Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: Mick_in_Switzerland on April 09, 2020, 05:19:58 PM
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I have a dozen Empress 28mm NVA and I want to paint them to cover the main colour variations.
I have not seen a painting guide so I am going to do one and put it on my Facebook groups so that anybody can have it for free.
My main reference book is the huge Dorling Kindersley The Vietnam War - the Definitive Illustrated History.
This is a very good book but only shows one variant of the uniform.
From what I have seen there was a jungle green (Vallejo 70.924 Russian Uniform) and a yellowy khaki (Vallejo 70.988 Khaki).
The tropical cork helmet looks like Vallejo 70.843 Cork Brown.
I have heard that there were also grey uniforms. Does anybody have a picture of this.
I am sure that there were some posted on LAF a few months ago but I cannot find them.
What colours do you recommend?
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I think the greys were the Vietminh in the french Vietnam time. Try the old page of red star miniatures. They had a good tutorial.
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I suggest you have a look at this militaria site. Stocks change naturally enough but it will give you a palette range of what was available as well as some reasonably well informed commentary on colours and materials.
https://enemymilitaria.com/shop/?fwp_military=565632a595691964d5e068e0fc77042c&fwp_product_category=uniforms-footwear
As an example:
https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-enlisted-shirt-kelly-green-2/
Grey uniforms? Yes.
https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-enlisted-shirt-gray/
https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-officers-tunic-4-pocket-blue-gray/
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Interesting! :o
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@Carlos Marighela
Thank-you very much - that is an excellent link.
The variety of colours is more than I had expected. This will be fun to do.
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That is a good link. If its any use I've been going for the reed green (dark green) colour and found that Vallejo model colour 896 - extra dark green (highlighted to varying shades with white) makes a fairly convincing colour. I did try painting a couple of figures using flat green and uniform green but didn't like the result. Russian uniform also looks pretty convincing to add variety as does the odd khaki coloured shirt.
I can see from the above link and from the book 'Weapons and field gear of the north vietnamese army and viet cong' (by Emering) that uniform colours were all over the place in varying shades of green, khaki and grey. Just go with what looks right to you.
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Cowboy, Joker, Eightball, Animal Mother, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Private Pyle. The cast of Full Metal Jacket.
These are almost finished. Yesterday, I added the helmet graffiti (Born to Kill & I am become Death) with a pen but it turned into a black blob with the varnish. I will have to bus a waterproof fineliner so that I can finish them off.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765339277_a4521760d4_o.jpg)
I have decided do a guide for USMC as well. I will post a link here when it is ready.
Here is a comparison of Gringo, Empress, Gringo and Empress. Gringo figures are bigger but the ranges can easily be mixed.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49764653448_3ee9b7af20_o.jpg)
Gringo 40 USMC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765185666_60ac7a759d_o.jpg)
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Very nice work.
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Inspiration, History and Great Sculpting.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49773219637_9cc5271869_o.jpg)
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Have a look at this book. Many pictures of uniforms and equipment.
(https://wargamesgazette.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/img_4131.jpg)
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Thank-you Tom.
I must admit there are very few books on the NVA and VC uniforms available beyond a couple of Ospreys.
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First Draft of the USMC and NVA painting guide is here.
Feel free to make constructive comments.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/
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Hopefully Mick you will post the guide here? Many of us don’t use Facebook :)
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I don't know how to post a file on LAF. If I could, I would.
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Perhaps send your PM address to Mick and he can email you the file?
I don't know how to post a file on LAF. If I could, I would.
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Here is the file - please point out errors and suggest improvements.
EDIT Newest version is in the File Section here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/)
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Thanks 8)
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I have been testing the painting guide with new figures from Gringos 40s.
I am quite pleased with this - both the painting and the picture.
Canon EOS 60D with EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM at F 8.0 and 1/60th with ISO automatic at 800.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49792655733_5a91ce3481_o.jpg)
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They look good :)
And thanks for the guide,very useful :)
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Thanks for the painting guide !
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Empress Anzacs
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49850865931_20972c6f11_o.jpg)
Empres Recon
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49850861456_bf81a93e7e_o.jpg)
Update to painting guide to follow.
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Nice.
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New Version of Painting Guide is available in the file section here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/)
Unfortunately it is to big to upload here.
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Thanks!!
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Thanks for this I have been using it :D
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You are welcome.
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Never get out of the Boat! Crew of "Apocalypse Now" Patrol Boat River.
28mm figures from Empress Miniatures
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50428405512_5b10788fec_k.jpg)
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nice one ! :-*
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Here is the PBR on a transparent wargaming base.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50501224328_8d9808c0b9_k.jpg)
And here is a Sarissa house with my attempt to pep up an MDF kit by prepainting, covering the tabs and slots and adding thatch.
There will be a tutorial for this.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50570663531_4e6fcc9d0c_k.jpg)
And here is a waterline LVTP-5 from Butlers Printed Models which is my next project.
It is a nice model but I am not sure how to clean up the wood grain effect yet.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50570663476_24956c67ab_k.jpg)
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Very nice work.
Good luck with the wood grain ^__^.
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I think I can sand the sides but the deck is very cluttered with detail and it will be quite difficult to sand without destroying the detail.
I am wondering if I can smear on a filler (e.g. Milliput?) and scrape it smooth.
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Just tell yourself it’s the pre-production wooden mock up. :D
Horses for courses but I’m buggered if I can understand why anyone purchases their ‘models’. At best they seem hit and miss but a staggering proportion seem to suffer from what’s either shift printing software, a cheapo printer, no idea how to use one or a combination of all three. Examination of other people’s prints and printed prototypes demonstrates this need not be the case.
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That looks to have been printed at 90° to the print bed (so standing up).
Why on earth you would orient it that way I have no idea. It also looks to be done at a 0.2 layer height, which is far too thick for vehicle prints at this scale imo.
It's a shame they don't sell stl's, it'd be much easier to get what you want printed at a better quality.
The only thing I would suggest is that there's a growing number of sellers on ebay who have licenses for the Bergman stl files (which the lvtp looks like) and seem to be much better quality.
I've corresponded with a seller called chcha_5648 (https://ebay.co.uk/usr/chcha_5648) who has licence for all those files and is very reasonably priced.
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@ Cypher226
From the underside of the model, I think it was printed horizontal as the base is completely flat like it was against the bed.
I think the material is ABS because they recommend to use plastic glue (e.g. Revell Contacta).
I do think that you are right about the 0.2 mm layer height.
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That just makes that strange planking effect all the more bizarre! o_o
No idea what they're doing. I can print stuff much more smoothly than that. Tempted to try slicing the bottom off the lvtp and see how the Bergman file prints myself.
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OK - I asked a question on Facebook and was advised to buy Mr Surfacer 500 as a paint on filler.
Here is the 3D printer waterline LVTP-5 after a lot of filling and sanding.
Starting to look OK but definitely not my favourite type of modelling.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50587870776_1fc804c9a8_k.jpg)
This still needs more work including more Mr Surfacer 500 filling, more sanding and then finishing the paint and weathering.
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How did you apply the Mr Surfacer. If you thinned it down what did you use for thinning? I have a similar 3D printed model, alas not waterlined and I want to get rid of the more obvious print lines .
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Good Morning Tom,
First I sanded the easy to reach parts with an Emery stick (sandpaper nail file).
I scraped everywhere else with a flat ended sculpting tool to remove left over filament.
I applied the Mr Surfacer 500 straight from the bottle with a flat nylon brush about 6 mm wide. I did not thin it at all.
It goes on like thick paint and shrinks as it dries. After the first coat dried, I applied some more.
You do need decorators' solvent paint thinners to clean the brush afterwards.
I left the model to dry overnight and then sanded it.
I actually cut small slices from the Emery stick so that I had a 5mm x 20mm and a 8mm x 20mm sanding pad to get in the awkward parts.
Then I gave the model a coat of Vallejo US Olive Drab spray, which is the right colour for US Army vehicles in Vietnam
However, I am not sure whether that is right for USMC. I painted the PBR with Vallejo Russian Green which is slightly darker and more like the Marines Green.
I am tempted to make sandbags with Milliput and add a few tank riders.
This is really just a test piece to see if 3D printed models (FDM) are OK.
I was planning to buy the LVTE-5 and paint eyes on the bulldozer blade, like the one in Apocalypse Now.
However, after the experience with cleaning and filling this model, I don't think I will bother.
I don't think there is an LVTP-5 available in 28mm or 1/50, other than a 3D print.
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Thanks for the info ! I will post some pictures of mine when I got rid of the print lines. I think i have the same STL file you used.
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Mine came from Butler's Printed Models.
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Ah, OK. You can get an STL file on Thingiverse for those with a printer.
