From SimonG: Soviet GSFG BMP Company in 10mm (36 points)

One year into my 28mm HYW project with the end in sight I've decided it's time to start on a second project. In a way revisiting the last time I wargamed back in the early 1980s I decided to recommit to a late 1980s modern setup using the Battlegroup Northag and Sabre Squadron rule sets.

The key question was what scale to use. Back in the day I used a mix of GHQ and 1:300 -- yes I know that's two different scales and the differences were sometimes obvious, but I was young! I considered going back to GHQ but was put off by relative cost, unattractiveness of the infantry figures and some issues with lack of supply here in the UK. There are a number of suppliers at 15mm now but frankly they're just too large. 10mm is the ideal choice and there are several decent suppliers that you can mix and match. So far I'm primarily using Timecast who offer great customer service, with some Red3 mixed in where a model is not available. Models are in a mix of resin and metal and have some nice detailing and need minimal clean up although fitting the fiddly pieces takes some drilling.

They paint up very nicely and easily with the only detail work being the hand applied numbers. It took a while to find the right mix of washes for the body and the wheels -- good old Nuln Oil works well for the body (thinned down a little) and I used Seraphin Sepia (applied very liberally) for the wheels. My main learning so far is that the brushes that work for figures are completely wrong for vehicles! Flat works so much better than round, duh!

The hardest part is actually the basing. I'm not one of those that subscribes to rule that vehicles should not be based. In my mind basing provides more durability, adds a diorama element (so looks better) and provides the facility for labelling -- which is important when many of these BMPs are carrying  different troop complements -- we've got three 3 carrier troops plus two LMG squads and a command group. I made up labels using 4mm brass strip, laser printed labels and plastic stick on cover on the A4 printout -- it came out nicely I think.

So that's another 36 points (12 10mm vehicles at 3points each) -- hard work for the points 😅 but adds to my total. Now I need to work out how to paint up the teams within each of these vehicles!