tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59913217289558718412024-03-19T01:24:42.740-07:00Peabody Here!Miniature wargaming goodness explored.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-51126791710967870382017-08-03T12:57:00.000-07:002017-08-03T12:57:51.567-07:00What's That in the Sky!?<h3>
<b>Is it Peabody Again?</b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hO6_bd8g5jhRyoHdW1MmQGkEpBD_a_9b6JKUXmO8YTZuHM0WvAFEktHXinsqVLoVGjr7YS0I4B6SMaLLbl2Qqa5von8G52ekiY-N5QoPxdAeBCjlxNxrsobweny-p4to7XbVIEmnGl8/s1600/DSCF1529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="800" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hO6_bd8g5jhRyoHdW1MmQGkEpBD_a_9b6JKUXmO8YTZuHM0WvAFEktHXinsqVLoVGjr7YS0I4B6SMaLLbl2Qqa5von8G52ekiY-N5QoPxdAeBCjlxNxrsobweny-p4to7XbVIEmnGl8/s320/DSCF1529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I say! Is that Peabody Here Again?</td></tr>
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<i>Oh, my gosh</i>. It's been such a looooong time. Honestly, I'm surprised Blogger didn't delete me for inactivity!<br />
Don't get me wrong, I didn't give up on the the hobby, in fact one of the reasons I took such a long break from posting here is simply because I found myself so frequently playing the games I enjoy most with a swell bunch of folks.<br />
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There have been some other interesting developments for old Peabody during the last year, and I'm excited about getting into all that in a post or two, but right now I'm dying to do a few catch-up posts about some projects that have kept me happy and busy for a long time. <br />
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<b>LOTS and LOTS of PULP ALLEY</b></h3>
I'm sure it's no surprise that our local club caught the <a href="http://pulpalley.com/index.html" target="_blank">Pulp Alley bug</a>. This fun, flexible set of rules inspired us to paint up toys and play games like never before. Pulp Alley is an Objective Based game of daring feats, thrilling combat and vehicular mayhem. The rules are elegant and beautifully presented with just the right sort of illustrations to inspire your own adventures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLPG-EpNAbHBbXXBxgJ_EJPghss3qeeNmtpZTTnzWVMXXaI8dO1qCoQfW-WcEUnh1fQbt5jjlAsStJ7u331-azn-kASopSCKKGcTVXVyA75wbFXh2IShId_O0pI_0QFABO0ryxfmUsOo/s1600/DSCF1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="800" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLPG-EpNAbHBbXXBxgJ_EJPghss3qeeNmtpZTTnzWVMXXaI8dO1qCoQfW-WcEUnh1fQbt5jjlAsStJ7u331-azn-kASopSCKKGcTVXVyA75wbFXh2IShId_O0pI_0QFABO0ryxfmUsOo/s320/DSCF1564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobby Master 1/48 Hawker Fury</td></tr>
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One of the biggest draws for us are the simple, yet robust Vehicle and Aircraft mechanics featured in <a href="http://store.pulpalley.com/product-p/1003.htm" target="_blank">Gadgets Guns and Vehicles</a>. We found ourselves buying and flying all kinds of model kits and even die-cast aircraft.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi27TmbmIrVXL392k24DKEhOG3zUY-cbzSPt3IfHKltZIs0oBHK3zyVOAcK6MZnBnV15JJtVike_aAdU8jLdSJk4a5ONsChdMDhQEuHP-hvlnhLELcVJUYWEh5xs_qZjKa4zul75qVbE/s1600/DSCF1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="800" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi27TmbmIrVXL392k24DKEhOG3zUY-cbzSPt3IfHKltZIs0oBHK3zyVOAcK6MZnBnV15JJtVike_aAdU8jLdSJk4a5ONsChdMDhQEuHP-hvlnhLELcVJUYWEh5xs_qZjKa4zul75qVbE/s320/DSCF1575.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hobby Master 1/48 P-12E</td></tr>
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If you haven't yet given Pulp Alley a go, it's worth checking out. You can't go wrong with their <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product/116275/Pulp-Alley--Quick-Start-PDF?sb=1" target="_blank">FREE Quick Start Rules</a> available from Wargame Vault.<br />
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The dashing Pilots posing at the top of this post are from <a href="https://www.copplestonecastings.co.uk/prod.php?prod=82" target="_blank">Copplestone Castings</a>. These delightful characters are perfect for the 1/48 scale aircraft that work so well with 28mm miniatures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYQYVKkPXUzx_Dcgf1iaw1aDMxv7mTZugoKCkrJFsqB6S5g9MlEVg4jvRJ0JgrQyw85UppDU9-nF0f88v3jQPaSFhKDuq7xA_WTPqGVOd7N9u-85ZwrI0rmwLkRdRUU2bWINf9q3m47M/s1600/DSCF1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1600" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYQYVKkPXUzx_Dcgf1iaw1aDMxv7mTZugoKCkrJFsqB6S5g9MlEVg4jvRJ0JgrQyw85UppDU9-nF0f88v3jQPaSFhKDuq7xA_WTPqGVOd7N9u-85ZwrI0rmwLkRdRUU2bWINf9q3m47M/s320/DSCF1600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dust Tactics Horten HO-347</td></tr>
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<b>Ready to Play...</b><br />
The Hobby Master Die-Cast Hawker Fury and the P-12E featured here were both lucky finds; bargains at <a href="https://hlj.com/search/go?w=1%2F48%20aircraft" target="_blank">Hobbylink Japan</a>.<br />
I keep an eye on both Hobbylink and eBay because affordable 1/48 scale kits are always a joy to find. <br />
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I love a good die-cast model, they are basically ready to play. Give them a quick spray of matte varnish and a lick of weathering and away you go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3noWorUluQINpAYtkKjMiIknqLDVL9CWbQc3yX3Gp24VEJfQ2ew4_Q66UTZSAAZRNKY0NOShnKLwJ1tW_K7CGf5rn77vNtMG1X7vxMCg78yZC7pycygFp6hvm6bPnDkFD4-H_c9otII/s1600/DSCF1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3noWorUluQINpAYtkKjMiIknqLDVL9CWbQc3yX3Gp24VEJfQ2ew4_Q66UTZSAAZRNKY0NOShnKLwJ1tW_K7CGf5rn77vNtMG1X7vxMCg78yZC7pycygFp6hvm6bPnDkFD4-H_c9otII/s320/DSCF1606.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HO-347 Fledermaus IV carries a load of Bombs</td></tr>
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Dust Tactics vehicles and aircraft are also very quick to get on the table. I love that they come primed, ready for a few quick blasts with the old airbrush.<br />
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Best of all, their "Weird War" style has a super pulp vibe about it, so they are super useful models that will get a lot of play. <br />
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What's Next? </h4>
Stick around! I have another post or two dedicated to games and projects that have kept me cheerfully busy over the last couple of years and the folks who made them possible deserve a little space.<br />
But there are a few irons in the fire right now that have me very excited and I can't wait to talk about those!<br />
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Until next time, <br />
<b>Peabody Out. </b>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-48847106518275591932013-01-19T14:38:00.004-08:002013-01-19T14:38:39.499-08:00Stal! Stal! Stal!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ZB8LCIvahpeJpRWiXby0IHcy2FnUBtJ76-2hhGXZHXhICnuWlNXPOwF-y4w3zSbu9Tjjbf1jcUfCIoKP52ZBxNk6qCGoyJcIN_VaI-f11qC1nMsJ8Jixz2LAE0P_PRzXBxi7jFYWtc/s1600/Crush+the+Fascist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ZB8LCIvahpeJpRWiXby0IHcy2FnUBtJ76-2hhGXZHXhICnuWlNXPOwF-y4w3zSbu9Tjjbf1jcUfCIoKP52ZBxNk6qCGoyJcIN_VaI-f11qC1nMsJ8Jixz2LAE0P_PRzXBxi7jFYWtc/s320/Crush+the+Fascist.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="st">"Steel! Steel! Steel!" The radio-signal, attributed to Lieutenant General P. A. </span>Rotmistrov, launching Soviet armour into the infamous July 12, 1943 tank battle known as "Prokhorovka".<br />
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<b>Warning:</b> </div>
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The author of this post is a victim of '<a href="http://peabody-here.blogspot.ca/2012/11/seriously.html" target="_blank">Kursk Pocket Syndrome</a>',</div>
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a contagious wargaming phenomenon. </div>
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Steel! Steel! Steel!</h3>
Serving up a storm of Soviet armour is a big part of the appeal of gaming the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Front_%28World_War_II%29" target="_blank">Ostfront</a>. But you have to be ready. If you want to play Red, you best be willing to build up an appropriately large collection. <br />
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Having aready established a basic foundation of infantry, support and logistics units for my summer Soviets, it was time to get serious about armour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNybEzFhwrypnUXv7gEKnamPVzDapfrKZzAbAEX64o8tiEAum4HSggSl99JO1JOhkUyuVCU2Toj-uDLQPSmBJU4VSiPrRYOG8jamB5dBNk0jGd1sZhufOgT3Mw8kVf1Ne9sqMXgO5MTM/s1600/T-34+in+Action.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNybEzFhwrypnUXv7gEKnamPVzDapfrKZzAbAEX64o8tiEAum4HSggSl99JO1JOhkUyuVCU2Toj-uDLQPSmBJU4VSiPrRYOG8jamB5dBNk0jGd1sZhufOgT3Mw8kVf1Ne9sqMXgO5MTM/s200/T-34+in+Action.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Steven Zaloga, a must have!</td></tr>
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I had done my research. Most importantly, I searched and sifted through the WIP logs at <a href="http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php" target="_blank">The Guild</a>, over at <a href="http://www.societyofgentlemengamers.org/index.php" target="_blank">SoGG</a> and even on the <a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/47210/" target="_blank">Braille Scale</a> forums. Work in progress posts are goldmines of hobby learning. I read these and chose a painting plan I knew I could already do, <i>not</i> one I needed to master.<br />
I also added Steven Zaloga's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/T-34-action-Armor-No-20/dp/0897471121/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t" target="_blank">T-34 in Action</a> to my collection. Squadron books are my go-to references for wargames unit markings and paint schemes. Squadron 'In Action' books kick ass.<br />
Basing would follow and build on work that had created the other units of this army. Simple...<br />
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So, a plan of action for building, painting and basing my first wave of Soviet armour was clear in my mind and ready to put into play.<br />
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<h4>
I need a lot of T-34 model '43, please..</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIjxN2mdDv-JnM30pMQ8DLrSgWBDdDP3FqT6gZTmfQk14apUGc31bREhzJQPXHjmAKnq3iBCc1wyKKHOiJqgbKGpN7oQ7T-gMi1RD1YpkK_bQVJbK5FrYPtXyo9NmWffgmEvWoBE-TZc/s1600/DSCF0909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIjxN2mdDv-JnM30pMQ8DLrSgWBDdDP3FqT6gZTmfQk14apUGc31bREhzJQPXHjmAKnq3iBCc1wyKKHOiJqgbKGpN7oQ7T-gMi1RD1YpkK_bQVJbK5FrYPtXyo9NmWffgmEvWoBE-TZc/s320/DSCF0909.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/72 scale Plastic Soldier Company T-34/76.</td></tr>
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The '<a href="http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_3_11_14&products_id=218" target="_blank">Tank Brigade Deal</a>' from The Plastic Soldier Company was exactly what I needed. Well, in truth I split a fourth box with a buddy, leaving me with a total of TEN T-34/76 tanks to work with. <i>Exactly what I needed</i>.<br />
<b>Double bonus:</b> These kits include separate turrets for the T-34/85, so you get twice the potential for play from each box!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzIuUz9JEld9CIBokkHZHHiNaJq_1cZlVpMP2xKjTezL5EAyl4y-ILIsbneV1l3gnPJp5QZe9B_O0X9RjMtYxwpsynnG43DFiO3PqJTuxyaKElEm41slUTtJT6wj1pFJQYLLOyvvnRac/s1600/DSCF0908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzIuUz9JEld9CIBokkHZHHiNaJq_1cZlVpMP2xKjTezL5EAyl4y-ILIsbneV1l3gnPJp5QZe9B_O0X9RjMtYxwpsynnG43DFiO3PqJTuxyaKElEm41slUTtJT6wj1pFJQYLLOyvvnRac/s320/DSCF0908.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast Build T-34/76 in 1/72 from PSC.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The PSC T-34 goes together quickly and features the right amount of detail for a good looking and solid wargaming piece.<br />
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Importantly, these models can build-up into paintable sub-assemblies; the chassis, tracks and turrets all separate. This allowed me to get the most out of my airbrush while keeping up an efficient assembly-line productivity. <br />
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Great! Building and painting this way I could easily achieve the goals of my 'Stash Reduction Programme'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDBOUOhfM7CbV1c34uGgXCjSDXJLqp7Zw4hpDjN6oaRzxFXXijQqqi_MSaOer2AdSf10kcIw23jW0Gj-hQCPHlCZGmZIghHsUcmmrtMCNiRDQMwQcHPbuUAdLMbMu9ZP56-giVikNpAE/s1600/DSCF0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDBOUOhfM7CbV1c34uGgXCjSDXJLqp7Zw4hpDjN6oaRzxFXXijQqqi_MSaOer2AdSf10kcIw23jW0Gj-hQCPHlCZGmZIghHsUcmmrtMCNiRDQMwQcHPbuUAdLMbMu9ZP56-giVikNpAE/s320/DSCF0915.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to roll! T-34/76's for 20mm gaming fun.</td></tr>
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There was one tiny bugbear: the <i>early production</i> PSC T-34/76 kit had a gun barrel that was way out of scale. To solve that problem I ordered the excellent 1/72 scale turned gun barrels from <a href="http://www.rbmodel.com/index.php?action=products&cat=c_bm&sub=72B" target="_blank">RB Model</a>.<br />
Piotr of RB Model provides super service and an excellent product.<br />
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A turned <a href="http://www.rbmodel.com/picture.php?dir=72B11" target="_blank">aluminium barrel</a> from RB is <u>inexpensive</u>, looks sharp on your model and is a <i>very durable</i> alternative to one of the most fragile bits on a kit.<br />
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<b>Please</b> <b>note,</b> that as of November, 2012 the PSC T-34/76 kit was re-tooled to get that 76.2mm F-34 gun looking just right. </div>
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Painting was straightforward, making use of Vallejo Surface Primers, Tamiya Acrylics, Future/Klear, Aleran Decals, AK Interactive Washes, Gamblin Oils, and Vallejo Satin Varnish.</div>
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This company of T-34/76 tanks benefits from advance planning and research.</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRUcZsVGpx5KNpZbVJ4ggnXedjGXKXD52qC9rd_hCTYN1ZbwxqsbpILkbMivFMD1kkn5ZWfXITKpYq1qiui3nx-kImv8bCF84i8bL94F-aB_lsLkR9iyrCTHbULuw6NlqEEs1nCCMDHY/s1600/DSCF0916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRUcZsVGpx5KNpZbVJ4ggnXedjGXKXD52qC9rd_hCTYN1ZbwxqsbpILkbMivFMD1kkn5ZWfXITKpYq1qiui3nx-kImv8bCF84i8bL94F-aB_lsLkR9iyrCTHbULuw6NlqEEs1nCCMDHY/s320/DSCF0916.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A platoon of T-34/76 tanks from PSC.</td></tr>
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But my company is in conflict with history! A point that kept coming up as I read about Soviet armour at Kursk is that unit markings and turret numbers were rare... And yet the sort of games that I enjoy require that I track the status of each vehicle.<br />
Rather than trying to build and play with an authentic force, I decided to create a company's worth of tanks featuring clearly readable markings drawn from my chosen reference material. A most acceptable gamer's compromise.<br />
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As with every project, I learned a lot and improved my skills. That's always satisfying. Best of all, the stash was reduced!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YoKc5jJqgo4qGJUYqGP46Kel1jEGGUAREwdmTxGhwPGpHDFopz4cKsVV8pNc1PXFejXdAdtGjgkOb6GdXDIGJAOsr5OdnVbpTdyR_pRvWFslz5RIvavSrFNUTJBqQepdztZfOO2KQNk/s1600/DSCF0917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YoKc5jJqgo4qGJUYqGP46Kel1jEGGUAREwdmTxGhwPGpHDFopz4cKsVV8pNc1PXFejXdAdtGjgkOb6GdXDIGJAOsr5OdnVbpTdyR_pRvWFslz5RIvavSrFNUTJBqQepdztZfOO2KQNk/s320/DSCF0917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20mm T-34 Stal! by Peabody</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These 20mm gaming pieces have already seen some serious action on the table, some fighting through to victory and others brewing up spectacularly.<br />
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Excellent wargaming goodness, as it should be...<br />
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Until next time,<br />
<b>Peabody Out!</b>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-60214295737529516692013-01-04T15:21:00.000-08:002013-01-04T15:21:36.608-08:00Keep on Truckin!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6pxBxDxDis9qOI5WEIBOfC2D0gIGHch-7p2kwqqZJfq421Zh1KObamqzTDVaQpPq161BxuorQeeFAKNwPd4lZ88IV0iphal3ZenGcMzVu4wMhW_qYOZUhJefxQeBA-slAS-Loj4mp24/s1600/Defend+USSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6pxBxDxDis9qOI5WEIBOfC2D0gIGHch-7p2kwqqZJfq421Zh1KObamqzTDVaQpPq161BxuorQeeFAKNwPd4lZ88IV0iphal3ZenGcMzVu4wMhW_qYOZUhJefxQeBA-slAS-Loj4mp24/s200/Defend+USSR.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Truckin' to Victory!</b></td></tr>
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<h4>
The GAZ AA truck is one of the 'Weapons of Victory' in The Great Patriotic War. </h4>
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A licensed copy of the Ford -AA model 1929 truck, the first GAZ production models built in Russia hit the dusty Soviet byways in 1932.<br />
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This was a durable, easy to maintain vehicle that performed well in extreme conditions and regardless of fuel quality.<br />
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<h4>
Perfect for 20mm Gaming. </h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw_nrTL7P04OYBX8jMI5ceT4mUBkMlLIt2WA__2hIZ2cDFoN1D3aL0Qxx8Irg-_dGY-W6_XVD93Kob1F7nBRs3HnmfxCOq-N5hQhq7vhvtFZlzo6iS8s-UZ_Byx1arvEernG2YsG7cdQ/s1600/DSCF0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw_nrTL7P04OYBX8jMI5ceT4mUBkMlLIt2WA__2hIZ2cDFoN1D3aL0Qxx8Irg-_dGY-W6_XVD93Kob1F7nBRs3HnmfxCOq-N5hQhq7vhvtFZlzo6iS8s-UZ_Byx1arvEernG2YsG7cdQ/s320/DSCF0895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>GAZ-AA Trucks from Moonlite Modelwerks</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The GAZ AA earned itself a popular nickname; the Полуторка - 'Polutorka' or '<i>One-and-a-half Truck</i>' due to its rated cargo capacity of 1.5 Metric tons.<br />
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These rugged trucks served in a host of capacities; Cargo, Troop Transport, Ambulance and as Anti-aircraft mounts.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oF4DYMTOWgIX6M5GI36j_W300_CWmYKxVelvBAiPSepp6JRxfa0QkYDOc1lgaftZabQb_f_gFUTT6MnQQryWuz9f8ta8A1C0ZtX1aAz8S8uwOrU_u_ez-YFVdGizqm8vYsFuZyxNUYI/s1600/DSCF0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oF4DYMTOWgIX6M5GI36j_W300_CWmYKxVelvBAiPSepp6JRxfa0QkYDOc1lgaftZabQb_f_gFUTT6MnQQryWuz9f8ta8A1C0ZtX1aAz8S8uwOrU_u_ez-YFVdGizqm8vYsFuZyxNUYI/s320/DSCF0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Moonlite Modelwerks resin GAZ-AA Trucks</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hundreds of thousands of these vehicles were built between 1929 and 1950. The chassis became an important foundation for a variety of heavier trucks and vehicles.<br />
