3-pattern Attempt

Had a crack at the 3-pattern Desert BDUs tonight.
Pretty chuffed with how it came out; compared with my normal painting standard.

The colour scheme listed out below. All of my paints are Games Workshop because that's what I have kicking around at home after my early days of playing 40k.

Dry-brush of Kommando Khaki across most of the model.
Very light dry brush in selected areas of Goblin Green (for the green areas).
Thin lines of Scorched Brown using a fine brush in selected areas.
Webbing in Catachan Green.
Hands and face in Dwarf Flesh.
Rifle in Chaos Black with a Boltgun Metal drybrush.
Boots in Bestial Brown.

Uniforms

US troops in Somalia were dressed in the newer 3-pattern and older 6-pattern (chocolate chip) Desert Battle Dress Uniforms.
I'm going to be trying to paint the 3-pattern uniform on my rangers. Mainly because it's simpler, but also because on a 15mm I like the reduced number of colors.
If you're one of those crazies who want to paint a chocolate chip scheme, the amazing Matakishi's Tea House has an instruction on 28mm that makes it seem easy.

Update

Well, despite my best intentions, the blog has been quiet for a little while.
I have been doing some things in the background. The 6mm stuff hasn't progressed at all, but I have gotten copies of the Ambush Alley Rules and expansion books. I'm taken with the scenarios, so that game has been receiving all of the focus.
Re-basing my 15mm AK-47 figures has been the main focus.
I'm still trying to get a fix on it, but I've gotten a few done now. Just need to get on with the painting!

What I've done is glue the miniature to a washer, then backfill with acrylic filler. Having done this for a few figures now, I think the best way to go is simply to use the filler (or a thick glue) to attach the miniature to the washer initially, rather than backfilling.

The use of masking tape on the bottom of the washer was a relevation I picked up from the web - I used cling wrap when I was glueing the figures to the washers, and it wasn't very successful. I had to make sure that I separated it before the bond got too strong. The tape however seems very good.

I'll need to look at other options for the filler material; the filler is still tacky 48h later!

6mm Militia on the "Green Felt Veldt"

I took this photo of the painted 6mm militia a little while back; I just haven't had the time yet to make a post.

Here it is anyway.  

The painting isn't great, but it was nice and quick.  I haven't had any time to paint any more, but it was really encouraging how quick these were.

Day of the Ranger Teaser

The guys at Ambush Alley have release a teaser scenario for the up-coming "Day of the Ranger" expansion.
Looks interesting, and as they state on the page, the scenario teases with mentions of things like "Khat Chewers". DotR is the expansion to assist in gaming scenarios based on the conflict in Somalia in 1993, in particular Operation Gothic Serpent (the operation that "Black Hawk Down") was based on. They're promising info on the impact of stimulants (hence the Khat reference)helicopters, technicals and a lot more. Plus 10 new scenarios!
Hooah!

Cheap Chopper

Found this matchbox helicopter at my local Coles grocery store, for AU$3. It's part of a series of aircraft that look to be about 1:400? I believe it's the Sky Buster's MBX Metal range, but the specific model isn't listed on the Matchbox website.


Here it is with some 15mm figures from Peter Pig and CannonFodder.



Needs a new paint job, but should come up just fine I think.

First Painted figures

Painted the first figures tonight.  Everyone has an opinion on the best way to do it.

I've gone for a black undercoat initially.  I know that this makes the colours less bright, but I find it easier to paint onto - if I miss a bit, the black takes care of it.  We'll see how we go.

For the insurgent infantry, I'm going with multi-coloured shirts.  The Regulars with the Ztumre National Workers Intervention will have a more conventional uniform colour.

More to come....

Oh! and this would have to have been the first time I have ever painted 9 figures in half an hour!  

15mm Modern Plans

I'm determined to ensure that I keep posting on this blog and not let it drop.
With work and house guests, my plans for 6mm "warlord level battles" have not progressed any further. Rather than delay until further 6mm developments, I thought I'd comment on some of my plans for 15mm.

I'd like to bring to your attention the Ambush Alley rules. This game is one I plan to do with the 15mm I had been collecting to do AK-47 with originally.

I have a whole swag of the Cannon Fodder 15mm African Clan Militia that should work nicely as insurgents. The only problem with these is that they are currently based for AK47! It shouldn't be too hard to split them off their bases though.

I also have some Irregular modern US in helmets, and a variety of QRF 15mm modern (and post war) figures and vehicles as well which should work well for the Regulars in the game.

I've read quite a lot of positive reviews and feedback around the web, so I'm keen to give it a try.
You can download a trial of the Ambush Alley rules from the website, which I think is a great idea. They currently have a deal for US$25 for their core rules and the vehicle expansion (Motor Pool) if you find it to your liking.

Individual Images

I've uploaded individual photos of all of the Irregular figures I purchased.

Below is the list again, but this time with links to images of each line item.

In the case of infantry where there are three stands to a pack, I have included all 3 to enable you to see the front and the back.  For vehicles, I have attempted to show all four sides where I had sufficient numbers to do so.

10 x MAF05 Open Backed Lorry with separate cover
3 x MAF30 Saracen APC
1 x MAF38 Generic Infantry advancing in peaked cap (3)
1 x MAF39 Generic Infantry firing in peaked cap (3)
1 x MAF44 US M48 MBT
3 x MAF62 Bareheaded Insurgent Infantry (3)
1 x MAF63 Bareheaded Insurgents with rocket launcher (3)
1 x VN01 US/ARVN Infantry in helmet, advancing (3)
1 x VN04 US/ARVN Mortar and crew (3)
1 x VN06 US/ARVN Grenade Launcher and two assistants (3)
1 x VN07 US/ARVN Command Group (3)
1 x VN11 NVA Infantry advancing (3)
1 x VN14 NVA Mortar and crew (3)
1 x VN16 NVA Rocket Launcher and two assistants (3)
1 x VN17 NVA Command Group (3)
4 x WWTA41 Recce Jeep
2 x WWTB42 Bofors Gun on Lorry
2 x WWTB55 Towed 5.5" Gun

Photos!

Well, I finally worked out what seems to be the best settings on the camera here to take the photos (f3.2 1/80, in case you were wondering).  The lighting is not the best, but you can get some feel for the figures from the pictures.

Here is the Colonial force: 

Using the randomised name generator from the rules, these guys ended up being; Zumsia Intervention Sword of Resistance.

And the Peoples Popular Front, known as the Ztumre National Workers Intervention: