M109 Artillery Update

I need to touch up the Green on the M109A3's to give it more balance, there is a little too much Black and a bit too much tan. They should match the M113's but I was painting under a daylight bulb late on Saturday night. But you all deserve a fresh post.

1/100 DECALS

So I'm after some Charcoal Black US Decals (Stars and Vehicle Numbers) anyone know where I can get them? Or are one of you wonderful readers out there able to make them? 

It's literally just the US Star and some registration Numbers like this...

The Black Stars on the Front and Side

UH-60 BLACKHAWKS

Yup, these have been sitting on my Painting Table along time... Slowly getting there.

Need to find a better Green in the Vallejo Range, trying to match the colour of the Blackhawk below (any suggestions welcome!). More to follow...

WORK ON BOOKS CONTINUES

Dan is working hard, as well as working his Day Job to get the Art work done and we've revised some points costings sensibly to reflect some extra Options (like Half Tank Platoons!). Also don't forget to enter the Caption Competition it's free and you've a decent chance of winning (if you are witty! ). 

US Command Vehicle M577

I've had some little pointers from a friend, about using Nylon Bristles from a Normal domestic Paint Brush and using them to make "Whip Aerials". They look pretty effective.

This M577 is from the expanded Battlefront Vietnam Range. I've done it in the same camo as my earlier M113's.

I really like these models and the 4 for £19 is pretty good value. I will buy another box of these, so I will have a pair as 4.2" Mortar Carriers and an extra one to make the Command M113, this will leave me one spare but I will no doubt use that another NATO list, or making another US Platoon in future.

I'm trying to find out what markings these things had back in 1986 - Specifically the Cavalry. I think I have seen Charcoal coloured Stars rather than the older style White Stars. If anyone can help or has a decent reference or URL available if you could share it in the comments section.

Additions to my US forces in the next 6 months

1. 3 x AAV's
2. 2 x LAV
3. 4 x Abrams M1 or M1A1
4. 6 x BRADLEY
5. 3 x M109
6. 2 x M106
7. 2 x VULCAN ADS

I will look at the ZVEZDA Stuff when it arrives (God knows when?) and will decide at that point whether I will use that stuff or buy others...

Kharasan has an interesting M1A2..I might buy those because despite being the wrong mark, they look AMAZING.

BRITISH RE-VAMP

I've also started re-doing and neating up my Brits, adding the aerials and re-varnishing them (the original Varnish didn't work so I've gone back to Polyurethane Varnish rather than Model Varnish, and then I spray it with DULLCOTE once the Varnish has cured approx 48hrs).

I will be adding to this shortly with the following:-

1. 2 x FV Spartans
2. 3 x FV432 ( 1 Extra FV432 for HQ and 2 x FV432 Mortars )
3. 3 x FV Abbots
4. 2 x Tracked Rapiers
5. 3 x Scimitars

This will give me a nice rounded out, force

M577 - Battlefronts nice new model

A nice new model for my collection and a very nice model it is to...

I've used a bit of Liquid greenstuff to fill fine gaps and to improve the finish of the model...But overall I like the model, from a realism stand point I believe most of these vehicles dumped the 0.50cal certainly in the Mid-1980's. I'm not sure about in Vietnam.

I also picked up a Can of this.....

After a recommendation from REAVER 83 on Dakkadakka and his personal Blog site here (one of my favourite WW2 15mm blogs)...

http://breakthroughassault.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/review-plastic-soldier-company-war.html

Version 1.1 of the Independents List Now released 

I made numerous mistakes, and also did not give the Swedish and Finnish lists in particular, the attention to detail they deserve. So after apologising to Swedish and Finnish Readers, I have made the relevant changes and integrated their Feed back.

It's all good, I will always listen to the community and try as much as possible to integrate suggestions.

GAMING BASEMENT TAKING SHAPE

The Foundations of my House are going in...The area enclosed by the Palette will be my Studio, the garage is top right. Top left, is the Retaining wall into the Hillside. Am I excited?

To quote the little Girl in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation "I'm Sh*tting Bricks!".  It's quite nervous having a house built, so yeah it's a terrifying rollercoaster of emotions.

