Five worst plastic Army men of all time.

I found these article in my email inbox this morning, it makes for some interesting reading...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/parenting/detail?entry_id=62128

Purchases...

Back from Australia, and while I did manage to find a few kits nothing really caught my eye. Better luck however in the reference department with a few publications escaping the notice of customs on the return flight. Armageddon from Max Hastings tell the story of the North west Europe campaign in the aftermath of D Day. and why the war did not end after Normandy. I like Max Hastings and his Korean War book is a favourite. I am chewing my way through this at the moment and it is quite interesting to read how stretched the US and British forces were in this period.
A few other files to look at, I picked these up in a sale and they were packed full of photographs that I had not seen before so in they went. Trying to get back into the grind at work at the moment, which is proving troublesome...

US Gun Crew

For my US Force I needed a gun crew, so I converted some hard plastic figures from Hasegawa's US Infantry Combat Team set. Not a bad set, but lot's of excess plastic to remove and the figures are quite skinny.
Two figures were needed for the stand and being in a hurry I took the easiest conversion option by cutting away a M1 rifle for the kneeling figure. A old shell was substituted in it's place.

Quick and simple conversion, just the way I like it.

Australia Info

Duty calls and I am off in a few days to see my trans Tasman cousins for a short Ex and the Sydney ANZAC Day Parade. After visiting a number of ADF establishments in Sydney and Canberra it is probable that I will have a little time to meander and peruse any local Model stores in these area's. So what I would like to know where these stores might be...?

Can any of my Australian bloggers help?

ESCI and Revell Waffen Troops Pt2

Carrying on from last nights post a few more stands of my Waffen SS Force. First up two Revell figures, one in a semi high port position, while the other is lining up a shot at what looks to be on the advance. Really good detail on the sculpting, especially the trouser creasing, and the equipment.
Revell figures again with a late war interloper on the left. The running figure is another favourite and the actual photo this figure is based on crops up from time to time in various WW2 publications.

Two more Revell figures and again one of the late war figures this time on the right.

Totally Revell late war MG42 Team. Again another nice multi part stand. I have really been enjoying basing these figures. It's really nice when you get to the end of the painting and basing processes. Mmmmm...now I look at these photo's I seem not to have any ESCI poses at all tonight.

ESCI and Revell Waffen Troops

Released in 1982 when plastic figures as a hobby was on the starting to make a comeback after a disastrous few years of almost zilch new figure production, ESCI managed to produce a set that has been in production on and off for almost thirty years. A quick look on most wargame sites where plastic figures are used and you will probably find a few lurking on the stands.
After ESCI went down Italeri re-released the set in the mid 1990's under the name of Panzer-Grenadiere, different name same set.

Around the same time in 1994 Revell got into the act with their Armoured Infantry. This was an truly great set with well thought out poses coming directly from photo's of the era. Lots of poses and action in this set makes it one of the best early to mid war sets for Germans available.

Back at the turn of this Century before the assault of Pegasus and Caesar German sets, these two were the only real choice for a German Force in 1/72 scale. With this in mind when the time came for me to build an elite German Unit (And we all need an elite German force!) I was left with these two sets on the table. I chose Waffen SS, but this was an historical choice not a political decision (I am not a Nazi and I do not espouse any political views while gaming or in real life) Problem was elite Germans had to look elite as well as fighting elite. Waffen SS figures in smocks were not in the shops in plastic, and at that stage unlikely to be in production...what to do?

After much thought I decided to simply carry out paint conversions on the figures and over paint the tunic into a smock and hope for the best...and here some of are after a nights basing, of which for most of these troops is the third time.

Company Weapons stand, Revell figures. Nice multi-part pose of a MG34 team in action.

Company Command stand, again from Revell, stand out features include the goggles around the neck, and the SMG which is probably a Soviet Burb Gun...I like to think of it as a MP28 to go in line with Waffen armaments.

Background Revell, foreground ESCI, one downside of the Revell pose is the lack of weapon apart from the grenade.

Second set of Revell MG team figures, this time it appears to be a MG42. The set actually contains a ammo bearer running as well, but I spread these around to mix and match the bases up.

ESCI background with Revell foreground. The ESCI MP38 or MP40 armed figure is posed bracing himself for the recoil which is nice, and the Revell figure is aiming his K98 upwards. Again this is a welcome change and suitable for flushing snipers in tree's or fighting in built up area's, both reasonable for the Eastern Front.

