From MilesR: Peleliu odds and ends (126 points)

 Some odds-n-ends for the Peleliu project.  The bulk of the stuff I need to run the campaign is complete and now I'm working on ancillary detail items.  The only outstanding items after this post will be the remaining portion of the US bombard fleet (2 other Battleships and 8 cruisers).

All of the miniatures in today's submission are from the fine folks at Pico Armor.

Lets take a look at the US air assets - there are 8 Wildcat Fighters and 8 F4U Corsairs.  I'm testing different ways to base the aircraft brass wire glued into a hole drilled into the plane or 1/8 inch plastic rod with a tiny magnet glued on the end of the rod and then a magnet of the plane

I like the wire look a lot better but they are a bit unstable.  Still the dive bombing look is pretty cool.  Putting on all of these tiny decals was a bit of an ordeal.  Each one had to but cut individually and then tossed in some water.

I did learn that when working with the decals, it's best to only cut out the ones you need for each plane.  Earlier, I had gone with the production line method of cutting out ALL of the stars and then dropping them in the water as I applied them.  Then I sneezed.  Not gonna do that again!

8 wildcats for Air Superiority work

US combat assets - 3 75mm pack howitzer batteries and 3 companies of 75mm packs howitzers mounted on M3 halftracks.  Each marine regiment had one company of the M3 mounted howitzers which provided very effective fire against Japanese bunkers.

There were 3 companies of LVT's mounting turrets that were used as direct Fire Support.  2 of the companies were equipped LVT A1's which had a M3 Stuart turret mounted on and were completed earlier in the challenge.  There was also a company of LVT A4's which mounted a short barrel 75mm howitzer (it was a M8 Scott gun motor carriage turret).  There was a 4th company of LVT A1's but they were converted into makeshift Flame Throwing tanks and will be one of the most important assets the US players have to bring to bear.

7 Bases of DUKW amphibious trucks and 15 of LVT's. For the game the US players will have a total of 18 LVT bases and 5 DUKWS.  Once they've completed their initial task of landing troops they shift over to supply trucks.  Because of the reefs surrounding Peleliu, the US could get it's transport ships and even landing craft close to the beach to unload and had to ferry everything on LVT's and ducks.  Losses of these vehicles was very high and posed severe supply problems for the US.

Some Japanese aircraft - 3 Val dive Bombers and 8 zero fighters.  Historically, the Japanese had no air support but it was a constant threat so there will be a small chance some of these planes show up.  

I just painted the Japanese insignia and will likely go back and use decals.  I just need a break from super tiny decals for a bit.

Japanese defensive position - 18 caves/machine bunkers, 9 block houses and 3 120mm gun pits plus one HQ bunker in the back

I did pick up some traditional landing craft (Higgins boats and LST's).  I'll likely use them to mark landing zones and such.

As for points. there are:

6 guns at 0.5/each = 3pts

96 vehicles at 1/each = 96 pts

27 airplanes at 1/each = 27

The defensive positions are really terrain so lets just throw them in for free = 0 points

That group totals 126 points.

Lets get back to building and painting ships or is there something else.....

Friday minion: Aha, so glad we see this project almost to completion before Challenge end. I do admire your relentless grind to the objective without distraction, comprehensive approach to a meticulously researched topic and the wow factor you deliver through the project as a whole. My favourite of the bunch here are the US air support, the decals look like they were worth the effort and setbacks.

From MilesR: Peleliu Fleets Phase 1 (30 Points)

 

The next phase in the Peleliu project is building out the naval assets.  The primary US bombardment fleet consisted of 5 Battleships, 8 Cruisers and a whole "passel" of Destroyers.  The air arm was also very strong in the form of 3 Fleet Carriers, 5 Light Carries and 11 Escort Carriers.  The US players can position the fleets anywhere around the island and placement will be very important.  US naval gunfire had the range to hit anything on the island but struggled to be effective as they couldn't hit the reverse slopes and the Japanese would move to avoid the worst of the bombardments.  The US side will be able to reposition the bombardment fleet but they also need to guard the invasion fleet - there were constant rumors of Japanese naval assets stalking the vulnerable supply ships

3 of the 5 US Battleships from left to right, the Maryland, Tennessee and the Idaho.  Missing (and on order) are the Pennsylvania and the Mississippi.  All of these ships are 1/2400 GHQ models.  It's been years since I put together a GHQ ship and I forgot (i) how detail and fun they are to paint and (ii) how many teeny tiny pieces each one has...

A rare dry dock shot of the US Tennessee being upgraded for the impending Peleliu invasion.  Soooo many tiny pieces.  In an act of supreme mercy, the good folks at GHQ provide you with a few extra of just about every detail part.  Which was helpful as more than a few were sacrificed to the dark and hungry tiny parts gods that live under my workbench.