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You’ve done a decent job of fixing that Mick. The USMC colour is Forest Green. AK produce a bottle, either stand alone or in a kit but I’m pretty dubious about the colour. If you want a spray Tamiya’s JGSDF Olive Drab (TS-70) is allegedly a decent match and that’s what I’ve used for my marine armour as the base coat.
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Dear Carlos,
Thank-you for the tip. I Googled USMC Forest Green versus US Olive Drab and found these on line:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50592266983_1c5d6206da_m.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50592259038_db32371da9.jpg)
They are slightly contradictory.
This is quite good but in German
https://www.militaerlacke.de/fahrzeuglacke/1k-eimergebinde/u.s.-army/?p=2 (https://www.militaerlacke.de/fahrzeuglacke/1k-eimergebinde/u.s.-army/?p=2)
I will probably go with the Vallejo Russian Green Spray as it appears to be quite close to USMC Forest Green.
This is the same colour that I used on the PBR so at least they will match.
It is a bit darker and less yellowy than the Vallejo Olive Drab and Vallejo Russian Uniform.
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This weekends project - three Barrage Miniatures Sampans. These are really nice models. Simon Chick recommended the company.
Barrage Miniatures is a Spanish company with a large range of resin boats, vehicles, and buildings. The range includes small and large Sampans, fishing boats, an ARVN Yabatu Junk and a SEAL support craft. These models are available in 1/72 scale for 20mm figures and 1/56 for 28mm figures. The models follow historical reference books, photographs and blueprints. They are designed and modelled by Alf Comps and Barrage Miniatures studio. The master model boats are 3D printed and then hand finished.
https://www.barrageminiatures.com/31-boats (https://www.barrageminiatures.com/31-boats)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50686992152_5c9837b018_k.jpg)
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Very nice, just had a look and they have a rather good looking howitzer emplacement...
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Ash - I really enjoyed doing these boats and I am tempted to buy the Asian Fishing Boat, SEAL speedboat and ARVN Yabatu Junk.
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I have the Barrage LCM Mk I and covet the LCP(L) (for my USMC on Guadcanal).
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NOT A BOOK UPDATE....
In April this year, I ran a Poll on my Facebook Group to ask what members want as the next book.
First choice was WW2 British & Commonwealth, second choice was Vietnam.
I have been working on a Vietnam project for a few months now. I have been working towards a book called Modelling and Painting Vietnam War Forces.
I have been trying to fit the same format as the WW2 German book to fit my publisher’s format.
This week, I submitted two sample chapters to the publisher. Unfortunately, they turned the project down.
So now, I have three quarters of a book and no publisher.
I could go the self-publishing route but I have no experience of that.
Any ideas?
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As an aside from the book problem, here is an oddity.
Sarissa Precision make a laser cut MDF kit for a M113 APC.
It is the ex factory version and therefore without the ACAV modifications that were commonly used in Vietnam.
Here is the kit built
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50710451811_63abd63c44_k.jpg)
And here it is with some Empress figures. This has had a spray of Vallejo Olive Drab.
The texture of the artboard is very noticeable but I am hoping that it will be better when it is fully dry.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50710535212_a6f2b4a763_k.jpg)
My conclusion is that it is much better than the FDM 3D print LVTP-5 model that I made a few weeks ago, but not as good as proper resin or plastic model.
However, if you just need a fleet of battle taxis to deliver your free world forces, it is, at only £8 each, quite a useful option for gamers.
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After the rejection of my book proposal by Crowood, I have had email conversations with a few people in the industry.
They were all very encouraging.
I have decided to go ahead and complete the Vietnam book, albeit in a much shorter version that the 45,000 word WW2 German book.
I will be self funding this so I will not make big promises of when it will be published.
I will get a well known book designer, who's recently worked on a famous terrain book, to do the layout.
Based on that I will look at the options for small batch printing or print on demand.
As with the last book, I intend to feature the work of sculptors, master modellers and painters, and small brands.
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That sounds very interesting ! If you need any help drop me a line
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@Thomas,
I want to include various practical tips.
I would like to show the Empress Pilots that you adjusted to fit the Sikorsky helicopter.
I would also like to show your technique using Citadel Contrast paints.
There is no rush though, the project will take a long time.
Mick
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That would be no problem at all . Just tell me what you need.
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HUE CITADEL IN 1/56
I bought myself a Proxxon 230 Thermocut 230 E which is a sophisticated hot wire foam cutter. My first project is a small section of Hue Citadel with a gate and a tower. I started yesterday and I am very pleased with the progress.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50767326342_5dd35bc1ad_k.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50767208096_f122a9043a_k.jpg)
A super product from Green Stuff World. Their Textured Rolling Pins have been available for a while. I bought one called Dutch Bricks. Here I simply took a piece of hard extruded polystyrene foam (also known as Balsa Foam, XPS, Pink Foam, Blue Foam) and rolled the texture on three sides. This gave me instant thick brick walls. It literally took seconds.
These were painted with Vallejo Hull Red 70.985 and then overbrushed with Red Leather 70.818 and then again Red Leather mixed with Stone Grey 70.884.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50767326277_0034086bf0_k.jpg)
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Cool.
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Looking good, that tower is superb.
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HUE CITADEL IN 1/56 - PART 2
Now the inside walls ramps and ramps are built. The whole thing is 120cm (4 feet) wide and the Citadel is 31cm (1 foot) front to back.
The tower is 35 cm tall. Everything is interlocking so it can be pulled apart for storage.
The M48 A3 Patton tank is Corgi 1/50. The figures are Gringo 40s and Empress Miniatures.
Still a lot to do.
Inside walls facing the old city.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50775674817_8181936ce4_k.jpg)
Outside facing the moat.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50775562241_b0e655f520_k.jpg)
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Wow, that is a good start.
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Fabulous work on the Citadel Mick! Looks like it might be a while before the wife can access her Singer though. :)
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Oh damn, that's pretty cool.
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HUE CITADEL IN 1/56 FOR 1968 TET OFFENSIVE - PART 3
Now with all the main construction complete including the staircases. First coats of paint to bring it alive.
The whole thing is made from XPS foam. It is 120cm (4 feet) wide and the Citadel is 31cm (1 foot) front to back.
The tower is 35 cm tall. Everything is interlocking so it can be pulled apart for storage.
The M48 A3 Patton tank is Corgi 1/50. The figures are Gringo 40s and Empress Miniatures.
Next step is detail painting, then lots of weathering to make it look 160 years old.
View from outside the citadel
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791570841_4079911273_k.jpg)
View from one end
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791686357_75f0238858_k.jpg)
View from the inside in the old city.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50791570976_fb917c7674_k.jpg)
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Looking good, that brick effect has turned out very well. What colour did you go with?
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This was done with craft paints. Burnt Umber as base coat. Overbrush of Oxide Red and Terracotta.
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Better and better.
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Fantastic build Mick - great to see an alternative to Up-country scenery.
Simon
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Totally inspiring. :-*
Which is in itself a problem lol
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Thank-you everybody
@ Paul,
I have started to write a tutorial for the Hue build and I will be including that in my book project.
If you want to build one yourself, I can send you the the tutorial and the dimensions.
Or alternatively, my model will be available for sale (or swap) once the book is completed.
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Nice.
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I have not given an update for a month so here we are.
Here is the view from the outside of Hue Citadel.
The moat is hardboard painted green with Cellophane covering.
The figures on the Citadel are Empress Miniatures. The Sampans are Barrage Miniatures,. The citadel is made from XPS foam.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50915393762_c52e04459f_k.jpg)
Pagoda Courtyard inspired by Full Metal Jacket. Pagoda is an aquarium ornament.
Rest is XPS foam and corrugated card.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50915265811_192751487e_k.jpg)
Houses and shops made from XPS foam. Shop signs are inspired by Full Metal Jacket. M48A3 is Corgi. Figures are Gringo's.
The Hynos sign is far too big at the moment.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50915265996_df0121e372_k.jpg)
USMC sniper on overwatch to support the attack on the Citadel.
Figures are Gringos 40s.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50914580423_4e7de988a1_k.jpg)
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That is ace !!! like the setup really much. I have to do a gate ,too occasionally. The problem ist storage of the beast. So eventually it has to be modular
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The citadel is constructed so that it cam be broken apart for storage.
It does take a lot of space but less than you might imagine.
I will take some protos of it in packed form at some point.
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Most impressive Mick! Can’t wait to see it weathered up.
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Do you recognise this?
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50926758361_d31302d0ea_k.jpg)
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That's a great piece of scenery, well worth the effort.
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Beckton Gas Works?
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Indem Beckton Gas works!! ;)
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Exactly Beckton Gas Works in London, pretending to be an industrial zone in Hue.