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Today's brief post features resin GAZ-AA Trucks from Moonlite Modelwerks.<br />
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These are very fine examples of this most useful vehicle; perfect for 20mm Eastern Front gaming.<br />
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<h4>
Highly Flexible </h4>
The 'One and a Half' was used in so many different rolls that I decided to base these to work in a variety of ways. Each base has enough room to easily hold a squad of infantry, so they make great transports. Load cargo in the back and they are logistics / supply vehicles. Pair them with a gun and crew and they become tows.<br />
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The Moonlite vehicles are good value, so I'll be ordering more of these to support my infantry as a Mechanised Corps. If you want to contact Moonlite and order a couple of these, email them <a href="mailto:hmsdiomede@aol.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Back soon with more Wargaming Goodness...<br />
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<b>Peabody Out!</b>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-6634336076712143012012-12-31T15:04:00.000-08:002013-01-04T15:24:24.065-08:00Radio, Radio....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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" 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<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Respect for Moonlite Modelwerks </span></h4>
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMDgOH6oAia8fDJCkzrF8sEavPbJQpHyjzaYBIQwoaWnYm2UhA_zU8vkiYOBxqeogrJ7yl1tjEeX_eUaBMvtUOcR-ExGev-RoyK8giBAQT0OeStOU95EvLyWLfjQnt4aZbIyvwTredNA/s1600/Radio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMDgOH6oAia8fDJCkzrF8sEavPbJQpHyjzaYBIQwoaWnYm2UhA_zU8vkiYOBxqeogrJ7yl1tjEeX_eUaBMvtUOcR-ExGev-RoyK8giBAQT0OeStOU95EvLyWLfjQnt4aZbIyvwTredNA/s200/Radio.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Calling all gamers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This broadcast is for anyone who appreciates gaming with a finely made mini, great value and awesome friendly service.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm talking about the quality products of Mr. David Reasoner, the talent behind 'Moonlite Modelwerks'.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<h4 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Moonlite offers a select line of vehicles and guns for the historical 20mm gamer. </h4>
<h4 class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyOzJVM221zaUnCHabusUovaXm2gkDCQs7t9Q9NW9w-t7yMHvDbPT-hx8YQ_LTUxiAdPQZ2JIRlBH7MmDg-FXmSw9sllj3cAbzx8HuTOeUKIrfS8PLfaXVjzgOcpfvUL8TmnIisePmQ8/s1600/DSCF0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyOzJVM221zaUnCHabusUovaXm2gkDCQs7t9Q9NW9w-t7yMHvDbPT-hx8YQ_LTUxiAdPQZ2JIRlBH7MmDg-FXmSw9sllj3cAbzx8HuTOeUKIrfS8PLfaXVjzgOcpfvUL8TmnIisePmQ8/s320/DSCF0901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soviet Gaz-AAA Radio Van by Moonlite Modelwerks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The subjects David has chosen for his catalogue all fill a niche that has been neglected or poorly <span id="goog_396796905"></span><span id="goog_396796906"></span>served in our gaming community.<br />
In the Moonlite catalogue you will find trucks, tows, signals vans, howitzers and field-guns for the U.K & Commonwealth, Germany, France, Poland, Netherlands & East Indies, the U.S. as well as a useful selection of generic, 'Universal' cars and trucks from the late 30's and early 40's. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRcQhLESTgcRMgdNMdrkkGRGlqR1ex67tbprbRTL-HHhiZL72GpY-tXD0bSkdEuHGTT6vTxmr-q8As_CsBoVM-dOC8foCWYV17x76i37WB6lnhtgANxeGveerTAj7anZz_S1BiaoFDsE/s1600/DSCF0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRcQhLESTgcRMgdNMdrkkGRGlqR1ex67tbprbRTL-HHhiZL72GpY-tXD0bSkdEuHGTT6vTxmr-q8As_CsBoVM-dOC8foCWYV17x76i37WB6lnhtgANxeGveerTAj7anZz_S1BiaoFDsE/s320/DSCF0899.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soviet Gaz-AAA Radio Van by Moonlite Modelwerks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you like to game out of the way theatres, Early WWII, the Inter-War period <i><b>or</b></i> if you play a rule-set that emphasises the importance of Command and Logistics units, then Moonlite has some very interesting pieces for you to game with.<br />
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If you want a copy of the Moonlite catalogue, or to order any of David's fine products, email him <a href="mailto:hmsdiomede@aol.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">AT THIS LINK</a>.<br />
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<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These kits just beg to be painted.</h4>
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The beauty of the
Moonlite product is that they -the vehicles at least- really are "<b>paint
and play</b>"! The examples I'm showing here arrived, faultlessly cast,
carefully packed and <i>ready to paint</i>.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmT0z1BvgmAyk8HGZZigz6tejOhPCLAOgofFzlsbgFOppagR-tjXZgMJEWpRUo7eBT0ONhDmwhceo2Aulsj3mYmq46c_RWX3mc2rLKufnYUMfVqrAwBrCTqZD6ZbJy-3HoiR5YNfWsj4/s1600/DSCF0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmT0z1BvgmAyk8HGZZigz6tejOhPCLAOgofFzlsbgFOppagR-tjXZgMJEWpRUo7eBT0ONhDmwhceo2Aulsj3mYmq46c_RWX3mc2rLKufnYUMfVqrAwBrCTqZD6ZbJy-3HoiR5YNfWsj4/s320/DSCF0898.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soviet Radio Van & Generic Staff Car by Moonlite Modelwerks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Over the last year, <i>very few</i> of the resin kits I ordered for this Soviet project have come close to the quality of casting that these models offer.</div>
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</div>
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Each model has a definite style and charm. The level of detail is remarkable. And yet these are wargaming kits. Some of the detail <i>is</i> fine and fragile; the headlamps on this Gaz radio van are beautifully done! But these are robust resin models and intended for our gaming fun.<br />
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<h4>
Just a great guy. </h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7ctwpjhV9gigrwSR_IW0nM7BzhXaUAQH0YJZvq_qftiM7qHxMPJJZ2f9uZ27Qm6wmbtBdvYjk1W4K8VjgyysJQE5OzIah3zMcMVF8fXzsmOgMi7v8uexSW4TQEfI4qEeOE66UPaqpJk/s1600/DSCF0903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7ctwpjhV9gigrwSR_IW0nM7BzhXaUAQH0YJZvq_qftiM7qHxMPJJZ2f9uZ27Qm6wmbtBdvYjk1W4K8VjgyysJQE5OzIah3zMcMVF8fXzsmOgMi7v8uexSW4TQEfI4qEeOE66UPaqpJk/s320/DSCF0903.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1934 Ford Car (generic) by Moonlite Modelwerks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really look forward to placing my next order with Mr. Reasoner. He is just a super person to do business with.<br />
A one-man operation, Moonlite is often in demand, so I don't place orders when working to a personal deadline. This is one operation that keeps open lines of communication, so I've never had any trouble scheduling an order.<br />
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</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
A Happy New Year and much Gaming Goodness to you all!</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm proud to wrap up this last post of 2012 with a plug for a great guy and a good product. But I really want to wish you all a happy, healthy and fun-filled 2013! Build! Paint! Play! And do it with friends.</div>
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<b>Well met! Peabody Out!</b></div>
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- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-35966013148160968092012-12-24T09:01:00.000-08:002012-12-24T09:02:42.330-08:00MERRY CHRISTMAS<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bT-kPX7QrrdMbN-7tOW7T-MHkqYCpvf0EhYzadTDbQRi4oH4i0KKgf8wn8dDKXNPd_n-yi_cOwAnAK07Ws6_Ux_IR0-Xau86pK8Xn-Tj_OlPr_NWhU1g4vTIONg85vEUzUKbFnLalU0/s1600/jkort4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bT-kPX7QrrdMbN-7tOW7T-MHkqYCpvf0EhYzadTDbQRi4oH4i0KKgf8wn8dDKXNPd_n-yi_cOwAnAK07Ws6_Ux_IR0-Xau86pK8Xn-Tj_OlPr_NWhU1g4vTIONg85vEUzUKbFnLalU0/s400/jkort4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Old Peabody is an Icelandic dog!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A quick note </span>to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy new year.</b></h4>
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To everyone who has so kindly decided to support Peabody up on his soapbox, following
these infrequent posts, <i>thank you</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Many of you are bloggers who
contribute tremendously to the hobby and I both admire and appreciate what
you do for the community.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Blogger or enthusiastic Gamer, I hope Santa has some hobby goodness in his bag for you this year. Failing that, I hope you score big at your FLGS Boxing Day sale....</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
A Big Year </h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
2012 has been a good year for Peabody; less blogging but more modelling and <i>much</i> more gaming with good friends was accomplished.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I feel lucky to have learned from some fantastic talents out here in the world of blog as well as on my favourite forums. To those fine folks at <a href="http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php?sid=96b901e7e21119d6b5c8aeff1e4a9dd2" target="_blank">The Guild</a>, at <a href="http://www.societyofgentlemengamers.org/index.php" target="_blank">The Society of Gentlemen Gamers</a> and at <a href="http://www.trumpetersociety.com/events_coverage.html" target="_blank">The Trumpeter Tabletop Gaming Society</a>; my sincere thanks for helping to make this a banner year for hobby fun.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Stay Tuned</h4>
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Peabody will be back shortly with more Summer Soviets, more rambling and more wargaming goodness.</div>
- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-10331642508223262152012-12-03T16:33:00.001-08:002012-12-03T16:33:09.429-08:00From Strength to Strength<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF9KUmfflhFdYURUMY7a0OqUnl6C2THTxB3PLbAAjbZlNWA5KA8lmtjKLRlECmghy7nd6kffxx4U-kf_FcOmet04efCv7agPYSOCzA3O-YLlIeN9BZn0KjSRDYWSiFPzcGSMbm2V3yOY/s1600/BorderofUSSRGuardedbyAllSovietPeople(22x36).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVF9KUmfflhFdYURUMY7a0OqUnl6C2THTxB3PLbAAjbZlNWA5KA8lmtjKLRlECmghy7nd6kffxx4U-kf_FcOmet04efCv7agPYSOCzA3O-YLlIeN9BZn0KjSRDYWSiFPzcGSMbm2V3yOY/s320/BorderofUSSRGuardedbyAllSovietPeople(22x36).jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">To have a project -a plan- and at the same time to feel like you are part of a group enthusiastically working together to complete the job will further anyone's '<i>Stash-Reduction-Programme</i>'. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of last year I had the good sense to commit to the year-long "Group Build 2012" at <a href="http://www.guildwargamers.com/phpBB3/index.php" target="_blank">The Guild</a>, and <b>wow</b>, did that ever help with my focus issues. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The whole is more important than the individual (figure or vehicle...)</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To meet each of the five deadlines throughout the year I would have to get work done; to approach each task with a "get ready; do; clean-up and put away" plan. No faffing about and no crazy new techniques.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Ironically this committed, 'keep up with the group', approach resulted in some significant hobby satisfaction! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not only did I get a lot more work done, I also developed speed, honed skills and built <i>an army to crush my foe</i>.<span style="font-size: small;"><i>...</i></span> Er, yeah, I mean I built up a fine collection of historical minis in 1/72 scale... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I remain truly grateful to those Admins at The Guild who gave up their free time to organise this activity. Must have been like herding cats, and just as rewarding. <b>Respect.</b></span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anti-Tank, Field Guns and Ack-Ack too,</span></h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This particular task of the group build remains one of my favourites because of the way it brought together models, minis and basing. Ok, very basic diorama work, yes. But for me satisfying because I was building on lessons learned working on the Heavy Weapons teams.</span></span><br />
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Going from strength to strength...</span></span></h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09mSFTBcSTi2ZaZx6O6BTopeVU1j-SIto4wikjHx5hAKwTMPhNikbKUugXuGFrBFK1Ph_BjJ371wyEIRuLBcMwI5ZNHOz4X45zq4Sl5-6an-0a57oHXtFcl_E4w1KvuKC6PL77x5UrJg/s1600/DSCF0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09mSFTBcSTi2ZaZx6O6BTopeVU1j-SIto4wikjHx5hAKwTMPhNikbKUugXuGFrBFK1Ph_BjJ371wyEIRuLBcMwI5ZNHOz4X45zq4Sl5-6an-0a57oHXtFcl_E4w1KvuKC6PL77x5UrJg/s320/DSCF0797.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>45mm M1942 (M-42) Russian Anti-Tank Gun</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">These are guns and crew from the Plastic Soldier Company </span> <a href="http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_3_20&products_id=200" target="_blank">1/72 Russian 45mm Anti Tank Gun box</a>.<br />
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The set allows you to build up two varieties of 45mm AT-gun; your choice of the M1937 or the M1942, as well you can build the M1943 Infantry Gun.<br />
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You are quite literally spoilt for choice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKddAZJe1JfDoCI-YoGKIW6OdAtfAQYgH-7wEU6-eErVihei8HjqDJTooEP5PNZAv5cX6GoM9DuOXlEP7uMooKjvdGdl7mYoKR5CmdDOLaDE5wX74Os-HIASJ5v3Bnepq5kLGMYEPm60Y/s1600/DSCF0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKddAZJe1JfDoCI-YoGKIW6OdAtfAQYgH-7wEU6-eErVihei8HjqDJTooEP5PNZAv5cX6GoM9DuOXlEP7uMooKjvdGdl7mYoKR5CmdDOLaDE5wX74Os-HIASJ5v3Bnepq5kLGMYEPm60Y/s320/DSCF0810.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>1/72 Scale Plastic Soldier Co. Gun and Miniatures</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The gun models have enough detail for the gaming table and build up very quickly.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The crew figures are nicely done and in the same semi-posable, multi-part style as other PSC minis.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The abundant ammunition and spent shell-casings add a nice touch to the set. You will find shells enough to detail your bases and to save some for a future project<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTWg7CaaqUOkRKTXUkm9fv6m7XggSzN54oZJvcA3DLnOl6l1Lw0dHU-UGm_u4pgdkF3nsPBm_Ef7XhC4NxsgavWshQhwTwFdFdW3FZAUSISYdaPwlSueuEdFlFxrv-R9jY2EVxcXWW3g/s1600/DSCF0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZTWg7CaaqUOkRKTXUkm9fv6m7XggSzN54oZJvcA3DLnOl6l1Lw0dHU-UGm_u4pgdkF3nsPBm_Ef7XhC4NxsgavWshQhwTwFdFdW3FZAUSISYdaPwlSueuEdFlFxrv-R9jY2EVxcXWW3g/s400/DSCF0815.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>'Keep Firing! They'll Notice Us Eventually<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'</span></span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: right;">
So, these may not be the deadliest guns in<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>Red Army history, but wisely used, they will ring bells in the right places.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHnoHqBElwGQK-O2pCiRjB_i-L770Cc8dbhwGPU8bw-60rTkRxIsbtuQBXnVyOihjOSEYnkm_WTV4jj4P-rc1LAfnm32NHuUaMKcWrOlD5wnLOXL55pMMyCQWybFR8LhwASr0Objy-_0/s1600/DSCF0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHnoHqBElwGQK-O2pCiRjB_i-L770Cc8dbhwGPU8bw-60rTkRxIsbtuQBXnVyOihjOSEYnkm_WTV4jj4P-rc1LAfnm32NHuUaMKcWrOlD5wnLOXL55pMMyCQWybFR8LhwASr0Objy-_0/s400/DSCF0804.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>76mm Regimental Gun M1943 (OB-25)</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This box of<span style="font-family: inherit;"> four</span> guns has already provided some good fun on our table, <i>especially</i> this handy little 76mm field gun, which has managed to harass and suppress artillery spotters, snipers and infantry over several games.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHMwQYgxiRPN3FC_E0cLdKpq13EYfv_oyB_tG-O76bqBnNbcyLfs0t9KAuEzWi8rA-wOYXCxo1LVaNbR2kY10A8NbdeWvNG4X-IsUFSQp3N9CIdJ6gb8XMI0puXIMeIRVlrHhKsJb5ro/s1600/DSCF0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHMwQYgxiRPN3FC_E0cLdKpq13EYfv_oyB_tG-O76bqBnNbcyLfs0t9KAuEzWi8rA-wOYXCxo1LVaNbR2kY10A8NbdeWvNG4X-IsUFSQp3N9CIdJ6gb8XMI0puXIMeIRVlrHhKsJb5ro/s320/DSCF0802.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A Super Little Infantry Gun...</b></td></tr>
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All in all, these were great fun to build, paint and base.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am tempted to pick up another box, just to build up more of these useful 76mm guns! </div>
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ACK!</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CMVKI7-NHYluMMZhQnKb3p4zIv7F9bEz4hlBLnw5lzKYHf_MB0DANptKz4TGaywZ8U6_B5mnGJN4MXq8VmfOoPO7YgLUOlNnGQCPmhoDK3-OaoG6StkMY8k_SzFEJ-U9quqyjhbs7Z0/s1600/DSCF0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CMVKI7-NHYluMMZhQnKb3p4zIv7F9bEz4hlBLnw5lzKYHf_MB0DANptKz4TGaywZ8U6_B5mnGJN4MXq8VmfOoPO7YgLUOlNnGQCPmhoDK3-OaoG6StkMY8k_SzFEJ-U9quqyjhbs7Z0/s400/DSCF0821.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I
feel much safer with at least one real AA Gun on the table. </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our games
feature infrequent, random, and devastating aircraft attacks.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Best to plan for the worst! </i></div>
</div>
This classic <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=airfix+bofors+gun+and+tractor&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=PzG9UNvsH6j9iwK7sYCwAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CC0QsAQ&biw=940&bih=821" target="_blank">Airfix kit</a> of the 40mm Bofors does a bang-up job standing in for the 37mm Russian knock-off of that famous anti-aircraft gun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ya2m3X-YJOEguB2kcCUoR4AppbxMZ04lGHi6hPv1RqibOHcwwdPo3OZIx9Pnaj2IguYTi24JRx4ILg1mG5ClHRXoWfsMNTHk_xVDUzyuZnRrQrDZJMbcumyibD9Mm8IUufZusRoCHKs/s1600/DSCF0822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ya2m3X-YJOEguB2kcCUoR4AppbxMZ04lGHi6hPv1RqibOHcwwdPo3OZIx9Pnaj2IguYTi24JRx4ILg1mG5ClHRXoWfsMNTHk_xVDUzyuZnRrQrDZJMbcumyibD9Mm8IUufZusRoCHKs/s320/DSCF0822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Still haven't decided what I'll do with the Morris 6x4 that comes with the Airfix gun; it is a very nice looking kit and clearly a joy to paint, but staying focused on my group build means that the tractor must wait for another day.<br />