You'll also notice several different basing styles in this submission.  I'm testing out different techniques.  This one on the Battleships is the simplest but maybe the one I like the best - a base of Vallejo Prussian Blue with a dry brush sky blue.  Simple, fast and looks pretty good.

The wave effect on the bases is just  Vallejo modeling past that I slap on the bash and use a old brush provide a hint of waves.  Once set, the models are primed white and the painting begins.  It's better to be understated when sculpting waves - it's definitely a less is more kind of thing.

Next up are 3 US Sims Class Destroyers.  These are really simple models (single pieces) painted Vallejo Medium Sea grey, then washed with Nuln Oil and the highlight with the same Medium Sea Grey.  The bases are the more complicated than the models and look like they are sailing across a 1970's Disco themed Aquarium.  The base are painted turquoise, washed with Vallejo Blue wash and then hit with a home made blue tinted gloss gel.  The wakes are painted on with a homemade white gel.   The basing took way more time than painting the destroyers.

Two carriers - the Carrier Escort Sangamon on the left and the Light Carrier Independence on the right.  I don't plan to build all 19 carriers that were present.  They will be represented by 1 fleet Carrier , and 2 Light Carriers and 3 Escort Carriers - just enough to give a feel for the massive naval air power that the US had in it's employ.

Another look at the carriers - cant wait to start the midway class carrier!

The basing for the the CVE Sangamon (on the right this time) is the third option - it's just a turquoise base with a blue wash - no gloss gel or wake applied.

There will be a landing fleet made up of a few models, including this Landing Ship Dock or LSD.  For the game they'll be more of a fixed objective marker but I'm painting and basing them for future game play.  The basing style is also option #3 Turquoise with blue wash.

Finally, the IJN get some ships to - in the form of 4 I-19 class submarines and

2 Heavy Cruisers - the Tone (top right) and the Mogami (bottom left).  There are some Destroyers and another cruiser waiting to get assembles and painted.

I've always liked the look of the Japanese heavy Cruisers and while during the actual campaign there was no surface naval sorties there was a constant threat and who knows how badly the US players may roll on their random event table!  The subs will likely make an appearance but it will be very difficult to get past the destroyer screens - unless the US moves some of the fleet to better bombardment positions!

Well that's it - 15 ship bases.  The smaller bases are all 3 x 1 inches and the Battleships and Cruisers are all on 4 x1 inch bases.  Given the simplicity of both the DD's and sub, I would count them each as 1 ship so that's 10 1/2400 ship equivalents.  As for points, I leave that in the hands of my fellow minions!

Please do let me know you opinions on the basing style you like the most.  I've got a lot of ships to finish this coming week and need to know how to base them!

Friday Minion: I'm loving seeing this project come together Miles. Lovely work on these fleets. I think I prefer basing option 3. 

I just minioned some Victory at Sea vessels at 1/1800, which were given 6-8 points. So, applying some maths for these at 1/2400, I'll offer:

7 each for a battleship = x3 21

5 for a cruiser, carrier and the LSD x6 = 30

2 for a Destroyer or Submarine, acknowledging the simplicity of the work = 14

As PeterD kindly reminds us, Challenge precedent and long settled case law indicates that 1/2400 naval ships are granted 2 points a piece. Now, that seems to this Points-generous minion to be very stingy for a mighty Battleship, but about right for the destroyers and a little over-egged for the teensy subs. There are 15 ships, for the ten smaller ones I'll stick with 2 a piece, and I'll bend the rules to my whim and give 4 each to acknowledge the extra work on the five Battleships and Carriers, totalling 40 Points. 

From MilesR: The Island of Peleliu (850 Points)

 

Welcome to the tropical island paradise of Peleliu - one of the most sought after snorkeling and scuba diving spots in the world.  Well that's how Peleliu is billed today.  In September of 1944, it was anything but a tropical island paradise and was the sight of the one of the most hard fought campaigns of the Pacific war.  I'm building this project to be be both a convention game and the subject of a Little Wars TV episode.  It's also in teeny-tiny 3mm scale, which can be controversial scoring wise for the Challenge - are they mini's? are they terrain? are they just wargame counters?  All valid points and best left up to the judgement of my fellow minions and Curt.

The game itself will be "cooperative" with the players either commanding a US marine regiment or one acting as overall commander.  The GM (me) will play the Japanese and will be guided by a table and some preset actions.  Of course there may be a surprise or two in store for the players.  Ok maybe 3 or 4.....

Regardless of the scale, the terrain portion of this project was a bit intimidating as I wanted to make as realistic a depiction of the island and it's terrain as possible.  I think I got it to 80% correct, which is all my meager skills can manage.  Peleliu is a island shaped like a lobster claw and is roughly 6 miles long by 2.5 wide at it's widest point.  I'm using a scale of 1"=100 yards so that fits (along with the neighboring Ngesebus Island within a 10x4 foot footprint - with a little bump out at one end.

