28mm Huey in 2.5D

[Geudens]

I'm under great pressure for the moment to finish a Nam demo game for the first weekend of March.  A (totally new set of ) rules must be finished by Friday for first playtest, terrain must be finished and more figures painted.  And then, there's the airlifts to consider...
I do have several Huey 1/48 kits at hand, but it would simply take too much time to build and paint these.  So I toyed with the idea of representing them by card cutouts (not the best solution, but still...) and got carried away a bit.  The 2.5 D result is hopefully convincing...

Huey 2.5D grounded

I Googled for "Huey helicopter line drawing" and one of the results was a perfect side view.  I printed that in b&w on 170 gr paper and cut it out carefully to create a master.  Using thick picture frame card, I then cut out the outline and printed the picture again twice (one as is, one flipped over horizontally), cut these out too and glued them to (both sides of) the picture frame card outline.  I then painted the white outline (thickness) of the card Nato green (with a black nose) and added the landing gear and the rotors.  Landing gear and rotor base are Kallistra hex slots and card strip, but could by made from anything else just as well.  The rotors are balsa wood strips.  I had to add an "antenna" halfway to the tail section to make the thing stand upright on its own on the table.  A small piece of plastic tube at the back of the landing gear takes the flight stand rod. Some more paiting and the job was done.

Huey 2.5D in flight

Colour of landing gear and antenna showing much brighter in pic 2 then it is, but that's due to the light source...


Since I use (Kallistra) hexes for terrain, this 2.5D model (a transport token in our rules) actually allows me to place it in terrain without having to move half my jungle out of the way.  It will also be safer to use than a proper model (should it drop down in game, considering several will be deployed simultaniously).

One done, at least 3 more to go (I estimate half a days's work, all included)....

Rudi

[Lowtardog]

What a cracking idea, especially as they are merely going to drop in and out of the game. I think it is a great idea and may have to steal it for modern games 

[Geudens]

What a cracking idea, especially as they are merely going to drop in and out of the game. I think it is a great idea and may have to steal it for modern games 

Be my guest, by all means!  I actually was going to do that myself too  ànd for SF drops as well...

[carlos marighela]

Clever!

[Geudens]

Forgot to mention: I made the Huey 2.5D in 1/48 scale instead of 28mm, should (later on) real 1/48 scale kits be introduced (as grounded craft). 1/48 fits just about A4 paper.


Rudi

[Luthaaren Von Tegale]

looks good to me.
you could also do the same to represent riverine forces in 'nam or naval elements in other  amphibious ops.

vT

[Geudens]

looks good to me.
you could also do the same to represent riverine forces in 'nam or naval elements in other  amphibious ops.

vT

ho, man...  my riverines will need to be in the thick of battle, figures mounted, so - for me - that's a no go, but still: great thinking!

Rudi

[Silent Invader]

That's a really neat idea that I shall be stealing for my Aliens dropship!

[carlos marighela]

ho, man...  my riverines will need to be in the thick of battle, figures mounted, so - for me - that's a no go, but still: great thinking!

Rudi

Rudi, have a look at Hobby Boss' 1/48 LCM. It's a WWII version but eminently adaptable for Vietnam and the price is pretty good. I've been contemplating picking on up for use in the waterways of Guiné.

http://www.hobbyboss.com/a/en/product/armor/1_48/2010/1127/528.html

[Geudens]

Thanks, Carlos, hadn't seen that one yet.  It's on my want list now to go with Grand Manner's brown water navy (which I do have, still to be painted...).

Rudi

[6milPhil]

Top idea, plus love the idea of 2.5D... trademark it now. 

[Fugazi]

A nice idea for a static background scenery for a vietnam scenario.
Put some full 3D model in the foreground and it will be looks perfect.
Especially in "2D photos" for this or other forums  

[Geudens]

We have now been using the 2.5D Hueys in several testgames and I can state all players were more than satisfied with'm.  On average, the choppers are about 2 turns in game before they disappear again.  Being light, they handle well on the table too.  I must add that my group are very much "tongue in cheeck" guys, so I expected at least some jokes or comments on the appearance of the choppers, but none followed, so I guess they are approved... 

Rudi

[Dan]

I like the idea but as I have several Corgi and a Revell Huey I thought I'd adapt your method and do a top down shadow. That way I can show them hovering and then use the model for when they land.

[Geudens]

I like the idea but as I have several Corgi and a Revell Huey I thought I'd adapt your method and do a top down shadow. That way I can show them hovering and then use the model for when they land.

This is what I originally intended too, but the 2.5D's are convincing enough for the moment so I plan to paint some more figures, vehicles etc before starting to construct my plastic kits at hand.  You know: wargamers and time available... 

Rudi