20mm Rhodesians

[Ash]

I maybe punching above my weight with this one, I think to do it properly it'll end up at least 3ft x 3ft, so lots more barrels to cast.

The tubes are to look like heat dispersal pipes for the exhaust.



Mid to late 1970 was when the then Soviet Union was equipping various insurgency groups with Strela-2 MANPADS. First generation of serious heat seekers, that generally locked in on the exhaust/tail pipe. The Rhodesian Air-force, with it's limited access to international markets, due to the UK gov getting the UN to imposes sanctions, produced 'in-house' solutions. It's effectively a long extension pipe attached to the exhaust (which normally puffs out just to the side of the engine), that sits inside another wider pipe. Airflow cools the gases and the extra length also has the benefit of shifting the heat spot away from the engines.
They also fitted similar shielding to their Alouette III helicopters. My understanding is that no aircraft fitted with this system was ever hit by a SAM (flying at 500ft probably helped avoid lock on as well).
Not so lucky their civilian airliners, two of which were shot down.

[juergen c. olk]

nice find,,,

[Ash]

I'm adding to the kitted up paras with three more blokes to make up two sticks (have to imagine the other eight are already on the plane..). A couple with MAGs and a correctly sized FN.

[juergen c. olk]

Look perfect.

[sundayhero]

Great !

If you want to save greenstuff for your bases, use some modelling paste (arts supply) or 3D paint (from liquitex): same result, but easier to use and cheaper

[Ash]

That's not green stuff, I'm too cheap to waste it on bases!
With green stuff, any left over that used to get rolled into little balls and flicked in the general direction of the bin, now gets jammed into a press mold and turned into ammo pouches or water-bottles etc.
This stuff on the bases is Squadron Green Putty.

[sundayhero]

That's not green stuff, I'm too cheap to waste it on bases!

 

I'm as cheap as you, finally 

[Westy38]

Hi Ash.

You might want to lock up your wallet as the RhSAS packs just went live !

http://www.underfireminiatures.com/page18.htm

Regards,

Bill Weston.
www.underfireminiatures.com

[Ash]

I beat you to it, order placed a half hour before your message..! 

[Ash]

Small update:

[DavyJones]

Wow, amazing stuff here. 

[juergen c. olk]

Wonderul work.

[Ash]

Cheers chaps

A few more conversions

[juergen c. olk]

Do you game Ashley with your beautiful figures and vehicles?

[mikedemana]

Do you game Ashley with your beautiful figures and vehicles?

Even if he doesn't, he certainly inspires the rest of us to do so...! 

Mike Demana
www.firstcommandwargames.com
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/