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Looking good. ;)
Suggestion. Get a bag of stone gravel - grey - from a garden centre and throw it onto the table as if its broken concrete and debris. It works wonders.
O have a large container full of that and lots of other debris I have collected over the years. Just reach in and grab a handful and sprinkle it around.
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Thanks everybody.
@Paul - at the moment I have been building several XPS foam structures using my new machines.
Once the builds are finished I will add sand and gravel.
I still have not decided whether to do the groundwork with simple painted cloth or fully sculpted XPS tiles.
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Exactly Beckton Gas Works in London, pretending to be an industrial zone in Hue.
I’ve often thought that Apocalypse Now would have been a better film if they had shot it on Canvey Island. Wilko Johnson would probably have done the soundtrack for free.
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Empress Miniatures 28mm Vietnam Civilians and Viet Cong versions.
I have really enjoyed painting these, and giving them names based on Reservoir Dogs.
Miss Green, Miss Pink, Miss Violet and Mrs Turquoise.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51079001652_0be486401f_k.jpg)
Mr White, Mr Ocean, Mr Grey, and Mr Blue-Sky.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51009722600_e202dc4a1a_k.jpg)
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nice ! just started on mine , too.
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Very cool, the colour coding is a great idea.
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Very nice painting.
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This week I have built a Tamiya T55 in 1/48 Scale. This kit is brand new and has excellent details.
The model is very close to the Chinese built Type 59 which was commonly used by the NVA.
I left off the rear fuel barrels as they do not appear to have been used in Vietnam (or at least rarely).
I need to find some decals for this.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51092058284_f6de07dc46_k.jpg)
The commanders hatch opens and closes. The commander is on a magnet so can be removed and the tank "buttoned up".
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51092058219_46d1718989_k.jpg)
I also weathered some other vehicles. Here is a Sarissa Precision 1/56 M113 MDF kit and an Italera 1/72 M113 ACAV.
The figures are Italera 1/72 and Empress Miniatures 28mm.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51092069772_fa5e827436_k.jpg)
Here is a Corgi 1/50 diecast M48 A3 straight from the box behind an Italeri 1/72 M48A3.
As I photographed this I noticed that the Corgi decals say US Army but the tank is dark green as used by the USMC.
The Italeri tank is a reasonable army green colour but the decals are for USMC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51092520913_14eebb315d_k.jpg)
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Nice work on the vehicles.
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Decals? Apart from using Star’s 1/72 or 1/35 PAVN there are some relatively cheap options available. There are a number of decal manufacturers who make PAVN aircraft decals in 1/72 and 1/48 that just require the bars on the side snipped with a blade.
The Hobby Boss 1/48 T-34/ 85 comes with PAVN decals and you can usually pick up the kit for less than $20 AUD. Worth having anyway it’s a spectacular kit with a full and I do mean full interior.
The 1/48 Micromir BTR-60 has PAVN decals but it’s not a cheap kit. If you have use for one for another project though, then the decals are free.
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The Micromir decals on the Tamiya T-55 (minor conversion to make it a T-54)
Oh and if you want 1/48 decals for your M113 and M48 Gasoline/Quarterkit make a couple of Vietnam era sets:
https://www.promodels.eu/en/decals-gasoline-xsl-425_434_435.html
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Carlos,
Your T55s look great :-* - which colour did you use?
Thank-you for the links to the decals.
I got quite excited and added some to the shopping cart.
Then I saw the cost including shipping to Switzerland ouch.
I will consider carefully what I actually need. ;)
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No idea what the postage is but, I-94 have some Vietnamese stars for aircraft in pack MI-106.
https://www.minibits.net/i-94-decals/miscellaneous/ (https://www.minibits.net/i-94-decals/miscellaneous/)
I have them somewhere, I will see if I can dig them out.
The odd number forms might be interesting to rende.
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Carlos,
Your T55s look great :-* - which colour did you use?
Thank-you for the links to the decals.
I got quite excited and added some to the shopping cart.
Then I saw the cost including shipping to Switzerland ouch.
I will consider carefully what I actually need. ;)
Standard Tamiya rattle can TS-28 Olive Drab 2. Funnily enough, I just opened up the box to start on another one (going to open up the loader's hatch this time) and saw that Tamiya suggest TS-28. There's serendipity for you.
The dirtying up is down to Mig and Vallejo pigments. I used to faff about doing Soviet Green but eventually came to the conclusion that most olive greens are much of a muchness and weathering makes up for/ hides most of the differences.
Surprised that postage would be expensive from France to Switzerland. You are next door to each other after all.
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No idea what the postage is but, I-94 have some Vietnamese stars for aircraft in pack MI-106.
https://www.minibits.net/i-94-decals/miscellaneous/ (https://www.minibits.net/i-94-decals/miscellaneous/)
I have them somewhere, I will see if I can dig them out.
The odd number forms might be interesting to render.
Apologies for the delay.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lV04qoBpNIk/YG9C6h9hV4I/AAAAAAAAHxU/oJZTbWzfd98fJ2MDhmVOgOlZ2s1qZ_mRACLcBGAsYHQ/s500/mi-106-2.png)
MI-106 next to an Empress T55.
More photographs of the decals here: https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/north-vietnamese-decals-i-94.html (https://ultravanillasmurf.blogspot.com/2021/04/north-vietnamese-decals-i-94.html)
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Ultravanillasmurf - Thank-you
I think they will work very well :)
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I have decided to join the Build Something Competition.
This year the theme will be difficult terrain. I have decided to do a tile for a battle on a steep wooded hillside. There were several battles in the Vietnam war that took place on steep wooded hillsides.
I made a wooden easel which holds XPS tiles. I have then started to sculpt the XPS foam. I think this has potential to make an interesting competition piece.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51107846415_cf67ca474b_k.jpg)
You can follow the project here.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130670.0
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Now that's an interesting idea.
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That makes sense now
"you know that moment when the ophthalmologist shows you a picture, and suddenly it comes into focus and you realise you are going have to spend a lot of money on glasses..."
On the larger screen you can see the trenches (on the other machine they looked like raised blobs).
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That is a nice concept!!!
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At the end of March 2021, I backed a Kickstarter "3D Printable US Vehicles of the Vietnam War, for Wargames by Brad Sanders".
The Kickstarter funded and the files were available to download on 14th April.
I enquired among my friends and work colleagues but could not find anybody willing to print them for me.
On 19th April after some internet research, I ordered an Anycubic Photon Mono SLA resin printer This arrived on Friday and I printed the test cube.
On Saturday, I managed to print and assemble a 1/50 scale M113 ACAV with all of the tracks, guns and gunshields. Printing took about 4.5 hours for the body and 1 hour for the tracks and guns. Assembly was only 6 pieces glued together with cyanoacrylate superglue. The quality of the model is excellent. I broke a mudguard and a M60 mounting post during the removal of the supports – mostly because I was clumsy.
At this point, I was excited and dreamt of huge battles, fielding a dozen vehicles.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51137348551_6c694f805c_k.jpg)
The next model I tried was the M551 Sheridan tank. I printed the tracks without incident but since then all my prints have failed. I have stripped it down, washed everything and filtered the resin. All with no avail.
I have concluded that I have damaged the FEP film, and the resin is now contaminated. I have ordered more resin and a new FEP film. Once they arrive, I replace the FEP film, and zero the Z again and try again with the fresh resin. I can see that this is not as easy as I first thought.
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Nice print. When you get the new FEP film be aware that there is an ultra thin layer of plastic on the FEP, you have to remove this before use!!! Did that wrong once and it didn't work!!!
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Dear Tom - thank you for the advice.
There is a lot to learn about 3D printing.
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Indeed there is, but the learning curve is quite steep
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I ordered some more resin and a new FEP and then restarted my 3D SLA printing experiments.
Here is an M551 Sheridan from the recent Kickstarter.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51151694300_055b09c3a6_k.jpg)
And here are two water buffalo and two Cambodian temple lions found on the internet.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51151374124_0121f08ba9_k.jpg)
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3D Resin Printing Thoughts
I have now printed five vehicles and started to draw some conclusions about 3D resin printing. Here are my thoughts.
Printing Process
You will need
• Printer – I bought an Anycubic Photon, which is recommended for beginners. Anycubic Photon X is a larger version of the same machine.
• Resin – 1 litre of resin will make four 28mm M113 AFVs.
• Washing Bath - You can make a simple bath with a 3 litre Tupperware with a sealed lid and fill it with a litre or two of Isopropyl alcohol. A Wash & Cure machine is not needed at the beginning. You should wear gloves to protect your skin from resin and alcohol.
Before you start, you can protect the LCD with a thin sheet of cellophane and stick it down all round with masking tape. This protects the expensive LCD parts if you have a resin spill.
