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Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 12, 2020, 02:23:10 PM

Title: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 12, 2020, 02:23:10 PM
I need a PBR  lol lol lol lol

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Digits on March 12, 2020, 02:24:53 PM
Great looking collection!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 12, 2020, 02:30:25 PM
I am embarrassed to say that's not everything  ::)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Mr C on March 12, 2020, 02:39:59 PM
OMG! That is an impressive collection of helos. Wow! All 1/48 kits I presume?
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Ultravanillasmurf on March 12, 2020, 02:43:12 PM
I need a PBR  lol lol lol lol
I wonder who could make that....
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 12, 2020, 03:17:23 PM
OMG! That is an impressive collection of helos. Wow! All 1/48 kits I presume?

No the cheat option Corgi 1/48 scale diecast.

They all need to be worked on to make them USMC and look part of the same unit. Plus crews which we need to get sorted for Empress. I just made a lot of flight stands so wondered what they would look like thus far. 
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Wildman II on March 12, 2020, 08:49:39 PM
UVS,

His initials wouldn't be RH would they? 
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Dags on March 12, 2020, 10:30:59 PM
Dum da da dum dum!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: AKULA on March 12, 2020, 10:41:35 PM
No the cheat option Corgi 1/48 scale diecast.

If you “need” some more, let me know...I suspect I have a dozen of so in my games room somewhere

 :D
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: commissarmoody on March 13, 2020, 12:25:17 AM
Ok I'll bite. " I love the smell of napalm in the morning, smell's like victory."  :D
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocolpse Now.
Post by: Sparrow on March 13, 2020, 05:05:18 AM
Time to start painting more NVA flak methinks! ... ;)

“Happiness is a cold LZ!”
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: tomrommel1 on March 13, 2020, 09:40:49 AM
The Valkyries from Wagner as background music is a must!!!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on March 13, 2020, 11:00:38 AM
I can hear the music as I look at the picture :-*
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Marine0846 on March 13, 2020, 07:52:41 PM
I need a PBR  lol lol lol lol


Paul, you are not the only one looking for a PBR ;)
Speaking of which, I heard a certain company was making one.
Do know if that is true? :D
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 13, 2020, 08:50:04 PM
Well I know one is just being moulded for release. ;)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Elk101 on March 13, 2020, 10:16:50 PM
That's brilliant Paul. I have 'a few' of those myself and I'm wondering how you've done the flight stands?
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Marine0846 on March 14, 2020, 04:30:09 PM
Sounds great.
You are Number One. :D
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 16, 2020, 10:19:24 AM
That's brilliant Paul. I have 'a few' of those myself and I'm wondering how you've done the flight stands?

The stands are a base, mainly old CD's (the stuff you really never listen to anymore.) Glue some heavy stones and then use tile grout. This weights them down.

Perspex rod from Ebay.

Put a metal pin in the top. Gut a small plate to support the model at the back. Drill o hole in the underneath of the model. Try and get a close to the centre of gravity as you can then the jobs done.

 
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Corporal Chaos on March 16, 2020, 11:47:34 AM
Stunning!  :o “Charlie don’t surf”
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Shahbahraz on March 16, 2020, 10:31:47 PM
Makes me wish I had a source for a few of those Corgi models.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 17, 2020, 08:54:23 AM
Ebay type places are very good.

I picked my original batch up from that source very cheaply.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: JohnFoA on March 17, 2020, 10:24:59 AM
Hi Paul

Yes that is a really cool lift of Huey's. I have a question, did USMC use the B variant or go straight to D from the Sikorsky UH-34D?

Also looking forward to the PBR

John B
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 17, 2020, 10:49:11 AM
Hi Paul

Yes that is a really cool lift of Huey's. I have a question, did USMC use the B variant or go straight to D from the Sikorsky UH-34D?

Also looking forward to the PBR

John B

I will keep this simple. UH-34D to start then they seem to have used both types of Huey. The single window and double window longer Huey. I have pictures taken at the time of the single window early version being used in combat right through. I do have some double window later versions also in the pile but may save those for Air Cav when we do those later on.

There are also other choppers they were using. I have all the details in a few books but they are not with me at the moment so sorry for the lack of detail  ;)

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Elk101 on March 19, 2020, 09:31:17 PM
Thanks for the info. Have you read Chickenhawk? I highly recommend it if you're interested in reading about huey and the pilots' experiences.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Sparrow on March 19, 2020, 09:34:13 PM
Chickenhawk is a really interesting read!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: carlos marighela on March 21, 2020, 04:04:12 AM
Impressive selection of choppers!

I’ve just sliced my finger cutting off the doors on  a Hobby Boss UH-1. It’s getting kit-bashed with bits of the truly execrable Revell/Monogram UH-1 not quite a B, not quite a cC model. The end result will hopefully be a passable UH-1E gunship, I already have a UH-1E slick, slightly converted, Hobby Boss kit complete.

