Yet More Imperial Star Wars Stuff

Last post I put up pictures of AT-ATs and Stormtroopers, but not of Snowtroopers and AT-ATs. The below picture solves that problem. Using CD terms, an AT-AT stand is able to carry four stands. If I use CD, rather than Striker, I then only get to field one AT-AT, as only four are used. And of those four, two get destroyed.

Remember: Single Figure command stands ride for free!

Of course, the film doesn't show what Lord Vader is bringing down in the next wave.... Which could be even more AT-ATs! And now for another picture I should of posted last time, two Imperial Probe Droids, and an Action Fleet Wampa beast. The reason I should have posted this picture last time is that the Probe Droids, like the Scout Troopers, are a useful recon element.

But is my Wampa too big?

Of course, every force needs leadership. Micro Machines made a set of Imperial Officers, in addition to the various command figures available from various playsets.  Unlike the Scout Trooper, and  to a certain extent Stormtrooper sets, the Imperial Officer set can still be picked up at a reasonable price.

Two Revel Officers/Pilots from the shuttle kit. These guys were a gift from Glenn. In the background lurk some senior Imperial Officers.

The set also includes a figure who could be used as a trooper in the Imperial Army. Unfortunately, it is the only suitable Micro Machine figure for that I have seen. Although, I have been tempted to convert some other suitable figures from the MM Military range.

A better equipped officer - weapon and armour.

One of my favourite Micro Machine poses.

Left to right: Grand Adm. Thrawn, Admiral Daala, Grand Moff Tarkin, and unknown.

More Imperial Officers.

And some more.

Group shot. Everyone say Cheese!

 Micro Machines also released a set of Imperial Naval Troopers. These are quite nice figures and I applaud their use of the MG08/15! According to some sources these figures could also be used as Imperial Army Troopers, although in my opinion your mileage will vary...

Group shot of all nine figures in the set.

Yes, I know it's not a MG08/15, but it is bulky looking.

Ninja? or Death Star Gunner?

The top of the Chain of Command. The Emperor and Guards. I was given a third recently by Glenn.

Emperor/Sith figure.

....There are always two....

Darth Vader figures.... loads of them....

A close up of some...

And then the rest...

 Micro Machines also made figures for use as Imperial Pilots. A pair of sparring trainees were included in one playset.

Sparring Trainees. Imperial Flight School is more than just TIE Fighters.

 They also made a set of Imperial Pilots containing the usual nine figures. These are very nice figures, and such they are such small scale could probably be paint converted as AT-AT crew.

Imperial Pilots. Two sets are shown here.

They are very nice figures. The one on the left has all his paperwork.

Some more pilots.

 In other news work on Harad continues. I will post some more Harad stuff soon, but Star wars is always good filler.

Star Wars Decision Units - Imperial Stormtroopers.

Currently I am working away producing paperwork for the Harad campaign, I have quite a bit organised but still have quite a bit left to do. I thought that I really should make a post, given all the great stuff being produced by other people, and as the Star Wars stuff seems to be popular I thought I would do some of that.

Micro Machines Stormtroopers, and two Ertl AT-ATs.

Two Revell Stormtroopers from the Shuttle model kit,  I was given these two guys are from Glenn.

Dead Stormtroopers. These figures were part of the Imperial Forces gift set.

The AT-ATs need to have their paint jobs finished, so far it has only taken 14 or so years to get them to this point. I have opted to use a smaller scale AT-AT as a 1/72 scale one would be huge. Wizards of the Coast produced one for their 28mm figures that was fairly close in size and it's huge! The Stormtroopers were used without basing when I played  Star Wars Miniature Battles by West End Games. A nice system, but not quite what I wanted.

Revell Stormtroopers. I have a plan for these figures...

One of these guys seems a little short to be Stormtrooper!

 The plan is now to base up the Stormtroopers and finish painting the AT-ATs. I have always thought Stormtroopers looked cool so I snapped them up whenever I had the opportunity to do so. The Micro Machines range of Star Wars figures is simply brilliant.

Micro Machine Stormtroopers with Heavy Blasters.

A group shot with AT-ATs in the back.

Underscale but still quite large.

