eBay Auctions

I'm selling some more stuff on eBay this week, in an attempt to shift things that I haven't used and to clear some space on the storage shelves. This lot consists of my 15mm AK47 amphibious force, my Brigade Models 6mm Sci Fi British and a load of unpainted Brigade Models Sci Fi Chinese and Mercenary miniatures. There's also a shed load of unpainted 28mm and 15mm lead up for grabs. Go on, fill 'yer boots!

15mm Painted AK47 Republic Naval Amphibious Force with Peter Pig Crew | eBay

6mm / 1/300th FWC Brigade Models Sci Fi Chinese and Mercenary Armies | eBay

6mm / 1/300th Sci Fi Brigade Models Painted British ONESS Army | eBay

Deepcut Studios Red Planet Terrain

The Deepcut Studios terrain mat arrived today and, as soon as I got home, I unpacked it, smoothed it out and started to play around with some 1/300 scale sci-fi armour to see what it looked like. Although the bases on the hover tanks aren't exactly the same shade, I think they look pretty good against the backdrop of the terrain cloth and won't need any re-painting to match up. I also realised that I hadn't thought of using X Wing models with the red planet cloth (muppet!) so unboxed the Millenium Falcon and plonked it on top. I think it looks great and will open up possibilities for  all sorts of low level X-Wing missions from ground attack, to stealth insertions and fighter interception. Brilliant!

Iron Cow Inspiration

Here's some I made earlier...

I had a great idea this morning, which is a rarity at the best of times. I was thinking about potential uses for the red planet terrain cloth that I bought yesterday and realised that I have a project that would be a perfect fit. This is my 6mm Iron Cow sci-fi project that I started on a few years ago but then drifted away from, after completing a British ONESS armoured brigade of tanks, SPG's, AAA and APC's. The reason that it fizzled out was that I couldn't find an opposing force that I liked from the Brigade Models range, although the Chinese were a possible option.

Now, however, there is a superb selection of so-called mercenary AFV's including a very cool Sohei heavy tank with several variants. I already have some of the 15mm version of this model and I love its retro M60 styling complete with turret mounted missile pods. So, I thought it would be great to put together a force to go up against my completed ONESS armoured brigade, using the mercenary range of models to build a generic opposing army. These will be based on the same Renedra brown plastic bases that I used for the ONESS units, which also should be a good match for the red planet terrain.

I've ordered a couple of the company packs and some extra bits and will get started at some point in the next few months. I planned (and still intend) to do a 15mm sci-fi project this year, although it was going to be later and using my tundra cloth for a winter theme, but I might as well kill two birds with one stone and finish off the 6mm opposition for Iron Cow, or whatever set of 6mm sci-fi rules I eventually end up using. I wonder if I have some other rules that would work for this...I'll have to have a look?

Ragnarok 59

A few weeks ago I decided to sign up to a couple of long established old school wargaming societies, the Naval Wargames Society and the Society of Science Fiction and Fantasy Wargamers.

The idea was both to support independent wargaming and to give me some inspiration for projects next year, which I've decided will focus on 'things' rather than figures in an attempt to get some stuff shifted that I've always wanted to do. Anyway, the SFSFW magazine, Ragnarok, popped through the door today and, after a quick flick through, I'm really very impressed.

The production values are top notch and the content varied enough to interest anyone with only a passing interest in Sci Fi and Fantasy gaming, which describes me pretty well. It's already got me thinking about dusting off the Aeronef fleets for a game or two. I'm also thinking of moving the Full Thrust and Iron Cow projects one step closer to the top of the 'hit list' for 2013.

In the editorial, Steve Blease, has sent out an appeal for articles for future issues, which reminded me of the Aeronef multiplayer Scramble for Africa campaign system that I devised and ran at the club a few years ago. I'll have to dig out the files and have a look. If they're any good I'll shoot them off to Steve to see what he could do with them, if anything?

What do you think Steve?

Iron Cow CDSU Task Force

The extra CDSU packs that I ordered in the Brigade Models 6mm sale arrived yesterday and I've been sorting them into units for my projected East African campaign. I have a company of tanks, a company of infantry in APC's, a battery of rocket launchers and SPG's, with a couple of AAA missile carriers in support, together with half a dozen HQ command APC's. It's not a lot in game terms but should be a potent enough force for a few try out games with the Iron Cow rules.