Meanwhile, with one of these on overwatch, I'm a bit cooler under the collar. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
As I said before, this was one of my favourite tasks during the year long build. It was good to draw on a classic gaming resource like Airfix as well as make use of the practical economy of new-comer PSC.<br />
The results are nice to look at, and useful on the table too. <br />
<br />
Until next time,<br />
<b>Peabody Out.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEaSH2gIzjuTRPFwcWxsFIIGsgGqYwZFBVhBoGV2tTuPHAB-CN3dUNJmu-o58p-XNUYJ_Pl0mcbyOSA1L82qY9VPDURuBYgEjYNxa2LoPiNs4VYgDj9YAVdAAmOOqh0ZcB0QZcFqF3rY/s1600/DSCF0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">1/72 Soviet Anti-Tank & Field Guns from PSC<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEaSH2gIzjuTRPFwcWxsFIIGsgGqYwZFBVhBoGV2tTuPHAB-CN3dUNJmu-o58p-XNUYJ_Pl0mcbyOSA1L82qY9VPDURuBYgEjYNxa2LoPiNs4VYgDj9YAVdAAmOOqh0ZcB0QZcFqF3rY/s640/DSCF0818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-87013637963559640672012-11-26T15:25:00.002-08:002012-12-03T16:33:54.965-08:00My Liebster is calling... <br />
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuisd9PLhp-iNq9o9eyn92U-RT6JHUo84pnVCtWdGboX6euedojGmPnhyhb-tRZvUiaCYx98hdiBUKSfK4oTM5fqq5SjmMtlCgj_jZS_5AcT5lmY6AC7BLNEA5PBOKRePL4YkZO3i4X8/s1600/Liebster+Viral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuisd9PLhp-iNq9o9eyn92U-RT6JHUo84pnVCtWdGboX6euedojGmPnhyhb-tRZvUiaCYx98hdiBUKSfK4oTM5fqq5SjmMtlCgj_jZS_5AcT5lmY6AC7BLNEA5PBOKRePL4YkZO3i4X8/s200/Liebster+Viral.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>This thing is gone Viral!</b></td></tr>
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
I'm honoured that <a href="http://closetheranks.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Close The Ranks</a> saw fit to tap me for this darling award. </h4>
<br />
The best thing about Liebster is that I get to draw attention to a handful of blogs that both genuinely deserve notice and have yet to gain a <strike>strong</strike> large following.<br />
<br />
I have combed through my list of 'Better Blogs' -which continues to grow almost any time I poke about the web these days- and have chosen <i>five super deserving blogs</i>. I'm surprised Peabody will be passing on this Lieb-bug to these five, because they really are good blogs and I thought someone else would have gotten here first...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anyhow, my picks are chosen because they feature inspirational painting, useful tutorials and solid hobby advice.</div>
<br />
<h4>
Allow me to introduce you to:</h4>
<a href="http://jacksarge.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Jacksarge's Wargames Ramblings</a> This chap has great style and terrific talent with a brush. Clocking in 77 lovely posts since 2011, Jacksarge covers a lot of territory and includes some practical tutorials as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="title">
<a href="http://20mmandthensome.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">20mm and then some...</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Brought to us by the prolific 'Gunbird'. Another 2011 vintage blog, but this time with 136 posts to savour over your next few pots of Keemun. This is a fellow with great imagination and excellent modification / kitbashing skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="title" style="background: transparent; border-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://theaircavsaga.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">The Aircav Saga</a> Come follow the exploits of a wonderful painter and all around great guy. At 51 posts to date, this blog features a variety of excellent projects well documented by some very useful WIP posts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="title" style="background: transparent; border-width: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://winterof79.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">The Winter of '79</a> Gripping stuff! Begun in spring 2010, this incredibly detailed and documented </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">alternate history</span> blog offers rich gaming insight into Britain during t</span>he Winter of Discontent.</div>
<div class="title" style="background: transparent; border-width: 0px;">
Mark, of Dropship Horizon fame, presents the rulesets and resources you might need to game revolution and urban uprising in the heart of cold war England -and elsewhere! Well over 300 posts of wonderful reading.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="title" style="background: transparent; border-width: 0px;">
<a href="http://takethehighground.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Take The High Ground</a> Brought to us by Airhead, this blog, begun in 2008, features close to 200 posts on great terrain projects. Many posts feature WIP shots, using ordinary wargamer junk, that inspire you <i>to do something</i>. Really just a super resource for the ordinary gamer looking to make their games that little bit more lovely.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="title" style="background: transparent; border-width: 0px;">
Lastly I'm going to include <a href="http://clearhorizonsalvage.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">ClearHorizon</a> which is a cheat, because Mr. Harold has already been 'Liebstered' at least once lately. Hell, he deserves it. <u>This</u> is 15mm Sci-fi goodness. Go check him out.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Peabody out!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-69706173659833504392012-11-24T15:19:00.000-08:002012-12-03T16:34:14.993-08:00Soviet Saga Continues... Heavy Support!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItJkCWFqqS_6c4mtbvB-OWVRRvE-q6Y0wY9_lyYpTtKcpDpSJ2F44wi3HU6HfySCwXg72-_aDa1hADEqzbSXuinX7EEOgdVKkbztepquvCUslxs8Bfci8ZNRzcLoKdmeFYMMVV2Nu9OE/s1600/WeNeedMoreWeaponstoDefeattheEnemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItJkCWFqqS_6c4mtbvB-OWVRRvE-q6Y0wY9_lyYpTtKcpDpSJ2F44wi3HU6HfySCwXg72-_aDa1hADEqzbSXuinX7EEOgdVKkbztepquvCUslxs8Bfci8ZNRzcLoKdmeFYMMVV2Nu9OE/s200/WeNeedMoreWeaponstoDefeattheEnemy.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Needs More Weapons!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Woah. Long post. Best get the kettle on... </b><br />
SO the groundwork had been laid for my Soviet force with the infantry company. We even got down to playing some games, which turned out to be important.<br />
<br />
Over on the workbench my wet pallet was up and running and I had found my figure painting 'groove' but I knew I needed some staying power to work my way through the lead ahead. Getting in some <u>fun</u> skirmish games with the minis I had already completed did a <i>lot</i> to keep enthusiasm and momentum going.<br />
<br />
We played Iron Ivan's <a href="http://store.ironivangames.com/disposable-heroes-and-coffin-for-seven-brothers.html" target="_blank">Disposable Heroes</a>, using the <a href="http://store.ironivangames.com/urrahh.html" target="_blank">Russian</a> and <a href="http://store.ironivangames.com/angriff.html" target="_blank">German</a> lists as well as <a href="http://store.ironivangames.com/dihepobl.html" target="_blank">Point Blank</a>. We even tried out some home-brewed mods for the <b><i>excellent</i></b> but sadly OOP <a href="http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/102742/kampfgruppe-normandy" target="_blank">Kampfgruppe Normandy</a>. All great fun gaming.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZtfjeZ26LL4MobTxDux3pbbpFq0AGBtlPGqfsDrrdkzNvKPRIUyZK53azqFLo2M3Av8ke-D5C9pSKN1BLNQ-kTshp9jeJwNjMAgNiqTlRNc53_0FR3R1_8qXmzWOj1eyljzCr0_D1bs/s1600/DSCF0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZtfjeZ26LL4MobTxDux3pbbpFq0AGBtlPGqfsDrrdkzNvKPRIUyZK53azqFLo2M3Av8ke-D5C9pSKN1BLNQ-kTshp9jeJwNjMAgNiqTlRNc53_0FR3R1_8qXmzWOj1eyljzCr0_D1bs/s400/DSCF0832.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Anti-Tank Rifles and Maxim MG Teams on the move.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile the painting queue demanded action! Support weapons were necessary to keep
the fascist foe on the run and the Plastic Soldier Company '<a href="http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_3_12&products_id=198&zenid=5c2pi952pji0162i9d0ehirn46" target="_blank">Russian Infantry Heavy Weapons</a>' box was clearly the way forward.<br />
<br />
Keep in mind this Summer '43 ETO project began entirely as a classic gamer's 'oooh shiny' moment. One day I was content doing 15mm sci-fi and some 20mm Vietnam, and then wham! - "Welcome to The Party, proletariat comrade". <br />
<br />
To complicate things I was completely naive and ignorant. My understanding of WWII Soviet stuff was nil. So as soon as I realised the Plastic Soldier Co. box-sets were Platoon-Strength that really helped me to commit to this project. Building up a Soviet force this way is pretty darn easy. <br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZOiP67_kqq_7TK-qW90aD2PLos3RXuV4TTlOywvGrrVKiuWVKwzwUfLRwCnFDjY4_lfJSV2uQki_lLO17ghwtNCoH8xzQB9MYGkjpnlQqfaJANLnxIX-7VAlx0VnFYk_uAuMSLIgOqE/s1600/DSCF0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZOiP67_kqq_7TK-qW90aD2PLos3RXuV4TTlOywvGrrVKiuWVKwzwUfLRwCnFDjY4_lfJSV2uQki_lLO17ghwtNCoH8xzQB9MYGkjpnlQqfaJANLnxIX-7VAlx0VnFYk_uAuMSLIgOqE/s640/DSCF0825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>82mm Mortar Teams. Ammo crates from Britannia.</b></td></tr>
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The Infantry Heavy Weapon box contains 39 nicely detailed, multi-part figures that build up into fifteen weapon teams as well as three individual figures on the move.<br />
<br />
These are 'multi-part', not 'many-part' figures; <i>very easy to assemble</i>, not too fiddly and offer a degree of customisation.The experienced plastic figure modeller will find good fodder for conversion here.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Basing. Little dioramas of hobby joy!</h3>
<br />
Inspired by the scale of play and modelling work of friends playing Kampfgruppe Normandy, it seemed the right time to try something new; to put some effort into basing these weapons teams.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1PGkKRduGUJvNKjSdzIs9Iz_CH2aLZpJLu6CE_Z9t4sg3XQemzAMc_HPRuQP_L3AcOvuHUWaXfNgNU_2h3dbrg9ABAlM7OJa3HEk-xRui6peZ57-Q-sOod3HCJ1rcFArkm9Lh-R1tfg/s1600/DSCF0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1PGkKRduGUJvNKjSdzIs9Iz_CH2aLZpJLu6CE_Z9t4sg3XQemzAMc_HPRuQP_L3AcOvuHUWaXfNgNU_2h3dbrg9ABAlM7OJa3HEk-xRui6peZ57-Q-sOod3HCJ1rcFArkm9Lh-R1tfg/s400/DSCF0826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>50mm Mortar Teams</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My old habits from skirmish gaming; the flexibility of single basing
every figure and weapon, were just not going to cut it for the bigger 'Kursk
themed' games to come!<br />
<br />
So I took stock of my situation, had a good look about my favourite forums and made sure I was ready for what lay ahead.<br />
<br />
I had some hexagonal bases on hand from that super chap, Murray, at <a href="http://www.warbases.co.uk/#/polygonic-bases/4532404193" target="_blank">Warbases</a>. Those would play a part. The hex itself has naught to do with any rule-set I play, I just wanted to use them up!<br />
<br />
As for scenic-décor, I had plenty of rocks on hand, previously cast using a selection of <a href="http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/TerrainFormation/page/1" target="_blank">Woodland Scenics moulds</a>. I knew I wanted to use <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Kampfgruppe+Normandy&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=qr4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IUqxUIDgPMj3iwLT04DABg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=basing+tufts&oq=basing+tufts&gs_l=img.3...5886.6967.2.7418.7.7.0.0.0.0.35.222.7.7.0...0.0...1c.1.M2xmy76uPbc&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Tufts</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Kampfgruppe+Normandy&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=qr4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IUqxUIDgPMj3iwLT04DABg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=static+grass&oq=static+grass&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i5j0i24l7.29717.33654.4.33984.18.15.3.0.0.0.185.913.13j2.15.0...0.0...1c.1.-vBF3-wESYk&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Static Grass</a> and various types of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Kampfgruppe+Normandy&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=qr4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IUqxUIDgPMj3iwLT04DABg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=clump+foliage&oq=clump+foli&gs_l=img.3.0.0i24l2j0i5i24l2.29338.31222.6.34536.10.10.0.0.0.0.95.497.10.10.0...0.0...1c.1.kCIvhtp1BKs&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Clump Foliage</a>; typical gaming ground-cover, so stopped by the FLGS to stock up on those supplies, too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-Dq8a_AGVxtjXPZMfUa5toXoPhPYJg472ZNf2pea9VTKeYYdzJjTGu0mYX9dgmVduIJRaH9DY4O-mdDL_7wpqnRXx55u-2l9Q7Tzo-02YANdsHlofN8BEZFPzvVchs2J930JEpRmT7c/s1600/DSCF0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-Dq8a_AGVxtjXPZMfUa5toXoPhPYJg472ZNf2pea9VTKeYYdzJjTGu0mYX9dgmVduIJRaH9DY4O-mdDL_7wpqnRXx55u-2l9Q7Tzo-02YANdsHlofN8BEZFPzvVchs2J930JEpRmT7c/s640/DSCF0829.JPG" title="" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Maxim MG Teams laying down some fire.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As always, the goo that binds everything together when I do basing work of any kind is <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=golden+high+solid+gel+%28matte%29&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=FoO&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=PD-xUIvdB6aaiAKphYGIAw&ved=0CAQQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=aoO&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=golden+high+solid+gel+%28matte%29&oq=golden+high+solid+gel+%28matte%29&gs_l=img.3...12128.12128.2.12425.1.1.0.0.0.0.34.34.1.1.0...0.0...1c.1.hcbygwgQY70&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">High Solid Gel (Matte)</a> from Golden Acrylics. I texture this with Woodland Scenics fine turf, and tint it with raw sienna acrylic paint plus some ochre pigment. Where I live, this combo is both cheaper and easier to customise for basic ground-work when compared to the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=tamiya+modelling+paste&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=BC4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CkCxUI7jFeqIiwKPgIHACA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=uWj&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=tamiya+texture+paint&oq=tamiya+texture+paint&gs_l=img.3..0i24l2.6558.8762.0.9092.13.3.0.10.10.0.43.118.3.3.0...0.0...1c.1.-IYANktHCVI&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Tamiya Texture Paints</a> or the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=tamiya+modelling+paste&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=BC4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CkCxUI7jFeqIiwKPgIHACA&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=LC4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=vallejo+pumice+gel&oq=Vallejo+pum&gs_l=img.3.3.0i24l5.67325.70012.2.74755.11.10.0.1.1.0.87.477.10.10.0...0.0...1c.1.tGBbO9y3lp8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Vallejo Gels</a>, both of which are just super. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7v-3G-W5ptlbhyQBJIAKoDcXakmVsoZKNI93mGphuh-8nm-wYkcVg1DiKMd3pjGe3v2fc-M01Kl6dUiZjSPfoxUOaIghLGsC-Nr9Mrp8gq2i-8_YJaZ889OKTzS0y9nlSEcv5ssOTCA/s1600/DSCF0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7v-3G-W5ptlbhyQBJIAKoDcXakmVsoZKNI93mGphuh-8nm-wYkcVg1DiKMd3pjGe3v2fc-M01Kl6dUiZjSPfoxUOaIghLGsC-Nr9Mrp8gq2i-8_YJaZ889OKTzS0y9nlSEcv5ssOTCA/s400/DSCF0830.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Anti-Tank Rifle Teams in Ambush!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I do not own many Citadel products, they are usually high cost for the quality that you get. However, I have been working on a tub of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Citadel+sand&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=YUSxUJSGNISGjAKJoIDQBw&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Citadel+modelling+sand&oq=Citadel+modelling+sand&gs_l=img.3...10381.12942.0.13171.10.10.0.0.0.0.90.427.10.10.0...0.0...1c.1.VBdLw0k418I&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Citadel Modelling Sand</a> for a long while now, and it just won't quit.<br />
I lock down and tint the sand with a coating of home made 'Dip' consisting of Matte Medium and Daler-Rowney <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=daler+rowney+%23222+antelope+brown&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=cvj&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CEaxUL3fMbT9iQKlxIDgDA&ved=0CAQQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=ya4&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=daler+rowney+222+antelope+brown+ink&oq=daler+rowney+222+antelope+brown+ink&gs_l=img.3...3027.10214.0.10480.5.5.0.0.0.0.39.171.5.5.0...0.0...1c.1.VoHYIkpKVAE&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Antelope Brown</a> and black acrylic inks.<br />
In fact, I use <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=daler+rowney+%23222+antelope+brown&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=cvj&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CEaxUL3fMbT9iQKlxIDgDA&ved=0CAQQ_AUoAA&biw=1375&bih=893#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=qvj&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=liquitex+matte+medium&oq=liquitex+matt&gs_l=img.3.0.0i24l10.44017.47200.2.48272.13.11.0.2.2.0.75.497.11.11.0...0.0...1c.1.fryA_YE5Uc0&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=c3157ef7b1e9ae9f&bpcl=38897761&biw=1375&bih=893" target="_blank">Matte Medium</a>, straight-up to glue down sand, tufts, static grass and clump foliage; anything and everything that lies 'on top' of my ground-work is held in place with this most versatile medium!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPoKdm-5OPPNtf2GBsSfam7kvNvv63G13ZUQLgXDoZU0dAXZi0P0AabG2KUHyFcju7rHqdF3MO_WTYfuieRPVeY5t81EQCfdr3W3vbi9_sdWBVaThxt1tdQS7CSATL7PJyu5fsWSIcl0/s1600/DSCF0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPoKdm-5OPPNtf2GBsSfam7kvNvv63G13ZUQLgXDoZU0dAXZi0P0AabG2KUHyFcju7rHqdF3MO_WTYfuieRPVeY5t81EQCfdr3W3vbi9_sdWBVaThxt1tdQS7CSATL7PJyu5fsWSIcl0/s320/DSCF0833.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Groundwork ties it all together. Very satisfying.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My collection of toys was growing by leaps and bounds...<br />
