Revell Bundeswehr WIP

As I noted back in May, I have been looking at putting together a Bundeswehr force for Cold-War gone hot type gaming (although a force built for 1990+ wouldn't need much changing for more current operations), recently though money has been tight and I've been feeling the need to do some small scale armor modeling. Compromise? Buy some Revell and Dragon kits on the cheap and put togeather the beginning of a Jäger platoon with supporting aufklärung and panzer elements (light infantry with reconnaissance and armor elements). While the heavy armor and mechanized infantry will have to wait (ridiculous how hard it is to find Marder ICVs in 20mm/1:72 scale), luck was with me earlier in the week when I visited almost every hobby shop I could find until I stumbled upon the now out-of-print Revell SpPz 2 „Luchs“ reconnaissance vehicle and a couple boxes of Revell's Modern German Infantry. Here are some WIP shots:

Top: Assembled Jäger squad and SpPz 2
Bottom: First attempt at a fireteam in Flecktarn

By the way, if anyone out there knows somewhere that offers 20mm or 1:72 scale Marder ICVs please let me know. Preferably a place that has a price list and online ordering (seen way to many places lately claiming to have them but offering no clear way to order them).

Review: Sierra Foxtrot One Five, first issue

My friend Panzerfaust 150 and his writing/editing partner George Grealy have managed to get the first issue of their new 15mm Sci-Fi magazine out the door(take a read here).

The first issue puts them off to a good start. Reviews, how-to's, interviews and scenarios are all there and are on par with most of the stuff the pros turn out. The scenarios and interviews are top-notch and the reviews sound like they were written by a customer instead of a salesman, you'll have a hard time finding a better written and more reader oriented gaming magazine, especially for 15mm SF.

In addition to the model reviews and a solid setting and system agnostic scenario you get a very interesting interview with Shawn Carpenter of Ambush Alley Games. And you get all that (and more) for the low, low price of absolutely free!

Give it a read and let them know what you think (and if you can, send them an article or ten).

Review: QRF Sci-Fi aliens

With my hand finally absolutely, completely healed from a modeling related injury (might be a good jumping off point for a piece on modeling tool safety) and the obscene heat that has been hanging around since mid-summer has finally broken I can end my largely unintentional hiatus. I have a few kits backlogged for reviews so I'll start with two that Ambush Alley's newly released Tomorrow's War got me working on this week, specifically QRF's Large Alien Bipeds (pack SF06) and Skullhunters (pack SF08).

The large Alien bipeds are Geiger-esq aliens which are pretty large for 15mm. Standing beside QRF's Deep Space Marines the Aliens do look quite menacing with the marines (and most other non-power armor humans in 15mm) standing about as high as the creature's shoulder. Details like big nasty teeth, claws, long spiky tail and crenelated chitinous hide are clean and well defined and the poses are dynamic and appropriately menacing.

The Skullhunters are, like Khurasan's "Vacation Alien" excellent stand ins for the classic Schwarzenegger alien baddie the Predator, QRF's offering has at least two advantages over the Khurasan figure in that for the price of 2.8 Vacation Alien figures you get a pack of 8 figures and while there is only the one "Vacation Alien" sculpt the Skullhunters pack contains 7 different sculpts with an assortment of equipment and poses including two with strange alien spears and one quite ferocious unmasked hunter roaring it's victory at it's vanquished trophy.

These packs along with QRF's SF03 "Alien Facehugger" pack are some of the cleanest cast sets I've recieved purchased in a long time. Both the "Facehuggers" and the Skullhunters only really need some light work with clippers and file to smooth out the underside of the integrated bases, the Large Alien Bipeds need only slightly more work to clean them up as I have found a slight propensity for light flash between the legs and under the arms but this is thin and easily removed with a #11 or #20 blade. None of them have any noticeable mold lines.

If you want to do some classic sci-fi action movie gaming these miniatures are great choices for stand ins for these classic movie aliens. Both sculpts scale well with each other and with QRF and Rebel human figures; they also have just the right look for your Alien and Predator themed war gaming.

Tomorrow's War "Pre-Release" Available NOW!

Shawn over at Ambush Alley Games has announced that the PDF-only release of Tomorrow's War is available for purchase as of today.
The PDF looks great and includes a ton of material for great Sci-Fi gaming with all of the fun, fast paced action of Force On Force. This version does require a copy of Force On Force to play but right now they are offering a great deal on a bundle of both the PDF-release of Tomorrow's War and Force On Force for only $5 more than Tomorrow's War on it's own. If you have been looking for a solid Sci-Fi rules system for almost any setting you can imagine, check it out. It's a great value for the fun you'll have with it and it's a good bit cheaper than many of the 'bigger' Sci-Fi games out there (and I'm not just saying that because my name is in the play tester list).