Of course, every force needs a Reconnaissance element, and for the Stormtroopers is is carried out by the aptly named Scout Troopers. While a set of Scout Troopers were produced as part of the Micro Machine Range, they never made to NZ, and when they turn up on internet auction sites they tend to be quite expensive, as are sets of the Rebel Endor Commandos, and Naboo Security. Fortunately, Scout Troopers on Jet Bikes were made as part of one of the vehicle sets, and a single foot figure was produced as part of the Mini Head range.

Jet Bikes! Best not used in forests.

The Jet Bikes are a bit like technicals - Fast and Fragile!

A Group Shot. Foot Figures will be based as Patrol Stands.

Since it seemed a little more practical, and they were readily available, I obtained a couple of the Action Fleet AT-STs, as they seemed to be more in scale with the Micro machine figures I am using. Of course, if I am playing a game which has AT-ATs and AT-STs on the board at once, I use a smaller AT-ST models that are in scale to the AT-ATs.

Behold, the chicken walker legs!

No Wookies in here!

AT-ST officer figures. According to some sources, these guys often dismount to help direct fire.

And according to other sources, Stormtrooper officers wear black.

I really like the Micro Machines figures, but have generally been quite slack with finishing off projects with them. This year I will change that, even if it is to just post pictures of them. More Star Wars Micro Machines figures to follow.

Saladin Knock Offs? or Not?

Many years ago when beer was much cheaper, I acquired a few green plastic armoured cars. These were of the type that were commonly found in bags of Hong Kong knock off Army Men, so I assume that they came from that source.

Plastic Saladins after having repairs made and details added

Over the last sixteen odd years, they have been pressed into service (with some modification) as very dodgy M-8 Greyhounds, and other assorted armoured cars. One was even used lend-lease style as a SdKfz 222 Armoured Car for a friend's Flames of War Army. They have even been used as Saladins. But it wasn't until quite recently that I noticed just how close they were to the Matchbox Saladin.

The view from the top.

Side view. plastic card added to repair rips and add depth to vehicle.

The rear view. The plastic one appears to be a top only cast of the Matchbox vehicle.

 The plastic used in these vehicles is very light, and all of the vehicles are quite warped. Surface detail is very limited compared to the Chieftain knockoffs. Whether this is due to limitations of the plastic, poor mold making, or an old mold, I have no idea. If I was to guess, I would suggest the possibility that these are knockoffs of the knockoffs, as it would explain the poor quality and lack of depth. Still, on to pictures of the beasts.

Look it's a 15mm SdKfz 222! Plastic card has been put over the rips in the turret.

The rear view showing how plastic card has been used to create some depth in the engine department.

Warped Front? No problem, bang in a bit of plastic card and it's fixed!

Missing a turret and a set of wheels. Note the warping.

Plastic card over holes where middle axle was placed further back to help the illusion of it being a M-8.

 Once the plastic carding was finished, they were all sprayed with grey primer. The next step will be to paint them sand, black the tyres, and add insignia. Three more Saladins for Harad, although they may be given a new name in Haradi service.

Three more Saladin Armoured Cars!

The rear view. An improvement on their previous status.

Side views. Quite acceptable result.

 I have never seen any of these vehicles except second hand as part of trades, etc. I am now curious as to what other useful Matchbox diecasts were knocked off in plastic, and if they are easily available.  

The Mighty Antar Pt. 1

So, my Airfix Attack Force Mighty Antar is missing one of the ramps from its trailer. My options were to ignore this, try and find a replacement Airfix part, replace both with suitable ramps, scratchbuild a matching replacement, or to make an obvious field replacement ramp to add character to the vehicle. To make the vehicle functional a new rear ramp is required, so my replacement part is based solely on functionality, in both getting the trailer useable again, and in ease of production. The other task is to give the Antar cab a floor. I want to avoid doing anything that can't easily be undone on this beast as it is the only one I have.

Antar cab - showing white, instead of floor.

The underside of the cab.

Plastic card to the rescue once more.

This is clearly not a matching pair.

But it sits about right...

The whole unit.

Loading a tank, and the new ramp works.

And loaded up with tank.

Trailer rear with ramps in upright  position. And spray painted grey.

Cab spraypainted grey. I love the Antar at the front!

And a view from above, with some more Saladins for company.

So all I need to do now is make up a suitable support stand, and think about what other heavy lift vehicles I can find to add to the fun.