As this Red Russian project began to pick up steam it quickly became clear I had an opportunity to push myself, not only to do better hobby-work, but also to come to grips with a huge aspect of WWII that I knew nothing about.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLfOjZXyXCQsgLV_wvnqmCRmtq0n-xELjfiXi1ozgZMY_GIEupmgM497LC3NGme9LhO_T2vRodF4wUJLQAPPqcSebMc2ESb0a37PmB-nZxLWjyXannjmvcg6DeyWvPBxJpe3QJG3mtI4/s1600/DSCF0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLfOjZXyXCQsgLV_wvnqmCRmtq0n-xELjfiXi1ozgZMY_GIEupmgM497LC3NGme9LhO_T2vRodF4wUJLQAPPqcSebMc2ESb0a37PmB-nZxLWjyXannjmvcg6DeyWvPBxJpe3QJG3mtI4/s320/DSCF0795.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Is Peabody actually a Bee?</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Ok, big post.</b><br />
My humble thanks if you took the time to read all the way down to here. I hope you at least refilled your teacup and got a biscuit along the way.<br />
Maybe the next post will be more brief!<br />
<br />
Until then,<br />
<br />
<b>Peabody out!</b>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-45153218678378078222012-11-18T16:19:00.000-08:002012-11-18T20:40:01.123-08:00За Родину! Seriously...<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>What the heck has Peabody been up to for all these months!?</b></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYHgxd4cCCS46bAgpbz2JdZWwtnlqU4V00tBo8_Nwd2LQz2UcZ74DfInUyMj_evvgTmtTNxRJNaM97QXLXDnGWTr8mFaZK4UUNSic_Pva1eH67gQEoA3nkCfA_7lHsot3LSmCqIqSscg/s1600/niet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTYHgxd4cCCS46bAgpbz2JdZWwtnlqU4V00tBo8_Nwd2LQz2UcZ74DfInUyMj_evvgTmtTNxRJNaM97QXLXDnGWTr8mFaZK4UUNSic_Pva1eH67gQEoA3nkCfA_7lHsot3LSmCqIqSscg/s200/niet.jpg" width="136" /></a>A fair question. It seems I have caught that most dread gaming bug: <b>'20mm WWII</b>'. And not the bog-standard 'Normandy virus', no. I have 'Kursk Pocket' syndrome.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
The symptoms have impacted heavily upon my hobby lifestyle!</div>
<br />
For most of a year now I have been browsing Osprey, Squadron, Concord and Tank Power publications, <i>pretending</i> to do research, all the while my 'Stash' has grown out of control with kits and minis wondrous and new. To me.<br />
In hindsight, I have only just begun to tap the awesome resources available to the typical 20mm historical gamer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPGTDqyCAWrSPk7ptU5BRbzWTN0egJ7ECGLFdWGfIf-BTDEUy9KKWxhXmUJARKcsABIFwBTvOjPV88QREDXpjBpqpDcbvFPYgVd_fO2qgm4pijvFDG1FdDHmor12Xe0JJnDtWnqoW5bw/s1600/soviet+propaganda+worker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPGTDqyCAWrSPk7ptU5BRbzWTN0egJ7ECGLFdWGfIf-BTDEUy9KKWxhXmUJARKcsABIFwBTvOjPV88QREDXpjBpqpDcbvFPYgVd_fO2qgm4pijvFDG1FdDHmor12Xe0JJnDtWnqoW5bw/s200/soviet+propaganda+worker.jpg" width="194" /></a></div>
Serious <span style="font-family: inherit;">self discipline ha</span>s been needed over the last months, an incredible <i>total focus of mind and body</i>, to clear the portion of my lead-mountain that had irresponsibly surged from the cupboard to invade my peaceful living room. <br />
<br />
And my campaign is almost won! Soon 'The Rogue Stash' will be constrained to its allotted cupboard and the oppression of The Living Room will end!<br />
<br />
Over the coming days and weeks, I look forward to recounting the glorious victories our 'Stash-Reduction-Programme' has achieved.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>No better place to begin than with the humble оловянный солдатик - toy soldier.</b></div>
The foot soldier is fundamental, even when gaming a theatre famous for clashing armour, like Kursk.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnjiLVHey4DYC9-_2SE2chqPU1TZobd4dJyx6ImGNoAn_4MIklxyUthYaMr-KDpr0m9mMyKbhFVXqMRDPyJZqzcFoCqqJHwSmUgZLFQXg2D_YM72iFh7UZYqAUSLAV4FrdoCZ2QgW7Pc/s1600/DSCF0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnjiLVHey4DYC9-_2SE2chqPU1TZobd4dJyx6ImGNoAn_4MIklxyUthYaMr-KDpr0m9mMyKbhFVXqMRDPyJZqzcFoCqqJHwSmUgZLFQXg2D_YM72iFh7UZYqAUSLAV4FrdoCZ2QgW7Pc/s400/DSCF0739.JPG" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urrrah! PSC and Elhiem minis work well together!</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I turned to the Plastic Soldier Company for mass and relied on the <a href="http://www.elhiemfigures.com/red_army_57.html" target="_blank">Elhiem Figures Red Army</a> line to add animation, versatility and class to my platoons of infantry.<br />
<br />
Matt Hingley is the the talented chap behind Elhiem figures. His sculpts have a life all to themselves and while there is every reason to build your army <u>entirely</u> from Elhiem stocks, I especially like the way they mix with other lines. <br />
<br />
The PSC <a href="http://theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2_3_12&products_id=1" target="_blank">Russian Infantry in Summer Uniform</a> box is a multi-piece set that builds into 57 very nicely detailed and proportioned figures. Tremendous Value.<br />
<br />
<br />
One box from PSC and several packs from Elhiem gave me enough infantry for a company! I plan to game with both ordinary rifle platoons and also one of SMG toting tank riders.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsnwTYXgYBMgummZvA8dzAp6mSVkTUsjCud_9BP8N230kwN-9nKfC7EuFSZmEX5DJq05-AesoZi6c7yaVs7VC49KA7A7pdNR_BOVtRzoV9xsCmZi-gF7tTCoAKFllAhc5rVmSXOOCQEg/s1600/DSCF0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsnwTYXgYBMgummZvA8dzAp6mSVkTUsjCud_9BP8N230kwN-9nKfC7EuFSZmEX5DJq05-AesoZi6c7yaVs7VC49KA7A7pdNR_BOVtRzoV9xsCmZi-gF7tTCoAKFllAhc5rVmSXOOCQEg/s640/DSCF0738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Plan your collection of infantry to be flexible. Soviet TOE's changed a lot during the war.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Painting was kept very simple, sticking to my tried and true <a href="http://peabody-here.blogspot.ca/p/tutorials.html" target="_blank">Fast Paint Method</a> and sticking close to the suggested colours from the back of the PSC box. Vallejo, Reaper and even Citadel paints did the job.<br />
I <i>strongly recommend</i> this popular speedy painting technique. It's just the thing if you need to get busy painting a lot of minis. Also a great way to get going if you are just starting out, or making a switch from another scale. With a quality mini, the work is already done for you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ExRMydTsAhyphenhyphenaKD_BMeVebGWqUL76hcGAI3oDunvu1_DUwByU5QUVbqtf7EO2rdT3e9o7bVz5Rh-bv4TqJ0UPOvAmIAS5fEb6NT4GGapgkngN1KNEj9V8Hg1aZt8VO1GNXiX6nue5gLs/s1600/DSCF0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ExRMydTsAhyphenhyphenaKD_BMeVebGWqUL76hcGAI3oDunvu1_DUwByU5QUVbqtf7EO2rdT3e9o7bVz5Rh-bv4TqJ0UPOvAmIAS5fEb6NT4GGapgkngN1KNEj9V8Hg1aZt8VO1GNXiX6nue5gLs/s320/DSCF0742.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In time I'll be adding engineers, scouts, medics and command figures.<br />
How I'm going to do those will depend on the rules we settle on for playing out our Summer '43 ETO battles.<br />
No shortage of opportunities there!<br />
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This Kursk Pocket syndrome is not so bad... The toys created by all this effort have already provided terrific fun!<br />
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<b>Peabody out!</b>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-80604584381379676332012-03-04T16:30:00.000-08:002012-03-06T16:50:29.871-08:00Solvent Riddle: Thinners, Turps, Turpentine, Mineral & White SpiritOur hobby, and the wonderful network of blogs and fora that connects us, is spread clear around the globe. That's something worth celebrating! And so while we all sit down to a nice cup of Assam and a few biscuits, lets consider the impact that our local way of putting things, our vernacular, may have on our selection and use of an important hobby resource.<br />
<br />
<b>SOLVENTS</b><br />
Since I began playing more and more with oil paints, pigments and commercially available enamel based filters and washes I have realised there are a few different common solvents that could be used with these products. Yet around this funny old world of ours the names for these solvents from region to region are easily mistaken or misunderstood. <br />
<br />
Now these solvents essentially do the same job, but as they <i>are </i>different, they can have a real impact on our health and on the working properties and finish of what they are mixed with. Understanding these differences and considering that Turps for you, may or may not be Turpentine for me, could help get us closer to the results we hope for.<br />
<br />
So lets have another cup of tea and munch a few more biscuits, while we take a look at some of these useful solvents and especially at their names as they appear about the interwebs. <br />
<br />
HAZARD NOTE: <b>All </b>solvent vapours are toxic. <u>Even the 'odourless' ones</u>!<br />
DO have plenty of ventilation when you work with this sort of stuff. You need both fresh air coming into your workspace and polluted air going outside. A small fan in a window close to where you work, blowing air out of the room, can be the difference between cool fun and sickness. <br />
<br />
<b>TURPENTINE</b><br />
<b>AKA:</b> Turps, Gum Spirits, Distilled Turpentine, Spirit of Turpentine, Oil of Turpentine, Wood Turpentine, Venice Turpentine <br />
<br />
Artists' grade Turpentine is what we want. Its consistency and long drying time can be either advantageous or frustrating. You decide.<br />
Distilled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turpentine" target="_blank">from tree-resins</a> -typically that of pines- pure turpentine is reactive to both light and oxygen and will thicken if not properly stored.<br />
<br />
Avoid 'industrial' Turpentine from hardware stores; a poor choice for our work. <br />
<br />
Turpentine is a very strong solvent and used in high ratios, or in contact with paint over time, it can break the emulsifying agents that bind your paint. This means that turpentine may not be a good choice if you want to thin and then store a mixture for future use. However, the slight* residue left behind by quality turpentine can be useful for setting pigments, whether you apply the turpentine before, with or after the pigment is up to you.<br />
*<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Opposed to thick residue left by the cheap stuff!</span><br />
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<b>MINERAL SPIRIT</b><br />
<b>AKA:</b> Turps, Mineral-Turpentine, White Spirit<br />
Aha! The term 'Turps' leads to some confusion! But it seems to be most widely used to refer to mineral-turpentine, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_spirit" target="_blank">mineral-spirit</a>; a substitute for turpentine. Here we begin to look at several varieties of petroleum distillate that are intended for a variety of purposes from cleaning-up only, to fine-art finishes. <br />
All mineral spirit is quite fast drying, in fact when working with oil paints, this solvent will be dry long before the binding medium of the paint.This allows you to crack along with your projects fairly quickly.<br />
<br />
Again, hardware store grade mineral spirit is not a good choice for our hobby work. While white spirit is also known as paint thinner, we need something that is more refined, and for good reason...<br />
<br />
Artists' grade white or mineral spirit is refined to remove contaminants, particularly sulphur, that can react with paint pigments. Even better, the 'Odourless' varieties are further refined to remove more of the toxic volatile aromatic compounds. This is significant given that we tend to work very close to our subjects! These are multi-purpose thinners suitable for all the oil-paint based techniques as well as for the application of pigments.<br />
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<b>THINNERS</b><br />
What's this then? No biscuit for you... A prime example of the sort of term we need to drop from our common hobby vocabulary. It's like some kind of unrevealed secret ingredient. Go ahead and Google 'Thinners', I'll wait here and have another Garibaldi...<br />
What did you find? Nothing specific I'll bet.<br />
When someone does a nice bit of hobby advice and lists thinners as one of the necessary materials, ask them please to be specific. I'll need blood-thinners before this clears up. <br />
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<br />
<b>THE RIGHT TOOL</b><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=propeswimmres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B00274TI28&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" align=right frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
I keep both a high quality Turpentine and Odourless Mineral Spirit in my tool-kit. I don't use the turpentine as frequently as the mineral spirit, but there are times when a slow-drying solvent is the best choice.<br />
The Odourless Mineral Solvent that I prefer is really remarkable. <a href="http://www.gamblincolors.com/solvents/index.html" target="_blank">Gamsol</a>, by Gamblin. This stuff rocks. If you can find some near to you, try the 2oz bottle. As with much in our hobby, a little goes a very long way!<br />
<br />
Peabody out.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com6239 Georgia St E, Vancouver, BC V6A 1J7, Canada49.27871063244681 -123.0982017517089849.277415632446811 -123.10066925170898 49.280005632446809 -123.09573425170899tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-46150434906798456832011-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:33:17.159-08:00Initiative, Activation and Interruption<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp3YAzk7XAz8cZnyxHKgkZZHb13ldAyWujqvU7hn-wBdMzKmRlZUascO_peZBnPjJCT2Oum9D5G9DydxtHFKBJGevddCEvxcszsBKH9juMmMUAHH0mcWW3tTqmJjHpynStZj0sAIrxII/s1600/C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp3YAzk7XAz8cZnyxHKgkZZHb13ldAyWujqvU7hn-wBdMzKmRlZUascO_peZBnPjJCT2Oum9D5G9DydxtHFKBJGevddCEvxcszsBKH9juMmMUAHH0mcWW3tTqmJjHpynStZj0sAIrxII/s200/C2.jpg" width="200" /></a>Who goes first? How are they chosen and what can I do about it? Those are always key issues for any group of people about to play a game, friendly or competitive. These are the questions that tell us not only who is pouring the first cup of tea, more importantly they tell us a lot about how the game models <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Command_and_control">command and control</a> and even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_of_war">fog-of-war</a>.<br />
Show me a game featuring a new and useful way to answer these questions and you have my attention!<br />
<br />
<b>Initiative </b><br />
Choosing who goes first is often straightforward; dictated by the scenario we want to play, the roll of dice or draw of a card. Often a simplest, but important, aspect of any turn in a game. Bingo, done.<br />
<br />
<b>Activaiton</b><br />
Things are getting interesting. On our turn are we each moving our entire forces, or alternating one unit at a time? Do we pick that unit or is it chosen for us somehow? Either way, this is where much of the strategist's skill lies; moving to counter and exploit the opponent's strength and weakness.<br />
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<b>Interruption </b><br />
Very interesting indeed. Many of us have played games featuring '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overwatch">Overwatch</a>' at one time or another. Overwatch allows us that chance to interrupt our opponent and, ideally, force them to alter their plans in response to our Overwatch fire. Usually a straightforward feature of a rule-set, Overwatch may or may not have impact on the big picture of the game.<br />
But the evolution and growth in popularity of interruption mechanics from ordinary occasional Overwatch to near constant full-on reactive response by almost any unit in line-of-sight has had me fascinated! Here is a new level of sophistication; bringing unpredictable fluidity to tabletop skirmish gaming.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpAdVjqiPOnF2mdTEFPtNVNXOptOlMy2Dt50t05Hw9mfVTa84wZCUuoW-89RzFUU5TBsWa7Sikt8LA3yQc9Ckc4U615hbEEaEDHG4YM-etOI8bLaj9U1FFlaqU6WKCgr3C98O4WfuFGU/s1600/command-and-control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUpAdVjqiPOnF2mdTEFPtNVNXOptOlMy2Dt50t05Hw9mfVTa84wZCUuoW-89RzFUU5TBsWa7Sikt8LA3yQc9Ckc4U615hbEEaEDHG4YM-etOI8bLaj9U1FFlaqU6WKCgr3C98O4WfuFGU/s200/command-and-control.jpg" width="188" /></a>The <a href="http://www.twohourwargames.com/chainreaction3.html">Chain Reaction</a> family from <a href="http://www.twohourwargames.com/">Two Hour Wargames</a> or any of the titles from <a href="http://ambushalleygames.com/">Ambush Alley Games</a> all feature in-depth action-reaction mechanics designed to echo the chaos and fog-of-war of modern combat. These are exciting, gritty games with loyal fan-bases and strong online community support. Both feature dice mechanics to help establish the success of a reaction or interruption. Both reward the use of 'real world' tactics; the merit of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounding_overwatch">Bounding Overwatch</a> and the failing of poor scouting. Both reward the player for taking the time to get used to new ideas and ground breaking concepts.<br />
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But I recently encountered another approach to Initiative, Activation and Interruption that knocked me down with the simple and efficient way it handled all three concepts in one step. Something of a middle-way, this system primarily models fog-of-war but also offers ample opportunity for each player to respond to and interrupt the opponent's plans.<br />
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<b>I'm Talking About Gruntz Again.</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxI6lNsVm1Q-U06NZWIyyXgCv3BK-RbNoIXv4itY_iFf57x6va0ZamHBuNfonMNqsfOEeX8lpIRLmzAhF69HzNjd4vgJxD4058IPgKVJiCROPd01clQq5KGtx6JvUyy_BYuO1xh3u1u0/s1600/DSCF0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxI6lNsVm1Q-U06NZWIyyXgCv3BK-RbNoIXv4itY_iFf57x6va0ZamHBuNfonMNqsfOEeX8lpIRLmzAhF69HzNjd4vgJxD4058IPgKVJiCROPd01clQq5KGtx6JvUyy_BYuO1xh3u1u0/s320/DSCF0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gruntz Playing Card Activation. Aces Go First!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are a few optional rules in Gruntz that really let this new rule-set shine. Card-based activation is one of them. Simply put, each player is dealt a hand of cards that corresponds to the number of units he can activate on his turn. The player needs to craftily plan which card each unit will get, to coordinate action in sequence. Once the cards are assigned, each player reveals the hand they have been dealt. The initiative order for the turn is set. Every unit on the table is activated according to the card they have been dealt. I may get a lucky run and activate multiple units in a row, or I may find my opponent is activating before and after my units, keeping my forces rattled and suppressed.<br />