I'm you're interested, head over to http://ambushalleygames.com/TW.html

The Last Patrol

Something I hadn’t expected to see is happening tonight. As I type this the 4/2 Stryker Brigade is driving through Iraq on it's way to Kuwait. Tonight marks the official end to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the withdrawal of the last US combat units from Iraq. While I had heard that it was planned to happen soon I hadn’t truly believed it would be this soon or this significant.

While the US will still have some military personnel in country they will be operating in non-combat roles (ie training, administration, etc). [Something about the nomenclature and caveats being used here makes me want to draw some parallels to the ostensible mission of MAC-V but I feel that would be inappropriate right now and I don't want to bring political concerns into this.] Let us all hope that this change in deployments, posture and mission will be accompanied by an end to casualties for our troops that are still there.

So, as we all watch OIF move into the realm of history tonight let's prepare to welcome those that are returning home and keep those that are still in Iraq in mind as we await the eventual end of their mission and their (hopefully) safe return.

CORRECTION: The actual official end to OIF and the beginning of Operation New Dawn happens at the end of the month. This is the effective end of US combat troops' presence in Iraq. [Wed 20100819-13:32]

Review: QRF Stryker ICV

The heat wave has receded somewhat which means I can actually enter my work area again which means I can begin working through the rather large QRF order that arrived last week.
The first item on the block is the set of five Stryker ICVs.

Strykers are likely to be pretty important for Force On Force and Ambush Alley players as they are a major component of current US Army mechanized infantry and have been something of a fixture of combat in Iraq. Regardless of the problems and shortcomings of the real world Stryker, they are likely to feature frequently in most modern and near future wargames just as they will likely to continue as the Army's first tier APC.

As is usual for QRF's vehicles all components are white metal although there is less appearant flexability to these parts but that is likely down to the thickness of the parts relative to the generally thinner parts of the HMMWVs. Of the three of these that I have assembled so far none have shown any significant pitting as I have found on some of QRF's other large components. There seems to be a fairly consistent flash seam running along the mid point of the hull which is easily removed with a #11 and a fine file but must be done so carefully as it runs across several detailed sections. There is also a rather annoying plug section on the starboard side of the hull near the front of the sand channel racks; I found it easiest to cut away as much of it as I can with clippers and then cover it over with kneedite ("green stuff") stowage (visible on the vehicle on the right in the photo). Attaching the wheels to the hull is fairly easy and doesn't require much more than dry fitting and gluing.

Although it lacks the slat armor and ridiculous amounts of stowage frequently seen on current Strykers in the field the detailing is very good with clean edged hatches and the various protrusions. Scale seems good, especially compared to most 15mm figures in my collection; comparison with the other vehicles will have to wait until I can dig up the dimensions of their RL counterparts but they appear appropriately large next to most of the other AFVs I have.

The models are good, construction and assembly is fairly simple and the model offers a good base for a number of conversions. Given it's role in the US inventory and how iconic it has been in Iraq since 2003 most collections should be able to find space for at least one or two.

Weather delays

Probably for one of the first times ever there is a weather related delay in miniature painting and reviewing. The heatwave in the US this week (and in my area, the week before) has put a bit of a hold on my ability to work on miniatures (when super glue starts boiling in the bottle and paint dries as it pours it becomes very difficult to get much building or painting done).

I will also be attending a security conference this month which between preparations and attending will take up most of what would be my normal productive (miniatures) time. I do have a few items for my USCMC project ready to be written up so I will try to put up something so that I can keep semi regular updates going.

My latest QRF order arrived (cleverly packed in an old Purina box) containing what should be the last models required for the USA Stryker Platoon and the c.2003 USMC for Iraq. Once the weather abates I should have plenty to share.

Busy weekend!

This weekend I went down to Washington DC and managed to meet up with my friend Panzerfaust 150 and his gaming group for a Tomorrow's War playtest. The game was great fun and the rules seem like they are well on their way to being done.


The game was hard fought and reaction tests and Fog Of War card draws were decisive. Artillery bombardments hitting deck armor does nasty things to vehicles and can really turn the tide of an engagement.
Panzerfaust 150 has some more on the test on his blog, check it out.

Now I have to finish my test report so I can get it submitted to Shawn and the test group.

Review: QRF Modern US infantry M4 w/ Helmets (new range)

QRF recently updated their Modern US Infantry line, phasing out their old packs for new sculpts that have a more current look to them. These figures are definitely more 'modern' than the figures they replace, the helmets have more of a resemblance to the current MICH helmets than the PAGST helmets. The M4 carbines have been noticeably 'tacticalised' with suggestions of optics, laser/illuminator units and vertical fore-grips. The uniforms and load bearing gear have suggestions of Interceptor IOTVs and current MOLLE LBE systems. This puts these figures fairly solidly in the 21st century, GWOT era.