Basing Germans

I have spent the last week or so sorting and re-basing German WW2 figures into CD3 bases. Work coming along slowly on this project as I have totally underestimated the amount of Germans I had painted. I believed I had about 300, which I think is quite reasonable for a young buck like myself, but on closer examination it seems to be over 500 which seems a bit excessive and my mean I have a problem.
I have sorted them into three different groupings, early to mid war, late war and SS. Working on the early to mid war at the moment. I am quite happy with the progress I am making but like all hoarders I am searching for some solutions for storage.

Kimpo Game Pt 3

With his Marines in heavy contact in the valley floor Pak pondered his next move... On his right his XO was regrouping his Armour and getting them ready to advance once again. Knowing Lee he would be slapping one of the junior officers about the face to get his point across to the Company. The centre force was holding their own and pushing the NK Infantry slowly back towards the village to the rear, he would let them move forward only to the clump of trees at ville's edge. With the NK Armour still taking hits just beyond they too were busy to worry with his troops but Pak did not wish to push his luck. His RTO shouted in his ear, "Colonel the last airstrike has hit the US Marines on the right!" Pak swung round and heard the US advisor swearing on his net, smoke and flames along the valley floor confirmed the mistake. In the distance he caught a glint of light from the outbound Corsair, a costly mistake Pak pondered.
His thoughts on the incident vanished with the roar of an engine overhead, Mustang! the RTO shouted....*^%### Hell !! Yak!!! the US Major screamed!!! Within moments it was gone but the sound of crumps and vibrations thru the floor of the M3 told Pak that the aircraft had been busy.

Pak surveyed the battle around him, the smoke and squeal of track, along with the drone of aircraft and the crack of weapons around the valley. All his sub units were in contact and the US Armoured Infantry were still advancing without impediment on his flank. It was thanks to his Marines that the US force was not meeting any opposition, again a smile crossed his face and he swaggered over to his advisor and slapped his arm, "Don't worry Doug, your friends will be along soon". The US Major pointed off to the right flank where with the smoke lifting from the last airstrike the US Marine armour could be seen cresting the ridgline and slowly grinding the dug in NK Anti Tank guns into the rocky ground.

The battle was not going the Norths way, the first Company of US Armoured Infantry started to deploy on the outskirts of Kimpo Field, this along with US Marines starting to outflank his T34's left the NK's no option but to retreat back towards the airfield.

Pak's Light Tank Company of Chaffee's along with an understrength Sherman Unit overran the AT guns and climbed the heights above the T34's in order to create a blocking force against the Red Armour which by now was in full flight...

Airfix 1/32 German Paratroops

As promised some more of Dave's Airfix revival of 1/32 scale plastic figures, this time German Paratroops, or Fallschirmjager to the buff's.
This time we have fourteen different poses, compared to double ups in the British Infantry.

Super effort on the painting front from Dave.

I like the detail on the radioman, the headphones look sharp.

The magazine pouches do look a little large, while the weapons look a little under scale when seen with the hands.

Dave has completed a nice mixture of figures from this set and the different shades on the helmets and trousers is a nice touch, along with the grassy bases. Cheers Dave.

Airfix 1/32 British Infantry

Hot off the press from Dave is a set sure to bring back memories for a few of us, namely the Airfix 1/32 WW2 British Infantry set.
Airfix has been re-releasing their 1/32 sets over the last six months or so and Dave picked this set up at the Army Museum in Waiouru last month while on temporary duty up there.
Plenty of energy in most of the poses with only the standing rifleman looking wooden. These moulds would be getting on thirty plus years now and are still looking good, however expect to find a fewer amount of figures per box. Nice grass affect on the bases here.

SMLE's, Brien's and Thompson's as well as Webley .455 Revolver and the Two Inch Mortar are all present in the set. Dave certainly loves his Airfix figures. My only gripe would be the helmets looking not quite right, but some modelling putty would correct and improve the look.

Peaked Cap Officer, needs helmet...apply within.

The Two Inch Mortar looking rather simple, but it was in real life as well, so no drama's there. Some really nice work here from Dave and thanks to Airfix for the re-release. Tomorrow I will post his German Para's.

