Does anyone here know of a source for Rhodesian anti-mine vehicles in 15mm?
[Edit: I changed the title of the topic to include aircraft]
I remember there being some. if I can have a good think I will put it here. May have been SDD??
do you mean the Leopard Security Vehicle, or Bulldog Anti mine vehicle, or Mine Protected Combat Vehicle – MPCV, or Buffel, or Pookie, or Hippo, or Thyssen Henschel UR-416?
Quote from: Mike Tanner on April 08, 2018, 07:22:58 PM
Does anyone here know of a source for Rhodesian anti-mine vehicles in 15mm?
Would a Bulldog do? A nice chap called Martin makes one:
(http://www.peterpig.co.uk/AK%2520Bulldog%2520anti%2520mine%2520vehicle.jpg)
I'd be interested in getting my hands on some vehicles like the Leopard, Spook, and Crocodile. Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be any out there in 15mm.
http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/intafvehicles.htm
Colonel, I purchased a PP Bulldog a while back to check it out - and very nice it is too. A major plus point to this model is that there are very few parts to assemble. I also bought a Buffel from a rival manufacturer but there are a thousand and one tiny parts in the kit. Small parts are a major pain in the butt and I can see them falling off the models eventually even when treating them with care. The problem with the Bulldog is that as far as I am aware it was only used by the Air Force as a security patrol vehicle with some used in the anti-aircraft role. The South African Army never used it. Purists would probably want to string me up if I dared to even think about mounting my SA troops in Bulldog's. How do you chaps feel about this type of moral dilemma? Are you purists or do you cheat from time to time by turning a blind eye to historical accuracy? Will PP be adding a Buffel to the Modern Africa range in the future?
Quote from: martin goddard on April 08, 2018, 10:17:00 PM
I remember there being some. if I can have a good think I will put it here. May have been SDD??
I had a look on their site without any luck.
Are their any on the 'Shapeways' type of sites?
As to the purity of the models used in an army, for me it would depend on why and for what reason I was building it.
I may use a PP Bulldog in the short term to build and get the army ready to play with, but with the long term goal of finding or building the actual vehicle I wanted and then sell the stand in models. A quick search found these https://www.shapeways.com/shops/arcticskunk?section=Rhodesian+Vehicles&s=0 . I know not all the scales are right and it depends on how much you are prepared to pay for the purity of the army.
Even if they are shown in another scale ask the producer they may be prepared to produce it in 1/100. With the computer files scaling the model is fairly simple, depending on how the 3D model has been created.
Quote from: Leslie BT on April 12, 2018, 08:44:41 PM
Are their any on the 'Shapeways' type of sites?
A quick search found these https://www.shapeways.com/shops/arcticskunk?section=Rhodesian+Vehicles&s=0 . I know not all the scales are right and it depends on how much you are prepared to pay for the purity of the army.
Even if they are shown in another scale ask the producer they may be prepared to produce it in 1/100. With the computer files scaling the model is fairly simple, depending on how the 3D model has been created.
Thank you Leslie BT, for that very useful link. Although I am a procrastinator extraordinaire, I actually managed to send a message of inquiry to the Crocodile models creator this evening. Fingers crossed a 1/100 version is possible.
Mr. Pennock also produces an Alouette III K Car and two versions of the G Car in 1/100. I test purchased a K Car from Shapeways and am very impressed with the quality of the model. Although it lacks the fine details contained in a kit type model (engine sand filters etc.) it is very hardy and would probably survive being dropped on the ground without sustaining any major damage.
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/arcticskunk?section=Rhodesian+Vehicles&s=0
Great that you have found some models, waiting for a picture of the finished painted models.
How were you thinking of gaming with the Alouette, as a landed model or on a flying stand?
It does look very nice. I'd previously found the Old Glory UK "Lil' Flyin' Fokkers" version [http://www.oldgloryuk.com/post-wwii-and-modern-aircraft/44/202/437/508], which I thought also looked nice, and also includes parts for both the K-car and G-car:
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-1.jpg)
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-2.jpg)
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-3.jpg)
But not quite nice enough for me to fork our £14 each, yet...
