CapnJim's Modern Stuff - Balczaki-Soviet Bridge Fight Full AAR - Pg 54-10 Aug 25

[CapnJim]

Looking forward to it.

Well, here they are.  My US late 80s/90s US infantry 3rd squad.  As with the others, they are 28mm and a mix of Stan Johansen Miniatures and MoFo Miniatures.

Here is the Squad Leader and Fire Team A:





Here's Fire Team B:





And here is the whole squad:



That's it for my US stuff for now. Here is a pic of the whole platoon:



I have some diecast helicopters (in both 1/55 and 1/60 scales), including an AH64 apache, 3 UH60 Blackhawks, and a USMC CH-46 Sea Knight.  I should be getting a CH-47 Chinook and a USMC AH1 Cobra in the mail Saturday, so I'll post pics of them after I have all of them on hand.

My US platoon, as well as the UH60s and the AH64 will take part in our planned game next Friday (the 15th).  I plan to post the scenario information in a few days...

[carlos marighela]

Nice looking collection and by the sounds of it quite the armada of choppers.

Makes me realise I should photograph my somewhat earlier US Army, now I have almost finished the M60A3.

[AKULA]

A great looking collection 

[CapnJim]

Thanks, AKULA!

Next up are a Northern Gambolan DShK team, and some diecast US helicopters.  First, the DShK team.  28mm.  The gun and 2 of the figures are a set from Eureka Miniatures.  The 3rd guy (with the tommy gun - it seems he's old school...), is a mashup of Warlord plastics - US Marine body and arms, and a British Para head.  The crate is from a Rubicon stowage set.







Next, I got me some diecast modern US helicopters.  The UH60s, the AH64, and the CH46 are from Miniature Building Authority.  The Brand is InAir.  The AH1 and CH47 are from Amazon, and are SkyPilot.  But it seems that they all are from the same manufacturer - similar packaging and identical flight stands.  The UH60 and CH47 are listed at 1/60 scale, while the AH64 and USMC birds are 1/55.  And they measure out that way.  The pics below show each bird, with one on its flight stand, and one landed (with figures to show relative scale).  They cost me $25 - $30 (US) each.

First is the AH64 Apache Longbow.  It's got 2 rocket pods, 8 ATGMs, and a chin-mounted mini-gun (it swivels and elevates).  I got 1 of these.





Next, the UH60 Blackhawk.  I have 3 of these.  The side doors open a bit.  Looks like enough to mount a side gunner, if I so choose...





Next, the CH47 Chinook (colloquially called the Shithook...).  The rear ramp opens.  I have 1 of these.





Next, we have a USMC AH1 SuperCobra.  It too has 2 rocket pods, 8 ATGMs, and a chin gun (it swivels and elevates, too).





Last, we have a USMC CH46 Sea Knight.  As with the Chinook, the ramp opens.





All in all, I'm happy with these guys.  Some weathering and a few additional decals might be added at some point in the future.  And, I might look at different flight stands.  Until then, i plan to flock these flight stands.

FYI, the DShK team and the UH60s and AH64 will take part in this Friday's game - the US is gonna get another whack at Gen. Isgood in Northern Gambola...

Painting-wise, I have 8 Eureka Miniatures African civilians all primed and ready to go, but they will likely have to wait until early April for paint application, as I will be in Florida visiting me younger brother the last 2 weeks in March (gaming, cigar-smoking, and a bit of drinkin' are on the agenda...).

After that, while we still have a few games to play in Northern Gambola and Balszakistan, my painting efforts will shift to WW2...some US and German troops and vehicles.
 

[carlos marighela]

Wow!

Love the not so headless Roland the Thompson gunner and the incredibly versatile Eureka DshKa.

Those choppers were all originally released by New Ray/ Sky Pilot. Great little models. They also do a 1/55 scale CH- 46 if you feel the need to add marines to the fray.

[AKULA]

Great work - everyone needs a DshKa 

[trev]

Great stuff.  I like the DShK team especially.  Nothing wrong with a Tommy Gun in Africa.

[CapnJim]

Thanks, fellas.  And Carlos, please note that last 2 piccies - and you'll see a CH46! 

[carlos marighela]

Yeah, missed that somehow.

Tell me, did you do some surgery or did yours come with a droppable rear ramp? I have the New Ray CH-46 and the ramp is a solid piece and definitely not hinged. At least the blades fold, which is a boon for storage.

[CapnJim]

Yeah, missed that somehow.

Tell me, did you do some surgery or did yours come with a droppable rear ramp? I have the New Ray CH-46 and the ramp is a solid piece and definitely not hinged. At least the blades fold, which is a boon for storage.

Huh.  Mine came with the droppable ramp already.  So did the CH47.  No surgery required...

[carlos marighela]

OK this is embarrassing. 

In my rush to repaint mine for Vietnam, I had failed to notice that there is indeed a little finger slot that allows you to prise open and lower the rear ramp. Spray paint made it even tighter but with a little persuasion, ta da, it does indeed have a lowerable ramp. Thankfully the inside of the ramp it's already a sort of interior grey so no need to repaint.

[Digits]

Talking of surgery……I still have this to finish off and paint before installing a gunner…may ge5 to it some day!



Keep up the good work fella…sterling stuff here!

[carlos marighela]

Ooh! I like what you have done there. 

I gave that some cursory thought when I purchased mine but thought nah, that's a big job, despite having just the right minis for the gun crew. By the time I had painted it green and spent another $25 on Vietnam specific decals the thought had vanished.

[carlos marighela]

Of course now Jim has pointed it out, part of me wants to go back and detail that ramp. It makes no sense as it will rarely be seen and besides the rest of the interior isn't detailed but I know it can be so it's going to play on my mind.  Bugger.

[CapnJim]

Talking of surgery……I still have this to finish off and paint before installing a gunner…may ge5 to it some day!



Keep up the good work fella…sterling stuff here!

Looking forward to some day seeing what your Sea Knight looks like with the gunner installed...

And carlos, just think about all the other stuff that competes for your wargaming time...