Make sure that the printer is on a level surface. Follow the instructions and level the printing plate to match the LCD. Also set the Z axis at the same time. Check that the FEP film on the bottom of the resin vat is in good condition. Replace the FEP if there is damage as this could leak.
Prepare the file with the slicer software. You can print several parts at a time as long as they do not overlap. Make sure that the Exposure is in the correct time to suit your resin (e.g. Bottom Exposure 30-60 seconds. Normal exposure 4-5 seconds). Save the sliced file to a USB stick and transfer this to the printer. The software will tell you the expected print time which could be an hour for small thin parts up to six or more hours for a 28mm tank body. The software will also calculate the volume of resin required.
Set the print running. Check after an hour and every two hours after that to ensure that there is enough resin and the print is working. The pause button is useful as this raises the printing plate so that you can see the model clearly.
Wearing gloves, remove the model and place it in the alcohol bath. Shake gently so that the printed parts are thoroughly clean. If necessary brush with an old toothbrush. Some recommend to wash in old alcohol to get the worst off and then a second wash in new alcohol to get the part thoroughly clean. You can also wash in warm water. Allow the parts to dry.
Remove the supports using craft scissors or sprue cutting pliers. Do not be tempted to just rip them away with your bare hands as you will break thin section parts such as mudguards and gun barrels.
In summer, you can leave the model in the sunshine for an hour to ensure it is fully cured. In winter, it is a good idea to have a UV lamp.
If you have a failed print, you need to clean the vat and remove all the blobs of hardened resin or these will mess up future prints. Empty the resin vat into an old bottle through a filter funnel. Do not pour old resin into a bottle of fresh resin as you will contaminate it. Wipe down the printing plate and the vat sides. Carefully clean the FEP. Clean away all blobs of hard or rubbery resin. Replace the FEP if there is damage as this could leak. Refill with the old resin that has been filtered. Top up with fresh resin.
Printing and Assembly
Most vehicles consist of six parts - hull, two tracks, turret, cupola, and .50 Cal machine gun. It takes about 6 hours for the hull and then 2 hours for a combined print with the tracks, MG and cupola. If there is a large turret, this is another three hours. Once washed and cured, the parts need some sanding on the underside to remove the stumps from the supports. There is no need to clean up the upper surfaces.
Assembly is very quick. The tracks glue on with cyanoacrylate superglue. Turrets and cupolas can be fixed with magnets allowing them to be turned. This also means that you can exchange cupolas between buttoned up or crew visible. A big advantage is that if you damage a part, you can print another one.
I have painted them with Vallejo Spray US Olive Drab and then painted the tracks etc with Vallejo Model Colour, just as you would do with any other model tank.
Costs.
The printer cost about CHF 300 (£236), including shipping and customs duty. I damaged the FEP and had to replace it. This cost CHF 25 including postage. Then I bought a large Tupperware and some gloves. The total machinery cost was CHF 350, which is £280. Since then I have ordered US$ 75 worth of upgrade parts from Soval.
I bought the STL files from a Kickstarter. This package cost US$80 (£58) and contains the M113 family of vehicles (M113A1, M113 ACAV, M106 Mortar Carrier, M577 Command, M132 Flamethrower, VADS), M48A3 Patton, M67A1 Zippo and M551 Sheridan Tank. Each vehicle is supplied with and without stowage and with a variety of cupola and turret variations. There are more nine vehicles and easily 30 or more variants. Each file is supplied in 1/150, 1/72 and 1/56 scales. If I print 10 vehicles the STL license cost is £5.80 per vehicle.
The resin is about Euro 40 per litre (£35) including shipping. Isopropyl alcohol costs CHF 6.70 per litre. I bought two litres and had CHF 10 postage. The alcohol gets quite dirty and lumpy quickly. It can be cleaned by putting it in a bottle on a windowsill. The UV from sunlight will harden the resin and it will sink as a sediment. Then the cleaned alcohol can be poured off and reused. Resin & consumables work out at about CHF 11 (£9) for a 1/50 scale M113 and CHF19 (£15) for a 1/50 scale Sheridan tank.
Break Even Point
I tried to work out the break even and it is roughly 50 vehicles compared to Tamiya or Rubicon plastic kits or 20 vehicles compared to good resin kits. However, as the current eBay price for a Corgi 1/50 diecast M4A3 is at least £60 plus P&P, then 3D prints are cheap by comparison.
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Nice report about the costs of resin printing. I would come up with very similar numbers , being based in Germany.
I got myself a washing and curing machine from Anycubic and it works a treat. Less spillage and dirt to clean up afterwards. Recomended.
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Interesting, particularly the cost/benefit break even.
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Carlos & Thomas,
I also posted this in my Facebook Group. Richard Humble (RichH on LAF) pointed out that the Kickstarter vehicles I am printing could be optimised to use about 20% less resin by reducing the supports and thinning the walls to 2mm or even 1.8mm. That would bring the costs down by probably 15%.
One of the things I didn't say is that 3D printing allows you to have vehicles that are not easily available in 1/50th scale such as the M132 Flamethrower, M106 Mortar carrier and M577 Command vehicle.
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Indeed it does and furthermore you can change the models quite a bit when you take the time to get involved in 3D sculpting programs. My firest try was with Tinker CAD , very easy to learn.
Rich is quite right there. At least the main parts of the AFV are hollow which reduces cost as well. The first thing I do is to make stl designs hollow before printing. Just make sure to leave drainage holes.
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Following advice from Richard Humble and Robert Pye, I have done more experiments and have recalculated the costs of the 3D vehicles.
Here is a print from the Bob Mack Kickstarter. I printed two M113 with tracks, cupola, Machine guns etc. The models weigh 208 grams and the supports weigh 202 grams. For some unknown reason, I appear to use 30% more resin than the weight of the parts produced. I also recalculate the alcohol and got it as 10% of resin cost.
So, a 1/50 scale M113 ACAV with extensive supports costs about £9.50 in consumables.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51172654981_ddb6e7ed9f_k.jpg)
I then took a free STL of an M706 Cadillac Gage commando and printed it horizontally at 1/50 scale direct on the bed with minimal supports. The wheels and chassis are separate solid parts. I made the model hollow with 1.8mm walls and a drain hole. This weights 99 grams and the supports were about 5 grams. This cost £5.20 in consumables. Note that this is a V-200 rather than the V-100 that was used extensively in Vietnam.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51173454574_03db0f767b_k.jpg)
Richard Marquis sent me an STL for an LVTP-5. I printed it horizontally at 1/72 scale direct on the bed with minimal supports. I made the model hollow with 1.8mm walls and a drain hole. This weights 116 grams and the supports were about 5 grams. This cost £6.00 in consumables. There is a print failure on the front track sprocket where I forgot to add supports.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51173752905_e820453151_k.jpg)
I looked at some stills from Apocalypse Now and resized the Cambodian Temple Lions. These are hollow and cost £ 0.95 in consumables. I also found a Naga sculpture.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51172943028_595233d3bd_k.jpg)
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Impressive 3D printing! :o
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Indeed, they look very clean and well detailed. All looks way beyond my technical ability though.
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Nice looking prints, good job.
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Indeed, they look very clean and well detailed. All looks way beyond my technical ability though.
I agree, but beyond my technical ability as well.
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Thank-you everybody for the kind comments.
Richard Marquis sent me an STL for an LVTP-5. The original file is about 1/50.
I printed the LVTP-5 as a single piece at 1/56 scale as that is the biggest that would fit on the Anycubic Photon Mono.
The vehicle was set at 60° to the base plate. The model was hollow with drain and vent holes.
The final model weights 216 grams and cost £11.40 in consumables.
Even at 60 degrees to the baseplate, the model only just fits into the Anycubic Photon Mono.
Here the bath has been removed so that you can see just how tight it fits.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51187692498_3a3cf2af4f_k.jpg)
Here the model has been quickly sanded and sprayed with Vallejo Russian Green. The figures are Empress.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51188250004_4e134fa7be_k.jpg)
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Very good printing. You reach a printing quality that is superior to my company's FabLab where I printed mine. 1/56 scale makes the job very well. That is good to see 3D for real again.
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Dear Richard,
Thank-you very much for the STL.
I am using an Anycubic Photon Mono, which arrived nearly two and a half weeks ago.
I have had a steep learning curve but I am gradually understanding how to do this.
I will do the Otter soon.
Mick
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That looks so much smoother than the FDM thing I bought, good job.
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Dear Ash,
If you go to page 2- November 5th, you will see a FDM print of a waterline LVTP-5 from Bulter's which looks like it was hewn out of pine by a drawf with an axe.
Resin SLA printing is so much better.
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I haven't posted an update for a long time. Here is the current state of my Hue Citadel Table.
