mumble weekly update

Another haphazardly timed update. Theres been a few trays across the painting table but little has stuck for more than a couple of days. The one that has stooped is been the slow moving 3mm Spearhead replacement air support project. Just looking at the bench I'm really not sure why I have so many helicopters....

I based up some of the larger Russian toys, and my god they are huge. Heres a Mi-6 Hook next to a couple of Hind D's. The Mi-26 Halo is larger.

I've done a bit of work on some of the bases. The RAF got a bit of a tart up first. Western Europe back roads are simple to make look interesting.

I also did some of the German and Russian eastern front bases, but its very hard to make the eastern europe steppe look interesting (and no I'm not doing snow....yet). Maybe some dead targets might improve things.

As something a bit different I've painted up The Saab Drakens for my future Danes.

Looking like something out of the Thunderbirds, I'm still not sure how the designers managed to convince the Swedish money men to give them the cash to make them.

More modern air support

 As a follow up to the last post, Peter and I also went halves on some NATO aircraft sets. As part of my SH/MSH air support replacement program I got the following.

Front left to right Gazelle, Lynx and Harrier, back PAH-1, UH-1 and an out of focus Saab Draken (Danes). My Brits have never actually had any air support so I'm sure it will be apreciated.

Next up the Russians and more Helicopters.

 

L to R Mi-4 Hound, Mi-8 Hip and Mi-6 Hook with a Hind in the back to scale. Now I knew that the Mi-6 was big but this is just enormous. In teamYankee you would not be able to fire the length of the cargo bay. Oh and a Mig 21's as well.

Finally I could not resist his set after my reading on the air war over North Vietnam. A complete SA-2 battery complete wth the "Spoon Rest" early warning radar and "Fan Song" fire control radar.

 The "Spoon Rest" radar array is printed on acetate (though possibly a bit thicker might be nice). The "Fan Song" looks like it was invented by a mad scientist on a wild weekend bender. I'd hate to see it change direction quickly.

"It won't track the target".

" Then stick more radar dishes on it!"

More air support

 As part of my ongoing saga in replacing my SH and MSH air support I was having an e-mail discussion with Peter a coule of monts back. He was interested in buying some more 3mm aircraft (there is a bag of similar models in the Page strategic lead pile) but was not sure about buying packs of 8. My imediate reply was "so what are you interetsed in...". It turns out that great minds think alike and fools seldom differ (take your pick).

The offshoot was another order from Picoarmour. Again when it arrived I pondered the decontamination procedures and then remembered it had been in the post for nearly 4 weeks. I''ll split it into 2 posts with the first up being German air support. Now by late war this is rather optimistic but doesn't stop anyone collecting models does it.

So from left to right we have HS129's, Ju87G's, Ju87B's and some FW190D's. Again I.'m really impressed with the casting (the Stukas with 37mm are very nicely done) and I'm looking forward to painting them.

Air support part whatever.

More slow plodding on with the airforces. I've now done most of the WW2 aircraft and based them. Theres still a bit of painting to finish and decals to source. For the older gentlemen at the back with poor eyesight, I'll provide comments.

RAF Typhoons in a well organised formation

Likewise P-47s from the 9th AF

Russian Il-2s in a much more informal "come as you are"

 As the packets come with 8 models, its enough for 2 stands with 4 models on each. The second base of IL-2's is idential to the first. However for the second base of -47's I thought would go out on a limb with the fomation.

Classical diving attack to port.

Theres another 4 Typhoons that I'm going to have a go at doing in line astern.

Update; yes it does work.

"Tally ho, Chaps"

I must go and buy some Germans (bring on Mr Rudel in a Stuka) as well as a few more 1980's Russian helicopters. If only they would do 1/2 sized packages.