The models are keeping me sane.

My Painting Table Update....

Okay so I'm clearing my Painting Table for a reason I will detail below...

 Finally my half finished Brits & some Soviets....

Oh and a prize to the first person who spots how I completely ***ked up the 2S3's (Really embarrassed about this but it's glued and painted now.....might change it in future.)

IRISHSERB

I'm trying to order some AAV7's and HMWWV's from IRISH SERB and will stick up and if possible paint them up before the Move. 

The Future - I'm Expanding!

I'm not talking about my waistline here (although it is time to do more Phys and get out doing some running), my wife and I have decided to move house. This is great in the long term, bad for the blog in the short term.

Disadvantages

1. I'm putting away alot of my stuff ready for the Move.
2. I won't be doing anywhere near as much painting.
3. The Blog might go quiet for a few weeks at a time.

Advantages

1. I will keep buying stuff and posting reviews.
2. I will keep updating the Blog.
3. Alot of other people will be invited to contribute to keep the content ticking over (RKelly, Fjodin etc)
4. I'M GETTING A GAMING BASEMENT!!!!!!

We are having a house Built (should be finished in Jan 14 but we are moving into Rented Accom for 6 months so we can sell our current house), which means she's getting the house she always wanted and I'm getting a full on Gaming Basement!!! And I mean a Basement....9 metres by 6 metres. So I will be able to build a little Studio, several 6x4ft tables, a couch and a Bar....

I will be moving more towards Private Invitational Gaming, with my Friends. It means I can build full on Tables like Berlin, or Fulda, or Tutenbergerwald, Hanover etc.

New Model Releases

Battlefront continue to pour out useful additions for the Cold War era... namely.

So a nice cheap plastic Kit for AH-6 or OH-6 Conversions.

A nice looking 3 Gun battery, my one change to make this relevant to the 1980's is to elongate the Barrel and remove the Disc Muzzle Brake (Not too difficult with Brass rod, or Plastic rod). As can clearly be seen below.

And Finally a Command M577.... 

Some all round fantastic releases.......

M113 Review

Several people have asked why I didn't put up a review of the QRF M113's, honestly I kind of wanted to skirt around them. Secondly I was trying to block out the pain......I bought the BF boxed set simply to cathartically  cleanse myself of these models.

Well be careful what you wish for..

Frankly the QRF M113's are awful - Sorry but they are....The Top Body doesn't fit the lower body, the Tracks don't fit, it took lots of effort to get the Tracks anywhere near the body....

All you get is the .50cal Turret....

All round, and I hate slagging off miniatures, but these are rubbish in fact I'm getting bloody angry typing this!

In my fit of angry pique I decided to buy the Battlefronts New M113's and I duly did....These are so damn good, they make the QRF stuff look even worse.

Where to start......Well they are £19 for 4.......Excellent value and actually cheaper than QRF, so you pay less and get more?  This is clearly where BF are going and it seems like a they are following the Plastic Soldier Company in terms of Quality and Price.

You get 4 M113's in various Variants, Decals, Crewmen and Mortar Crewmen!!!!!

Well these things actually come in 5 variants, all on the Sprue, and loads of weapons for Converting and future projects.

So what can you make?

M113 , M113 w/ 0.50cal, M113 w/ Minigun, M113 w/0.50cal Okinawa Turret, M113 w/ 0.50cal Modern Turret, M113 w/ 40mm GMG, M113 w/ 106mm Recoiless Rifle, M113 w/ 81mm Mortar, M113 w/4.2" Mortar, and M113 Zippo Flame thrower. 

You think this enough for the price? Well you also get the ACAV variant, and also things like Mud Guards.

The size difference is quite marked too, I'm not sure which one I prefer from the size perspective but the Battlefront ones win hands down across everything else. I'm also not sure if the size difference is that noticable (except when they are next to each other) and if you carried the BF ones throughout your force I don't think anyone would notice plus with Tanks and other vehicles it would work well. 

This picture.....It completely illustrates my take on this.