Quote from: Leslie BT on May 01, 2018, 08:33:18 PM
Great that you have found some models, waiting for a picture of the finished painted models.
How were you thinking of gaming with the Alouette, as a landed model or on a flying stand?
I intend using my Helicopter models in both landed and flying mode.
I recently bought a bunch of cheap adjustable magnetic stands from Ebay. Small magnets purchased last year will be glued to the base of my Alouette III aircraft as anchor points.
(https://i.imgur.com/b7EHNz7.jpg)
Looking good Mike!
An obvious (sorry!) top tip is to make sure you get the magnets the right way round before gluing them to the copters :)
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on May 01, 2018, 09:40:00 PM
It does look very nice. I'd previously found the Old Glory UK "Lil' Flyin' Fokkers" version [http://www.oldgloryuk.com/post-wwii-and-modern-aircraft/44/202/437/508], which I thought also looked nice, and also includes parts for both the K-car and G-car:
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-1.jpg)
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-2.jpg)
(http://www.oldgloryuk.com/images/products/lfc06-3.jpg)
But not quite nice enough for me to fork our £14 each, yet...
The Old Glory Alouette III model looks great in those publicity photographs but a lot of work is required of the wargamer to bring the base model anywhere close to the standard seen in the website propaganda.
I bought one of their Alouette III models last year. I have included a few pictures of the as yet uncompleted kit below.
(https://i.imgur.com/ISdvhE3.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/AtRAafz.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VhTg9Fj.jpg)
I know it will go against the grain for many but my Alouette fleet will be coming from Shapeways in future.
(https://i.imgur.com/Lhv44Oi.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/JfgoHOE.jpg)
[Edit: Because my original photograph of this model was so terrible I am adding the picture below of the Shapeways Alouette to show the rotor and everything else is central and as it should be.]
(https://i.imgur.com/815g9qO.jpg)
Ouch - that airframe casting is terrible!
Your Shapeways model puts it to shame, Mike - thanks for saving some of us from a sad and costly error...
Looking forward to how yours turns out once it's painted.
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on May 02, 2018, 10:01:31 PM
Ouch - that airframe casting is terrible!
Your Shapeways model puts it to shame, Mike - thanks for saving some of us from a sad and costly error...
Whoever packed the heli airframe obviously didn't bat an eyelid to its poor condition. I can only assume that is what other customers have also received. Putting the model together could be a real nightmare for an inexperienced model builder.
I will post a revue if I ever get around to building the kit.
Quote from: Leslie BT on April 12, 2018, 08:44:41 PM
Even if they are shown in another scale ask the producer they may be prepared to produce it in 1/100. With the computer files scaling the model is fairly simple, depending on how the 3D model has been created.
Thank you Leslie BT, I received a reply to my inquiry regarding the re-scaling of the Crocodile model to 1/100 from Arctic Skunk yesterday. The model should become available from Shapeways in the next couple of days.
That's the majority of my Fireforce heli's and land-tail taken care of.
The 1/100 Crocodile is now on sale at Shapeways. Unfortunately the price tag is extremely hefty. With postage it cost me 29,55 EUR for one model. I can see now my Rhodesian forces road-tail is going to consist mainly of PP Unimogs and Landrovers .
https://www.shapeways.com/shops/arcticskunk?section=Rhodesian+Vehicles&s=0 (https://www.shapeways.com/shops/arcticskunk?section=Rhodesian+Vehicles&s=0)
I will post a review of the model in the coming days.
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on May 02, 2018, 10:01:31 PM
Your Shapeways model puts it to shame, Mike - thanks for saving some of us from a sad and costly error...
I have found another couple of sources for the Alouette III. PP doesn't produce this model so I should be safe posting links here. Admin, if there is a problem please PM me and/or remove this post.
Amazon France:
11,98 EUR
https://www.amazon.fr/Heller-Junior-49045-Maquette-Alouette/dp/B0079UHJMG
(https://i.imgur.com/jbwYkRr.jpg)
Armaments In Miniature:
$14.00
This range of Alouette models has the advantage of having door gunners supplied. However ordering is a bit weird. First one has to email A.I.M with the order and wait for a reply. I am still waiting for a reply to my order so I can't say how much the postage to Europe from New Jersey, USA will be.
http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/armamentsinminiature/aircraftinminiature/15mm/resinlist15mm.htm (http://www.angelfire.com/nj4/armamentsinminiature/aircraftinminiature/15mm/resinlist15mm.htm)
(https://i.imgur.com/ishhjp8.jpg)
Has anyone here done business with Armaments In Miniature before?