Peleliu, like most Pacific Islands, was formed by volcanic activity and consists of coral and limestone outcroppings.  It was also covered in dense jungle and mangrove swamps.  The Jungle is light green clump foliage (affixed with hot glue).  The limestone rocks are just carved EPS foam.  Lastly the coral outcroppings along the coast are made from ground up coconut husks which are commercially available to be used to line the pens of pet reptiles.  I'd like to think the coconut was sourced form the south Pacific.   It's super light and when mixed with matte medium dries rock hard with a very interesting texture.  I think you'll see me using this material a lot more in future projects.

The far right side of the US landing beaches. The island itself is made out of 1/2 inch cork board that is covered with a pre-mixed flexible tile grout (my goto for ground texturing).

The left side of the US landing beach (which I'm currently doing a small play test on).  The action depicts the initial landing of the US 1st Marine Regiment which was opposed by a Japanese infantry battalion and some bunkers.  In the background you can see the Umurbrogol Mountains.  The fighting was savage and during the first 6 days of the campaign the 1st Marines sustained 60% casualties and had to be withdrawn.  I do realize there is a stand there with unpainted mini's (M3 halftracks w/ 75mm guns attached).  I deeply apologize for that transgression.

This picture also has a nice view of the airfield which was the main US objective and fell on the first day.  Unfortunately, the US also needs to take the high ground to the north of the airfield and that will prove to be a much more difficult nut to crack.

A closer view of the fighting and the bunker complex that was known as "the Point".  Fire from this position destroyed 29 Amtracks during the initial landings and damaged just about every other tank that made it ashore.  It was finally taken by a Marine company from the 1st Regiment which was reduced to less than a platoon strength during the fighting.  The Amtracks were a critical resource for the US - both for the initial landings as well as supply distribution.  There will be consequences in game terms if the US player looses too many of the Amphibious tractors.

The next 3 pictures are of the main part of the Umurbrogol Mountains and all of the major geological features are carved in.  This process was very painstaking as the terrain is super complex.  One very daunting aspect of the mountains is they were ringed by steep coral cliffs that were 60-90 feet high along the seaward side and are honeycombed with natural caves that the Japanese used extensively.  I've labeled some of the key terrain features that have been modeled into the board.

The Central part of the mountains saw the most savage fighting - a lot of which was centered on the Horseshoe - which had the islands only source of fresh water and both sides fought with desperation to gain access to it.

The northern tip of the mountains this are and the rest of the island were held by second class Japanese troops and saw some of these troops surrender after months of fighting.

The middle north section of the island,  You can see some of the mangrove swamps in the lower left portion of the picture.

The Northern most mountains were held by a Japanese Naval Construction Battalion and had a cave system that could house over 1,000 men.  The last hold out from the garrison made their stand here and did not surrender until 1947.  The US had to fly in a former Japanese admiral to convince the remaining 37 soldiers that the war was over.

Ngesebus Island was connected to Peleliu by a wooden causeway and had a secondary objective - a small air field for fighters that was nearing completion.

Lets look at the other side of the island which is dominated by Jungle and Mangrove swamps

An alternative US landing beach - its was not used because of the fear the US troops would get bogged down in the jungle and swamps.  

The backside of the airfield and the opening into the horseshoe.

Lots of swamps.  The US will need to get to the tip of this peninsula to capture a Japanese radio direction finder which must be put out of action before the Philippines invasion fleet sails.

The water was made using a paintable latex caulk and three shades of blue paint which were wet blended along the edges.  The colors does impact gampleplay as the US player may use only amtracks to traverse the light blue water and there will be (or should be) a lot of secondary amphibious operations to flank various Japanese positions.

The underlayment of the boards are 1/2 inch cork board, carved EPS foam which was then covered by pre-mixed flexible tile grout. The airfields are just chip board cut in the shape of the run ways.

Points

Hmmm, how to score this beast.  Well it's clearly terrain and we do have a unambiguos standard of the holy 6 inch cube - or more specifically 20 points for each increment of 216 cubic inches.

Lets calculate the volume - there are 4 2x4 panels so that's a foot print of 96 x 48 inches or 4,608 square inches.  The Ngesebus Island section is 5.5 12" square sections, so the adds another 792 square inches for a total footprint of 5,400 square inches.

The Mountain are up to 5 inches high so lets go with an average height of 1.5 inches, so this beast weighs in at 8,100 cubic inches.  If we dived that total by 216 we get 37.5 scoring "cubes" or 750 points.  I'll leave it to the Minions for a final determination on scoring.

Miles this is spectacular, love the accuracy and attention to detail. Significant bonus points are awarded, in case at the end of the challenge you are short of points. Good luck with the game

MartinC

From MilesR: Teeny-Tiny Hell in the Pacific (330 Points, so far.....)