Here is the inside view of the Citadel Walls. The finials on the gateposts and the decorative roof parts are 3D resin prints. My son did the CAD models.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51410935975_203fb2ef12_o.jpg)
Here is the view from the outside. Here you can see the decorative woodwork on the tower roof. These are the 3D printed parts that my son made.
The ruined town at the back left is new.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51410224838_62ba17328d_o.jpg)
USMC following an M48A3 Patton tank advance on the NVA held streets. All the houses now have 3D printed windows and doors.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51409210312_c90af68e0c_o.jpg)
Here is a close up of the new ruined housing section.
The buildings are XPS foam with balsa wood floorboards, plasticard roof tiles, and 3D printed doors and windows.
The rubble sections are wine corks that habe been chopped up in a Nutribullet. they have added balsa woodand Pegasus bricks.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51409959156_905ea7bd01_o.jpg)
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Very nicely done, fantastic collection.
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Great to see some scratchbuilds.
Nice work.
8) 8)
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Great job! Nice that your son could help you as well.
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Are the Stls available for we plebs, Mick? ;) ;)
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Thank-you everybody.
@Poiter50
My son made STL files for the roof decorations and the gatepost finials.
If you want them, I can email them to you. Send me a PM with your email address.
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The city is outstanding indeed!!!! :-*
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A great looking setup 8)
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Here are pictures from 6th June which I forgot to post.
Here is my entry for BSC 2021 Hamburger Hill.
This is approximately 120cm x 60cm (4ft x 2ft). Three XPS foam panels are mounted on a wooden easel.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51413346441_cd46ee660e_o.jpg)
Here is the view from the US side. Figures are Empress and Gringos
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51414099059_2da1f94ba7_o.jpg)
The to section has MG bunkers with removable lids.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51412602452_423ec7e144_o.jpg)
Here two US soldiers in the centre try to make their way up the hill. Around the edges there are 4 NVA.(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51413346616_d21a1f2d6d_o.jpg)
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Wow, that is amazing.
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It is most impressive! Are those log bunkers on the summit?
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@Carlos,
Yes, they are cut into the hillside and have removable log roofs.
I will post a close up picture when I get chance.
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Great to see the in action photos :)
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That looks outstanding. Would love to have so much time for the hobby to finish projects like that, too.
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That's a unique and insiring piece of terrain, great result.
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Great work!
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Very impressive terrain!
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Thank-you everybody
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Very well done! Now we're waiting for the battle report... :)
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FARNWORTH - VIETNAM BOOK UPDATE
My WW2 German Book was published in January 2019. Crowood wanted me to write a book about WW2 British & Commonwealth, but I needed a break from WW2. I ran a poll on this group and Vietnam was a popular choice. I have been working on my Vietnam War project for about two years. I offered it to Crowood in December 2020, but they rejected it.
I have carried on with the project and I am happy to announce that I have a publisher. The book will be published in late 2022.
The working title is “Building & Painting Wargames in the Vietnam War” but this may change. I must submit the text and images by 28th February 2022.
One of the popular features of my first book was pictures by other wargamers and painters.
If you are interested to provide pictures, then let me know.
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PM send
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PM sent, as well...
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Thank-you everybody. I have been bowled over by the support.
I have been offered pictures by several well known painters and manufacturers including Gringo40s and Empress.
I have been offered a lot of pictures of 28mm USMC, NVA an ARVN.
I am interested in getting pictures of Australians, 1950s French, 1950s Viet Minh etc.
Pictures of wargames and terrain are very useful as they can be used in many places in the book.
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Congratulations, I look forward to seeing it.
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Me too. A copy will likely end up on my "Painting Guides" shelves...
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Here is the file - please point out errors and suggest improvements.
EDIT Newest version is in the File Section here
https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/)
I'm just reafing your guide. What color did you use for the webbing, pistol holters, etc. Its missing in the guide.
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@Cromojaro
The pouches were in theory the same colour as the uniform, but in reality, fading and weathering causes shade differences.
I recommend painting the uniform with US Dark Green 70.893 and adding up to 50% Stone Grey 70.884 to highlight the uniform.
I suggest you paint the pouches, flak jacket and waterbottle case with Russian Uniform 70.924. This gives a slightly more yellowy tone.
Bandoleers for M79 Grenade Launcher ammunition were made locally so could be any shade of military green or Beige Brown 70.875, or even Khaki 70.988.
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Thanks, Mick
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I am building a small part of Khe Sanh military base.
The first part is for the BSC2022 theme "rest area" and so far I have made two bunkers.
You can follow that in this thread.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=134929.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=134929.0)
Here is "oil drum" bunker and a basketball hoop.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51822444044_1441a605ec_o.jpg)
And here is the "wooden crate" bunker.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51820332833_7656462314_o.jpg)
I will go on to make some defensive structures and they will be posted here.
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Superb build, very nicely done.
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Thank-you Ash. :)
I think your bunkers are superb too.
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What a nice start indeed
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Great bunker ..
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Great start. Looking forward to seeing them painted!
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Nice work on the bunkers.
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I received a cool present today. Rubicon sent me a box of each of their new Viet Cong and USMC figures, so that I can include tutorials for them in my book. These are plastic multipose figures made from tough ABS plastic. These are about to be launched in USA and UK this month.
The sculpting is very good. You get a good range of weapons and equipment. The USMC box includes 32 figures who have M16 assault rifle, M60 Mg, M79 grenade launcher, M72 LAW, Remington shotgun and two can have a M14 rifle. The VC box contains 24 men and 8 women, who can be armed with SKS or AK47 rifles, RPG7 and SMGs. Most of the figures are 7 or 8 parts. They work best if assembled with an ABS glue such as Tamiya ABS Cement.
The size is halfway between Gringos40s and Empress, so the Rubicon figures can be used with either.
My first five Rubicon figures
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51862057746_7ddfd52e45_o.jpg)
USMC comparison - Gringos40s, Rubicon, Empress
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51862139818_2791c78640_o.jpg)
VC comparison - Gringos40s, Rubicon, Empress
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51862390364_71442deeda_o.jpg)
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Thanks, Mick. I'll def be getting a box of each when they come out.
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Me too. Want to try if the parts are interchangebal in the sets to get even more variety. Maybe do some Ruf Puffs etc
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Cheers Mick, that’s very useful. I think I will pick up some VC for conversion purposes.
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Useful, thanks Mick.
As always with Rubicon’s plastic figures, the detail looks quite soft, but they seem to come good once painted. Think I’ll have to try some :)
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Captain Blood
I want to see you paint Vietnam figures :-* :-*
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Think I’ll have to try some :)
I remind you to this promise, moi Capitan Riccardo Blood! ;)
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Here are the Rubicon figures with some painting (about 20 minutes per figure)
USMC
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51869326452_e134a64fbf_o.jpg)
Viet Cong Main Force Men
On a wargame table these colours look like subtle shades of black.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870370828_eeabee201e_o.jpg)
Viet Cong Main Force Women
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51870939970_b563e59bae_o.jpg)
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They look good to me. Just reinforces my intent on getting them...
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You tiped me over with your painted figures . Ordered both sets.
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I will try some conversions - VC with M16, VC with M79, marine with AK 47
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That is exactly what I want to try too.
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It is possible to do conversions such as USMC with AK47, Viet Cong with M79 Blooper or M16.
Choose a pose from the instruction sheet and carefully examine the weapon arm to see how the Marine arm fits to the shoulder then find a similar arm from the Viet Cong sprue
e.g.
• Marine B with VC arm A13 firing an AK47.
• VC Fighter A with USMC arm D33 firing a M16 and D26 matching left arm. This needs filling at the upper arm.
• VC Fighter B with USMC arm D57 with M16
• VC Fighter C with USMC arm D31 with M79
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51873881886_3ef8b01bf4_o.jpg)
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Hmm. Now I’m starting to wonder how they might fit with the Wargames Atlantic Partisans. Those M16 barrels will still need shortening of course but that’s an easy job.
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Hmm. Now I’m starting to wonder how they might fit with the Wargames Atlantic Partisans. Those M16 barrels will still need shortening of course but that’s an easy job.
Hmm. Great minds must think alike. I was wondering the exact same thing....
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The more I look at them, the more I like them. But carlos is right - the flash suppressor on the M16s seem about 2x as long as the ought to be (which is an easy fix...). I'll have to wait and see what they look like in person...
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The M16 does not bother me at all. It looks more accurate and in scale than the weapons on many miniatures.
