemporary miniatures though is that whilst I'd moderate my own discussion of the models so as to cover the board's guidelines, I couldn't do the same for other users, and feel that that'd do any commentary a disservice. Its relevant for people to know what the models that are on show are, beyond just describing them physically when it comes to displaying new ranges (as well, if you just think they're cool that's maybe not a reason enough to buy them), which maybe isn't so true of a thread showing off miniatures from some generic post-Soviet republic (in fact, it helps to not discuss the history when the nation the models are supposedly fighting in is fictional).
...Ah, but maybe I'm over thinking this. A lot of what that company's releasing right now isn't things which I'd be using for this particular setting, so I thought I'd keep posts about them to that blog site rather than muddy this thread up too much. This isn't an official thread for advertising the company, so it'd be better to create a new (...) news thread instead, which again would run into the issue of moderating our chat. :)
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You make a lot of good points. I certainly agree with you .
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You do truly superb work. I Blog and follow many who do and your work is easily among the best in the hobby. It's not a genre I'd be comfortable replicating myself - I cannot explain or justify my feeling on the whole recency issue I have with wargaming but I am admiring your dedication and application to the subject immensely. Thank you very much for keeping us updated as it progresses.
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My recent order from SASM arrived today after making a brief stop to experience the privileged of customs (no fees at least!). Here's a link to an article (https://thesticks.net/2018/07/13/miniature-review-special-artizan-service-miniatures-gmv-flyer/) covering my first impressions of SASM's new GMV Flyer kit which you guys may be interested in.
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/13/miniature-review-special-artizan-service-miniatures-gmv-flyer/
TLDR:
(https://memecrunch.com/meme/46KVN/s-alright/image.png?w=500&c=1)
Nah, its pretty good. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/13/960079_md-10.JPG)
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Interesting read (I also got distracted by your TWD report - sounded like fun).
Looking forward to seeing your GMV painted.
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For the moment I haven't managed to finish much more stuff in the past few days since I started on the GMV Flyer. Holidays and accidentally installing S.T.A.L.K.E.R. again have eaten into my time.
However, the GMV Flyer is being painted currently, and I've started on a new terrain piece. A Soviet War Memorial, one of those big plinths with a T-34 sitting on top of it (I've been saying I'd make one of those for years now). Its still a work in progress, and so far there's been a bit of compromise as I work with the bits I have (the craft shop's shut on a Sunday, so I used a smaller base than I'd have liked ...instead of just waiting a day). That'll hopefully be posted here in the next few days if the ground doesn't open up and swallow me, as its like to do (the Grue says Hi by the way).
So, whilst I'm busy not actually building anything, here's a post covering what Spectre's posted about over the week (which spoiler, there's a lot of umming and ahhing at whether or not its Russians or not).
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/16/wargaming-news-spectre-miniatures-new-releases-teases/
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Interesting reading.
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Here's another news blurt coveirng what's been happening at Special Artizan Service Miniatures.
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/20/wargaming-news-special-artizan-service-miniatures-july-so-far/
I remain however doing my best to have more stuff actually painted. Finally I've managed to be finished on the building stage of that war memorial that I think I mentioned, and now its due a paint. I'll try and remember to stick up a picture of it at some point today. :)
Meanwhile I did manage to have that GMV Flyer which I talked about earlier painted.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/18/960738_md-GMV%20Flyer.JPG)
Ah, also, more of which was posted over on that blog. As to be honest it doesn't strictly fit in with what I've been doing with my Eastern Europeans (frankly it may be more up my friend's alley with his modern SAS).
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/18/now-painted-gmv-flyer-60/
The SEALs and GROM which came in the same package as the Flyer however are intended to be done up as Spetsnaz to replace that order from Mike Bravo Miniatures which never showed up. Ideally they'll have some work done on them over the coming week.
Right now the priorities are to have that War Memorial painted and to do my best to finish at least the back portion of the restaurant which I've been working on for a while now. Though I'm in the position of knowing I have parts for it somewhere, but after hours of searching not finding them (air ducts specifically), so I'm pondering cannibalising an older building for those... Meanwhile Spectre Miniatures released some aircon units which are just the type I was looking for to do for the back wall of the restaurant's kitchen. Which I'll need to order at some point before they go out of stock, but its not like this thing's going to be ready to paint any time soon anyway. :)
Ah well, hopefully I'll have another post up today and maybe a bit over the weekend once I can finish putting those other technicals which I'd posted earlier this month. Yes, all the video games on my computer have once again been uninstalled so I can actually have the time to work on any of this crap. ;)
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Nice job on the GMV.
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As promised, here's a picture of the old Soviet era War Memorial which I've been building.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/20/961130_md-WIP%20War%20Memorial.JPG)
Finally that T-34/76 sees some use other than for spare parts...
Its pieces like this which make a table look a like a bit more work's gone into them. Its not the neatest piece, but the effect it'll have on the visuals of a table are worth it.
Now expect me to take a month to paint it...
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Nice work.
Now expect me to take a month to paint it...
Infinitely faster than me ^__^
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Nice Monument.
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That looks great! :D
Needs more Bronekater:
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Bronekater_proekta_1125_in_Blagoveshchensk.jpg)
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I did find an old diecast Soviet warship in a flea market yesterday, but it was the wrong scale. If I wasn't working on a tonne of other things I could have bought it, stuck it on a plinth, and had it as being a memorial to some naval battle, or remembering some old shipyards.
...But no, I bought some more 1/50th scale diecasts instead to use as technicals. Because I don't already have enough crap to paint. :P
I was going to post about the Special forces models I'd bought recently, but ah, no. ...SASM's latest post on their Facebook group may detract from that conversation a little. :o
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37584941_1889186184707449_516365488293412864_o.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=dd40972cf5b31fb8575e4825b04a5edd&oe=5BCB0023)
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(The Anthem of the Soviet Union should be in your head whilst you read this post).
So comrades, this one's been a good while in the making. Years in fact.
Once upon a time I had the idea to make some monuments from the old Soviet days to add to my Chernobyl themed miniatures collection. I'd already made similar ones for my Fallout miniatures (some of which are pictured on the board below), and I'd had this image from the James Bond film Goldeneye of the old statue graveyard. That seemed so appropriate for these dilapidated ruins in Ukraine.
(https://i.imgur.com/N9HqVmg.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/26/716794_md-26%252F05%252F15-2.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/5/15/714031_md-Fallout%2C%20Post%20Apocalyptic.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/4/20/706572_md-WIP%20War%20Memorial.JPG)
What happened though was I wound up becoming distracted by too many other different projects which seemed like a bit more bang for my buck in terms of what I could use them for. Until recently I didn't really have any of these old monuments. On a slow day at the office (or, well, home) the idea resurfaced and I threw together this piece.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924173_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
I'd bought that set with the intention of making just this, an old monument to WWII (ahem, the Great Patriotic War – keep that Anthem playing folks). Something likely sitting out in some rural town, surrounded by wood cabins and which an old lady would always remember to put some fresh flowers out every other week (ah, that is if all the little old ladies hadn't been chased off by the horrible shooting going on...).
That one was made from Tamiya's 1/35th scale Soviet Tank Rider set, just painted up to look like a corroded bronze and set on a plasticard and foam plinth. Simple enough to do.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/5/923461_md-WIP%20Monument.JPG)
Though whilst that had been the idea behind buying that set, in reality I'd set aside my Chernobyl project at the time, and instead used one of the fine fellows in that box to, ah, make a Dwarven statue. ...Perhaps beyond what the original sculptors had imagined the kit ever being used for. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/8/6/734318_md-Dwemer%20Statue.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/8/3/733585_md-WIP%20Dwemer%20Statue.JPG)
Which brings us to today and my current project.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/22/961430_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
Since starting my modern miniatures collection I've had a lot more experience with T-34s, after I took a hiatus to ...well go overboard making a World War II tank collection (I think the final count on painted and unpainted tanks was in the 90s). See I'd also gone ahead and bought a KV-1 and a T-34/76 when picking up those Soviet infantrymen. Back in the day when these 1/48th scale Hobbyboss kits went for the princely sum of £9.99 each (now they're more like £20). With pricing like that however, they found themselves thrown on a shelf and forgotten about as I worked on the more expensive stuff.
Over the years I managed to lose the KV-1 in some box, and looted the kits for spare parts. If there's one thing to praise about these kits its the sheer number of spare parts, as both kits come with full interiors. Ah, I also nabbed many of the track links from the kits for adding on as extra armour to my WWII German vehicles.
So I was left with the shell of a T-34/76 kit. The major pieces were there, but I had to leave off a load of the detailing and improvise a few of the parts. Ideally that it has some Tiger roadwheels will go unnoticed, and that its missing a load of its fittings and has one very loose (some would say broken and with half the links stolen!) could be chalked up to poor maintenance by the local town council. A tank's a tank though, and that's all I needed for my purposes (I could have gone ahead and used that spare British Crusader tank ...though I don't think that would be quite so appropriate).
Luckily I found this thing, as otherwise I was eyeing up a lovely Tamiya IS-2 for the same purpose. ...And I don't have the heart to go spending £25 on a tank just to slap it on a plinth. :(
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/9/0/1/105901-11890-22-pristine.jpg)
The plinth here was built in a similar fashion to the one of the above statue. A foam core cladded by plasticard sheets (from Wills Kits scenic line). I was a bit more adventurous when building this one compared to most of the monuments you see mounting these vehicles, and raised it up a bit and added stairs to offer a bit more cover for war gaming pieces too.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/20/961130_md-WIP%20War%20Memorial.JPG)
As for painting it, well, the town council was really strapped for cash and didn't have the time to go out and give it a new paint job. In fact I think they may have been the ones stealing all the parts to sell as scrap... (you can stop playing that old Soviet Anthem now btw).
I went for a vehicle painted up sort of in its original style (I wasn't too concerned about exactly matching a WWII era paint job, as it would likely have been repainted since then), though with my usual overdoing of all the grime and dirt effects. Looking like its been up there for a good few decades without the locals giving it much care (though didn't go as far as covering it in graffiti; whilst thematic to really grind in people's respect for history, ah, I'll leave that for my other bits).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/22/961434_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/22/961435_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
As for the plinth, its your usual Soviet era affair of slabs of brickwork stacked together in a Brutalist fashion, done up to look like a mix of concrete and locally sourced materials. Again, the grime's maybe a bit overdone as usual, but that's long now seemingly been my trademark. I dunno, maybe I just live in a dump. ;)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/22/961432_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
The obligatory beer bottles come from Black Cat Bases. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/22/961431_md-War%20Memorial.JPG)
That's one off of the bucket list for this collection now. I've been pining after one of these for years ever since I started on this European stuff, and it should be a crowd pleaser when setting up some city boards.
Now hopefully one day I can put together some nice tall apartment blocks so I have some actual terrain which can see over this thing. Perhaps I'll try and rehabilitate that old 50s office building I built years ago, but did nothing with (if I can work out how to carry it to games). I was considering using it as either a department store, or just an abandoned set of offices from the Soviet era.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/4/25/707808_md-Top%20Floor%20Complete.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/4/6/702466_md-Urban%20Building%20Layout.JPG)
And there's always this big head... :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/6/1/718075_md-Big%20%27ead%20WIP.JPG)
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Nice job on the monument.
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Nice job on the monument.
Indeed - looks fantastic!
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Great looking monument. You should paint it partially pink like the similar monument in Prague. That people kept painting pink until it was finally removed.
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If I'd gone ahead and sculpted on one of those brass frescos of soldiers marching then yeah, I would have easily done up one of the soldiers as Super Man. ;)
Here's another post over on that blog of mine, covering SASM's new Special Forces Miniatures. The idea with this lot is to pair them with that BTR-3 and BTR-4 and have them done up as Western equipped Nationalist Spetsnaz. Gone are the days when these guys were using Soviet based equipment nah, they have some new benefactors. ;)
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/23/miniature-review-special-artizan-service-miniatures-seals-grom/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/23/961748_md-SEALs.JPG)
They'll be painted up in a mix of multi-cam and Desert DPM. Ideally most of my Nationalist forces from here on will have more desert pattern uniforms, to show their Western support (surplussed from other wars). Whilst the Seperatists will have more of a mix of Soviet and Russian patterns, mixed in with civilian and hunter's clothing to show their own supply routes. Hopefully SASM will take over from Mike Bravo eventually and release some guys with Tavors so I can have some proper Spetsnaz like I'd originally planned however (I'm going to keep mentioning Mike Bravo going AWOL every chance I get btw...). :)
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Here's my review of Spectre Miniature's Humvee over on the blog:
https://thesticks.net/2018/07/26/miniatures-review-spectre-miniatures-humvee/
Overall, its a good kit. What you'd expect from a resin cast made for resin, so there's a bit of clean up required.
Having come from Special Artizan Service Miniature's vehicles though, I'm a bit let down with Spectre's offerings. I returned the first order as it had similar defects, and whilst most of the smaller pieces aren't as bad, the main hull still has mould stepping. I can fix that sort of thing, but I wanted rid of those issues as I was intending to write a review where I wouldn't do any prior cleanup (and to sort out those faults I'd need to rebuilt the areas with clay), which is disappointing. In which case I'm taking this is what Spectre consider acceptable and went ahead with the review.
Hopefully it won't rub people up the wrong way. Its from the perspective of providing useful information to the consumer, rather than trying to be nice to the manufacturer, though of course I tried just to be frank, not rude or anything. :)
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Excellent review of Spectre's Humvee.
Thanks a lot for the time you took for the write up.
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Interesting and thought provoking review, definitely something to think about.
When you mentioned the issue with stepping, I initially thought you meant a 3d print artifact, but your photographs show how the mould appears not to have been aligned correctly in some places.
I was interested in your mention of Crooked Dice's offering.
I own one (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/crooked-dice-hmmwvbrave-warrior.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/crooked-dice-hmmwvbrave-warrior.html)) and it does have the advantage of being substantially cheaper than the other companies' offerings. It is however only vaguely HMMWV shaped (fine for post-apocalyptic use or as a knock-off).
It will make me think about which HMMWVs to get. Thanks.
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Yes, its definitely actual mould stepping, where the mould has slipped during casting. My assumption being that Spectre, now making these in house and promising to have adequate stock, are trying to produce as many as they can. That's resulted in the quality control issues which I mentioned.
Oddly the response on Facebook to the link varied. On the Spectre page it looks like its been shadow blocked - i.e. I can see it, but nobody else can. On another there was an initial comment about being concerned over the quality, then the admin blocked the post (I got an angry face emoji from one of the Spectre guys). I suppose that's to be expected. I have nothing against the company or their products. Its an honest review, and at the most they could take on the concerns I raised (them sending a replacement with the same faults was understood as them saying that's what they consider acceptable, so nobody should take issue with me pointing out those issues, as I had already emailed them pointing them out explicitly with the first one).
Regardless, there's a bit of drama for the week. At this point I certainly will be buying Special Artizan Service Miniature's Humvee and doing a comparison, as there's even more drama over on Social media regarding that company than Spectre. Considering that SASM have a reputation for inferior products (which so far I've not experienced) and Spectre's the one with the best in the market, it'd be interesting if their one has zero imperfections unlike Spectres. :P
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Not on Facebook, so it is all unknown to me.
Your comments seemed perfectly reasonable, I might have expected a more direct response (either here, by PM or email) if the company thought it was in someway unfair.
I would have assumed that a replacement would be checked for the fault described in the original.
Have other purchasers had similar experiences (asking them, not Wymalia)?
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Have other purchasers had similar experiences (asking them, not Wymalia)?
I had some very minor slip on both my chassis under the doors but nothing that I wasn't able to remove with a little bit of work.
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I was curious myself about others experiences. There's not been many images posted online.
When looking at Chargedog's I noticed that as he said, there was a mould slip on one of them, which was in the same area as both of mine. I've seen another two Humvees as well, with worse issues, which again seemed to have the fault in the same place.
As I said though, the issue with a mould slip and bubbles have different fixes. If its bubbles then you either fill them in, or scrape them off. With mould slips though, that's whole areas of detail which are now in the wrong place and need to be removed and rebuilt. Which may be a more involved process in fixing if you want those areas to look accurate. That's the reason why I stressed how much of an issue it could be for customers, as given the comments I see when discussing basic conversion work, repairing that type of issue may be beyond what most modellers would be willing or capable of doing.
Which then had me also wanting to address another point. On the Spectre fan page someone posted the SASM announcement that they were expanding their Humvee line. This was followed by comments blasting SASM for poor quality models (besides the ones saying they were just doing it to follow Spectre). Given my limited experience with both companies, personally my perception is reversed. SASM's kit had next to no flaws (literally two tiny bubbles), whilst it was Spectre's that had all the problems.
In either case though, the faults are stuff which I, and most modellers, are likely used to having dealt with other companies. Which is why I'll still give Spectre's Humvee my approval, as its hardly like finding one with this level of modularity is an easy proposition currently. But that's tempered by me putting forth legitimate concerns over their casting quality, which I don't think Spectre have addressed given that I sent them an email showing every defect in pictures, only for them to send me another with the same faults (and I've seen customers who have received Humvees that don't have these issues...).
I could have emailed them again and asked them for another, but this was already three weeks since the original order, and the expectation was for them to give me a product without faults. That the second one has similar faults instead infers that they're happy with the quality, and so shouldn't have a problem with me using that model for review. If I was a complete git I would have taken the original model and posted my review based on that two weeks ago, not giving them the chance to address quality issues and chalking this up to just a mistake.
One of SASM's Humvees is on my purchasing list for this month. We'll see how that turns out. I didn't signal to SASM that I was going to review any of the products from them and they were able to provide me with a product without any major issues. Neither did I do so initially with Spectre, but one of the owners had been in comment chains on Facebook where I did say that the second Humvee was going to be the one I reviewed. In which case it was SASM who were on the back foot in terms of quality assurance with that order, not Spectre.
Regardless, I'm not biased towards any one company. They're all selling toy soldiers, and I'll go to whomever has what I want. Its not like there's much reason for companies to be selling duplicates of one another's products in such a small market, unless one company thinks they have the edge. I believe that SASM may have made a wry comments regarding Spectre's Humvee's quality prior to me putting up that review, so others must have gone to them inquiring about the possibility for them to expand their Humvee range, rather than SASM themselves originally coming up with that idea. Personally I keep prodding the owner Tim to release more Russian stuff, so its not like I'm all that invested in Western vehicles (I'm currently turning those SEALs/ GROM that I picked up into Ukrainian Special forces in case anyone wonders why I have those... That, and the Flyer's going to be used with a friend's near future British SAS). When Spectre release their Spetsnaz with Spartan belt fed PKMs I'll be buying those as well, something which I haven't seen SASM doing with their's, and so on...
