As I mentioned in previous post, I have a small collection of Irregular Miniatures 2mm modern tanks I use for scenario development. I can reduce the ground scale from 1" =125m to 1cm=125m and thus use a much smaller play area to test out a scenario. I built a BLUEFOR and an REDFOR set using M1s and M113s on one side with T72/BTR60 on the other side. The irrgular sets also came with some small AT guns, Trucks, Jeeps, Infantry and artily (M109/2S3 and Towed Pieces) The problem is that I never really liked how they actually look:
 |
| BLUEFOR configured to represent an Israeli Armor Brigade |
 |
| REDFOR configured to represent part of a Syrian Infantry Division |
Then I saw picoarmor the US supplier for Oddzial Osmy 3mm modern AFVs. I really like the quality of the sculpts for the scale, and was tempted to swith as I could actually mount proper platoons on my platoon stands instead of single 6mm vehicles. This madness was ended abruptly when I looked at my existing collection of several thousand pieces of 6mm armor and realized what I was really proposing....
That said, I did order some their 3mm buildings to build some German villages for my Spearhead games, and opted to try out some of the modern strike aircraft that I have already posted. I figured what the heck, lets replace the Irregular set with some fresh, new stuff and ordered some new OPFOR and BLUEFOR vehicles. I settled on my current favorite modern arena: central Germany. That means Green Soviet tracks and some West German opponents. For the initial order I got a pack of T-55s, T-72s (I know, should be T-64s, but I still want Generic use. oh and they a frippin tiny anyway.) , and a BMP-1 w/Infantry Pack. That is enough for 2 MRBs, and 4 Tank Battalions with command stands. I figure I can still use the Irregular BTRs until I get around to replacing those to. These are just for test games, so I need to resist my completist impulses.
I took the opportunity to also try out some of GW's new paint range, particularly the textured basing material. Here is the 1st T-55 battalion:
They are basically painted Russian Green with a wash of Devlan mud. The tracks were picked out in Rust and the any optics/maschine guns in a gunmetal/black mix. I added a single red spot to each turret to give the impression of a Soviet Star. The basing material requires at least two coats to get enough texture to look passable. That is something I have seen repeated in multiple reviews, and can only echo my assent. I highlighted the stands using one of the new Drybrush paints (Longbeard something, I think) it is definately a dry brush paint, however I found it tricky to get the consistancy to where I wanted it.
You get 15 tanks in a $4.00 pack which I used to make 2 Modern Spearhead WARPAC Tank Battalions with command stands. The extra tank will go on a Brigade command stand with a BMP.
The same procedure was used for the BMP-1s
The T-72s were done the same way and round out the force. I sent in a second order to get some T-64s, more BMPs, and some basic BRDM-2s I can kitbash into any other supporting vehicles I need. The goal is to be able to reflect a Mechanized Rifle Regiment or Tank Regiment plus some supporting assets. I am gong to continue using some of the basic 2mm minis like the AT guns and field pieces.
One important note on these minis worth repeating: The metal is very brittle. Flash tends to snap off, rather than bend, and one of the West German Leopards I purchased had the barrel and mantlet broken free. That makes customizing difficult as they don't sculpt well.
|
| The AT gun is behind the Regimental HQ. |
Comments
Post a Comment