(Certainly much better than ironing board sized swords on many fantasy figures)
https://historycollection.com/the-highly-successful-m16-rifle-suffered-from-a-terrible-reputation-when-it-was-first-introduced-in-vietnam/ (https://historycollection.com/the-highly-successful-m16-rifle-suffered-from-a-terrible-reputation-when-it-was-first-introduced-in-vietnam/)
An original M16, top, without the forward assist, which was introduced in the M16A1, bottom. Gun Digest
(https://cdn.historycollection.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/original-m16-rifle-top-without-the-forward-assist-which-first-appeared-in-the-m16a1-bottom.-gun-digest.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51869326452_1802749e9e_k.jpg)
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I may not care either, once I see them in the flesh. Well, in the plastic, anyway...
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‘Tis true, viewed ‘in the flesh’ is always better but the photos, both Mick’s and Rubicon’s own, suggest the barrel forward of the hand guards to be almost or as long as the hand guards themselves, whereas, in reality, they are half that length.
Harder to tell from the photos, maybe Mick can answer this. Do the M16s have rifle slings attached? A couple of them seem to.
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Nice work 8)
A question about the uniforms; they look very grey(I am colour blind however ) ,is this normal,or the colour they fade out to?
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@Carlos The M16 have slings.
@Blackwolf
I have been experimenting with greens. New clean uniforms were a blue grey tone of green.
Those figures are painted with Vallejo German Uniform 70.920. They were given a wash of Citadel Coelia Greenshade which is a blue green.
I think they are slightly too blue.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51869326452_1802749e9e_k.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Marine_in_Vietnam_era_uniform.JPEG) (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/14157798613_3bbfdd54a5_z.jpg)
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That’s very interesting, thanks :)
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Got my Marines and VC today. Man, all kinds of possibilities - even a hand with a cigar (since I smoke them, some of my minis do too... :D). FYI (and apologies if this has already been mentioned), the VC box comes with 24 male fighters and 8 female fighters...
They are def going toward the top of my painting queue...
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FYI (and apologies if this has already been mentioned), the VC box comes with 24 male fighters and 8 female
Yeah , it’s a long but steady path to obtaining gender equality.
Made Mao caps from green stuff before but this time round I’m going to look for a replacement source, as most of mine when I get around to buying some will be used as Khmer Rouge as opponents for the Empress PAVN. I don’t fancy making another 30 odd Mao caps.
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New try to get the US uniform colour right.
The jackets and trousers have been painted with Vallejo Model Colour paints with Citadel shade washes.
1. Luftwaffe Camouflage Green 70.823 with wash of Coelia Greenshade.
2. Luftwaffe Camouflage Green 70.823 with wash of Athonian Camoshade.
3. US Dark Green 70.893 with wash of Coelia Greenshade.
4. US Dark Green 70.893 with wash of mixture 50:50 Coelia Greenshade & Athonian Camoshade.
5. German Uniform 70.920 with wash of Athonian Camoshade.
6. German Uniform 70.920 with wash of Coelia Greenshade.
7. German Uniform 70.920 with wash of mixture 50:50 Coelia Greenshade & Athonian Camoshade.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51879330328_520127e8d4_o.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Marine_in_Vietnam_era_uniform.JPEG) (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/14157798613_3bbfdd54a5_z.jpg)
I think 4,5, 6 and 7 all work, but I am not sure which is my favourite.
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They all look good, Mick! Varying shades of wear and dyes. But I especially like #s 2, 4, 5, and 7...
If it matters, for my Empress US chaps, I used Citadel Base Death Guard Green for the uniforms. I used Vallejo Model Color Panzer Series US Olive (70.887) for most of the web gear, and Citadel Base Death World Forest for the flak jackets. I know the Citadel stuff ain't historical, but they gave the right colors for my tastes for the figs, and that's what I'm gonna try on the Rubicon boys.
Also, I use a hand brush to apply all the paints. Only use a rattle can for primer and matte varnish. No airbrushes. I shade using a black wash with a mix of ink wash and floor finish. I then drybrush the highlights with a very light tan. Then I apply a matte varnish. And I do a very basic neutral flock on the bases. This process works for me, anyway...
I may get another box of VC, and use some of the figs to kitbash Ruff Puffs. Some of the VC bodies, with a mix of Rubicon M16s, AKs, and Perry WW2 GI carbines and BARs. Bare heads and bush hats for those guys...
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The idea of kit bashing Ruff Puffs is interesting. I may try that.
I have some Perry Afrika Korps sprues somewhere so I may try to make some early VC with WW2 German weapons.
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The idea of kit bashing Ruff Puffs is interesting. I may try that.
I have some Perry Afrika Korps sprues somewhere so I may try to make some early VC with WW2 German weapons.
Ooh! And I may try that a bit when I do up my VC. I just picked up a box of the Perry DAK guys.
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Actually that’s the major criticism I would have of the Rubicon VC. They are too well armed for what they are wearing. The various Warlord sprues have M1944 carbines, Mausers, M1 Garands, M1 carbines and Thompson guns.
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Thanks for the colour guide.
Like CapnJim, I have used Snot Womble green (in my case from a can) as the base colour.
Colour Scheme
Uniform: Citadel Death Guard Green (spray).
Webbing and pouches: Citadel Karak Stone
Boots and Water bottle: Vallejo Leather Brown
Rifle, radio and grenades: Citadel Abaddon Black
Flack Jacket: Citadel Death World Forest
Helmet camouflage: Citadel Steel Legion Drab and Zandri Dust
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So I have to get a box of Perry DAK figures then!
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Wait a day or two - if I can find the Perry DAK sprues, I can check if they fit nicely to the Rubicon figures.
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I plan to do that too, this afternoon. I too will report back in here...
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I found a Perry DAK sprue and a Warlord winter Germans sprue.
The Perry DAK are small and slender.
The weapons appear to be 10% smaller than the Rubicon weapons.
Worse still, the distance between the shoulders is significantly less than the Rubicon VC & USMC.
The Warlord figures have a more cartoony style with very large hands and huge weapons.
Unfortunately I don't think that either will work.
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Well, I put together a squad of VC today. Of the 10, 8 were straight out of the box. The other 2, well...
...I have parts of boxes of Warlord's original German Infantry and American Infantry (the ones with the separate arms and weapons). I put one chap together with a German Mauser, and another with a US carbine. See the pic below.
The good news is that the arms actually fit pretty well. The bad news (if this matters to folks), is that the carbine looks a bit big...I'm gonna paint them up as they are, and see what they look like finished.
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Thanks for the info. I will play arround with the figures , too as soon as they reach me.
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I particulaly like those last two, especially the bloke on the left.
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Indded the lkast two are rather nice. The postman just visited and droped of a box from Rubicon.... So I will have a go soon , too.
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Following my experiments with US Olive Green, I have repainted the uniforms of 36 USMC.
These are German Uniform 70.920 with wash of mixture 50:50 Coelia Greenshade & Athonian Camoshade.
Then highlighted with German Uniform lightened with 25% Stone Grey.
Empress Miniatures Full Metal Jacket
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890864079_19290552cd_o.jpg)
Rubicon Models
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891181265_c63d3ed96e_o.jpg)
Gringos40s
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890864044_7cf1fbce80_o.jpg)
Empress Rubicon Gringos
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51890528686_17a0cee50d_o.jpg)
Real Uniforms to compare
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Marine_in_Vietnam_era_uniform.JPEG) (https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/14157798613_3bbfdd54a5_z.jpg)
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Thanks for the comparison photos. Painting, which is excellent BTW, does blend the size difference.
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Update on my build something contest entry.
After a good start there was a long pause because I was busy with other things.
I picked the project up again on Sunday and made a corner of a US Vietnam base with XPS foam.
I tried to texture this with a a hot air gun but the results were unexpected and frustrating.
Gaps are forced open and joints peel back.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51913310432_cb7d9ed460_o.jpg)
Here is the finished layout before painting. I covered the surface with ground cork.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51914370568_8ba3c1bde7_o.jpg)
This is the last post before submission. More after the competition is finished.
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The firebase looks awesome! Great work!
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very nice start on the base
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Now I am knocked out of the BSC 2022 competition, I can show some pictures.
Here is the whole thing with some 28mm Rubicon figures and Bob Mack 3D printed M113 ACAV and M551 Sheridan.
The idea is that it can form the corner of a wargames table. A second tile with a gate could also be added.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52009474717_a67574b6ab_o.jpg)
And here is a close up of the rest area part.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52011015770_c3829f9d66_o.jpg)
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Looks good to me. Well done, Mick!
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Indeed, very nicely done! You must have built up quite a fair chunk of Vietnam in miniature by now.
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very nice indeed
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Thank-you everybody.
@Carlos - I do plan to make some Paddy Fields and Banana Trees to complete the scenery.
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Some of you may already have seen that my Vietnam Book is taking shape and has been officially announced by Military Miniature Press.
The manuscript is complete in draft form, there is a cover design proposal and there is an illustrator working on camouflage uniform illustrations.
There is still a lot to do including collecting pictures from manufacturers and guest modellers.