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And sorry Ultravanillasmurf, you were looking for comments from others and I jumped into an essay. :/
This was sent to me from someone else of their own cast.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/28/962811_md-Humvee.jpg)
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And sorry Ultravanillasmurf, you were looking for comments from others and I jumped into an essay. :/
Well it is your thread ^__^.
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(https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/miscellaneous-soap_box-speech-shout-opinion-bubble-dba0048_low.jpg)
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Someone just posted their Humvee on the Spectre fan page. Oh look, the same mould slip behind the front right wheel arch. :P
(https://scontent.flhr4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/37916658_2308579045835898_869941738859397120_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=36de1cad6c102a017166f239fcd13e19&oe=5BD9F6E5)
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Its been a while since I've managed to properly touch much in the way of wargaming figures for my Eastern European project. So, bringing things back around to the last time I posted some military hardware for that conflict, here's what's happened with the technicals since then.
"Spec Ops" Land Rover
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963219_md-Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963220_md-Technical.JPG)
The biggest thing holding me back from finishing the "Spec ops" technical was getting a hold of some crew. At first I tried the 1/48th scale Airfix which were intended for the kit. Whilst they fit well enough, the problem was that they were too tall for my 28mm infantry (oi, 28mm miniatures manufacturers sell vehicles which are scaled to your damn figures!). Instead I had a look about for potential alternatives, and decided upon Spectre Miniatures' Razor crew.
There's three problems with these figures as they are now. One: they're too small, so look like children, but yeah, that's the scale's problem. And two, that the Razor has really cramped seating. These guy's knees are going towards chest level with how bunched up they are. Thus why this vehicle now has doors to cover these issues. The last problem is that ah... they're Americans. I didn't know going in, but the Razor's in use by American forces. See I mixed it up with the Russian buggy the Chaborz, and though that these were Russian crew with a souped up Kord MG. So they may not be fully suitable for irregular forces in an Eastern European conflict. Though saying that, they could have sourced that MG through back channels, or I could replace just the gun with something more suitable eventually.
The guy in the back's one of their generic special forces gunners, who doesn't have as many of the same problems. Of course, only after I'd ordered these guys was my memory jogged that Empress do a set of crew figures for these Airfix kits which are more appropriately scaled... As did the SASM order come with some gunners who would have been perfect for this. Ah well, I'm committed now and not in the mood to go tearing out a second set of crew figures (though they'll probably have to come out for painting, at least the guy in the back).
Land Rover Flak
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963221_md-Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963222_md-Technical.JPG)
Elsewhere I was able to work on this other Land Rover. The issue with not being able to work on this one was that Spectre missed out a critical part for the AA gun with my first order, so I had to wait for a second to arrive before I could do anything about this. Now that its arrived ...and I set aside my other distractions, I've been able to finish putting this one together.
The gunner's had a bit of modification to make him look a bit less like some Middle Eastern Militant. Notably that Russian style (or rather Swedish) ballistic helmet, which he presumably looted out of some depot or bought off of Ebay. I wish Spectre would release some Western crew for their technicals instead of all the MENA ones (they literally have one non-MENA crew member on their whole site that I can see). I guess that's why Special Artizan Service Miniatures have said they're going to release their own gunners, though unfortunately none of them will fit this particular weapon.
(http://"Upgraded" Ba-64b)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963223_md-Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/30/963224_md-Technical.JPG)
This one hadn't had much done to it when I'd originally posted it. Now its come along a bit. I'd managed to work out what I wanted to do with the gunner's platform, going for something like the real vehicle its based on. Its going maybe a bit lighter armed compared to the other two technicals from this post, but still seems reasonable for what it is (and its nice to have some variety in games). For the moment its still sans a gun and gunner (plus a load of sanding), as I've ran out of DShKs (again), but there's no rush in having it painted.
This one will probably be painted in a tan camo like the real vehicles, as will the first two likely be done up in either their basic civilian colours, or a similar hand painted style camo. We'll see what takes priority, as whilst making shooty vehicles is fun ...I'm still in constant need to have more terrain painted.
For those who have an appreciation for technicals, I'd recommend you head over and have a look at this particular sub-reddit (appropriately named). It covers all sorts of Improvised Fighting Vehicles, and has been a great resource for this sort of thing (besides random Facebook users posting up their war snaps!).
https://www.reddit.com/r/shittytechnicals/new/
As I've said elsewhere then, besides this stuff I'll hopefully have more bits for my modern project coming along over the next few days. Some Spetsnaz for my Nationalist forces are on the table, converted from the SEALs which I posted earlier. Along with work starting on converting that Spectre Humvee to be better suited for this particular conflict (i.e. hacking off half the detail which made such a point about having miscasts in my review). Ah, which comes first here is going to be based on ...what has the biggest gun. ...Ah, I mean which has the most use in games.
(Like hell half of this stuff will ever be used for more than one game...)
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Nice stuff as ever :D
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Those Land Rovers are looking good. The third vehicle looks suitably improvised.
Non MENA crew would be great (and I wish Empress did a crew for their jeep in their Universal Soldier range).
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"Hey Wyrmalla, why are you picking up all this American stuff when most of your models are Eastern European". Well I'm glad you asked voice in my head that keeps telling me to murder kittens...
In my First Impressions Review of SASM's new SEALs and GROM I mentioned the universalism of their kit in the modern world. With most Western aligned forces moving towards using similar gear, and their competitors doing something similar with locally made stuff.
Having posted that review and shown off the models, I was going to just paint them up as is. However, these SASM models come with loose arms (at least the SEALs do) which seemed like the perfect opportunity to have a go at some conversions.
So here's my shot at doing something a bit different with that set. Rather than doing them up wearing entirely American gear, I've gone ahead and included some bits more specific to Eastern Europe, or rather Ukraine specifically.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/20155762_834777906698881_877866788843724230_n.jpg)
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/19990444_834777900032215_7296270881939811211_n.jpg)
The Ukrainians seem to largely be using American style armour, with locally produced webbing, etc. Their dump pouches for instance look a bit more basic than the ones you see on the SEALs, perhaps just being something bought on the commercial market. Along with things like ski goggles probably being bought in the same place that Airsoft players did.
So here's my initial work on these Spetsnaz.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963549_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
I decided to go for a Breaching Squad, aping the set up of Spectre Miniature's Spetsnaz and the existing Russian special forces that I've already built.
First off the squad has a pair of Grenadiers armed with AK-74s with GP-25 Grenade Launchers. These are the support gunners for the team, with one being the leader.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963548_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
The rest of the squad however have more compact firearms. In order to show that they may not be using as expensive gear as the Americans, I decided to not go for as many picatinny rails on their guns. Rather they armed more to a 90s standard that's been upgraded a bit "enough". This pair's armed with a pair of SBR AKs (taken from the Warlord Games Spec Ops AKs that I just cut the barrel down on and added attachments from SASM's M16s. That Spec Ops set was the source for most of the arms on these conversions).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963546_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
Running short on AKs, I looked for an alternative. Police breaching squads seem to feature shoguns paired with ARs, so I mocked up a pair of Fort-500 shotguns out of the Benelli shotguns included in the Spec Ops sprue, with spare hunting shotguns. They aren't exact, but close enough.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963547_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
Last up in the squad ...and first coming through the doors, are my attempt at shield bearers. Of course the squad's set up is guess work, so they aren't likely armed exactly like the real ones. In this case I've seen guys with shields armed both with pistols or full length rifles (with wrist attachments to be fired one handed). From what I can remember in the Spectre: Operations rules if a model has a full sized shield like these they can't be armed with a rifle, so instead I went for some stocked pistols (they should really be Glocks or something, but I just had these Tokarevs to hand and they look the part).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963545_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
Hopefully they look the part. The goggles are a bit large on some of them, but they'll probably do. I should probably mention that I modified the original SEALs a bit besides the arms and weapons. Adding various pouches, the ski goggles and generally changing the positions of the heads and legs so they looked a bit more dynamic (the running guys were mostly standing upright originally),
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/31/963550_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
They'll be painted up in either Multi Cam, or British Desert DPM. With a mix of tan webbing with the odd bit of black and green – giving the impression that some of the stuff really has been bought from some outdoor goods store and never intended for combat. Ah, giving their AKs wood stocks may be a bit much though. :)
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Nice job on the figures.
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Here's another link to another site. :P
A roundup of what the company Special Artizan Service Miniatures have been up to so far this month. Mostly moderns, so maybe out of place for discussing in detail here. However, those new European Civilians look like they'd be suitable for anywhere in the past 100 years to be honest.
https://thesticks.net/2018/08/04/miniatures-news-special-artizan-service-miniatures-august-releases/
I'm jostling with some ideas for another project besides my moderns. But every time my hand reaches for some plasticard the other slaps it away and says "bad, go finish your existing projects dummy!". So ideally today I'll either start painting those Spetsnaz, or more likely continue work on some vehicle, or terrain piece (...right now my buildings are getting bigger and bigger, so they don't fit quite so well in the hand as a titchy vehicle does. Nor do they have guns. Its a wonder then why I have so many shooty things and a constant shortage on terrain. ...Shortage being six boxes of the crap that is). :)
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Just a little tester of the Spetsnaz as I try out a paint scheme. I'm not massively sure on how to paint this multicam silliness.
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/8069/f/2018/221/8/0/ukrainian_spetsnaz_by_frufruhm-dcjoyjw.jpg)
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:-*
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Neat.
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With a bit of a delay, the set of Spetsnaz for my moderns are done.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965947_md-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
I believe these are supposed to be a State Anti-Terrorism squad - i.e. part of the police forces. So they'd work for fighting against my Separatist militias, as they try and subvert the State control in areas. The Spetsnaz fighting them off as they set up safe houses, loot bases, etc (and I have been considering using my cave scenery that was made for my Elder Scrolls games for this modern setting. I'll just need to swap out some of the lava tiles for weapons stockpiles...).
This set's set up similarly to how I did my first group of Russian Spetsnaz, who were also an Anti-Terrorism unit. Though they don't have the same variety in gear - lacking DMRs, auto-shotguns, dedicated Grenade Launchers, etc- , they aught to be comparable given the irregular forces each are likely to be fighting. When I was planning each Spetsnaz group months ago I pictured the Russians as having higher quality gear, but their support was more standardised. Whilst these guys, using what they can get, would be backed up by stuff that may be a bit overkill for such small scale operations. I.e. BTR-82As facing off against BTR-4s (a 30mm gun + 7.62x39 co-ax MG vs a 30mm gun, 7.62x39 Co-Ax, Grenade Launcher, and 2 ATGMs, along with better armour and ergonomics).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/5/2/946006_md-BTR-3.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/1/8/924174_md-Apc%2C%20Armored%2C%20Btr-4%2C%20BTR-4.JPG)
The squad's made up of eight guys. Who form into two teams of four. Each team has: a Team Leader with AK-74 + Under Barrel Grenade Launcher, one Operator with a Ballistic Shield and automatic pistol, an Operator with Pump Action Shotgun and an AKSU, and a fourth Operator with an AKSU. That should be enough for the types of operations these guys would be encountering hopefully. I'd have liked to have given the guy with a shield an AK, but I don't believe the Spectre rules allow for that sort of thing (only letting you take one handed weapons, which I suppose given the AK and shield combo gives the AK a brace, would count as one handed). Stick them in a BTR-3 or 4 and they should be able to take on most low-tier threats without having to call in the Military (...though we're playing a game here, so of course a tank will eventually show up).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965945_md-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965946_md-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
They're painted to be wearing some modern multi-cam, paired with American inspired bump helmets and chest rigs, along with some tacticool looking ski-goggles and other bits. This again sets them against the Russian forces I have who are wearing mostly green clothing and locally made gear (something I'd maybe like to subvert in future, as the upcoming Spectre and SASM Spetsnaz both have more modern gear). And well the tan camo looks kind of cool in a European setting, and makes them stand out from all the guys I already have wearing mid-2000s forest and desert camo.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, these are all made from Special Artizan Service Miniatures US Navy SEALs. When picking up that set I hadn't realised that it'd be so simple to turn them into other state forces. Rather I'd assumed that the arms came attached to the figures. That they don't let me swap them out from some of Warlord Games Project Z Spec Ops ones with AKs with not too much bother (the rest of the arms come from the various Wargames Factory plastics, just with new guns, etc). The sculpting isn't amazing, but is enough to give the impression I was looking for.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965939_md-Camouflage%2C%20Conversion%2C%20European%2C%20Modern%2C%20Special%20Forces%2C%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965940_md-Camouflage%2C%20Conversion%2C%20European%2C%20Modern%2C%20Special%20Forces%2C%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965937_md-Camouflage%2C%20Conversion%2C%20European%2C%20Modern%2C%20Special%20Forces%2C%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/12/965938_md-Camouflage%2C%20Conversion%2C%20European%2C%20Modern%2C%20Special%20Forces%2C%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
With these now cleared, I'll need to start searching for what to paint next. My time right now's split between finishing off the building phase of that Restaurant which I'd posted a while ago, and putting together a that Humvee from Spectre. Though I also have those three technicals due a paint, along with a BMP-1. Priority wise, the first two are coming first, the terrain in particular, as that's what I'll likely get the most use out of (its been set back a bit however as I can't for the life of me finding those modular air ducts that I bought years ago, and need to put an order in with Spectre to buy some of their new Air Conditioning Units). There's a 1/48th Scale T-72 wreck (to go with all those busted BTR-80 wrecks I accidentally bought) which I'd put together a good while now which aught to be worked on if I can find the time as well, though that's not been prioritised as I need to find some Steel Wool to cover smoke coming out of its detached turret ring.
I've also decided what to do with the remainder of the SASM Special Forces figures I have. The original thought was to just have them locals armed with M16s, but I don't really want to tear up their rifles to have the right front ends. Instead, keeping them as they are, they look like they may suit for some Israelis. ...Which would be an excuse to add to my modern IDF. That I've since cannibalised or lost all my other IDF stuff isn't factoring in here. I'll never have the time to do terrain to justify having Israelis (though I did make some for a friend ages ago), they'd be nice to have. ...And the super simple to paint uniforms aren't factoring in here in the least. Hmn, though then I'd have to go and make them an APC to go in. Then some militants to face off against. And a Mosque. Eugh...
(https://i.imgur.com/vNpZ4dD.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/7/23/961749_md-SEALs.JPG)
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Its taken me a while to finish this thing off since I originally posted my review. Here's what I've since done with Spectre Miniatures new Humvee, in order to make it a bit more suitable for use in Eastern Europe.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/14/966349_md-WIP%20Humvee.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/14/966350_md-WIP%20Humvee.JPG)
Its not a 100% recreation of the source vehicle (the front grill has a later armour module added, as is the windscreen a newer variant too), but enough to give the right impression. Some of you may remember the original Humvee which I'd made for my S.T.A.L.K.E.R. collection, which was made in 1/43rd scale. Taken what I remember from making that, this one's a more appropriate size for my current modern miniatures. As are the details a bit more accurate (though I'm still obviously not happy with everything. I never am) - a NSV machine gun rather than a DShK for example. Less use of balsa wood that is...
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/6/22/723693_md-WIP%20Ukrainian%20Humvee.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2015/7/20/729938_md-Conversion%2C%20Hummer%2C%20Humvee%2C%20Jeep%2C%20Modern%2C%20Stalker%2C%20Ukraine%2C%20Vehicle.JPG)
With this one, to suite the later period in which it'll be serving, I'll do away with the "KFOR" insignia and go for some invasion stripes. Though keep the same camo I think (just with a less harsh dark green. Maybe more grey in it this time).
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Nice conversion.
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cool :D
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Here's the state of the latest Humvee in my collection now:
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/22/968168-1%252F50%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Hummer%2C%20Humvee%2C%20Modern%2C%20Russians%2C%20Ukrainian%2C%20Vehicle.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/22/968169-1%252F50%2C%2028mm%2C%20Conversion%2C%20Hummer%2C%20Humvee%2C%20Modern%2C%20Russians%2C%20Ukrainian%2C%20Vehicle.JPG)
I'm fond of how the green turned out, and the liberal coating of mud. :)
More a write up's over on my blog, just as it includes a few pictures of the real thing and I don't want to go awry of the admins. ;)
https://thesticks.net/2018/08/22/ukrainian-airborne-humvee/
Next on the list's the last squad in the original platoon of Russians which I'd posted in the original post on this thread. ...Yeah, they've taken me a while. As is a little guy armed with a Steyr AUG among them fighting for the opposite side. Then I'll maybe digress a bit and work on stuff other than for my Eastern European moderns, as I have some models destined to be Israelis (SASM Polish GROM) in need of paint. Though by that point it'll be the end of the month and I can finally buy those bits that have been holding that restaurant build back (no pay for two months makes me sad...).
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Nice!
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Interesting read.
It is a distinctive looking vehicle. I look forward to you building the twin DSHK one.
I might borrow the colours (not the "invasion stripes") for my Tigr (and BMD).
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As far as I know, "Tiger" in Ukraine was not used by either side.
I have a photo of "Hamvi," which was used by the SBU (the Security Service of Ukraine - the Ukrainian counterpart of the FSB or the CIA)
(http://c.radikal.ru/c14/1808/b7/2c8f97daab31.jpg)
(http://b.radikal.ru/b02/1808/84/a76055d6391a.jpg)
(http://a.radikal.ru/a29/1808/4e/419b7996d253.jpg)
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As far as I know, "Tiger" in Ukraine was not used by either side.
Sorry, I was unclear, the Tigr was for Russian use (sales mission in Tazbekistan?).
The BMD is dual purpose, Twilight 2000 and possibly Tazbekistan (the Tazbeki army traded theirs in for ex-BW M113 a while ago).
I just liked the colour (in a current modelling magazine it looks too much like black)
Tazbekistan - your spelling may vary...
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The Tigr works as both a military and police vehicle, so in cases of fictional modern conflicts you could get away with having it operating within territories now captured by Russia. I.e. the army advances, and police anti-terrorism units clear out insurgents behind the lines.
I would like to see someone make a Gaz Vodnik or a BPM-97 in 1/50th at some point. Though you could make a Vodnik using the Tigr as a base - as it uses the same chassis. Just using the wheels and dimensions. I have a spare BPPU BTR-80A turret sitting about, and I'm still debating whether to use it on one of those two vehicles, or instead retroactively add it to a BTR-60 or 70 as a modernization.
