Tuesday 8 March 2016

From ClintB - 20mm Viet Minh heavy weapon (22 points)


 As I continue with my Vietnam Project I am now just rounding out the corners. Which is not the same as nearly finished as we all know wargames projects are never truly finished. So I am now past critical mass for a game and just adding optional extras.


Todays optional extra is a 57mm (Calibre) recoilless rifle. The figures are all 20mm (1/72nd scale) and mostly Britannia miniatures with an additional dead from SHQ. There was a delay in doing these as I bought the crew at one show thinking the weapon was included. Yeah I got that wrong and had to but the weapon at the next show as it would be not worth the postage to send for it singly.

While the SHQ dead figure was one that I have had sitting on my desk waiting to get painted but just not getting around to. That is kind of life for me. But they all get done eventually. Britannia Viet Minh are a bit chunky with exaggerated clothing folds which gives them a slight cartoon feel which surprisingly I am really enjoying.

Britannia do make for larger RR's yet some how I felt that the 57mm was both more likely (as I know that bore was used by the communist forces) and more practical if you have to had handle it through a jungle.


There are 3 crew. The commander who might actually be spotting for the team as he has binoculars, a loader (holding a shell) and a gunner (not holding a shell.  The actual rifle is on a separate base for easy casualty removal. The base being 20mm x 30mm as opposed to the figure bases which are 20mm square. Other that the undercoat and a dark grey wash it is just 2 shades of the same green and now ready for action.


Nice work Clint! It's always a nuisance when you get home to find that a pack doesn't contain everything you expected it to.
So, for scoring we have 3.5 foot and a crew-served weapon in 20mm - that will be 22 points.

27 comments:

  1. These guys look great and the basing is excellent.

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    1. Thank you Adam. The basing is easy. The reeds are from a wall papering brush that cost me £1 new and has done ALL my Vietnam forces on both sides and is only now 3/4 gone.

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  2. Great work, Clint - a very convincingly-rendered unit, and I second Adam's verdict on the basing. Really makes it pop!

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    1. Thank you Evan. See basing comments above. Just sand painted brown for the texture and some static grass and all done! (With the reeds)

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  3. Great little weapons team Clint. I agree in the basing. I also agree with the lighter weapon choice. For a point blank ambush in the jungle caliber doesn't count as much as portability.

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    1. Thank you Peter. As my US forces are not tank heavy it makes sense to go for lighter calibre as well. But If they were all in M113s and M48 Patton tanks the heavier Calibre would probably have been my choice. But If I choose to do that I just buy a bigger gun now!

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  4. Thank you Tamsin. yeah it was a pain to have to get the gun later but It worked out well in the end. So big smiles here.

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  5. very nicely done Clint..

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    1. Cheers Dave I am just finishing off bits and pieces.

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  6. An excellent set of figures Clint. I've really enjoyed your work on this project.

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    1. Thank you Curt. Praise from the praise worthy is above all rewards.

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  7. Very fine work, Clint! I like the finish you gave the gun system and your basing really brings back memories of the glue- like qualities of jungle mud! ;)

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    1. Thank you David. You know what it is like when you paint, you try to get it right but it does not always work. But sometimes...

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  8. Replies
    1. Thank you Martin, no more Vietnam in this challenge. But perhaps in the next one who knows I might get into hovercraft and Riverine craft or all the types of helicopter. It could happen. But nothing planned yet.

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    1. Thank you Christopher. As mentioned earlier this project is now winding down

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  10. Love em Clint. I'll second the comments on the basing. Super!

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    1. Thank you Michael. Having never been to a jungle it is good to hear from those that I suspect have.

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    1. Cheers Fran. It is always nice to come close to finishing a project.

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  12. Very nice crew, they'll fit right in.

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    1. Thank you Jamie. The box is getting full. I will need to stop buying any more. Or just maybe get a second box.

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  13. Good work, nice for some more VC love

    Ian

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  14. Thank you Ian. Nice to give them a weapon that will make the Americans worry about things.

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  15. Really nice painting and basing!

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    1. Thank you Barks. I have enough Vietnam stuff now at least for a while.

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