Here is the link.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=137281.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=137281.0)
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Nice to hear!!
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Here is the selected cover design.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52190744490_03107899b6_o.jpg)
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looking really good. Can't wait to hold it in my hands!
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I'll definitely be looking for that once it's out...
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Here is a long overdue update on the progress of the book.
Military Miniature Press are being very supportive and have commissioned an illustrator, a book cover designer and a cartographer.
The book has a cover design and the illustrator has prepared 20 drawings of camouflage uniforms.
I submitted the manuscript for the first time in April.
This was reviewed by the publisher and then we agreed to push for end September launch.
The book went out for peer reading and was read by the publisher, a Vietnam War veteran and a well known maker of Vietnam War models.
Based on the feedback from the peer readers and the veteran, I have rewritten some parts and added some more tutorials.
I submitted the final 42,500 word main text this weekend.
The plan is to include 250 pictures. I have a lot more so there is quite a task to work out what is needed where.
I have some pictures from Empress, Gringos and Pendraken to supplement my work.
I also have access to some historical US Department of Defence pictures.
I have recently been given 37 superb photographs from a militaria collector showing uniforms, insignia and equipment.
I am currently working on picture captions and specifying where the pictures go in the text. I am about a third of the way through this task.
I plan to get everything handed over within the next week or two.
The book is up for presale already and is due to be launched 30th September in USA. It will be available as a PDF and a physical book.
It will be printed in the USA, so I guess that printed copies will be available a month or two later in Europe.
If anybody has pictures of NVA or Australian uniforms, this would be helpful.
I could use Australian Army pictures but they cost about Aus$ 180 each for the license, so I won't be using them.
Mick
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Looking forward to this one, well done for all your hard work.
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Thanks Ash - I promise that some of your pictures will be in the final book.
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Since March 2020, I have been doing this huge Vietnam project, which started with a few Gringo 40s and Empress figures.
It evolved via XPS terrain building and 3d printing into a series of tutorials in Military Miniature magazine and then became a book.
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/
The book is now at the layout stage and will be available as an eBook and PDF by the end of October.
There will be a softback book as well.
I have sent in one round of edits on the whole book and second round on the first three chapters. It is going to look amazing.
Depending on the layout team, my part will be finished in a few days.
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Any European Trader for it??? Or PoD??? Ordering in America with P&P and Tax will nearly double the prize.
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There will be a European distributor but you may have to wait until early 2023 until they have stock.
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Military Miniatures have a special offer for UK and Europe.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138583.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138583.0)
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Is there going to be similar for Australia and New Zealand?
Military Miniatures have a special offer for UK and Europe.
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138583.0 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=138583.0)
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@Poiter50- I suggest you email Samantha directly.
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:)
@Poiter50- I suggest you email Samantha directly.
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Here are some sample pages
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/ (https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/)
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cool !! really looking foreward to get my copy
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Flip through of the book
https://www.facebook.com/militaryminiature/videos/375389094714647 (https://www.facebook.com/militaryminiature/videos/375389094714647)
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Hi Mick, book looks impressive. Is there any coverage of the Australians?
Some time back, my partner; who is a veteran journalist, did a special for the 40th anniversary of the Long Tan battle, and I got to meet Roberts, Buick, Smith etc. Went to the dedication of the memorial in Canberra. So I have been 3d printing Australian M113, (BobMack3d), Hueys, purchasing Empress Minis and making up banana plantations. (I snuck in a Rubicon Centurion as one of my mates was an Aussie tankie, though it's not right for Long Tan). All I need is a distant sound track of Little Pattie and Col Joye...
I'm also thinking about Coral (another bloke, whose book she edited, was there). But what we really want to know.. is what was the colour of the mud at Long Tan.. :)
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Red laterite.
Hi Mick, book looks impressive. Is there any coverage of the Australians?
Some time back, my partner; who is a veteran journalist, did a special for the 40th anniversary of the Long Tan battle, and I got to meet Roberts, Buick, Smith etc. Went to the dedication of the memorial in Canberra. So I have been 3d printing Australian M113, (BobMack3d), Hueys, purchasing Empress Minis and making up banana plantations. (I snuck in a Rubicon Centurion as one of my mates was an Aussie tankie, though it's not right for Long Tan). All I need is a distant sound track of Little Pattie and Col Joye...
I'm also thinking about Coral (another bloke, whose book she edited, was there). But what we really want to know.. is what was the colour of the mud at Long Tan.. :)
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Dear Shahbahraz,
Australians and Australian SASR are covered, with a painting guide.
There is less detail than the US, ARVN and NVA, because I was not able to obtain pictures of real Australian uniforms.
Mick
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Really? You should have said so, there are heaps at the AWM site. Worse come to worst, I could have re-possessed my old Vietnam era shirt from my daughter and taken happy snaps.
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I looked into AWM but license fees are about US$ 150 per picture for a book.
I mostly funded this book project myself, so did not budget money for picture licenses.
(Based on Crowood's rates, I would need to sell 200 books per picture that I use. My German book sold about 1500 over 3 years)
I only used pictures from free sources. Many painters and wargames companies allowed me to use their pictures.
I had support from militaria collectors - Geoff Liebrandt let me use 40 pictures from his extensive collection.
I also can use US military pictures that are in the public domain (Wikimedia has a lot of these, and the supporting proof).
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All I need is a distant sound track of Little Pattie and Col Joye...
Trust me, you really fucking don’t. Then again it could have been worse. Frank Ifield anyone? ;)
I think red laterite is the winning answer. Photos around the cross show reddish soil. Just bear in mind photos of the battle show heavy leaf fall. In part the normal leaf fall augmented by the effects of the artillery.
If you are inclined to masochism…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNXHgj5qiuI
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Are there plans to release the book in the US?
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SPECIAL OFFER ON MY NEW VIETNAM BOOK FOR UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ. – ENDS 31st OCTOBER.
The book will be launched as PDF and ePub on 1st November. It will also be a softback in USA on 1st November. There will be a European distributor, but softback books in UK, Europe & Australia are at least six months away as they will be by a different printer & distributor.
However, up to 31st October there is a special deal of PDF now and physical book in six months. This is processed manually so send an email to samantha@militaryminiature.com. Samantha will send a PDF on 1st November and a physical book when they are available. Postage to UK is only 5 GBP shipping, 8 Euro to EU, and 9.95 AUS to Australia & New Zealand.
Here is a new longer video with some terrain projects and Wagner.
https://youtu.be/6PoqF5nPSag (https://youtu.be/6PoqF5nPSag)
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Are there plans to release the book in the US?
It is being launched and printed in USA, by an American Publisher.
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/ (https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/)
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Here is the first review of my new book.
https://crazywargameadventures.blogspot.com/2022/10/modeling-and-painting-vietnam-wargames.html?m=1 (https://crazywargameadventures.blogspot.com/2022/10/modeling-and-painting-vietnam-wargames.html?m=1)
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Thanks, Mick. I'll have to see about getting a copy when it's released over here next month.
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Thanks, Mick. I'll have to see about getting a copy when it's released over here next month.
yeah i went to look at a hard copy and was somewhat surprised that shipping was $67. The US really doesn't do small business trading b2c with the rest of the world. Benefits of a huge domestic market I guess.
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@ Shahbahrez
Have a look at this special offer.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ. – ENDS 31st OCTOBER.
The book will be launched as PDF and ePub on 1st November. It will also be a softback in USA on 1st November. There will be a European distributor, but softback books in UK, Europe & Australia are at least six months away as they will be by a different printer & distributor.
However, up to 31st October there is a special deal of PDF now and physical book in six months. This is processed manually so send an email to samantha@militaryminiature.com. Samantha will send a PDF on 1st November and a physical book when they are available. Postage to UK is only 5 GBP shipping, 8 Euro to EU, and 9.95 AUS to Australia & New Zealand.
For UK customers, the total is about £36. The pdf is free with this offer, so it's the cost of the book US$ 34.95 (i.e. about £31 today) plus £5.00 shipping.
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ENDS midnight 31st OCTOBER - SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ.
The book will be launched as PDF and ePub on 1st November. It will also be a softback in USA on 1st November. There will be a European distributor, but softback books in UK, Europe & Australia are at least six months away as they will be by a different printer & distributor.
However, up to 31st October there is a special deal of PDF now and physical book in six months. This is processed manually so send an email to samantha@militaryminiature.com. Samantha will send a PDF on 1st November and a physical book when they are available. Postage to UK is only 5 GBP shipping, 8 Euro to EU, and 9.95 AUS to Australia & New Zealand.
For UK customers, the total is about £36. The pdf is free with this offer, so it's the cost of the book US$ 34.95 (i.e. about £31 today) plus £5.00 shipping.
