Marine Mortar Team

My next batch of figures for Vietnam are ready to go, it's more figures to reinforce my Marine force. Once again Empress Miniatures have hit the nail on the head with these guys, the pack contains two mortar crews. One firing and one on the move, I'm no expert on Vietnam but that's not stopping me. The figures are very nicely done, the crew moving is a nice addition one which I'm not sure many other manufacturers make. I could be wrong but it's not something I've seen. As always very little in way of prep required, the mortar us in two pieces, the front legs are separate and the mortar barrel and plate are a one piece casting with the figure holding it steady. Lovely piece of sculpting and the fit of the pieces is spot on. 

 

(picture curtesy of Empress Miniatures website)

The two crew moving the mortar look perfect posing from the photos I've seen, I imagine lugging this thing around was no fun especially in the heat and with all the other gear these guys carried. There are some really nice pieces of detailing gone into these guys I've already mentioned but the amount of gear these guys adorned their helmets with is a real eye opener. Toys, cigarette packs, gun oil, bug repellant, playing cards, tooth brushes and thats before we even get into the graffiti written on the helmet covers. The graffiti extended to flak jackets which I will admit I may of got carried away with but hey these guys probably had hours of boredom to fill! 

First up, team USA! It didn't stand out enough in just plain black so Red, White and Blue seemed appropriate. Maybe not the most realistic but a few images I found did include a bit of colour. 

The eyeballs on the helmet and a very basic flag on the flak jacket, once again fun to paint and a chance to add a bit more character. 

I've looked at other ranges but Empress seems to have ticked all the boxes for me. I'm no gamer and haven't been for a lot of years now, but painting and collecting is just as much fun if not more for me. I really can't fault this range so far! The collaboration between Paul Hicks and Empress Miniatures is a perfect match in my eyes. I'm hoping there will be more to come from them, I know what I like and these guys are definitely it. 

I keep saying I will finally get around to painting my ARVN but I'm still steadily working my way through my Marines. The VC/PAVN are slightly outnumbered which is something I will be rectifying in the near future! Well that about rounds up this post, thanks for taking the time to read my humble or just looking at the pictures. My blog will never set the hobby world ablaze but that's not what it's all about! So keep looking and I will keep posting. 

  Cheers Russ

   

Medic!!!!

 I've completed the next round of recruits, every army suffers casualties so there's got to be a medic or two to help patch the guys up and get them back into action. Once again it's Empress Miniatures and the beautiful sculpting that can only be at the hands of Paul Hicks. The guy is a legend and Empress miniatures is co-conspirator in trying to either get me divorced or make me bankrupt! Either way I'm not quite sure they realise what they have started! 

  So on to the figures, the pack contains 5 cracking little figures, all figures are cleaning cast and very little clean up was needed. The medics are certainly getting put through their paces, the first one is a double casting of a medic helping support a wounded figure walking. I'm always amazed how great these guys look even before a lick of paint, the single medic is wearing glasses and certainly looks the part.

The next figures are two separate pieces but they join up perfectly. I like the research which Mr Hicks as done and its always to come across the same images as the ones he has taken his inspiration from. The medic is a fantastic little sculpt but so is the poor guy who needs his expertise, they really do make for a stunning little piece

As you can tell I'm certainly a fan of this range and there are more to come, more then anything it's finding the time to get stuff done.

Unfortunately my painting skills are lacking in certain areas, but I have tried to add some helmet graffiti. Some of the helmets were works of art in their own rights, peace symbols, blood types and even names and symbols where added on the flak jackets. How anyone manages painting these things in smaller scales then 25mm is beyond me. 

So as always thanks for looking, please feel free to comment or just enjoy looking at the pictures, either way keep looking and I will keep posting. 

Cheers for now Russ 

The enemy ranks swell

 I've managed a few bits for my Vietnam collection, they are more figures from Empress miniatures. I really am loving painting these guys, this time it's a command section with a little bit more firepower. The sculpts are beautiful little figures, I know I'm getting boring repeating it but that's how I see it. The figures clean up nicely, a minor amount of work required to get them ready for paint. Then it's the fun bit colouring them in as I like to call it. Research is always a fun part of painting and I think I managed to get the camo Cape looking better this time, I know colours would vary in real life and wear and tear would have an effect on clothing so trying to replicate is have the fun. I'm no expert when it comes to most of the figures I paint but I like to think they are reasonable in their appearance. So on to the figures and hopefully I've at least managed to capture enough of the essence of The Nam.

I'm never keen on every figure looking identical in matching uniforms.

The MG is the first of the more heavy support for my squads.

The character and detail is just waiting to come to life.

As always the photos are average but hopefully good enough to get a good idea of how superbly these guys paint up.

So what's next? Only time will tell! I have some transports to paint and build so they may just be my next post.

   As always thanks for looking, all the very best Cheers for now Russ 

Fresh round of recruits

 More troops for my growing collection.

I've managed to add a few more bits and pieces to my slowly growing collection, more goodies from Empress miniatures. Once again they are cracking little figures, I can't say I've seen any figures in the range that I don't like. What started once again as a side project as grown wings and looks like developing into something major! I love researching the uniforms and it's amazing how varied the uniforms seemed to be. I'm no expert so I'm bound to get some thing wrong, OK maybe a lot things but hey who's counting. 

So on to the figures, this time they are more NVA. I've swapped a few heads with the coolie hats from the range, they look more VC in appearance so black and dark blue colours crept in. I cant say I'm looking to build a balanced force, painting and collecting leaves the door open for just painting and adding pretty much what I like the look of. This guy screams Vietnam, trudging along on his cart! No cares no worries! Well not until he gets stopped by the local VC. 