These are now in the painitng queue but, if I follow the quick spray and wash method that I used on the British battlegroup, they won't take long to complete, whenever I get round to them. I've also had an idea to base the infantry, using the Renedra plastic bases wih countersunk holes as before, but with some of the new Citadel texture paint to blend them in. It might work but I'll have to do some experimentation on some test bases before I tackle the infantry en masse.

Brigade Models 6mm Iron Cow Sale

I've been waiting for the Brigade Models 6mm Sci Fi Summer Sale to arrivce and, now that it's here, I've sent off my order for some CDSU tank and mechanised infantry company packs to add to the artillery units that I already have in the Iron Cow bits box. These will complete my opposition for the British (English) battlegroup that I put together earlier this year. 

I'm also sorely tempted by some of the ONESS German units, which would be used as the basis for a Private Military Contractor force in my East African campaign setting. The supply column of Thrall hover trucks looks really neat but I'll probably wait until the traditonal Brigade Models Xmas sale to pick them up, otherwise it'll be jut more lead in the pile.

Iron Cow Private Military Contractors [PMC]

I haven't had time to get any painting done over the last week or so due to a very busy time at work. However, I have been thinking about my existing projects and planning where to take them next. I'm waiting for the Brigade Models summer sale before I get any more Iron Cow things but, in the meantime, I've sketched out a third force for the East African conflict.

This is a PMC battlegroup, funded and equipped by ONESS and SAC to pacify and patrol the disputed territories in what used to be Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The force is built around German equipment, although making use of lighter AFV's like the Lynx and Thor, rather than the superheavy tanks of the ONESS German army. I've also cut down on the number of Tank and Infantry squadrons to one of each adding a Support Squadron, an Engineer CEV troop and an attached Logistics / Supply convoy of Thrall hover trucks to round things off.

It's not as powerful as the ONESS British battlegroup but I have been able to build in a wide variety of models from the German ONESS range, which is one of the nice things about it. I've drawn up a ToE for the battlegroup based partly on the Van Kliestmann chart in the rulebook but scaled down to reflect the lighter format of the force. I'm now thinking of a suitable name for it along the lines of Executive Outcomes.

It'll give the CDSU something to think about too?

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [7]

I finished off the MICV's for the infantry platoon yesterday along with the infantry but I still need to work out how to base up the figures so that they match the vehicles. I'm now going to kick off with the Bag the Hun North Africa project so, for the moment, the Iron Cow project will be mothballed.

I'm planning to pick it up again after the holidays, with the CDSU units as the next thing to be tackled. The first installment of the CDSU arrived on Friday along with some really nice desert buildings, so I have I'll have plenty of things to play around with when I get back from France in a couple of months time.

6mm FUBAR

I have to say that I completely overlooked this free set of sci fi / modern rules, assuming they were some sort of 28mm WW2 skirmish ruleset. In actual fact, they're designed for fast play infantry heavy games in a generic sci-fi setting, with the emphasis on a handful of 6mm figures and vehicles.

http://6mmfubar.blogspot.co.uk/ 

I was really impressed by the game reports and terrain on the Angel Barracks 6mm FUBAR blog and so downloaded the one page rules for a quick look over. As I have more than enough Iron Cow AFV's, all I'd need to do to have a crack at the rules is base up and paint some individual figures, in addition to the ones I'm going to group base for the ONESS and CDSU battlegroups.

If I did, I could run some skirmish squad or platoon level scenarios to run alongside the Iron Cow battalion level games, using the same terrain and AFV's. The rules look like they'd give a quick but tactically interesting game, which is why they seem to have picked up quite a following on the Forge of War forum and elsewhere.

http://www.forgeofwar.uk.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

Good stuff...especially as it's FREE!

Iron Cow East Africa

I found a map of Eastern African political organisations on Wikipedia and have adapted it to the Iron Cow 2103AD geo-political and military setting.

As you can see, the Khallistani League (KL) have occupied what was Egypt and the Sudan but have run up against the South African Commonwealth (SAC), which has occupied the Horn of Africa as a buffer zone against Saudi / Khallistani invasion. This opens up the possibilty of some further forces being added to my collection using Eurofed (Saudi) or Neo-Soviet (KL) equipment.

