Militia, Civilians, and a Dewback.

Not a very productive weekend. However some painting was achieved. First up is a rather neat metal Britannia figure, that I got as part of an order a friend placed some time ago. In CD terms, this is a motorcycle RPG stand. Gauranteed to draw fire, first time, every time.

Haradi militia RPG stand on a Ronson Motorcycle.

I also painted up the first of my camels from the Airfix Arabs set. In CD terms, this can either be a mounted command, or a mounted patrol stand. Again, it will be used as a Haradi militia stand.

A couple of nice militia stands. Three more camel stands to go!

Another view of camel and motorcycle.

I also started to paint up some plastic Arabs of unknown manufacturer. These were purchased on a world famous online auction site by a friend in a batch of 100 figures. They are made of white hard plastic, and have a crude factory paint job that makes Micro Machines seem like works of art.

These are the first ones I have repainted. GW Devan Mud wash highlights the form fitting burqa on the right. The sculptor clearly has a background in producing fantasy figures.

Lots of Arab Civilian stands ready to repaint. Even Simple Green won't remove the paint from these guys.

And now with added Hornby sheep.

I also started based up some Sandtrooper stands. I am still toying with the idea of converting some other figures to add to their numbers.

Two Sandtrooper stands, and a Dewback patrol stand.

Painted BUA, NOD Attack Bikes, and Technicals

This pic is in the wrong place... read on to guess where it should be...

The  first shantytown BUA template has been painted. I still plan to add posters, graffiti, and junk on the base. The plan is to make at least six shantytown BUAs, and some tent city BUAs.

A view from above.

It really needs some graffiti to add some class.

Hmmm, looks like I need to paint more of the interior floors.

Needs more clutter.

In the distance, a fleet of technicals.

Next up are some Nod Attack Bikes. The basis for these are some toy motorcycles, with the addition of Airfix 88mm Flak ammo crates to act as missile pods. In our CD games these are treated as light armour, rather than personnel stands. These doesn't add much to their survivability.

Nod Attack Bikes: Fast moving targets for GDI...

And another view. Fast light attack for those not wanting Nod buggies.

And now for some technicals. The essential motorised element for the third world militia on the go.

The fleet of technicals, with two additions...

An Atlantic Ambulance from the aptly named Atlantic Ambulance set.

A view from the front.

Side view, and yes, the steering wheel does go through the front window. It's a design feature!

Ambulance rear.

And inside: patient on stretcher and medic - crowded!

I believe this to be a Tootsie Toy, a brand of small die cast vehicles sold in US dime stores.

I found it in a junk store, with it's original blue paint job very badly chipped.

But it looked like a neat wee car, so I bought it, repainted it, and then blogged it!

Jeep - Maker unknown, driver and front passenger - Airfix, HMG - Matchbox, with Leva ammo box, back passenger - Hong Kong knock off of Airfix 1/32 US Marine officer.

Jeep from Hong Kong army men pack. It makes an ok light truck.

Crew is a mixture of Esci and Airfix with one conversion. Gun is a 40K bolter.

Another Hong Kong jeep. Gun is from a toy plastic submarine. Driver and front passenger Airfix figures. Passenger is woman with baby from the Airfix Civilians set, driver from Airfix GMC kit.

Airfix Bofor gun crewman given an Esci bush hat.

Red ones go faster! vehicle is from a New Ray playset.

Gunner is a Dapol Railway workman, Driver is a Airfix figure.

Another New Ray vehicle. Both this and the red one had surgery to cut away the roof. Driver is Airfix, rear passenger Hong Kong knock off.

New Ray vehicle. Roof was cut away and scratch built recoilless rifle added. Driver is Airfix.

Another view of the above technical.

These technicals were first made for games of AK-47, that my gaming group played in 20mm. Then they got drafted into various Noddist forces, and other militia and mercenary groups. In CD these vehicles get quite reasonable movement rates which encourages players to move them around the board to their destruction lets players have mobile heavy weapons support. Unfortunately, they are the CD equivalent of the Ford Pinto. Militias in Harad often use technicals, but  they are rarely in front line service of the major warring factions. More importantly, they are quite fun to play with!

Tusken Raiders

I decided to put a wash over my Tusken Raiders to try and give them a more gritty look. However, it didn't work as well asit has on other figures, The only thing that I can think of is that I hadn't degreased the figures, nor actually put any paint on them for the wash to adhere to. As they were prepainted Micro Machines figures, it simply didn't even cross my mind to do so.

Sand People are easily startled...

....but will soon return....

... in greater numbers.

A key aspect in the life of the Tusken Raiders is their relationship with their Bantha mounts.

My first attempt at scratchbuilding a Bantha. I plan to redo the horns, lips, and those beady little eyes...

A plastic hippo was used as a basis for the conversion. Air drying plasticine was used to build up the shaggy coat.

The size of the Bantha with Sand People near by for scale.

Like the Jawa horde the Tusken army has been based for use with my Star Wars CD variant. Enjoy some more pictures of the Tusken.

Gaderffii or Gaffi sticks - a Tusken's best friend!

More Tusken! Such a shame that the whole  Micro Machines figure range is out of production.

Centre front stand stand is carrying a Cycler rifle.

Another view. The wash has worked well, but it could have been better.

So Jawas and Tusken done.... what Star Wars Army should I do next?

Beach Scenery

Years ago I ran a large CD game in the Lower Common Room of the UCSA building. The game was essentially a thinly veiled refight of the invasion of Tarawa in 1943. Like many moments in life that you wish you had a camera at - I sadly did not. While many things did not go well, weren't ready in time, or simply were overlooked, the game did result in the construction of many items of kit that still see use today. (And by today, I mean within the last three years)

In particular, a reasonable amount of beach obstacles that were designed to be generic as possible. The idea being that they could then be used in a variety of other settings. I rediscovered these lately while digging through the hoard looking for something else entirely.

The good ol' Esci classic. I really need to rust these guys up a little.

Another view of the hedgehogs. More D-day than Tarawa, but more useful for other gaming.

Another view of the same.

Still waiting for the fuse wire to run between them. A collection of Esci wooden obstacles.

Another view of same.

And some more.

Front two rows are Fujimi hedgehogs from memory.

Rows (from front) three to six are hedgehogs from the same set that the mystery figures came from.

Connector pieces from a kids toy set. These came as part of a second hand acquisition of wargaming stuff.

Broken hedgehogs to represent broken hedgehogs.

Looking at these photos it appears that I must have added to the amount I had for the Tarawa game. I still have some more waiting to be built up. Looks like another expedition into the hoard is called for!