 My "Big Project" for 2023 might better be described as a "Big/Little Project" as I am entering to world of 3mm WW2 mini's.  3mm mini's have been used up at the club a number of times and were featured in our Invasion of Malta episode.  I really liked the command scope and wanted to give it a try.  As all of the clubs 3mm games were in the European theater, I decided to be different and try the Pacific.  Oh and lets do an invasion.  And on top of that, lets play it out as a campaign and make up a ruleset to go with it.  Nothing like dialing up the complexity for ones first foray into a scale.  I have never been accused of being all that bright.

As with any complex project, its best to break it down into stages and the first step was the mini's.  All of these are 3mm scale mini's from the Pico Armor range and I very much highly recommend them.  Painting is dead simple - base prime, paint your main color and then wash.  Basing is a little more complex - especially with infantry as its very easy to break them and at this scale is almost impossible to repair.

First up is the US 1st Marine Division, with each base representing a company.  The 1st Marine consisted of 3 Regiments - the 1st, 5th and 7th Marines.  Each Regiment had 3 Infantry battalions 

A battalion consists of 3 infantry companies mounted on 15x40mm bases, 1 heavy weapons company on a 20x20mm base and 1 Battalion HQ on a 15mm circle

Each Regiments HQ is mounted on a 20 mm circle and they had a 37mm AT gun battery.  There should also be 1 battery of 75mm pack howitzers, which I'm told are in the post

The divisional assets for the 1st include an artillery battalion (the 11th), an attached tank Battalion equipped with M4 Shermans.  There will also be some engineers added to the mix.  Oh those other 9 bases of infantry in the back - those will form one of the 2 regiments from the 81st Infantry Division who were deployed during the campaign.

Each of the bases has a magnetized name plate so I can affix the unit designation as well as use magnetic map pins to track accumulated losses.  

In the back are 5 bases each of LVT's and LVT4's - there need to be a lot more LVT's!  Those are in the post too!

When one does dabble in 3mm WW2, it's pretty easy to buy more than one really needs for the project at hand - so I built up some ancillary US units

A little armor support, in the form of 2 M4 Sherman Battalions, a Stuart battalion, some M-10's and some M3 Lees plus transports.

Opposing the US is a Japanese Infantry division.  Actually at Peleliu they only field half of these forces but I wanted to build out a full division.  There are 3 infantry regiments and then a bunch of division support assets.  There are 10 "extra" infantry companies for a post Peleliu project that can not be named... yet.

As with the American forces - I built up some "extra Japanese troops - Chi-Ha and Ha-Go tank battalions plus some Type-(7 mini tanks).

As this was a project that was started last year with a handful of test bases, I'm going to be cheeky and submit this as part of the "Under Construction" studio tour.

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Minion interlude to discuss scoring: The scale of this project is amazing. Having seen the Salerno table you ran at Historicon last year, the table size, terrain and masses of bases are hugely impressive spectacle, and your dedication to accuracy for the project as a whole is laudable. And to top it off, your ruleset is both slick to play and great fun. 

We had to recalibrate the scoring matrix for Miles' post, as the scoring conventions for 3mm figures are less mature as a less often seen scale. Examples have tended to be for premodern eras, with a large base representing a mass of troops in formation. For these moderns with fewer models (about 10 on a base representing a company) we've taken a starting point of half the rate for 3mm, so 0.25 for infantry and half a point for each vehicle. 

There are around 775 infantry and 225 vehicles, the mathemagical algorithm outputting 306.5 points, which I'll round up to 310 and apply the Studio bonus for a tidy 330 on Miles' tally. 

And whoa on your accompanying terrain project (below), looks hugely impressive, really looking forward to that coming together. Sadly I don't think I'll see it in person. 

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Some of you maybe wondering what the heck is that cork board in the background.  I usually don't provide in process shots but the terrain portion of this project will take a while.

When one proposes to do a game of the Peleliu campaign, one does need a model of the Island of Peleliu so that's what I'm building.  The scale is 1" equals 100 yards and the total board will be 10x4 feet. Here's a shot of the rough layout and with most of the mountains blocked in:

As you can see A LOT of work remains to be done but the basic outline is in place

Here's a view of the initial US landing beaches (next to the scissors) and how close the airfield was to the beachheads.

The Umurbrogol Mountains are blocked in.  I'm trying to be as faithful as possible to the actual terrain but it is crazy complex and I think I'll get it 80% right.  There is a lot of shaping and sculpting wotk to do.  Depending on my work schedule this could take 3-4 more weeks.

 

The North end of the island - once I finish these 4 boards, I'll slide the over and build the 5th which has the tip of Peleliu and Ngesebus Island which was connected to Peleliu by a wooden causeway and had another airfield.