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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Kikuchiyo on January 02, 2023, 08:06:13 PM

Title: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 02, 2023, 08:06:13 PM
Looking to build a platoon strength Commando unit in 20mm to use with various rule sets

I've searched through all my options and have now made a start

This lot is mostly AB with the odd conversion

Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 02, 2023, 08:11:36 PM
I have reinforcements (Samples) coming from SHQ, Elhiem, CPmodels, Simons Soldiers and Stonewall/Combat miniatures on their way to help me decide which direction to go.

Would probably just gone with Adler but their RM Commandos are going to be late war in smocks


Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 02, 2023, 08:50:43 PM
miss post for some reason - will update on arrival of the other minis
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Wildman II on January 03, 2023, 06:51:57 PM
Very nice. They would work for 0200 hours in 20mm.
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 03, 2023, 07:37:09 PM
TSHQ minis have arrived but while the gear (Rifles and Burgens) seems to match up well the figures are too slight and heads too small

Nice figures though will save them for another project
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 03, 2023, 07:38:11 PM
Very nice. They would work for 0200 hours in 20mm.

Not a bad idea
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 05, 2023, 05:18:50 PM
Simons packs turned up too, nice minis and closer in scale

Plan is to paint some up and base them before the comparison

Interestingly while there's differences between makers there's also differences wining makers

The AB figures most noticeably
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on January 05, 2023, 09:10:40 PM
Nice-looking minis.  Great job!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 06, 2023, 11:13:12 AM
Here's a scale shot of the first few to arrive

Simons, Older AB and SHQ

Most noticeable difference is the head size of the SHQ - they are tiny, otherwise they are pretty close
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 06, 2023, 11:16:39 AM
The scale difference with the SHQ models was a real disappointment as some of the specialist figures were perfect for the platoon, they have the only standing PIAT model I can find and the only kneeling 2 inch mortar too

So it struck me, as the bodies and gear are closer in scale the solution is a head swap

Here's the first go

SHQ with a Simons soldiers head

It's is about 1.5x bigger
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 06, 2023, 11:21:42 AM
Here with an AB officer
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on January 06, 2023, 04:28:31 PM
I wouldn't let the head sizes bung you up too much.  The rifles look pretty close, and people come in different shapes and sizes... ;)
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 06, 2023, 05:04:46 PM
The head size was tiny, looked like a witch doctor has been at them
 lol

I've some heads from Adler on their way as I've run out of donor models


Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: bluewillow on January 10, 2023, 07:39:25 AM
I use SimonsSoldiers and AB for my commandos, SHQ for vehicle crew.

Cheers
Matt
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 10, 2023, 10:49:41 AM
I have both but I was trying to avoid repetition and I don't use prone figures
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 10, 2023, 07:42:34 PM
All but the elhiem ones have arrived along with a pack of beret heads from Adler

They are something else and on a par with AB, will definitely be getting some of their Germans

As for the others I think I'm going to stick with AB, fill one or two spots with the Simon stuff and see if I can convert some regular AB bits with the Adler heads

Whether I need to sort the bergens for all I will have to do a bit if research
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 11, 2023, 07:15:54 AM
It's a shame the battlefield/blitz stuff is no more they seem to have some nice options
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 21, 2023, 07:39:50 PM
So final plan will be a mix of AB and simons soldiers, 1 pack of elhiem also works, shame they only have riflemen

The remainder will be AB with Adler beret heads

Although I might try and convert pack or two of kelly's heroes
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 21, 2023, 08:19:46 PM
My only other dilemma is the packs

Bergens all round or able to get away with a few p37 packs?

Only been able to find one picture of a commando with a p37 pack, not even sure it's in theatre.
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 27, 2023, 07:35:44 PM
Distinct lack of support options requires conversions
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: bluewillow on January 28, 2023, 08:16:10 AM
Looking good
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 28, 2023, 08:47:54 AM
Thanks

Now, to the PIAT team...
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Wildman II on January 28, 2023, 07:08:19 PM
Very nice conversions and great painting!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on January 29, 2023, 01:18:09 PM
Very nice conversions and great painting!

Thanks. I'm finding the Adler heads very useful add alot of character and help different makers blend together

Here's a wip set

Simon's, AB,Elhiem,Simons,SHQ

Really helps withe the tiny head SHQ head issue
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on January 29, 2023, 06:17:09 PM
Nice work there.  Looking good so far!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on February 03, 2023, 11:34:35 AM
Decided on a PIAT team from SHQ, just needs a head swap
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on February 03, 2023, 05:35:22 PM
Progress so far
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on February 03, 2023, 08:30:35 PM
Once again - so far, so good!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: hayeswauford on February 04, 2023, 12:58:02 PM
Looking really awesome!!!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on February 04, 2023, 05:24:43 PM
Thanks

Still some work to do but I've run out of Beret heads :D
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on February 10, 2023, 11:28:28 AM
Planning to mix in a few of the RM Commando figures when they are released, mixing a few denisons in seems to be ok
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on March 03, 2023, 08:54:26 PM
Reworked the 2" mortar and added another with a  Thompson
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on March 04, 2023, 04:51:36 PM
Nice job on those!
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on March 04, 2023, 05:46:57 PM
Thanks

In preparation for the Adler late war RM Commandos I wanted to have a go at a Denison smock

This one's a real kit bash

Adler Head, CPmodels body and  Burgen from SHQ

I think I managed the look
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: CapnJim on March 10, 2023, 12:38:14 AM
Looks good to me...
Title: Re: WW2 British Commando Platoon in 20mm
Post by: Kikuchiyo on March 10, 2023, 12:55:57 PM
Thanks, I've avoided camouflage so far but in the end I was quite happy with this pattern