[Right: Old QRF US modern infantry in three color desert camo, New QRF US modern infantry in my first attempt at desert MARPAT]

Material quality and casting is good as most of QRF's small and medium sized parts with no noticeable weakness, bubbling or other impurities. Small amounts of flash are present on the ends of gun barrels and on the underside of the integral bases while there were some noticeable mold lines or pits on some of the figures these are generally only present in areas where they are either easily disguised or removed.

[Left: Old QRF US modern infantry in three color desert camo, New QRF US modern infantry in three color desert camo]

Poses are nicely varied and not only cover all of the common ones (running, kneeling, standing) but have some nice variations. Some of the poses are a little stiff but strongly resemble photographs you will see from military training and combat.

Now we get to the difficult part for me. I had very high hopes for these figures and had been very happy with the previous line. The detail on the equipment had been excellent and some of the best I have seen in this scale; there were some shortcomings, such as the lack of facial detail (not a huge problem for most of them as you could paint them as wearing shemaghs or balaclavas). I'm sad to say that unfortunately these figures don't represent an improvement over the level of detail and sculpt quality. The body and uniform equipment is well sculpted and appears sufficiently detailed and authentic as to stand up to even close inspection. Weapon detail, extremities and the head are where there is a recognizable step backwards in detail and fidelity. Many of the faces and hands are distorted and weapons don't hold up well to close inspection.

[Right: Rebel Minis US modern infantry in UCP ACU, New QRF US modern infantry in an attempt at MultiCam]

I've been thinking about how to conclude this review for a few days now. These figures are no longer particularly appropriate for operations prior to 2000. While they would mix reasonably well with Rebel Minis' Modern US line the way the two lines are packaged generally don't give you a particularly compelling reason to do so. They do look pretty good at table distance though and at those distances mix pretty well with QRF's old line. If you want to get a bit more variety or fill a couple of gaps in your modern US collection they are pretty good choices and the line does include a few options that most of the others don't have like M16DMR armed marksmen. We'll see in a few weeks how those line up.

New arrivals

An order from Scale Creep (comprising a QRF M1A2 Abrams MBT and a gaming mat) arrived late last week and today I discovered a parcel containing review copies of QRF's new Modern US M4 armed infantry (codes MAI01 and MAI02, photos on the right).

The figures look pretty good on a quick examination and I've started cleaning, prepping and mounting a few of them to try to paint them tomorrow and do some comparison and detail photos. Look for a full review in the next few days (provided work and home issues allow me enough time)

The Abrams is painted up and is awaiting basing for some comparison photos which I hope to get done in time for a post late in the week.


As a disclaimer Geoff of QRF provided me with these models for review after reading my original review of QRF's old line of US infantry figures. I also place an order with QRF over a week ago for, amongst other things, all 8 of their new Modern US Infantry packs.

QRF RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator UAV

Earlier this week my second QRF order arrived. While most of it was simply duplicate packs of figures in my existing collection (they will be added to my Xenomorph and USCMC collection, a project that is temporarily on the back burner as I try to concentrate on prepping my modern forces to run Ambush Alley intro games for my local club), there was one significant stand-out in the package, a Predator drone.

Now I realize there isn't a lot of need for an actual model of a Predator in Ambush Alley (or really in Force On Force for that matter), much less a figure scale model. While it will probably never serve as much more than a fancy marker to remind players of the asset card it does look pretty awesome and should definitely be a great visual addition to the game (it will probably help get the players in a more appropriate state of mind when it shows up).

The model is all metal of similar consistency and quality to QRF's other vehicles. The wings may need a bit of straightening but they bend into shape just fine; the body, tail, sensor pod and missile pylons (if you build it in the armed MQ-1 version) are solid and need little more than a few swipes with a flat file to remove some flash from seams and flatten join areas where the wings and tail will be attached. Attaching the sensor pod will require either careful cutting and gluing (not my recommendation) or a bit of drilling (a process I found relatively easy once I found the right bit). The missile pylons attached just fine once I flattened the tops of the pylons and smoothed the area of the wings where I glued them on.

The detail is good and scale seems reasonable (not that I can find many good comparison photos), although I don't see scale as a major concern unless you are planning to use it as a terrain piece (might make an interesting scenario objective, now that I think of it). Overall it's a simple model that can really add something to the experience of a game and fills a gap in most other ranges.

Getting started on Terrain

After reading Generation Kill and starting to re-watch the miniseries I've finally gotten the motivation to really get started on some terrain for Ambush Alley.
My state tax refund arrived yesterday which made it hard to choose between placing another QRF order to complete the Stryker Rifle Platoon and the USMC Division Recon Platoon or Buying most of the terrain I need for now from JR or Gamecraft. Fortunately for my miniature collection the QRF order won out and I sat down today to make a start on the pile of balsa wood I bought at a nearby art store. Here is my first attempt, it's approximately 4"x3"x2" and I think it might be a bit too tall.