Coupled with the (optional) Overwatch rule Gruntz takes on the complexity and responsiveness of a more involved game with (dare I say it?) less involvement required from each player.<br />
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<b>Good to Play</b><br />
So I'm happy to see yet another game earn itself a spot on my shelf of 'good to play' games. I hope it does the same for you. I hope you enjoy the other reaction based games I have mentioned too; the added tension and excitement they offer is a big part of their fun.<br />
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Peabody out.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-86596390473854381202011-07-07T15:49:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:34:26.601-08:00Gruntz 15mm After Action ReportChris from the <a href="http://www.trumpetersociety.com/events_coverage.html">Trumpeters Society</a> dropped by the other day to play <a href="http://www.gruntz.biz/">Gruntz</a>. We cooked-up a patrol scenario featuring a mid-tech force trying to move past a smaller group from a much more advanced civilisation. The setting is tropical (surprise!) and features ample opportunity for ambush!<br />
<br />
In Gruntz terms my GZG New Israelis are bog-standard troops with SAW Squad Attachments. All Gruntz (infantry) ride inside Medium Wheeled APC's. The big assets are the UAV, armed with light missiles and a rotary cannon, as well as the tank. The commander is in a Light APC at the rear of the column and a smaller Scout car leads the way. A flying Scout drone stands by.<br />
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Chris was playing the much more advanced <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.net/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=765">UNSC</a> forces. Although he has fewer vehicles and troops, they have significant advantages. The UNSC Gruntz would be riding grav-APC's capable of doing serious
damage to my vehicles. Each infantry squad has an anti-armour Squad Attachment. A group of three Spider Droids and two Specialist HMG teams round out Chris' UNSC ground troops. Two Light attack flyers are off table but can join the fun on any turn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGwehiardaJ8h555yd81ZnyDwtuibOtdgYUotchvTGwEYxE66II23c-yf4xe6qFMqEOKFWYHq0ly9a4nfS7axaOaHLRQSiUoSimDaosWDvaRUTU30q9yW4NexdlyPPlszEGinefClYPc/s1600/DSCF0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGwehiardaJ8h555yd81ZnyDwtuibOtdgYUotchvTGwEYxE66II23c-yf4xe6qFMqEOKFWYHq0ly9a4nfS7axaOaHLRQSiUoSimDaosWDvaRUTU30q9yW4NexdlyPPlszEGinefClYPc/s400/DSCF0619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Numbered markers, called blinds, track the 'Bogint' units.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The UNSC have the 'Bogint' Perk, (bogus intelligence) allowing Chris to use TWO <a href="http://balagan.org.uk/war/modelling/ghost-hidden-movement-markers.htm">Blinds</a> per unit until I bring one of my units into LOS <i>and</i> 10" of the Bogint marker.<br />
At that point Chris may choose which blind to place his unit under. Tricky!<br />
<br />
This is Chris' first game so we use the basic 'I-go-you-go' turn sequence, perfect for learning the game. However an Alternating Activation and a dynamic Playing Card Activation option are features of Gruntz.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvPXklAX_iuFRV6NF2CPWy52DE-o5UgF1wS-mfSMenDzHyFnD45TC0z7SpbQfS0tSkdMHN851L3dEvNB7kBSV7RMndB4Ei-QSGI2P2-T8so3sRgNz_IlfNakXnlmnNu39YrqcBhqOuRE/s1600/DSCF0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGvPXklAX_iuFRV6NF2CPWy52DE-o5UgF1wS-mfSMenDzHyFnD45TC0z7SpbQfS0tSkdMHN851L3dEvNB7kBSV7RMndB4Ei-QSGI2P2-T8so3sRgNz_IlfNakXnlmnNu39YrqcBhqOuRE/s400/DSCF0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Objective Turn-1: get over the bridge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My N.I. get initiative and I move up the column, unloading the rear-most Gruntz squad and hustling them up onto the bridge.<br />
That's my turn done.<br />
<br />
I normally play 20mm games on this terrain. My 5'x3' table seems so much larger playing in 15mm.<br />
<br />
Chris moves his Blinds, varying the movement rates so I can't tell which
marker is what sort of unit, creating threatening groups along my route
ahead...<br />
<br />
"<i>We have movement! Enemy Activity all over the grid!</i>"<br />
Chris' Spider Droids and a UNSC Gauss Canon Specialist unit reveal themselves and start firing on my Mantis UAV. This begins an ground-to-air duel that lasts most of the game, tying up my air support.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKUh3vKal0bPNX2VuNn5biKsMO4mSq3YRElZKNhEhPPhh9XpujuaQNsvNOQin_-Ikk_8LBir4TNKqhyphenhyphenwNAe7PvJll5ZAvVoCckQAVyC1GCBmr_JkaaH-x-ErgRZxzLFoQFbYHcGTQ-TM/s1600/DSCF0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKUh3vKal0bPNX2VuNn5biKsMO4mSq3YRElZKNhEhPPhh9XpujuaQNsvNOQin_-Ikk_8LBir4TNKqhyphenhyphenwNAe7PvJll5ZAvVoCckQAVyC1GCBmr_JkaaH-x-ErgRZxzLFoQFbYHcGTQ-TM/s400/DSCF0610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire from the woods draws the Scout Car's attention.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before ending his activation, Chris reveals his second UNSC Gauss Canon Specialist and opens up on my Gruntz exposed on the bridge! "<i>We're taking fire! Squad leader Down!</i>"<br />
My squad is suppressed, but fortunately for me the limited Area Effect of the canon failed to damage the APC or Wax (wound) additional squaddies. That's Chris' turn.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNP_KG0wSERh6lfrhslocVGcAgb8xKZpNuX5cRmICOW69h8QZVLKeDxhcgByi6GN_OmVb9ha5fLfDPNNEXcSAsYXvtRPXSxk8-EODeJskEwgUY8dbJESFDNXLvdKSq7agu0csnwUKDwY/s1600/DSCF0612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNP_KG0wSERh6lfrhslocVGcAgb8xKZpNuX5cRmICOW69h8QZVLKeDxhcgByi6GN_OmVb9ha5fLfDPNNEXcSAsYXvtRPXSxk8-EODeJskEwgUY8dbJESFDNXLvdKSq7agu0csnwUKDwY/s400/DSCF0612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh, hello...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My response is direct and effective; the tank fires on the Gauss Specialist team, managing to take them out using both of the tank's weapon systems. The suppressed Gruntz choose a new squad leader and manage to move along the bridge.<br />
I want to know what those other Blinds are hiding in the nearby
copse and the scout car has enough mobility to get into the light woods,
so off he goes to see what he can see... Surprise! It's a UNSC Grav APC!!!<br />
The rest of the column moves up, and my second squad unloads from their APC, a Push Move from the Commander gets them into the woods ready to support the Scout Car. My turn-2 done.<br />
<br />
Chris has me where he wants me now; my air support is tied-up and his ground troops are better than mine. He unloads his squad of Gruntz and opens fire on my infantry, Waxing two figures. My Scout car is toast; a victim of the Grav APC's Medium Plasma Canon and the Squad Attachment's RPG. His Grav APC is out of LOS of the rest of my forces, except for the Gruntz in the woods. One ray of sunshine in all this: Chris' squad of Grunts got caught in the Area Effect of one of his weapons, now his squad is also suppressed having lost a member.<br />
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But his turn is far from over. "<i>Fast movers, incoming from the North-East!</i>" Chris brings in his flyers, strafing from his table edge in an attempt to get a K.O. on one of my APC's.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXE4Ve4A38wFcQ6Lpcd3B5sw_BG38l8pSAYIrQuvYsK0ehQBrWcevMXL4luR_TEt0hP2K6fj4yV-4WW1eqk3QSv93RI7lxVA98SCumOxfJ6bzKrid4DYZ692RdkbBYxkyT56wM96n2TE/s1600/DSCF0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXE4Ve4A38wFcQ6Lpcd3B5sw_BG38l8pSAYIrQuvYsK0ehQBrWcevMXL4luR_TEt0hP2K6fj4yV-4WW1eqk3QSv93RI7lxVA98SCumOxfJ6bzKrid4DYZ692RdkbBYxkyT56wM96n2TE/s640/DSCF0615.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Luck is with me this time as the leading High Mobility Wheeled APC soaks up the combined fire of the two attack fliers. As Chris' turn-2 activation comes to a close, I'm wondering two things: Where is his other APC? How long will my luck hold out?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-xC09ocuRvL7b_Y8mVvyjeSPYk5hiD6rUB0U07afYandAM4dYp9nNPSIaXjLNuAv5RlHJ0xVUHftl2bwtyFQaW0MSckPYQp-nMd4c1y-n_l-QlNafyLrnOX3Vla-o3dDe4QGsMMYAKs/s1600/DSCF0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-xC09ocuRvL7b_Y8mVvyjeSPYk5hiD6rUB0U07afYandAM4dYp9nNPSIaXjLNuAv5RlHJ0xVUHftl2bwtyFQaW0MSckPYQp-nMd4c1y-n_l-QlNafyLrnOX3Vla-o3dDe4QGsMMYAKs/s400/DSCF0616.JPG" width="400" /></a>Heading into turn-3 I return fire on the fliers with my Medium APC's. My dice are <i>hot</i>; I score solid hits, forcing Chris to roll for criticals with a damaged system result on each of the flyers. One takes a mobility hit, and the other won't be shooting as accurately!<br />
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I move my Tank up the wooded hillside into LOS of two more Blinds, revealing the other Grav APC! Meanwhile my Grunts converge on the the woods, one squad concentrating fire on the APC in a desperate attempt to stop the well armoured craft, and the other driving off the UNSC squad.<br />
My activation for turn-3 ends with my UAV at last finishing off the robust Spider Droids. Now we are in the thick of the fight.<br />
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The first thing Chris does as his turn-3 activation begins is to destroy my lead Medium APC with his wounded flyers! <br />
A stalemate is brewing between my 2 squads of Grunts and his Grav APC; neither of us has the right type of weapons to quickly defeat the other. But it's a different story on the wooded hillside, where my Tank takes heavy blows from Chris' Grav APC and another Grunts squad with RPG. Only great rolls save me from critical damage.<br />
Suddenly that's it... I've made it through turn-3 mostly intact! My Medium air support is one move away from dealing some serious damage to the UNSC.<br />
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We decide that the Ambushing forces at this point would most likely withdraw; accepting light casualties in exchange for having destroyed two vehicles. Our objective was met, namely to get Chris up to speed with this great new game.<br />
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An easy system to learn and fun to play, <a href="http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?cPath=6583&products_id=92879">Gruntz</a> offers depths of play we will definitely be exploring in the near future.<br />
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Peabody out.<br />
<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-64003491827352856762011-07-05T16:24:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:35:42.998-08:00Armour Round-UpSummer road-trips, playing <a href="http://www.gruntz.biz/">Gruntz 15mm</a>, Disposable Heroes and Real Life™ have all had their part in keeping my work-bench projects from getting done.<br />
But I'm glad to say the the Shermans for Brother Ken and my Vietnam era LVT's are finally finished! Lets have a look before I clean-up the bench and get ready to start phase two of the 15mm Sci-fi Project.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZnD_T3ZQdKGXN1xRrOGToqbZgdnSytVdYWUA0oXPWfhuH62nY-6uird6l6E2hkKv_rwn6xPdiQ00oe-HdNnhioi9qVXVJxsjXhc_r8BaxYsw4afWyVe-EW6NjO2Wo7SZJcv1PMRr3H4/s1600/DSCF0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZnD_T3ZQdKGXN1xRrOGToqbZgdnSytVdYWUA0oXPWfhuH62nY-6uird6l6E2hkKv_rwn6xPdiQ00oe-HdNnhioi9qVXVJxsjXhc_r8BaxYsw4afWyVe-EW6NjO2Wo7SZJcv1PMRr3H4/s400/DSCF0636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LVTP-5 amphibious troop carrier in 1/76 scale for 20mm gaming</td></tr>
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I'm pleased with the end results of this 'olive-drab project'. The Green Stuff sandbags look fine; close enough to scale to look the part.<br />
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These resin kits were washed after assembly & primed by airbrush @ 20 psi with Vallejo Acrylic Polyurethane primer.<br />
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From there I did the usual; acrylics then oils, matte-varnish, then filters and weathering.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/72 scale RAFM Charlie Co. USMC on 19mm bases for scale</td></tr>
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Given the condition of these older 1/76 scale kits, I didn't put a lot of time or effort into them but they sure stand out on the table.<br />
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The LVTP-5a is an iconic piece of USMC hardware and kits for this amphibious troop carrier at this scale are rare as hen's-teeth.<br />
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Another very hard to find kit is this LVT6-H, or 'landing vehicle tracked 6- howitzer'. Featuring a short-barrelled 105mm howitzer for assault and support of amphibious landings.<br />
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Capable of direct-fire against fortified targets and also able to provide indirect fire onto distant targets, this is an unusual bit of kit for the wargames table.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lt. double checks the map co-ordinates; while the RTO calls for fire... </td></tr>
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Our sessions of Disposable Heroes are really fun. Armour and infantry have their own pace, providing their own distinct friction to the game. So I'm very happy to have finished some Allied armour to add to the fray.<br />
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Here is the completed Armourfast Firefly kitbash. This was very simple and satisfying to do. In minutes this kit took on a new look.<br />
One sticking point though: I forgot to remove and cover over the hull-MG! So while this won't pass muster with the bolt-counters, it still looks the part at 3-feet away. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Armourfast Fireflys: one out of the box, one kitbashed.</td></tr>
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The disruptive camouflage on the barrel of the harder hitting Firefly was intended to make it harder for an enemy to identify and target this version of the Sherman. At first glance it should look like its lighter gunned companions.<br />
The camo on the barrels was masked with <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=armourfast+sherman&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1156&bih=852&prmd=ivnsfd&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=cY4TTqzrCYrZiAKYwP3YDQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Tamiya+tape&oq=Tamiya+tape&aq=f&aqi=&aql=undefined&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=41051l41051l4l1l1l0l0l0l0l144l144l0.1l1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=83c8ed34c6270499&biw=1156&bih=852">Tamiya tape</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=armourfast+sherman&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1156&bih=852&prmd=ivnsfd&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=cY4TTqzrCYrZiAKYwP3YDQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ#hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US%3Aofficial&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=windsor+and+newton+art+masking+fluid&oq=windsor+and+newton+art+masking+fluid&aq=f&aqi=&aql=undefined&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=5715l9571l2l17l17l0l16l0l0l34l34l1l1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=83c8ed34c6270499&biw=1156&bih=852">liquid-mask</a>, then airbrushed.<br />
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Two plain-Jane Armourfast Sherman M4's round out the recent line-up of simple kits from the old work-bench. That makes seven fast-build kits going out to Ken's place for our WWII games! I wonder what he will bring over for me to build and paint-up next?<br />
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Whatever he may have in mind, I'm going to make him wait. The 15mm Sci-fi experience is about to begin again with a huge build of Ground Zero Games <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.net/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=103">Military Pre-Fab</a> and <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.net/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=5">Colonial Settlement (Shacks)</a> buildings plus the most recent release of those very cool <a href="http://paintedterrain.com/StartownSlums15mmScifiTerrain.aspx">Startown Slums</a> from Battle Works Studios.<br />
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Peabody out.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-84075996033704210422011-06-09T23:05:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:38:16.679-08:00Plasticard Kitbash Customisation<br />
Since I'm going to be spraying olive drab on my LVT's, Ken asked if I wouldn't consider doing up a few Armourfast Shermans at the same time.<br />
Brother Ken has the most amazing workshop, and I get to play there pretty often. So I said 'yes'.<br />
Two of the Shermans are Fireflies and I thought it might be fun and easy to modify the simple Armourfast kit to better resemble the <a href="http://www.d-daytanks.org.uk/tanks/sherman-firefly.html">iconic 'sleek' look</a> of the Firefly.<br />
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<b>The Clampdown </b><br />
So I clamped the hull down, lined up my 54tpi <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=1266&bih=850&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Excel+razor+saw&oq=Excel+razor+saw&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=5067l6494l0l6l6l0l0l0l0l167l643l3.3">razor saw</a> along track-guards and carefully trimmed the unwanted portions away.<br />
I followed-up by correcting the shape as needed with a file and then sanding everything smooth.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poster-putty holds the new pieces for gluing</td></tr>
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<b>Corrections, corrections...</b><br />
Armourfast kits are great, but they don't have much substance and now I
could see clear through my Firefly! It was time for some basic styrene <a href="http://www.internetmodeler.com/2008/january/new-releases/book_styrene.php">scratch-build techniques</a> to make this conversion a success. Using .040 Styrene Sheet, I cut and glued some simple shapes to fill the gaps.These were then sanded flush with the rest of the model.<b> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5B6K4127ge9_HFgi3ohqj-4QKi-Ozpq8EscRDBEs8O-EJXwZomv4SZGKgC4jMAKTCUcx6miIyOHgBbSbTXINYvjPrP0_7j-Tm-e23sba6KGP3VkQveWR2ut9t3VKhycYAG7g4J5iPyM/s1600/DSCF0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5B6K4127ge9_HFgi3ohqj-4QKi-Ozpq8EscRDBEs8O-EJXwZomv4SZGKgC4jMAKTCUcx6miIyOHgBbSbTXINYvjPrP0_7j-Tm-e23sba6KGP3VkQveWR2ut9t3VKhycYAG7g4J5iPyM/s320/DSCF0603.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Success!</b><br />
Interesting conversions can be easy to do. All you need are basic tools, a few 'raw' materials and most importantly, the techniques. “Styrene Modeling” by Evergreen Scale Models is a fundamental book that should be on every gamer's shelf. <br />
<br />
