Future Wars Update 011 - Urban Fencing & Planters

 

Just a small update on some of the terrain bits being worked on over the festives for the Future Wars project with the Modern Fencing set from Warmill being completed and the order from Miniature Scenary arriving before Christmas and the first part of that being completed in the form of the some urban planters ('Paranoia Hedges')..

Both sets were easy to assemble with the Ultra Modern fencing being supplied in coloured card stock with mdf bases, I plumped to paint the assemblies however as I wanted to get an overall colour on them (no unpainted card edges) and on my chosen colour scheme (which in fairness wasn't hugely different from the card colours anyway) as I wanted a pre-cast concrete feel.

Another part of the Miniature Scenary order was for three sets of their 'Scifi Walls' which I've had my eye for a number of years and finally got around to obtaining some.

The first pack is assembled and undercoated with the individual secections assembled but seperate for alternate layout assembly. The miniature scenary kits I noted are a fairly loose fit for their parts and I'm going to have to fill a few bits, mainly the cap stones on the columns where the pegs leave a pretty large gap on them which irritates me a bit.

All in all some useful additions to the terrain options for the FW.

Future Wars Update 009 - Additional Buildings

Recently deciding that I needed a bit of variety for my terrain set-ups for my on-going 'Future Wars' project, and specifically a mix up on the buildings front to get a bit of Urban architectural diversity. I had already spotted some tidy bits and bobs with the Warmill ranges that I liked, so after a bit of deliberation I plumped for the Mini Mansion set, an extra Block Unit and a stair pack from the C.A.S.H. range to allow a bit of additional flexibility and some trendy fencing,from their Ultramodern range, all of which arrived in a nice weighty parcel at my door this week.

Digging out the parcel this evening and having a look over the contents, all looked present and correct, I opened up the Block Unit kit as a trail assembly and quickly cobbled together the unit. Taking a little over and hour to clip out and tidy up the pieces and then assemble using some PVA the kit went together nice and easily and now ready (after the glues dried) to undercoat and a spot of paint a suitable and simple paint job tomorrow.

At the same time as ordering up the Warmill stuff, I ordered a bit of scatter terrain pieces from Miniature Scenary over in Oz for a bit of trendy set dressing but these are still in transit but looking forward for a bit of Urban Landscaping when they arrive.

This terrain side project will be on-going but with the ease that the first kit went together, it shouldn't be long before all added to the shelf for a good boost to the Urban options.

Scatter Terrain - Barriers

I've just recently finished painting up the first batch of six barriers sections for use in my Future Wars project (and of course anything else suitable) with a colour scheme and look I had decided upon a while ago.

There are another eighteen pieces all of which are from Ainsty Castings are fairly ubiquitous around these parts for use in modern/ultra modern games.

The photo's show a slightly lightened version of the paint job and as I was going for a bit used and abused look, this has fairly well worked out. A couple of lessons learnt in the process of producing these bits, not so much in the painting of the pieces but mainly in the production and use of the water slide transfers I made for the pieces.

I made the transfers from downloading images from the interweb and adjusted/edited in photoshop and printed the images out on white transfer paper (to get a sharper, brighter image) and duly sealed the prints prior to use. I cut the transfers to size prior to use but noticed that once soaked and applied, the transfers developed a slight white edge around them where the colouring had leached slightly.

Now once applied and a quick run of wash applied to the edges of the transfers actually looked pretty good and a bit more 'worn' appearing, so a good accident as it were, but unintentional, so I would like to experiment and find out how to avoid this. Probably printing the transfers out on clear sheets will be the likely cure, but we'll see how this works out for clarity.

Having done this first batch as a trial, I'll produce the rest of the two dozen pieces and aim for a uniform finish, but with a bit of experimentation on the transfer front.

Future Wars Update 006 - Mechanised Infantry Platoon Complete

1st Platoon 1st Company 3 Scots (Mechanised Infantry), 2065 AD

Finally getting thing's into gear again and I got around to finishing off ('at last!' I hear them scream) my Mechanised Infantry Platoon for my Future Wars project.