Also makes me wish that Shawn over at AAG was still making those Ambush Alley terrain sets.

Looking for some help on field organization

So I've decided to try to split my 15mm US moderns into two groups, the Rebel minis will act as a US Army Stryker Rifle Platoon while the QRF US Moderns will form a small USMC unit for slightly earlier work (ie late 90's to ~2005). The HMMWVs will go to the USMC unit while I will probably be ordering the platoon's Strykers once I get my Ambush Alley terrain sorted out.

Here is what I am having trouble with right now though, I have a copy of FM 3-21.11 (SBCT Infantry Rifle Company) which lays out the nominally 'official' TOE for a Stryker platoon but I am having some issues figuring out exactly how the 38 enlisted men and 1 officer of the platoon would fit into a set of transport vehicles with a listed capacity of 36(+1 if the lead vehicle replaces it's commander with the PSG). The field manual suggests that the Company Medic will often not be present but that seems like one of the last men I would want to remove from my unit, I would be more tempted to remove people like the Ammo Bearers from the weapons squad or the FO from the PHQ (Although in Ambush Alley that probably wouldn't actually matter since scenarios don't seem to include the weapons squad most of the time and the MMG team Asset specifies a two man team and I don't see many occasions where I would be mounting the full platoon in their ICVs outside of Force on Force). I am having a similar issue with the USMC squad, how do you fit 9 or 13 men into HMMWVs? Yes, I am aware that HMMWVs are not normally assigned as platoon level assets but the question is IF they are made available.

So what I am looking for is some suggestions (or even better, examples from field operations) as to how these sorts of units are commonly organized in their transport vehicles. Your help is much appreciated.

Review: Rebel Modern US Infantry Command Pack

Now, the second part of the Rebel Minis Force onForce Platoon Box, the US Command Pack.
The sculpts are on par with the figures from the regular infantry pack, largely because they are the same sculpts with a handful of exceptions. The medic is simply one of the riflemen with a modified pack and leg bag, the difference is subtle so look closely! The RTO is okay, seemingly based on one of the 'leader' sculpts but showing some noticeable differences (Personally I rather prefer the QRF RTO sculpts from the old US modern command pack but I'm not sure about the accuracy of either one's equipment).

Then there is the last of the unique sculpts, the medium machinegun teams. These are the ones that have given me the most trouble; they are sculpted in pairs as an emplaced two man team operating a medium machinegun. At least that's what it's supposed to be, what you actually get is the same two men from the sniper teams but the rifle has been replaced with what looks like a M249 SAW and the spotter scope has been cut down for binoculars, still wearing their 'boonie' hats and rolled sleeves taking cover behind some boxes and a couple of fist sized rocks. Now I realize why the Rebel SAW gunners seemed to be holding such large weapons compared to my QRF SAW gunners, Rebel's sculptor seems to have confused the M240B and the M249.

The US Infantry Command pack seems to have quite a few extra figures, compared to standard Army Infantry TOEs and USMC Infantry TOEs. You get five MG teams (listed as M240G teams), a SAW gunner, Medic, RTO, Platoon leader, three Squad leaders (one which is expected to act as Platoon SGT), Javelin gunners, six riflemen, and a Grenadier. This seems a lot even for a TOE that calls for a three MG weapons squad and several superfluous riflemen.

Since the sculpts are largely the same (the Platoon Leader and PSGT/Squad leaders are the same figures as the Squad Leader and Team Leader figures from the regular sets I don't think I need to go over the sculpting of the figures and the casting quality is on par with the regular infantry packs I've reviewed before although I think the one I received had slightly more flash.

Unfortunately I really don't think the Medic and RTO sculpts justify the purchase of the entire pack and the mis-equipped and out of uniform MG teams are definitely a point against it. I would probably just purchase an extra one of Rebel's standard US Infantry packs and do some work with a knife and putty. Which would also mean that I would have an actual FO figure.

Rebel Minis 15mm Modern US Infantry

I managed to make some time to sit down with my Force on Force US Army Platoon Box from Rebel Minis, starting with one of the Infantry packs. If you use the commonly found 9 man/2 fireteam squad organization you will get two full squads plus a few extra riflemen and a pair of Javelin gunners which you can swap in if you are building a Stryker platoon or organize them with the Javelins from the other packs in the 'Box' as a weapons squad. These are definitely the most modern US 'moderns' I've seen, obviously wearing the IOTV body armor system and mounting optics on their carbines.

