More Land Rover Frenzy!

Some touch up painting completed. I left some of the alloy colour around the windscreen as they seemed to wear like crazy around here. Different shades for the tarps, the one on the left I will probably use as a NZ wagon. Kiwis for the most part used Series 3, 3.5 V8 'Stage One', 109in WB versions produced 1982-86. The hood was longer to accommodate the gas guzzler, but they look fairly much the same from a distance.

I will search out some spare decals tonight, and I still have one more in painting production.

Land Rover Frenzy

Tim over at his Megablitz blog has been holding a "Çar Month" this March, and while I have not had any cars to work with I am hoping that these Series III Land Rovers will suffice. They are Kongwell diecasts, and while they are not bad at all, the colours and schemes are not right for 1980's British Army or NZ Army. First up I banked the clear panels and grill with Blue tac in prep for painting. Flat Black primer coat.

More Blue tac for the disruptive pattern scheme, some will have just a canvas top so no need to wrap them.

Then another coat with the OD colour.

Ready for touch up colouring. Three or four more to go, of which I will colour without the disruptive scheme.

1980's RM Commandos 2nd Coy

I was going to post the start of my MT-LB construction tonight, but by crikey it's a bit of a mission with the cleaning up process so that will have to wait until my frame of mid is better. So instead we have the second Company of my Royal Marine Commando ah la 1980's. Above the standard Matchbox NATO Para's figures for the Command stand. I made some of the smocks a little brighter so they were like the Arctic issue. Rifle Troop, again both Matchbox. The wash worked much better on these figures.

Last Rifle Troop, this time both ESCI from the NATO Troops set. The GPMG gunner though not really in shot here has a wonderful set of muttonchops and a great looking handlebar moustache

Full Company. I suppose I must get back to the MT-LB, fugging flash!

Italeri Pak 38 Pt5

Some more photo's from Birthday boy Dave and his Pak project. Dave is very happy with the face of the shield.

Great effect with the wash.

Dave has brought this picture frame for $1 at a thrift shop in order to use as a base for a diorama.

I think that's a pearler of an idea.

Orion Soviet DShK AA MG and Crew:

I have been away for the weekend for a surprise Ex, however Al popped around on Thursday night and threw a sprue of Orions Soviet DShK AA MG and Crew at me. The red background is especially for Tim.

These look quite nice (also fiddly) and I really appreciate the gesture, they have a date to reappear as 1980's Soviet Block type baddies. Cheers Al.

Kiwi Washout

A few work in progress shots of my 1980's Kiwi Infantry showing the real difference a wash makes. Above we have the before shot while below the after.
To be honest I am not that impressed. NZ DPM while the same pattern as the British version has a somewhat brighter appearance from the European variant. I thought I had it down to pat until the wash went on. Now it looks like they are soaking wet, which I suppose is not a bad thing.
Before above.
After...

Tell me I am not over-reacting!

1980's RM Commandos Coy

A lovely day here today, and time to show Company 1 of my 1980's Royal Marine Commando Unit. Three stands (Troops) per Coy for CD3. Above two Matchbox NATO Para's armed with SLR's in this Troop.
Command Stand with ESCI Figure handling the Sterling SMG, while the Radio Operator is from Matchbox.

The 3rd Troop, with both figures being once again Matchbox. The lack of figures means some double ups in some Coys. Lovely poses and mouldings. Bring them back Revell!

Whole Company on show. That show keep the Bootneck happy!

Italeri Pak 38 Pt4

Dave just sent me his latest progress shots on the 1/35 Italeri Pak 38.
"Did some more work, but did not bother to document it too much. Anyhoo, some more weathering to the gun, and have completed the figures"

"I used German Splinter Cam as the reference and hopefully it looks the part."

"I have added the equipment and in the next day or so will finish the painting (catching the exposed and bare surfaces) then wash and drybrush the figures for effect before finishing the faces."

"I also added some extra equipment to the figures as they looked a bit under developed".

Comment of the day: "Birthday party for me at my house on Saturday at 11. Stay until 7pm if you want. I wanted a Timpo theme, but it seemed too hard to conduct. Feel free to come dressed as an indian if it amuses you".

I will let the photos speak for themselves...

I cannot believe how detailed he has got the cam pattern at this scale.

Bloomin good work Dave, cheers.

1980's NZ Infantry Conversions

Over the last few nights in my free time I have been converting figures into New Zealand Infantry mid 1980's era for a upcoming campaign with Al. Above two ESCI/Italeri US Special Forces Vietnam figures with head and head ware conversions. NZ Army kit in this period was a nice mix of 1960's US and UK equipment with a real odd uniform blend of Kiwi, Aussie, and UK clothing. This is a work in progress and the DPM will look more British when finished. M16A1's and the M203 were used along with the L1A1 SLR up until 1988 when the IW Steyr replaced both rifles in Regular Force Units and the Territorials got the surplus M16's. 20 round magazines were the norm, while you usually had to buy your own 30 round magazine if you wanted one.

The M1 helmet still serves nowadays along with the US Fritz helmet, while the Jungle Hat (J Hat) is the most popular head wear in the field.
PRC 77 was the standard field radio (Prick is the key word), while the Starlight scope was sometimes used by the Battalion Recon Platoon. M1 helmet added and a cut down J hat to the other fella. NZ J hats are not as large and 'floppy' as US or even Aussie ones. Boots were a real mix (and still are), with DMS, and screw on sole calf length being most common, with D rings and round eyelets being different types. US Jungle boots and even British rubber and canvas Jungle boots could be seen in the field as well.

ESCI/Italeri on left with head swap and Matchbox NATO Para with Beret replaced with Matchbox M1 Helmet (from the WW2 US set). The Matchbox figures are 1/76 so using a 1/72 US helmet would have made the figure look like a Cadet! Again these are not finished paint wise.

When both types of rifle were in use in the same Section, the Section Commander and the 2IC or scout usually had the M16's.

Final figure for the night is another Matchbox NATO Para. Again with Matchbox US helmet conversion. The GPMG was the standard Section MG until 1987 - ish when they were replaced with the C9 Light Support Weapon (Charlie-9 LSW). They did make a comeback to some extent after experience in East Timor in the late 1990's.

Company size Unit there at least. The mix of kit for Kiwi's can make for simple conversions, SLR, Brens (Both .303 and 7.62) M16's, Sterlings, and GPMG's can all be used.

M113 Mech Coy Progress

The continuing saga of my 1980's theme, saw some good progress today. Up with the sparrows due to the ultra fine weather I started the MERDC process all again on these ESCI/Italeri M113 ACAV kits.
Three to each Company, some with the ACAV turret protection, some without. Just as in real life the armour is aways in short supply.

The last pic before dinner sees the MERDC finished and the detail painting about to start. A nice run.

Italeri Pak 38 Pt3

Dave is on leave in Oz at the moment and these are the last shots he sent to me.
"Base coated the uniforms, did the faces and hands, attached some more arms and will putty out the gaps. I intend to do a Splinter pattern cam scheme, so have just laid the basis for the prime colour on the jackets and helmets".

"I will also add some more detail to the figures with more equipment. They all lack ammo pouches and I think they can do with the occasional piece of extra equipment".

Looking good I say.