Hoagie's Vietnam war in 15mm (New US figures painted- 2025-08-08)

[HerbertTarkel]

Progress is slow as always but I finally got the UH-34 in the photo booth, as well as two prone VC fighters. I find the VC use of all black clothing quite considerate, a pleasant reprieve from Peadot and Denison smocks.

Where did you find the 15mm UH-34? It looks great!

All your figures are Peter Pig?

[Hoagie]

These are looking great! I'm moving along on my project with you in a parallel, 28mm universe... 

Mike Demana

Thank you Mike! It's been a great surprise to me as well as inspiring that there are quite a few Vietnam projects ongoing like yours! 

[Hoagie]

Where did you find the 15mm UH-34? It looks great!

All your figures are Peter Pig?

Thank you, I was quite pleased with it! I had a friend 3d print it for me off a free stl I found on wargaming3d. It's decently detailed for 15mm scale but it's the decals that really made it pop.

The decals are from: https://helicopter-decals.de/
STL: https://www.wargaming3d.com/product/sikorsky-h-34-helicopter

I have later found out that there is a 1:87/H0 scale plastic model kit H34 from Airpower87 that is commercially available, at least in Europe, that I might buy and build for the fun of it. It might work or it might look a bit too big or brittle for wargaming use.

I'm mixing figs from Battlefront/Flames of war 'Nam and Peter Pig. The Battlefront Vietnam era US infantry (apparently they did two different runs of models, I'm talking about the later one, the "old" sculpts are sold as ARVN nowadays) might be one of their absolute best metal sets, fantastic sculpts and great poses all around. Peter Pig is always my go to for a second supply of 15mm figs to vary up the poses.

[HerbertTarkel]

Thanks Hoagie!

I had some of the FoW first run VN stuff, and the headlamp stars on the NVA regulars were hilarious! 

Agreed on the ARVN and US stuff though, pretty good.

Never owned Peter Pig, but I’m thinking I should try some!

[CapnJim]

More good progress there.  Well done!

[Hoagie]

Finally got to base a bunch of the US grunts, and basically what I need for the first game apart from a vc smg team and few civilians. Miiight be the last finished minis for some time as we're having our second child literally any day now.


The second fireteam


From left: Ammo bearer, m60 gunner, Plt Sgt, RTO, Plt Leader

[LouieN]

Good figures and painting.  What company makes these? 

[Hoagie]

Good figures and painting.  What company makes these? 

Thank you Louie! They are made by Battlefront/Flames of war.

[AKULA]

A great thread - hadnt seen some of those buildings previously
 

[CapnJim]

Those grunts look good.  Well done!

[Hoagie]

A great thread - hadnt seen some of those buildings previously
 

Thank you AKULA, I think they're quite neat. I think these kinds of buildings don't do well at all as 3d prints or mdf (which seems to soon be the only options in 15mm) so I'm happy we still have Peter pig and Timecast in business for good proper resin buildings.

Those grunts look good.  Well done!

Thanks Jim!

[mellis1644]

really impressive. I wish my 15's looked as good.

[mikedemana]

really impressive. I wish my 15's looked as good.

I checked out your blog, Mellis -- very cool. Love the bunnies... 
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming on the Vietnam War... 

Mike Demana

[Hoagie]

really impressive. I wish my 15's looked as good.

Thank you Mellis, I'm glad you like them. I did try to put more effort into painting them compared to my ww2 stuff in 15mm as I'm planning on running very small games with nam68.

Another problem with 15mm is that I don't think I will be able to differentiate them enough to use without labels. I've printed these very simple labels, so for example the leader of the second fire team of 1st squad gets the label 1-2-1 etcetera.

[mikedemana]

If you are set in your squad composition, I would use something on the flocking rather than labels. For example, 1st Squad has rocks on their bases. 2nd Squad bushes, etc. I've never been a fan of lettered labels on the backs of troop bases, but do what pleases you. It's your game!

Mike Demana