The Revell kit has appalling fit, tons of flash (the moulds are forty odd years old) and some very iffy accuracy. That said it’s an excellent source of spares and bits. I intend to get another HB Huey and by cutting off the tail, bolting on the Revell one and making a few cosmetic changes, build an RAAF UH-1B. Fortunately I knew about all the issues with the Revell kit before purchasing it as a spares donor.

The Marines used CH-34s as the basic transport chopper and a handful of CH-37s for heavy lift early on. From around 1966 they started to supplement these with UH-1E Hueys for recce, liasion and as gunships. Actually there use as gunships came to interfere with their primary, intended, use as recce and light utility, sparking complaints from the brass.

CH-46s replaced the UH-34s as lift ships and were supplemented by CH-53s as heavy lift (replacing the CH-37). From 1969 on the Marines also employed some ex-Army AH-1G gunships before getting their own dedicated twin engine AH-1J right at the tail end of the war.

The Marines didn’t use model D or H Hueys, only the E model, which is essentially an aluminium version of the short bodied C model (Bell 205). After the war they did get the twin engined N model but they didn’t see service in the war proper. They might have been there for Frequent Wind the evacuation of Saigon in 1975.

WIP Gunship and Hobby Boss slick with hoist.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: carlos marighela on March 21, 2020, 04:12:01 AM
By the by, if you buy the Hobby Boss kit be sure to glue some flat washers or ball bearings/ lead shot under the cabin otherwise it will be a tail sitter.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Sparrow on March 21, 2020, 06:20:37 AM
Looking good  ;)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 24, 2020, 02:37:49 PM
Ooops!!!

Crash landing. Great marker for scenarios and general landing games. I am a great fan of games that start off as one thing then suddenly get the players management juices flowing as they have to think on their feet to sort out a new challenge that was never on the horizon. Vietnam games are perfect for this theory.

Next one is in a paddy field.   

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Elk101 on March 24, 2020, 02:51:31 PM
Nice! I bought the Revell kit ages ago to do the very same.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on March 24, 2020, 04:19:15 PM
Very nice - you should have entered that into the build something contest.  :D
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Sparrow on March 24, 2020, 05:00:52 PM
Nice !
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: steders on March 25, 2020, 08:22:07 AM
The stands are a base, mainly old CD's (the stuff you really never listen to anymore.) Glue some heavy stones and then use tile grout. This weights them down.

Perspex rod from Ebay.

Put a metal pin in the top. Gut a small plate to support the model at the back. Drill o hole in the underneath of the model. Try and get a close to the centre of gravity as you can then the jobs done.

I used Pieces of wood, perspex rod and magnets. Works really well.
This is our apocalypse now game from a few years ago, havent got any great pictures of it unfortunately because it was at the 'Derby' show with the horrendous lighting
Edit: I've taken the photos down, not trying to steal your thread










Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on March 25, 2020, 08:51:10 AM
I used Pieces of wood, perspex rod and magnets. Works really well.
This is our apocalypse now game from a few years ago, havent got any great pictures of it unfortunately because it was at the 'Derby' show with the horrendous lighting
Edit: I've taken the photos down, not trying to steal your thread

No its fine post them. This seems to have become the home of Vietnam helicopters so please post away.  ;)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: tomrommel1 on March 26, 2020, 10:18:21 AM
Very nice crashed Huey!!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: tomrommel1 on March 26, 2020, 10:21:14 AM
I use a car antenna and strong magnets to fix the chopper on top. So you can have different flying altitudes.

(https://wargamesgazette.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/img_5071.jpg?w=373&h=500&zoom=2)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on May 09, 2020, 04:23:11 PM
Another crash dummy.

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: commanderkaiser on May 09, 2020, 04:58:11 PM
Nice, really love these crashed hueys. Was planning on grabbing a HobbyBoss one at some point for my Nam stuff.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Ash on May 09, 2020, 06:43:52 PM
That looks great. Really nice collection of scenery.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Sparrow on May 09, 2020, 09:52:03 PM
Looking good!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: tomrommel1 on May 11, 2020, 01:52:00 PM
Nice addition
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Shahbahraz on May 13, 2020, 11:31:51 AM
...The Revell kit has appalling fit, tons of flash (the moulds are forty odd years old) and some very iffy accuracy. That said it’s an excellent source of spares and bits. I intend to get another HB Huey and by cutting off the tail, bolting on the Revell one and making a few cosmetic changes, build an RAAF UH-1B. Fortunately I knew about all the issues with the Revell kit before purchasing it as a spares donor.