Inside this book you will learn how to change, correct and create all sorts of projects from simple kit alterations to complete true-to-scale scratch-built masters.<br />
<br />
Peabody out. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg8g02bZFkDn0n3teVyL0fM2cJQU06ez4H0Tha0MwSqOzbJ7fh0X6D5YETY9hxKkGn5BEEi4w5ipKmQ-QcK2Ksv_qM-VfRVENbBgRIg68eVq4vAphHzV_KTkErm_UCz_R3GRnV3e2r6U/s1600/DSCF0605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg8g02bZFkDn0n3teVyL0fM2cJQU06ez4H0Tha0MwSqOzbJ7fh0X6D5YETY9hxKkGn5BEEi4w5ipKmQ-QcK2Ksv_qM-VfRVENbBgRIg68eVq4vAphHzV_KTkErm_UCz_R3GRnV3e2r6U/s200/DSCF0605.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4tqArMc1ha4v4sZm3H7Q8UzC-PlayuLuzVJeDMuokVNbgG1jr31BY39Z98SaCahyphenhyphenL9XC4ro1PnU6pRiK8nhJupwaI5T7nZqNQLdWDsYG4QRP3QeAoodZk5BIkbwQjW2qhhIiyadm8k/s1600/DSCF0604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaS4tqArMc1ha4v4sZm3H7Q8UzC-PlayuLuzVJeDMuokVNbgG1jr31BY39Z98SaCahyphenhyphenL9XC4ro1PnU6pRiK8nhJupwaI5T7nZqNQLdWDsYG4QRP3QeAoodZk5BIkbwQjW2qhhIiyadm8k/s200/DSCF0604.JPG" width="195" /></a>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-36406933839899088962011-06-07T21:16:00.000-07:002012-03-06T16:54:31.747-08:00I Am Afraid of Green Stuff<b>Green Stuff. The stuff minis dreams are made of.</b><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=propeswimmres-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B0028BZQIK&ref=qf_sp_asin_til&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" align=right frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
I've kept an untouched <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=674&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=green+stuff+epoxy&oq=green+stuff+epoxy&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=9519l10612l0l6l5l0l4l0l0l63l63l1">tube of G.S</a>. in my freezer for two years. I keep finding excuses to not do something with it. "Green Stuff is too important to waste", I tell myself. "You better learn more before you try that!" My thinking has been a vicious circle and I know it. But the knowledge that Green Stuff could become rock hard, durable gaming <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=854&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=sculpt+green+stuff&oq=sculpt+green+stuff&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=3994l3994l0l1l1l0l0l0l0l45l45l1">goodness</a> or an indestructible testament to my <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=854&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=cow+pie&oq=cow+pie&aq=f&aqi=g9g-m1&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=20652l22433l0l7l7l0l0l0l0l153l573l6.1">blobby sculpting</a> has me skittish. <br />
Thank heavens this week a project made its way to the old workbench that was so deeply in trouble that I finally realised there was nothing to loose. If nothing good comes out of this project, at least I will have had that critical first confrontation with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_%28film%29">thing</a> that is Green Stuff.<br />
Years ago I ordered a resin 1/76 scale <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=854&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=LVTP-5a&btnG=Search&oq=LVTP-5a&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=215693l215693l0l1l1l0l0l0l0l142l142l0.1">LVTP-5a</a> and an <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=854&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=LVTH-6&btnG=Search&oq=LVTH-6&aq=f&aqi=g-s1&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=158092l158092l0l1l1l0l0l0l0l127l127l0.1">LVTH-6</a> for my Vietnam project. Both models turned out to have quite a few bubbles and a lot of missing detail, especially around the driver's and commander's hatches. At the time I wasn't about to start a major repair project so I put them on 'The Pile' and forgot about them until this week.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQ6HkMKQfHGVTttPC-I1evOmelMO3-8ICiYSOsWXa6lr6POVvPH0ZbqXE1ReZkCJTeSrMHg7RCqwckjhNZN8hKIw70Cp3CVS6yKxrhtO0jxLouUBdd0XwqpKipcEoKzXXLg3wh8kuiU/s1600/DSCF0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoQ6HkMKQfHGVTttPC-I1evOmelMO3-8ICiYSOsWXa6lr6POVvPH0ZbqXE1ReZkCJTeSrMHg7RCqwckjhNZN8hKIw70Cp3CVS6yKxrhtO0jxLouUBdd0XwqpKipcEoKzXXLg3wh8kuiU/s320/DSCF0596.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stowage from Elheim and Britannia (Grubby Tanks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Green Stuff to the Rescue.</b><br />
Looking at pictures of these '<a href="http://www.amtrac.org/4atcp/200/212_Walker/001.html">Nam era 'Amtracs</a>' I realised I might have a fortunate compromise on my hands. If I <a href="http://www.warfactory.co.uk/scenery/msandbags.html">made some G.S. sandbags</a>, and placed them to cover-up the most glaring problems, these flawed but character rich models would finally get on the table. What a great opportunity!<br />
<b>Cover-Up</b><br />
The first step was to mix-up a little bit of Green Stuff epoxy putty. It's very sticky at first, so before starting to work with it, l let it sit while I got everything else organised over the next 10 or 15 minutes. <br />
Meanwhile, the area of the model to be worked on was covered with <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&biw=1086&bih=860&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Parafilm+m&btnG=Search&oq=Parafilm+m&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_sm=s&gs_upl=-1307498255757l-1307498255757l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l">Parafilm "M"</a> so that the epoxy putty detail won't stick. This way, if I need to, I can start again without having to scrape anything off the model. Also, any detailing I make can be painted separately from the rest of the model.<br />
You don't have to use Parafilm for this step. Plastic wrap will also work just fine.<br />
The epoxy will want to stick to your tools, so you need to keep them moist. I have a little dish of water in the picture, but I ended up just (carefully!!!) moistening my knife & other metal tools between my lips. The Color Shapers will not stick to Green Stuff or other epoxy putties, so they are awesome tools for working this medium.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBLdzYmXeFGNS-7dc3-6YMdqkqe2qSWR6rEmQvsbXU0-gtLs-MdZG9tYLUgxkIzQxxmjp4z1B6XP-2b4rNdNu-YJHYEmo6B17azwtR3I0Ud5SEAASIFgqeDws1D_AA3qRKUkadXn1v1A/s1600/DSCF0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBLdzYmXeFGNS-7dc3-6YMdqkqe2qSWR6rEmQvsbXU0-gtLs-MdZG9tYLUgxkIzQxxmjp4z1B6XP-2b4rNdNu-YJHYEmo6B17azwtR3I0Ud5SEAASIFgqeDws1D_AA3qRKUkadXn1v1A/s320/DSCF0597.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1/72 scale figure puts the picture in proportion</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b></b><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Cool-Down</b><br />
After the bags were in place I set the model aside to allow the putty to cure.<br />
The two components, yellow and blue, that make up the famous green putty need to be well wrapped (I use a ziploc bag) and kept in the freezer. That will ensure they are in good shape until you need them next. While in the freezer they won't contaminate your food or make the ice cubes smell funny.<br />
So, <a href="http://www.warfactory.co.uk/scenery/msandbags.html">making sandbags</a> is an ideal way to discover the ease of working with Green Stuff. I'm not afraid any more. I still don't have great skills, but a little practice & I'll be making wicked sandbags.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvYCe75noc0J7-RWplDHO6vdChGS_ruA0mvzd73paP7QLh2S70EZYywvGFtBid7vdhWmOaznJ3Zj7_spM0rFFOWKjQZU6vC52hJsKq6YuktMPLJiH-0edJzlUawkaM61GeGkoRFxh2O4/s1600/DSCF0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvYCe75noc0J7-RWplDHO6vdChGS_ruA0mvzd73paP7QLh2S70EZYywvGFtBid7vdhWmOaznJ3Zj7_spM0rFFOWKjQZU6vC52hJsKq6YuktMPLJiH-0edJzlUawkaM61GeGkoRFxh2O4/s320/DSCF0598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the missing detail? Sandbags will hide all<b>...</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>Lift-Off</b><br />
After a couple of hours, I carefully lifted the sandbags off of the model to be certain they weren't stuck.<br />
Satisfied that the pieces fit snugly yet can be moved for painting, I put them back in place to let them finish curing completely. Only then will the Parafilm under the sandbags be pulled away.<br />
Next, the model can be primed, painted & detailed with the sandbags and perhaps some stowage.<br />
But lets see how it looks after priming; that will reveal all the bubble-holes in the resin.<br />
<br />
There may be more work to do yet!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <b> Twice in this post I have linked to the venerable & excellent <a href="http://www.warfactory.co.uk/home/new.php">War Factory</a> web page.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I love this site. Do visit Aidan's wonderful minis gaming resource!</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlU8q2lkeGtm1hGa7efF2mE9V9NtqZiPon4bBwi1G6UbgiBw0JS3lWPvzxXSwM2q8rjyYjZ4DTbD4UeN2outtUcB2MN1Z3TTeY-qBrBKIHK8N5Kt9rvYzENATCOEmSPmw3HNPoOyeKE/s1600/DSCF0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzlU8q2lkeGtm1hGa7efF2mE9V9NtqZiPon4bBwi1G6UbgiBw0JS3lWPvzxXSwM2q8rjyYjZ4DTbD4UeN2outtUcB2MN1Z3TTeY-qBrBKIHK8N5Kt9rvYzENATCOEmSPmw3HNPoOyeKE/s640/DSCF0599.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.50cal from Elheim Miniatures & stowage from Britannia Miniatures (may be available at Grubby Tanks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Peabody out.</div>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-68041616350317324862011-06-05T13:13:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:37:12.012-08:00They Hijacked The Dropship!?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orangecow.org/pythonet/tripodbug/tuttle-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://orangecow.org/pythonet/tripodbug/tuttle-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dropship Horizon Hijacked!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Well, not exactly...</b><br />
It's true that nature abhors a vacuum. A case in point concerning the 15mm Sci-fi scene: the void created just days ago by the <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/2011/06/end-or-was-it.html">departure of The Dropship Horizon</a> and her crew (Mark, Master Chef and the enigmatic Dropship Bunny) has just as suddenly been filled by a <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-crew-for-dropship-horizon_05.html">piratical group of talented scoundrels </a>determined to keep that beacon of 15mm coolness on course.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://crapaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/buttle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://crapaganda.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/buttle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just How Did Peabody Get Onboard!?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Peabody Now a Suspect... </b><br />
How I got on-board remains a mystery to me. I'm sure it's a Buttle/Tuttle affair, but still, I'm part of the adventure now, excited and humbled to have been brought along by these mavericks. Even if it was all a computer error....<br />
I'll certainly try my best to do both crews proud.<br />
<br />
Peabody out.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-20336337757206176292011-06-01T21:30:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:37:56.309-08:00FanVan WIP -Completion<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzV8dE2Vjy471YCdUfgh5teN3jPM3JIqCo8cPG5oCUh0CStVKpvX7drREFg3mwwE2UFu2UKAJMEWxFS1Wb0Z-BMojF-VXB6ac6Uro4Xps0oSbmM2oQqXdlcxQOGYmDNI3VVSl1wZaH7E/s1600/DSCF0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzV8dE2Vjy471YCdUfgh5teN3jPM3JIqCo8cPG5oCUh0CStVKpvX7drREFg3mwwE2UFu2UKAJMEWxFS1Wb0Z-BMojF-VXB6ac6Uro4Xps0oSbmM2oQqXdlcxQOGYmDNI3VVSl1wZaH7E/s320/DSCF0588.JPG" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FanVans in-bound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Hey Presto! Lets jump ahead and preview the completed flyers...</b><br />
<br />
When I got home from Newfoundland it was a real treat to see these waiting for me on my workbench. They sure had come a long way from the <a href="http://peabody-here.blogspot.com/2011/05/fanvan-wip.html">previous WIP</a> post.<br />
I regret not making enough time, before leaving town last week, to write this post .<br />
<br />
How did we get here?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rN9Q1Je2xa2ZfvMe3pN2DWPp4-cjpDNq6ksLlHmDqynbAwEkY4gXye4G6QyuU1YkPJ5ClnMfoBCTT6FjnWI-5aZq5k52d-P02JokQiB72LZb9qgdhQJdZB5NSLBp8VF9pWxjBljhtYI/s1600/DSCF0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rN9Q1Je2xa2ZfvMe3pN2DWPp4-cjpDNq6ksLlHmDqynbAwEkY4gXye4G6QyuU1YkPJ5ClnMfoBCTT6FjnWI-5aZq5k52d-P02JokQiB72LZb9qgdhQJdZB5NSLBp8VF9pWxjBljhtYI/s320/DSCF0566.JPG" width="320" /></a><b>Decals</b><br />
The dry-brushing completed, I dug out my stash of decals for this project to plan the placement of platoon id & detail decals.<br />
I followed standard '<a href="http://www.modelairplanebuilding.com/decals-and-markings.html">Decal Technique</a>'. Spots that might get a decal first received a dab of Future. Turns out I should have dabbed twice; I still ended up with 'silvering' under some of the decals. IPMS Stockholm offers <a href="http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2006/10/stuff_eng_benshahar_bf110.htm">a possible solution</a> I may try at some point. I'm not going to sweat this. I will be more careful in the future.<br />
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<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEmrU9fmCzqpCVZMjoH0DuZ6pFC2mp-h2ZcfcfSZAa1zfcyMnqxd1cZLllTvRhosO4C8BfkqLDKFkVmdVGjY1dDElHsAVK-OIyfedc3V06GY916VIovJyAeorWMihMPsvZO94DIEa9tg/s1600/DSCF0568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEmrU9fmCzqpCVZMjoH0DuZ6pFC2mp-h2ZcfcfSZAa1zfcyMnqxd1cZLllTvRhosO4C8BfkqLDKFkVmdVGjY1dDElHsAVK-OIyfedc3V06GY916VIovJyAeorWMihMPsvZO94DIEa9tg/s400/DSCF0568.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No filter on the middle FanVan... Really.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Filters</b><br />
Boy, I wish I had pictures to better show the magic of this subtle step. I don't, but <a href="http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=1608&Type=BR">this review</a> does... I sprayed a coat of Vallejo Matte Varnish and once that was dry, I put down the first of two applications of a <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1045&bih=874&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=mig+brown+for+desert+yellow&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">brown filter</a>.
Without a matte or satin varnish, a filter would be unable to evenly
diffuse its subtle, transparent colour over a model. So the <a href="http://www.missing-lynx.com/rare_world/rw02.htm">Filter technique</a> is the opposite of the Wash which seeks to bring focus to details. Remember: a filter must be much more dilute than a wash. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The second application went on after the first had dried. These two were enough to unite the dry-brushing, decals and basecoat on these models. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaIJsJiPnI3iXlsEXYBYLEGPdpNw-QOs0hXvLiG8mz4aVkJpelW6yqH5Z3i0HC7dXLXJcTLP8Ohz9OSQQ_GnXKsJcIak4-QRxxe40-3GyKJUdDjTqFKLaknoSKXcU5LynwJFIAre9hO8/s1600/DSCF0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQaIJsJiPnI3iXlsEXYBYLEGPdpNw-QOs0hXvLiG8mz4aVkJpelW6yqH5Z3i0HC7dXLXJcTLP8Ohz9OSQQ_GnXKsJcIak4-QRxxe40-3GyKJUdDjTqFKLaknoSKXcU5LynwJFIAre9hO8/s400/DSCF0581.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dust effect airbrushed onto lower areas & near intakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Details</b><br />
Time to pull the masks off the canopies (yay!) and start on the details and weathering.<br />
At this point I realised the metallic gold of the canopies and my base-colour are similar in tone. The overall effect is nicely high-tech military, but there isn't much contrast between the two.<br />
I wanted these FanVans looking clean and uncluttered, so I kept the details to the minimum of lights, sensors and wheels. Dust & grime was airbrushed using highly thinned Tamiya <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1045&bih=874&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=tamiya+xf+52&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">flat earth</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Final Assembly</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5GYzYTqYTIqfHatxYeo3WXQy0lE6ARTOOrCAMhO0zzvGftdFKHdz6Yc0_W1LnbsoJnZzyIZh9VOz2IxcESKUc_in-cTtT2kiG_SJWMekW5oJ07Rk9QPwgHjyYTZ9HjOkoCl0VRzFXo0/s1600/DSCF0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5GYzYTqYTIqfHatxYeo3WXQy0lE6ARTOOrCAMhO0zzvGftdFKHdz6Yc0_W1LnbsoJnZzyIZh9VOz2IxcESKUc_in-cTtT2kiG_SJWMekW5oJ07Rk9QPwgHjyYTZ9HjOkoCl0VRzFXo0/s320/DSCF0582.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharp bits near a finished paint-job give me the shivers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What's wrong with this picture?<br />
I got the 'fans' and chin-guns installed without any fuss and was about to call this job done. Only then did I remember I needed to install the 5/32" brass-tube that takes the 1/4" clear acrylic rod for my flight-stands. *face-palm*<br />
Must always remember to do this first. Before painting. Not after.<br />
Fate was kind; the tubing went in without incident and I could call this job done.<br />
<br />
<b>I'm still eager to see, or to read about anyone else's FanVan plans or projects, so don't be shy.</b><br />
<b>Lets have those comments & links!</b><br />
<br />
Peabody out.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg996w4aEslXzW2n-WXDysDOGjz7lRRIYlmG8dcrABgCs7zqxW2KGGb1tdGPW5z0D7Y_fmvRhOAdqlEVECo2tchIfi1FEgo1FWPybHPHMERi8YBn9ftMlrF-UJuu37b0Y5tmEyNaoYOHPY/s1600/DSCF0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg996w4aEslXzW2n-WXDysDOGjz7lRRIYlmG8dcrABgCs7zqxW2KGGb1tdGPW5z0D7Y_fmvRhOAdqlEVECo2tchIfi1FEgo1FWPybHPHMERi8YBn9ftMlrF-UJuu37b0Y5tmEyNaoYOHPY/s200/DSCF0589.JPG" width="175" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFPlywAjHwvdAYmkknEkCOGkLoUmprSgJPrEdGdQviG4lazhqXwsjqxJexcdjHFoeIUTa7yK_FbR6AYhvgUL7n2tvQSsVKlh9DxwZ_98WrNY5wEbExElCJzwswpnxNSs6QeB2JDf_kI/s1600/DSCF0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUFPlywAjHwvdAYmkknEkCOGkLoUmprSgJPrEdGdQviG4lazhqXwsjqxJexcdjHFoeIUTa7yK_FbR6AYhvgUL7n2tvQSsVKlh9DxwZ_98WrNY5wEbExElCJzwswpnxNSs6QeB2JDf_kI/s200/DSCF0592.JPG" width="177" /></a><br />
<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-42144882270001715152011-06-01T12:58:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:39:08.904-08:00Peabody Actual to Dropship Horizon<b>We copy your <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/2011/06/end.html">last transmission</a> five-by-five. Thanks for the ride.</b><br />
I can't think of a single blog that has been more influential, infectious and inspiring than the Dropship Horizon.<br />
<br />
Kudos to you Mark, and to Maff, for raising the bar for everyone. <br />
<br />
Now go roll some dice.<br />
<br />
Respect.<br />