Above: Just finished fireteam and squad leader, first try at ACU's UCP camo pattern.
Below: QRF Modern US (old range) on left, Rebel Modern US on right

The sculpts are clean, well executed and seem well proportioned; some are quite active and dynamic. Uniform detail is good with major features well defined and even some small details sculpted in (one of the few times I've seen sculpted in seams on the boot panels). Weapons are well sculpted and fairly detailed but seem a little bit large compared to the figures (and are definately a larger than the QRF modern US figures), and some proportions or deatails are a bit off this is particularly appearant with the SAW gunners with their rather long barrels and exaggerated bipod and some of the carbines with their oddly short and sharply angled magazines.

Casting quality is somewhat mixed. While the mold lines on the outward facing surfaces of the figures are minimal, flash and mold lines on inward facing areas like between the legs or between the arms and chest can be quite prominent during painting and are difficult to remove without significant care and some very small tools. The packs I received had almost no bent or transit damaged parts but one or two in the pack I looked at today did have miscast details like the SGT who was missing the front sight post and barrel from his carbine. The metal used in the casting is quite hard but not so much that small adjustments of thin parts will cause damage but it can make cleaning and removing flash difficult.

These miniatures stand out as one of the only 15mm offerings to depict current US infantry kit such as prevalent carbine optics, IOTV body armor, radio headset, MICH helmet etc. If you want current or near future troops these are one of the best non Sci-Fi offerings. Having gotten these has gotten me tempted to pick up some QRF Strykers and some supporting armor for Force on Force.

Below: Rebel Modern US Infantry left, QRF US moderns right

Rebel Minis 15mm Insurgents review

I finally got started on actually doing some OPFOR, starting with Rebel Minis' 15mm Insurgents. These little guys are ready to make your MOUT a whole lot more exciting with four RPGs and 16 AK armed gunmen.

First, When and where are they appropriate? Given their armament of AKs and RPGs there isn't any real technical reason why they can't show up anytime in the last 50-60 years. Their clothing (boots, cargo pants/utility trousers and tee-shirts or tactical shirts topped by a scarf around the head and the classic AK magazine pouches over the chest) poses few limitations either as there have been various rebels, insurgents, reactionaries, terrorists,guerrillas, kidnappers and random pissed off Arabs/Muslims/Christians/Jews, etc running around dressed like that since the 50's all over Europe, Central Asia and North Africa.
The only real shortcomings I can see with this pack is that it lacks light support weapons which are called for in many Ambush Alley! scenarios and the limited number of poses (4: RPG, AK firing, RPK firing, RPK running; the firing RPK and AK figures ar nearly identical except for slight differences in the gun barrels). Otherwise it fills a very important gap in the availability of good insurgents/guerrillas for your 15mm gaming.

Now, Quality check. The figures are rather sturdy and stable. Mold lines do not pose any major issues but you will find yourself spending a lot of time checking for bits of flash in hard to reach places, if your batch is like mine. The poses are a little stiff looking but have a good sense of movement about them. Clothing detail and overall figure proportions are both good while weapon detail is acceptable.
Compatability with other ranges: Their height and proportions fit well with Rebel's other 15mm figures and with QRF's moderns line although if you are going to put the two side by side I would suggest using something to increase the height of the Rebel figures as QRF's integral bases are somewhat thicker.

Conclusions, I have one or two slight misgivings about this set but over all they work well for their intended purpose and getting them as part of one of Rebel's Ambush Alley Battle Boxes makes them a good deal.
I'm somewhat tempted to get another pack and convert some to carry some Al-Quds machine rifles so that these guys will have some support weapons other than RPGs.

Rebel minis have arrived

Earlier this week I placed an order with Rebel minis for their Force On Force US Army Platoon Ambush Alley Battle Box, Modern US Sniper pack and 15mm Fedayeen pack. The package arrived earlier today. I also received the books I had purchased from my good friend Panzerfaust 150 to help him out with his "spring cleaning" (help him out, he's got some good stuff up there and he is a very reasonable man).
But, back to the miniatures... Over the next week I will post reviews of each of the Rebel minis sets, starting with the US Sniper team pack (next will be the Insurgent/Fedayeen as they are higher on my to do list, my US troops are getting a bit bored with no OPFOR around).



The pack consists of four sniper teams, two armed with M24/M40 style bolt action rifles and two armed with M107 "Light Fifty" SASRs. Each team has a spotter using a spotting scope and a sniper with a rifle, both are in a prone position, they are modeled as a single piece.
Figure detail is good with 'boonie hats', basic belt gear and scale appropriate uniform detail.
Weapon detail is a little loose but it is pretty easy to tell the two different rifles apart (the slight differences in bases helps) and for table use the detail is quite adequate. [Photo: Left to right, M24/M40 team and M107 team]

Both flash and mold lines were pretty much nonexistent on the pack I received, only requiring one or two nubs to be removed by clippers and file from the side of the base.

