There may not be a second "prep" blog post, but then again there just might. That all depends on if I can get my act together. I know, I know blummin' flaky git. Yes It's true but at least I am making the effort! Prep for what I hear you say. Well Curt's Analogue Painting Challenge of course! Most of my prep has already been done, but yesterday I thought I should build the models I want to apint as part of the challenge. Don't worry there are not many.
Back in June I bought this "Plastic Soldier Company" box set consisting of 5 sprues of hard plastic. Enough to make a reinforced Platoon of US army M3 or M5 Halftracks. I intend to use these for 15mm PBI by Peter Pig. 
Each of the sprues comes with 8 crew figures as well as options for different winches at the front, different mounting systems for the .5 Browning HMG. It also comes with optional vehicle stowage. So if you choose you could easily make a variety of halftracks. There are clear instructions and all the pieces fitted together easily. There was the usual trimming to be done where sprue and component meet, but there was no flash or mould lines that needed any attention at all. That being the case for the price I did find these a very acceptable alternative to resin. And should I need more I will be happy to get another box. I did take my time with construction as it is always easier to fix any problems at this stage than when trying to juggle with a paint brush as well. But there were no problems and I could have assembled them quicker if I had chosen.
I wanted a uniform look to my platoon though. So they all have the same MG copula but I have given different stowage on each and added the .30 Browning MMG to only 2 of the models. I will admit I was tempted to up-gun them all but thought that just looked wrong and unlikely in a war zone. Mind you I have got American troops so maybe I should have added the extra MG's. As you can see I have built them in two batches, and primed 2 at this stage. Today (Friday) they are all primed and waiting for the challenge to start.
The Eagle eyed among you will also have spotted that one has a different winch at the front of the vehicle (bottom left). This was deliberate. While I do want them to look uniform I did also want one to seem maybe slightly older perhaps being used as a replacement. This simple change of winch clearly identifies it. In my mind it is platoon command vehicle, but when it get to the table that idea may/will quickly change.
Overall I am very impressed with these kits. We all know in an absolutely ideal world some support variants could have been included on the sprues, but this is more wishful thinking than practical reality. I for example would like 2 M16 Quad AA mounts or a couple of M4 Mortar carriers. But then I have to wonder how much extra it would cost for the tooling of the injection moulds and then realise that it would lead to a price rise. Darn reality strikes again.
Thank you for Reading today and I shall endeavour to up date this blog on Sunday. All the best Clint
Ah, there are so many good plastic kits available these days. I'm almost tempted to get back into WW2 gaming. Almost, but not quite :-) .
ReplyDeleteI go in and out of periods as well. Not currently into ancients, but as soon as I start selling an army a new set of rules will come out for Ancients and I'll have to get another army! Thank you Hugh.
DeleteThey do good stuff, prep coming along well old boy!
ReplyDeletePrep is mostly done now. I even Know what weeks I will be painting which Items. And trying to fit in the bonus points. I hope you are in a similar position. Nice if you are Fran. But none of this is new to you of course.
DeleteI've got some of my work specifically slated for certain weeks, but some of it is sort of "up in the air" .
DeleteHaving a plan and sticking to it are very different things of course.
DeleteI resisted FOW and associated models but succumbed to bolt action plastics since the Germans were released. Ooops. It did get me started on a haunted tank and Sgt Rock project which has become generic WW2 more than weird war lite. I still haven't found a plastic Stuart tank nor a suitable model for the ghostly advisor.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on the contest, Clint!
I have both FOW AND PBI, only because I am that stupid. I have no plans on the bolt action route as well though so maybe some logic has finally kicked in. Thank you David
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThey look a bit good Clint, you have been busy!
ReplyDeleteA couple of hours work getting them ready is all. And they are only 15mm so will not score mega points. But I do have a use for them which is the main thing. Thank you Michael.
DeleteThose are nice vehicles and they'll snag you some good points.
ReplyDeleteNot that many points really. 5 15mm vehicles is 30 points. so the equivalent of 6 28mm foot figures. Which I think is about right. But every point is a good point.
DeleteThank you Anne.
Nicely done Clint, they should look pretty cool with a lick of paint on them!
ReplyDeleteI do hope so when they are painted and based. Thank you Ray.
DeleteA good to start the challenge with your prep work, but I really feel you'd have extra "umph" with a new project !
ReplyDeleteDue to being unhappy all my "Ummph!" has disappeared. These will not be the first things I paint, as there is a vehicle week in which I can get 50 bonus points, so I will endeavour to have them ready for then. The first bonus points are for "Non Combatants" and I have those figures ready and waiting. Thank you Jo.
DeleteNice looking kit. They certainly seem good value for money.Look forward to seeing these done in the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon. I am also hoping they paint and play well. Tim will tell that's for sure.
Delete