The SAC has also occupied Madagascar and Mozambique but has run into the CDSU in what was Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. This is where most of the fighting will take place in my campaign, as the CDSU attempts to hold on to it's mineral resources in the region.

There is also an area of disputed territory in former Zimbabwe / Zambia / Malawi, which is under nominal SAC control but is in reality garrisoned by ONESS backed Private Military Contractors, who are able to call on support from an ONESS rapid reaction airmobile battlegroup.

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [6]

I decided to add some mechanised infantry to the battlegroup so have prepared and undercoated a platoon of MICV's and three sections of armoured infantry, each of three figures per base. In the two bases of each section there will be one AT fireteam and one standard fireteam. This will add a bit of punch to an otherwise fairly insubstantial force.

I've also been thinking about how to base the infantry figures and have experimented with cutting circular holes in a Renedra plastic base to match the diameter of the circular metal stands on the figures. The idea is to countersink the figures into the plastic bases then paint everything to match the desert finish that I have used on the rest of the units.

If I can make it work, I think it'll look better than just sticking the figure on top?

Iron Cow CDSU Artillery [1]

I really enjoyed painting up the ONESS battlegroup the other week so have decided to dive in and start putting together a CDSU battlegroup from the ground up. I'm starting small and will add extra bits later, so have ordered an artillery battalion of SPG's and MLRS, together with a couple of long range AAA missile carriers. I've also ordered a handful of the new sci fi desert buildings to start my 6mm terrain collection. The extra Renendra bases also turned up today, so it's all systems go as soon as the CDSU models arrive.

My plan is to squeeze these into the painting schedule, some time before the end of July and the start of the holidays. I'm now working on a suitable background for an ONESS - CDSU regional conflict to fit in with the chronology in the Iron Cow 2130AD rules. The current idea is to have an East African clash between the CDSU units in what was Tanzania / Mozambique against a combined ONESS - SAC taskforce, sent in to sieze back mineral assets from the Chinese.

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [5]

I finished off the CO and HQ bases yesterday but the internet went down, so I couldn't post any pictures. I'm quite pleased with the 40 x 40mm CO base for Future War Commander and the converted Prometheus HQ command vehicle for the SPG and MLRS unit. I'm planning to add some more stuff to the ONESS battlegroup later along with another battlegroup for it to tackle, which will probably be either CDSU or Eurofed. I'll think wait and see if Brigade Models have a sale on this Summer before I take the plunge.

Not too bad for four days work methinks?

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [4]

I'm hoping to wrap this up tomorrow with the CO and HQ units as the final elements of the battlegroup, for the moment at least. I've also converted a spare Prometheus SPG into an HQ vehicle for the artillery, as the hover truck that I originally painted up looked a bit inadequate. With this handful of models completed, I'll be back to the SAGA Vikings, which is what I should have been concentrating on over the last couple of days.

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [3]

Another tank squadron and a troop of recce light tanks now completed and the battlegroup is starting to look like a force to be reckoned with. Next up are the battlegroup HQ troop of three tanks and two AAA tanks, which I'll need if I'm going to get any sort of command and control over the battlefield as well as some anti-aircraft firepower.

I'm also going to do a CO base of a tank and APC, so that I can use them with Future War Commander as well as Iron Cow, which seems like a sensible thing to do as the latter may get me some games at the club. If I have time, I'll knock out some MICV's and armoured infantry too, although I'm starting to run short of Renedra bases so it may not happen just yet.

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [2]

I whizzed through this lot yesterday and, despite the dodgy photos, they look not too bad. I'll need to find a way of showing the individual troops and squadrons but I think I have a possible approach that might work and not be too obvious. If I get the time today, I'll clean up another small unit and crack on, perhaps some mech infantry APC's or a light tank recce troop.

I'm also thinking about potential opposition as I don't think I'll find an opponent at the club so will be going solo. I quite like the CDSU models and the SAC wheeled vehicles but might go for New Soviets, as they have some cool artillery units and a good range of stuff. How this fits in with the Iron Cow background I don't know, so I'll have to do some reading up.