What am I missing? 9th RAAF flew UH 1D as far as I know, with some converted to gunships, according to a mate of mine who flew with 9th Sqd in 1971?  In which case you are looking at the much pricier (but much nicer!) Kitty Hawk model.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: carlos marighela on May 13, 2020, 12:34:36 PM
You’re missing the fact that 9 Squadron deployed to Vietnam with UH-1Bs, eight of them initially. Later, in 1968, they replaced these with UH-1H models (mostly D model Hueys, re-engined and upgraded to the H model not factory built H models) and the numbers increased. There were a couple of UH-1Ds deployed earlier on as replacements for lost B models.

The Bushranger came into service in 1969 and during the Vietnam deployment there were only four kits.

So if you want a 9 Squadron Huey pre 1968, you want a B model.

There’s a good summary of all this and more detail than you probably ever want to know about the Bushranger version here:

https://www.radschool.org.au/Books/Bushranger2.pdf

Oh and no need to buy the Kitty Hawk kit, nice as it is. The Italeri version is quite serviceable, comes with RAAF decals and externally the D and the H are practically identical, the H being a D with a new donk. The Italeri version is also half the price of the Kitty Hawk model.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Shahbahraz on May 13, 2020, 03:18:07 PM
Thanks for that. I'm now wondering why I bought a Corgi Patton...  when I could have saved the money for an Aussie M113 :)

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: carlos marighela on May 13, 2020, 03:53:58 PM
Asking why we have spent good money on our toys is a road that leads to madness. Just enjoy the Corgi Patton.  :)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Bravo Six on May 23, 2020, 12:39:47 PM
Quote
Asking why we have spent good money on our toys is a road that leads to madness.

Those are the wisest words I've heard about our hobby in ages!  :D

@Paul, is that a wrecked Corgi? I heard you can find them incomplete from time to time on eBay. I've never been so lucky.

Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: AKULA on May 23, 2020, 01:26:06 PM
You can’t have enough Hueys

 :)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Bravo Six on May 23, 2020, 01:29:50 PM
Amen!
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: painterman on May 29, 2020, 10:03:49 AM
can I please ask this of you who have them - is there room/access to place pilot figures in the Corgi die-casts models (for the models with open side doors)?
If not, I may go down the plastic kit option..

Many thanks
Simon.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on May 29, 2020, 10:23:31 AM
I have not tried as we are in the process of sculpting pilots so I can. However door gunners are easily fitted. Also being sculpted.

Looking at the Corgi it should/ may be possible to do by pushing it through the crew compartment although it may need some messing with the figures. Sorry not to give a complete answer but I am awaiting the experiment.  ;)
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: painterman on May 29, 2020, 10:58:34 AM
Hi Paul - thanks for the answer - it would be great if they can be made to fit - perhaps a 2 part figure, cut at the waist maybe a solution?
Glue in legs and then attach body?
I'll leave it to you and Paul to figure out.
All the best
Simon
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on May 29, 2020, 01:20:32 PM

One way may be to cut the back of the seat off. Place the figure. re glue seat.
 
As soon as I am successful I will let you know  ;) If I fail I may never tell anyone Muhahahahaha  :P
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: tomrommel1 on June 02, 2020, 03:15:06 PM
Nice to hear that the chopper crew is sculpted at the moment. got myself two loaches who both need a Pilot and a gunner and my slicks still wait for their gunners.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: FifteensAway on June 03, 2020, 03:44:06 AM
That is a lovely group of choppers and I did notice a bit of variety in the collection but if you are going for the Apocalypse Now Ride of the Valkyries scene you need even more variety because there was a rather eclectic collection of choppers used in that sequence - not close to all were hueys.  Though I'm betting that was more about budget and availability for the film maker than what the reality might have been in The Nam.

Served in '76 with sailor who was involved in the evacuation of Saigon on board the same ship we were on - quite a tale he told, and turned as white as the background on my screen as he told it.  Chopper after chopper tried landing on the helicopter deck on the fantail (it was a missile frigate) and sometimes one landed right on top of another and all the crew could do was push both into the sea because another chopper was coming in to land - all of them running out of fuel, some ditching in the ocean.  Plus they were on fire and fire is the mortal enemy of a ship, even a ship made out of metal.  In the last year or two saw part of a documentary talking about this finally.  For decades my only source of knowledge was the first hand account.  Pretty horrific.
Title: Re: Work in progress Apocalypse Now.
Post by: carlos marighela on June 03, 2020, 05:23:26 AM
There's extensive footage of Op Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon and the flight of  RVNAF aircraft out to the US carriers. Some pretty amazing scenes, one chopper setting down on the fantail of a destroyer, incredibly brave chaps jusmping from choppers prior to ditching etc. One of the more amazing incidents  was a VNAF pilot flying his family out on an O-1 Bird Dog and landing on a carrier deck. Check out Youtube.