With only one squad and it's vehicle to do, I bit the bullet over the last week or so and got them done including the APC (which prooved quite difficult to match the previous two, though you wouldn't have thought so with a pretty middling blue colour scheme but it ended up pretty close any way. (Plus it is a different model to the other two, supporting a GMG rather than the chain gun's of the other APC's).

Charlie Squad

Along with getting Charlie Squad done and dusted and bringing the Platoon up to full strength, I also, while I was about it, painted up a squad of other troops, in the form of some Special Forces types, to use as a bit of punch to augment the Regular's.

Attached Special Forces Squad

Now with the 1st Platoon, 1st Company 3 Scots (Mechanised Infantry) complete and in the bag I can continue with The Enemy which is now all prepared and ready for painting up with the their second squad already in the slips.

I've had a couple of small exploratary game's and have been tweeking the rules (Future Wars) slightly as a result, to make troops, particularly the Kra'uul, a bit more durable.

I've also been playing about a bit with the vehicle rule's to make them a bit more interesting and bringing in some light flyer types for a bit of hit & run and straffing. I'm also looking to get some human type upgrades for the 'Hoomies' in the form of some believable Hard Tech but keeping a weather eye out to see what I think fits.

I'll write up the proposed back story for a bit of fun and setting the scene, soon.

Once I get the other two Kra'uul squad's painted up, I can get my first game proper and start the ball rolling with 'the Defence of Stirling Barracks'. Watch that space.

Future Wars Update 005 - Platoon Command and Section

3 Scots Mechanised Infantry

I've now finished the Platoon Command and the second of the platoon sections for the Mechanised Infantry Platoon for the Future Wars project for the 1st Company, 3 Scots Battalion (Mechanised Infantry) 2065.

The Platoon Command includes a 2nd Lieutenant, Platoon Sergeant, Radio Operator and 51mm Mortar Operator mounted in their Scout Vehicle.

Platoon Command

Next up is Apha Section, comprising Fire Team Alpha 1 with Section command Corporal two Riflemen and LMG Gunner and Fire Team Alpha 2 with Lance Corporal, two Riflemen and LMG Gunner. Mounted in their APC

Alpha Section

Fire Team Alpha 1

Fire Team Alpha 2

With these now done, I've just Charlie Section to finish off and the Platoon is done which, now in progress should not be far away.

I'm starting on more of the Kra'uul as well but trying to find a quicker way to get them done as the first squad took ages to paint even though with a pretty easy paint scheme but we'll work on that one.

More on the Future Wars project soon.

Future Wars Update 003

Sarissa Gantry Bridge Dry Build

A little Christmas pressy for myself this year was to try out some MDF bits and bobs from Sarissa Precision, which I've had my eye on for a while.

I ordered them last thursday thinking they'd arrive after Christmas, but in they popped into my letter box on Saturday so really quick service there.

I ordered up three or four movement bases to see how they are and also ordered up a quick 5 for 4 deal, going for some of the low gantry pieces in their fairly extensive range of 'System 8' future terrain pieces; going for a set of steps, two long low gantry sections, a long low bridge section and one of the long canopy pieces.

I've been thinking about doing some walkways and gantry terrain for my Future Wars project and noticed these sets on the Sarissa site and thought they might have been a good starter for 10.

I'm pretty sold on the speed and simplicity of the various MDF terrain manufacturers out there and have tried a few bits from Warbases and the like for more traditional structures, but thought the idea particularly suited the modern/future aesthetic.

Opening up the packets was a pleasant surprise and was met with all the pieces cleanly and accurately cut and all the bits present and correct. I then tried a dry build to see how the bits went together. As you can see from the photo, the assembly was trouble free and as the build is a glue free assembly, pretty robust too.

I'll get the seperate pieces glued up and painted and the bases suitably textured etc though I may add some plastic sheeting on the decks as I think the size of the holes slightly excessive but that is a pretty small gripe and by no means necessary, just my own preference.