* Edit, I wonder if anyone does a 1/50th Kamaz 4326 Truck? Could use the wheels and dimensions of that for a BPM-97.
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On the "Tigers" can also move Russian special forces:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3z2u8rAAJI
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A slightly action movie esque leader for my Cossacks. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/25/968542-WIP%20Cossack%20.JPG)
Yes, that is a sword and cape. ...The cape's to cover up a slip up with his right arm, but fits the bill.
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Nice job.
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The stupid barrel's already broken off (like every other one from that kit). Guess he's getting a suppressor now...
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And a female soldier as well. Probably a medic (with that big pack on her right thigh).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/25/968573-WIP%20Female%20Soldier.JPG)
Since fixed the hands. She's still drying. :P
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Wow, nice job.
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Another quick round up on what's been going on at SASM's been posted on that blog of mine. The new and upcoming releases this time cover more moderns, along with some more generic Middle Eastern civilians, under cover American Special Forces in Afghanistan, and more (sales! :) ).
https://thesticks.net/2018/08/26/miniatures-news-special-artizan-service-miniatures-august-releases-part-ii/
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Interesting read.
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And more fighters. This time again a mix of old Soviet era gear and the odd bit of modern stuff - in this case M16 rifles. The helmeted head is from a Tiny Terrain Models Chechen Wars VDV, and M16 and arms on the same model are from a SASM SEAL. The gun on the female fighter's a Colt Canada from an Empress Brit IIRC.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/27/968935_md-WIP%20Ukrainian.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/27/968934_md-WIP%20Ukrainian.JPG)
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Nice job.
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'Nother two.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/30/969656_md-WIP%20Fighter.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/8/30/969655_md-WIP%20Fighter.JPG)
The guy with the Mosin's supposed to look like he's pulling back the bolt.
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Nice.
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Another week of bits and bobs being finished as I try and clear the ominous lead pile ...and try and push back another day where it doesn't topple over and kill me. Where do you think I've been for the past few weeks? ~ Under the pile! (Help).
First, and something which hasn't seen much focus since the start of this modern project, The "Little Green Men".
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972484-Russian%20Mechanized%20Infantry.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972494-Russian%20Mechanised%20Infantry.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972493-Russian%20Mechanised%20Infantry.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972495-Russian%20Mechanised%20Infantry.JPG)
Yes, whilst I've gone ahead and become distracted with other projects, my Russian Mechanised Infantry Platoon has been lacking its third squad for ages. Now its up to its full three squads, command section and 3 BMPs (with an older model T-90 as support). ...Which yes, compared to all the other junk I have accrued since the start of this project is maybe a bit paltry (needing more fancy toys.
I did make a modernised Russian BRDM-2 a while ago, but I'm not sure if that counts), but hopefully if I can come across some cool stuff that'll change eventually. Perhaps one of those BTR-60s which I've ordered could receive a BPPU 30mm turret to modernise it. That is if I don't steal the turret for something else shiny looking (I'm really wanting a GAZ Vodnik, which is a possibility if I can source a Tigr on which that vehicle's based).
Additionally, they could do with a SPG or something. I have just ordered a drone tank from SASM to go with them, and have considered making one of those BMP-3s that've been converted into fire support versions too (or even that drone one, not that it'll probably see service). Which reminds me that I had made that T-72 Terminator ages ago, which does fill that niche. Though regardless, they could do with some high tech gear t set them apart from the regular Separatists.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/2/18/931982-BMPT-72.JPG)
In opposition to the Russians come a set of Nationalist Special Forces (or potentially foreigners), wearing Western sourced gear.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972472-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972491-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972492-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972488-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972489-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972490-Ukrainian%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
Whom were made from those SASM Polish GROM which I'd shown off earlier. Being more of a militarised version of the Breaching team that I'd used the set of US Navy SEALs for. Just the five will probably be enough for the types of scenario they're involved on. With optional armoured van/ Humvee/ BTR-4 for transport. :)
But yes, speaking of cutting edge equipment, here's another technical.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972482-Technical.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972483-Technical.JPG)
This one a bit beefier than that first Landrover technical which I'd made a while ago of course. ;)
Whilst they're easy to make, I'm doing my best to shift away from making more technicals (whilst I still have ones left to paint). Just in that well, priority wise I really aught to make more terrain. ...Which is what I'm always saying, and naturally don't bother my arse to do most of the time – thus the ever present "make some more bloody terrain!" issue.
On that note, there has been a bit of progress. A mix of fences, cobblestone walls, and other things that may not really fall into the exciting world of tanks and men with guns... Here's some of the pieces – mainly a set of Empress Miniature's resin walls, 1/43rd diecast cars that have had touchups to look a bit more dilapidated (those fallen leaves are going to be like crack to me when it comes to using them...), and two industrial sheds made from old Airfix HO Gauge train shelters.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972477-Sheds.JPG)
Ah, but back to the painted dollies. In addition to the technical, there has been more progress with my vehicle pool.
I've become a fan of the MT-LB artillery tractor, as evidently has most of the world considering how often it shows up pressed into all sorts of roles. This one's another of HLBS's 1/48th resin vehicles (modified slightly to include some bits the base model's missed out).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972478-MT-LB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972479-MT-LB.JPG)
I already have another MT-LB. That one was fitted with slat armour and a ZU-23-2. However, I wasn't really convinced by those elements, or the paint job, so felt the need to go back and make a more ubiquitous one. Actually, it was the originally intention to have my nationalist forces mechanised infantry platoon riding in MT-LBs as a contrast to the Russians in their BMP-3s (with the nationalists having a tank or something to even the odds out a bit).
Which besides the MT-LB, I also picked up a BTR-70 from HLBS as well.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972480-BTR-70.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972481-BTR-70.JPG)
With this one being based on a particular miniature by another modeller which had been featured in a few magazines and competitions a few years ago (Military Modelcraft International's Ukrainian Conflict special in particular if you're wondering, which I'd highly recommend as just a good piece of literature in general).
Between this and the BTR-80 I find the intermediary elements that cause the series to be quickly replaced by the 80 as selling points. Indicating more of the desperate nature of the conflict, as older and inadequate vehicles are pressed into service from mothballs. Unfortunately, as a result of its failings, there isn't so many modernisations on the 70 as there are the 80, but I'll be content with these more ad-hoc looking vehicles rather than fancy stuff like that BTR-3 which I'd made earlier.
Tangentially, I did also purchase a 2S9 Nona turret along with these. With the idea being to use it to make a Nona SVK (a SPG based on the BTR-80 chassis, in use primarily by Russian forces), though more on that later.
Here's a random fighter armed with a Steyr AUG, made from an Empress Miniatures Australian.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972473-Nationalist.JPG)
(Probably stole his gun and outfit off the back of a truck).
And a set of individual fighters that were primarily made as an exercise to improve my sculpting a bit. Mostly to work on getting better at bodies and clothing, with heads and guns coming later (I can sculpt one type of face and that's one of a grizzled old fart...).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972474-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972475-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972476-Separatists.JPG)
They'll do as militiamen mostly, wearing mostly Soviet and Russian gear. The Cossack in the first image should do as a Separatist officer (with his sword and red scarf he's a bit of a character).
And that's been another few weeks of what I've managed to produce. With that restaurant which I'd shown a good while ago now coming along, and most of the work now being focused on building up an interior then it will be ready to paint. A lot of my recent purchases have been terrain related – namely small pieces to add more detail to buildings. Though as I mentioned earlier I have some Mikromir BTR-60s on order, along with a load of SASM stuff (the new Ukrainian line), and aim to have some of Spectre miniature's new Russian Spetsnaz painted at some point as well (but will likely give the ones I bought head swaps and have them serving as better equipped Separatists).
Till whenever I can next get around to remembering to post something, see ya foks. :)
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Nice models and painting.
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Lies. I forgot to finish the dust on those BTR-70 wheels. :P
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And trying my hand at a bit of image editing ...seeing as having some night ops guys out in the day seems a bit weird. :)
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/ed61/f/2018/259/e/f/ukrainian_spetsnaz__night_ops_by_frufruhm-dcn1bik.jpg)
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And another one, with some improvements in the technique. This one was the reverse of the colouring in the first, with the figures being dark, but on a light background, so I learned to give the figures a highlight too.
(https://orig00.deviantart.net/198d/f/2018/259/c/c/a_midnight_stroll_by_frufruhm-dcn1lg4.jpg)
(https://scontent.flhr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/s2048x2048/41948583_1952847645013588_299673491878182912_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=13f38f11e49d2c505da61e9474c9503a&oe=5C1D3FFE)
Not my image, its a promotional one of SASM's Polish GROM (left) vs ISIS Militants (the guys with the beards). I'd painted the same figures up in a different camo pattern in the first image I posted (I think SASM's paint job's intended for them to represent Iraqi security forces given the black camo and Punisher logos).
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Interesting effects.
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Cool photo editing!
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Looking good (painting and the photo editting).
Roughly how many vehicles and miniatures are you up to for this project?
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At the moment we're talking like three forces worth.
- The National Guard, 3 squads (without a command as of yet). With two squads of Spetsnaz.
- Russian Mechanised Infantry - 3 Squads + Command. With again a squad of FSB Spetsnaz (and a second squad of yet unpainted)
- Separatists. 6 squads + command + weapons teams. With two squads of Cossacks so far, and a load more planned (from the Chechen Wars Kickstarter and SASM Ukrainian range).
Along with around 25 vehicles, covering the breadth of modern conflicts. From technicals and Soviet stuff, to modern post-Soviet indigenous vehicles, and those funky looking Zil Punishers (along with the FSB being unfinished, so are two more of their Punishers).
I'd like more specialised vehicles, and more of the older stuff that's still in service. With a Nona-SVK being planned for the Russians, a pair of BTR-60s for the Separatists, and a Drone on order from SASM to go with the Russian Special Forces. I'd like to have a more professional looking element for my Nationalist forces - outside of the Spetsnaz at some point-, though that may not reflect the majority of the soldiers actually fighting in these types of conflicts. As do I also have an 152mm artillery piece coming which I'll be making some crew figures for to serve as an objective marker.
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Great work to be seen through the entire thread! Of the newer ones I especially like the fighters, they ooze character. Your sculpting is lovely.
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And fixed my post to include two bugged images. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972477-Sheds.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/15/972478-MT-LB.JPG)
SASM's Ukrainians turned up today. I'm liking them more than the sculptor's recent work for the 1st Chechen War Kickstarter. With the Chechens they look more like the Lead Adventure range than modern fighters (I mean in terms of posing, clothes, etc). Whilst this set are a bit more grounded.
So far they'll be more Separatists/ militiamen. ...Because I don't already have enough of those. Though as I said, the more mismatched looking soldiers are probably more appropriate. SASM's owner Tim says that he's considered doing his own up as a set of Russian mercenaries, which seems suitable.
Though regardless of what I do with mine, I still want some more uniform looking fighters. I'll probably do with Empress' generic modern fighters with AKs, though its dawning on me that there options for NATO style miniatures with AKs is a bit limited (Empress do Russians, but they're swearing Ratnik, so not wholly appropriate).
And of course as I say all this I'm reminded that I still have that restaurant to finish. Oh. :P
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Cool, definitely not running out of ideas for this - keep up the good work.
and a Drone on order from SASM to go with the Russian Special Forces.
This one?
http://www.kingshobbiesandgames.com/28mm-RAVEN-UAV-p/28mmravenuav.htm
So cute!
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Nah, this one. :D
http://www.kingshobbiesandgames.com/28mm-Russian-RAS-01G-Unmanned-Combat-Ground-Vehicl-p/28mmras-01g.htm
(http://www.kingshobbiesandgames.com/v/vspfiles/photos/28mmRAS-01G-2.jpg)
There's a fair few Russian drone vehicles out there nowadays (in the real world). If someone makes a Boomerang Turret (and if companies are already doing Armatas I don't see why not), then their BMP-3 Drone may be on the table for making a miniature.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZUbMtzZJL8/Vg4L1sjnrdI/AAAAAAAANas/T65huB2E-8w/s1600/P25805312.JPG)
As would there be an opportunity to make a BTR-90 based drone if someone happened to make a model of one of those (whilst the order for the BTR-90 was cancelled, around 100 went into service, and a drone variant was developed).
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c9/a7/48/c9a74896cb5dadfe08719a6606c9def4.jpg)
To quote Indie Neidel's The Great War series on Youtube, "This was modern war".
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Here's a quick round up for the month of September in regards to releases and recent going ons at Special Artizan Service Miniatures. :)
https://thesticks.net/2018/09/23/special-artizan-service-miniatures-september-news-releases/
*Shill, shill, shill...* ;)
Meanwhile...
I'm currently in the process of painting up two sets of Ukrainian fighters by SASM for my modern collection. Differentiating between the two different groups is a bit daunting, but I'm carrying over some of my existing practices that I've used for the prior fighters. Namely the Nationalists are wearing a bit of NATO and Soviet Camos, and Separatists are welcome to Soviet, Russian and hunting outfits.
Additionally the base model for the restaurant is pretty much done. It just happens to be under a pile of enough crap that I've not taken any pictures of it. The plan's to paint the base building first, then go back in and add the furniture (an idea that's only struck me recently as a good idea. ...Because I'm an idiot). Namely as the building's too tall to effectively stick a paint brush inside and accomplish any respectable level of detail.
Still, regardless of it being a ball ache to build, I'm happy with how its turned out. Though known when to reign in the detail is a concern (which reminds me to make a mould for some light switches and electrical plugs...). Its a pity that if you want any space for the models to actually move you can't stick in too much in the way of a realistic amount of furniture (besides, its a warzone, someone's probably stolen it all anyway).
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Interesting read, thanks.
Nice to see SASM's HMMWV. I am surprised by metal tyres.
Look forward to seeing the restaurant.
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With the metal tyres. Tim had asked on his site whether people wanted them to be resin or metal, and that was the consensus. Re: butter fingers.
Similarly a lot of his products seem to be driven by the community. ...I know I was asking for more stowage for a while. Which is suppose why I give him the coverage, as he's more open that some companies - just selling the stuff that he thinks is cool (I believe he and Spectre got the idea for those RCWS as a result of the same Facebook post...).
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Very interested in your posts, you have done an awesome job.
I have managed to avoid modern warfare wargaming for my first 32 years in this hobby, however, that is about to change with my plunge into the Chechen Wars.
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Its some time since my last post with painted figures in it, so here's what I have to show for it.
Special Artizan Service Miniature's Ukrainian figures arrived just over a week ago and I hurriedly started on them. ...Then I stuttered a bit and took a week to actually finish them. :)
They come as two sets of figures, each sculpted by Igor Karpov and similar in style to the War in Chechyna line which he sculpted recently for Tiny Terrain Models. Though they're distinctive from that set, despite covering a similar subject matter, through the mix of modern and Western equipment featured. Similarly, unlike some miniatures from that line, most of them have a fairly down to earth look about them; rather than the "Grandad's gone off to war with his shotgun" thing. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975013-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975012-Nationalists.JPG)
Each squad, whilst in broad terms covers this particular conflict, are distinct from one another in their equipment. Both have a smattering of Soviet gear, in particular AKs of various types. Though also clearly showing their foreign sponsorship. With the Nationalists using the odd AR-15 (not the indigenous built Ukrainian model I'll note), baseball caps and boonie hats, and Separatists having more polymer stocked AK-74s and Russian style chest rigs.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975002-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975003-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975006-Nationalists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975009-Nationalists.JPG)
As such, to also set each group apart more, I went for a mix of camo styles. With a baseline of Soviet and civilian clothing, then mixed in with surplussed early-2000s American and British camo (with the odd bit of anachronistic Ukrainian camo from a few different branches) or modern Russian bits (itself looking a bit odd on this rag tag bunch instead of professional soldiers).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/974998-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/974999-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975000-Separatists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975001-Separatists.JPG)
The figures in each set are armed identically to one another, at least in broad terms (barring the odd AR-15). A squad of 10, with a PKM machine gun, SVD DMR, RPG-7 and seven figures with just AKs of various types. Which is useful if you're looking to put together a basic squad for each force, but I'd like to have more specialist weapons like RPKs and ideally the various weapons that were in use by the native forces prior to the war (like their bullpup AKs, and FORT's variant of the IMI Tavor). That's just me being picky however, and these work fine at representing 99.9% fighters out there.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975005-Nationalists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975011-Nationalists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975008-Nationalists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975007-Nationalists.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975010-Nationalists.JPG)
On that note, I've picked out a few faces among the Separatists. Two of the Cossack have a resemblance to Alexander Mozhaev & Evgeny Ponomaryov, both figures from the early days of the DNR. The representation of each is good. Ponomaryov's bear's a bit long, and Mozhaev's parts a bit in the middle...but if you're not a beard aficionado they're pretty good. I did my best with the paint jobs, though don't have brushes small enough (or rather that still have their tips) to accurately manage that digi-cam unfortunately.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/9/30/975004-Separatists.JPG)
(https://versiya.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/vpgbQtw.jpg)
(https://timedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/cossacks-ukraine.jpg?w=604)
Of the two sets I can't say which I'm more into. I mean, that someone's doing any official figures for the conflict at all's a wonder. When painting the sets I discovered some Russian camos I'd not seen before in my research, so I think the Separatists are edging it for me in this race, especially with those last two figures who'll do for officers in my existing forces.
As far as what's out there on the market right now, these are more figures to the small pool of companies that're currently doing irregular Eastern European fighters, and certainly take the prize for "most pouches and crap strewn in their webbing". The sculptor's doing something similar with the next War in Chechnya Kickstarter, though admittedly a bit more toned down as its a different period. Ideally a company like Spectre Miniatures will broaden their range at some point to accommodate for this type of figure, but well, to be honest I must have two or three platoons worth of them by now, so there's no rush. ;)
Its been a slow week elsewhere however. I'm just now starting to paint more scatter terrain. In this case being a mix of stuff from Antenociti's Workshop (mostly shipping pallets) that'll do for industrialised tables, or building sites. A pair of Mikromir's 1/48th scale BTR-60s arrived from Ukraine too. ...Though my first impressions of those would be that seeing as they're the only representation of this vehicle in the scale, I should temper my complaints. Having one now at least means that there's the potential to make some of the modern variants based on the chassis, like the Ukrainian Otaman (which I'd just use the wheels and dimensions as a basis for, similar to what I did with the BTR-4) or a Russian commercial venture which gave it a 30mm BPPU turret.
