(Commercial) 28mm 'State of Emergency' Range/Winter '79 chat

[Arlequín]

Radio is my fault, the reference pics I sent to Robi didn't have one.  Would all constables have had them?  

Ref the headwear choice, I think we'll do a mix of helmet and flat caps, with spare heads to swap around as people see fit.  

Unless they were not on patrol (in station, attending some formal function etc), or on riot duty (when only the section leader had one), everybody carried a radio. There were several different types, each force having different ones. This was a common one and seems to be the one Dixon is using.


Burndept 470... some good photos here; http://avonsomersetpolice.blogspot.com.es/2015/07/equipment.html

My force never bought the mike/speaker/aerial attachment, so we usually clipped the radio onto our collars, or much more rarely used the nylon yoke harness that sat the radio in the middle of your chest (or bounced it in your face if you needed to run, or could be grabbed).

The one shown in the picture of Dixon has the main unit worn on the trouser belt (left or right as preferred) under the jacket, so only the mike/speaker unit can be seen. There was obviously a small bulge wherever it was under the jacket. I recommend this, otherwise just the radio could be too prominent on the figure and 'draw the eye' too much.

Helmet or cap is a good call, the beret would be no different to the army type, and as all AFOs were almost always ex-servicemen in any case, were worn 'forces' style.

I knew he was a member of the Labour Party but I never knew that Harry H Corbett was a miner or active in the NUM. Guess he must have fallen on hard times after Steptoe and Son. Good to have another career to fall back on.  

I can't help seeing the copper as a young 'call me Dave'.

On another note, you can see all the numbers and division letters have been removed from the epaulettes, so as to foil identification in press photos. You couldn't stitch the epaulettes down on the mac as it ruined the waterproofing.

[carlos marighela]

I can't help seeing the copper as a young 'call me Dave'.

 

Extra points to you for the most elaborate pigs head gag imaginable.

Speaking of radios, if you are doing more squaddies in IS gear then ask your sculptor to add personal radios. The Pye Pocketfone was the standard item in the '70s/80s. They were also issued to a number of police forces, so it might make sense to make the one master. Same set up, so pretty much indistinguishable from the model in Arlequin's photo in 28mm.

[Mike Bravo Minis]

Good calls both.  Thank you again. 

[Arlequín]

You're welcome.

I don't like nitpicking, but I thought you'd appreciate someone piping up before moulds were made and figures cast. Looking forwards to seeing the completed model.

 

Extra points to you for the most elaborate pigs head gag imaginable.

Completely unintended and coincidental I assure you. Sometimes history does it all for you. 

[Chris Abbey]

I painted up my first section of these excellent miniatures from Mike Bravo a couple of weeks ago and they almost immediately got themselves involved in a firefight attempting to liberate the sleepy market town of Abermule.

More pictures and after action report at: http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/Hobby-Pages/Hobby-Blog/Combat-Patrol-1979-Winter-of-Discontent-Op-Gargoyle

[The Gray Ghost]

Awesome report

[Mike Bravo Minis]

Cheers Chris, good to see the guys in action.

Latest off the Robi production line:



Squaddies next in the queue.

[The Gray Ghost]

 
How soon will these be available?

[Arlequín]

Very nice figures... 

... but how are they carrying their ammo?   

[Mike Bravo Minis]

So you want the Treasury to have ponied up for weapons AND ammo? This isn't a fantasy ruleset y'know!  

Will see what I can do later on.

[Arlequín]

I could already see their miserly hand at work with the Bren, as it's a .303 rather than 7.62 (old ammo stocks cost nothing to use up). I take it traffic wardens are toting SMLEs.

 

[The Gray Ghost]

I like them the way they are, looks like they have been hastily pressed into service.

So you want the Treasury to have ponied up for weapons AND ammo? This isn't a fantasy ruleset y'know!  

Will see what I can do later on.

[carlos marighela]

I could already see their miserly hand at work with the Bren, as it's a .303 rather than 7.62 (old ammo stocks cost nothing to use up). I take it traffic wardens are toting SMLEs.

 

Why would you need to arm traffic wardens? Quite effective unarmed.

[Mike Bravo Minis]

Just by way of update on progress, latest greens here:

http://mikebravominiatures.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/w79-bravogogo-progress-report.html?m=1

Taster:


(Some of the weapons, ie sterling stock, L4 magazine and gpmg pistol grip are being corrected)
Rest of the planned paramilitaries are next on the sculpting list.

[Arlequín]

Very nice figures indeed. Nice juxtaposition too if you're given the police a 'Bren' and the squaddies an 'L4'.

Granted that they are 'operational', but their RSM will be itching to pass out the odd hairnet. I hope the guy with the beard is a pioneer sergeant too, otherwise... well let's just say the RSM will be awfully rude about his apparent 'transplant'.



Seriously though... top job!