Now, what are they good for? Well, they won't work as Squad DMs but any time you have call for a sniper team they should work just fine. The M107 team is only really usable from about 1990 onward as the weapon didn't enter US military service until then but the Bolt action armed teams are usable for a significant period (the M24 entered service in 1988), at least from the late 1980's and might, depending on the rest of your collection, even be passable as Vietnam era snipers since the uniforms are generically Modern US.
Size-wise they appear to be in line with the rest of Rebel's Modern US line and look fine laying next to my old QRF US troops.

Project listing and a blog design note

First, the projects I am currently working on and notes on their status:
15mm:

1. USCMC (Aliens universe) [Stargrunt II, Ambush Alley Games products]- First squad assembeled 50% painted, APCs largely converted 1 basecoated; awaiting two furthur QRF orders for remainder of platoon and armor. [ Three more packs of Marines, the Merkava (soon to be M22A3 Jackson)and Colonists arrived]
   
2. USAR (modern) (Ambush Alley, Ambush Z, Force On Force)- One squad assembled and painted suitable for c.1998-2006, may strip and repaint for European theater; Rebel Minis Force On Force pack on order to act as primary USAR force to be organized as a Stryker Rifle Platoon
   
3. Zombies (20c+) (Ambush Z)- ~28 assembled awaiting final cleaning and priming, may supplement in future with Rebel Minis modern Zombie packs.
   
4. Xenos: Aliens and Predators (Aliens universe) [Stargrunt II, Ambush Alley Games?)- Awaiting arrival of QRF orders containging first packs, will likely supplement with Khurasan 'Space Demons' for smaller aliens. [two packs of Large Aliens and the "Big Mother" arrived along with Head hunters and some tasty Colonists and Marines to be their prey]
   

UPDATE: The first package of Xenos, Marines and Colonists arrived today, look for some photos and reviews in the next week or two.

Unknown/Multiple scales

1. Colony world board (Aliens universe/general sci-fi) [multiple games, primarilly SG II, Ambush Alley Games]- planning stages, have collected basic materials (hardboard, foam sheets, piping) trying to decide between LV-426 style un-terraformed tundra or jungle (more like the recent AvP game), will likely come down to budget concerns over cost of buildings versus cost of trees
2. Xeno hive/colony mine board (Aliens universe) [multiple games, primarilly SG II, Ambush Alley Games]- planning and preparation stage (need to get a foam cutter), have the foam, hardboard and Sci-Fi Supply "Wild Walls" 'Giger-esq' set. Need to get tools and get to work so my Colonial Marines will have somewhere to go on a bug hunt (until the queen shows up and eats them, anyway)
   
3. Bundeswehr Heer-West German Army (late 20c/Cold War) [Force On Force, Twilight 2000?]- Still in conceptual/planning stages, researching unit structure etc.; will likely wait until I actually pick up Force On Force and/or find someone interested in Twilight 2000
4. Other boards/terrain sets (modern, probably) [Ambush Alley Games, Twilight 2000, etc]- Need an actual terrain budget or prepare myself for alot of radboard and foam-core cutting and gluing (also likely since no one seems to make decent modern American-style urban terrain), likely looking at two or three sets, one modern USA urban/sububan set, one modern mid-east/centeral Asia and one centeral Europe. In the mean time my troops may have to settle for clearing piles of old packaging of the Alien/Zombie/Insurgent infestation.
   

Review: QRF Modern US infantry (OLD RANGE!)

EDIT Important Note: Geoff from QRF contacted me about an hour ago to inform me that the miniatures I have reviewed here are from their recently retired range (appearantly Scale Creep was still cleaning out their back inventory) and that these figures and packs have been replaced with new ones. I will be trying to get some of the new figures soon and will review them as well.

Original Post:
So, I've shown you some recently painted examples of QRF's (recently replaced) US infantry from their 15mm Modern line but just how are the sculpts and where do they fit into the 'modern' timeline (given that the US military has gone through at least three major combinations of combat utilities and load bearing gear in the period often refered to as the 'modern' era)?

First, the quality and detail of the miniature and the sculpt. The minis from QRF are generally very well cast with few significant seams and generally minimal flash, much better than I've seen from even GW's vaunted metals. The detail varies depending on which part of the miniature you are concerned with; Helmets, webbing and packs are well detailed for the scale even going so far as to have a sculpted on helmet band, similarly the uniform is well sculpted with well executed folds and creases. Weapons hold something of a middle ground, they are well proportioned to the figure and are reasonably detailed overall but as you get to the figure's hands there is a noticeable loss of detail and verisimilitude. Hands and faces are noticeably poorly sculpted, although definitely an improvement of the quasimodo-esq visiges of their "Deep Space Marines" their lack of certain prominent features has led me to paint many of them as if they were wearing kaffias or hoods to help hide their lack of a discernible lower face, hands are rather varied from sculpt to sculpt from a well rendered gloved hand to something that is either a bizarre mitten or a flipper. At table distance though these flaws are not noticeable and only detract from the miniature under close inspection, at table distances and even somewhat closer they look just like they are expected to and are generally identifiable as what they are (riflemen are distinguishable from automatic riflemen and grenadiers). While probably not recommended for someone that expects a Michelangelo masterwork a wargamer looking for a solid entry in this era won't be disappointed.