(https://defence-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/IMG_8451-1024x683.jpg)
(https://i0.wp.com/www.soldiering.ru/military_gallery/mvsv/armor/BTR-60PB_modern_03.jpg)
Elsewhere I'm being tempted to paint some Russian special forces. Specifically taking a mix of the existing figures on the market right now, replacing their heads with Empress' set with ballistic face plates and then painting them in all black. Which will then be paired with a BTR-80A (or at a stretch a BTR-82, but I'm doubting that anyone will be able to spot the difference). I've since picked up a trio of BTR-80s from Empress, which will go along with a 2S9 NONA turret from HLBS to make a NONA SVK SPG for my Russian forces (and the remaining BTR-80 will probably be used as is).
(https://i2.wp.com/www.akoperatorsunionlocal4774.com/wp-content/gallery/spetsnaz-team-rus/400123_573719749309439_1677836902_n.jpg)
(https://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/1l-image-Nona-SVK.jpg)
Speaking of Empress, I keep tempting myself to go ahead and buy a T-14 Armata, but I've yet to pull the trigger. With it still being the tank of tomorrow I'm hesitant over what to do with it. As buying an Armata would then mean me also wanting to make some of the other future Russian vehicles like the T-15 to go with it. Then I'd have to go ahead and make some Russians in exoskeletons for the full effect. I was convincing myself that I could use some of the parts along with their T-90 kit to make one of the latest modernisation of that tank too. Though in reality, considering we can barely play games above a squad level in 28mm at my club, let along with tanks of futuristic remote controlled death, the whole project may be overkill.
Still, I already have so much crap which I never use as it is, sneaking in an Armata isn't looking like such of a bad idea after all. ;)
Hmn, now I wonder when that SASM tracked drone which I ordered for the Russians will show up...? :)
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A bit of a change of pace with today's post. No new miniatures to show off, rather just an update on current and future projects.
Its another week without pictures of that restaurant which I'd mentioned and shown off in a WIP state a while ago. The overall build is now complete, with just a bit of tidy up left to do on the first floor before its ready to paint. Where the remaining work lies besides the building is finding the appropriate furniture and interior details, which for the most part was done last month. These will be painted separately from the building, then added in at a later time.
On which note, I took a trip to Edinburgh today. Having stripped the local model shops within walking distance of Glasgow of all available supplies, the next stop was the capital. There I found model shops are less thick on the ground than locally, but the two I did visit were a bit larger than I'm used to.
(https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/media/resources/ShopPics/Wonderland%20Model%20Dept-2%2012-05-15.jpg)
(Chargedog can probably attest that that's not even half that particular shop... The replica guns in the back next to the kids toys were a nice touch :D)
Most of the pickings then was for terrain purposes. Textured plasticard and vacu-form sheets that'll do for brick work, corrugated metal, etc. In particular those vacu-form sheets are something which the Glaswegian shops were no help at all in sourcing (at least the ones that are still open, I used to buy reams of the stuff when I was making shacks for my Fallout collection years ago). Those will do great for larger buildings without having to resort to the plasticard I was using, and are such an easy way of adding detail with minimal effort.
I also found an elusive Tamiya IS-2 for a reasonable price. Not that I know what I'll do with it, but I'd travelled all that way and was looking to justify the trip. Potentially it'll appear just as a regular old IS-2 on another War Memorial. Or I could give it some new fenders and have it be a IS-2M, now in service with the Separatists. I've even considered rebuilding it as an IS-3, as its not like there's any of those in 1/48th, but haven't researched how comparable the two vehicles are (besides knowing the interiors are fairly similar).
(https://i0.wp.com/i42.tinypic.com/2cf86q8.jpg)
And as an aside I came across a set of 1/350th Japanese boats. ...An odd purchase admittedly, though they're for a potential side project which I've been pondering. I'll have to plan out the idea further, but the idea's been to have some little figures using some naval rules we've been playing games with at my club lately for a more fantastical setting. Where captains explore an Lovecraftian underground sea.
(Honestly, as far as my video game miniatures projects go I'm becoming more and more obscure...)
(https://thumbor.forbes.com/thumbor/1280x868/https%3A%2F%2Fblogs-images.forbes.com%2Fdavidewalt%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F02%2Fsunless-sea.jpg)
Oh, and I dumped a load of cash on some after market kits by Hauler for Mikromir's BTR-60. I'd bought two of those kits, however so far have found them to be disappointing. Hauler's sets, whilst expensive (together almost the same price as the base vehicles, which themselves weren't cheap), are what it'll take to bring these things up to any kind of quality that I'd expect from kits in this scale (not to say I have the modelling talent to give them much credit though). I've decided too that I'll be using them as regular BTR-60 Pbs; none of thos modernising, as I can see the appeal in having some models of these older vehicles in service without resorting to making a conversion based on some upgrade that'll see a fraction of the use as the base vehicles do (Empress' BTR-80A is still on the way of course. I'll have to look at the differences between the 80A and 82 turrets at some point to see how viable modernising that thing is, or likely will just leave it as is).
(https://images.auctionhelper.com/images/10343//Hauler%20Models/HLX48375c.jpg)
In another area though, I had to slap my hand away from the "place order" button today as I oggled the prospect of making a T-90MS Tank (the latest variant of this vehicle in service with Russia). The vehicle uses a mix of T-90 and Armata based parts, so naturally in making this I'd have to buy one of each from Empress Miniatures to act as inspiration. Then I'd also want to shimmy on over to OKB Grigorov to pick up some of their Late Model T-90 Roadwheels and T-72 tracks. Soon enough I found myself spending £100 to make just one model, and with the BTR-60s I was calling it a day with splurging on spending 1/35th scale money on wargaming vehicles... :(
(https://shop.okbgrigorov.com/userfiles/productlargeimages/product_1031.jpg)
(Those are some nice wheels though. Yes, I should find some more outlets instead of oggling a daft sit of little model wheels...)
So its been a day of splurging money on silly things (woo payday!). As work on the initial build for the restaurant draws to a close too, efforts have started on another terrain project. This time a large warehouse, where all those Antenocitis Workshop scatter terrain pieces which I mentioned in my last post will be related to. I'd actually started that a few weeks ago (yeah, I have loads of "started" projects, but its easier on you guys if I act like this stuff is new instead of having sat on a shelf for half a year), though couldn't progress with it as I needed a tonne of laser cut window frames. With those arriving (last month) and now the brick sheets bought today, hopefully I'll find the time to begin work on that proper (and deciding how to build the interior catwalks and rooms) at some point in the near future.
(https://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Construction-Pallets.jpg)
And lastly, here's an obligatory shout out to Tiny Terrain Models, who have launched their second War in Chechnya Kickstarter. You'll probably here about this elsewhere if you don't already know, but me saying how great their first one was and hopefully this one will be won't hurt. :)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1026360580/28mm-russian-and-chechen-miniatures?ref=email
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/e4b2eaa02a6ffe4c7e8fdad07c955b44_original.jpg?w=768)
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Nice painting on those figures.
Interesting selection of real world prototypes.
Nice to see there are still some model shops about. Model railway shows are an alternative if you want to see and feel building material.
That BTR-60 looks good with the photo-etch.
Skytrex O gauge stuff might be of use to you:
http://www.ogauge.co.uk/48-accessories (http://www.ogauge.co.uk/48-accessories)
A number of wargames companies resell them (Warlord amongst others).
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IS-3 will be a pain to do, the hull is significantly different adn the turret is the 'soup bowl' shape, probably not worth the effort.
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@ Ultravanillasmurf
Those're totally just images off of the Ebay page I was looking at for that photoetch. I was mostly concerned about the discrepancies with the exhaust covers and the wholesale lack of the periscope and vision ports. As I said, its the only option in the scale for a BTR-60, but that's not to say its impressive.
And I may have spent £120 just on plasticard yesterday. ..If I'm travelling across the country to buy modelling bits then I damn well will make the trip worthwhile. ;)
Yeah, I have some of Skytrex stuff being painted right now, with more to go. Pity they no longer sell any of their little cardboard boxes, as those were great. :(
@ Rich H
For my purposes an IS-2 would be sufficient. I'd looked at the IS-3, and the largest changes seemed to be the turret and front glacis, but that's with minimal research. Right now I'm still determining what to do with the thing however. Between another monument, on a wider and squatter plinth than the first, or a combat vehicle - salvaged from said monument (probably smeared with rust and some modern stowage, though without a proper modern refit). A pair of monuments out alongside a forest road could be an interesting board.
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Excellent painting on your figures.
Lots of different bits of equipment make for fun painting.
I am in on the second kick starter.
Still need to paint the guys from the first one.
Just to many periods to paint and to much of a butterfly.
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I'm dealing with a mess of projects right now, so again nothing to show. With both orders from Empress and Spectre arriving on the same day, and having picked up a board game which will need at least some of the figures painted (and converted) for this Tuesday. ...Let alone learning the actual rules for it.
Today I've been doing a dive into the variants of the BTR-80 APC. Specifically the Nona-SVK, which I've mentioned before, 80A and the 82AM.
I'd bought Empress Miniature's BTR-80 deal, which includes two BTR-80s and a BTR-80 with an 80A turret. Which is to say that I've been eyeing up the specific intricacies of each models, and its only just hit me that Empress' 80A isn't 100% correct (but good enough that they shouldn't make a new mould for it).
So I thought that before I show off the WIP pictures of what I've done with each of them so far (and I'll say that I'm in no way going for perfect accuracy, just broad terms), some of the details which caught my eye when doing this research. Putting this up online somewhere may be useful for others wanting to make these common variants (I was considering making a BTR-87, but that thing looks just like a cheaper BTR-4).
The BTR-80A/82A
The Hull
Now the 80A and 82AM the differences aren't too obvious at first. One of the biggest things with the hull would be the amount of vision ports on either side of the vehicle. Whilst the BTR-80 has three on the front left, the front most port is eliminated on these two variants.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYgOAv4VMAAjH3n.jpg)
As shown in the above picture the 82A can also come with a set of tubes above the exhausts. I can't say what its for. ...That image literally just reads "A tube", "Not a tube" when describing this component.
If you have a look at this kit you'll see that the 82A also has a different set of engine doors. With the left one having a raised panel, where the 80's is just a flat plate with an access cap and some strengthening ribs. The the right one has an extra access hatch as well. The 80A uses the original 80 doors.
(http://img01.militaryblog.jp/usr/s/u/b/subv72ud80/misBTR-82Ass02.JPG)
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b1/4b/3b/b14b3b20e2ab033d64c6b31627d1ff91.jpg)
The Turret
One of the largest areas of confusion which I found online was just what was the difference between the 80A and 82A/M turrets. The below picture illustrates the changes pretty well.
(https://tc.sinaimg.cn/maxwidth.2048/tc.service.weibo.com/www_fyjs_cn/c640d1940f7bef015d549d624975312b.jpg)
Namely the 82's turret has less of an angle to the main body - with the front being higher, thus rising in a shallower manner towards the back. Whilst on the 80A the raised portion in the middle of the turret's front has a cutout on either side, on the 82 there's only one on the left side (and the armoured front plate is altered to reflect this).
On Empress' 80A turret the angle to these pieces isn't as steep as it should be. What this means is that whilst the periscope positions on each turret are the same, or you wanted to make the modifications to the right side of the turret that the 82 requires, that periscope may become obscured. I haven't looked into this yet, but we'll see if that causes any problems when I'm making the required changes.
Additionally Empress' turret lacks some details. Including a hatch on the right side of the turret, a circular bulge to the right side of the turret's main body on the 80A and a whole mess of detail to the rear specific to the 82A/M (i.e. two boxes either side of the turret's mount). Plus little things like bolts and a lamp which is supposed to sit above the gun on all models (though the exact shape of this varies - see the above images).
(https://defpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BTR-82A-armored-personnel-carrier.jpg)
The Nona SVK
Now to make one of these you're going to have to go through much more drastic changes to the base vehicle than the relatively simple variants I've described above. If you want to make one at all then you'd be wanting to mix HLBS' BTR-80 with a 2S9 turret (I bought mine from HLBS directly, rather than buying the whole 2S9 - as the remaining BRDM would have to have its whole roof rebuilt due to the changes in mounting the turret to the base vehicle).
The Hull
The most obvious change is that the roof has been flattened all the way from the crew hatches to the engine deck to accommodate the new turret. Remember when removing the material from the roof to save the radio antenna, which is mounted in the same position as it was before.
(https://www.defencetalk.com/military/images/2s23-nona-svk-on-display.43008/full?d=1514061021)
The below image also shows off the modifications to the sides as well. All the vision ports are eliminated along with the upper part of the side doors and the rail above the wheels is extended to fill in the space left by the missing doors.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ueX_Z_Rz6AM/T513uVXXmMI/AAAAAAAAC_c/2EUmC3Yb5PI/s1600/013.jpg)
Oh, and something which oddly isn't featured on the other variants I mentioned, but does appear on others (including the Ukrainian models I've discussed elsewhere), the vision block to the left of the front crew hatches - beneath the left roof hatch has also been removed.
(https://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/1l-image-Nona-SVK.jpg)
The Turret
Onto the turret. This one isn't a like for like carry over from the 2S9 Nona.
(https://static.turbosquid.com/Preview/2018/07/25__08_14_57/nona_3.jpgC64B3D2E-7DAF-4166-8ED8-593303832D01Default.jpg)
(https://not-toys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/wmc-17-nona-01.jpg)
There's a vision block to the left of the turret, and due to the turret cupola being larger the two rectangular stowage brackets on the back are gone too.
(https://c8.alamy.com/comp/EGJ973/2s23-nona-svk-120mm-self-propelled-mortar-carrier-on-wheeled-chassis-EGJ973.jpg)
The Nona SVK also features a cupola similar to the 2S3 Acacia, rather than the flat hatch the 2S9 has. Which you may be able to nab off of Tank Mania's 1/48th scale kit.
(https://i0.wp.com/not-toys.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/19/SPG-2S3-Akatsiya-by-Dmitri-Surnin-05.jpg?ssl=1)
Furthermore the left hatch is orientated backwards, rather than sideways and that crewman's periscope eliminated.
(https://hobbyterra.com/images/products/armory/ar-m72402_03.jpg)
Lastly the SVK's gunner's periscope has a different profile (more of an L shape) and a cap which usually seems mounted over the glass.
(https://www.army-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/2l-image-Nona-SVK.jpg)
And as an aside, smoke launchers mounted either side of the turret seem to come as standard on the SVK. These are the same type as the 80 as far as I can tell, so you could take these from the back of the BTR-80 kit's turret if you're needing a set. As is there commonly a box mounted behind the turret (presumably for spare ammunition?), at least on the ones I'd seen pictures of in the field.
Concerning details that are incorrect on Empress' model for all variants.
Empress' BTR-80 has a light in front of the left crew hatch at the front. There seems to be some variation in the usage of this spot. With some models having a just a periscope, and others a spotlight mounted over the vision block. Though none of them tend to be as small as Empress' light, which lacks a vision block at all. On those 80A / 82A/M I've seen on parade in Moscow the periscope/ spotlight mix seemed the most common.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3a/26/f0/3a26f07c7881c501462be08e61b95d4d.jpg)
(https://www.armyrecognition.com/images/stories/east_europe/russia/wheeled_armoured/btr-82/pictures/BTR-82_wheeled_armoured_vehicle_personnel_carrier_Russia_Russian_defence_industry_military_technology_002.jpg)
The middle vision block beneath the front right crew hatch on the Empress model is the same size as its counterparts either side of it. In reality this should be larger.
(http://voinskaya-chast.ru/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/xarakteristiki-btr-82a2.jpg)
I'd also mention that the snorkels which sit just in front of the engine deck (the two cylinders on the roof) are a bit simplified. They should have caps on them, or even be left in an extended position if you want a bit more visual interest.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/Ukrainian_BTR-80_in_Tendra%2C_2010.jpg)
Obviously also things like the hand holds, headlight guards, the shape of the front left IR light, wing mirrors, rear intakes and other small thin details are either minimised or missing entirely. There's variation in the placement and type of these (i.e. circular and square wing mirrors), but for 28mm wargaming stuff like that's overkill and just asking to be snapped off through use.
I could go into stuff like the 82A having the ability to mount a grenade launcher to the left of the turret, similar to the Ukrainian BTR-3, differences in barrels, or more specific variants, but this post's just me speaking in broad terms about the cosmetic details that differentiate each of the vehicles, and so I probably didn't cover a load of stuff here.
All I'm looking for with my own models is to give the right impression with the overall look of the models, and want a bit more accuracy in the breadth of vehicles in use by my Russian forces other than just sticking them in some old Cold War era BTR without any modernisations.
Ah, if I have another slow week then I may post more of these dives. If there's anything obvious that I missed then feel free to post a comment. ...Though I'm likely already being obscure with the choice of vehicles and pointing out these sorts of details. Regardless, if it helps others in more accurately modelling their modern faces then I've helped someone. :)
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Thanks, that is very useful.
I have an 80A I bought at Colours waiting to be built, and I will look at improving it using your points. I may even revisit my elderly BTR-80 and improve the vision ports.
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If you're concerned over some of the particular details on the BTR-80 you could always just slap a load of sandbags on the side.
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1PUAAOSwLmVXDoBh/s-l1600.jpg)
(And I've seen ones in use with more sandbags covering them than that).
Additionally, and relevant to the Chechen Wars Kickstarter, I discovered that during the wars in that area this was a field modification seen. Kontakt-1 ERA, and rubber mats to protect from RPGs.
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwiZcUWbksQ/VF-QPWeW0eI/AAAAAAAAAes/rUls0jDcEoI/s1600/80m1v1_001.jpg)
With there later being an official armour kit issued specifically to the region.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HWSciWzw5w/VGlw-ro6McI/AAAAAAAAAqc/3_jc5_dYFpg/s1600/image%2B(7).jpg)
I'm at the stage of considering making little ERA bricks myself then casting them up. Though the process of doing a whole vehicle that way sounds horrific time wise. It'd be nice if one of the companies out there would make some generic Soviet ERA bricks. They'd go a long way to modernising those HLBS vehicles (and/ or random trucks and lorries that someone had the smart idea to stick explosive bricks on, without considering how thing the metal is...).
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Interesting with the sandbags.
I would hate to think what happened when that ERA went off.