Let's hope he's not carrying anything he shouldn't be. 

There's no better feeling then adding a fresh batch of figures to a collection, especially when it means your balancing out the forces. This time I've included the first of the two command packs I picked up, the other pack includes the radio operator and such but the bugler and Commander just cried out to be painted so then it was just adding a RPG, machine gun and a few foot soldiers. 

My collection of scenery is also growing so hopefully the pictures are becoming more appealing then just plain boring photos. I'm hopefully going to finish another squad of these guys and a little bit of heavy support, then I will see about adding a few more US figures and possibly a APC or two. The Australian contingent is still very much still on the agenda, but I need to finish up the few I've started converting to be special forces reinforcements. 

Fingers crossed the next round of additions will arrive sooner rather than later, time is something I never seem to have enough of. So thanks for looking and feel free to comment.

  All the very best cheers Russ 

Back in the Nam!

 I've added some more Empress goodies to my Vietnam collection, I've favoured the American and Australian forces so its only right to add some balance to the collection. 

 These guys capture my image of the NVA perfectly, smaller in stature,not overly uniformed but never the less a formidable foe. I love the use of variety of uniforms and equipment, even if it's something as simple as a different shade of the same colour. Faded, washed out and in some cases heavily worn, I'm pretty sure it was all seen and used on the battlefields all over the world. I've plumped for 10 man squads, each squad carries a RPG, LMG and a variety of small arms. Originally I planned on not adding an RPG to every squad so I painted two up for this squad to help balance out the first squad I previously painted.

   Like most subjects I'm no expert, so I make a few mistakes and from time to time I get it wrong! The main thing is I'm enjoying the hobby and that's the main thing, so on to the figures.

The full squad, note the two RPGs to balance out my previous squad who is sadly lacking any anti tank/helicopter support. 

The mixed uniforms and equipment I think really adds to the look of almost any force but suits these guys down to the ground. 

 My scenery is lacking I'm afraid but that's another thing I need to address! I'm pretty sure the vill will grow slowly, I've invested in another Sarissa Precision building so it will need some country folk to inhabit it. 

Just to add some balance I've added some better pictures of my SAS figures, they are cracking little figures and I can see my collection growing to include the Aussies! The movie "Danger Close" as a lot to answer for. 

Once again the mixture of uniforms and kit adds that extra element! I would say its because I get bored easily but that's only half the story.

So thanks again for reading, it's the love of the figures that keeps me painting and hopefully it's what brings you here.

So keep looking and I will keep posting, please feel free to comment

All the very best 

     Cheers for now Russ 

 

Vietnam the journey continues

 More fantastic figures from Empress miniatures Vietnam Range, more Australian SAS figures. I love painting these figures, Paul Hicks is a very talented individual. I can't fault his sculpting, the detail is just waiting to be brought to life. Which makes colouring them in a real pleasure and hopefully the results speak for themselves. These are the second set from Empress, that's 10 figures in total. Every single one packed with detail and character, what more could you want. 

 These guys had to be painted in ERDL after the first five were painted in my old favourite Tigerstripe. I've still a way to go but I reckon they pass muster, we'll at a distance anyway.

I reckon this guy almost passes for an Australian Rambo, I was tempted to paint the bandana bright red! I had to remind myself it's not 40k! 

I've always liked the look of the SLR, so what could be better then a grenade launcher slung under it. The mags they carried were much bigger then the standard mag. Necessity is the mother of invention, if it works use it. 

This guy is ready to rock and roll, the M16 seems to have appealed massively to the Australian forces, even if the stopping power of the SLR was a lot more brutal. 

A bit of slightly heavier firepower, this guy seems to be stooping under the weight. Or is he just keeping a low profile, or even negotiating heavy vegetation. 

Another SLR armed figure, I love the way he's crouched. You can see this guy nestled into cover just waiting to open up on the enemy.

The full 5 ready to hit the enemy where it hurts.

I need to get some more Victor Charlie done to face these guys, I've concentrated on the US and Australian forces so its only fair I even up the score. 

Well more additions to add to my collection, Empress Miniatures so far have hit the target with every single figure from the Vietnam Range. They seem to have captured the era perfectly for me. 

So thanks for looking all the very best cheers for now Russ 

  Keep looking and I will keep posting.

Back to Vietnam

 I've finally decided to return to my Blog, life as moved on alot since I last posted. My passion for Vietnam was spurred on by a Christmas from a very good friend. The book got me wanting to add to my stalled collection and where better to restart but Special Forces! Empress miniatures really seem to have hit my idea of Vietnam bang on target. So without more of me rattling on here's the latest recruits to make into the ranks. 

AUSTRALIAN SAS

I picked up both packs that Empress make, the first all Tigerstripe. The second pack will be ERDL camo, well thats the plan. Neither pattern are easy to paint but Tigerstripe appeals that little bit more. 

The face camo is something I've kept putting off due to confidence really. I'm not sure I've quite nailed it but it's a good starting point. This guys wearing gloves, not that they show up very well 

Sometimes it's the small details that make or break a figure, even if it's just a mix of uniform and kit. I'm pretty sure these guys took weapons they trusted rather then just the standard infantry weapons that were issued. 

I love the pose of the guy below, bursting into action 

The guys all together 

So my first foray back into Nam is underway, the next batch will be more Australian SAS so please feel free to pop on back.

Comments are welcome all the best

    Cheers Russ