Medevac

No not me personally I am in good health (as far as I know).

This was also done for the Analogue Challenge painting competition. IT had hung around for about 8-10 years without being touched so I was about time. The model is a Revel Kit that I think I purchased while in Germany. It went together easily and painting was very quick and simple. But as it came with no crew I added some Britannia/Grubby tanks crew. Luckily for me they do a Medevac crew. The crew pack consists of Pilot, Co-pilot, Medic treating a wounded soldier a dead body (shown in last post) and a soldier with a rifle. The figures are tightly chunky when compared with SHQ (Most of my troops) but I actually prefer that as it gives them a slightly Cartoony feeling to painting with deep creases in the clothes. Not so good if trying to paint camouflage but as My Vietnam troops are in plain green (except my south Vietnamese) I look on it as an advantage.

I did want to put the dead body inside, but it was just a little too cramped even when I stripped out the seats and stretchers. So he was left behind. I am happy with the arrangement as it is though as It is a medevac helicopter and really does need the medic involved.

Although I said it went together easily, it did involve me getting glue on the windows at every opportunity with my inept dexterity. The other problem of course was the decals which had decayed to the level where I could not apply them properly an some even just flaked off. The result was me hand painting 2 of the crosses, so do not look too closely as they will be noticed. If that is not shooting myself in the foot and drawing attention to them I just do not know what will!

As we all know, no wargames project is ever really finished but this is getting close now. Still a few more choppers to build, both for attack roles and slicks for air lift. But they do not stay on the table long so generally need not be represented.

I have taken to using plastic disposable wine glasses as flight stands. 8 for a £1 in my local pound shop they are clear, light easy to transport and to store and even replace. They can straddle terrain any put any helicopter about 5 inches above the table so work very well. If you do any 20mm Modern wargames I would recommend them for Helicopters. They work very well indeed.


That's it for today. Next post Monday and an AAR of my Samurai using the Dragon Rampant rules .  I hope. Well it should be unless I can get no players at the club or unless some kind of unforeseen accident and no body like that.

Cheers For looking, all the best Clint


 

Bonus round (Epic Fail)

I did come up with several ideas for an epic fail, unfortunately they all revolved around me spending money or making a diorama. Both of which I had decided not to do.

Instead I started to assemble and paint a medevac helicopter. But that took to long and I did not finish it.

So instead I just put in a US soldier from Vietnam covered in a grown sheet as they did with the dead until they could be taken back to camp.

very simple to paint and rather than just miss out I submitted this as an epic fail.

very quick, very simple and easy to get finished. But at the same time although a little dark in subject a Total Epic Fail as far as I am concerned.

The figure is a Grubby Tanks/Britannia model in 20mm (1/72nd scale) and is part of the helicopter medevac set. (More of those in a few  days)

Thanks for looking and more in 2 days.

All the best Clint 

Ahhhh! M' Heartyies!

 At Salute this year I bought 8 Dwarf Pirates from Black Scorpion. 4 have been put somewhere safe and I Cannot find them. I know they have not been thrown out though.... well I think I know!

But here are the other 4. They have already been on the Analogue Painting challenge so if you follow that you will have seen the crew before. These have been the first Resin figures I have painted (I have done vehicles before) and I did find the details just a little soft. Nothing so bad as to stop me buying more just a little soft.

After years and years and years of not liking Dwarfs in games I am finally coming round to them and enjoying them.

I kept the bases as simple as possible. Just sandy beach for a finish. This would give them a versatile finish and let them be anywhere in the world. Well anywhere with sand so any beach or desert.

They were painted to help out my "Enchanter" in Frostgrave, but Frostgrave seems to have fizzled out at the club. It may start again, but it gets less likely with each passing week, which is a shame as it was a good game and in the campaign I was not last. (I know that makes a change!)

But anyway I hope you can enjoy the figures and If I do find the other four they will be painted for the Challenge and will turn up here in due course.

Have a good few days and another post on Wednesday.

Cheers From Clint

Maglach 2 Israeli Tank Company.

 Yep here we go again another catch up post. This is a 1/300th scale (6mm in wargames speak) Maglach 2 Tank Platoon circa 1967. All ready for my 6 day war project.

yes I keep promising to "re- cover" the desert but I think that can wait until the summer and it gets slightly warmer. So for now I will just put up with it.

The Company consists of 2 tank Command platoon and 3 platoons of 3 tanks each. They should be a very good match for my T55's (yet to be shown). I did struggle with the Hebrew lettering on the turret sides, but at that scale an going over a bumpy surface in lettering I am not sure of I can life with the result.

All the models are Heroics and Ross and each tank works out at 50p each so an affordable army to put on the table.