Generic ERA blocks and bar armour would be useful.
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Here's what's came along in the interim since my last post. Mostly new stuff, rather than finishing off any of my existing projects...
I've been delaying posting this till I had that restaurant finished, but I'm short some furniture for that, so it'll be a while yet before that's posted (meanwhile I've already started on another building. No, not those apartments that I've been wanting).
FSB
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979904-FSB.JPG)
From earlier in the month, I'd picked up a set of Spectre Miniatures New Russian Spetsnaz. I wasn't into their heads, so at the same time I went to Empress and bought their Spetsnaz and a set of ballistic masks.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979900-FSB%20Alpha%20Group.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979899-FSB%20Alpha%20Group.JPG)
With a black paint job (which I'm not convinced I did right), and suitable rides, they've came out as Russian Internal Security Forces – who'll work as opposition to all those Separatists I have and be an excuse for playing games in Chechnya for instance.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979901-FSB%20Alpha%20Group.JPG)
These guys are set to ride in a trio of Zil Punishers (MRAPs based on a civilian truck chassis), which I'd bought from SASM yonks ago, but not having the men to ride them hadn't painted.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979902-Zil%20Punisher.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979903-Zil%20Punisher.JPG)
With the Punishers they're the bog standard menacing black paint job, and lack the "pop out" turrets (as I wasn't in the mood to find a dremel). Giving one its turret would be easy to do, but they look fair as is. I'd considered adding some men to the roof too. I'm not convinced as I once was on making an ARMA III style Punisher with a military camo scheme and 40mm turret, just as I now have that BTR-82A in the works which would fulfil a similar role, along with there maybe not being a suitable use case for one to be necessary in the first place. ...Though one would look cool.
(https://i1.wp.com/s00.yaplakal.com/pics/pics_preview/5/7/2/833275.jpg)
Spectre do a set of figures with 12.7mm rifles and pistols as well. I'm not that into their more civilian style outfits (they fit into their low key operator set), though have been pondering sculpting over them to give them more military style gear.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/59e8e-0f414b_cf051916f426479f8b3356f179b46199mv2.jpg?w=604)
Regardless, I have another set of Spetsnaz to paint. That lot are made from SASM's older figures. I'd painted some of those before (again with Empress head swaps). Going back to the remaining models I'm neither into how their heads look or their guns, and wound up swapping them out for the leftover bits I had from these Spectre figures and some spare Wargames Factory guns (though these are larger than the originals, so don't match up spectacularly with the grips or magazines).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979886-WIP%20Spetsnaz.JPG)
Terrain
With terrain I've managed mostly scatter pieces outside of that one building which isn't finished yet. This set of building site scatter are from Antenocitis' Workshop, with the skips by Skytrex Model Railways.
Scatter
...I'll eventually paint that set of portacabins and foundations I have to have a building site to fight over. Though then I'd need a multi-floor concrete building as well, and all sorts of other bits, and well, that's just not being prioritised over other projects. :P
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979897-Construction%20Material.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979898-Skips.JPG)
Also I found some recycling bins for sale on Facebook (via Shaun Mclaughlin on the Modern Miniature Warfare page). Painted as is, with some casting bubbles, but looking fair enough as terrain.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979896-Recycling%20Bins.JPG)
Work in Progress
With the new unpainted projects, here's that BTR-60 which I mentioned being a bit delayed with as I waited on after-market parts.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979884-WIP%20BTR-60.JPG)
Some of the etched brass pieces were far too titchy for me to worry about with a model made for wargaming, but overall the set increases the quality of the model to a, well, acceptable level. Some of the details the base kit misses out makes it fairly poor for any purpose and that after-market set entirely necessary. With the resin wheel set, these come out as fairly pricey however, so unless its justified, HLBS' BTR-70 will likely suit most folks for their modern games.
Still, that's the first of the two which I ordered built. I'm not sure what to do with the second, but can picture one with slat armour and some extra stowage boxes or something. I have an extra set of resin wheels too, and with an actual model to base the dimensions off of I may have a go at something similar to the BTR-4 which I'd made for one of the modernised BTR-60 projects if I have the time.
Elsewhere I've started sculpting figures for an artillery crew. So far its just the officer in charge of the piece, but I've planned out the rest of the squad.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979885-WIP%20officer.JPG)
A scratch built AK made from carving out a piece of plasticard may replace his Wargames Factory one, as its one of their early prints and a bit thick for my liking (someone had said something similar when I used the same gun on another sculpt). My own one's better proportioned, but I need to work out how to cast up copies so as not to waste all the effort put into that one rifle.
Similarly I'm now out of 28mm scale male armatures (and I buy those in from Green Stuff World, rather than making them myself, but well, the time spent soldering wire and sculpting on muscles could be spent sculpting the actual models...). The remaining six are due for another project, other than the artillery, but we'll see how that one turns out. ...Ah, and I also ran out of green stuff, though that at least means I can order in some ProCreate (I used it once years ago and thought it was a better medium, so now's the chance to use it again ...in no part down to me just forgetting it existed as an alternative).
As for that other building which I'd mentioned starting earlier, its coming along here and there. I'm going for a warehouse, with some gantries and a portacabin office in the inside, and adjacent workshop (?) area whose roof is accessible from the inside.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979887-WIP%20Warehouse.JPG)
Lots of filling to do around the windows, but hopefully this will be quicker to do than the restaurant, till I find an excuse for it not to be... I'm not 100% on what to include as far as scatter in the inside. Whether to leave it open so it can be used for multiple purposes, or stick a truck in there and stacks of goods so it already has some cover.
Future Projects
On an speculative note. Whilst trawling through the internet for future projects I somehow found myself looking at Ark Model's T-14 Armata. When it was initially reported there was a sales tag of a few hundred pounds I believe for the kit. Now its more like £60.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/a8c79-p1030357.jpg?w=604)
Empress are also making a rather nice Armata, so is SASM, but their kit doesn't look like it has as many pieces. See I was pondering taking either kit, stripping off the parts that aren't needed, and using one as a base for a T-15 (the IFV variant of the Armata) now that Radio Dish Dash are planning a Bumerang-BM. Then the left over parts could be used to make a T-90MS (Russia's latest version of the T-90, using Armata technology).
(https://i1.wp.com/www.46680.mrsite.com/USERIMAGES/T14G.JPG)
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/0000c-35th2bpanda2bhobby2bt-152barmata2b-2bpic2b02.jpg?w=604)
Just ideas, I still have three BTR-80 variants to make, and a load of other stuff to finish before doing a "Russia 2025" project (with exoskeletons of course).
Additionally, as I discuss future projects, I currently have an Empress Miniatures BMP-1 (the one I showed off as a WIP months ago) being painted. Since then Spectre Miniatures having shown off their own BMP-1. Overall the detail seems a lot better than that existing kit, but that's to be expected. The turret looks a bit off, and I may have to compare the two once I order one, but that's not a major concern. Rather I've been considering that if I do buy one, to use the kit as a basis for some variants. We'll see, or I may inevitably end up with a few spare vehicles gathering dust for a while (the BTR-80s are awaiting a part I've managed to lose being replaced by Empress).
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0615/0097/products/BMP1_1480x.jpg)
Finally, and this will be something folks have no doubt seen elsewhere by this point, three modern miniatures Kickstarters launched this month.
Right now Tiny Terrain Models Chechen Wars Kickstarter is in its last days and just short of its final Stretch Goal. I'm invested in that one given that the sculptor's now working for SASM, and with their first Kickstarter I now have a deal of his figures in my collection. Of course I have no immediate plans for any of those models, but well, we all have tonnes of miniatures just sitting their awaiting a project which'll find a use for them. :)
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/e4b2eaa02a6ffe4c7e8fdad07c955b44_original1.jpg?w=768)
Tiny Terrain Models have also mentioned the intent to make a T-62 and potentially other vehicles (are we seeing someone filling in for the old Red Star Chechen Wars line...). Which ideally I'd like a T-64 for my own purposes, a T-55 style chassis in 1/50th which isn't Tank Mania (ouch at the pricing) can't be sniffed at. There's already a resin kit out there for the same vehicle in 1/48th, so we'll see how it matches up.
Radio Dish Dash have also had their own Kickstarter as a sequel to their Skirmish Sangin rules, this time a more generic "Ultra Modern" setting. I've been looking for some rules which would accommodate platoon level games with vehicles for a while, but so far have found that its difficult to play Spectre: Operations at this scale down to all the planning involved. Tiny Terrain Models also have announced they'll be developing their own Chechen Wars rule set "Mother Russia", so we'll see which wins out. I have faith that regardless, this one will be well researched.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/1ef29bd4eeb3d9f01f21a50727757d47_original.png)
...Though what had actually grasped by attention was the miniatures coming along with the rules. I've already asked if I could swap out the American figures in the "All In" pledge for more Russians with AK-12s. Really I just wanted that Bumerang-BM turret, as I'd mentioned earlier it has potential for a few modern projects. That's the final stretch goal however, but hopefully if that isn't reached it goes onto the market for a fair price in future (I just want me some drone tanks is all...).
The last Kickstarter which I'm backing this month is the new Militia Miniatures range. I hadn't backed the first one, nor was their much for me in the second one due to the proliferation of Western equipment which don't fit well into my Eastern European settings. Well this time around I am looking at two of their sets, the African Militia and Republican guard, with hopes for more models with Aks once the stretch goals unlock.
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/9e25b8ff675153b2c326a6abaa3470d0_original.jpg?w=768)
Its the Africans in particular who caught my eye. Whilst a potential future Horn of Africa collection may be going a bit too far, I have considered swapping out the heads and sculpting on cargo pants over their torn up shorts to make a set of shirtless with flak jacket wearing soldiers which seem short on the ground right now. Its maybe an odd thing to want, but some bare armed men would help add a bit less uniformity to my existing militia units.
Closing
I have other side projects about, but that's the lot for what's been substantive. My work schedule currently is a bit awful for finding the time for any of these hobby projects, so I'm falling a bit behind on what I'd like to be doing. More sculpts may be the main thing I have the time to produce currently as that's something I can do outside of the house, so we'll see how those progress (and I have six figures which I started over the weekend ongoing, though the progress on those may be down to how quickly I can work out how to cast up that AK I made).
Still, this is more stuff which I've now managed to clear out of those perpetual areas of may desks now. ...Or least I will once I can find the space to put them in my terrain and model collections (ah, I'll need to order up some more figure cases, my loose model area is now a bit full. And hell I now have vehicles stacked on top of vehicles till I can find the right sized cardboard boxes to hold all these annoyingly large 1/48th scale vehicles. Tsk, my 1/56th scale stuff happily just fit inside the boxes I ordered them in without any breakages...).
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Wow, you have been busy.
Nice work by the way, and that Spectre BMP looks good.
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Productivity is subjective, I wish that I'd finished more. :(
The restaurant which is still being worked on is the grey building in that first shot. The last of the furniture is pending, and I need to tell myself that its good enough for wargaming instead of spending much more time on it.
After that its that warehouse, and then hopefully the apartments. Its perhaps better to have more terrain instead of just one piece which may not be consistently used. Those apartments are just asking to be a nightmare if its taken me this long for just one building...
With this restaurant however, I have concluded that I'll be making each level of the apartments removable rather than just the floors. The interior of the restaurant is a bit tight and makes removing the interior a pain (I painted the interior walls red as that's the colour of the underlying foam, so if anything is chipped it won't be as noticeable).
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Blimey! :o
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The most recent order which I placed with Spectre Miniatures arrived, and from an inspection of their new BMP-1 I'm going to have to post something about it. So it'll be delayed somewhat as I order another of HLBS' BMP-1 so as to do a proper direct comparison I think.
Unfortunately I have a dilemma. The BMP-1 and BMP-2s which I already have are all 1/48th scale. Spectre's is 1/50th, but leaps and bounds ahead of HLBS'. So despite Spectre's being better, I'm already committed to HLBS.
I'll likely turn Spectre's vehicle then into one of those modernised variants with the 30mm BPPU turrets (and possibly ERA) then, so as to define it a bit from the others and not make it look as out of place (I had considered turning it into one of the raised roof variants, but that would be cruel in the amount of detail which would need removed). Though yes, to give away my conclusions on their new kit, if you're looking for a BMP-1 then Spectre's model is the way to go.
Anyhow, a painted BMP-1 and BTR-60 are on the way over this weekend. :)
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I look forward to seeing them.
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Yeah, scratch that. Direct comparisons between manufacturers would likely result in the usual beefs that are riled up over on Facebook, so something more impartial would be more practical.
But yes, I'll be turning this one into a Russian modernised variant to save on any discrepancies between the two kits being too noticeable. Though that does mean I'm short on a BPPU turret for a BTR-80A, so I may have to go begging to Empress for another...
Edit:
And I'll also direct your attention to my latest blog post. This being more news and releases from SASM. I'll hopefully have another up over the weekend covering either Spectre's BMP-1, or those two vehicles I mentioned. That is if I don't become too distracted with other projects. ...Which is highly likely. :)
https://thesticks.net/2018/11/03/special-artizan-service-miniatures-october-news-releases/
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Interesting stuff.
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And here's the review of Spectre Miniature's new BMP-1 kit.
https://thesticks.net/2018/11/03/miniatures-review-spectre-miniatures-bmp-1/
Re:
(https://memecrunch.com/meme/46KVN/s-alright/image.png?w=500&c=1)
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Interesting review.
I will have to pick one up.
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Here's the progress for the week. No new builds, but a few things have now been (finally) completed.
Vehicles
BMP-1 AM
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981706-BMP-1%20AM.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981707-BMP-1%20AM.JPG)
First up I managed to paint Spectre's new BMP-1 which I just reviewed in short order earlier in thr week. Not being fully satisfied with how the turret looks compared to the HLBS one (more on that model later), and being that its a fraction smaller than my other BMPs I decided to go with something a bit different. With the addition of a spare Empress BTR-80A turret (ah and when I say spare, I mean I now have a BTR-80 joining my forces rather than an 80A...) its an acceptable replication of one this cheap modernisation for the Russian state forces.
Its not a 100% accurate replica of the real thing. In details like the infrared sight and placement of some handholds, etc, but good enough for my purposes. I have seen another of their modernisations feature ERA, though I'm still waiting on an acceptable commercial set of add-on ERA rather than making it myself, and this vehicle looks good as is.
(https://oplatsen.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/bmp-1mod.jpg?w=604)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1855/43671877804_5d67d41505_b.jpg)
I also painted up the original turret which comes with the kit just in case. Though that'll probably be used on a technical in future.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981712-BMP-1%20.JPG)
BTR-60 PB
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981704-BTR-60%20PB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981705-BTR-60%20PB.JPG)
A similarly ancient vehicle with a long service life, though without quite so much in the way of modernisations like the BMP-1 AM, here's this BTR-60 PB from Ukrainian company Mikromir now painted.
As I'd said in earlier posts this one took a bit of work to bring it up to standard. With the original kit lacking basic things like detail on the view ports (being totally flat like a toy), missing proper exhaust covers, and other little bits and pieces. With Hauler's etched brass parts and a set of resin wheels (which cost, well, just about the same as the base kit did) it looks better. I didn't use all the parts as some of the smaller bits were just too fiddly to be worth the effort, as were other bits just asking to be broken off with handling (being more geared towards a show piece than for a wargaming miniature).
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/10/28/979884-Apc%2C%20Soviet%2C%20WIP%20BTR-60.JPG)
I'd bought a second kit and set of after-market parts which will do for another of these. For the moment there's no set plan on what to do with them, especially with the three BTR-80s which I'm still left to build. Perhaps another base BTR-60 PB just with some extra parts like external stowage boxes and slat armour, or maybe a bit weirder. I don't believe there's much money in modernisations of the BTR-60 on the European market, so keeping the vehicle as a bog standard variant may be the most realistic choice (and there's still plenty of options as far as those go).
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/36666089_580628345656494_1987037525385936896_n.jpg?w=768)
BMP-1
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981708-BMP-1.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981709-BMP-1.JPG)
Bringing it back around to the other BMP-1 which I now have. This is the older HLBS kit (in 1/48th scale rather than 1/50th like Spectre) and it shows to an extent in both how it fits together and the overall detail level compared to the one from earlier in this post. Still, given the majority of my vehicles were made by HLBS, this isn't massively noticeable.
I didn't do a whole lot with this vehicle, not bothering to add much in the way of the little details that the kit's missing from the real vehicle. Some extra tow cables and a bit of stowage at the back were enough, and the weathering then covered up the rest I suppose. From the earlier shot of it unpainted I did remove the passenger figures, which got in the way of storing the model, though Soviet vehicles should always have some dudes just hanging about on their roofs as standard to be fair. :)
Infantry
Separatist with Scorpion PKP
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981710-Scorpion%20PKP.JPG)
Outside of the vehicles to diversify things a bit I slipped some soldiers onto the painting table too.
This first guy represents a Russian backed Separatist fighter armed with the latest in their tech – and he is partially based on a video I found on the internet of a similarly equipped fellow. The model's one of Spectre new miniatures; a Spetsnaz figure lugging this distinctive weapon, with a head swap from one of their MENA figures which I had laying about (I have a few spare guys with PKMs for future squads just in case). Someone to give the Separatists a bit more bite as my other factions have been receiving more attention lately.
(https://i.redd.it/j3ezdvkeion01.jpg)
Russian PK Machine Gun Team
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/11/9/981711-PK%20Machine%20Gun.JPG)
And lastly, here's a pair of miniatures whom I've had since the start of this project. Empress sell their Russian heavy weapon teams as a set of two squads – one with an RPG, the other with this MG. I only used the RPGs in my mechanized infantry platoon (their BMP-3s already armed with 3 a pair along with a 30mm and 100m cannon themselves), so having one of these at a command level seemed overkill. Instead I'd used the figures for other things like snipers or the gunner on that SPG-9 I'd made. However, it seemed a waste not to have the one to go with the platoon, even as heavier platoon level machine guns like the Kord are in the works by other miniature companies...
Closing
That's another lot of models now cleared off my immediate to do list, so now its back to finding some more stuff to work on. As I said earlier, the three BTR-80s are still there, which may receive some love. As is there of course terrain too which is left to be finished (then hidden away in a box for a while...), and I could probably scare up some more scatter bits if they catch my eye when sifting through the bits stack.
So no plans right now for what to work on next, though of course expect some WIP pictures of whatever is decided on at some stage. :)
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And to elaborate a bit on future potential BTR ideas. For either the remaining BTR-60 PB kit I have, or one of those BTR-80s which I'm due to convert I intend to make this.