I'm keeping all the spares for my HMMWV's and other projects, and I will be converting my own Infantry Mortar Teams, etc using these Spares. Also the Miniguns are cracking for Helicopters etc.

I am very happy with this boxed set and would recommend anyone who needs M113's for Modern to just pick up this boxed set, it is quite simply the best 15mm Option on the market and gives lots of spares and options.

Big Update

A few quiet weeks, but I have been slowly amassing alot of vehicles and items to be finished...Here are the latest additions to my Army.

2 x UH-60 Blackhawks (QRF)

5 x MH-6 Little Birds (QRF)

4 x M113 (QRF)

2 x ZSU Shilka (QRF)

3 x 2S3  (QRF)

1 x FV103 SPARTAN (QRF) (sorry for not putting this in Original post!)

1 x FV105  SULTAN (QRF) (sorry for not putting this in Original post!)

So here they are, ready for priming and painting.

ADDITIONS TO THE SOVIET FORCES

Russian Artillery Section, I intend to get an MTLB and 3 Ural Ammo Trucks to finish this Platoon off.

Some Air Defence to try and fend off A-10's and NATO Attack Helicopters

With my Soviet forces I'm pretty happy, I have Tanks, IFV's, Artillery, AAA and Infantry. To round out this Battlegroup I might pick up some BDRM's to act a further scout unit and maybe some MRLS. I might even consider expanding the BMP's so I can field a Battalion though this would require a minimum of another 20 BMP's so I might just leave it as is, and spend the difference on other models. 

ADDITIONS TO THE BRITISH FORCES

Two new British Vehicles to act as my HQ and FAO for the British Forces, I intend to add some more Spartan MCT with MILAN Launchers and some Tracked Rapiers in the future.

The Helicopters are for my US forces.

I was little bit disappointed by the QRF M113's, however I have a plan and intend to invest in Battlefronts new M113's (I will use the .50cal Turrets for HMMWV's so I will buy Peter Pig TOW HMMWV's and magnetise them). Here is the Sprue they are releasing this month and it comes with lots of options so will be a great buy for anyone who is playing as NATO.

 The ability to make 0.50cal M113's, Mortar Carriers or Convert them to other's like the M577 Command vehicles, or even make the Vehicle Plain.

Where have I been? 

Honestly, I've had a new Desktop PC and I'm going back to all the things I used to play before I got a Laptop (Steam is great - it keeps all those titles sitting there ready for when you want to dust them off). 

I have also been getting back into ArmA 2 which is just superb and the community has evolved alot of great mods in the last few years when I drifted from Gaming altogether and focused on Wargaming and more social face-to-face stuff. 

I have also been trying to finish my WWII British Guards Sherman Force for FOW "Market Garden" book.

What's happening? 

Well Great news, alot of my friends and Gaming compatriots have been finishing their armies ready to do battle and they are all supplying me with Pictures, which is great for the Blog and great for you, the reader.

Me and Kris got together and put our collective Soviets together into a "Red Tide", I was very pleased with the effect.

A10 screaming in to do some major damage!!!

You can see on the lead T80, Kris is in the process of doing a two-tone Camo on his T80s. I think it looks great, equally the nylon bristle brushes off a brush make amazing "Whip Aerials" for Command vehicles. 

Latest Model Releases :- 

AWESOME !!!! Battlefront have brought forward some very nice offerings. What do you all think? PT-76 is very nice indeed.

I've also heard a rumour that they are doing 15mm Plastic M113's, which would be epic for NATO players and I'm hoping their Vietnam range will expand further, it's all to our benefit. 

Latest Projects :-

I'm now doing a USMC 1986 list for a friend using Peter Pig Models (and I have to say they are very nice), but I've got enough spares to do a Homage to an ARMA 2 Gaming Group and arguably the premier Gaming Group in the AMRA 2 Community "Shack Tactical" run by Dsylecxi. 

They do fun.......SERIOUS FUN.... 

http://dslyecxi.com/shacktac_wp/

Check out some of their Video's on Youtube, they do the Cold War justice and it's great to see people doing this properly without the stupid arcade type portrayals of modern conflict.