Rules wise I am thinking of Flames of War. As while I prefer the "Challenger 2" rules by Bruce Rea Taylor I think trying to explain the different ammunition choices to some of my club might be tricky. So Flames of war will be an easier option for a club game. I could well be wrong as I am sure there are some there who not only will understand the difference between HEAT and HESH DU (depleated Uranium) and AFPFDS many will just ask which is the best against Tanks or infantry or soft skins and to be fair it is the kind of thing that the commander and gunner would know.

More again in a couple of days.

All the best Clint

Big Trouble in the Tiny Dojo.

Yes I know I have not posted much recently. I have been busy. The painting has not stopped or even slowed down very much but I have been struggling with the blog posts as I hurry to get things done for the Analogue Painting Challenge.  These figures appeared on it Tuesday so it is safe to share them here now.

I want to play more zombie games this year and these are for that. 3 Dixon Yakuza martial artists that I picked up from Colonel Bill in the autumn. Anyway long story short. I am planning a zombie game at the club where everyone plays a martial artist survivor holed up in a dojo and the zombies attacking it. The zombies will not know any kung fu or if they do will not use it while in Zombie brain mode! WE can't have them doing flying kicks left right and centre, inly the survivors.

The idea is pure  "B" movie so the plot will of course be very naff. Yeah OKAY there may be a distinct lack of plot.... it is a zombie movie after all. Rules wise I did look at "Fist full of Kung Fu"  by Osprey but I think 7ombie TV will actually work better with each character stated as a co-star with some special martial arts skills. There will of course be no Gun, so no "Gun-fu" distance killing all very close and personal. (Giving the zeds more chance to bite!

Thanks for checking on the blog every so often I will try to post more frequently. And when the game takes place there will be an AAR>

All the best Clint

Fresco. Mig 17

I have been quite lax over the Christmas/new year period. So here is a post that has already appeared on the Analogue Painting Challenge. In Fact my first post of  Challenge and it got me on the score board quite early with a massive 2 points. Yes I could like most people have pushed for more, but as I sometimes struggle to get started I was happy to kick of very small.

The model is a 1/300th scale or 6mm (in common wargames parlance) Mig 17 "Fresco" painted in Egyptian Livery circa 1967. For those that need it spelt out it is the very very start of my Arab Israeli wars. I will be using the Flames of war "Fate of the Nation" supplement and rules for the project and being in 6mm it should be easy to transport, paint and store.

The Fresco was used by the United Arab Republic (Egypt) in a ground attack role as well as a fighter when needed.

The Model is by "Heroics and Ros" and the flight stand is by "Frontline Wargaming" . The base is slightly too large, but at least it stops the plane toppling over. And while large it only has to show that ground attack is happening so I am not concerned about it's size.

Thanks for looking today. I will not be going in for all the new year palaver so do not expect any look backs on the year gone by or the year to come.

Cheers Guys all the best Clint

Christmas gifts

Well I only received 2 wargames related gifts from Santa this year.

I know I was saying that it had not turned up. BUT as it happens one of the two did turn up. I am still waiting for the Painted miniature from Chris Stosen's Blog (Wargaming Odds and ends). But I am sure it will arrive.

Firstly from My secret Santa. What I have received I can say I am truly Happy with. I was previously unaware of "Pure Evil Miniatures" And looking at the Resin beast I am very impressed. It is a multi part Resin Kit and all the pieces seem to fit together very well. I really like it and seriously doubt that I could have gotten anything better. So a BIG thank you to me Secret Santa I think this is an inspiring gift and I am very very thankful. It really is Great! I only hope I can paint it as well as it deserves.

From my sister. I received "Dragon Rampant" rules by Osprey. I have yet to read them (just flicking through the pics at the moment). But they are well presented and I hope as good as the historical version. I also hope it can get me back into Fantasy Wargaming since I gave up on GW. Whatever the out come I will keep you informed.

Thanks for Popping by I realise you must be busy today and that time is precious.

All the best Clint

I guess I have been Naughty!

The postman has been this morning (Christmas Eve) and all I got was some advertising for Virgin Media! Which is a shame as I have taken part in two secret Santa's this year and only received one parcel. While it is possible that both may be in the same  parcel, I suspect this is not the case. Afterall what are the chances of the same person getting me twice in 2 different Secret Santa's. Pretty slim I would think. But Possible.

NO Blame is attached to Cath the organiser. None what so ever. But If you are my Secret Santa and sent something it just has not arrived. Maybe it is held up from Customs at the North Pole, or maybe the British Post office has lost it.  Just maybe a Christmas Elf has eaten it! Maybe it was posted Late.  I am simply letting you know for whatever reason it has not arrived on time!

Just hard luck for me. Or maybe there is a Naughty list with my name on it. (There probably is, more than once I would suspect!).

It is better to give than receive though and I hope to take part again next year no matter the outcome.

But Most importantly have a good few days, relax and recharge any batteries and Chillax as much as possible.

All the best Clint

EDIT CHRISTMAS DAY 8AM.