One note on materials: As I noted above, there isn't much in the way of flash of major mold lines but there is always some little bit that needs to be removed or some excess material in a crevice to facilitate molding and casting and the metal QRF uses is probably the easiest metal I've worked with in about 17 years of scale modeling and miniature wargaming. However, this may well be a related to the warning label on the QRF packaging cautioning me that the product contains lead. So, just be careful how you breathe and clean up your work area if you have kids around; the rest of the time just enjoy the easy workability and smooth cutting you will have when working on these.

Now, where do they fit in time and space? While it likely isn't noticeable at distance it is appearant that they are wearing Load Bearing Vests (hard to tell if it's IIFS or MOLLE) instead of the older ALICE LC series of webbing so they might not be appropriate for invading Grenada but would fit right in with the initial invasion of Iraq and the earlier conventional force's operations in Afghanistan. Weapons are M4/M16 series rifles with the traditional carry handle on top, M249 SAWs and M203s) Some of the figures (primarily the "Leader" pack) are noticeably wearing PASGT style body armor (with the prominent shoulder pads no less) but that detail is difficult to pick out unless they are painted to emphasize it. In fact, some of the sculpts appear remarkably similar in appearance to the soldiers on the cover of the original Ambush Alley! cover. So, if you need some troops for your 2003 drive to Baghdad or to drive out the Afghani Taliban, these might be what you need.

The first completed squad. There will have to be a few changes though.
First on the list is figuring out how I'm going to mount 9 men in a pair of vehicles listed as accomodating 1+3. No matter what I can't find a way (outside of converting them to a Stryker unit) to fit them in less than two vehicles, (that requires one of the vehicles to be a transport HMMWV) and using three vehicles means that either the fire teams are broken up unevenly (and each vehicle possibly having a dedicated driver) or each fire team completely fills one M1025 each and the Squad Leader drives himself, which doesn't seem right.

Second matter is that of the sculpt I'm using for the SL himself. Though it isn't terribly appearant from the photo I think my chosen SL figure bears too much of a resemblance to Captain Dave 'Captain America' McGraw from HBO's series "Generation Kill". This leads me to think he might be better suited to scenarios where he can be placed as the leader of incompetent/demoralized contractors or weekend warriors awaiting rescue or relief (not intending to comment on anyone, more that it seems like there is always a group of badly led/supplied/trained troops or wannabes getting pinned down or lost when the main cast of a military drama program needs something heroic looking to do and the lasting impression I have of that character* is that he would be perfect for that role). The alternative I had selected from the QRF US Infantry Command set seems inappropriate now that I've painted him as well; the lack of a pack, the way his rifle is slung on his back and the way he is holding what looks like a compass and a dispatch case makes me think he is more suited to commissioned rank as well.


*I don't mean to cast any aspersions on the REAL Capt. Dave McGraw, I have never met the man and have no knowledge of him. The TV character based on him though makes me want to punch things though.

USA OIF/OEF/Zombie hunters fireteam

The first fireteam of my planned US Army platoon for Ambush Alley and Ambush Z is done, including bases. From left to right we have the Assistant Gunner, Gunner with M249, team leader, and Grenadier.

In related (but likely not of interest to any of my readers) I finally managed to free the height adjustment bolt on my painting chair so I can lower it and stop hunching over so much. Should help out my back considerably.

First USCMC units and some US Army zombie hunters/counter-insurgents

Mortar team with M402 Multi-Launch Mortar on the right, on the left Platoon Leader with Synthetic advisor and Civilian Alien-Hunter.

First USCMC fireteam with Squad Leader, Smartgunner, Incinerator, and two Marines. Basing will have to wait until I figure out what I will do with the table. Both this squad and the units above are made by combining QRF's "'Deep Space' Marines" Alpha and Beta from their Sci-Fi range.

US Army light infantry with M1025 HMMWV gun truck mounting an M2HB HMG. Ready for some zombie hunting! Both are QRF sets from their Modern US range.
I'm going to have to pick up some good references for markings and such, Osprey looks like it should have what I need.

Preview of the AA turret I converted for the converted Cafferta. Twin 20mm gatling cannon should prove nasty to those Xenos.

Scale Creep arrived!

Scale Creep has delivered.

So that's most of my zombies, my first USCMC squad and an assortment of zombie hunting troops with HMMWVs (going to have to find a replacement M2HB or M240 for the M998 Squad Carrier as one of the M1025s came minus it's .50) and a couple of Vietnam-era US 81mm mortar teams that will have their parts sacrificed to make a couple of USCMC M402 Multi-Launch Mortars. Also my copies of Ambush Alley and Ambush Z.


