Latest additions for NAM

 It’s took a while to get some more recruits completed but here they are, I decided to make scenic bases. I also decided to add a few bases with multiple figures which is something I've not really approached before. Hopefully they will add a bit more variety to my collection. 

                                                     The three bases in all their glory 

   

I'm hoping they have the appearance of just about to engage the enemy.  The figures mix nicely on the bases, the range of figures from Empress Miniatures gives the options of everything from M16s, M60s, Laws, bloop guns, radio operators, command figures, medics with causalities, the range is enough to field a good mix of troops and support weapons. 

The bare metal from Empress Miniatures 

NAM 7

                                                                           NAM 6

NAM 15

As always the figures are superb, very little clean up required, the fact you can get different packs of figures armed with M16s with a mix of figures that are prone, kneeling, advancing, firing you also get options with the M60s and other weapon options. 

The radio operator is a small conversion, I added short sleeves rather then bare arms that the figure comes with.  

The branches are literally just picked up from the garden and hopefully look the part. I've still the aerials to add to the radios but other then that they are finished. So my collection is growing and there are so much more to add, the Ontos is finally taking shape so hopefully it will join the guys sooner rather then later. 

So thanks for looking, figures crossed it will be sooner rather then later when I get to add the next lot of figures.

So thanks for looking 

            Cheers for now Russ

Dixon Confederates

 Thinning out the collection

My ACW collection is something I've worked on for I'm not quite sure how many years, I'm now starting to have to start thinning it out and making some room, storage is always an issues. The figures are all Dixon with what I can only describe as being a labour of love, many figures are converted but I did so many I can't remember which are conversions and which aren't. 

     The 43rd North Carolina (painted to represent)

These are one of the very first units I went back and brought up to the standard of the later additions in my collection. I know Dixon miniatures are not to everyone tastes but they brought the ACW to life for me.

The 8th regiment of the army of northern Virginia (painted to represent)

In some respects it's quite sad to part with any of my collection but needs must I'm afraid, I feel quite nostalgic to get the guys out and photograph them. I'm not sure how many happy hours I've had painting these guys but I enjoyed painting every single one. These guys will be going up for sale on the miniatures page shortly.

All the very best Cheers for now Russ 

  

   

Vietnamese Civilians part2

Christmas and the New Year brought me a few days off, thankfully my wife is very understanding when it comes to my hobby. I love Christmas, it's probably because I've never grown up. The time was split between the usual Christmas festivities and hobby time. There are a lot of things I've got on the go but the next round of civilians made it to the front of the que. Despite the fact you can get both armed and unarmed versions of the same figure I didn't want them all dressed in black and looking very obvious so like the first batch I chose more civilian colours! If that's such a thing! 

                                                         The Raw recruits

The figures are again from Paul Hicks talented hands, I'm pretty sure this guy could sculpt absolutely anything. The style suits the figures down to the ground, I know the style of figures can be a personal thing but in my humble opinion they are the best Vietnam figures I've come across. 

So on to the figures there are two packs one armed one unarmed, they are nicely detailed. Very little clean up required which is always welcomed, the metal stands up well against knocks and drops. I wouldn't drop them on purpose but on the odd occasion its occurred they have proved no problem at straightening parts back into shape. 

           

There's no mistaking which is which one, the legs, body and head are the same it's mainly the positions of the arms. The weapons are a good mix and not just Ak's, some of the weapons have definitely seen service for quite a few years. Some are more odd then others but they sit nicely with the figures, the background of some the weapons may be questionable but I'm pretty sure a relic of a weapon is better then no weapon. Afterall they are the peoples army,  hit and run or self defence either way they look the part. They look the part to just blend back in and disappear 

The Finished figures

The old women in red snook into the last batch I painted but she had to appear again to show the full set. My plan is to mix up the colours as I go along, so hopefully once they are all finished up they look well like civilians. 

The turban on the left hand side of the photo threw me a tad, I know that all coolie hats would look wrong so it's a nice addition. Plus the lady in the Red top with her hat pushed back, I think its a nice touch it makes her look more engaged at spitting lead at potential foes. I'm not sure the Red star on the belt buckle works or not, it wasn't the easiest part to paint and my eyes are only getting older and less forgiving at times. 

I will finish up with a few photos just to round things off, so thanks for looking, feel free to comment and I will post again hopefully sooner rather then later. 

                      All the very best Cheers Russ