Monday 29 February 2016

From IanW 28mm Russian Winter Sniper Reminders 60 points

Every challenge I have been in has seen some of these guys so I thought I had best make it five years in a row. These are Black Tree Design models and are in my mind are much overlooked. Some figures in the ranges are not so hot but most are very good and priced very nicely.

These are perfect for winter use, though the same figures can  be given a camouflage paint job and look so different. I bought two packs so a little repetition in the first two groups. 

The smocks were fairly easy to do, mixing in a bit of off white or ivory to make a little subtle shading. The clean lines on the figures making this easier. Of course I was not able to use ink on these so had to rely on this method for most of the figure.

These though are standard Russian Riflemen so used a lot of the various Russian colour paints and a little mixing so that the uniforms had different shades between trousers and jackets. No two figures have the same colour combinations, not sure why as they will not be sold as a set but as seporate figures.

Black Tree do invest a lot of extra detail to their figures such as blanket rolls and various packs. All of which makes them a better looking figure on the table.

I use Deluxe Materials Scenic Snow  (BD29) on my snow bases. You can add more layers to build it up if you wish. I wanted the original ground work to show through to give the impression of weather on the change rather than the deep freeze look. I also kept away from trying to load the bushes this time as it never looks right, so only bits of snow in those. Talking of which I took Curt's advice and went with the more brown/yellow tufts against the green of previous. Of course he was right, they do make a better fit.


The discs have moveable number that allow you to change the value. These are for use in ASL as Sniper Reminders. Makes remembering your sniper activation number that bit easier and maybe adds a bit of luck to your game.

Well a change in both scale and period for you Ian, but these are great.  I like the winter camo smocks and your bases absolutely rock.  The light snow with weeds and grass poking through is very well done.  And I do like your use of the clickers to keep track of the activation numbers.

34 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thanks Tamsin, I needed a break from 6mm

      Ian

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks Anne, was good to finally get these painted

      Ian

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  3. Great work Ian. The ground work is excellent, looks exactly like the view outside of my house. F*** winter.

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    1. Thanks Greg, we have escaped the snow so far, running out of time to get a good showing which is fine by me

      Ian

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  4. Replies
    1. Cheers Fran, these go with the Germans I did last year

      Ian

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  5. Great work, especially like the bases.

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    1. Thanks, I seem to be getting the hang of the snow effects at last

      Ian

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  6. Ahhh, it wouldn't be a Challeng without some of Ian's sniper reminders! ;) Excellent stuff Mr. W. I quite like those snow bases you've done.

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    Replies
    1. I understand it's in my contract LOL. Had the figures since last years Challenge so happy to get them finished

      Ian

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  7. Great work on these sniper reminders. To be honest though, I don't really get the idea behind these.

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    1. Thanks. Advanced Squad Leader is a board game that has a variable sniper value between 2 and 7 and when this number is rolled there is a chance you may trigger a sniper attack. These figures are to act as a reminder of what that number is

      Ian

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  8. Good work on these as ever Ian

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave, just have the Partisan and a few Italians, French and Polish to paint up now and I will probably stop doing them

      Ian

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks Christopher, nice change from all the other work I have done this challenge

      Ian

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  10. Cracking stuff Ian. They have a real wintry feel.

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    1. Thanks Michael, well it's cold here so I guess that helped a bit

      Ian

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  11. very effective job on both outfits - and anything that helps remind gamers of an effect oft forgotten is alright in my books :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, I have done a few of these by now

      Ian

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  12. I agree with you much of Black trees ranges are pretty darn good. Some less good but for the price really worth while. I have never seen so many snipers in the same place at the same time. That aside they do look very good and keeping "Traditions" going is important. I Hope there will be more next year.

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    Replies
    1. Not sure I will be still doing them next year. I do have a fair few to get painted though so you never know

      Ian

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  13. That's an excellent set of figures! And the basing is the ice(ing) on the cake...!

    I'll get me coat...

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    Replies
    1. I did laugh at that so maybe you can stay LOL

      Ian

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  14. Nice troops, Ian! I could probably get into ASL with minis like this in the game! ;)

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    Replies
    1. Some guys play ASL with figures. Back in the day I used the SL rules for 6mm figures. Worked very well

      Ian

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  15. Replies
    1. Thanks, I do like the effect though it's took a lot of attempts to get it right

      ian

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