(http://web.archive.org/web/20170210182616/http://uapress.info/content/Foto1/30803.jpg)
(*edit - fixed dead link)
Because a machine gun bolted onto the top of the existing BTR turret seems like such a practical idea that they should make it standardised! Why not even give one to the commander? :)
(https://scontent.flhr4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45698632_2470738192967032_2314225028733861888_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr4-1.fna&oh=4a0b37680e7a9255522e7521dc32c944&oe=5C8784BB)
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Nice work.
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Note to self: When you think that you have bought enough DShK machine guns, you're wrong. This is about the third time I've reached into a bits box looking for one only to find that git Older Me has used it for another project. Grr...
Edit: Reviewing that picture of the BTR-80 with the DShK, that appears to not be a regular BTR-80, but the command/ ambulance variant with a raised roof. I was wondering what was going on with the slat armour (its taller at the front) and stowage, so that makes sense.
The position of the DShK also fits it having a raised roof. I've placed the machine gun on the turret on mine at a similar height, but instead of the gunner standing as they would with this one he'll be crouching. Which is fine, but that explains why on other DShK's I've seen mounted on top of turrets like this usually are on raised plinths.
...Ah, so there's another short dive into ...something. OK, back to playing with my toy soldiers. :)
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Just catching up - nice work as ever!
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For the moment more models aren't forthcoming, though I'm almost finished with the builds of those three BTR-80s. ...Well, besides the issue that every other time I look for more pictures of the 82A and Nona-SVK I find another little detail which I missed out or is seemingly different on individual vehicles (the commander's cupola on the SVK has been a pain). However, they're almost done at least.
Rather, I've been pondering what to do with the IS-2. So far its down to either being a monument, or being abandoned in some scrapyard/ children's playground. However, I'm more invested in turning it into a usable vehicle.
Whilst an IS-3 has wound up being a pointless endeavor considering that it'll just wind up being turned into a monument/ wreck for all the use they see nowadays, other variants of the IS-2 have seemed more appealing. So far I'm trying to find more on the Post-War support vehicles based on the chassis. Unfortunately the usual sources are no help on these, as they only go into the IS tank family, rather than derivatives of the chassis (a common problem I've found with these Soviet vehicles).
I'd like to find some form of artillery tractor which looks similar to the 2P19, as I'm sure there's something out there somewhere. Otherwise a 2P19 itself would do, just without the Scud. Ah, perhaps itself just something that was abandoned, or possibly converted for some reason. Whatever the case, this thing's winning out on the conversion options so far.
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/7/4/7/683747-10518-96-pristine.jpg)
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That reminds me of the Mole from Thunderbirds.
If you wannt something totally bizarre but pointless, you could backdate that Russian rig they assembled to put out oil fires in Kuwait - that was a T55 (I think) chassis with a big jet engine in place of the turret. The "front" of the engine was at the back of the vehicle. It was driven up to a fire, the jet engine started and it just blew the fire out!
There is probably film of it on youtube.
EditO
This thing.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Abgasloeschfahrzeug_Hurricane_-_FW-Museum_Fulda_%281997%29.jpg)
""Hurricane" firefighting vehicle, which uses the engine from a MiG-21 to blow water mist over a fire."
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Yeah, I know the one (and others..). I'm just sitting with an IS-2 kit, and don't know what to do with it. It'll do as another war memorial / terrain, but I'm pondering the other options.
The IS-2/3 didn't see as much service post-war as other vehicles, and the whole line were done away with in the 60s, so there aren't as many variants based on there chassis out there from what I could find. I'd assume that there's an artillery tractor variant with a cabin in the style of the 2P19, purely in that every other Soviet tank had one, though haven't found much on the subject.
Hmn, I wonder if there's a book similar to the Encyclopedia of German Tanks, but for Soviet armour. That would be pretty handy with those obscure variants. Janes could work too, at least one covering the 60s, however from what I remember from the 80s edition I have it didn't list any IS derivatives.
If only I was crazier setting. Those damn Europeans can be so damn professional about what they do with their tanks. If I was working with a Middle Eastern setting I'd just stick half of a BTR-60 on its roof and call it a day.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CrsTRtOXEAAONcu.jpg)
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Outstanding thread, so informative.
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My kind of thread, great collection of models, superb conversions and awesome painting.
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Wow! Fantastic!
What's with the mattress?
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Thanks guys. :)
The mattress on the front of the BMP-2 from way back in the thread? Uh, I had one and wanted the vehicle to more like a tip. Realistically it should be rolled and stowed somewhere, but no, there it is.
As a tangent, and I'm not sure if it has any reflection on reality, in a WWII comic Soviet soldiers burst into a Berlin home. They steal the mattress off of a bed, leaving the bed frame, thinking that the mattresses offered the protection against HEAT weapons, not the frame. So ah, let's just all think that someone thought throwing a mattress on the front of that BMP would protect the engine more. Sure. :P
As ever I have a load of stuff at that terrible "almost done" stage, but haven't managed to push it over the edge. Once things make it that far, adding and tidying up (hah) the last details always takes that bit more effort than I can bother myself with. So instead I start something else... I'd say that I'll try my best to finish something today, but I've just distracted myself with a new unrelated project. ;)
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That reminds me of the Mole from Thunderbirds.
If you wannt something totally bizarre but pointless, you could backdate that Russian rig they assembled to put out oil fires in Kuwait - that was a T55 (I think) chassis with a big jet engine in place of the turret. The "front" of the engine was at the back of the vehicle. It was driven up to a fire, the jet engine started and it just blew the fire out!
There is probably film of it on youtube.
EditO
This thing.
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/Abgasloeschfahrzeug_Hurricane_-_FW-Museum_Fulda_%281997%29.jpg)
""Hurricane" firefighting vehicle, which uses the engine from a MiG-21 to blow water mist over a fire."
The Soviets used a similar rig for vehicle NBC decontamination. Jet engine and water/chem sprayer on the back of a lorry.
Fun as it might be, any Scud-A and associated tracked TEL that existed today would also be a monument. Those things were phased out decades ago.
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I wonder if there's a book similar to the Encyclopedia of German Tanks, but for Soviet armour.
Apologies if you're already aware of these to online encyclopedias, but they're both quite good:
Engines of the Red Army;http://www.o5m6.de/ (http://www.o5m6.de/)
Russian tanks & Armour 1915-1997http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/5pansar/index.htm (http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/5pansar/index.htm)
Hope they're of some use.
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@ carlos marighela
I'm stuck with an IS-2 and looking for opportunities other than just simple terrain, though I may be reaching a bit considering the post-war service history of those heavy tanks. Though something being out of service doesn't directly conflict with sticking a DShK onto the roof and putting it back into the fight (though ballistic missile characters being used in that role may be a bit of a stretch).
I'll probably turn it into another monument (though too maybe complete overkill for one board, and take away from the first one already being a centre piece. I suppose I wouldn't have to use them both at the same time, but who seriously needs to Soviet war memorials on one board...), or as a rusted out wreck in a scrap yard. That or paint it up in some weird colour and have it as street art or something for the kids to climb on as they're apparently like to do in the East.
(https://www.slavorum.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/image.jpg)
(Or don't even bother painting it and stick a Shilka next to the swings. Sure.)
(https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Q42INWgX--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_900,q_80,w_1600/dpljxnnp7gncsje2s27f.jpg)
@Ballardian
I believe that I may have wound up on that first site at one point or another over the years Ballardian. Though I can't say that I've seen the second, nor did my office's filters particularly like that picture of a bikini clad lady which I now see at home on the bottom of the page... I didn't give things a proper peruse, though couldn't find much for those really specific variants that I was looking out for.
There'll be some source material out there which covers what I'm looking for I'll bet. I'm forever discovering some obscure mod of a Soviet vehicle which is still in service, let alone covering foreign military vehicles. Someone must be collecting a record of all these somewhere (and no, Jane's doesn't count...).
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In some places in Russia there are multiple tanks as war memorials. There is a whole bunch of tanks in a park in Moscow (whose name escapes me).
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Yeah, I get you. You're stuck with an IS-2.
Like a lot of obsolete tank and SPG chassis, the Soviets turned a few into ARV's, mostly pretty crude, with turret removed, plated over and a winch added. Occasionally a simple A-frame hoist and block and tackle. No doubt some of these passed on to state enterprises/ civilian use as wreckers/ Forestry vehicles/ heavy tractors etc.
Pretty easy conversion, Easy to retrofit a Dshka (Eureka make the best ones BTW) and you could either paint it a vivid yellow with rust streaks or a totally rusted up version of the original paint scheme. Your justification? Expropriated from a wreckers yard. Makes a change from another monument anyway.
Here's a photo of a model made by some chap in 1/72. I can't account for its accuracy but these things seem to have been locally made conversions, so go with whatever suits your tastes and means.
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Mild problem.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2018/4/8/941676_md-BTT-1.JPG)
Military Modelcraft International's February 2018 issue featured an odd conversion of an ISU recovery vehicle. Where one was turned into a service vehicle in train yards for pushing trains. The article mentions that T-34s were more often used for this role, but one example existed (the example was however recently torn up and used in a restoration project).
(https://covers.magazinecloner.com/covers/161037/extralow/0003.jpg)
So an option if I make a rail yard. Sure.
Which is leading me to wonder if there's maybe some obscure conversion to turn the IS-2 into say a firefighting or logging vehicle out there. I.e. painting it up in a garish red or orange and then adding a load of civilian elements to it.
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/73/3b/b2/733bb23f98cde934a987a721978be0a8.jpg)
A concern for another day perhaps. Inspiration will creep up on me eventually. Till then its not like I'm short on other more pressing projects. Just recently I glanced at one of the unfinished stuff piles (they kind of just sit about the floor and on surfaces in corners...) and noticed the sheds and portacabins I hadn't did the last bit of build work on. Though predictably I used some of the grated floor tiles I was going to use for exterior platform for a portacabin on another project since I'd started making those things ages ago. At least that's sped along that warehouse I showed off here a while ago a bit (though I'm now awaiting a set of stairs from Fenris to actually go with those floor tiles I'd stolen from that portacabin).
Yes, how unfortunate that I have too much stuff to build. Woe is me. I'm considering taking a holiday from work (I quitting :P), which may well give me a good amount of time to churn through some of this stuff again.
And hey, I think Spectre's DShK are better than Eureka's. Better proportions and more detail (though it comes out as longer). Not that I have a half dozen of them going spare for this project... Tsk, hopefully Radio Dish Dash or SASM (probably the latter) come out with their Kord/ NSV machine guns soon so these bloody Eastern European vehicles can have another machine gun instead of that vintage one...
Edit:
A better image of the train pusher from that magazine.
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/34008558642_b7d990faab_b.jpg)
And how it looks today at a museum.
(http://muzeumgryf.pl/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/DSCF4500.jpg)
The monsters!
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In some places in Russia there are multiple tanks as war memorials. There is a whole bunch of tanks in a park in Moscow (whose name escapes me).
Could that be Victory Park? I wandered around there years ago and was overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of the place. Plenty of tanks (including a 38t used a a target for AT guns in a kids play area) tucked about the place as I recall.
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Tsk, hopefully Radio Dish Dash or SASM (probably the latter) come out with their Kord/ NSV machine guns soon so these bloody Eastern European vehicles can have another machine gun instead of that vintage one...
Funny you should mention that. There’s an NSV and crew, an AGS-17 and crew, mortar and crew and some other bits and bobs all from the Soviet Afghan war era on the horizon. Hopefully, I’ll have a selection in my hand by the end of next week. I’ve already seen the masters and they are truly wonderful items.
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Ah, that's good to read. Oddly we go years without this sort of variety in Russian armaments, then a load all come at once. We'll have to see how each company fares with detail and pricing I suppose.
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Could that be Victory Park? I wandered around there years ago and was overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of the place. Plenty of tanks (including a 38t used a a target for AT guns in a kids play area) tucked about the place as I recall.
Could be, it was twenty odd years ago. I am trying to find the photographs.
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I'm currently scoping ideas for future projects. More MT-LBs are in order. I'd just bought two from Empress to use them as regular artillery tractors /APCs, however I think that I may be a bit more ambitious.
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/64699447a515759875e680a58b5917d2a40baf79aefe89daabb01b90b509c4c0.jpg)
(To buy Spectre's rocket pods, for like £5 each, or fork out for another Revell Hind and use the four which come on that for £20-ish. The Spectre pods will have decent detail, but the Revell ones are serviceable, and I also get a Hind. ...WTF am I going to do with yet another crashed Hind though?)
I've also seen MT-LB artillery pieces (removed from their carriages) on their roof. However, last night's Googling for 28mm modern (or even just post-WWII artillery) came up short. With the only pieces I found being made by SASM, which I already have on order, and are too large for my purposes.
Its unfortunate that Cold War wargaming went the way of smaller scales, and in 28mm its held to a Skirmish level, so more strategic weapons like artillery are hard to come by. That gun which is coming from SASM is going to be more of an objective than taking part in an actual battle, but still, I want an MT-LB rocking a large bore gun on its roof (I'll find a picture of one when I get home :P).
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High time we petitioned the toy makers to come up with a 28mm compatible Vasilek auto-mortar. These seem to have been field mounted on MTL-Bs on a regular basis.
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If you're looking for oddball conversions the Cuban Army might offer some options, not limited to;
A T55 turret on a BTR-60, a D-30 on a cut-down T34-85, or the quite conservative BTR with a BMP-1 turret, their imagination for chop-shop AFVs seemingly has few boundaries.
The premise was seemingly that the only foil to U.S. airpower was to make everything immobile mobile and to up-arm a proportion of their APCs as FSVs; the Ratel series they faced in Angola possibly providing the inspiration.
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I'm just done posting up some shower thoughts on potential modelling opportunities over on my Wordpress blog, when I come on over to this thread and Carlos posts a vehicles which I had thought was unique to only one conflict. Tsk, I was so proud thinking I'd discovered a new mod of the MT-LB. It turns out there are just even more variants than I'd managed to find in years of looking at the things. :D
(http://i.imgur.com/oDRRWYe.jpg)
Yeah, I did come across some oddities earlier today. A BMP-2 with a BMP-3 turret out of Russia. An Indian wheeled BMP-2 (and nowhere nearly as elegant as the box with wheels image you're picturing). Ukraine has a wheeled T-64 from what I can remember (though we don't speak out the crazy things that country's plants have done to T-64s in the name of export orders? "The Israeli Merkava can be used as an APC if you take out its spare ammunition? Bah, why don't we just bolt a box to the back of a tank and then it can carry infantry too? *insane eyes*).
Personally I'm quite into the BMP-64. Similar to Israeli tank based APCs, its a project which never made it off of the ground, turning (of course) a T-64 into an APC. It doesn't look half bad.
(http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/T-64-MBT-IFV.jpg)
(http://uprom.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/bmp-1.jpg)
And I've actually been eyeing up the BMP 1/2. With its raised roof, instead of a complicated armour package, and BTR-80 turret, it would be an appealing simple conversion of a BMP-1.
(http://practika.ua/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/BMP_Large.png)
Not to digress too much, the Russian BTR-87 could be a project along the lines of what I did with the BTR-4 (using the same dimensions as the BTR-80, just with a new hull and BTR-82A turret).
(http://defence-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2945304_original.jpg)
Finally, there's the BTR-90. A failed project to replace the BTR series in Russian service. Mounting either a BMP-2 or BMP-3 turret, it features better ergonomics and armour (being deceptively larger than the BTR-80). The project stalled due to costs, and those that were built went onto be used by the FSB. More recent projects have tried to turn it into a drone APC. Though the Russia 2020 project has its own IFVs which have supplanted it (one of which Radio Dish Dash are potentially making in 1/50th scale after their recent Kickstarter).
(http://defence-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ParkPatriot2015part3-05.jpg)
Anyhow, here's a link to that recent post of mine if anyone's wanting to read a bit of waffle.
https://thesticks.net/2018/12/11/project-ideas-the-mt-lb/
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Interesting read. In 6mm I never looked at the MTLB beyond the requirements for command of self propelled artillery. Evidently a lack of imagination on my part.
Some of the field modifications might inspire me to revisit the vehicle.
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If there was a cheap option for T-55 and T-64 tanks in 1/48-50th scale, there'd be so many opportunities for making all those weird variants out there. Currently however I don't intend to spend upwards of £50 on the Tank Mania T-55 kit, and Blitzkrieg Miniatures (despite a fair number of people saying they wanted one) don't see making their T-54 in 1/50th as a viable business decision.
Hopefully Tiny Terrain's potential future vehicle range will have some options. Its pretty poor however that some of the world's (if not the world's) most produced and exported tanks aren't available in this scale. If T-55s were as cheap as T-34 kits you'd be seeing something similar to what I did with my WWII collection here.
We'll see how these newer tank kits turn out. Hopefully Spectre do a T-55, and given their current range I have hopes for that (its pretty strange that nobody's doing an affordable T-55...). Empress' Soviet lineup unfortunately don't have return rollers, so aren't great for conversions - besides having resin hulls (which I could put up with, but I'd like tracks similar to how Warlord do their's at least).
If there was an option for these vehicles I'd totally go ahead and make a tank based APC to stick some special forces in. Even if in reality those haven't really taken off the ground, in this fiction we could always say that in desperate times the prototypes were donated (better than riding about in an armoured van).
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A T-55 would be great (a T-54/Type 59 would useful).
I was disappointed with the price of the Blitzkrieg Centurion.
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Christ, £45 is a leap. I imagine that they priced that for its niche customer base, as the comparatively sized Churchill is two thirds of the price. Given the response that I had when asking about a 1/48th T-54 from them, they must think that nobody will buy it to justify the cost.
I'd actually gone onto a few Facebook groups asking if folks would order a 1/48th T-54 and received a good response. When communicating this to Blitzkrieg they still couldn't see the market potential. However, the Centurion and T-54 are different beasts. Whilst the Centurion has had a long service, it may not have the same appeal as the Soviet tank. Which given that the T-55's the most produced tank in history, its perhaps a misconception that there's no market for it in 1/50th.
Hopefully Spectre or Tiny Terrain Models will produce a T-54/55. It seems ideal for Spectre's current line, and they could laugh all the way to the bank with how many they'd probably sell. Even though the vehicle's seen diminished use in Eastern Europe into the 21st century, I'd still buy a couple to turn into a support vehicles (of which there are many).
