Tactical Painter's Second World War in 20mm (updated 07 09 25)

[TacticalPainter]

By no means required for a game but I thought a marker to remind players that when a Zero Attack is in effect during the first turn the allied side will find their deployment unpredictable. I had the Zero already made so it’s been a matter of making a suitable base.

The plane is one of the new tool Airfix 1/72 kits and a lovely model it is too.

[CapnJim]

Nice Zero!  Hope he's faster than that bomb blast - be a bummer if he shot himself down....

[TacticalPainter]

Nice Zero!  Hope he's faster than that bomb blast - be a bummer if he shot himself down....

LOL, I don’t think the term ‘danger close’ was ever created with the pilot in mind…..

[TacticalPainter]

Sticking with a Far East theme I've added a few more Japanese in spider holes to make sure I have enough for two squads worth. My first set were from 172 Scale Miniatures and were specific figures made for this. This time around I've raided the spares box for unused figures that might be suitable and found a few prone plastic figures from one of the Waterloo sets and a few figures that were meant to be snipers from 172 Scale Miniatures. I simply cut off the telescopic sights from their rifles. The bases were scratch built. Quick to do and happy with the result.

[CapnJim]

Very nice!  Can the figures be removed, and the covers be put in a closed position?

[TacticalPainter]

Very nice!  Can the figures be removed, and the covers be put in a closed position?

Haha, I like attention to detail but that might be going a step too far! Actually it’s not necessary for Chain of Command as they are not placed on the table prior to play. Once they do appear they remain in play until the figure is killed at which point they are removed (same if they suffer excess shock and break), so no need to have them in any other arrangement than how they are here.

[TacticalPainter]

Working up a few ideas for Line of Communication markers for our Far East games. I've been using trucks in most cases and they do the job just fine but I've wanted to add a bit more life to them, if only to give a bit more of a narrative.

For the British in the early part of the war in the Far East I've repurposed these western desert tankers refuelling for the purpose. I'd assume the RAC tropical uniform was the same anyway. As the marker usually sits on a road it didn't make sense to flock the bases so I themed them to match my roads.





For the Japanese I've used something that may bring back memories for some of you. I have two of the Airfix Jungle Outpost sets and they come with figures leading pack horses. They've been lying in the spares box for some time but now I have a use for them. The poses of the horses are repetitive as are the soldiers but I can't think of a better use for them.





In the case of a more mechanised approach I have this Hasegawa fuel truck and I've used one of the figures from the Orion Japanese Tank Crew set in the same way I've used the AB tank crews. It doesn't take much to add a bit more life and it's amazing how even a single figure makes a difference.

[Utgaard]

They look great 

[Hu Rhu]

Great ideas, both of them.

[Freddy]

Great additions!

[CapnJim]

Very interesting.  And very cool.  Well done!

[jon_1066]

I keep forgetting you are doing all this in 20 mm.  Really great results.  You really take your games to the next level with these little bits.  Are they required for the game? No, you could just plonk a marker down.  Do they really add to the look?  Absolutely.

[TacticalPainter]

Had a busy month travelling and finally got around to finish off a load of Japanese armour that I had started before I left. Six Chi Ha, three of each of the early and late 'Shinhoto' variants from 172 Scale Miniatures. These are resin casts made up of 6-8 parts. I picked them up when they ran a 50% off sale earlier in the year.



Not my favourite kits by any means. A little chunky for my liking, but, in their favour, they make for sturdy game pieces. The early variant is the most disappointing. The very distinctive turret aerials are basic at best and overscale. I may be tempted at some stage to go back and try and find a better solution.



I've always thought the old Airfix Chi Ha has held up very well over time and I'm still convinced that's the case. Having said that, the Shinhoto variant is much better.





These last two are Type 97 tankettes, plastic kits from S-Models. This is a manufacturer that I like a lot. You get two kits in a box and in this case the option to have a 37mm gun or a machine gun as main armament, so I've opted to do one of each.



They are diminutive little tanks when compared with the Chi Ha (which is hardly a big tank itself).



Some useful additions to the Japanese arsenal.



Did I need more of the early variant Chi Ha? Yes and no. I was really taking advantage of the sale but also wanting to ensure I have at least three of each type of tank. That was brought home to me in a game of Chain of Command a few months ago when I needed three of them but had only two of the Airfix kits and had to substitute another tank. I may never need three again for a game, but at least I know that if I do.......

[forrester]

Always good to see the additions to your inspiring collection

[Hu Rhu]

Excellent painting on those Japanese tanks.