All in all, quite pleased with these and will get some more to add a 3rd dimension to the upcoming games and I'll post the results once complete.

Future Wars Update 002

Bravo Section - 1st Platoon - 1st Company
3rd Scots Battalion (Mechanised Infantry) 2065

I've now finished off the second Fire Team for the first section of my Mechanised Infantry Platoon for the Future Wars project, and I'm reasonably please with the results.

The completed Section now makes a small viable gaming team which coupled with the APC looks quite handy. All the figures in the section are Copplestone Castings.

I also painted up an old Urban Mammoth character, Major Kali to add a bit of character for the force for a possible character/hero use.

She certainly adds a bit of character to the project and no doubt will come in handy for scenario's etc.

As you can see from this post, I've also been mucking about with photographing the figure's which I think can be a bit of fun in it's own right, and if nothing else is a bit of practice with the camera and photo editing software. All part of the enjoyment of the hobby really.

Now that the first Section is complete and out of the way, I have a clear idea of how to complete the whole platoon, which is just a case of plodding through the painting and getting it done. Should be fairly clear cut.

I have had the vague idea of expanding the force from the Platoon to a full Company, which would would be fun, maybe including Manoeuvre Support and an attached Assault Platoon, but I'll park that one for now. One reason for that being having checked on the Web that Old Crow is not producing his existing line at the moment due to working on some movie project plus new lines. This all sounds very interesting, and I'll be watching his website with interest, but a bit of a pain if your wanting to expand your current collection. I think you can contact him with a wishlist of his existing range and he'll get back to you. 

Anyway, I've caught up with this project a bit, and I'm keen to progress with it and get it up to the finish for the end of the year, at least to get the original Platoon complete at any rate.

However, next up on this project fairly soon will be...The Enemy. Watch this space.

Force on Force Trial Game

The 'Modern' movement continues a-pace at the club with a trial game using the Ambush Alley Games 'Force on Force' rules for modern warfare this week.

The game was put on at the club by Dax, who supplied all the figures and terrain (and dangerously low flying remote control helicopter!), with myself, Dave K and Pete taking the side of the insurgents, in the form of Mudjahadeen and Iraqi Regular types, and Chuck being the plucky yank with a pile of US Marine fire teams.

The game was for us all to get a feel for the rules and a generally light hearted time was had as Chuck tried to get from one end of the table to the other and take possession of a mosque and/or a Bathist HQs building while the belligerent locals tried to stop them en-route.

Chuck had six turns to achieve his objectives before; nightfall/enemy re-enforcements arrived/a terrible earth quake/the end of the world as we know it happened.

Unfortunately for Chuck his rolls on the dice, of which there is a lot of in FoF, were to say the least abysmal for the first four turns. His fire teams getting shot up very badly without much progress along the table.

Some Marines have a lie down
 due to over exertion (and bullets)

Not only was Chucks' dice rolling fairly unlucky but the Iraqi's dice rolling for shooting and re-enforcements was the opposite with any losses being more than replaced and lots of wild shooting blind over the side of concrete balustrades and round corners seemed to be miraculously effective.

However the fickle dice gods saw reason towards the end of round four with an off table barrage which caused the regulars some grief and this event seemed to steel the marines resolve, and for the last couple of turns saw a reversal of fortunes with the marines inflicting the more expected level of mayhem and destruction.

However, fairly true to history, this proved too little too late, and when all the victory points were totted up, the Iraqi's had scored a, fairly unexpected, solid victory.

The scenario in fairness can be played either daylight (ours being played daytime rules, if you can see it you can shoot it) or night and I can see the night time version being a totally different kettle of rabbits.

Enjoyable game all round, and thanks to Dax for putting on the game and umpiring it. The gist of the evening being that the rules were pretty simple to pick up and weren't too bogged down with complications, and once into the swing of it, the game played pretty smoothly.

Next up in this mode, will no doubt be the Tomorrows War rules from the same stable, for future war/sci-fi games.