<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-1789379509252612242011-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:39:54.313-08:00A Brief Intermission...So where are we going today Mr. Peabody?<br />
Ok, the FanVans are actually nine-tenths finished right now and all that remains is final assembly, taking a few pictures and to write up the last post. I'm pleased with how the flyers have turned out and really look forward to getting them on the table and playing <a href="http://www.gruntz.biz/">Gruntz</a>! with them ASAP.<br />
But early last week Ken brought over some WWII German armour and asked if I could give his 1/72 scale <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=9dPaTc2VI5PTiAKRqrD5Bw&ved=0CDgQBSgA&q=Armourfast+pz+III+j&spell=1&biw=982&bih=865">Armourfast</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=italeri+fast+assembly+panther&hl=en&safe=off&tbm=isch&source=lnms&ei=bNPaTYGEDpDWiALM09X_Bw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CC8Q_AUoAQ&biw=982&bih=865">Italeri fast-build</a> tanks the same basic treatment I was giving to the Ground Zero Games flyers. These are painless to build, so in no time I had them added to the painting queue.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y4ENuXvZjRPdRfiTEXu3QEyzXmgENJKtxeboRMdC0gFRmn_5m56OMzX-NmyJfRdrbn2jHYKf3a9Mjw5jV8IKeHpcdIo_Df4-u4eGmMgdsbmlpDIbjYc1e1x9nlH6eJa26NncGby3ewo/s1600/DSCF0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y4ENuXvZjRPdRfiTEXu3QEyzXmgENJKtxeboRMdC0gFRmn_5m56OMzX-NmyJfRdrbn2jHYKf3a9Mjw5jV8IKeHpcdIo_Df4-u4eGmMgdsbmlpDIbjYc1e1x9nlH6eJa26NncGby3ewo/s640/DSCF0576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The two Panzer III's and the Panther will feature in 20mm games of Disposable Heroes & Coffin for Seven Brothers by <a href="http://store.ironivangames.com/index.html">Iron Ivan</a>. I'm not really into WWII, but I'll play pretty much anything by Iron Ivan Games; loads of fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNuuenZcnoLkFH2_lKdImVZCT1FY238bfRhly3nv_G0eptTyF47fHbK0dJyHLmKumS_SsjoXLJts80eNEyhO8QfdEu7SVFvGsIxItfFtc5g16tAmWN3gdOzB7bHH5AaIzyqcAfrdFXE/s1600/DSCF0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vNuuenZcnoLkFH2_lKdImVZCT1FY238bfRhly3nv_G0eptTyF47fHbK0dJyHLmKumS_SsjoXLJts80eNEyhO8QfdEu7SVFvGsIxItfFtc5g16tAmWN3gdOzB7bHH5AaIzyqcAfrdFXE/s640/DSCF0577.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Please enjoy this intermission while I complete the FanVans.<br />
Peabody out. <br />
<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-40601534497869350962011-05-18T10:21:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:40:35.772-08:00FanVan WIPOk, lets commit to a full WIP series on the <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.net/index.php?searchStr=V15-80A&_a=viewCat&Submit=Go">FanVans</a> from Ground Zero Games. Think of it as basic armour painting 101. Not difficult stuff at all; practice and patience will be rewarded. I took this same approach with the GZG New Israeli armour & I'll want to review this at some point.<br />
Where were we?<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy3mWcKzEagdzKbzmobCX1Z_asqZHdcLGjzaDZR0XtyfyZEzmsEViitzj1eXUCH0P5dvI-nhT_6v_t3szuQm98Db8MEJe0zI0aV-8M0V0eHwZCKzg8qaEgnZKZquvcZPLMkff21kZGxw/s1600/DSCF0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy3mWcKzEagdzKbzmobCX1Z_asqZHdcLGjzaDZR0XtyfyZEzmsEViitzj1eXUCH0P5dvI-nhT_6v_t3szuQm98Db8MEJe0zI0aV-8M0V0eHwZCKzg8qaEgnZKZquvcZPLMkff21kZGxw/s320/DSCF0559.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
Lets finish up the <b><a href="http://peabody-here.blogspot.com/2011/05/15mm-fanvans-sci-fi-canopies.html">Canopies</a></b> first. <br />
A protective coat of Future needed to be laid down over the canopies, but before I did that I decided to spray a little bit of <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=tamiya+x+19&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=K-XTTfCBJbTXiALO-pWTBA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAQ&biw=804&bih=897">Tamiya Smoke</a> as a way to blend the gold & black together. Smooth.<br />
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When the Future had dried, the masking that protected the canopy frames & the rest of the models was removed and discarded. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tGeZE6D3bUctFHlX-3MkvtOO8yp3FBPgL8SRBvau8WReXxhPYNvnPmZDVId3xaWnIcGMNGZLuRsMYevmYOO4ZA-sEsZy1ax_FN08czyLgPvkyNfDmCgrOSrFu0pTiB53jLpxgEzfbM/s1600/DSCF0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1tGeZE6D3bUctFHlX-3MkvtOO8yp3FBPgL8SRBvau8WReXxhPYNvnPmZDVId3xaWnIcGMNGZLuRsMYevmYOO4ZA-sEsZy1ax_FN08czyLgPvkyNfDmCgrOSrFu0pTiB53jLpxgEzfbM/s320/DSCF0561.JPG" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Models are numbered to track painting masks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time now for the canopy-glass shaped bits of tape saved when cutting the masks. Each model & its mask were numbered, so it was simple enough to match the masks with the models. Note how each 'window' was cut and laid-out in position relative to each other. A piece of scrap styrene sheet was used to keep these safe. Additional trimming or adding of thin strips of tape was done as necessary.<br />
The masks were smoothed into place using <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=colour+shaper&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=avbTTaW1NMrhiAKh-9COBA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CBIQ_AUoAQ&biw=974&bih=889">colour shapers</a>.<br />
As I finish painting each model the canopies will remain covered and (in theory) protected. The big reveal will happen as I move into detail painting. Fingers are crossed from now until then.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpD6UnrP-UY1P56QCKKCG7EkN3IcuKsORYctsnwN-Y9uqNN_TAi-HQYmmL2jNjjIzXEM2wxrvvzGk7O0Y5F4RBJQboBy56BEg9iWrqEH5zUw2pRVk5DZt-G4hpjFiNXCWhnyVZUFILos/s1600/DSCF0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpD6UnrP-UY1P56QCKKCG7EkN3IcuKsORYctsnwN-Y9uqNN_TAi-HQYmmL2jNjjIzXEM2wxrvvzGk7O0Y5F4RBJQboBy56BEg9iWrqEH5zUw2pRVk5DZt-G4hpjFiNXCWhnyVZUFILos/s320/DSCF0562.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
<b>Base-coat</b> <br />
Now for the base-coat. A thin, transparent coat is sprayed on at about 10psi. At this point any <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=974&bih=889&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=airbrush+pre-shading&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">pre-shading</a> I have done will either become a wonderful part of each model, or hidden under too much paint. Only a few areas of each model get second coats.<br />
I'm using <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=tamiya+dark+yellow&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=HvXTTda_A-zRiAKXkpy0BA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAQ&biw=974&bih=889">Dark Yellow</a> tinted with drops of red-brown, yellow and black. I made sure to mix up quite a bit of this when this project began so that colour matching would not be a problem. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxMTCbKKWQ03cKMDua2Xm2h3HxIke2Zh7z-YEWDMUEs0prasS_Xu1lxKwX2s8dCkxm4nbdIECDVzq4JLDqpUio5qSF6LC6XuGjFoqtlM-krpdSrLwxrsPqjHSirUuFs9CBTVt9-LOEZ4/s1600/DSCF0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxMTCbKKWQ03cKMDua2Xm2h3HxIke2Zh7z-YEWDMUEs0prasS_Xu1lxKwX2s8dCkxm4nbdIECDVzq4JLDqpUio5qSF6LC6XuGjFoqtlM-krpdSrLwxrsPqjHSirUuFs9CBTVt9-LOEZ4/s320/DSCF0563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Gloss-coat</b><br />
After the base-coat dries I lay down a good coat of Future in preparation for the next step.<br />
Future is self-levelling, so I can spray quite generously and still get an even, gloss finish that wont fill detail.<br />
A gloss finish is critical for the oil wash that is to come. If I apply a wash over a matte finish, the entire surface will become stained. On a gloss finish, the wash will fill detail and any excess will be easy to remove.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoiqrYKb9gmjhHCs_wU9J15gra6gOBlohIoH3R6BgBAFs8vp6i-R3oAtQ9Pfp2dKyCPfsGwW3QUAiCdCUk56T33tTVhZfAIQ15CMCK3m90oxZRe61MuO_Fq3fbaCCyJARC-rcc8QdnkY/s1600/DSCF0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoiqrYKb9gmjhHCs_wU9J15gra6gOBlohIoH3R6BgBAFs8vp6i-R3oAtQ9Pfp2dKyCPfsGwW3QUAiCdCUk56T33tTVhZfAIQ15CMCK3m90oxZRe61MuO_Fq3fbaCCyJARC-rcc8QdnkY/s320/DSCF0564.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The middle FanVan has been dry-brushed buff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Oil Wash</b> <b>& Dry Brush</b><br />
The wash is applied outlining and emphasising the details of each model. Once this dries (a day at least!) it's time for a light but thorough <a href="http://www.scalemodelguide.com/guide/painting/Drybrushing-1/">dry-brushing</a> using <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=974&bih=889&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=grumbacher+unbleached+titanium+-150&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">buff artists oil paint</a>.<br />
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<b>Still to Come:</b> decals, filters, details & more.<br />
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</div>- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-56173369789918015882011-05-14T22:33:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:41:07.469-08:0015mm FanVans & Sci-Fi CanopiesSo this afternoon I broke-out the <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=tamiya+masking+tape&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=PUbPTbv5J5T6swP62_THCw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAQ&biw=1297&bih=814">Tamiya masking tape</a>, put a brand new <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1297&bih=814&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=x-acto+%2311+blade&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">#11</a> in the old x-acto knife and got to work masking the canopies of my platoon of Ground Zero Games <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqedRMsYXPEeGvbpY-lBft1WVXL4jhcKEzRJpzGqzSc18rNwRNoztFKCyB7eqMQzNx2gfyKFDvmoWXSgStELajKKHXGAFV4eI2Zfs_Dg1DOg5lxEaJsoRoDLOnmhjuwhcsK2s8b_Yj8ZmQ/s400/GZG+15mm+AV7+VTOL+2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.com/2010/02/incoming-gzg-av7-fanvan-utility-vtol.html&usg=__wxnb54A-8n0EUtiAUj6pkid4oVI=&h=199&w=400&sz=22&hl=en&start=2&sig2=LrjiehTyslKWjtAFsC5cUg&zoom=0&tbnid=Jov1VdJsCG8I3M:&tbnh=62&tbnw=124&ei=h0zPTYjhC476swOE_4nECw&prev=/search%3Fq%3DGZG%2Bfanvan%2Bflight%2Bdeal%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1297%26bih%3D814%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1">FanVans</a>.<br />
Now these are cool models; near-future <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1297&bih=838&tbm=isch&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&oq=&q=Uh-1d%20slick">Slicks</a> ready for any job be it rapid insertion of troops, casevac or ass & trash. Perfect toys for the 15mm sci-fi table!<br />
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The canopies of these vehicles are wonderfully sculpted and the potential is there to really make a stand-out statement if only I can pull it off.<br />
So, carefully I cut out the canopy areas, saving the resulting masks so as to be able to cover the canopies again when this stage is done. The canopies were then sprayed black.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJhBdJqgaSpX1JUqwxhhG3_y5i3X2dWRI15sANsBug8vkru8zE8C4mBUxl7mqBAgWqjpC8xOZmV8Hopx8KVItpJPhBkRGL306TjSBzuleLW6MloCttIcRmj5F1wSRyBHmjikhFEkveV4/s1600/DSCF0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJhBdJqgaSpX1JUqwxhhG3_y5i3X2dWRI15sANsBug8vkru8zE8C4mBUxl7mqBAgWqjpC8xOZmV8Hopx8KVItpJPhBkRGL306TjSBzuleLW6MloCttIcRmj5F1wSRyBHmjikhFEkveV4/s640/DSCF0557.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The FanVan engines were painted in phase one of the 15mm Sci-fi Project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once the black was dry, I mixed up some Tamiya <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1297&bih=838&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Tamiya+x-12&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">gold</a> with a few drops of <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1297&bih=814&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=tamiya+x-26&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">clear orange</a> and thinned the mix down for spraying with Tamiya thinner. I sprayed on the orange-gold at an oblique angle to create a fade from gold to black. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9Wp8OB22EKnwPMIn16KS3QbXYV7EzLhp-YoM1vhSMobdz3LorpHujkdaYT0EBa1EPKBYCQhqD3kwRyHzN5SKV1QB41tVz5bwP2ZIN0DV_NawsklGnZLgB2CacdZjjFl-O0nOMUqRsps/s1600/DSCF0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9Wp8OB22EKnwPMIn16KS3QbXYV7EzLhp-YoM1vhSMobdz3LorpHujkdaYT0EBa1EPKBYCQhqD3kwRyHzN5SKV1QB41tVz5bwP2ZIN0DV_NawsklGnZLgB2CacdZjjFl-O0nOMUqRsps/s640/DSCF0558.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus position Buddha, agent of dharma in our pulp themed games, got the rest of the orange-gold paint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
The next step will be to lock down this gold-black fade with a coat of <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=1297&bih=814&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Future+Klear&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">Future</a> and then tomorrow morning put the masks in place and get on with painting the rest of these beauties.<br />
<br />
<b>Calling FanVan Fans</b><br />
<br />
I'll admit I've put off painting these kits hoping that some clever and
talented person out there would post some inspiring shots of their
finished FanVans. So far no luck!<br />
<b>IF</b> you have painted FanVans, take some pictures, post them up and share the link! Lets see some FanVan action out there!- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-31001045768076388882011-05-10T16:32:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:48:47.645-08:00Building Bridges<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigiaV4oLfhhwz3Bl5NeJQV_QJeBWdefk2DAlQY3GiS1qkdu9o_k-lyWSrh-rhnVjV_KSS0fclUU0hO5gRdgkrwV0-xjcfpW_cTCSn06ptQXNZqkRCB_D0Sneb5dZ-ZVSG3Mg7h8b_5p4/s1600/DSCF0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigiaV4oLfhhwz3Bl5NeJQV_QJeBWdefk2DAlQY3GiS1qkdu9o_k-lyWSrh-rhnVjV_KSS0fclUU0hO5gRdgkrwV0-xjcfpW_cTCSn06ptQXNZqkRCB_D0Sneb5dZ-ZVSG3Mg7h8b_5p4/s640/DSCF0544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double Rainbow?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, I had every intention of moving on to phase two of the 15mm Sci-fi Project, but the old workbench needed a good clean after the chaos of phase one, and stuck in the middle of everything were two kits, both bridges, crying out to me: "Peabody, build us now!"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGo_fgaQsP2QuKT9Umihe7_AhsROq-a5PQbdtQs_HcwukbEdJsBpfo-ZQEVHV0tMldyQvp9BiarGG8_-4_peIf3RbbYJRWsuy3zWinBfFmOC2-SgS2wvM77Gzle-4WaM3JOYcSQQbD00/s1600/DSCF0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGo_fgaQsP2QuKT9Umihe7_AhsROq-a5PQbdtQs_HcwukbEdJsBpfo-ZQEVHV0tMldyQvp9BiarGG8_-4_peIf3RbbYJRWsuy3zWinBfFmOC2-SgS2wvM77Gzle-4WaM3JOYcSQQbD00/s400/DSCF0528.JPG" width="400" /></a>The Italeri <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=The+Italeri+Stone+Bridge&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=PJTJTcSjC5TciAKcoPChBQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CAsQ_AUoAQ&biw=996&bih=748">Stone Bridge</a> is a classic single span bridge, an objective to enhance any table. The kit itself has good detail and is simple to build.<br />
I primed the model light grey using Vallejo airbrush primer. A base coat of Tamiya medium grey, xf20 was next. I mottled this coat as I sprayed, so I would be painting details over a mix of greys.<br />
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Hot mugs of tea & favourite tunes made the job of picking out selected individual stones easy enough. I worked my way through cool greys, greens, tans and khakis trying to avoid patterns, but allowing these spots of colour to group in places to draw the eye to some of the more interesting detail or create interest where the pattern of stone was too repetitive. The paint for this stage needed to be very thin, almost transparent, to keep the effect from becoming too much like a patchwork quilt. The brightest tans were toned down with a touch of dark grey.<br />
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A good dark oil wash (burnt umber & black) did the job of picking out detail, but left the whole model very cold looking. That was fixed easily with a couple of applications of the Mig Filter 'brown for desert yellow', which warmed the colour and tied the whole piece together nicely.<br />
Well diluted Tamiya flat earth, xf52, was dusted on via airbrush, working mostly around the base and lower ends of the bridge, leaving the higher parts brighter and free of 'dust'. <br />
The next day I added ground work to better tie the bridge in with the terrain most used on my table. I couldn't resist trying the Army Painter <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=865&bih=841&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=army+painter+poison+ivy&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">Poison Ivy</a>, it's so easy to use. I also took a tip from the great tutorials on the <a href="http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/blog/category/articles/">Acrylicos Vallejo</a> pages and tried my hand at moss using Woodland Scenics fine turf, acrylic matte medium and different shades of home-made green pigment powders.<br />