Iron Cow ONESS AFV's [1]

Way back in January 2011, I decided to have a crack at Iron Cow, with the intial idea being to complete an ONESS English armoured regiment using the Brigade Models range of 1/300th scale AFV's and figures. It didn't get much beyond the planning stage but I did stockpile a few packs of tanks and vehicles, ready for a rainy day.

Anyway, I decided to muck about with the Halfords Camouflage Khaki ultra matt spray that I picked up last week as a trial basecoat for a quick production line style paint up of a sample Apollo tank. This was in between painting up the SAGA vikings this morning. I worked out a simple scheme, which I think looks fine at a respectable distance:

1. Undercoat with the Khaki spray.

2. Wash with 50/50 GW Badab Black and GW Devlan Mud wash, diluted to taste.

3. Drybrush with 50/50 GW Kommando Khaki and GW White.

4. Paint the skirts in GW Codex Grey, highlighted with GW Fortress Grey.

5. Paint the vision block in GW Ice Blue

6. Spray varnish in GW Satin followed by Army Painter Matt.

The bases are from Renedra and were basecoat drybrushed in Foundry Boneyard Shade and three stages on Foundry Base Sand, followed by a wash in diluted Foundry Gryphon Sepia ink. I've started on a basic force of one tank squadron and one artillery battery of MLRS or SPG's, complete with HQ vehicles. If this doesn't take too long, I'll do a second tank squadron and a mech infantry unit as well, along with a regimental HQ. 

Iron Cow diecast dropships



I went to Poundland today and found that they're selling off a range of Tron diecast toys including this command ship thing. They only had two so I got both of them to use as assault dropships or light transports for my Iron Cow brigade.

They measure 8.5mm x 4mm so look quite impressive next to the 6mm vehicles and figures but not so big as to be overwhelming. I'll think I'll dismantle them and add a bit of detailing such as engine intake louvres and a cockpit window, before repainting them in a less flashy and slightly more military camouflage scheme.

Brigade Iron Cow Sale!

I was pleasantly surprised to find out the Brigade Models are running a 15% discount offer on the Iron Cow 6mm range for a few days. The Iron Cow project has been stalled for a couple of months as my time has been taken up with the Back of Beyond and AK47 projects.

However, I'm very keen to get the show back on the road by aquiring some opposition for my ONESS battle group, so now looks like a great opportunity to make the most of the reduced prices for the Iron Cow models. The problem is that I'm not sure what to go for, although I have narrowed it down to one or two front runners.

I really like the SAC wheeled AFV's and APC's but they don't really fit as opposition for the ONESS British (English) battlegroup. As a result, my choice has come down to either the CDSU or Eurofed, with a preference for the Chinese as they have some really nice SPG's and MLRS vehicles.

I could go for the Soviets but they remind me too much of the old Command and Conquer: Red Alert PC game, so I think I'll stick with the first two options. I'll give it some thought and (hopefully) make up my mind over the weekend.

Iron Cow and Near Future Stuff

I've been looking ahead to the end of the week and the up and coming half term holidays. I will have finished all the figures for the Back of Beyond by then leaving the vehicles to be painted and based, which shouldn't be a big job as they only need to be drybrushed to look the part. As a result, I'm planning to make the June project something a bit different.

We're off to Cornwall for the week so I'm going to take my box of Brigade 6mm Iron Cow ONESS AFV's and figures with me to base and paint in the evenings. I've been itching to get started on these and should be able to knock them out fairly quickly using a minimalist painting plan. I might even finish them in the five days I have to paint them up, leaving the rest of June free for more Sci Fi related stuff.

With this in mind, I couldn't resist splashing out on a resin AFV for my long planned 28mm Near Future French Foreign Legion project, in the form of a Karbadin 6x6 IFV from Antenociti's Workshop. I had planned to use Old Crow vehicles for this project but when I saw it advertised on TMP I thought it would be worth the price tag.

http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/nrf-kabardin-apc.html 

With a little imagination there could be a 6x6 Saviem VAB underneath all the ceramic armour and hi tech stuff, so it fits the project very nicely. If I can squeeze the time out of the schedule next month, I'll start on the Future FFL using the EM4 and Copplestone troopers that I already have, alongside their nice new APC. I'm only planning to do a squad or two as it will be a skirmish level set up, using Future Wars or even Force on Force.