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/
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New video flip through of the printed book
https://fb.watch/gAsMCWT8TP/ (https://fb.watch/gAsMCWT8TP/)
US CUSTOMERS
Only 60 copies left of the first run of Modeling and Painting Vietnam Wargames! Don't miss out!
UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ
For non-US customers special offer ends 11/9 at midnight EST! SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ. – ENDS 9th November.
The book will be launched as PDF and ePub on 1st November. It will also be a softback in USA on 1st November. There will be a European distributor, but softback books in UK, Europe & Australia are at least six months away as they will be by a different printer & distributor.
However, up to 9th November there is a special deal of PDF now and physical book in six months. This is processed manually so send an email to samantha@militaryminiature.com. Samantha will send a PDF on or after 1st November and a physical book when they are available. Postage to UK is only 5 GBP shipping, 8 Euro to EU, and 9.95 AUS to Australia & New Zealand.
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/ (https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/)
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Send a mail to MMP, but never became an answer. Had to order manually as European and must wait six Month. But without an answer I won‘t get no PDF as preview. Not the service I expected.
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@NurgleHH
Please PM me with your email address and I will contact MM Press.
Mick
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Send a mail to MMP, but never became an answer. Had to order manually as European and must wait six Month. But without an answer I won‘t get no PDF as preview. Not the service I expected.
Hi. Apologies you been having difficulty in contacting MMP. We've responded to all our international requests so far that we have received. I also checked our spam folder but don't show anything. If you haven't already PM Michael Farnworth please re-send an email request to samantha@militaryminiature.com and we will get you set up with the offer immediately.
Thanks, Samantha Rife, Military Miniature
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I did my first ever podcast on Saturday.
Here it is
https://manbattlestations.libsyn.com/episode-70-michael-mick-farnworth-interview (https://manbattlestations.libsyn.com/episode-70-michael-mick-farnworth-interview)
I do go off at a tangent a few times but overall I am pleased with it.
Mick
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I caught you on the Man Battle Stations podcast.
Good interview and thanks for going on the show with Ruckdog.
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@Easy E,
Thank-you. I am glad you enjoyed it.
That way my first ever Podcast interview and done in one take.
I will be better prepared for the next one so that I don't drift off at a tangent. (about 1946 etc).
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@NurgleHH
Please PM me with your email address and I will contact MM Press.
Mick
Everything is good, they contacted me and I got the pre-pdf. Thanks you Mick. Great book
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@NurgleHH
I am glad that the problem has been resolved. And pleased that you like the book.
Thank-you
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I think the titel is a bit wrong, because it is more a all-in-one-book for vietnam gaming and modelling. Not just painting. Great work, your best book in the moment, wait for the next
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I received seven new kits from Rubicon and I will be building them and sharing notes here.
M102 105mm Light Howitzer. My first ever modern artillery piece. I had to study the instructions very carefully.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512493890_c905a9f921_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512285664_5bc6273b6b_o.jpg)
BTR60 which can be built as PA (unpainted) or PB (green) versions. This is a really lovely kit.
The tyres are rubber.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512016601_9a697fd47b_o.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512016616_939de32266_o.jpg)
PAVN
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512494000_8fff52c0a3_o.jpg)
US Army
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52512285709_c92f6f35e5_o.jpg)
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Those look pretty good, especially the BTR.
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I agree with trev, but would be curious to see the figures compared to other ranges.
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@FreakyFenton
There are comparisons on page 11 and page 13
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Oh yep! Been a while since I went through! Thank you, they scale well, despite the more realistic proportions of the Rubicon figures.
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Wargames Illustrated have a review of my new Vietnam book in their January 2022 edition, number 421 on page 18. You can see it at 1.37 minute in the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aU39lnI8Do
Military Miniature still have about 50 softback books for customers in USA. They also have PDF and ePub available for customers worldwide.
https://militaryminiaturepress.com/product/modeling-painting-vietnam-wargames/
There will be a European print run in 2023. This is already listed on Amazon but probably not available until February at best.
SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK, EU, AUSTRALIA & NZ - ENDS midnight 31st DECEMBER 2022
Military Miniature has extended their special deal for EU and Australia of PDF now and physical book in six months. This is processed manually so send an email to samantha@militaryminiature.com. Samantha will send a PDF on 1st November and a physical book when they are available. Postage to UK is only 5 GBP shipping, 8 Euro to EU, and 9.95 AUS to Australia & New Zealand. For UK customers, the total is about £36. The pdf is free with this offer, so it's the cost of the book US$ 34.95 (i.e. about £31 today) plus £5.00 shipping.
UK
Caliver Books in England are the only European stockist with books at the moment.
https://caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?p9m5l6m37chjtvdtliejfk54o7&id=29675
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As Patton said in the bespoke movie..."I read your book!". And a lovely, very helpful book it is.
I have the US Army and NVA sets on pre-order. :D
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Thank-you CapnJim
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Hello everybody,
I have an important update - Military Miniatures Press is closing down. They are a victim of the post-Covid slowdown.
Here is the announcement from the CEO.
"It is with sincerest regret that we are announcing the closure of Military Miniature Press. With the closure of the magazine earlier this year, the current economic situation, extremely low book sales, and the skyrocketing cost of postage and printing we find we are unable to continue with the Press. This was further compounded personally by the death of my mother in late June and the cost of the funeral which completely drained our savings until we receive the insurance funds. We have discussed this already with Mick and are returning his manuscript back to his personal ownership. You can reach out to him as he is seeking other avenues to distribute. We will soon be sending an update as to the status of refunds once we hear back from Mick as to his distribution status."
I am in discussions with Caliver to print the book in England. We have received the print files, and are solving some technical details moving from USA book sizes to European standard sizes. I understand that here are 30 people who ordered the PDF now book later deal in December. Once the technical and commercial details are solved, Caliver will print the book. This will have a new ISBN number etc.
I hope that we can fulfil the outstanding orders and also get the book available for sale soon.
Mick
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Hi Mick,
maybe it helps, when you know that CHaosium is printing their stuff in Poland. It seems that some members of Chaosium live in Berlin, so you can get some help from them. Wargaming and Roleplaying buisiness is so small, that all should help each other. And the Chaosium-Books have the US-sizes.
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@NurgleHH,
I live in Switzerland and the customers are mostly UK and USA, so it is not economically viable for me to distribute the book myself.
I hope that things will work out with Caliver. Dave has quite a good distribution network as well as printing contacts.
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Hope things work out for you Mick. Caliver have a decidedly mixed reputation with customers and former customers.
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Good luck, Mick. As they say, s**t happens...
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Good luck.
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Thank-you for the good luck messages.
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I have some good news. My book has been republished by Partizan Press and is available from today.
Dave from Caliver received stock this morning.
VIETNAM WARGAMES: Modelling & Painting
Farnworth, M. 150p. large format full colour. How to paint figures, cammo schemes, modelling vehicles, boats and terrain etc. include tutorials on painting 12mm to 28mm miniatures from the American, French, Anzac, and North and South Vietnamese armies. NOW PUBLISHED BY PARTIZAN PRESS £29.95.
https://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?&id=30124 (https://www.caliverbooks.com/bookview.php?&id=30124)
I will fulfil the 30 outstanding orders from the previous publisher, but I am still waiting for a list of names and addresses so, please be patient for a little longer.
If you are one of them, please message me.
Best Regards
Mick
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(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53173943412_e538e6a0d5_h.jpg)
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Now that my Vietnam Book is back in print, I have tried to clean up the messy ending of the previous publisher.
When Military Miniature Press closed down I managed to get a list of 24 people who had paid for books but not received them.
In theory this is not my responsibility as they closed without paying me either, but my name is on the cover, so I feel a moral obligation.
I have tracked down these customers and have arranged for the books to be sent at my cost.
This was quite an expensive exercise but I felt it was important that the orders were fulfilled.
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SO, there is the question of refunding with paypal. I paid with paypal, but never get my book. So, I think about escalation via Paypal. Maybe a lot more can go this way. I will ask at Paypal.
Update: You can only get help in 180 days in a conflict. This way won't help....
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Dear Nurglehh.
Please send me a message with your name and address and I will check with Military Miniature to track your order.
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That's nice of you to do that. Pity Military Miniatures Press couldn't have been more ethical.
I ordered your book back then and I was one who got it. It's a very good book, enjoyed it.
I game the late war in 6mm - North v.s. South, more balanced than battles between the US and VC/NVA.
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@MGH
It wasn't really a question of ethics.
Military Miniature was essentially a start up trying to get a US wargaming magazine & book publisher up and running.
They delivered the Vietnam books to US customers.
The problem came with customers in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where they had a PDF now and book later deal.
MM had made a global distribution deal with a major publisher, but that fell through in the post pandemic recession.
When that fell through they just ran out of money and closed down.