Kimpo Game Pt 2

With two of my forces in contact and no clear indication of the Red intentions I call for my advisor to get support from Marine Carrier aircraft onto my direct threat the T34's, the Major gives me a thumbs up and says he has a Flight inbound as we speak. To the north I hear the throb of the Corsair radials and in the Command track we watch as one after another the fighters let lose salvo after salvo of 2.75 rockets. The T34's are hit and stop the advance, however one squad of Sherman's is left burning by 85mm fire and the rest of the Company decides to regroup out of range of the Red tanks...The Dogs have left my centre Infantry open to attack, so they run into cover of the woods while NKPA troops deploy amongst the T34's. My US Marine advisor gets on the radio and calls for some support from the US Tanks on the flank, these arrive quickly and their 76mm guns soon start to test the nerve of the Commie thugs.
My RTO hand's me the set and I hear the US Armoured Battalion asking for a SITREP on the situation, he is worried that the T34's could intercept his column of halftracks, like most senior US Army Officers he is worried that he may have get his hands dirty. I hand the mike to Major 'Doug' who talks the Yankee down off his horse.

Not being able to spot the AT Guns attacking my left flank causes some concern, but again I concentrate on the immediate threat on the right and call in another strike, some token damage is done and the T34's seem to be more concerned with the US Marine armour now attacking them. This gives me breathing space to outflank this armour body and put my focus on the left where it is clear that other than a few AT guns a path is open to the Kimpo Airfield.

In a dashing move my Sherman's and fast Chaffee's storm the hill dislodging the guns which turn out to be Soviet 76mm's. I watch with amazement as the light tanks take a few hits but emerge none the worse for wear, however one Sherman brew's up and is lost. What my Tankers lack in equipment they make up for in courage!

To the right the Reds start to pull back, as the US Marine Armour engages to the front and threatens from the rear. My US Major slap's me on the back and smiles, 'Well Pak, the tide seems to be turning here! Let's kick some Commie butt!!!!"

Kimpo Game Pt 1

After catching a few hours sleep in a ditch on the side of the road we were woken with orders to advance. It had been a long day and I was still rubbing my eyes when a map was thrust into my shaking hand. Advance and Secure Kimpo Airfield to the North by way of the left flank. US Marines by way of right flank, US Armoured Infantry support for my ROK Marines to arrive in a few hours but set off without haste. My Yankee Advisor punched me in the shoulder and yelled ''Let's go Pak!!!'' I stared at him and my token armour that lined the road to the front. The US Marines had given me their old training Sherman's from Japan, worn out already and totally outgunned by the T34/85's we knew the NK's had. We also had a Company of M24's which had been dumped on us after the 'Task Force Smith' muck up...these were just to weak for anything other than recon by speed. I spat on the ground and lit a cigarette, with breakfast ou of the way I yelled to my RTO ''Get them up''!
I was however happy with my Marines, they were tough and more than that they were keen. The Yankees had taught us the ''Gung Ho'' creed well, I just hoped that it would serve us in good spirit when we hit the NK's line of resistance. I split my forces into three with each Tank Company receiving Marine Infantry support and directed my Commanders to advance in three routes, By road with the M24's where the road will help keep the speed of the advance up, and the two M4 forces to seize the high ground and over bound the M24's, and to follow the main advance to the left of centre and switch roles with the Chaffee's if contact was met. We set out in the dark will dawn just over a hour away.

By dawn we had advanced through two ville's without contact while my Marine brothers from over the sea had also met no resistance on the other flank, with dawn breaking air support from the Marine Carriers was available. I grinned at the thought of a flight of F4u's letting lose their rockets and bombs on anything that stopped our advance, or even moved in the distance, yes this would be simple! My troops were fast on the road and showed no sign of the past day's work load. I was proud to be their Commander this morning, they looked and moved confidently to the North and victory!!!

Chatter on the Division net told me our US brothers had met contact with Anti Tank guns but were pushing through without haste, did the NK's have any fight left in them in my sector?

Contact Front!!! My Chaffee Company spotted T34's screaming down the road directly to their front, keeping their heads they wheeled off the road to the left and waited for the Marines to catch them up. My right flank Sherman's took over their role and slowly waited to met the Soviet made monsters head on. The sweat on my brow started to run as I worried about my leftover Sherman's...would they bear the brunt of the might 85mm guns handled by my red brothers!

Then my Command net went into panic! Contact Left!!! from my Command Track I could hear the Ping of AT rounds bouncing off steel in the distance and the yells of confusion of my men to my left....SITREP now!!!

Matchbox M16 Conversions Finish

After a quick dry over night, I decaled these babies this morning, trying to keep them as ''Allied'' as possible rather than US as I intend to use them for British vehicles as well.

I do intend to add .50 Cal's at some later stage hence the retention of the Drum Magazines in the rear decks. I must get a real M16 AA and actually build it as one from the sprue rather than continuing to rebuild wreaks.