NVA Rifle Squad based

The first NVA squad has now been based. Its in 3 elements - Squad HQ, a RPG fireteam and a RPD fire team. It seems that the cam scheme works almost too well...

I used the pre-painted resin bases from Miniature World Maker and thought they were excellent. The only issue is that the MWM bases are designed for FOW figs so the Flashpoint NVA needed some filing on the fig bases to fit in. Not a major issue, just time consuming. It also constrained the positioning and figure orientation somewhat but you cant have everything I guess!

And no, I havent started the other 7 squads or the Platoon HQs yet... damned Uni essays...

Charlie is out there...

The NVA just didnt look right without bases and on white paper, so I thought I wuld make them feel more at home... (posed on my new and fantastic Miniature World Maker jungle and paddy terrain)

Test NVA Squad completed

Here are the results of the first NVA rifle squad, completed as a colour test. Undercoated black (spray), drybrush khaki, Vallegio olive green webbing, brown boots, bronzed flesh with GW flesh wash. Rifles done with Ral Partha adobe brown woodwork and gunmetal highlights.

And who could neglect the little red star on the helmets? - it may not be good camo but it sure is good Commie indoctrination!

These are grouped as per Flashpoint Vietnam basing- an RPG group of 4 men, an RPD Group of 4 men and a Squad HQ group of 2 men.

Overall they arent as detailed or as crisp as the USMC figs but overall they are quite OK and relatively easy to paint being on the chunkier side of 15mm. I think some cam foliage on the hats would go along way too
Now to find the time to paint the other 7 Rifle Squads waiting for attention...

NVA Rifle Platoon Review

As much as I have enjoyed my USMC platoon and want to keep going with the leathernecks, I think its time to start the NVA. Again I'm using Flashpoint figs and the first Rifle Plt has been cleaned up and undercoated (in black). Time to do a little review of whats in the blister:

NVA Riflemen from Flashpoint's now defunct site

First impressions:
Good quality figures, dynamic poses but not as varied as the USMC figs I dont think, moderate levels of flash so some cleaning up required. Figs are quite detailed, but again not as much as the USMC figs (not that the NVA carried as much stuff). Generally very sound

What you get:
42 figs - and because I got them on sale, thats less than Aus 50cents each - cant argue with that!

All in classic Vietnamese sun helmets and armed with AK-47 unless otherwise specified:
1 Bugler, playing
1 Phone operator, kneeling
1 Kneeling scout
2 running, port arms
4 port arms with RPD LMG
2 standing with SKS rifle
2 walking riflemen
4 aiming RPG on shoulder
7 Running riflemen (2 poses)
4 Squad Leaders right arm raised
4 leaders with left arm raised
2 leaders, hand on hemlet
8 riflemen firing (2 poses)

The downside:
One of the leader poses is poorly done and the 2 halves dont match well, requiring a bit of file work. Overall, the figs are good and the price certainly was right, but I dont think they are as good as the USMC figs....or maybe all the detail on the Marines just spoiled me. Either way, these guys will make good opponents and they certainly have a dynamic range of poses.

More WIP pics to follow.