I picked this 1/100 Doyusha DC3 up from Amazon.de for 18.19 EUR. I will give it a camo paint job and my Paradaks will have something to jump out of over the table.
(https://i.imgur.com/4sCBvmA.jpg)
Just in case some of you are wondering about my recent switch in focus from the SADF Border War to the Rhodesian theatre: I want to begin wargaming with figures mounted on single bases, up to Company strength. I think the Rhodesian Bush War is better suited to my needs. It also holds more interest for me. My first batch of SADF troopies (can't remember the Afrikaans spelling) is nearly finished so I will be using them mounted in Ratels and Buffels. In my imagi-nation conflict South Africa will not have abandoned Rhodesia to its fate, and will provide manpower and heavy weapons should the Communists ever dare launch conventional main force attacks into Rhodesia.
I have had quite a few items from AIM. Dave Schmidt. All good models and good delivery
Quote from: Mike Tanner on May 14, 2018, 06:43:11 PM
I want to begin wargaming with figures mounted on single bases, up to Company strength.
Mike,
I initially started getting into PP figures for a very similar purpose. I have the first edition of Force on Force, and most of the Force on Force theatre / scenario books from Osprey for Africa. What rules are you planning to use with your little Piggies for your Rhodesian Bush War games?
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on May 15, 2018, 06:35:37 AM
I initially started getting into PP figures for a very similar purpose. I have the first edition of Force on Force, and most of the Force on Force theatre / scenario books from Osprey for Africa. What rules are you planning to use with your little Piggies for your Rhodesian Bush War games?
I purchased the Iraq, Afghanistan and African bush wars scenario books for
Force on Force last year even though I don't yet have the core rulebook. I also have many of the Osprey books on Modern African Wars etc. Last month I actually made an effort to begin looking into what rules I might eventually use. After a bit of Google research I ordered
I Ain't been Shot Mum and
B'Maso! The Winds of Change Wars In Africa supplement rules. The B'Maso! supplement is PDF only so I had to print it out after download (I would have preferred to buy a hardcopy but the printing wasn't too much of a hardship). I understand these rules have been around for a while. Have you used IABSM Colonel? If so how do they compare with FoF? Force on Force seems to be more popular but as I understand it I Ain't Been Shot Mum is better suited for larger actions. I was also swayed to buy IABSM because I read somewhere FoF does not contain weapon tables/charts etc. I have only had a chance to skim through B'Maso! but it seems very interesting and I would buy it again even if I never intended using the IABSM rules.
I have managed to get my hands on a hardcopy of PP's AK47 Republic v1.11 ©2000. Needless to say if I ever move on to grouping my figures on bases these are the rules I will be using.
(https://i.imgur.com/MfecOvH.jpg)
The classic that made African imagi-nation wargaming so popular around the world
Thanks Mike - good to see you're collecting so many books!
I'm afraid I've not played IABSM, but look forward to hearing how you get on with it. I suspect you can still get a lot of use out of the FoF scenario books with it.
Please post photos of your games in due course!
I will be sure to get some pictures posted when I can (I will have the first batch of South Africans finished very soon). The usual story for me is that as soon as I get cracking on one thing work gets in the way and I have to stop. Then I have to wait days before being able to restart. However I am making real progress this year and will have a decent sized game on the table by September at the latest (I hope). Don't forget I am starting from scratch and still have to sort out vehicles, buildings, scenery etc. I agree with you about the FoF scenario books and would recommend them to anyone as a useful resource.
The Crocodile model arrived from Shapeways the other day and I am very happy with it although I prefer the weight of the PP metal kits. I am not happy about the price tag though.
The Heller Allouette model also arrived from Amazon. It is completely unsuitable for most wargaming needs as major modelling work would have to be undertaken to cut the doors out of the clear plastic canopy area. I will eventually get around to using it as a crashed heli. This model is also a fair bit larger than the Old Glory and Shapeways models.