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I would love to have some T-55’s. Preferably I would like to have a cheapish plastic kit. To make it easier to do all the variations of it. And also to produce some wrecks for terrain. The cost of the resin ones available does not really justify wrecking them. But I feel like every post WWII battlefield should have a few wrecked T-55’s.
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Warlord Games may wind up doing one. Problematically it'll be 1/56th scale and folks will say "but its close enough". :(
Its a pity that WWII is so over presented when it comes to kits. There's every other German tank available, yet we don't have a T-54 in 1/48th. You'd think the dedicated modelling guys would be asking for one, but 1/48th seems like the stepchild of scales. Too small for the serious modelers, too large for the casual ones.
However, 28mm modern miniatures are only now really taking off, so hopefully things will change. Ideally with companies indicating that they want to expand their vehicle ranges this will be an obvious option (it just happens that certain companies haven't seen this opportunity when it comes to their own ranges so far).
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I suppose that Blitzkrieg's problem is that they have done the Centurion (and Chieftain) in 1/50 scale and they are not popular. Partly because the prototypes are not as popular, and secondly, they have priced themselves out of the market.
From that they are not interested in looking at the market again.
A T-55/54 plastic kit would be great, it would make conversions a lot easier.
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If you want the hull, there is a cheap 1/50th T-55. It’s a Chinese diecast available on ebay, Weibo, Ali Babar etc. They’ve steadily risen in price but when I bought a platoon’s worth a fewcyearscago they cost mecaround ten quid per tank. Detail is as good, if not better than most resin items. The tracks are of the runner band variety but suitably detailed. The only thing worth changing is the AAMG, which is a little two dimensional but it’s an easy fix.
Just type diecast T-55 into ebay’s search box. Often as not it’s listed as 1/43 but it isn’t. It’s pretty much bang on gaming scale.
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Yeah, I'm aware of those diecasts, and I remember looking at them years ago when they were reasonably price and not bothering. They just didn't fit in with what I was doing at the time. Having bought some of those 1/56th (not 1/50th... :P) scale BTR-80 diecasts, the material isn't too great for conversions - unless you have a dremel.
I suspect that one will be coming out eventually from one of the new modern manufacturers. If not Tiny Terrain's T-62 -whenever that comes out- would serve a similar purpose (and I'm needing a tank for the Separatists anyway).
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Excuse the divergence, but iirc the idea behind the Merkava's troop carrying capability was to rescue tank crews and casevac under fire. The Israelis had no shortage of tanks, even if it meant breaking out their captured T-55 & T-62, but every Israeli life matters and of course tank crews take time to train.
Ditching the ammo that the U.S. would replenish in spades, versus saving crew, or wounded infantry, wasn't a decision they'd hesitate over.
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If you want the hull, there is a cheap 1/50th T-55. It’s a Chinese diecast available on ebay, Weibo, Ali Babar etc. They’ve steadily risen in price but when I bought a platoon’s worth a fewcyearscago they cost mecaround ten quid per tank. Detail is as good, if not better than most resin items. The tracks are of the runner band variety but suitably detailed. The only thing worth changing is the AAMG, which is a little two dimensional but it’s an easy fix.
Just type diecast T-55 into ebay’s search box. Often as not it’s listed as 1/43 but it isn’t. It’s pretty much bang on gaming scale.
I can only really find the James Bond Goldeneye T-55 everything else seems to be 1/72
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Excuse the divergence, but iirc the idea behind the Merkava's troop carrying capability was to rescue tank crews and casevac under fire. The Israelis had no shortage of tanks, even if it meant breaking out their captured T-55 & T-62, but every Israeli life matters and of course tank crews take time to train.
Ditching the ammo that the U.S. would replenish in spades, versus saving crew, or wounded infantry, wasn't a decision they'd hesitate over.
Of course, design decisions with Israeli armoured vehicles tend to err towards crew survivability. Why else would they be using converted tanks as APCs, instead of just regular armoured boxes (or well, maybe they were just cheaper than buying new purpose built APCs).
Other tank based APCs which I've seen, such as those from India, Russia or Ukraine, seem to be more focused on their role of delivering troops to dangerous areas. At least that's what I assume with say the Russian BTR-T and similar vehicles (which to me look like they went with the BRDM design concept, rather than something closer to the Achzarit, etc, like the Ukrainians did)- given that those are used by specialised troops, instead of being general issue.
Which is to say that if I could get a hold of a hull for one of those older tanks, I'd go ahead and make an APC out of it for the sake of it being cool (regardless of how it would realistically fit into battle plans, as it'd still be fielded besides old BTR-60s from regular units...). For some sci-fi like what if scenarios with all sorts of weird stuff. Just the setting to get away with using some of those silly prototypes which never took off, or couldn't find the funding because there wasn't a proper war on. :P
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An update on what's happening with this project at the moment.
Terrain and those BTR-80s are still fairly static. A push and they'd be done, but I haven't had the attention span to come back to them recently.
Instead an order from Empress turned up. Two MT-LBs, a BMD-1 and BMD-2. The BMDs may be deserving of a follow up to the commentary I'd made on the BTR-80s as for bringing their detail up to snuff and dealing with the inaccuracies. I can't complain as they're the only option in this scale, its just that in checking out what little things I could add, I've notice a few areas which need a deal of work (namely the lack of bow MGs and the rear bed being ...completely wrong).
Regardless, that's just an opportunity to spend some more time modelling. For the MT-LBs I'm intending making one with the rocket pods (obviously). The other I'm erring towards that modernised Russian IFV style variant, and have found one which I quite like the look of with a BTR-80 turret rather than the 30mm one that caught my eye.
(http://muromteplovoz.ru/product/mil/picture/mtlb_m1a7.jpg)
Kind of because the same company makes this.
(http://muromteplovoz.ru/product/mil/picture/ma9.jpg)
(Its the same plant who did that BMP-1 with the 30mm turret that I made. They seem to have a thing for sticking that turret on every other vehicle, as they have a PT-76 and BTR-50 among others with the same turret.) http://muromteplovoz.ru/en/product/mil.php
You'll see a bump in posts here come some time in January. The WIP pile's starting to tottle a bit... :P
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Besides the general interest in your posts, I would certainly be interested in your views on the BMD-2, mine has stalled and this might prompt some movement.
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Morning. ;P
Currently my process for making these vehicles has been to source some images of 1/35th scale brass etched sets. Not that I really go for a quality which matches those, its more to find what the actual details look like (which can be clearer than they are on the real vehicles).
HLBS' kits are acceptable. They're the only option for this scale typically, and whilst they are showing their age, I can't really complain. However, the detail on them tends to be simplified or non-existent in places. With the occasional incorrect angle or shape to the bodywork being incorrect due to their nature of being hand built masters.
My short hand notes on what's wrong with the BMD-1/2 of their's are about 750 words long, but again, I wouldn't slight the kits or the company. :P
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I'm just reminded that Military Modelcraft International's May Edition had a build for an MT-LB which may be useful. For those into vehicles that magazine's been a great resource, and I've mentioned it here before I believe. They do some nice Tank-Encyclopedia style articles on a vehicle each week too which are fairly well done. Recently in addition to these articles they've expanded their page content to include a second article on other subjects like military drills or certain events.
But yes, this is the issue I'm referring too. So more of a tangent from my actual posting here, if you can find a copy locally I'd say give it a look over. The mag's a step above the others which WHSmith carries, and the content feels much more on the level of what you'd see on forums in the depth and breadth of its discussion topics than the others which tend to be both more brief and a bit distant in their writing. A pity that they've said that they're moving away from the 1/48th scale stuff.
(https://i1.wp.com/analib.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MilitaryModelcraftInternational-May2018-1.jpg?w=2400&ssl=1)
Oh, and there's gems like this particular themed issue which are just great for us modern gamers (and they've since put a second issue which was just technicals - including lots of real world photos - much better than that Osprey book on the subject).
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tpUAAOSwxh1ZmcMm/s-l1600.jpg)
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Very useful magazine, it is one I check out at the WH Smith's Memorial Library (and I even own the Technicals issue you mention).
Last week I noticed a Guideline publication on Atlantic Resolve which had some interesting photographs of various NATO equipment on exercise.
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Yeah, their Atlantic Resolve publication is an extension of the article they ran recently. Just more reference pictures for those who are serious about modelling that period (I didn't see much more text than the existing article). They've also began putting out their Tank-Encyclopedia style articles out as separate combined publications, though so far its just on American vehicles.
Yesterday I had a look at the pair of MT-LBs I'd bought. Just doing the basic marking down of details to add and removing certain parts not featured on certain models. As with the other HLBS vehicles, I am finding more and more that they are very of their time and must have had limited references available. The MT-LB's large roof hatch for instance is a deal smaller than it should be, and the hatches overall are too thin compared to the real ones.
I like the MT-LB, and may buy more in future, I'm just finding that there's going to be a bit more work to bring them up to snuff is all. Again though, its not a slight against HLBS (and the 1/35th crew do this kind of stuff all the time, beyond just sticking an extra bit of sprue on a vehicle to represent a bolt), I'm happy that anyone's offering these things in 1/48th (but damn, if Tamiya were to come out with some kits...).
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They might... one day. They have produced some modern Japanese types and a less than useful, time specific M1A2 that can be backdated or updated with work. Baby steps.
There is Mikro Mir if you are after BTR-60s. I’m hopeful they will do more Soviet stuff in the future. Oh and there’s a Polish company I’m sure you are aware of that do incredibly detailed and eye wateringly priced multi- media kits.
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Its a pity that 1/48th is so niche in the "serious" modeller's world. More so in that Tamiya's effort seems token at best for the modern period with just that Japanese stuff for their local audience (which comes across as more of a passion project) and those American bits. If the 1/35th companies were involved as much in this scale then things could really be great.
Hopefully Spectre will do more. Though the quality of their models so far has been a bit off. Empress's range at this stage is the best option for a lot of stuff, but stagnating a bit with dated kits, though they've said they're planning some more in future. SASM seem to be getting really invested in their range, with a pair of multipart pickups coming out, besides their other models (and I'll keep badgering the owner for more Russian stuff every other month...). They seem like the best hope currently for a decently priced and expansive range consider the community's response to what other company's consider viable pricing for their ranges (re: that Canadian APC which was discussed on this board a few months ago) - particularly when they put out a Humvee for less than Spectre's which included all the extra parts for a lower price. :P
I already have a pair of Mikromir's BTR-60s (and the after market brass etch and resin road wheel sets), which I posted a few pages ago. They're fine once they have the extra bits added, and I've kept a set of the wheels spare to potentially scratch build a modernised variant. However if that's the standard which the company's set, whilst as with HLBS's range I couldn't complain as more stuff where there was none before is always good, I can't see future kits not requiring after market parts. Which becomes problematic as those BTR-60s wound up costing over twice as much as Empress' BTR-80s once I bought the extra pieces.
Though which other company are you referring to? Gaso.line, no they're French I think. Ace Models? They don't do much though. Tank-Mania? Oh, yeah you're probably referring to them? Yeah, I have his Acacia. Unfortunately its definitely more a display piece than for wargaming, with many delicate parts (and it came smelling with cigarettes and without the brass etch pieces). He's trying to further the legitimacy of 1/48th scale models, so I can't slight him. ...Though wait till there's a sale first (and even then they're 2-3 times the price of Empress's range).
I'd like to see more from OKB Grigorov too (who have 15% off sale on currently!). If I could stomach the prices of their parts vs the actual value I'd get from replacing some of Empress' low detail components I'd buy more. However, £25 for a set of roadwheels and tracks for a tank is just untenable for wargaming. That's the price of a full kit. I'd personally rather see a company do detailing kits for Empress range to both fill in missing parts (like with the Mikromir BTR-60) and give modernisation options such as ERA, aircon units, etc. ...Which reminds me to go bother SASM about that Russian ERA set I'd asked if they could make (which would be so simple for a company to produce. Literally a single brick cast a couple of dozen times).
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Getting back to posting things on my blog. Here's a news round up and my thoughts on what's been going on over at SASM.
https://thesticks.net/2018/12/26/special-artizan-service-miniatures-november-december-news-releases/
Though my main takeaways may influence future projects in the New Year. In particular Private Military Contractors may be a way to go when it comes to my own tendency to want to stick to particular theatres and periods with my modern forces. Meanwhile, at least going with the fictional representation of mercenaries, they use anything and everything.
If that's the case then they'd be just the excuse to use whatever range of figures I wanted. You want to stick a guy with a Famas next to another with an SA80? Fine, go ahead. Or one of those MRAPs which are more the game of smaller powers? Great, one fell off the back of a truck. Etc...
Something like that would of course be yet another thing to add to the list of projects which I'm currently, or was working on. I've just dived into another new project which may come to light here over the next month or so (depending on Christmas messing with shipping). Though I've no idea how far that one will go, as I'm already looking at second and third forces to go along with one I'm just starting. Besides may having to float the idea with the nice admins here (I think it would be maybe something that I keep to the blog just so as not to muddy things too much here).
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Interesting review. Useful to see what is on offer (their site is not very "tablet" friendly - and I spent ages looking for the vehicles earlier in the week).
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I'm not too into the drop down menus. Clicking into the SASM stuff then leads you to the overall range which has links to various sub sections. It would be nice if it was split up as "Moderns/ Historical/ terrain / vehicles" - and then subsections by nation/ setting.
Ideally with changes in the future we'll see an update on their site. ...With lovely banners, etc. It would be nice if there was painted examples of the figures too. Though considering that for the most part the company's a one man operation, painted models come out as fast as the owner paints them (I know though that InfamousJT - the UK retailer- says customers can send in pictures if they like though).
Currently I'm considering buying a few of the new technicals. Though I'll likely buy one of Spectre's as well for comparison, as I care more about how they're put together (both appear to be using solid resin castings for the body, rather than having the rear bed as a separate part - which is what I'm looking for. However, a hacksaw could solve that...). I have plans for what I'm going to do with myself come January, and having one of their pickups would be useful for them.
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I liked the idea of the one piece technical body, I am still smoothing the join on the Spectre modern technical.
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2017/09/colours-2017.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2017/09/colours-2017.html)
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I suppose. Its not like I couldn't use both company's kits together. I'd prefer a separate rear bed as it would make building out a stripped down rear chassis easier (as you're like to see with technicals carrying heavier weaponry which can't fit on the rear bed - and screw the suspension). A separate rear bed would also permit for future kits covering long wheel base variants too.
As for the join, milliput with a wet tool aught to work. I'd avoid that liquid greenstuff junk or similar products. Though recently have found that Games Workshop's product can be used for adding a rust texture to materials if you stipple it a bit.
From what I remember Spectre's pickup trucks are hollow on the rear side? At least I think I seen one like that on Chargedog's blog.
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Good point on the optional longer/bare chassis. The Bravo one would be difficult (see the photographs on the link below).
From what I remember Spectre's pickup trucks are hollow on the rear side? At least I think I seen one like that on Chargedog's blog.
Not sure what part of you are referring to. There is a photograph of the underside of both on the link below.
There are work in progress photographs on my Technical Bravo here:
https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/12/spectre-technical-bravo-work-in-progress.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/12/spectre-technical-bravo-work-in-progress.html)
One side needs another go with the Milliput, the other side needs more filing/sanding.
If you want other photographs of it, let me know. There are parts photographs on the previous (Colours 2017) link.
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Tsk, I'd thought that their Alpha technical came with a two part body. Hmn, I'll need to look into options for converting one. I'm thinking maybe take the bare chassis from something like a 1/48th truck or Land Rover. Just an idea I'm having for a conversion.
When I meant that they're hollow, I mean this:
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsIgoha5uSQ/XCaoYvCFABI/AAAAAAAAEjc/QKv-WHok1yA6Cz89c323jThPrJKgDJ5uwCLcBGAs/s1600/technicals-sp.png)
Which is easy enough to cover with some plasticard. Hopefully newer models from them follow suite with their BMP-1 and have a modelled underside.
I know SASM plan another pickup truck, but I'd like more variety to be honest. I think they're doing another Toyota. It'd be nice if other company's were better represented (and yeah, its a bit spoiled to say that), as its not like militant groups are choosy when it comes to buying vehicles on the second hand market. Which is to say I'm not that into the Hilux aesthetically (not chunky enough), so probably won't be picking up Spectre's (and I already have a pair of 1/43rd scale ones).
Thinking about it, having two part body vehicles would be great for me. Not just for the conversion options. Nah, I'd take the two halves and make two vehicles (that's why Rubicon's WWII kits are so great). :D
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The Alpha is two part (you can see the join), but there is no chassis, or underframe detail.
On mine the back is a bit swayback. I did not photograph it before starting assembly when I bought it at Salute 2017.
And no, I have no idea why I needed to reinforce the wheels with greenstuff.
If you are using 1/43, have you thought about using the Crooked Dice Tortuga?
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/search?q=tortuga (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/search?q=tortuga)
http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/tortuga-truck/ (http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/tortuga-truck/)
The Mule might be of more use (same components but lacking cab and covered load bed).
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Ah, I thought the Alpha was a single part, as that's how its shown in all the reviews that I could find. Unfortunately the issue I have with buying Spectre's right now is the price. At £18 I think to myself that I could scrounge some car boot sales and buy a load of 1/50th scale die casts for a fraction of that. Which is not to say that their vehicle's not nice, its just justifying spending that much.
I'd rather spend £20 on a vehicle I can't find a die cast of (though with die casts, its difficult to lop details off without the proper tools, however, for a one off project its still difficult when you could have a dozen vehicles for the same price).
The 1/43rd scale stuff's more there because it was cheap at the time. I'd bought the Antenocitis' Workshop pickups on the basis that they'd be smaller than they were. However fool me for not realising all their vehicles are scaled to 32mm, and to not trust folks online who say "its perfect for 28mm" (which means the kit's scaled anywhere between 1/72nd to 1/35th apparently). I'm sticking to 1/50th -1/48th at a stretch right now, which luckily is where a lot of the old die casts sat at new. Newer ones not so much. Just a pity that in the UK most pickup trucks and jeeps are Land Rovers, which isn't so reflective of the rest of the world (apparently my militants raided a vintage car dealership. ...Which from some recent articles I've been reading is exactly what happens, but still).
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Hey guys, well its time to post the beginnings of another project which I've been a bit furtive on. This one is still "A War in the East" ...well, the Middle East this time around.