Here are the current USCMC squad, the platoon commander with his advisors, the first mortar team with their M402 and a couple of casualties, behind them you can see two of the GZG Cafferta APCs, including the converted one which still awaits it's replacement turret fittings (soon, I swear!)

Tomorrow should be spent Zombie mounting and trying to make some progress on the AA turret (paper clips are surprisingly useful).

Stage 2, nearly done, only some clean-up work and a little adjustment to the wheel fit.
Progress photos follow.
Left and right side images showing the altered wheel wells with the stock turret.




Also, my order from Scale Creep shipped today so hopefully it will arrive in time for the weekend.

Work continues on the resculpting of the Cafferta's wheel wells, although it has been slowed somewhat by the significant drop in temperature here which has made the kneadite more difficult to work with. after this stage all that should be left will be rebuilding some of the detailing lost during the earlier stages and the construction of the new turret (have to decide on what that will look like).

In terms of the other parts of the USCMC project hopefully my order from Scale Creep will ship tomorrow or Wednesday (still no word on when QRF will ship the orders I placed with them.) The Scale Creep order includes a number of QRF's Unarmed Civillians/Zombies and some of their Modern US range for my second project, World War Z. Between Ambush Alley and Ambush Z I should have enough to tide me over until Tomorrow's War is released.

Stage 1 of the Cafferta modifications is complete. Here are a couple of shots of it in it's WIP state.

Here you can see how the wheel wells have been carved out to allow the wheels to be mounted further back on the chassis. I've made a form to help with the next step here of filling in the now unoccupied space. You can also wee how the pronounced protrusions near the middle of each side have been removed (in the original design I think they are intended to be lift ducts for it's hover mode, since this is going to be serving the USCMC I don't see that as being necessary).

I'll likely add some rivet/bolt heads to the edges of the blank areas from those removed ducts.

Here in the front view you can see more clearly the rebuilt starboard edge of the glacis and the cut out for the SAM/HIMAT launch bins.

The Khurasan Miniatures order arrived today and I have to say the casting quality is amazing. There are virtually no visible mold lines on the metal parts and the resin has hardly any flash or distortion. The fit between the resin and metal parts is fantastic as well, with each piece fitting snugly in place.

Now of course comes the question of what I will do with them. Obviously one way or another they will be serving as APCs for my USCMC platoon but, will I leave them as-is or will I do some conversion? If I do any conversion work, what will it be? I'm definitely considering some work on the wheels and wheel wells but should I stop there?
Hopefully I can figure that out this weekend.

That was fast!

Noble Knight has proven themselves to be fast and efficient. The Sci-Fi Supply (now, unfortunately out of business) buildings and Wild Walls kits were in exactly the condition NK had described and an order placed Sunday afternoon arrived late this morning (a touch under three days which compares favorably to Amazon.UK and the Royal Mail).

The trick now will be to figure out how to deal with the very limited availability of the kits (Fortress Walls, Fortified Towers, control tower) relative to what I will likely need. Unlike a normal resin, pewter or even plastic kit traditional resin casting isn't exactly viable for the unassembled kit (as it is formed styrene sheet) and I'm not sure how well the assembled kit would hold it's shape under normal casting methods. Very tricky.

Hopefully I can keep this up

First off, I have to say thanks to Panzerfaust 150 for giving me the idea for the project that got me started on this and for giving me the idea to try starting a gaming blog.

Thanks to a chance mention on PF150's blog a couple weeks ago, followed by a couple email exchanges and phone calls I decided to start working on a unit of Colonial Marines (naturally there have to be some nasty Xenos and a Predator or two to give them something to alternately shoot at/wet them selves at the thought of). Eventually I will likely use Ambush Alley's upcoming Sci-Fi system (if PF150's comments are accurate it should be very good) but in the mean time I have been contenting myself with using Stargrunt II with some house rules from derelict websites and half finished mailing list threads.
Of course at the moment I don't have much in the way of pretty pictures of the project, that will have to wait for QRF and Khurasan to get my orders to me, unless someone really wants to see a couple sheets of insulation and hardboard sitting in my basement. What I do have though, once I find somewhere to store web accessible versions of the documents, is about ten pages of carefully formatted (but, so far, untested) unit data cards for Stargrunt II. So far it looks like the initial terrain orders and materials will get here much sooner than the miniatures themselves. At least that will give me some encouragement to get working on the table rather than getting wrapped up in conversions and painting.

Hopefully By this time next week I'll have the first batch of minis in my hands so I can start measuring out terrain features and have something to try to show off. Maybe this time I'll be able to keep a blog going on a semi-regular basis this time.