I must apologise to my secret Santa. I am so sorry it had turned up after all. The one that is missing is the Painted figure from Chris Stoenson's Blog https://plus.google.com/103023746985592538617/posts,

I wish to say for the record I am very happy with the gift and feel foolish for making a fuss. But without opening it there was no way to tell which santa had not arrived.

Once more sorry about that and I will do a post about the gift that has been sent in the next day or two..... All I need now is some painting ideas for the colours to use!

It really is GREAT. ThaNK YOU

They're off!

Well the Analogue challenge has started and I have yet to apply the first brush stroke. But It will happen as soon as I stop typing.

You are reminded that the Painting challenge is all about stamina and endurance. And many people suffer burnout at OR even before the end!

Personally this year I will be starting slowly. How you tackle it is up to you and as long as you have fun then it was right for you.

But the challenge has started at 6am this Sunday Morning GMT and will last for 3 months.

I have a few things on the painting table all ready to go. I have done some research to get the markings right and the colours correct. I know that it will not be enough and that I will need to do more before the challenge ends.

But I will be starting with some "Modern" wargaming but I can honestly say I have no idea what I will be painting by the end of the challenge.

If you want to follow the challenge It can be found here! Good luck to everyone involved.

http://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.ca/

Still on Prep.

yep still on the prep for the Analogue painting challenge. Not that I have done a lot. Mostly ordering stuff. Today  2 parcels. 1 is a load of "Tufts" from eBay so I don't run out in the challenge. But I can still order some more before the challenge ends.... and I am sure I will.

The other was a figure order for 2 6mm starter armies from Heroics and Ros.{ Click this link )
needles to say as starter armies there are lots of extras I can (and no doubt will) get to add. And If I can pick them up unpainted 2nd hand from eBay or Colonel Bills I will, that is  for sure (assuming I can save money).

I am also working on some counters for the game I have planned but until they are finished I will not be showing them. When they are finished I will be doing a quick walk through of the making process. But at  this stage there is little that will make any sense on its own.

Ao pretty much a nothing post today as I clean up the H+R order. That is how the painting challenge starts for me as I have "Mostly" cleared my painting desk ready to start. There are a couple of things still loitering though so I may get on with them in the next couple of days, but I am waiting now for the Analogue painting challenge to start.

All the best from warm (I am in a tee shirt) but overcast Kent.  Cheers Clint

The quiet before the Storm!

I am afraid I have nothing newly painted this post. But as we now have only 6 days before the Analogue Painting challenge starts I thought I would share with you just a little Prep that I di yesterday in anticipation. At the club yesterday I played a board game about making wine, then left early so no Pics of that. I mention it as I was able to get two bases case in resin by Tim (LINK to Frontline) From Frontline wargaming. For what I need they are a little too large, but totally serviceable as any smaller and they will fall over.

These are them in the raw state. and they are the smallest flying bases he make. What is more I scrounged them free so that makes them twice as good. They do not come with anything to make the flying things hover in a flying position high from the table. So I roughly worked out the bases centres and then drilled a very small hole at an angle. as you can see in the third photo.

Not a huge amount of preparation but more than I have done either last year or the year before. Some bright spark is going to ask what I will be painting that needs flying bases. But I am not going to say just yet as the figures have not arrived. (but I do expect them today or tomorrow). And until they do arrive I don't like to talk about it too much.

I have got more preparation to do this week, some of which are markers and terrain so I will score no points for them in the challenge so best get them done before hand if I can. SO expect that to be the next post as well.

Additionally I am the very happy winner of some figures from Ray's blog post giveaway. Link to Ray's Blog! Just the figure I most wanted that he was offering and I have emailed him asking if he can hold on to them until the Cavalier show at the end of February. That should save him a few pennies in postage.

Finally I have set a new high score on World of tanks. (I found out that high scores only last a week so it is still good, but not awesome. Again in my German Light tank. I am not so good and I do die a lot in it, but 2 kills in a game where I am the lowest level tank in the game is not anything to be sniffed at!

Back to more prep today and trying to source a Polykarpov P15 (Biplane) in 1/200 th (10mm) scale! I do not need one but having one would be nice,

All the best and enjoy the day.

Clint

BUF Auxilary (Part 2)

Well I suspected that I would get them finished and well, here they are. 10 more BUF Auxilary troops for a very British Civil war. There are a few weapon swaps mostly changing a rifle here and there for a smg which can be seen twice in the top picture. One kneeling guy has a rifle, the other a sub machinegun. Also the two guys o the right were the exact same figure until Matt swapped one rifle for an SMG.


On the second picture the man on the right has been converted to be a flag bearer but for the first time ever Matt did not include a flag pole for me, so it is easier to leave him un-flagged! The man in the centre is carrying lewis gun ammunition while the one on the left is an officer of some description.

So that is it for today 10 more troops all for Matt and I will pass them on tomorrow at the club and I hope pic up some more figures to paint.

Have a good weekend.
Cheers  for looking Clint