For the past week or so I've been distracted from this current project by a shiny new one, and so all those half finished models which I've been talking about for weeks now remain unfinished. Which shouldn't be something new to those folks who haven't followed my threads for a while now, as seldom do I actually finish anything without picking something else up instead for a while.
I have enough done with it so far to make a reasonable post without blethering about all the stuff which I'd like to do for half of it like I usually do. This one however's going to be kept to my blog for the moment (https://thesticks.net/2019/01/06/modern-jihadists-in-the-middle-east/), as I'm not sure how well it'll jell with this site at the moment, and I'd rather not run into the ire of the mods. Still, head over there if you want to check it out, and I'll post images every now and then here, as well those can stay apolitical I hope.
There isn't much in the way of models so far (youknow, just enough for a platoon... Hmn, I do set my sights high), here's an image of the lot as a taster though. Maybe this one will be the excuse for me to finally finish my Israelis... :)
https://thesticks.net/2019/01/06/modern-jihadists-in-the-middle-east/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/1/6/991755-Jihadists.JPG)
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Interesting read.
Certainly a lot of weird stuff out there.
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Some nice conversion work (both vehicles and miniatures), I certainly support you in branching out to another conflict.
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Indeedy, very nice work!
Would the springs on a Series III hold up to the weight of steel plates and a BMP turret on top? Fun to find out. I did know a complete dickhead subaltern who tried to create his own stretch, Perentie-style 110 by the unusual method of connecting one end to the winch on a Unimog and the other to convenient tree when he bogged the Landy. Twisted the frame nicely. Lucky not to have killed a couple of blokes with the winch cable into the bargain.
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Thanks guys. I'll see how things pan out with this one over the next few weeks. Hopefully I can find the players to justify an ongoing project, though that hardly stopped my other modern stuff from being built (most of this stuff winds up being used for Post Apocalyptic games to be honest...).
Hopefully I can get cracking with all that terrain, which luckily will work for both my European and Middle Eastern settings (I mean, once its actually painted that is). Eugh, seven buildings to paint now. The damn things creep up on you when you aren't looking. And don't tell nobody about that Steampunk Cthulhu boat game I've been thinking about doing... (I've the little boats and tentacles half built already). :D
@ carlos marighela
F**k no. In response to your question. ;)
I've looked at enough technicals from the Middle East (not so much with the European ones oddly. Those Yugoslavians were on the ball with their's) to indicate that the guys putting these things together show zero fecks about the long term survival of the vehicle, or crew comfort. That BMP-1 turret's relatively light compared to some of the weapons which they've bolted to pickup trucks, though yeah, I'll admit the Series III isn't the greatest of chassis for that purpose (though they did bolt on a load of armour to one of the early Lanies for police patrols during The Troubles).
Though usage wise also has these things fighting from a distance, rather than in built up urban areas where armour is required. Instead only the rear section would be armoured instead of the driver's cab (because who cares about the driver?) - presumably to save on weight. Most technicals don't have any armour at all, instead even those armed with light machine guns serve in more of an artillery role and fight at distances where armour isn't a major issue.
Still, presumably there's so many vehicles available in these conflicts - dating as far back as the Toyota War - that when one vehicle falls to pieces (or more likely is destroyed in battle) they just cannibalise the gun from the chassis and bolt it to another.
Warlord's Zis-3 turned up today. Unfortunately I forgot that I'm doing 1/50th scale modelling now, so its now as silly looking as I'd hoped it'd be. Still, its already seeing its way onto the bed of a nice commercial truck, so I'll endeavour to make it look stupid regardless.
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Its been another week, and I've managed to make some headway into more figured for my new modern project. Once more its posted over on my blog for those who want to check it out. For the moment its just more WIP images and discussion, till I have time to paint any of this new stuff which has just arrived.
https://thesticks.net/2019/01/13/syria-the-start-on-more-vehicles/
A highlight goes out to finally getting around to making a mould for a set of Kontakt-1 ERA. Its been a long time coming, but this stuff will be great for all kinds of military and improvised vehicles. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/1/13/993213_md-ERA%20Mould.JPG)
And no, I'm not giving up on this project either, I'll have more Eastern European stuff posted over the next few weeks once I can get around to finishing off that terrain and those vehicles. Just hold out a bit as I throw together bits for far too many different settings. :)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/1/13/993214-WIP%20T-72%20Ural.JPG)
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Interesting read and lots of great work. Nice work on the T-72.
Do Empress vehicles now come in sand coloured resin now? Does that mean they no longer use the metal filled resin they have used previously?
Interesting about Spectre and the BTR-82A. I wonder what else they will come out with?
Good luck with the ERA.
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An interesting taster. Anyone else not having all images load on the blog post?
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@Ultravanillasmurf
It does appear to be just a regular resin, nothing fancy. Though I noticed that the Spectre vehicles also had a different type of resin with a few pieces. I've no idea why its different, but all the vehicles I have are from Imprint as opposed to HLBS.
I already have a BTR-82A which I built, so I'm not sure about buying one of Spectre's. With the limited Russian forces I have, another dedicated vehicle for them may not be necessary. Yeah, we'll have to see where they go with future kits.
@ von Lucky
Which images? Like can you see this one?
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/c4fhssfvyaar1wv.jpg?w=768)
Most of the images are from Twitter. A couple are from random social media sites. There's a couple which I had to upload myself. I'd assume its either the random social media ones, or mine which are bugged. And if its the latter then ...blame it on Wordpress I guess. :/
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I asked because all my previous Imprint/Empress kits had been in the grey resin (that goes metallic shiny when filed) whereas the HLBS kits I have not built are the sandy/off white resin.
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/empress-modern-british-vehicle-crew-and.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/04/empress-modern-british-vehicle-crew-and.html)
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2013/02/t90.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2013/02/t90.html)
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2017/12/panzer-i-ausf-b-with-breda-20mm-auto.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2017/12/panzer-i-ausf-b-with-breda-20mm-auto.html)
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/hlbs-british-ferret-armoured-car.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/05/hlbs-british-ferret-armoured-car.html)
http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/01/empress-28mm-bmd-2-ifv.html (http://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2018/01/empress-28mm-bmd-2-ifv.html)
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Which images? Like can you see this one?
(https://thesticksnet.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/c4fhssfvyaar1wv.jpg?w=768)
Most of the images are from Twitter. A couple are from random social media sites. There's a couple which I had to upload myself. I'd assume its either the random social media ones, or mine which are bugged. And if its the latter then ...blame it on Wordpress I guess. :/
I can see that one, and one your blog I can see the images of your models. It's the external ones - though they show when I right mouse click to "View Image". Carry on.
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A somewhat delayed post as I've been working on other projects lately. Currently I'm in the throws of restarting my Alternative History WWII collection witha Soviet force, meanwhile I'm trying to find the time to paint up a horde of Nazi zombies for a game in a few weeks, and slowly work my way through painting some bits and bobs for that Sunless Sea project too.
Which is to say that this isn't more miniatures for this European setting, but once again I'm going back to the Middle East for more Jihadists. For the moment future content for that setting's likely going to be more of the same, though with some generic rebels coming in over time. As far as the topic of this thread though, that's still up in the air. I'd like to have those industrial buildings finished off at some point, and they'd do for a few boards if I can get them done. Though working on this Middle Eastern stuff has also meant that I may pivot my intentions behind some of the vehicles I've made so far. Painting up say those Russian vehicles in more generic colours so they can serve on multiple fronts (ah, and a post on those three BTR-80s is coming ...eventually).
Here's a link to the blog post concerning my modern Jihadist figures. Ah, and there's an ongoing thread in the Weird Wars section if you want to check out my WWII stuff. In either case, I can only work on some much in a week, which is to say; more of not working on my Eastern Europeans. ...But well, if you squint your eyes a bit, those Soviets in 1946 are kind of using the same gear as these modern figures (ok, I'll shh now :) ).
https://thesticks.net/2019/02/09/another-trip-to-the-middle-east/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/2/7/997648-East%2C%20Middle%2C%20Modern%2C%20Syria.JPG)
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Interesting read on the blog, thanks.
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Cool stuff as always! I will be keeping my attention on this. :o
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Do whatever your heart desires - it shows in what you've posted.
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Lately I've been working on other projects, so once again my moderns have been sidelined. I have a post written up covering my Middle Eastern figures which is awaiting ...well those models actually being finished. However meanwhile we did manage to play a modern game at the club tonight. ...Yup, here's some actual images of a game here for once. ;)
Still not having managed to find some workable modern rules, we decided to go ahead and convert some which we knew already worked. With some tweaks and simplification Star Wars: Legion seems to work pretty well as a modern wargame. It could still do with some work, and we'll be playing another game next week. Ideally then thinking about adding in fancier equipment.
Each side was a platoon of three squads and a command element. The squads were seven men with a RPG and a LMG. The command was six men, with a MMG and DMR. These were backed by a HMG team, Recoilless Rifle/ ATGM and three vehicles; a soft skin technical, armoured car, and a IFV. Next week a small Special Forces team will be added (to try out infantry with better than bare bones stats).
The aim was to play this as a wargame, not a military simulator. So whilst some weapons will be modified in future to have a bit more penetration, we aren't intending for 100% realism.
As was found with Spectre: Operations, playing a game on the more realistic end of the scale just isn't feasible for us. How deadly things were made it difficult to work with more than a squad - as you had to think moves ahead, or lose a load of guys as they run out in the open or fall prey to an erstwhile grenade.
Instead things were fairly simplified. Squad organisation for instance originally started out as A LMG, MMG, 2x UBL, 2x Disposable RPGs, an RPG, grenades and then all the AKs. Or in other words - who shoots first annihilates anything that moves. The same goes for bringing in things like BMP-3s (the heaviest vehicle we had was the 30mm gun on a BTR-3), with their 100mm main gun, co-axle 30mm, 3x 7.62 MGs and a few ATGMs. Though even with all of that, a single ATGM could ruin that IFV's day and we return to the whole "who shoots first wins" thing (and not the sort of engaging firefights we were having tonight).
The image quality suffered a bit as the night went on and we lost the light, apologies. Looking at my board I ought to add more smaller scatter objects like street lights, bus benches, etc - but well, I have those already, just not painted.
Oh, and there's some new buildings in there which I haven't posted before, ah, which I'll find the time to do a write up about eventually. There's still around four or five of the things needing painted as is.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005197-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005196-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005198-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005192-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005194-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005193-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia'%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005199-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005201-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005200-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005202-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005203-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005205-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005206-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/4/2/1005207-02%252F04%252F2019%20-%20Russia%252F%20Ukraine%20Modern%20Game%20.JPG)
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Looks good.
Interesting the issues you had with Spectre.
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Dude, a game's a game. And whatever works for you - no need to apologise for doing what makes you happy.
Looks pretty cool though - nice details and kit on the table.
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Dude, a game's a game. And whatever works for you - no need to apologise for doing what makes you happy.
Very well said.
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I'd like to recommend Bolt Action with Modern supplement for a good set of rules if you have not tried them yet.
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Heh, yeah, I may have felt the need to defend my choice of rules there. :)
I've tried Skirmish Sangin, Spectre: Operations, Bolt Action, and Force on Force (off the top of my head). None of them really suited the simplicity I've been looking for in games. Introducing a new system at my club - when people already are playing a half dozen - can be difficult, especially if its too complex, or doesn't fit in with our idea of fun.
We may have been spoiled of course. Over the past few years Ironclad Paul here had been feeding us some really easy to pick up games. Previously I was using a modified version of 7TV to represent everything (or rather 7ombie TV - the condensed version of those rules). With Paul it became Ogre. As do we play a few games like Conan, which are really more board games than wargames. Now if your rules can't be condensed down to a handful of pages its difficult for me at least to find the attention span to bother with them. ...I tried getting into Bolt Action 2nd Edition, but there was just too many pages.
At the moment I have the Radio Dish Dash rules Kickstarter coming later in the year - though will likely use that just for the models. Tiny Terrain Models have their rules coming out as well, as are there others like War Banner's. Warlord have a The Walking Dead wargame coming out at some point too, which could have prospects if its anything like the skirmish game. However, what may well happen is we'll just strip out the parts of the rules that are liked and implement those into what's already being used at the time.
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Your mention of the TWD skirmish game is interesting. I have been thinking about All Out War rules as a mechanism for wargaming Hue (the diagram in Osprey's Campaign 4 of the street fighting in Hue is part of my inspiration).
Hopefully the skirmish rules will have everything in one place not scattered over multiple books.
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As ever, lately my interest's continued to mostly be elsewhere - as I work on my Middle Eastern stuff for my moderns, along with other bits and bobs (this week its been more alt-history WWII vehicles). There tends to be a decent lag time between starting something and actually finishing anything. Which is to say ...ah, here's a post covering those BTR-80 conversions I mentioned at some point last year. Its up on that other blog as with Part 1 of the post covering BTR-80 variants.
https://thesticks.net/2019/06/02/notes-on-modelling-modern-russian-variants-of-the-btr-80-part-2/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/5/24/1011537-WIP%20BTR-80%20Variants.JPG)
For those interested in my other projects, I've also put up two posts on my Middle Eastern collection there as well. That will likely be carried over to my thread on Dakka Dakka (https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/769459.page) in future, as there's a lot of talk about current events which may cause unecessary kerfuffles here of course. :)
https://thesticks.net/2019/05/09/a-return-to-the-syrian-civil-war/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/5/9/1009791-MENA%20Group%20Shot%20%28to%20date%29.JPG)
There's a shorter post covering an armoured technical conversion over there as well.
https://thesticks.net/2019/05/18/syria-isis-up-armoured-pickup-truck/
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/5/18/1010829-WIP%20APC%20Technical.JPG)
For the immediate future this may be the last time I post over on that blog. The host's increased their fees, and I'm not seeing the value in keeping it over there. Its not a priority at the moment for me to look for alternatives immediately. So for the meantime I'll be posting any content not suitable for here either on Facebook, Dakka Dakka or Reddit (...whichever fits, so ah, you may see me posting on random Star Wars and other pages every now and then).
For now though I'm doing my usual. I.e. too much. So expect something out of me, I'm just not sure what or when. My Weird War II thread may be the next to be updated, though that's what I'm thinking today - I could be working on something completely different a week from now. :)
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Do the BTRs come with the rubber tires pictured? Or are those just painted resin tires? Or did you add them later on? ???
Apart from that question, cracking stuff! :o
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Another interesting read, thanks.
It is really useful to see what you can do with the available kits, and what needs to be upgraded/fixed.
It has inspired me to have another look at my BTR-80A.
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Ah, its a long post, so I forgot some things. No, the wheels on the BTR-82A are from the Micro-Mir BTR-60 kit. They look a bit more like the ones on the real vehicle than the BTR-80 wheels do. I also have a resin of the same wheels in resin which could have worked.
...And yeah, the BTR-80A was planned as part of that post. Though as I said in the post I wound up using its turret for that BMP-1 conversion - only to then have another turret provided after I'd started on the model. The first post I made on these vehicles I believe discusses the BTR-80A however, so that may be worth a look on which details to change (from what I recall its the vision ports which are configured differently at least).
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Keep on truckin'.
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Ah, its a long post, so I forgot some things. No, the wheels on the BTR-82A are from the Micro-Mir BTR-60 kit. They look a bit more like the ones on the real vehicle than the BTR-80 wheels do. I also have a resin of the same wheels in resin which could have worked.
...And yeah, the BTR-80A was planned as part of that post. Though as I said in the post I wound up using its turret for that BMP-1 conversion - only to then have another turret provided after I'd started on the model. The first post I made on these vehicles I believe discusses the BTR-80A however, so that may be worth a look on which details to change (from what I recall its the vision ports which are configured differently at least).
Okidoki! Thanks for the heads up! :D
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Doing my best with a terrible internet connection, here's some of the stuff I've been working on lately. :)
The Nationalist forces have been redone. Now wearing a more uniform camouflage so they look less like a rag tag militia. At least on the face of it. Whilst their uniforms may be the same colour, a lot of their gear is still a random assortment of second hand military stuff.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020364-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020365-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020366-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020367-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020368-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020371-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020370-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020369-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020372-Ukrainian%20NDB.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020373-DShK.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020374-SPG-9.JPG)
These are the same mix of manufacturers. Empress, Eureka, Footsore, Spectre, Tiny Terrain Models, and probably others. Empress American heads tied the more disparate Cold War Soviet Figures in with the more modern ones.
I may go back and touch up the green a bit so its a bit more grey. The SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle base isn't finished either. Which will be done in the same overgrown look I've gone with for the others (made to fit in with all the urban terrain we're always playing on obviously...).
Here's some images of the board from a more recent game too. Lately I've been going through my unpainted miniatures collection and adding a good few bits of smaller scatter - like cardboard boxes, benches, bins, rubbish piles, etc. Lamp Posts were made too to replace the telegraph poles I'd been using to give a more modern appearance to the board.
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020375-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG4)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020378-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020377-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020379-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020380-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020376-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020381-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020382-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game.JPG)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020383-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game%20.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020384-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game%20.jpg)
(https://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2019/7/31/1020385-16%252F07%252F2019%20Modern%20Game%20.jpg)
Currently I'm in the process of updating some of the buildings with more items in their interiors and making more shops. There's a few buildings in these images I haven't posted properly here before. Like a pair of cafes. - which will need some touching up before I take any proper pictures (one of them's sitting cut in half right now to make it a bit more functional in games). ...They'll make an appearance once I remember to take some proper pictures. ;)
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Those figures look good.
That board looks awesome.
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That is an amazing looking table.
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Superb stuff. I had been wondering how some of those minis would look with headswaps. I think I might have to follow suit!
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Lovely terrain!
(the minis are also very good)
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I'm liking the redone Nationalist forces and that table is very nice.
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Wow! You hard work is paying off. The table looks great.
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Just a short post to say that I've started a Sale thread in the bazaar to offload some of the models from this project which haven't seen much use (mostly vehicles). If you're interested then here's a link to it. :)
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=119695.0
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Love your table.
Also, PM sent about your for sale items.
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At the moment I'm just in the mood to bring down the collection a bit. As I look at what I have and realise that there's whole swathes which so far have never been used. Its a hobby to build these things, but well, after a while you begin to run out of space and get sick of looking at some of your older models. :)
Thanks for the interest of course. Tomorrow I'll be going through the rest of my Modern collection, and then most likely my Post-Apocalyptic miniatures too (along with the terrain). The Separatists and potentially a deal of my Middle Eastern models may be a part of that (don't even mention all the unpainted stuff...).