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While working on the Stone Bridge I also had a second, very different bridge on the bench.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDpVJx7JLv6jXEGx8FRWfeuhSezx6wM5OtcoP7JWB3_b5MgYU5se0AVQRv4iOV6Sztcb2-X62tcyTXDN0xzwonnalrhoo8flacjC3Fr9Jkh52Z5AwW4359vGFCRx9U70rIJY7wRuJmp4/s1600/DSCF0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDpVJx7JLv6jXEGx8FRWfeuhSezx6wM5OtcoP7JWB3_b5MgYU5se0AVQRv4iOV6Sztcb2-X62tcyTXDN0xzwonnalrhoo8flacjC3Fr9Jkh52Z5AwW4359vGFCRx9U70rIJY7wRuJmp4/s400/DSCF0533.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pontoon Bridge Trussed-up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The venerable <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=996&bih=748&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Airfix+Pontoon+Bridge&btnG=Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">Airfix Pontoon Bridge</a> is the donor for this kit-bash. There is so much bridge inside this kit it's a shame not to get more than one project out of the box! This short span is intended for my Vietnam table where there are numerous deep but narrow canals to hamper traffic. The look is intended to suggest the classic <a href="http://www.gingerb.com/VIETNAM%20Long%20Dinh%20Bailey%20Bridge.jpg">bailey bridge</a> that springs up around so many conflicts and natural disasters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI51BUURUVK9naQD64zukBaCWwOfnqb6PsanKshk80FNNVQ_ibqOS0CvrnzBRxm79gbhyphenhyphenaEAzRqTKjR7CGujFdopOziJP2mJeqP5HhKtTwBJaru8t360Y5mlGMIa_eTQo_Vei08EYYwE/s1600/DSCF0545-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI51BUURUVK9naQD64zukBaCWwOfnqb6PsanKshk80FNNVQ_ibqOS0CvrnzBRxm79gbhyphenhyphenaEAzRqTKjR7CGujFdopOziJP2mJeqP5HhKtTwBJaru8t360Y5mlGMIa_eTQo_Vei08EYYwE/s320/DSCF0545-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I thought it would be worth the trouble to leave the span of this bridge detached. Now I can play all sorts of bridge-out, bridge-laying or destroy-the-bridge scenarios. But I can also use the ends with the remaining longer span from the kit to eventually make a much larger bridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzYJEe1YMh1EXawgHDU5wwi6fmdkAe5hqlIecaSA6mpqbXpqirzyKaCqfQwJWVKHoYibEJZ6zf5ZfDuca1W4I5FAn9wGhj9pZr0sQwhNBIe0T03qFixE4vmUoFpOSgMYZ6j78ULSjjj4/s1600/DSCF0541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzYJEe1YMh1EXawgHDU5wwi6fmdkAe5hqlIecaSA6mpqbXpqirzyKaCqfQwJWVKHoYibEJZ6zf5ZfDuca1W4I5FAn9wGhj9pZr0sQwhNBIe0T03qFixE4vmUoFpOSgMYZ6j78ULSjjj4/s320/DSCF0541.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I base my 20mm minis on pennies which makes them too wide for the narrow strip of walk-way to each side of the Airfix kit's truss-work. My solution was to add width with some additional 'wood work' made of styrene strip and square-stock. The effect is more convincing than I thought it might be.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T5loBW4bC40Ne1ntKt0FY-4nOunnh5TkIGNi6eFh_psKpUU8J2IuuQi2YzaFapkpiF6ZWG7TaO4SGhy7t09LY0NhWUv3bFAap0trEbJ6si2FRrhCkz6L2EWwkxdvp5eXqfaX21FHAmc/s1600/DSCF0536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T5loBW4bC40Ne1ntKt0FY-4nOunnh5TkIGNi6eFh_psKpUU8J2IuuQi2YzaFapkpiF6ZWG7TaO4SGhy7t09LY0NhWUv3bFAap0trEbJ6si2FRrhCkz6L2EWwkxdvp5eXqfaX21FHAmc/s320/DSCF0536.JPG" width="308" /></a></div>
The overall look works for me and reminds me of the sort of improvisational construction I have encountered travelling in South-east Asia.<br />
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So what really inspired me to build these now? I think this little detour is the pay-off for going out of my way and having tried new techniques for the 15mm Sci-fi Project. The stone bridge is no work of art, but it's come out a lot better than it would have had I tried to build it a year ago.<br />
The bailey bridge tested elementary (but fundamental) scratch-building skills and was chipped using the hairspray technique. Both bridges benefited from the use of oil based filters and washes.<br />
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<b>BUT THERE'S MORE!</b><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ8pXFH0K8I-A1yE7bixXd54Xny1jdB4XrlLeM9r-D-GEZAF05zzjDQv4VYAu5L6YbvpvNE4FU513be6Knraq4OdC7MGCBoj7eila4e8xbA5QZLtMz5CR7ZIvgDvwZGFHXSEqbs22Xw4/s1600/DSCF0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ8pXFH0K8I-A1yE7bixXd54Xny1jdB4XrlLeM9r-D-GEZAF05zzjDQv4VYAu5L6YbvpvNE4FU513be6Knraq4OdC7MGCBoj7eila4e8xbA5QZLtMz5CR7ZIvgDvwZGFHXSEqbs22Xw4/s320/DSCF0550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Die-cast Repaints. Road-work on Highway 19?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A year or more ago I won an ebay lot that included some poorly painted die-cast toys and what turns out to be bits from the Airfix <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&biw=996&bih=748&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=airfix+aircraft+recovery+set&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=">Aircraft Recovery Set</a>.<br />
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A quick repaint and a dash of grubbiness and these are now ready to help add a bit of story to the next game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86kYum_-M_877AIKGOTf-EeVMjoRiBM4Ds0dR1HjsAqeucxj_RUD_sP4r9ru4gbZNCVIkLgEn3bthxC4SxkpcuBAQFTbGvcNi97LyBOrfdMCBpIDtTo3tpTC5SWd89CzI0qzFcU9xIII/s1600/DSCF0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86kYum_-M_877AIKGOTf-EeVMjoRiBM4Ds0dR1HjsAqeucxj_RUD_sP4r9ru4gbZNCVIkLgEn3bthxC4SxkpcuBAQFTbGvcNi97LyBOrfdMCBpIDtTo3tpTC5SWd89CzI0qzFcU9xIII/s400/DSCF0551.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Tragically the 'Queen Mary' aircraft recovery trailer is missing a wheel...<br />
I would be grateful if anyone has a line on a suitable replacement!<br />
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Now that the bench is clear again I will be cracking on with the flight of three GZG FanVans.<br />
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Peabody out.- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-11784989340362743662011-05-01T12:50:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:42:09.045-08:0015mm Sci-Fi Project phase one complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The transport, drones and support attachments are finaly done for my mechanised infantry platoon of Ground Zero Games 15mm New Israelis.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9vPErNp5Y9TjCCSbkwG4qCjbjOZgdZvY6LedW1KLEJGQcoCm7MiWG8Ve5FDz6Idwqg71h7SX002eTfaU-DMM_XZF4z7gevaK2cLycX6lmNweQxxCT-Bs0JCFjqGuO_as5Evf0HJnQgo/s1600/DSCF0521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9vPErNp5Y9TjCCSbkwG4qCjbjOZgdZvY6LedW1KLEJGQcoCm7MiWG8Ve5FDz6Idwqg71h7SX002eTfaU-DMM_XZF4z7gevaK2cLycX6lmNweQxxCT-Bs0JCFjqGuO_as5Evf0HJnQgo/s640/DSCF0521.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Despite an interruption of many months this project was a lot of fun to pick up and complete. The scheme was a simple one, so it was easy to carry on from where I had left off.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5rHMgtuCC8Wgct_1Xm4uxja52TfVpO8v874WAxxsbGgNGj_WoeylikVP8wPosde-EPDAG3pMUTirhKw-cEC4IbXqnwTgYiIM9Co58tzuychVNcVX_T5F9e0gVnSNJi-ojhafKeIJUFY/s1600/DSCF0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5rHMgtuCC8Wgct_1Xm4uxja52TfVpO8v874WAxxsbGgNGj_WoeylikVP8wPosde-EPDAG3pMUTirhKw-cEC4IbXqnwTgYiIM9Co58tzuychVNcVX_T5F9e0gVnSNJi-ojhafKeIJUFY/s320/DSCF0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This was supposed to be a 'learning project' and there were still a couple of techniques and products I wanted to try out on
these models. I'm happy to say I learned a lot and still managed a decent
table-top quality finish despite 'experimenting'.<br />
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I want to apologise right now for the lack of step-by-step photos. These final shots will have to do.<br />
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Picking up from the last post on this project, I used an airbrush to lay
down a coat of Vallejo Matte Varnish before Dry-brushing with buff
coloured artists' oil paint. The advantages in terms of time
and workability that come from working in oils made this step less
stressful. If I went too heavy, I could easily subtract using a clean brush
moistened with thinner. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHKl-BTSwu-WHtBeUH8_GF4-LcX045VHs6_SPhhoZwerUlbG8OPQ8kwxvtEmsh7BxG7cRI0tUIw2O5Sx6cQBfE0SDjgbhTCvgqZ_1hW2ILHnvKlEx-T6SYyVUHKxhk_8pf5bHhFvLXu0/s1600/DSCF0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHKl-BTSwu-WHtBeUH8_GF4-LcX045VHs6_SPhhoZwerUlbG8OPQ8kwxvtEmsh7BxG7cRI0tUIw2O5Sx6cQBfE0SDjgbhTCvgqZ_1hW2ILHnvKlEx-T6SYyVUHKxhk_8pf5bHhFvLXu0/s320/DSCF0497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
For this step, instead of Turpentine I tried out
Mig Productions Thinner for Washes, finding this to have much less
odour and a faster drying time.<br />
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A spot of Future (Klear) was dabbed-on and allowed to dry wherever I
intended to put down decals. A mix of decals from old kits and a home-made set of unit numbers went on using micro-sol decal products.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB2vbC5c89pU7ANunXBTd62YJTQvHhD-ZUdrxSlDvFpcfHd3ADpvIncp98Cq4MNtqRFhjd6KnhiicTv28VRClnU4ozdyW0-46MRY2m1gdsIgYE5CCMmgKHbEl1J5WwM9q2yv1SeptszI/s1600/DSCF0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB2vbC5c89pU7ANunXBTd62YJTQvHhD-ZUdrxSlDvFpcfHd3ADpvIncp98Cq4MNtqRFhjd6KnhiicTv28VRClnU4ozdyW0-46MRY2m1gdsIgYE5CCMmgKHbEl1J5WwM9q2yv1SeptszI/s320/DSCF0496.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once the decals were set & dry I was eager to try out a suitably
tinted Filter from Mig Productions. I wanted to tone-down the camo &
dry-brushing and tie-in the decals as well as other details and a
filter (basically a very thin wash) is a good way to do this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP-W_RTt9FSqzZ5MFF8hc8f08pnukgdPMBSLnwQtKBHbKFIBKhJUpeK42YLBTASVn6z6o1PyW58T9RQB2A9jgXoVTLRIM7WrWyC17PYOTQX4wPyKjMf9nvX8xvronoSIeBsVSJv1ami4/s1600/DSCF0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYP-W_RTt9FSqzZ5MFF8hc8f08pnukgdPMBSLnwQtKBHbKFIBKhJUpeK42YLBTASVn6z6o1PyW58T9RQB2A9jgXoVTLRIM7WrWyC17PYOTQX4wPyKjMf9nvX8xvronoSIeBsVSJv1ami4/s320/DSCF0492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's easy enough to mix a suitable wash with either acrylic or oil-based paints, but
I wanted to try the MIG product. I found it was convenient to use and that it did
the job well. The fact that I can come back to the jar again and again
for consistent results is a big plus. The MIG Filters are intended to
allow easy application of multiple thin coats, building up
transparently, providing subtle results.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2c92cKPP-X_L8G93QDWhx0LunW9oJ16Ch2zuUxuIL0M5VO-6QYBxTbCLDPfHJQ15MvuzplnGyKq6deddHv9AcX1bVTYyMw1oxEq296OGcvI3r4Vjhm65Lf6Vm9ZTcPps9dzINQI2tlQ/s1600/DSCF0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2c92cKPP-X_L8G93QDWhx0LunW9oJ16Ch2zuUxuIL0M5VO-6QYBxTbCLDPfHJQ15MvuzplnGyKq6deddHv9AcX1bVTYyMw1oxEq296OGcvI3r4Vjhm65Lf6Vm9ZTcPps9dzINQI2tlQ/s320/DSCF0513.JPG" width="250" /></a>Final work included lights, vision blocks and other details. This
stage offered the biggest opportunity to add personality to each vehicle and to make the mistakes I would really regret.<br />
<br />
Fortunately the coat of Vallejo Matte Varnish I had previously put down
proved to be very durable & so I was able to 'undo' a couple of bad ideas
without damaging the good work underneath. So I'm happy with the
Vallejo Matte Varnish for a couple of reasons: it's fairly tough, and it is UV resistant. I'll be using this on every project I think.<br />
<br />
Last of all everything got a coat of krylon Matte spray for protection.
This is not dead-flat matte, tending instead to satin, but I like it for
the durability. If I need dead matte I can hit these again w/ a dusting
of the Vallejo. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVjiTm1vEjgeKHWjwzzvrafVIbRDYge0rRHYrLAZ96FYtC3A3ka41D3Jfq7DIWMp5O-u6hmx0FftO8ZPSyFnTpzOzcT9hGkEsQutFaTMTzkDyCBbrBd85tvNe9MYOWQdItSBBvIcQ_Z0/s1600/DSCF0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVjiTm1vEjgeKHWjwzzvrafVIbRDYge0rRHYrLAZ96FYtC3A3ka41D3Jfq7DIWMp5O-u6hmx0FftO8ZPSyFnTpzOzcT9hGkEsQutFaTMTzkDyCBbrBd85tvNe9MYOWQdItSBBvIcQ_Z0/s320/DSCF0514.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The flight base for the GZG Roach is made with a <a href="http://www.warbases.co.uk/">Warbases</a> 70mm Hex, fender washers, 5/32" brass tube, 1/4" acrylic rod and <a href="http://www.goldenpaints.com/products/medsadds/gels/gels.php">Golden Acrylic High Solids Matte Gel</a>. Texturing and decoration are a selection of aquarium plants, Woodland Scenics rock-moulds, grass-tufts and found materials.<br />
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Your comments and criticism, as always, are welcome.<br />
<br />
<br />
Peabody out.<br />
<br />
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<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-88058920632211318722011-05-01T10:56:00.000-07:002011-05-02T09:48:12.414-07:00AND WE'RE BACK!Almost SIX months without a post. Oh my.... <br />
Right now I'm grateful for two things:<br />
<ul>
<li>Those of you who decided to follow Peabody despite this no post period.</li>
<li>I can't get fired from our hobby if I don't produce. </li>
<li>Projects don't stall, they are infinitely patient, waiting to be completed. </li>
<li>While I wasn't painting or building new stuff, I still got to play some great games with good friends using the stuff I had completed. Medals awarded to everyone for making our own toys.</li>
</ul>
Ok, that's <strike>three</strike> four things. I'm grateful for four things.<br />
<br />
I suppose we all go through periods when Real Life™ forces us to step away from the work bench. There are all kinds of reasons why this can happen, some good, some not so good. I'm glad to finally find myself on the functional side of this one.<br />
Oddly enough during this time of no-hobby I have used this blog a lot. More than any post that I can write, the gaming goodness that flows through the right hand side of this page is the real soul of Peabody Here! The fora, the news feed and <b>especially your blogs</b> have all nourished the neglected creative spirit. Picking up the brush again has been that much easier thanks to you out there.<br />
<br />
Peabody out. <br />
<br />
<br />- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5991321728955871841.post-80058554383388721412010-11-05T16:54:00.000-07:002012-03-06T11:43:13.358-08:00Work In Progress: 15mm Sci-Fi Project Update<br />
Every once in a while I hit inspirational pay dirt and a project deep within my Lead Mountain starts to take off. I get fun and satisfaction from trying new techniques and learning something. I get stuff done. That's where I am now with the 15mm Sci-Fi Project. I have struck oil. Sort of.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPKRLhF-3oO_fa62n7oDdpLkP55t1B9qITYxZaUPgfFSvZFL7EMFIEkHwq9dZFjqCtESF2T123h2OYl5guN9-Q6Umlq9e-Urzm8bfzo8qYEumDL_8D2qZCDLIfh851sncVjua71-bmaw/s1600/DSCF0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPKRLhF-3oO_fa62n7oDdpLkP55t1B9qITYxZaUPgfFSvZFL7EMFIEkHwq9dZFjqCtESF2T123h2OYl5guN9-Q6Umlq9e-Urzm8bfzo8qYEumDL_8D2qZCDLIfh851sncVjua71-bmaw/s320/DSCF0424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice & dirty, or still in need of a wash?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Early this year I bought some artist's oil paints, but hadn't the courage to try them until revisiting this post at <a href="http://sidneyroundwood.blogspot.com/2010/09/b-battalion-command-group-and.html">Roundwood's World</a>. This <a href="http://www.missing-lynx.com/rare_world/rw04.htm">IPMS article</a>, a <a href="http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=14748.0">LAF tutorial</a> & this Scale Model Medic <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ScaleModelMedic#p/u/17/xxwE4M5KLn0">video</a> are inspiring too.<br />
<br />
This WIP shot shows two 8 wheel MICV's and a Bulldog HMTV from <a href="http://www.groundzerogames.co.uk/store1/commerce.cgi">GZG</a>. The one on the far left has been airbrushed & given a coat of Future (Klear). The other two have also been given a <a href="http://agapemodels.com/?p=2122">panel wash</a> of raw sienna, burnt umber & lamp black oil paints mixed with turpentine. After drying for several hours, excess oil wash is removed with a clean, soft brush dampened in turpentine.<br />
<br />
I may clean-up the two on the right a bit more, or leave them nice &
dirty. The next step once the turpentine, the solvent, is thoroughly dry will be
another coat of Future followed by dry brush highlighting and detailing.<br />
This is a very forgiving process. Artist's oils take forever to dry completely. So take your time, make adjustments over several days; see how things look in a different light. Subtraction, taking away a little paint at a time, is the strength of this easy to control technique.<br />
It may be worth noting that I have blurred my panel line wash into first stage weathering. That may work all right at this small scale, but I haven't seen it done on larger models where panel lines and weathering are two separate steps. <br />
I'm lucky to have excellent ventilation at home so working with <a href="http://shop.winsornewton.com/products/productdetail/part_number=3022965/1535.0">turpentine</a> is less of a problem than it could be. Still, using this <b>dangerous solvent</b> is a serious undertaking. Consider alternatives, such as <a href="http://shop.winsornewton.com/products/productdetail/Artists%27+White+Spirit+75ml+Bottle/part_number=3022962/1535.0.4.3.54148.56012.56015.55386.0?pp=170&">white spirit</a>. Always Play Safe.<br />
<br />
<b>But</b> detailing with oils has not been the only recent technical adventure! I have been intrigued by the '<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ScaleModelMedic#p/u/7/7CNFdEZnQN8">Hairspray Technique</a>' for some time now, so I gave it a try on several of my 15mm vehicles. Here is one example using the <a href="http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/15prov.htm">Old Crow Models</a> Provider Transport, wheeled version. <br />
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A foundation colour (metallic silver for this job) is laid down & protected
with Future.<br />
Hairspray is then applied & allowed to dry. I used a <a href="http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=non-aerosol+hairspray&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1522&bih=787">non-aerosol</a>, unscented hairspray, pouring it directly into my airbrush. Clean-up of the airbrush was done with alcohol or Tamiya thinners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQe9UlOwhfRHma2VL92jpljgpB65wAt0f1XErsH1Em9-lJ1-q66zatYWChkTCM4tVFMuZTJcRwO4zfTzKfSx_leUfFQzMFbQBoT-gUAar2jm7_pmD5iOuK1sbJNKJt4tcdacHG8-BdIF4/s1600/DSCF0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQe9UlOwhfRHma2VL92jpljgpB65wAt0f1XErsH1Em9-lJ1-q66zatYWChkTCM4tVFMuZTJcRwO4zfTzKfSx_leUfFQzMFbQBoT-gUAar2jm7_pmD5iOuK1sbJNKJt4tcdacHG8-BdIF4/s400/DSCF0428.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Next, an acrylic top colour was applied & when dry, water was used to loosen
this layer. The dissolving hairspray between the foundation and top colours permitted me to remove convincing patches
& scrapes, revealing the foundation colour. <br />
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<br />
With the number of bits, pieces and vehicles that I wanted scratched-up for this project I had a golden opportunity to get a lot of practice with this fun technique.<br />
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<b>Next up:</b> I am thinking I'll try some camouflage on my Cougar MBT from Ground Zero Games.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1WLIzSgfo8dnZQtmN9ECY42yh3ubRpelhGp_Eo5SILvU4Pc2Dx_y0UxWfPfn4-HMDjsGHgTljaGv7BghPKGQhh7pWLJkGHdSbQVAu_55_XNkOjTSYDMxj8cK3j7qD3fJNXkN0votN-Q/s1600/DSCF0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1WLIzSgfo8dnZQtmN9ECY42yh3ubRpelhGp_Eo5SILvU4Pc2Dx_y0UxWfPfn4-HMDjsGHgTljaGv7BghPKGQhh7pWLJkGHdSbQVAu_55_XNkOjTSYDMxj8cK3j7qD3fJNXkN0votN-Q/s400/DSCF0432.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this the camo scheme for the Cougar?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I played about with some stencils & other camo ideas on this practice board, and decided I like this freehand pattern best.<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Peabody out!- Peabodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10086573691565228907noreply@blogger.com0