Mike Bravo Miniatures: Updates etc (28mm Moderns)

[Mike Bravo Minis]

 

Funnily enough one of the audition sculpts I got Robi to do was a 'Nam Marine figure.  Maybe I should get some worked up as Cheltenham Irregulars...!

[Oldgamer]

Well, there is a gap in the market for decent 'Nam figures in 28mms.

[Ray Earle]

Looking good. If I remember correctly wasn't Robi sculpting a range of 'nam marines for someone?..

[Mike Bravo Minis]

Not sure Ray, I'll ask him. He didn't mention anything to me but I haven't discussed 'Nam with him for a fair few months now. he did the Baker Co range back in the day I think didn't he?  He seemed keen to have another crack.

But the scale of the undertaking is daunting... I did draw up a draft list of figures for ARVN, USMC and early Army but I ran out of imaginary money though. I don't want to start things I couldnt be sure of completing - there's enough half finished ranges out there without adding to the mix 

We'll see what the next 6 months does and how much is in the kitty for new ideas.

[carlos marighela]

Well, there is a gap in the market for decent 'Nam figures in 28mms.

Judging by the figure above, it's not likely to be filled any time soon, alas.

I was surprised, with last year being the 50th anniversary of major ground troops commitment by the US and Australia to SVN that nobody sought to cash in... er commemorate the event. Fiftieth anniversary of Long Tan this year too.

TAG seems to have the best available range, if you can overlook the 6 foot six M60s . FoA garner a lot of praise but I'm really not sure if John is making anything these days. The bits that really are missing are early war USMC, with flak jackets OG107 utilities and M-14s and South Vietnamese for any period. Both could do service outside of Vietnam, albeit lesser and more niche stuff for the marines. ARVN with carbines and M1 rifles would make excellent proxies for a whole range of troops. ARVN with M16s could stand in for a number of Latin American militaries into the 1970s/ early '80s.  Always surprised me that so little exists, in an age where the Carlist Wars, Chaco War and Colombian figures for Simon Bolivar's Wars exist.

[Poiter50]

Try Commando HQ's Indonesians for ARVN, not a full range but may suit.

Judging by the figure above, it's not likely to be filled any time soon, alas.

I was surprised, with last year being the 50th anniversary of major ground troops commitment by the US and Australia to SVN that nobody sought to cash in... er commemorate the event. Fiftieth anniversary of Long Tan this year too.

TAG seems to have the best available range, if you can overlook the 6 foot six M60s . FoA garner a lot of praise but I'm really not sure if John is making anything these days. The bits that really are missing are early war USMC, with flak jackets OG107 utilities and M-14s and South Vietnamese for any period. Both could do service outside of Vietnam, albeit lesser and more niche stuff for the marines. ARVN with carbines and M1 rifles would make excellent proxies for a whole range of troops. ARVN with M16s could stand in for a number of Latin American militaries into the 1970s/ early '80s.  Always surprised me that so little exists, in an age where the Carlist Wars, Chaco War and Colombian figures for Simon Bolivar's Wars exist.

[Arlequín]

I was also surprised at the non-event too, it would have diluted a whole year of Agincourt and Waterloo. 

I've also always been surprised at the lack of ARVN figures in what ranges there are too. For me the 'Bright Shining Lie/Go Tell The Spartans' advisory period offers a much more interesting scenario than the 'Platoon/FMJ/Tour of Duty' later period.

I'll accept that a comprehensive Vietnam range is a big undertaking... but do they always have start with U.S. M16/M60 equipped infantry and some token AK47 armed VC/NVA for them to shoot up?

[Ray Earle]

Ah, it was Force of arms. I remember briefly having a chat with John about it at Partizan in the park (tent), so that must have been nearly two years ago now? 

I think it was a range of marines for the Tet offensive.

Anyway, enough about the 'Nam. How do I go about giving you money for those squaddies and their opponents? 

[Mike Bravo Minis]

Carlos: Oooof!!      (not my favourite either)

Arlequin:  Agree. I've stayed away for now as I didn't want our first efforts to be 'that figure line that never got finished' but if we get around to it then it'd probably be as a discrete effort like ARVN, with a view to Latin America  etc (and maybe that's actually what I'd look at rather having them as specifically ARVN? ).

Any hoo,  for 'Nam I'm assuming the people who bought and rebranded the Red Star Indochina line will cover it?

Ray, you can chuck money my way any time you want  but I will wait until I've got something back from the casters (this week I guess) and stick up a Commercial thread when we're open for business. Robi is working on some more poses now.

[sotek486]

I really want your reporter models --- any idea or estimate on when they will be available?

[Mike Bravo Minis]

same time line - currently being cast so 'very soon'.

[Marine0846]

I would really like to see a line of ARVN troops.
That would really be cool.
Am looking forward to your news reporters.

[Ray Earle]

Ray, you can chuck money my way any time you want  but I will wait until I've got something back from the casters (this week I guess) and stick up a Commercial thread when we're open for business. Robi is working on some more poses now.

Ah, yeah, alright. Fair point. Maybe I'll wait...   

[Harry von Fleischmann]

Just to endorse ARVN and one or two advisors, especially if the ARVN can be used as, say South American types. The missions at the back of Recon are made for this - and the Indon Para Commandos. A few Ruff-Puff tunes with grease guns and M1s would be fun and could be used as rebels, bandits, mercs, the list goes on.....

[sotek486]

same time line - currently being cast so 'very soon'.

Thank you ... I'm figuratively waving my money in the air in line