I have just sent some money to Dave Schmid via Paypal for one of his G-Cars. He also sells Rhodesian decals so I bought a set of them too. I will give a quick review of the heli kit and decals when they arrive.
(https://i.imgur.com/POPeT2K.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lYm33a4.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yy8GG6X.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/s1j9pPH.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lwk7gn2.jpg)
Thanks for the updates and photos Mike - all good information.
And that's a very clean-looking Crocodile - looks very nice!
The detail on the Crocodile is very crisp and clean. The photographs really don't do the model justice, semi-transparent things don't photograph that well with handy (mobile/cell phone) cameras.
On Tuesday I received my Alloette III K-Car from Dave Schmid at AIM. The model molding is crisp, clear, and top notch. Herr Schmid also sent me parts for alternate versions of this helicopter, G-Car, Attack, etc. for free. Thank you, Herr Schmid! With postage this model cost me more than the Shapeways Alouette but I think I will stick with Dave Schmid for my Fireforce helicopters. In theory during my battles the K-Car will be over the table much of the time so having a visible gunner will help with the illusion of reality.
(https://i.imgur.com/fUVDp0d.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/9QB0ORw.jpg)
Assembly looks challenging.
Mike.
Have you seen these books:
South African War Machine by Helmoed-Romer Heitman
The Elite by Barbara Cole,
The Chopper Boys by Al J Venter.
Oh, I like where this is headed.
Quote from: martin goddard on May 31, 2018, 07:46:44 PM
Assembly looks challenging.
I built loads of Airfix kits to a high standard when I was a kid. These days I have hobby equipment which I could only dream of back then. I also have more patience which is probably the most important thing when it comes to building models. I don't envisage any problems assembling this particular helicopter.
However, having said that, I want to cut a jump door out of my Doyusha Dakota model. As luck would have it I purchased a cheapo hobby drill and a bag of sanding, drilling, and buffing bits from Ebay last month (I was annoyed the drill came with a British plug even though the seller was based in Germany. Never-mind that particular problem is now solved).
I have included a picture of the Dakota but the camera has not picked up the door detail. Would you guys use a cutting disk followed by filing/sanding for this task? I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
(https://i.imgur.com/yZeayFl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dIA4Vqe.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/0mtOLLv.jpg)
Quote from: Leslie BT on May 31, 2018, 08:44:43 PM
Mike.
Have you seen these books:
South African War Machine by Helmoed-Romer Heitman
The Elite by Barbara Cole,
The Chopper Boys by Al J Venter.
Thank you for the heads-up on those books, Leslie BT. I purchased reasonably priced secondhand hardback copies of
South African War Machine and
The Chopper Boys from Amazon earlier today.
Al J Venter I had heard of before. There is a documentary on YouTube by him.
Quote from: Batko on June 01, 2018, 08:37:50 AM
Oh, I like where this is headed.
I'm buckled up, let's go.
I have finished painting my first batch of just over 30 South Africans (I just have to flock the bases tomorrow). I am very pleased with how they have turned out and believe it or not they look a lot better in real life than in the photograph. I am currently feeling very pleased with myself. Thank you to everyone who helped me out with advice along the way.
(https://i.imgur.com/z5DAPkd.jpg)
They look very nice, Mike. And you may be surprised how much (even) better they'll look with a bit of flock on too - this can often really "set off" the figures.
I like the neat way that you've levelled off the bases without covering the boots - that's not always easy either.
Looking forward to see them flocked and in action!
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on June 01, 2018, 05:06:53 PM
They look very nice, Mike. And you may be surprised how much (even) better they'll look with a bit of flock on too - this can often really "set off" the figures.
I like the neat way that you've levelled off the bases without covering the boots - that's not always easy either.
Looking forward to see them flocked and in action!
Thank you for the flowers, Colonel. To base my figures I slosh on watered down PVA glue and then add the sand. I pick away any excess sand with a tooth pick under magnification. I do everything under magnification because my eyes are no longer as good as they used to be.
Quote from: Mike Tanner on June 01, 2018, 05:29:26 PM
To base my figures I slosh on watered down PVA glue and then add the sand.
Me too. I often get gaps, though, especially around the edge of the figure bases - I blame the sand!
A recent tweak for me has been to mix paint in with the PVA - much less subsequent work and reduction in danger of subsequently sloshing paint over boots :)
For cutting your door in the plastic Dakota I would use the miniature saw blade for the dremel, you need to keep the speed low so as to cut the plastic and not just melt it. If it melts it will bind on the blade/disc.
Quote from: Leslie BT on June 01, 2018, 08:01:06 PM
For cutting your door in the plastic Dakota I would use the miniature saw blade for the dremel, you need to keep the speed low so as to cut the plastic and not just melt it. If it melts it will bind on the blade/disc.
Thank you, Leslie BT. This is the type of modification I am after. I might even put a paratrooper figure ready at the jump door if all goes well.
(https://i.imgur.com/gKE6g1h.jpg)
© http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ObBaAa9oeU/Stk6_C11qAI/AAAAAAAAAJc/rViSO1bpi00/s1600-h/DSCF2574.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ObBaAa9oeU/Stk6_C11qAI/AAAAAAAAAJc/rViSO1bpi00/s1600-h/DSCF2574.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/NsfOxJm.jpg)
© http://daddyslittlemen.blogspot.com/2009/10/rhodesian-air-force-dakota.html?q=dakota (http://daddyslittlemen.blogspot.com/2009/10/rhodesian-air-force-dakota.html?q=dakota)
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on June 01, 2018, 06:45:53 PM
A recent tweak for me has been to mix paint in with the PVA - much less subsequent work and reduction in danger of subsequently sloshing paint over boots :)
I am a bit scared to mix the paint in with the glue just yet. Things are working out for my current painting method and I want to play it safe. I will give it a whirl on my 3rd batch of figures.
I will ask for assistance on painting my 2nd batch of figures tomorrow in another topic.
You guys have finished painting figures a thousand times before. But for me finishing my first PP Professionals painted as South Africans is a major event. To mark the occasion I even broke out my battle mat which has remained inside the packet it was first delivered to me in well over a year ago.
I am sorry some of the colours especially on the mat look washed out. This was due to bright sunlight and a dodgy handy camera.
(https://i.imgur.com/6O0o8EB.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5LWygO7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xss0DDc.jpg)
figures looking good, what have you mounted the figures on?
Very nice, Mike. What a difference a bit of flocking makes!
Quote from: Leslie BT on June 07, 2018, 08:31:55 PM
figures looking good, what have you mounted the figures on?
My figures are mounted on 2 cent Euro coins. I have been collecting them after every shopping trip for over a year.
Quote from: Colonel Kilgore on June 07, 2018, 08:42:42 PM
Very nice, Mike. What a difference a bit of flocking makes!
Due to the high sunlight my handy camera seems to have picked up Vallejo Iraqi Sand, the last highlight colour on the bases, as battleship grey in those photographs. The figures look a lot better in real life.
Looks good, Mike! I too have been working hard on getting some Rhodesians on the gaming table, I currently have 8 sticks of RLI/SAS ready to go and am finishing up a troop of Grey's Scouts. I can vouch for the poor quality of the OG alouettes, I ordered 4 last year and they were horrible. I remember thinking that sculpting it from a block of DAS it would have taken me less time than it would to fill all those holes in the frame and prep it for construction. The OG Lynx isn't as bad though. Regarding the Shapeways helos, I noticed they have a grainy texture, can that be sanded without problems, I've never worked with 3d printer material. I'm also looking into AIM but postage and customs might be a negative factor. My next venture will probably be something involving SADF.
Cheers!
I hadn't even thought about sanding down the Shapeways Alouette. Such a move would probably lead to complete disaster. With my tired old eyes I don't really notice the rough surface texture unless I move in real close and stare at the model.
The AIM models are by far the best quality.
This Shapeways model will eventually become a SADF aircraft:
(https://i.imgur.com/sxjD7Bc.jpg)
That is a great model. Going to be put on a stick?
Quote from: martin goddard on August 19, 2018, 02:39:37 PM
That is a great model. Going to be put on a stick?
There is a magnet glued to the underside of the model. ;)